Eileen Mellon

The Dish on Dining A temp check on Richmond’s independent restaurant scene five years post-pandemic

Has the local restaurant scene — part of an industry that is systemically scarred and relies on slim profit margins — rebounded and recovered?

I sat down with tenured owners, first-time operators, a real estate broker, chefs, managers and more to discuss the challenges that linger. #rvadine

Hella Healthy The Beet Box debuts a new location in Union Hill.

Beet Box 2.0 what’s up?! So stoked for this to be at 2400 Jefferson Ave. Bonus: Open daily!

@cobraburger.bsky.social 🥔🧀🥓😭

@cobraburger.bsky.social went fried chicken for the night! #nightofthecockatrice

No Holds Barred A monthly pop-up from Cobra Burger and Nightcrawler promises the unpredictable

HEY HIGH SUP? @nightcrawlerrva.bsky.social will be here again this Sunday 2/23 for more damn cocktails aaaand MORE GODDAMN COCKATRICE FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICHES. Also the homie @eileen-mellon.bsky.social wrote up this sick ass article bout it. Nice! richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-... #rva #rvadine

‘Making Your Life Bigger’ Legendary food figure Ruth Reichl comes to Henrico.

I recently got the opportunity to interview legendary food figure, chef and critic Ruth Reichl ahead of her Richmond appearance on March 27 – what a treat! We talked inspo for her latest novel, her relationship with Substack, industry shifts, travel, and the time she may have dined at Mamma Zu.

Women in Pizza A salute to RVA’s pizzaiole

A salute to RVA’s pizzaiole! 🍕🫡

Got my essentials for the train 🚆

‘Truly Timeless’ The Giavos family unveils plans for its latest restaurant.

Can’t wait for Lafayette Tavern! The Giavos fam is at it again 👏👏👏

This Facebook group (that is apparently run by bots) straight jacked this copy from a Richmond magazine piece written by Stephanie Ganz. Worst part is, it’s getting tons of traction (over a thousand likes and hundreds of share) without any mention of the author or publisher. WTF!

Nothing is ever guaranteed, especially time. Still in immense shock. Rest easy, Mike ❤️

Richmond Food News: Feb. 27-March 5 Neighborhood markets, a fried dynasty and more

This week’s column includes an RVA fried chicken dynasty, beloved neighborhood hubs, new rules at local farmers markets, fresh parking in Union Hill and a national shoutout for Fine Creek Brewing!

My mom’s out here hitting up Cou Cou Rachou without me! 😅😭

Richmond Food News: Feb. 20-26 A coffee boom, Bamboo Cafe at 50 and more

This week’s column includes a farewell to Ipanema, a coffee shop boom, the debut of Ugly Dumpling, affordable egg plugs, and a Richmond bartender battling for 2025 World Class US Bartender of the Year. #rvadine

Today is my seven-year work-versary! I’ve written over 1,000 articles, interviewed hundreds of people and made the most incredibly lasting memories along the way. I feel so lucky to do what I do.

Built to Last 50 years of Bamboo Cafe, Richmond’s quintessential neighborhood bar

50 years of Bamboo Cafe! It was so much fun to dive into the history of the quintessential neighborhood bar and rehash the memories from over the decades. Such a special, very Richmond, institution. Cheers! ❤️🍸 #rva

Absolutely incredible. Lived up to the hype. #DC #latejana

Lil Richmond snow shower ❄️

Coffee and Connection A mobile cafe with an underlying mission hits the streets.

Daily Coffee Co. — a great concept operated by great humans! #rva

Richmond Food News: Feb. 6-12 A new jefe at Havana ’59, dining predictions and more

My weekly column on what’s happening in the Richmond food scene! #rva #richmondmag

At the beginning of 2025, we asked five local food and beverage pros, including cocktail guru Beth Dixon, EAT Restaurant Partners founder Chris Tsui and Richmond Times-Dispatch food critic Justin Lo, to weigh in on the Richmond food and beverage scene. richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-...

Same! I’m so happy they have that Broad Street location now! #littletreatsalways

Cafe Y Sabor’s empanadas have a chokehold on me. And I never leave without a pandebono. #rvadine

Richmond gets hit with a beautiful 70-degree day and all of a sudden the whole city smells like a blunt. #rva

Sad Cathy from @cobraburger.bsky.social means happy me. Smoked gouda, oyster, beech and shitake mushrooms, black garlic mayo and pickled fennel 💥🍄‍🟫

Soup dumplings, lamb cumin noodles, spicy beef soup!

Texts from mom 😂

Writer’s block like woah

Cannellini beans!

Can’t wait to see the Luvu memes tomorrow @philadelphiaeagles.bsky.social #jumpjump