The food scene is forever changing in this town,
With delightful new spots and farewells that make us frown.
A list can’t do it justice, so at this time,
Why not finish the year with a little rhyme?
Graffiato and Stuzzi no longer serve pies,
And to both of the Luncheonettes we said our goodbyes.
Kitchen on Cary closed its doors in the Slip,
And Boka Tako Bar served its final queso dip.
Continental Divide has left the Fan,
And Flora and Starlite packed up their pots and pans.
Adios, Best Friends Forever and Pelon’s Baja Grill,
We remember you fondly, Lower 48 and Seven Hills.
The closing of Strange Matter broke a lot of hearts,
And the Pot and Bertucci’s also had to depart.
The good news is we had a lot more hellos,
And surely have welcomed some nice new fellows.
Pop-ups gave us previews of ZZQ and Nate’s,
And Tiny Victory and Longoven now offer their tastes.
NuVegan is every dairy-free person’s wish,
And we’re hearing good things about Alewife’s fish.
After River City Roll opened with bowling lanes,
Tang and Biscuit and Bingo joined the club with their games.
Perch and Aloi quickly became hot spots,
So now there’s more to eat in the Addition of Scott’s.
Cocktails at the Jasper are shaken and stirred,
The debut of Taste drew a crowd, you may have heard.
Luther Burger will replace a bun with a doughnut,
And to calories at Kilwins, we say “So what?”
Pies and Pints and Billy Pie joined the pizza gang,
Plus the Hop and PBR, which opened with a bang.
Carytown is now home to Hai Y’all and the Melt,
And Kreggers at Hand may loosen your belt.
Latitude Seafood is up to two places,
At West Coast Provisions you’ll see familiar faces.
Bar Solita and Temple came to Broad Street,
Hot Diggity Donuts serves cocktails with sweets.
At Ironclad it’s about pastries and lattes,
What’s better than ice cream at the Scoop on hot days?
Virago and Trial and Error are both making booze,
And Canon and Draw opened up with new brews.
Don’t Look Back had two openings this year,
And Little Nickel is more than welcome here.
521 Biscuits and Waffles is free of gluten,
Swan Dive can make a sandwich, there’s no refutin’.
Hardywood expanded out to West Creek,
And Salt and Forge serves lunch six days a week.
Root Stock Provisions will cater your next party,
And the soup at Saigon Pho is nice and hearty.
Pizzas and subs are at Peddler on Pine,
And Roots Natural Kitchen always has a line.
Soul n Vinegar made its home in Church Hill,
And at Courthouse Creek, have a cider and chill.
Eat 66 opened south of the James,
And the second 8 ½ is exactly the same.
Autentico’s Kitchen offers steakhouse faves,
While the new Stella’s Grocery has all that we crave.
Cobra Cabana is all about quirk and humor,
And Soul Taco is sure to be a real boomer.
Saltbox Oyster just opened at Willow Lawn,
And Poke Sushi Bowl won’t make you yawn.
We certainly didn’t mean to leave anybody out,
So if your spot isn’t on here, try not to pout.
We’re lucky to be here, that much is clear,
And we’re already getting hungry for next year.