Replace your vodka with something better.
This week, we talk with bar manager Christian Johnston of Charlottesville's Cicchetti Bar (located in Tavola) about the city's rising food and cocktail scene.
For a cocktail fix, check out Johnston's "Gimlet" made with pineapple & pink peppercorn infused Belle Isle. Cheers!
PartyRVA, a digital platform that gives local suggestions to people planning parties and events, recently graduated from Richmond-based startup accelerator Lighthouse Labs, and received $100,000 of investment in December.
Saison Market opened in 2014 to the delight of Jackson Ward residents and chicken biscuit lovers alike. Sharing a kitchen with its sister Restaurant, Saison (whose owner, Jay Bayer, has been featured both on the blog and our cocktail page), the Market offers patrons a coffee-shop comfort level combined with wine, beer, cocktails, food, and a killer new patio.
After graduating from VCU with an art degree, Ashley Hawkins and a group of other recent grads needed a place to do their work where they weren’t isolated and could feed off each other's creativity. Studio Two Three was born with the goal of creating an artists community and an incubator for creativity, and it’s done just that - and more - since its inception in 2009.
There are those nights when you get your ass kicked. All night. So hard. And you weren't expecting it. When it's happening you don't know how you're going to survive. You need to make 15 cocktails, put in five dinner orders, talk to the dude who keeps staring you down in the third row of guests, split three tabs, DO ALL THE DISHES, and smile. Can't forget to smile. You make it out alive, look over at Adam Pitts, and ask "What the fuck just happened?!"
Joseph Ewens is what some would call a "lifer." After 18 years, eight bars, and seven cities, Ewens can clearly point to his success as a career bartender. "I just love people. The people are why I keep doing this," he told us during a recent visit to the bar at Max's on Broad. Joseph's enthusiasm for craft cocktails and great conversation left little question around the young restaurant's recent popularity.
Known for creative dishes, an awesome happy hour (the Painless1099 guys cited it as a favorite) and tons of draft beer, Savory Grain is fast becoming a Broad Street staple. This week, bar manager Colin King gave us a behind the scenes look at the cocktail menu and leaves sage advice for new bartenders.
Michael Hanbury recently returned to his hometown of Richmond, Virginia after an extended stay in Greensboro & Raleigh which left him an expert in Southern-style food & hospitality. Now bar manager of comfort, Hanbury's 16 years of bartending experience brings a fresh flavor to the cocktail menu (some of which include yours truly).
Renowned bartender Beth Dixon has been the Beverage Director at Pasture since the restaurant opened four years ago. Located in the heart of Richmond's Art District, Pasture is known for it's local ingredients, minimal decor, and fresh twist on the Southern dining experience. We visited Beth behind the bar to talk craft cocktails and creative ways to collect summertime ingredients.
Welcome to Day 12 of our second 12 Days Of Infusions! A big thanks to all the bartenders who helped us out with this year's series. T Leggett finishes off this year with a Candy Cane infused moonshine, cocktail and Christmas Tree tincture recipe. Cheers & happy holidays from the Belle Isle Craft Spirits team!