Food

Ash & Olive Brings Flame-To-Table Cuisine to Ashland

Ash & Olive owner Gregg Brooks is serious about his Ashland restaurant’s commitment to “flame-to-table” cuisine. “Everything with the exception of french fries is cooked under a flame at 625°F in our stone oven,” says Brooks, who’s also a drummer with the yacht rock band Three Sheets to the Wind and who previously worked at […]

by Erica Jackson Curran

Riverside Restaurants

Two new Northern Virginia eateries are ready for summer dining al fresco. (BARCA Interior) Waterside dining pairs perfectly with warmer weather, and two new, neighboring spots on the Potomac riverfront in Old Town Alexandria are ideal for enjoying a cold cocktail and delicious dish in the summer sun. (Smoked Ricotta Gnocchi) […]

by Vayda Parrish

Market Fare

“Shop Local” doesn’t just apply to farmers’ market favorites and craft beverages—there are plenty of local sources for stocking your pantry. Try some of these options from around the state. JILLIAN REGAN CLASSIC ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE Nona’s Italian Cucina, Charlottesville Yvonne Cunningham learned to cook under the […]

by Mindy Kinsey

Lucky Town

How a Roanoke restaurant became a perennial downtown favorite. Lucky entered the Roanoke dining scene more than 10 years ago, with a hip vibe and high-end comfort food that could have flopped fantastically in this small mountain city. Instead, the restaurant thrived as co-owners Hunter Johnson and J.P. Powell found proof that […]

by Staff

The Home Team

Order competition barbecue to your doorstep. David Back (Chef Tuffy Stone) Craving the smoky flavor of summer—ribs, pulled pork, maybe brisket or wings? Order competition-level barbecue straight from the masters. TheBBQAllstars.com site launched in November 2020 and offers meats, sides, and more from six pitmasters. In addition to Virginia’s award-winning […]

by Ashley Hunter

Pippin Hill Farm

Fresh summer produce shines in these dishes designed for al fresco dining. The air is warm, and the gardens are green. Chef Ian Rynecki of Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards in North Garden offers recipes that center on garden-fresh produce—from greens and herbs to peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers—and are equally suited to […]

by Ashley Hunter

A Wild Craft

Stunning focaccia art and more at this Richmond bakery. (photo by Adam Ewing) Scroll the Instagram profile of Wildcraft Focaccia Company (@WildCraftFocaccia) and you’ll be struck by mesmerizing designs in vibrant colors. But what’s more, they’re delicious. The Richmond bakery, open this month, specializes in sourdough focaccia flatbreads, sandwiches, soups, and […]

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

Goodness on Call

Willaby’s Cafe & Catering has been a foodie favorite for decades. Since making an initial splash in White Stone nearly 30 years ago, Willaby’s Cafe & Catering has been a favorite destination for foodies roaming the Northern Neck. Willaby’s delivers memorable menus and hassle-free events whether you’re sitting in the dining room, on […]

by Staff

Say Cheese

50 years of the Cheese Shop of Williamsburg. The Cheese Shop of Williamsburg, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, offers hundreds of cheeses, and the cheese plates are a winner. When you visit, try the made-to-order sandwich, made on freshly baked bread with the legendary House Dressing on the sandwich […]

by Staff

Hot Barbecue

The flames are still hot at Pierce’s in Williamsburg. Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que has been a Williamsburg staple for 50 years, still operating out of the same building established by owner J.C. Pierce’s parents in 1971. The hickory wood-smoked barbecue is cooked on-site over an open pit, and the sauce—Pierce’s secret family recipe—is […]

by Staff

Landmark Custard

Enjoy a frozen treat at this historic Fredericksburg walk-up stand. The neon sign atop Carl’s old-fashioned walk-up custard stand was first lit in 1947, and now the building is registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark. Serving chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry custards, rich milkshakes, ice cream cones, and its famous rootbeer floats, Carl’s […]

by Staff

Spice It Up

Legendary chef Peter Chang leaves his mark Won Chinese cooking. (Courtesy of RVA Magazine) World-class chef Peter Chang opened his first eponymous restaurant in 2011, in Charlottesville. Since then, he has opened six other Virginia locations. The restaurant’s Szechuan-style Chinese cooking marries Chang’s mastery of seasoning with savory meats. Signature dishes include […]

by Staff

Orion’s Roof

Transcendent dining in Virginia Beach. (photo by Keith Lanpher) SUSPENDED BETWEEN THE SEA AND stars, my husband and I drink in the view from one of Coastal Virginia’s newest restaurants, Orion’s Roof, perched on the 23rd floor of the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Part of the Cavalier Resort campus, this fine dining […]

by peggy sijswerda

Pop-Up Pasta

An expanding Italian menu at Arlington’s Napoli Salumeria. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Courtesy of Napoli Salumeria LAST NOVEMBER, Washington, D.C.’s Napoli Pasta Bar opened Napoli Salumeria in Arlington as an Italian market and deli counterpart to the original restaurant. Now, as owner Antonio Ferraro temporarily closes the D.C. branch to search for a […]

by Ashley Hunter

Beet the Heat

RVA’s new juice and smoothie bar. Beet Box THIS SUMMER, cool off with chill sips at Beet Box, a new juice and smoothie bar near Richmond’s Carytown neighborhood. Beet Box is “where healthy living intersects with urban culture,” says Ashley Lewis, who opened the juice bar with business partner Antoine Meredith in […]

by Ashley Hunter

Mushroom Recipes

Three chefs share their favorite fungi dishes. Schofield Farm Oyster Mushrooms and Potato Noodles Contributed by Drew Phelan, chef/owner of The Brickhouse Run, Petersburg; BrickhouseRun.com 3 medium russet potatoes, washed and peeled 2 tablespoons butter 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced 1 pound Schofield oyster mushrooms, stemmed and roughly chopped 1 […]

by peggy sijswerda

Virginia’s Mushroom Growers

Exploring the world of gourmet mushroom farmers. Chciken Tagine Like many people, I ate canned mushrooms as I grew up, most often in spaghetti sauce or as a pizza topping. I thought they were spongy and tasteless. Fast forward a decade. While I was visiting my friend Emily in the heart […]

by peggy sijswerda

Feeding the Need

A Portsmouth nonprofit feeds souls as well as stomachs during crises at home and around the world. WHEN A NATURAL DISASTER strikes, most people distractedly watch it unfold on the nightly news. Not Gary LeBlanc. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, the Portsmouth resident, chef, and former managing director of […]

by Staff

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Events

July 8, 2025

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Carlyle House Historic Park

July 8, 2025

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Virginia Repertory Theatre

July 9, 2025

June – July @ Art Works!

Art Works

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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Ash & Olive Brings Flame-To-Table Cuisine to Ashland

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Events

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

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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

Food

Ash & Olive Brings Flame-To-Table Cuisine to Ashland

Current Issue

Events

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

June – July @ Art Works!

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Most Popular

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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weekly newsletter: VL Today

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