KABANA UPDATE:: Mike Ledesma, former executive chef at Richmond Restaurant group, has officially taken the reins at Kabana Rooftop and his new menu is out. “The new menu will move away from standardized hotel lounge menu fare to more approachable, classic dishes with an epicurean twist, infusing local ingredients and innovative flavors,” said the restaurant’s news release.
The menu items are sure to be a hit with seafood lovers. Lighter fare includes oysters on the half shell, fried clam strips and crispy Brussels sprouts. Hungrier diners can enjoy more savory dishes like crab gazpacho, beef tartare and a tuna poke bowl with cucumbers, truffle soy sauce, seaweed, avocado and chili aioli.
Craft cocktails and a beautiful view of Richmond’s skyline are, of course, still on the menu. kabanarooftop.com.
WE SEE BREAD PEOPLE: We’re in the midst of RVA Sandwich Week and that means you can enjoy $5 meal deals from some of your favorite local restaurants through Sunday. More than 20 places are participating this year, including Alamo BBQ, Eleven Months, Garnett’s, Home Sweet Home and New York Deli. Go to rvasandwichweek.com to check out all of the specials and to download the Sandwich Week passport that will allow you to enter to win a Visa gift card. You can also vote on your favorite Sandwich Week special while you’re there. If you’re sharing any particularly delectable sandwich shots on social media, be sure to use the hashtag #RVASandwichWeek to join all the fun. Happy eating. rvasandwichweek.com.
BEER NAMING: Family Lifeline, a Richmond nonprofit that provides crucial assistance to young families, is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. To help with the milestone, 140 Fest on Sept. 30 at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery brings the mission to Richmond beer lovers, with a portion of sales going to help fund Family Lifeline’s efforts. And it wouldn’t be a proper craft brew party without a beer release — and this time Richmonders get to help name it. Hardywood describes the brew as a Wallonian-style saison, noting that the Belgian-style farmhouse ale is “floral in aroma, citrusy and bright on the palate and finishes dry with a hint of peppery spice” on the event’s page. The name-submission period wrapped up Aug. 21, with voting taking place Aug. 28-30. The winner will be announced by the end of the month and partygoers at 140 Fest will be able to try it out. familylifeline.org/140-fest.
CLOSING: J.M. Stock Provisions, the Charlottesville company that absorbed Main Street grocery Harvest, is calling it quits. “Now is an ideal time in our business cycle to close the Richmond shop, fine-tune aspects of our model and begin the careful search for a space that suits our needs,” said Hunter Hopcroft, founder of Harvest, and owner and partner at Stock Provisions in a news release.
The butcher shop still plans to continue its meat club memberships and offerings at local farmers markets.
