Marsupial Munchies: Oregon Hill residents may have noticed that Eat by Pescados China Street has transformed into the quirkily named L’Opossum. It’s the newest project by former Dogwood Grille and Spirits Owner David Shannon. The dining theme is, in a word, weird — and that seems to be by design. From the silver statues of David holding up the railings to the Star Wars and Dark Shadows commemorative plates adorning the funky wallpaper, it’s David Lynch by way of French cinema. The oddity extends to the menu, where diners can sample green fairy oysters rock in a fog of absinthe mist before moving on to the Hollywood boneyard (barbecue lamb chops, ribs and drumsticks, “laid out in comfort”) and then wash it all down with a French tickler (Grey Goose vodka, Pierre Ferrand dry curaçao and an orange twist). L’Opossum, 626 China St. 918-6028. lopossum.com.

Southern Competition: A little soul-food love triangle has emerged in Shockoe with the opening of Shane Thomas’ Southern Kitchen: Mouth of the South at 2 N. 18th St. If the terms Shane Thomas and Southern cooking sound familiar, that’s because Thomas opened her new restaurant directly across the street from Sweet Teas, where she had been manager since the soul food kitchen opened last summer. As previously mentioned, long-time Southern cookery Julep’s will be making an exit from Shockoe early next year, heading for greener pastures in the financial district. Southern Kitchen features a clean, white-linen interior and a menu that reads like a yearbook of familiar faces: oyster and shrimp po’boys with house-made aioli on hoagie rolls, North Carolina pulled pork and — of course — huge helpings of Big Mama’s fried chicken. Southern Kitchen: Mouth of the South, 2 N. 18th St., Richmond. 729-4141.

Brews and BBQ: Check out the third annual RVA BrewBQ at the 17th Street Farmers’ Market on Sunday, Aug. 17. Look for all 11 Richmond-area breweries to be in attendance alongside a host of barbecue options from some of the city’s most-loved smokers and pullers. Live local music includes: country singer Brittany Marie and Andrew Alli and Last Night’s Blues Band. The event is free with beer ranging from $2 per sample to $6 for a full pour. 100 N. 17th St., Richmond. Look for RVA BrewBQ on Facebook for details.

One Crumby Week: Style Weekly’s RVA Sandwich Week kicks off on Aug. 25. More than 25 local restaurants will be featuring $5 deals on sandwich creations all week long. Participants include: Xtra’s Cafe, Commercial Taphouse, Bellytimber Tavern and more. Information can be found at rvasandwichweek.com or by following @rvasandwichweek on Twitter.

Now Serving: Home Team Grill’s Garland Taylor has opened his new Urban Tavern gastropub in Short Pump. Look for savory creations from Mosaic Catering chef Tim Bereika. Standouts include: a flancha flank steak small plate with romesco sauce and salsa verde, rotisserie pork ribs with a house-made dry rub and roasted corn, and smoked trout on gem lettuce with a Dijon vinaigrette. The Urban Tavern, 10498 Ridgefield Parkway, Richmond. 716-7028. theurbantavern.com.