Cuisine

The Girl and the Raven

Something fresh in Appalachia. Originally hatched as an idea to bring delicious coffee and provisions to the Appalachian town of Abingdon, The Girl and The Raven is now so much more. Café owner Hugh Belchor saw an opportunity to not only keep a piece of history alive—the 1886 building the café calls […]

by Staff

Not-So-Secret Speakeasy

Cocktail hideaway Kuchi opens in Onancock. (photo by Viwat “Golf” Kitchol) The Japanese have a word for it: the ambiguous pang of non-hunger, when your mouth feels a little bit lonely. Kuchi (short for kuchisabishii) also makes a fitting name for Onancock’s new speakeasy, where the drinks and small plates satisfy. […]

by Amy Brecount White

Study at Morrison House

Central American cuisine in Old Town Alexandria. The Study, Alexandria, VA I smile at the tableau of folks gathered around The Study Bar in Alexandria’s Morrison House. Emmanuel Pressley is shaking martinis for one couple, while a woman at the end of the bar nurses her Fire & Ice cocktail. Between sips, […]

by Staff

Bisnonna Bakeshop

One bakery in Fairfax serves sweet treats Italian style. “My love for baking is rooted in nostalgia and family traditions,” says Bisnonna Bakeshop co-owner, Nicole Liberatore. After all, bisnonna means great-grandmother in Italian. With her husband, Dominick, the couple has been pumping out pastries from their home kitchen since 2019. But after […]

by Konstantin Rega

Embracing Taiwanese Cuisine

In a new cookbook, Virginia-born chef Trigg Brown shares recipes from Win Son in Brooklyn. Trigg Brown was a UVA student working in Keswick Hall’s kitchen when chef Pei Jen Chang introduced him to the sweet, subtle flavors and cultural nuances of Taiwanese cuisine. Brown, who grew up in […]

by Konstantin Rega

Young Mother RVA

For one Richmond chef, the hassle of brunch pays off. Jeremy Kohm On the question of brunch, the late, great chef Anthony Bourdain once noted, “the ‘B’ word is dreaded by all dedicated cooks.” As creator of The Big Brunch, an eight-episode cooking competition on HBOMax, Dan Levy begs to differ. […]

by Staff

Food From the Heart

Chef Travis Milton’s Appalachian love song. A standard-bearer of Appalachian cuisine, Travis Milton has finally come home to roost. At his new restaurant Hickory, at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards in Bristol, he takes a reverent, sophisticated, often playful approach to the Appalachian food of his childhood. “We are committed to the […]

by John Haddad

La Piazza in Williamsburg

After a 40-year run, The Trellis inspires La Piazza. Williamsburg welcomes 1.5 million tourists each year, but it’s also home to a world-class culinary scene. And for more than three decades, David Everett has been at its forefront, building the area’s reputation as a serious food destination. Everett is the chef-entrepreneur […]

by Frank Morgan

A Labor of Love

In Stuart, Pickle & Ash honors Appalachian cuisine. A must-stop on Route 58 in Patrick County, Pickle & Ash is a restaurant, bar, market, and local gathering place that’s taking a fresh approach to Appalachian cuisine. “We live in a bucolic area where folks have been growing and cooking their own […]

by Staff

Adoring Adarra

Attentive service and a Basque-inspired menu make it a standout. Step into Adarra in Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood and you’ll feel a wave of tranquility. The lights are low, the music ambient, and everyone on the 11-person staff is working to ensure that your experience will be smooth and unencumbered. “You […]

by Stephanie Ganz

Cooking Up Classics

Brian Noyes cooks up comfort in The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook. Photographs © 2022 by Ronni Lundy Following the success of his first cookbook in 2018, bakery owner Brian Noyes will release a long-anticipated follow-up, The Red Truck Bakery Farmhouse Cookbook (Clarkson Potter) in August. “These are classic and, hopefully, familiar dishes […]

by Konstantin Rega

Patty O’s Cafe

The Michelin three-star chef brings casual dining to “Little Washington.” Across the street from the famed Inn at Little Washington, chef Patrick O’Connell has given the namesake village Patty O’s Cafe, an elegant and warmly approachable bakery, pastry shop, café, bar, and—of course—patio. The first new restaurant from the Michelin three-star chef […]

by tesauro jason

The Pakalachian

This food truck dishes up Southern fare with a Pakistani twist. Comfort foods from Appalachia and Pakistan come together in this Abingdon-based food truck with a decidedly down-home vibe. “It’s all very familiar, like mac ‘n cheese, on the one hand,” says Katlin Kazmi, coowner of the Pakalachian, with her husband Mohsin. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

A Taste of Paris in Charlottesville

With Cou Cou Rachou, Rachel De Jong brings authentic French baking to the Blue Ridge. (Photo of Rachel De Jong by Fred+Elliot) Long before we met in person, I met Rachel De Jong’s lovely sourdough bread at Charlottesville’s Broadcloth restaurant. The loaf left a lasting impression. So when I heard that she […]

by John Haddad

A Striking Burger

From pop-up to carry-out to eat-in. Following a line around the block can be risky. But the wait at Cobra Burger, in Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood, leads to something deliciously hot and juicy, meaty and cheesy. The original Cobra Burger—beef patties topped with cheese, Cobra sauce, Cobra pickles, pickled red onion, […]

by Ashley Hunter

On Island Time

This flavor-packed food truck brings the Caribbean to Virginia. Sam Dean (Photos by Sam Dean) “Come hungry with an open mind,” says Eric Vasson of his food truck, Island Wheels, which marries Caribbean and American cuisine. Sam Dean Vasson was a chef at resorts and hotels around the Caribbean—St. […]

by Ashley Hunter

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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

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

The University of Virginia has climbed to No. 4 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings, advancing one position from last year. The university maintained its No. 24 overall ranking, tying with Emory and Georgetown universities. UVA’s commitment to accessibility and student success stands out in several key metrics. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park offers breathtaking views, scenic trails, and diverse wildlife—the perfect prescription for nature lovers. Some spots to add to your itinerary include: This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.

by Stacy Watkins

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The Girl and the Raven

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

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