Food

Celeste Farms Takes Farm-to-Table to a New Level

Ian Newell wanted to create something meaningful, something people needed—like oxygen, water, or food. The first two, he reasoned, were already handled by nature and the utilities department. That left food. The 38-year-old founder and owner of Goatacado, a fast-casual, health-focused eatery in Richmond’s Fan district, dreamed of a place where people could get to […]

by Hope Cartwright

Try Virginia’s cocktail of the year from Hotel Roanoke

Want to taste the official best cocktail in Virginia? The Hotel Roanoke can now claim that title, thanks to lead mixologist Henry Hill, Jr. The longtime bartender won the inaugural Virginia Cocktail Games in 2024 with his cocktail called “No Place Like Home.” The boozy concoction was inspired by the prompt: Why do you choose […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

The Most Loved Mayo Brands, According to Virginia Chefs

Of all the condiments in the door of your fridge, there is perhaps none as polarizing as mayonnaise. The sandwich spread evokes either devoted love or vehement repulsion, depending on whom you ask. Even among mayo lovers, there’s the issue of which brand is best, a debate that hinges on regional fealty, culinary posturing, and […]

by Stephanie Ganz

No Place Like Home: Virginia’s Cocktail of the Year

Try this recipe that won the Virginia Cocktail Games in 2024.

by Erica Jackson Curran

What’s Behind Cirrus Vodka’s New Richmond Tasting Room Menu

The sun-warmed stone patio at Ballast, the new mixed-use development off Summit Avenue in Richmond’s Scott’s Addition, beckons passersby with its striped umbrellas, outdoor seating galore, and inviting sounds of chatter. Cirrus Vodka’s new tasting room, which opened April 24, sits beside the bonny courtyard across from specialty food shop Yellow Umbrella—evoking Mediterranean beach town […]

by Hope Cartwright

Top Tea Rooms and High Tea Experiences in Virginia

High tea is the bread and butter—or rather, the scone and clotted cream—of Great Britain, yes. But who says Virginians can’t join in on the tea frenzy across the pond? This extended list of Virginia tea rooms spotlights classic high tea experiences, bringing a touch of old-fashioned charm as well as delicious teas, pastries, and […]

by Hope Cartwright

Colonial America’s Favorite Cocktails, From Virginia Distillers

In their mission to recreate the libations of yore, Williamsburg-based 8 Shires Distillery dove deep into historic records—ledgers, ship manifests, journals, and personal diaries—to uncover the drinking habits of Colonial America. Through all their research, one fact stands out: “For the most part, everybody drank all day long,” says general manager Tucker Casanova. All that […]

by Hope Cartwright

Time Travel to 1950 at This Diner in Natural Bridge

With its namesake car right outside and baby pink everywhere, the Pink Cadillac Diner is a hidden gem in Natural Bridge. Fifties-style checkerboard tile, heavily decorated walls, a jukebox, and plenty of Elvis memorabilia cement this diner’s place as an iconic time capsule. They serve up all the American classics you can think of, from […]

by Katie Farthing

Dirty Sodas Arrive in Virginia at Coco’s Sodas + Sweets

It’s not your standard big gulp that you can get from 7-Eleven,” says co-owner Ben Cichelli of the tricked-out drinks at Coco’s Sodas + Sweets in downtown Vienna. The shop caters to “soda purists,” as Ben might say—those who know the fizz difference between a fountain-pour drink and a bottled 2-liter, and who might be […]

by Hope Cartwright

Gluten-Free and Tasty Bakeries In Virginia

Gluten-free bakeries may sound like an oxymoron to some. After all, isn’t flour supposed to be the star of the show? Determined to set the record straight, dedicated GF bakeries around the state, however, are deftly baking delicious gluten-free delectables—from cakes and muffins to cookies and scones—ratcheting up competition with traditional bakeries. These dedicated GF […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

This Gluten-Free Soy Sauce is Made in Henrico

“As a child, soy sauce was such a familiar part of my life that I never considered it extraordinary,” says Takashi Sato, president and eighth-generation member of the founding family of San-J, an international soy sauce brand. Yet, the unassuming 10-ounce bottles of soy sauce have become just that: extraordinary. San-J produces those bottles at […]

by Hope Cartwright

Coastal Virginia’s Distilleries Embrace Seaside Inspo

A sun-warmed beach and an ice-cold cocktail: what is it about the pair that make such a perfect match? When the two adored relaxation rituals meet, magic happens—especially inside of Coastal Virginia’s distilleries. These distillers take oceanside inspo and bottle it, bringing the beach vibes to you. Blue Sky Distillery: The Blackbeard’s Point Rum reminds […]

by Hope Cartwright

Where to Get Your Edible Cookie Dough Fix in Virginia

Anyone who says they’ve never sneaked a taste of cookie dough before popping it in the oven is either lying or has superior self-restraint. Sometimes, the best part of baking is that secret sample. Now, you can do it with pride—and safely! Edible cookie dough has increasingly popped up on Virginia menus. Build Your Own […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Arlington’s Ambar Serves Balkan Cuisine That’s Earned a Michelin Nod

They had to call it fried chicken. At first, the restaurateurs at Ambar put their signature dish on the menu by its preferred name—“monastery chicken.” It was served for generations to the monks at Gracanica Monastery in Serbia, to end their fast. “But nobody ordered it when we called it monastery chicken,” says Uros Jojic,director […]

by Craig Stoltz

Virginia’s Street Food Scene Looks East

Fast food is leveling up thanks to an increased demand from Asian street food lovers. Read about these Virginia businesses that are answering the call. The Thai Pan • Leesburg Brilliantly positioned next to a Leesburg gas station, The Thai Pan offers on-the-go grub—from spring rolls and fried calamari to pad Thai and Thai fried […]

by Katie Farthing

Virginia Food Halls are Social Hubs and Culinary Hotspots

Deciding where to eat: a struggle that continuously threatens to foil plans for a fun, food-filled night out. Suddenly, every category, flavor, and variety of food flies out of your head. When you know you want to go out to eat, but can’t think of what to eat, epic food halls do the hard work […]

by Hope Cartwright

Tour the Tastes of Virginia Through Honey

By Rachel Kester What does a forest taste like? Or perhaps a bustling city or lush meadow? Savoring a landscape’s flavor might seem impossible, but don’t tell honey that. Ranging from hardwood forests in the west to agricultural fields near the coast, Virginia’s diverse environment makes for a very tasty adventure that beekeepers seek to […]

by Staff

Authentic Greek Olive Oil Comes to Richmond Coffee Shop

In Greek culture, the olive tree is a sacred symbol representing peace, prosperity, and love. For centuries, olive trees were included in marriage dowries, in which they were often split equally between the newlyweds and the bride’s family to keep the two connected for future generations. In Palaiopanagia, a small village south of Sparta at […]

by Stephanie Ganz

White Salsa: Virginia’s Strangest Tasty Tradition

Virginia is a land of many culinary wonders: fresh oysters, mouthwatering barbecue, blue crab, apples galore, and—wait, Miracle Whip salsa? Yes, that’s right. This unconventional concoction, a flavor party that combines Kraft’s “one-of-a-kind taste of creamy mayo and tangy dressing,” along with spices and milk, is a time-honored tradition in the Tidewater region of the […]

by Hope Cartwright

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Events

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A New Experience at the Virginia Scenic Railway

Virginia Scenic Railway Adds Dome Car for Spectacular Valley Views The popular Virginia Scenic Railway just upped its game with a vintage dome car offering breathtaking 360° views of the Shenandoah Valley. The “Shenandoah”—built in 1948 as the “Silver Palace” for the California Zephyr—now gives passengers an unmatched vantage point on three-hour excursions from Staunton. […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Eight Virginia schools received the National Blue Ribbon 2024 award for their high performances. The Exemplary High Performing Schools are Spring Hill Elementary in McLean, Green Run Collegiate in Virginia Beach, Bethel Manor Elementary in Hampton, and St. Andrew the Apostle School in Clifton. The Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are Central Academy Middle […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

Williamsburg Archaeologists Uncover Secret Garden

In Colonial America, a grand garden was the ultimate status symbol—the 18th century equivalent of a Lamborghini. So when archaeologists at Colonial Williamsburg uncovered John Custis IV’s property, they struck horticultural gold: the remains of a football field-sized garden alongside his Jacobean manor house. Custis, a tobacco magnate and Martha Washington’s first father-in-law, went all […]

by Madeline Mayhood

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Celeste Farms Takes Farm-to-Table to a New Level

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