And we’re back!

This week, we’re not together but we’ve shared a healthy heaping of texts (you might call it flurries—too soon for flake jokes?) because Megan is OOO; read more about her adventures below.

But whether we’re near or far, we’ve still got the scoop.

What we’ve heard

Calyx Cafe opens in Jackson Ward

Richmond now has a single-origin specialty coffee cafe and lounge.

“The easiest way to describe it is the wine tasting version of a coffee shop,” says Calyx Cafe owner Anthony DeConti. “We have a menu of beans from different expert roasters around the world that are sourcing true specialty coffee from farmers that are growing coffee cherries the way vineyards grow the finest wine,” says DeConti.

“It’s a very different roasting process and a more difficult brewing science to dial in these coffees, but the result is a modern coffee experience that brings the natural fruity flavors, subtleties and aromas into every cup,” says DeConti.

In order to get every shot just right, Calyx boasts what DeConti describes as “espresso technology” (using a Decent Espresso brand machine) that allows them to track data for perfect brewing. “We are pushing the boundaries of what coffee can do with experimental recipes,” he says.

Want to go deeper into your beans? Calyx also offers an omakase experience. Make your reservation and an expert barista/mixologist will walk you through tasting flights featuring their most exotic beans.

“Our signature course highlights one bean that is sampled as a pour over, an espresso shot, a cortado/latte and a unique coffee cocktail based on the natural notes of the bean,” DeConti says. “We have pour over courses, espresso courses, grinder courses and more.”

Sub Rosa is bread-making at Can Can Brasserie

Kinda.

Can Can Brasserie has offered their baking space to Sub Rosa. The original location of the award-winning bakery is still being repaired after a fire that occurred in November of 2024.

Three of Sub Rosa’s bakers and the front-of-house at Can Can have been coordinating to sell breads and pastries out of the restaurant’s side door.

This partnership is likely going to morph into something different as Can Can has begun to open in the morning and the day on Monday. The next plan (as of press time) is a pop-up with next-day bread (locations TBD) using Can Can’s space to make the bread and pastries. The bread will also be available at Birdhouse Market.

“[We are fortunate that] a lot of spots have offered up locations and kitchens,” says Sub Rosa owner Evrim Dogu. As for flour, all spots that sell Sub Rosa bread have their bags of flour (find the full list here).

Global Fusion grand reopening

Last year, one of our favorite sleeper sandwich spots closed its doors to become catering only. Well, they’re back baby! As of Feb. 19, Global Fusion has reopened for pickup and delivery. As the name implies, the menu spans hot dogs, sandwiches and more with various global flavor influences.

We recommend the Saigon—house-smoked pulled pork topped with pickled daikon, papaya, cucumber, carrots, jalapeno, cilantro and Sriracha vinaigrette with house-made chips and the mango habanero wings. And when you order a hot dog, you can choose between all-beef, lamb sausage or chicken.

Changes in Carytown

The former home of Bryant’s Cider (3423 W. Cary St.) is getting a wine, dessert and small plates spot, Nouveau Provisions. The owner is Nouveau Farms, a boutique farm winery in Varina.

Along with cafe fare, the new spot will offer a wine club. Two Benjamins gets you up to four bottles of wine, a ten percent discount on purchases at the cafe and farm, two crystal wine glasses and exclusive access to events, wines and more fun.

Carytown Sushi (2925 W. Cary St.) has closed. Megan did some investigative footwork and there’s an ABC on-and-off premise permit sign in the window for WX Restaurant Inc. We want to know more. Call us!

Boulevard Burger and Brew has reopened

After a car drove into the building, BBB shut down to perform some much needed renos and is back open for business as of Feb. 17.  Eat Restaurant Partners president Chris Tsui says, “We did a pretty extensive reno—four months, a little longer than we thought. We made the interior larger and the patio twice as big as it used to be. Might be bigger than PBR [another EAT restaurant] on Cary,” says Tsui.

“The first renovation was really strict—it had to be like the original building, Kelly’s Jet System Hamburgers. But because of the accident, we were able to replace a few things with some more energy efficient resources,” says Tsui. “Additionally, we put in a milkshake room where we popped a window to the outside and now you can walk up and get a milkshake (even an adult one).”

(Much) more from Tsui/EAT 

The group has plans to open four more spots this year, including an Italian restaurant in the same Short Pump shopping center as Red Salt and Wong’s Tacos.

Civita Italian will hopefully open before the end of the year and, as the name implies, will feature chef Kevin LaCivita who you might remember from The Blue Goat, Pomegranate, Sushi O or Red Salt. Chef LaCivita, we know rabbit pate isn’t technically Italian, but can you run it back for Blue Goat groupies?

Two more Wong’s Tacos will open, one in Hanover and one in Raleigh, North Carolina, and a Lucky AF is set to open in Forest Hill.

You’ve got to try it (and can we get more of it)?

Pizza Bones calzones

We finally made it to Pizza Bones for one of their coveted calzones that are only available Mondays and Wednesdays. The hearty flavor of that naturally fermented dough really shines when stuffed with mozz, ricotta, garlic, oregano and your choice of three toppings—we went pepperoni, mushroom and basil. Also tempting is the current special muffaletta pizza topped with red sauce, mozz, provolone, mortadella and olive salad. And we can never leave the Bones without a mini chocolate chip cookie—so tasty at only $2.

Pro tip: go on Monday Industry Nights when your in-store purchase is 15% off.

Quesadillas from Taqueria Dona Rosa 

When we heard that the fresh corn tortilla quesadillas from Tacos Dona Rosa on Jefferson Davis were resplendent, we knew we had to try them. It’s a brilliant and toothy fresh tortilla, a meat of your choice, chopped onion and some very tender cactus (Try it, you’ll like it.). We had hongos (mushrooms) and chicharron (pork). If you are into quesadillas but feel that they are just missing something, these will fix any hesitation you have.

Thank you to Junior Garcia, a colleague of Robey’s, who hit us with the quesadilla tip.

What we’re eating at home

Robey: I am low-key obsessed with the construction of Polpetti’s Italian sub. I know “sandwich architect” is so absurdly Andrew Knowlton but these guys have it figured out and frankly, Knowlton would be proud. The sandwich is a classic Italian sandwich, soppressata, prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, onion, lettuce and vinaigrette—but it’s packed, stuffed, jammed, with these ingredients. It’s an art, and they have mastered it. Also, if an Italian sandwich isn’t your thing, maybe we aren’t meant to be friends?

Megan: I finally tried the viral blue cheese martini and it was delightful! Basically you add a gob of the stinky stuff to vodka and freeze it, then strain it. I soaked a big bottle of Cirrus vodka before a party, whipped up a batch of freezer ‘tinis, walked in and immediately became party hero. The hand-stuffed, blue cheese olives on tiny disco ball toothpicks might have helped, too.

Where we’re headed

Megan just got back from a visit to Champagne (Robey just wishes she was invited) where she drank so many bubbles she might need a break from bubbles. Just kidding, that break lasted one day! We might not be able to take you on a trip to France, but here are some spots for snacking and sipping a la francais:

Allez-vous to Chez Max for escargots en cercueils finished with brandy and pernod, foie de veau (calf’s liver—recommended for serious French gourmands only), Dover sole… bring on the decadence! 

Can Can falls somewhere between French brasserie and New York City’s take on a French brasserie, but either way it’s a fun vibe. Now that the cafe has reopened in the morning, we like popping in for big, foamy cappuccinos and fresh baked pain au chocolat.

Echelon Wine Bar is hosting a Champagne tasting class on March 19 with six true champers for $45 per person. Learn what makes real Champagne, Champagne. 

Chez Foushee boasts a gorgeously decorated dining room and some seriously swanky French-inspired dinner choices like trout meunière and steak au poivre. Pair either with some live jazz tunes every Friday night and piano karaoke every third Friday. We get questions about live karaoke all the time—here’s your answer.

Jardin almost always offers Champagne by the glass, which can be hard to find because those bottles are pricey. They’ve also been putting French onion soup on the menu—sounds like a perfect afternoon.

And for your quaint Parisian corner restaurant vibe, get the steak frites at sister restaurant Grisette. Only, you won’t be stumbling in here; you’ll likely need a reservation.

If you happen to be headed to Virginia Beach and are looking for a burger to reign above most burgers in the area, look to Frank and Patty’s. The little joint (think 15 seats or so) recently opened on 17th Street, next to Prosperity Kitchen, and is already planning an expansion into the now shuttered Posh Surf next door. Expect that expansion in March.

—XOXO Megan and Robey