09.12.2024

Today’s Forecast

82º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:49 a.m. | Sunset 7:21 p.m.

🍽️ Food is in the forecast

Outdoor dining in Richmond

Union Market in Union Hill has a sunny outdoor patio. | Photo by RICtoday

Is it just us, or does eating outside make food taste better?

Catch some rays or laze in the shade at one of these Richmond patios.

Open-air options

Pinky’s
Travel to the Mediterranean with the expansive patio and fresh flavors at Pinky’s. The Scott’s Addition spot will make you feel like you’re dining on the coast.

Union Market
Head to Union Hill to pick up a specialty sandwich and sit in the shade. If you aren’t hungry yet, check out the Instagram for daily open-air temptation.

RIC mantu patio — Enjoy Afghan fine dining in the fresh air at the Mantu.
|
Photo by @themanturva

Covered patios

The Mantu
Chef Hamid Noori serves up Afghan cuisine at this fine dining restaurant near Ellwood Thompson’s. Try this: A table on the breezy covered patio, Chicken Kobihda, and a saffron iced tea.

The Smoky Mug
Whether you’re on the hunt for specialty coffee or Tex Mex tacos, this Northside cafe has something for you. The pup-friendly “front porch” is an ideal spot to get some work done or reconnect with friends.

Rooftop views

New York Deli
Did you know this Carytown establishment has a rooftop bar? The deli’s been in business since 1929, but added the Rockaway Beach Rooftop Bar in 2022.

Q Rooftop Bar
Grab a bite or a drink at this iconic spot and it’ll come with a panoramic view of downtown Richmond. Pro tip: You can also rent the Quirk Hotel rooftop for events.

The Boathouse’s Rocketts Landing location boasts spectacular views of the James.
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Photo via The Boathouse

Waterside seats

Latitude Seafood Co.
The Hull Street seafood spot has some top-tier views. “It’s right on Swift Creek Reservoir,” Reader Bird C. said. “It feels like you’re at the Outer Banks.”

The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing
Enjoy a meal overlooking one of the most scenic stretches of the James that Richmond has to offer. Pro tip: If you’re able to plan ahead, making a reservation is probably a good idea.

We know we left off some stellar Richmond restaurants. Let us know your favorite patio in the city.

10+ more spots and reader recs

Asked

Should outdoor dining areas be pet-friendly?

A. Yes, it’s better to dine with fur-iends
B. No, no pets allowed while dining

Cast your vote

Events

Thursday, Sept. 12

Chesterfield Towne Center Carnival | Thursday, Sept. 12-Sunday, Sept. 15 | Times vary | Chesterfield Towne Center | Free entry | Enjoy rides, games, and deep-fried treats on Southside.
Opera in the Garden | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 6-7 p.m. | The Valentine | Free | Registration is encouraged to see Virginia Opera’s Emerging Artists perform in the museum garden.

Friday, Sept. 13

Dark Star Orchestra | Friday, Sept. 13 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Maymont | $35+ | The Music at Maymont series continues with this Grateful Dead tribute experience.
25th Anniversary Celebration | Friday, Sept. 13-Sunday, Sept. 15 | Times vary | Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop | Free entry | Help Starr Hill celebrate a quarter century in business at this three-day Oktoberfest event with featured beers, live music, and food trucks.

Saturday, Sept. 14

Metro Richmond 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 8:40 a.m. | Richmond Raceway | $40 | The Metro Richmond Flying Squad will host the 13th annual climb and walk in honor of the first responders lost on 9/11.
“Despicable Me” | Saturday, Sept. 14, Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 a.m. | The Byrd Theatre | $5 | Gather your minions for a screening of this family film.

Sunday, Sept. 15

Tamari Soy Sauce Factory Open House | Sunday, Sept. 15 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | San-J International | $10+ | Get tickets to tour the factory, learn about fermentation, and sample fermented foods from local vendors.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Outdoors

The city took another step towards the creation of Westover Park this week. The Richmond School Board agreed to transfer ownership of the fields behind Westover Hills Elementary to the Dept. of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities. Bidding for the project is set to start next year. (South Richmond News)

Number

400. That’s how many apartment units are planned for a new affordable housing project on the Southside. Manchester-based developer Lynx Ventures is planning to build the complex near the intersection of Walmsley and Broad Rock boulevards. (Richmond BizSense)

Development

City Council has approved a special-use permit for a mixed-use project in Bellemeade. When complete, Marquez Plaza could feature almost 100 apartments for older adults, plus 3,000+ square feet of commercial space. (VPM)

Plan Ahead

The Capital Region Land Conservancy will celebrate National Public Lands Day with a series of free public events. The weekend of Sept. 28-29, head to the Varina LandLab Conservation Area for guided hikes, an art workshop, and a planting project.

Film

The Byrd Theatre has announced that its showing of “Return of the Jedi” will honor the legacy of the late James Earl Jones. Get tickets to see the film this Sunday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.

Active

Scenic river views, stunning street art, and one pretty stellar post-race pizza party await participants of the upcoming Richmond Marathon, Half Marathon, and 8K. Pro tip: Register before Monday, Sept. 16 to save up to $15.*

Fun Fact

You can advertise in this newsletter with no long-term commitment or contract. Your message could be right here in as little as two days. Secure your spot.

Real Estate

W. Duncan Lee, still topping the charts

Richmond’s architects, remembered by their work

W. Duncan Lee also designed the Tuckahoe Apartments and the dining room of the Governor’s Mansion. | Photo via Morgan Riley

If you know Richmond architecture, chances are you’ve heard of W. Duncan Lee.

Lee is one of the most iconic architects in Richmond’s history. Born in Ashland and educated in Richmond, he opened his own firm in the city in 1910. Over the next few decades, he would go on to design houses in some of the city’s most notable neighborhoods, as well as the Tuckahoe Apartments and an elliptical dining room for the Governor’s Mansion.

One of Lee’s works, a 12,500-sqft mansion on Cary Street Road, was the most expensive home sold in Richmond in August 2024. It was purchased for $9 million after two months on the market — the city’s highest-dollar home sale of the year so far.

The home was built by Lee in 1916 and expanded a century later. Designed in the Colonial Revival style, the sprawling floor plan includes a garden room with an original bar, a library, and even a fountain.

More historic homes

The Buy

The Buy 9.12.24 (Affiliate)

The cutest ghost pillow to get your couch ready for fall and Halloween. Psst — choose your favorite size or get all three for an adorable trio.

More worth The Buy

Answered

We quizzed our readers on when the first Richmond Marathon was run.

34.3% of respondents correctly identified 1978 as the race’s inaugural year. David Ruggles and Bobbie Allen won the men’s and women’s races that year with times of 2:28:49 and 3:15:40, respectively.

More River City races

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Special thanks are in order to readers Waltieria P., Justin M., Leigh Anne R., Kelly D., Suzanne L., Anita A., Lacy L., Bird C., and Suzy S.P. for their outdoor dining recommendations. Did we miss your favorite spot? It’s not too late to leave us a tip.

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