The Liz Moore Market Watch Blog

By: Lauren Cummings

Plan your weekend trip to Richmond, Virginia with a thought-out itinerary from local insiders. We love sharing the beauty of our hometown, and we are so excited to show you why we love where we live!

Book Your Stay

Book your stay at one of our most-trusted favorites.

The Boulevard Inn is a bed and breakfast providing luxurious and stylish arrangements that not only make you feel at home but offer next-level comfort for the duration of your stay. They offer a European-style buffet breakfast daily, so you can fuel up for your day of activities in the main dining room of the inn. It is in the historical fan district and is within walking distance of tourist attractions and various dining spots.

The Jefferson Hotel provides high standards for luxury and has an immaculate reputation, earning its place as one of our most-trusted hospitality destinations. The hotel is crafted with beautiful architecture and is known for its custom furnishings, rich fabrics, and unexpected details. The rooms provide spacious dressing areas and marble baths, and you will find the service to be of superior standards.

An artsy hotel, Quirk Hotel Richmond, is perfect for those seeking a modern feel with endless comfort. The rooms offer a light and airy aesthetic with a cheerful ambience. Guests can expect unique art from local artists upon entering their room, along with soft, white duvets and oversized pillows for a restful night’s sleep.

Rise & Shine

We have the inside scoop on the best places to grab a coffee or have a nice brunch to fuel up before your plans for the day.

Social 52 is one of our favorite spots for a high-quality American breakfast or lunch. The build-your-own Bloody Mary menu and variety of mimosa flavors are also an enticing aspect of the menu. The breakfast dishes are southern fare inspired, but the atmosphere sticks to the urban feel that the city provides. Try one of our favorite options, the Shrimp and Grits or the Chicken and Waffles!

The Ironclad Coffee Roasters serves a specialty grade cup of joe. This isn’t your average café – Ironclad Coffee takes care in each step of the coffee brewing process. From cultivation to roasting, this coffee is made with care and expertise. The shop is also known for its outstanding customer care. This coffee shop is worth a trip to Shockoe Bottom during your stay!

What to Do & Where to Go

Richmond is known for the arts. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, or VMFA, is a popular destination to explore various exhibitions and artifacts. You can choose to tour the museum on your own, or you can book a tour with a tour guide that leads the group with expertise on the subjects throughout the museum.

Maymont Gardens and Victorian Estate is a must-see for those who appreciate strategically landscaped gardens or are curious about the Gilded Age. You can plan to have a picnic in the gardens in a secluded area or walk along the paths that take you through the formal gardens and arboretum. Take a self-guided audio tour in the Maymont Mansion to learn about the people who lived and worked there.

Kings Dominion is an action-packed theme park that is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Richmond. It’s a perfect full-day activity for a group that has a younger crowd, or those with little ones accompanying them. The coasters and thrill rides are fun for everyone! For those who love water fun, check out Soak City! There are attractions for every preference, so be sure to plan a visit during your stay in Richmond.

Richmond Beer Trail

Sometimes all you need is an ice-cold brew.

Richmond was named in USA Today as #6 in the country’s “Best Beer Scenes,” and was named the #1 Beer Destination in the World by Vinepair. With over 40 breweries, this city has what a brew-lover wants!

Check out visitRichmondVA.com to get the full beer trail and decide where you’d like to start:

https://www.visitrichmondva.com/things-to-do/trails/richmond-beer-trail/

Good Eats

Richmond has some of the best restaurants in the state. The choices may seem endless, so we have listed a few of our favorites to assist you in navigating through the possibilities.

Don’t forget to make a reservation in advance – these spots are highly sought after!

L’Opossom is a gourmet French restaurant that offers an eclectic, art-filled space for dining and with a playful yet sophisticated ambiance. With a menu that changes frequently, each visit to this restaurant will be a unique culinary experience. Try their crafted cocktails or order from their wine menu that offers local and international options.

The Roosevelt is in Richmond’s oldest neighborhood, Church Hill, and is described as a “homey” restaurant with New Southern fare in a country-chic space. The award-winning, acclaimed restaurant is known for its craft cocktails, and they offer a variety of local Virginia wines.

For Mid-Atlantic seafood and handcrafted cocktails, plan to dine at Alewife. You will be greeted with a bright and airy ambiance with sophisticated dishes influenced by the Chesapeake Bay. The menu changes weekly, however, you are guaranteed to have high quality seafood options and a variety for other dietary preferences, including vegetarian.

Nightlife

The day isn’t over yet! End the night with one of the best aspects of urban living – the lively nightlife.

The Circuit Arcade Bar is a great spot for gaming and trying different beers. The arcade bar offers pour-your-own draft beers, so you can skip the wait at the bar for a refill. Play classic arcade games, including Ms. Pac-Man and Mario Bros, multiplayer games, racing, pinball, and much more.

The speakeasy style lounge, The Jasper, offers an old-school atmosphere serving artisanal cocktails. The lounge is nestled in a beautiful part of downtown Richmond, W Cary Street. You are in for a treat with the ambiance of this bar alone, and the cocktails are as good as they get!

For food, fun, and drinks - visit Tang & Biscuit on W Moore Street. It’s known for being RVA’s premier entertainment venue, providing live music and hosting public events. Reserve a table and have a drink, play table games with your group, or play shuffleboard – a favorite among visitors!

A Short Drive Away

For even more to do and see during your stay, check out more of our recommendations in Williamsburg, the Peninsula, and the Northern Neck!

Visit any of our favorite spots during your stay? Let us know about your experience on lizmoore.com!

By Karen Newton

Supper in Scott’s Addition knows how to make its four-legged customers happy.

Settle into their garden patio, full of plants which are used by the kitchen to create seasonal menus, to get a sense of being in the country while actually in an urban setting. The sense of serenity makes it a calm oasis for friends, family, and pets to enjoy a drink or meal. With a wide-ranging menu of comfort foods that speaks to both carnivores and vegetarians -the stuffed portabella and Down on the Farm sandwich are legendary with Richmond’s non-meat eaters- Supper has had a devoted following since the day it opened in 2012.
Part of that following wears a collar and walks on four paws. To accommodate them, the staff will supply your dog with a water bowl and something even far tastier: healthy treats made in-house by Supper’s baker. Rare is the pooch who will turn down a homemade treat.

There aren’t a whole lot of rules to bringing man or woman’s best friend to Supper. All fur babies must be well behaved, and according to owner Rick Lyons, most are. They’re also required to be on a leash and refrain
from bothering other patrons at nearby tables.

“We love our Supper Puppers and encourage our patrons to bring them here,” says Lyons. “We’ve never really had an issue and when we do, it’s usually the human involved. Go figure!”

Looking for a way to celebrate St. Patty's Day in Richmond?  There are many great options!

Here are our recommendations:

Shamrock the Block
March 12th 12-6pm
Shamrock The Block is a FREE street festival in its 17th year - located on the Boulevard in Richmond, VA between Leigh and Broad Street.

Shamrock RunRVA 5K
March 13th 10:30am
Celebrating St. Patty's Day with the 4th Annual Shamrock RunRVA 5k! This 5k road run/walk will start and end at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, in the heart of RVA.

Official St. Patrick's Bar Crawl
March 12th 1-9pm
Richmond's Official St. Patrick's Bar Crawl Returns For The 5th Year! Register Now & Join The Shenanigans.

Did you know that you can find a fantastic selection of fresh ingredients for your cooking projects, sourced from local suppliers right here in Richmond, Virginia? We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites so you can support local businesses this holiday season and take your cooking to the next level.

Good Foods Grocery

A Richmond favorite, Good Foods Grocery was established in 1985 and has since provided the area’s largest selection of bulk flours, spices, and more. You won’t be able to beat the flavor of your freshly-baked goods when you use their ingredients!

Libbie Market

A full grocery, over 500 varieties of wine, a catering service, and bulk coffee and candies - what more could you want? If you need a one-stop shop, Libbie Market might be just the place for you.

Penzey's Spices

Do you have recipes this year that call for more unique spices? Your best bet is to go by Penzey’s Spices in Carytown. The selection is fantastic- a feast for your eyes as well as your tastebuds.

The Olive Oil Taproom

Home of over 54 flavors of oils and vinegars, the Olive Oil Taproom is your place to shop if you’d like to treat your guests to an unforgettable meal.

Ellwood Thompson's

Pick up locally-sourced ingredients at this popular spot right near Carytown. You can trust the quality you’ll find at this grocery that sells only the best.

Enjoy your holiday feasts with the best Richmond has to offer!

As Fall arrives, so does apple picking season in Virginia.  Here are some of our favorite destinations that make for a great day trip.

1. Carter Mountain Apple Orchard
Pick your own apples, enjoy the beautiful views, and treat yourself to the famous apple cider donuts!
1435 Carters Mountain Trail,
Charlottesville, VA 22901

2. Rock Hill Orchard
Pick your own apples or select from a variety of
pre-picked apples! Enjoy the famous apple butter as well. Call ahead for hours.
3151 Elon Road,
Monroe, VA 24574

3. Stribling Orchard
A beautiful orchard farmed by the Stribling family for 6 generations. Pick your own apples and enjoy their fabulous apple pie!
11587 Poverty Hollow Ln, Markham, VA 22643

4. Graves’ Mountain Orchard
Go apple picking here in October and enjoy their family-friendly apple harvest festival!
205 Graves Mountain Lane,
Syria, VA 22743

1. Three Crosses Distilling Company

Family-owned distillery with a country feel. Menu items include their own Harry Potter-inspired mixed drinks!
3835 Old Buckingham Rd.
Powhatan, VA 23139
(804) 818 - 6330

2. James River Distillery 

Offerings include their specialty Commonwealth Gin, a variety of flavored rums, and their own rendition of a Scandinavian spirit.
2700 Hardy St,
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 716-5172

3. Virago

At Virago, rums are distilled in a “vintage, direct-fire, 2,500-liter Charentais-style alembic still – one of only a few operating in the United States”. Enjoy one of their prestigious award-winning rums today!
1727 Rhoadmiller St,
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 355-8746

4. Cirrus Vodka

Distills vodka from potatoes, providing a 100% gluten-free drink to accommodate special dietary needs! Come enjoy the sheer perfection of their beverages.
1603 Ownby Ln,
Richmond, VA 23220
(844) 724-7787

5. Belle Isle Craft Spirits

Although they don’t have a tasting room, we couldn’t go without mentioning one of the local favorites! Treat yourself to one of their famous local moonshines.
615 Maury St, Richmond VA 23224
(804) 723-1030

By Brandy Centolanza

When it comes to authentic Italian cuisine, Vito Bellantuono, owner of La Cucina Ristorante Italiano & Pizzeria in Midlothian, takes things seriously. Vito, a native of Italy, has been working hard the past nine years to provide his customers with the best Italian dishes out there.

“We are trying to strike that balance between American Italian food and true Italian food,” Vito said. “We are
always trying new flavors. Our goal is to introduce our customers to different ingredients and to expand their palates.”

Vito co-owns La Cucina, which means “the kitchen” in Italian, with his wife, Joann. The restaurant is located at The Shoppes at Bellgrade on West Huguenot Road. Though he’s owned La Cucina since 2010, he’s been in the
restaurant industry his whole life.

Vito was born in Italy and migrated to the United States in 1973. His father’s entire family was involved in the
restaurant business in Brooklyn, NY, and Vito started working at a young age. He began by serving slices of pizza and washing dishes, which evolved into working in the kitchen and meal prepping.

“It was just a natural progression,” Vito said. “Being a part of this business just became a part of my life.” Vito made his way to the Richmond area in 1995, where he opened an Italian restaurant with his brother-in-law. The duo later opened the restaurant Chianti on Gaskins Road. Eventually, Vito sold his half of Chianti to his brother-in-law when he and Joann decided to open La Cucina.

La Cucina serves traditional Italian food such as pizza and pasta including manicotti, ravioli, cannelloni, and
 lasagna as well as original dishes that Vito creates on a weekly basis. “We pride ourselves on our fish and
veal,” he said. “We have three different specials every week: a fish, a protein, and a pasta.”

La Cucina’s signature pasta dish is pasta Michaelangelo with chicken, shrimp, sausage, red peppers, and
artichoke in a light pink sauce. Other top sellers are the pasta Bolognese served with a meat sauce made with ground veal, beef, pork, and a hint of cream as well as the seared salmon in a lemon caper sauce. The veal and
chicken Marsala entrees are also popular. The restaurant offers roughly half a dozen different veal and chicken dinner entrees.

Vito operates in the kitchen while Joann is responsible for the front of the house. Nearly everything is made
in-house at La Cucina, from the bread to the sauces and dressings. Vito is constantly finding inspiration for his meal selections, even traveling back to Italy for ideas. Customers also rave about his soups.

“Our food is seasonal, and tends to be more hearty in the winter,” he said. “In the summer, I will use a lot more fruit. Right now, I am making a lot of soups. I try not to make the same soup more than twice a year.”

Vito has recipes for more than 100 soups. His wife’s favorite is the chicken gnocchi soup. “Cooking is like handwriting: everyone has their own signature,” Vito said. “I like creating and experimenting in the kitchen and finding out what works and what doesn’t.”

Patrons can eat in the dining room or al fresco on the patio during warmer weather. At La Cucina, Vito and Joann strive to meet the needs of every customer.

“Everything is made to order,” Vito said. “We want to give people a good quality meal and experience at a fair price. We want to make sure everything is right from the moment you place your order to the presentation of the food on your plate to serving you the meal.

Consistency is key to the craft. We don’t compromise on the quality of the food.” Vito and Joann have had loyal customers through the years, some whom come routinely to eat and have watched their two boys grow up. “It’s like they’ve become a part of our family, and that’s very rewarding,” Joann said. “It’s great to hear people say that this is the best food that they’ve had in a long time. Satisfying our customers is what it is all about.