The Slice: Birthdays, Fests and Melty Raclette

photo via comfort on FB, by Samuel Dixon

COMFORT’S QUINCEAÑERA

Hap Hap HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the beloved Richmond restaurant landmark that is Comfort. The 15-year-old restaurant will celebrate this Saturday with $15 entrees and $1.50 PBR’s & Kentucky Gentleman shots. Chef Jason Alley will be cooking and has orchestrated a playlist of all the hits that were in rotation 15 years ago. It’s a little off brand, but I’m hoping to hear Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” because 2002 was a magical time, and that’s one of the reasons why.

It’s been a pretty good week for Alley, having received heaps of praise from Garden & Gun and having had his story, “A Change Worth Making,” published in Richmond Magazine, to heartfelt rave reviews. It’s a story worth telling and reading, something very true that will resonate with anyone who’s spent time in the food and beverage industry.

PICKLE ME THIS

This Saturday, September 23 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm is the Pickled & Fermented Festival at Center of the Universe Brewery. It is a mecca for pickle-lovers, with a dozen vendors selling their briny creations, live pickling demonstrations from chefs like Mike Ledesma, Kevin Church, and Diana Sbaitri, plus live music and the naming of the 2017 Pickle Competition Winners! I'll be judging the pickle competition tonight with fellow judges Karen Grisevich, Robey Martin, and event organizers Larkin Garbee and Ashley Ray. This time, unlike last year, I have prepared by bringing multiple bottles of water. It's hard work, but that's why they called the pro's.

FEST-TOBERFEST

It’s fill-in-the-blank-toberfest time, and one fest that’s not to be missed is Metzger Bar & Butchery’s annual Oktoberfest. It is, after all, the cuisine they're known for. And this year, the Metzger crew will shut down the block for a party with shnitzels, pretzels, and sudsy beer. Saturday, September 30th from 1:00 to 7:00 pm.

EVERYBODY WAS KUNG FU EATING

Have you missed Stock Provisions lately? I know, me too dude. But put on your party clothes because on Saturday, September 30th, the boys are back in town and they’re bringing their buddies from The Meathook with them for Kung Fu BBQ at The Veil Brewing from 4:00 to 9:00 pm. Proceeds benefit the good folks at Tricycle.

NO RACLETTES

Raclette was made for melting. In fact, the French/Swiss term refers to a category of cheeses, as well as a specific cheese and a tool for melting cheese. And on Sunday, October 1st, Chairlift will host a night in this gooey goodness’s honor, with Alpine wine and all things melty from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. No reservations and no regrets.

SIP OF THE WEEK: TROPIC LIKE IT'S HOT

It's Pride Weekend! Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community all weekend long and especially at Pridefest on Saturday from 12:00 to 8:00 on Brown's Island with an awesome line-up of live music, entertainment, food and drink, including Tropic Like It's Hot--a collaborative beer, brewed by Hardywood, Ardent Craft Ales and Center of the Universe--"a hefeweizen brewed with passion fruit, pineapple, and lime." Sounds like easy (but responsible, of course) drinkin' for an awesome day on Brown's Island.

BITE OF THE WEEK: APPLES DIPPED IN HONEY

L'Shanah Tovah to all who observed Rosh Hashanah this week! Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time for celebration--to ring in a sweet new year, and the food that perhaps best signifies this is apples dipped in honey. Ever curious as to how the combination came about? Read up and eat up!

GRAM OF THE WEEK: @STICKYRICERVA

The Fan sushi bar and tot spot turned 18 this week, and all signs point to RAGER. Keep doing what you do, Sticky Rice.