Written post visit to the Robins Nature Center at Maymont.
Maymont has two new baby porcupines, or porcupettes, if you will, and we can’t handle the cuteness. And you can’t handle their cuteness either — because they’re prickly, ha — we’ve got porcupette jokes.
And, from the photos Maymont is sharing, Sandy and her soon-to-be-named companion seem like real Dish gals to us — they do a lot of snacking. This got us thinking, what would a porcupette eat in Richmond (WWAPEIR)? We’ve got some ideas. Also, happy to take either one or both to dinner, Maymont. Just saying.
Also, you can name the one, yet-to-be-named cutie by making at least a $25 donation to Maymont, pop over here to enter your creative name suggestion (through Aug. 17). And visit with the critters at the Nature Center during extended summer hours, Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
WWAPEIR
A cold one at Vasen
Come on, a sustainability-focused brewery complete with a pseudo stone center area that’s perfect for denning? We definitely see our porcupettes toasting Maymont’s other adorable animals with an Otter Gose.
Tiny tipples at The Pink Room and Brazen
Our little friends probably don’t have much tolerance, so they need drinks that are as cute and tiny as they are. We’re sending them to The Pink Room on Thursdays for tiny tinis that cost just $7 each, and to Brazen’s happy hour at the patio and bar Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. for $5 snaquiris (the name is almost as pleasing as the term porcupette).
Underrated carrots about town
Porcupettes are herbivores with some mad love for carrots. Has seasonal eating ever looked so adorable? For some of the best tasting carrots in town, we see them heading to Helen’s, Lillie Pearl and Blue Atlas.
Helen’s roasts their carrots till tender and settles them under slices of grapefruit and orange, pickled radishes, creamy tzatziki, a bit of feta and a smattering of crushed pistachios.
Lillie Pearl uses baby heirloom carrots, baked until tender, and pairs them with whipped goat cheese and a drizzle of hot honey and herbs.
Blue Atlas shakes things up a bit and imparts carrots into pasta. These delicate cavatelli are enrobed in a nutty sunflower seed pesto and then dotted with cheesy Taleggio mornay and a few more carrots. Perfect for people—and porcupettes.
What we’ve heard
Coalescence Coffee has added a new location at 23 W. Broad St. A statement on the website reads: “Our vision is to create a community-centered coffee shop — more than just a place to grab a cup of excellent coffee, but a space where people can come together, connect, and feel like they belong.” We’re excited for the shiny new space and specialty coffee drinks in the arts district.
Can you ever have too much lobster? This is a rhetorical question. Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls just added a second RVA location in Short Pump at 11761 A W. Broad St. in the Shoppes at Westgate, with classic, Connecticut, lobster-salad-style and more, all order-able online for a quick and easy seafood score.
Smokestack Pizza & Bar has opened its doors inside The Padel Plant on Richmond’s canal walk. The pizza joint features four types of pizza and several focaccia-based sandwiches. The website is hailing the pizza as neo-neopolitan, authentic Italian style pizza. We are headed there for lunch, when you can get a slice of pizza bigger than your head.
Mike and Kim Lindsey must never sleep. The duo has paired up with longtime brewers and Richmond beer enthusiasts, CM Bryant and Darryl Puller who currently operate Brainstorm Brewhouse out of Black Heath Meadery in Scott’s Addition. The four will collaborate to open Brainstorm Brewing and Bolo’s Eatery in the old Dogtown Brewing space in Manchester. They are looking at a September opening serving fried chicken, oysters, and hopefully, the excellent lagers Puller is starting to get a name for.
What we’re eating at home
Robey: It’s been way too hot to turn on a stove or an oven, so it’s been a lot of eating out for this girl. If you haven’t taken advantage of the epic mortadella being served in varying ways at Jardin, here’s your morty-d signal. And maybe it’s just me, but I’ve been really feeling huge salads lately, which is timely as Joe’s Inn has recently put their country greek salad back on the menu. Loads of tomato, cucumber, onion and feta, this salad could feed a family of four who is hosting another family of four for dinner.
Megan: I have barely been at home. So instead I’m going to highly recommend you train it up to Georgetown for a caviar tasting at Baku Caviar Boutique. The “Discovery” tasting includes four different selections of Azerbaijani sustainable caviar with all the fixings for snacking. I learned I really can taste the difference between varieties! It’s a lovely, luxe AC-filled afternoon to escape the heat.
Where (we’d like to be) headed
Two Richmond food establishments are hosting big October trips that should be on your radar.
Go with Truckle Cheesemongers to London, Somerset and Bath from Oct. 12-19. You’ll stay in an English manor, visit dairies and markets and spend time with London’s top artisan cheesemakers. This itinerary is packed with tasty happenings.
Barrel Thief is taking a crew to Oregon’s Willamette Valley from Oct. 9-13. You’ll visit wineries while dining and staying in McMinnville in the heart of the valley. Why plan your own wine adventure when you can let an expert do it for you?
—XOXO Megan and Robey
