#rva100ways

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Way 53/100 - Bygones Vintage and The Byrd Theatre It’s easy to find something that brings you joy at Bygones Vintage Clothing, one of the most thoughtfully curated stores in Richmond’s Carytown district. Carefully selected vintage and reproduction clothing fills the historic store interior, dotted tastefully with hats, jewelry, fans, sunglasses and vintage accessories of every kind. Take a few steps to the left in your new vintage threads and you’re ready to check out Richmond’s historic ‘movie palace’, the Byrd Theatre. Lavishly decorated with marble, velvet, and every embellishment imaginable, the theatre provides entertainment 365 days a year, offering films both old and new and (if you’re lucky) a live prelude by house organist Bob Gulledge on the Mighty Wurlitzer.

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Way 33/100

There’s something inherently comforting about a local neighborhood coffee shop… they’ve always got your back. Black Hand Coffee Co in the museum district just happens to be mine.

Excellent coffee, well crafted lattes and killer breakfast sandwiches ensure that this little shop fits seamlessly into the flow and pace of the neighborhood it serves.

The inside, always warm and cozy - the outside, always plenty of space to sit, enjoy the day and pet a wide variety of cheerful dogs.

Any Black Hand frequenter will likely agree that over the last few years of its residency on Patterson, Black Hand has only improved - not only in quality, but in customer service and community collaboration and support.

Cheers, Black Hand Coffee! I raise my mug (daily) to you.

[aprilsage]

Way 60/100 - The Daily Kitchen & Bar

Focussing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and dietary accommodations, the Daily has garnered a faithful following in RVA both in heart of Carytown and at their sister restaurant in the west end. Seeing the signature bright green umbrellas and inviting patios attract the passerby, but the thoughtful, colorful dishes are what keep people coming back.

Once doors, kitchens and patios open once again, RVA will be right back at the Daily enjoying well-crafted cocktails, burgers, buddha bowls and brussels sprouts* once again.

*(but really, they’re great)

[aprilsage]

Way 59/100 - Easter on Parade

(An ode to parades past)

A typical Richmond spring teems with buds, blooms, pollen… and people. Patios overflow, parks flood with picnickers, the city is alive with runners, festivals, garden tours, egg hunts and of course, the annual ‘Easter on Parade.’

This parade is not the usual organized line of performances and floats, but a ‘parading’ of well… you! Richmonders dressed in their finest pastels, with hats balancing baskets full of colored eggs and cellophane grass; children and pets in tow with their bows and stuffed bunnies; brunch parties on porches and lunch picnics on the grassy mall of Monument Ave.; lines snaking from food vendors and crowds pooling around street performers while the pastel wave presses on… the best people watching of the year.

[aprilsage]

Way 58/100 - Blanchard’s Coffee Broad Street

A few months back, I approached the warm glow of the refurbished art deco building on Broad with curiosity and left with a delicious and meticulously crafted oat milk latte (I’m hooked!) and a mental note to draw it some day.

With a clean, minimalist vibe (and some lovely historic ‘grit’ incorporated here and there), the interior is inviting and the service friendly and professional. Food and drink are carefully curated and beautiful, yet remain unpretentious. Patrons seemed genuinely comfortable in the space and I equally so, waiting in the glow of the large sun-soaked window and watching my latte be born (overwrought? Maybe…but I really like lattes).

As the weather warms and groups begin to gather once again in our city, I know the warm glow that attracted me in cooler months will beckon me back for community, conversation and of course, an oat milk latte (iced).

[aprilsage]

Way 57/100 -Belmont Pizza Walk up Belmont Ave. any night of the week (except Monday) and your nose will lead you quite happily to Belmont Pizza - the Museum District’s pizza darling. Service is always fast and friendly and the fresh hot pizza never dissapoints - a true asset to the neighborhood.

[aprilsage]

Way 56/100 - Hanover Avenue Unofficially ordained the ‘Halloween street’ years ago, Hanover Avenue transforms from a quiet residential street to a haunted thoroughfare of lights, costumes and ambitious decorations for one night of the year. Throngs of ghosts, superheros, pirates and festooned pets parade down the avenue on Halloween night, collecting candy and reveling in the spooky, the strange and the fantastical.

[aprilsage]

Way 55/100 - Secco Wine Bar Settled into its new home on Robinson, Secco Wine Bar has quickly been adopted by the fan district as a go-to place for interesting wines, delicious food, and people-watching on the patio. Stop in for the ‘Uncork & Unplug’’ happy hour any weekday for an opportunity to take a break from your screen (place your phone in a box while you’re there to get the discount!) and catch up with a friend. I’ll cheers to that!