SEPTEMBER SPIRITS: As summer beer releases become a warm, bubbly memory, it’s time to transition to fall and Virginia Spirits Month. This September, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will play host to a record number of liquor tastings at stores across the state — 683 in all. In ample supply will be Virginia-made products from the spirits spectrum, with an emphasis on bourbon and whiskey to coincide with National Bourbon Heritage Month. Tastings are listed on the Virginia ABC website. abc.virginia.gov/stores/tastings.
PARTY WITH A PURPOSE: Local autism resource nonprofit the Faison Center is throwing its sixth annual Endless Summer event on Sept. 8 at Historic Tredegar. This year’s event is Hamptons-inspired, featuring specialty food, drink creations from Belle Isle Craft Spirits, lawn games and music. There’s even a beer release — the Faison Saison from Charlottesville transplant Three Notch’d Brewing Co. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit. Tickets cost $100. faisonendlesssummer.com.
FRIED AND SUGARED CHANGE: Not content with the roughly 10 million doughnuts eaten in Richmond on a weekly basis, a concerned baked-goods lover has started a Change.org petition to bring Country Style Donuts to Richmond. Currently, Country Style has two outposts — one on Williamsburg Road in the East End and the other on West Broad Street in Henrico. But the petition starter, who goes by “HC Billings” online, says its lack of presence in the city has left Richmond “bereft of delicious donuts.”
“We, citizens of the city of Richmond, cry out for donuts. Real donuts. Good donuts. Dare we say superior donuts,” Billings writes. “Country Style, save us from this blight. Please bring your golden dough into the city, where the tired and hungry masses can stumble from their beds at unspeakable hours to better fuel themselves for the triumphs and despairs of the day.”
As of this writing, the petition has 21 supporters. Will this grass-roots effort end in a new doughnut option in the city proper? Stranger things have happened. change.org.
FOOD WEEK UPDATES: Thank you to everyone who participated in Style’s RVA Sandwich Week. But if you thought your job ended with the last delicious crumb, please know that the sandwich gods still need your help. You need to be sure to vote for your favorite sandwich before the deadline on Friday, Sept. 1, to help crown the king or queen of bready, meaty delights. rvasandwichweek.com.
Looking forward to the future, the last of Style’s RVA food weeks of the year —Nacho Taco Week — lands on Nov. 1. We know this is a favorite for many of you, so look for details closer to the event date. Rest assured, there will be plenty of tacos and nachos for everyone. nachotacoweek.com.
NOW OPEN:
Brenner Pass’ new next-door sibling, Chairlift, is now open in Scott’s Addition. You’ll find pastries, salads, sandwiches, beer, wine and charcuterie, for takeout or to eat in. brennerpassrva.com.
Let’s hear it for baked goods —longtime favorite AnnaB’s Gluten Free finally has a home. You may have seen its wares in stores such as Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market and Whole Foods. This past weekend, owners Kimmi Brown and Anglea Elby opened the doors of its first store at 7426 Brandy Creek Drive in Mechanicsville. annabsglutenfree.com.
Smohk, a new barbecue option in Scott’s Addition, is now open at 3112 W. Leigh St. The farm-to-table offerings include smoked turkey, pulled pork and rib-eye available in sandwiches and samplers. Sides are cookout staples such as macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and mixed green salads. And if you want barbecue at your next gathering, it also offers catering. smohkrva.com.
