Richmond, Virginia is a fantastic vacation spot for wine and cuisine lovers because there is so much to see, do, and eat there! Richmond never ceases to energise and inspire, offering everything from wine and cider tastings to delicious cuisine made with farm fresh ingredients from Virginia.
Here are six locations to wine, dine, and stay while you’re in the Richmond area, whether you’re a local or simply visiting.
For When You’re Hungry…
Shagbark
4901 Libbie Mill East Blvd
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 358-7424
shagbarkrva.com
Shagbark is Executive Chef Walter Bundy’s most recent endeavor, and it is situated in Libbie Mill-Midtown in Richmond. named after the Shagbark Hickory, a tree that grows throughout eastern North America, has bark that resembles shags and yields tasty, eatable hickory nuts.
Shagbark has a cozy, welcoming, and spacious interior. Deer antlers and wood tables are perfectly incorporated with clean lines and contemporary lighting fixtures in this space, which has the theme of modern elegance meets rustic comfort.
It is only right that the Shagbark community table was constructed from a Civil War-era shagbark hickory tree that was discovered along the James River.
Every meal that is offered at Shagbark embodies the restaurant’s philosophy, which is to “remain rooted and branch out.” Shagbark serves contemporary, fresh American Southern cuisine made possible by the abundance of nearby Virginia farms, fishermen, and craftspeople from the Shenandoah Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay.
Based on what is currently fresh and available, the menu is changed four to six times a year. Shagbark’s wood-fired artisan plates were produced by Tree Hill Pottery in Richmond.
Lemaire
Inside The Jefferson Hotel
101 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220
lemairerestaurant.com
At Lemaire, dining is an experience, or should I say fine dining. Lemaire delivers a contemporary new American, southern, and Virginian menu that is focused on using fresh, locally produced products. It is situated inside Richmond’s own historic and landmark Jefferson Hotel.
Richmond native and executive chef at Lemaire Patrick Willis wants to establish Richmond as a premier foodie destination, and it seems he is succeeding.
We did discover one issue with the menu at Lemaire’s when we were there to eat. Making a decision about what to order is virtually impossible. It’s hard to beat the menu. Among the standout dishes from the meal were the marinated ahi tuna tartare with Castelvetrano olive tapenade, cured egg yolk, lavash, and tomato vinaigrette;
the hickory smoked bacon, avocado-pistachio pesto, and jumbo lump blue crab cake with sea island pea succotash; and a dish of cast iron seared jumbo sea scallops served with black-eyed pea cakes. A dessert had to be bread pudding with bourbon pecan pie.
The environment is upscale yet casual and welcoming, surrounded by remarkable old architectural characteristics. Lemaire is ideal for a special event, yet compared to other restaurants of similar caliber and experience, it’s less expensive.
The only things that make dining at Lemaire even better are the flawless service and the extensive wine list, which offers over 200 options from around the globe, many of which are priced under $30. Many are undoubtedly among Virginia’s best.
Where To Drink And Eat…
Richmond Wine Station
2930 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 254-4500
richmondwinestation.com
In terms of wine tasting, Richmond Wine Station has a pretty fascinating and cutting-edge idea if you’re a fan of wine and are searching for a cozy and unwinding environment. You can select and pour your own wine using a pre-paid smart card at this self-service wine bar’s simple wine dispensers.
64 wines are offered, with tasting pours starting at just $1.20 and going up to a full glass, 2.5-ounce pours, and other sizes. There are also eight taps delivering wonderful craft brews for beer aficionados. Go to the “wine shop” and purchase several wines to take home and enjoy later. Stay till closing time or for an hour. There is a lot of comfortable seating available both indoors and outside. Soon, light plates will be here.
What To Do…
The Jefferson Hotel
101 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220
(888) 918-1895
jeffersonhotel.com
Book a stay at The Jefferson Hotel if you enjoy staying in establishments with a lengthy and illustrious past. The Jefferson Hotel, which was first constructed in 1895 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is situated in the center of Richmond’s historic downtown, just a short distance from the state capital, the financial district, the Richmond Convention Center, and the famed Shockoe Slip neighborhood. It’s the only Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond hotel in the Richmond area if luxury is what you’re looking.
The Jefferson’s 400–1400 square foot recently remodeled guest rooms are designed to resemble a posh urban condominium. Additionally, they have doorbells, soaking tubs, roomy dressing rooms, stunning marble bathrooms, and foyers. There are also Nespresso coffee makers, soft bathrobes, designer linens, Molton Brown bath products, TVs built into the bathroom vanity mirrors, and a turndown service in the evening.Â
The Jefferson’s 400–1400 square foot recently remodeled guest rooms are designed to resemble a posh urban condominium. Additionally, they have doorbells, soaking tubs, roomy dressing rooms, stunning marble bathrooms, and foyers. There are also Nespresso coffee makers, soft bathrobes, designer linens, Molton Brown bath products, TVs built into the bathroom vanity mirrors, and a turndown service in the evening.Â
Lemaire’s, which serves supper, and TJ’s, which serves breakfast and lunch, are two of The Jefferson’s two award-winning eateries. Additionally, from Friday through Sunday, the hotel also offers afternoon tea. You can savor finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries in their renowned Palm Court lobby while sipping tea next to a colossal marble statue of Thomas Jefferson and behind spectacular Tiffany stained glass.
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A meeting with friends and family or a romantic start to the day in Richmond are both made possible by their renowned opulent Sunday Champagne Brunch. To learn more, visit their website. Both require reservations, so make sure to do so.
As A Day Trip From Richmond…
Williamsburg Winery at Wessex Hundred
5800 Wessex Hundred
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(757) 229-0999
williamsburgwinery.com
A unique wine and culinary experience located in the heart of historic Colonial America is available at Williamsburg Winery, which is only one hour’s drive from Richmond and ideal for a day trip outside of the city or a romantic weekend vacation.
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The Williamsburg Winery is a larger-than-average winery situated on the 300-acre farm of Wessex Hundred, which has more than 40 acres of vineyards. In addition to wine tastings and tours of the estate, there are two restaurants, a 28-room luxury hotel, a wine lover’s gift shop, and a culinary garden.
Williamsburg Winery is the largest winery in Virginia. Each year, it makes more than 60,000 cases of wine and is often considered one of the best wineries in the world.
There are daily winery tours offered, which are followed by 7 distinct Williamsburg Winery wine tastings. Select the “Reserve Wine Tasting” to sample a variety of their reserve and premium wines as a special treat. Tours and tastings should be scheduled in advance because they frequently sell out.
When feasible, the “farm-to-fork” restaurants at the Williamsburg Winery use locally sourced products to dish up seasonal, fresh food. In contrast to The Gabriel Archer Tavern, which is open every day for a more laid-back lunch, brunch, and supper, Café Provençal serves a casually classy dinner every evening. Beer, creative cocktails, and, of course, copious amounts of great wine are also available.
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For information on reservations, tour and tasting schedules, winery and restaurant hours, vineyard events, live music listings, and Virginia’s October Wine Month discounts, be sure to check out their website.
