Nobody Asked: Richmond - Hidden Gem

[Nonlinear FC]

So, my wife and I have a tradition of doing short, regional trips around our birthdays... which ever of us (April or May) makes the most sense given everything else going on.

One city that is in relative striking visit, but we'd never really considered: Richmond. So, we hit the road on Friday, just got back today. Highlights:

* - Richmond is a town of "neighborhoods" and we'd read up and decided to take a shot on Scott's Addition. She booked a slick Airbnb spot that was walking or incredibly short driving distance to about 6 really good breweries, a winery, and a ton of good food options. This spot wasn't located close to downtown, but I get the sense we were better off where we were.

* - First brewery we hit was Legends in the Old Manchester district. It was pretty dope, up high on the bluffs looking at the James River. Only problem was it was a bit chilly, so we just a couple of IPAs and hit the bricks. Food looked REALLY good, just wasn't in the cards.

* - Next we hit The Veil, back in Scott's Addition. I don't need to say much, as this is a very well known and regarded brewery. Out on the patio, and even though it was nippy, this spot was sunny and blocked most of the wind. Oh, and we had our own little fire pit.

* - Dinner that night was carry-out from a place right around the corner called Lunch.Supper. (lunch or supper). We ordered Fried Green Tomatoes, Braised Boneless Short Rib and Imperial Crab dip. Food was INCREDIBLE here. We weren't up for a big dinner, so just having some appetizers was perfect. The Short Ribs, in particular, with the homemade jalapeno mac-n-cheese was killer.

---Saturday---

* - Next day we had breakfast (pastry and coffee) at a local house called Blanchard's. This was right across the street from our place, and it was doing killer business throughout the day.

* - We headed to the downtown/capitol area for a river walk. They city has a shit load of trails and suspension bridges that allows you to go along and over the James river for many miles. We put in about 5 miles going from one bank to the other.

* Weather was really nice on Saturday, so we hit Hardywood Brewery for more outdoor fun. Fairly unremarkable beer, but people watching was incredible.

* Dinner was carry-out from ZZQue in Scott's Addition. (Leftovers are actually about to be dinner tonight) This was truly outstanding: Brisket, Pulled Pork, Mac-n-Cheese, Greens... I'm forgetting something. Anyways, REALLY good food.

----Sunday--- My birfday

* - Slept in and went back over to LunchorSupper for brunch. Great mimosa, then a bloody... Split a fried oyster app and roasted Brussel sprouts, then a big variant on biscuits and gravy with homemade sausage patty and an egg scramble and hash browns. DELICIOUS.

* - Wanted to let that settle, so we drove over to Carytown for a stroll. This entire area was fascinating to us, and gives us a reason to come back. It had kind of a Newbury Street dipped in southern sauce vibe to it. Not nearly as much retail, and I'm thinking with all of that food, these places must be good to survive.

* - Time for lunch, so we took up chedda's advice and drove a bit out to The Answer Brewpub. Got a flight of IPAs (sorry, chedda, I'm kind of lame on this front) and then we split a cheeseburger that was done kind of smashed style. I'm forgetting what we split as an app... Ah, wait, some of the best fried mushrooms I've ever had! Light batter and amazing dipping sauce. I liked this spot because it kind of seems to typify Richmond - random location, incredible beer, great service, awesome food.

* - Time to move on from beer, so we set up shop at the really cool/kid and dog friendly Brambley Park Winery. Amazingly, this was in Scott's Addition, which is an area best described as post-warehouse district in full gentrification mode. Railroad tracks with trains rumbling by beyond the tree line, but inside the grounds are Adirondack chairs, shaded tables and firepits. At this point, the weather was amazing, so we ordered a flatbread pizza (pep, salami, mushroom, spinach) and sipped on various white wines.

* After some napping and relaxing, time for carryout at nearby En Su Boca. As you'd expect, this was tex-mex fare, and hoo boy... They were not messing around. We got the usual array of salsas to go with our chips, all done in house and delicious. I got a smothered carnitas burrito, wife got tacos and a quesadilla. (Those leftovers will be served tomorrow.)

So, 3.5 days of just pure awesomeness. It's a gritty city... Parts of it reminded me of Fells Point, but where we stayed, I'm having trouble placing it. It's a surprisingly young town. It's kind of spread out and large in a geographic sense, but each of the neighborhoods has its own center and somewhat its own vibe.

I'd also point out, we were very pleasantly surprised by mask wearing and how strict all the restaurants were in their protocols. Safer than a lot of the joints I've been to here in MD, I'll say that.

We're definitely going to go back and see more of the city.

[govmentchedda]

Nice! Pretty sure I'm headed there again in June. I'll have to try some of these spots.

[wlu_lax6]

What did you drink at Hardywood because I will argue it is one of the finest makers of Stouts around. The Gingerbread Stout (and varieties- Xmas Breakfast, Pancake Stout) during xmas season is a very fast sellout and hard to get (only thing harder has been Mad Elf). They make some fruit-based stouts too (Rasberry). I usually try to find two bomber, age 1 and drink 1.

[govmentchedda]

What did you drink at Hardywood because I will argue it is one of the finest makers of Stouts around. The Gingerbread Stout (and varieties- Xmas Breakfast, Pancake Stout) during xmas season is a very fast sellout and hard to get (only thing harder has been Mad Elf). They make some fruit-based stouts too (Rasberry). I usually try to find two bomber, age 1 and drink 1.

Funny, RVA is where I found Mad Elf.

[mister d]

This sounds a lot like how we travel(ed). What other cities have you hit?

[Nonlinear FC]

What did you drink at Hardywood because I will argue it is one of the finest makers of Stouts around. The Gingerbread Stout (and varieties- Xmas Breakfast, Pancake Stout) during xmas season is a very fast sellout and hard to get (only thing harder has been Mad Elf). They make some fruit-based stouts too (Rasberry). I usually try to find two bomber, age 1 and drink 1.

I copped to that up a bit, because chedda gave me a bunch of recommendations for The Answer and I'm just not a huge beer guy past IPAs.

So, really to be fair, I shouldn't give beer spot recommendations other than IPAs and decor (and food). A lot of you guys drink stouts and other shit... Just not my jam.

[Nonlinear FC]

This sounds a lot like how we travel(ed). What other cities have you hit?

I can't tell if you're trolling, you beautiful bastard.

[Ryan]

He’s not but say “New Britain, CT” just in case

[mister d]

This sounds a lot like how we travel(ed). What other cities have you hit?

I can't tell if you're trolling, you beautiful bastard.

100% serious. A "new" city in driving distance would be a nice find.

[Nonlinear FC]

So, I don't know where you are in Jersey in terms what is a reasonable drive, but...

A hugely hidden gem outside the DMV is the Northern Neck in VA. It's South and East of the DMV... has historical sites (Washington), breweries, wineries and a ton of amazing little mom and pop/high end restaurants. Colonial Beach is kind of the "seat" and has a little downtown area (barely) that has a river boat casino (but not in a garish way, if that makes sense).

I can deep dive that place if you want, but I'll just say it's worth it if you know where to look.

[Nonlinear FC]

I mean, also, easier down 95.. Have you done Baltimore/Annapolis?

That's easily a week. I feel like you've done that, but my brain cells are wandering.

[mister d]

Yup, done Baltimore a few years back with the kids (and annually when we lived in Delaware).

[Nonlinear FC]

Let me explain Bethany and Rehobeth to you?

IOW, you got your this covered.

[EnochRoot]

Leesburg is fun.