The Richmond Times Dispatch Just Listed Their Top Picks for the 10 Most Romantic Restaurants in Richmond

Do you agree with their choices?

• Article Authored by Colleen Curran

Just in time for Valentine's Day, here are 10 romantic restaurants worth checking out around town. Some are new additions to the Richmond dining scene, while others are wine-and-dine standbys.

Most romantic Italian: Lost Letter

Move over La Grotta, there’s a new must-visit authentic Italian restaurant in town. Lost Letter, an easy Italian restaurant from star chefs Patrick Phelan and Megan Fitzroy Phelan, is a love letter to northern Italy with homemade pasta, delicate antipasti and meat and fish dishes (prices range $18-$34) at 2939 W. Clay St. in Scott’s Addition.

Classic romantic upscale: Lemaire

If you’re saving for a special occasion or want to make a impression, Lemaire restaurant in The Jefferson Hotel is always a classic choice. From the sumptuous surroundings to the fine dining dishes, Lemaire has been serving upscale dining for over 20 years. 101 W. Franklin St.

Most romantic wine bar: Echelon Urban Wine Bar

If you’re a wine lover, Echelon Urban Wine Bar in Shockoe Slip is the way to go. With soft seating, lighting and a curated wine selection paired with chef-driven dishes, it’s a luxurious experience. Echelon offers wine by glass, bottle or wine flights ($20-$45) and a menu of farm-to-table tapas-style small plates ($12-$28). For Valentine’s Day, Echelon is offering a four-course prix fixe menu with an optional wine pairing. $85 per person. 1209 E. Cary St.

Most romantic new steakhouse: Perry's Steakhouse & Grille

If you want to impress your date, snag a spot at the newly opened Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Short Pump. Perry’s “famous seven-finger pork chop” is butchered in-house, seasoned, cured and roasted on a rotisserie with pecan wood. I loved the four-season patio with gas fireplaces and the Bourbon Bloom cocktail ($16). Be prepared to spend; main dishes start at $35 to $65. 11788 W. Broad St.

Most romantic heated patio: Jardin

Jardin's outdoor wine garden is a winter respite, complete with heaters, twinkling lights and 150 varieties of wine. Jardin is the perfect spot for a glass (or bottle of wine) paired with charcuterie boards, small plate and sweets like locally made macarons and cookies. For Valentine's Day, Jardin will be doing a three-course dinner service for $29, wine pairing $25, reservations required.

Most intimate: 21 Spoons

Tucked away into an unassuming strip mall in Midlothian, Ann Butler's intimate 21 Spoons has become a local gem. Last year, the tiny restaurant with 14 tables was named "Best Locally Owned Restaurant in Virginia" by Southern Living. 

Everything at 21 Spoons is made in-house, from the salad dressings to the bread, and the menu changes based on what is available and in-season. Recent menu highlights include wild rockfish with ratatouille and buerre blanc ($28) and filet mignon with shakshuka butter, parmesan truffle potato cake and creamed greens ($46). Fully booked for Valentine's Day. 13568 Waterford Place, Midlothian.

Most romantic Southern: Lillie Pearl

Chef Mike Lindsey’s flagship restaurant in downtown Richmond is named after his grandmother and serves Southern comfort fare with an upscale twist, such as the addition of sweet lobster meat to the shrimp and grits ($30). My personal favorites are the fried brussel sprouts ($11) and peach cobbler bread pudding ($8). Other dishes like the obe ata braised lamb shank ($30, pictured) draw on the West African roots of Southern cuisine with fork-tender lamb and a Nigerian red pepper-and-tomato sauce. 416 E. Grace St.

Most romantic Chinese cocktail house: And Dim Sum

And Dim Sum opened in the former Max’s on Broad spot in downtown Richmond late last year.

With its hot pink walls and Instagram-worthy bathrooms, And Dim Sum is a super fun night out on the town with shareable dim sum dishes, steamer baskets and trendy cocktails such as the tom yum yum ($13), with Haku vodka, Cruzan coconut, lemon, ginger, chili pepper, and lemongrass. Dishes run from $6 for small bites to $18 for larger dishes. 305 Brook Road.

Most romantic ambiance and double entrendre: L'Opossum

L'Opossum in Oregon Hill regularly lands on "most romantic" and "top restaurant" lists for a reason. With its dark, kitschy atmosphere and tongue-in-cheek dishes — "Vegan Orgy on Texas Beach" anyone? — L'Opossum has become a dining hotspot in Richmond with reservations booked weeks, sometimes months, in advance. Fully booked for Valentine's Day. 626 China St.

Most romantic cheap date: Bamboo Cafe

Where else can you get a filet mignon with sauteed mushrooms and mashed potatoes for $28? Bamboo Cafe, that's where. A Richmond mainstay for 50 years, Bamboo Cafe has a timeless charm with its pressed tin ceiling, reliable food, great service and strong drinks. Plus the tiny booths with vintage lights are the epitome of Fan romance. 1 S. Mulberry St.

Get Ready for Spring GARDENING - and have a Show Off Yard All Year!

Nothing sells a house like curb appeal - so if you are thinking about moving anytime in the next few years, it’s time to start thinking GARDEN! Thanks to Better Homes and Gardens for this great checklist!

As your garden starts waking up in spring, it's time to start planting, pruning, and prepping for the growing season ahead.Just as you give your house a good spring cleaning to freshen it up after a long winter, you can take a similar approach to getting your garden in shape for the warmer months. Tackle all your outdoor tasks like a pro with this spring gardening checklist. It's divided into early, middle, and late spring tasks to help you pace yourself as you get your flowerbeds, trees, shrubs, and other garden areas ready for the growing season. That way, you'll be sure to hit each area of your landscape before summer arrives.

Early Spring

Though the official first day of spring is in March, gardeners often go by the weather to decide that spring has started. Think of early spring as the time when temperatures begin trending upward and stay consistently above freezing if you live in a cold climate. In temperate regions, most plants are just about to break dormancy but haven't started actively growing yet.

1. Clean up flowerbeds.

Clear away dead leaves or any other winter debris from the soil surfaces where you're planning to plant annual flowers and vegetables. Remove protective winter mulch from around perennials and ornamental grasses (hedge trimmers make it easy to give grass clumps a clean, even look), and cut back last year's dried foliage. To protect yourself from cuts and scrapes, remember to wear gardening gloves, especially when working with plants with prickly leaves.

2. Divide your perennials.

A good time to divide many perennials is just before spring growth begins. Dividing perennials is a budget-friendly way to add more plants to your garden, or to share extras with friends. It also aids in keeping your existing perennials healthy. After a few years, if your plants grow in a large clump, the middle can thin out, leaving a bare spot. Dividing the clump will encourage new growth.

3. Add mulch around perennials.

One of the easiest ways to make your yard look polished is to add a fresh layer of mulch around the garden beds. This also helps the soil retain moisture and keeps down weeds. It often takes more mulch than you imagine to cover a bed, so it's a good idea to buy a little more than you think you'll need. Spread the mulch evenly with your gloved hands or use a rake, being careful not to layer it on too thickly or too close to your plants, which can cause diseases. Keeping the mulch level also helps it stay in place during heavy rains or wind. If you have downspouts that tend to wash away mulch, one fix is to replace it with river rocks.

4. Prune trees and shrubs.

If you didn't prune in winter, now is the time to trim your fruit trees. Prune before the buds begin to break into bloom, or you'll stress the tree and get a tiny crop (or possibly none). It's also a good time to prune evergreen trees and shrubs.

5. Perform basic maintenance on your hardscaping.

Check stonework for frost heaves, particularly in paths and edging. Check the general condition of your deck or patio and make any needed repairs. Clean off outdoor furniture so it's ready when you are for relaxing after a busy day in the garden.

6. Plant vegetables.

Hardy, cool-season vegetables, like potatoes, artichokes, peas, and some lettuces, germinate best in cool soil, so plant them in early spring, once the soil has thawed. They should be ready to harvest by early summer.

Mid Spring

Halfway through the season, you should start to see your spring landscape take shape, as more and more bulbs, perennials, shrubs, and trees start growing, possibly even blooming. With most of the cleanup completed, you can get started adding new plants.

1. Clean bird feeders.

Some people like to take down their bird feeders in spring and store them away until fall. If you want to leave them up year-round, now's a good time to empty and wash them out. Then fill your feeders with fresh seed.

2. Make notes as you watch the spring show.

Some of your spring bulbs should be starting to flower. Enjoy the blooms, and take note of any empty spots where you'll want to plant bulbs later in the fall.

3. Plant new perennials and cold-hardy annuals.

Freshly planted perennials need a little time to get settled and grow new roots before hot summer weather hits. For some quick garden color, add a few cool-season annuals, like pansies or snapdragons. They also work well in containers, where they'll brighten your front porch.

4. Add new trees and shrubs.

Plant as soon as the ground is no longer frozen. The earlier you can do this, the better, so your trees and shrubs have enough time to grow new roots before temperatures start getting hot.

5. Apply fresh mulch.

Once you're finished planting, add a fresh layer of mulch around all your new plants. If you mulch now, before weeds have a chance to sprout, you'll have next-to-no weeding come summer.

Late Spring

In late spring, you can start cleaning up flowers that have already bloomed. It's also time to get planting in earnest to fill out your garden.

1. Deadhead flowering bulbs.

Remove spent blossoms from spring-flowering bulbs; this encourages the plants to store energy for next year rather than expend it to make seeds. Let the foliage die back on its own, and don't remove it until it's completely yellow or dried up.

2. Shop for summer annuals.

Pick out flats of your favorite summer annuals, like petunias, impatiens, and zinnias. Choose plants that aren't yet in bloom, because they'll be stronger.

3. Start warm-season vegetables.

While you're harvesting the radishes and lettuces you sowed early in the spring, you can transplant seedlings of warm-season crops, like tomatoes, peppers, and all sorts of herbs.

4. Plant summer-blooming bulbs.

While spring-blooming bulbs should be planted in the fall, summer-blooming bulbs, like dahlias and gladiolus, should be planted once there's no more threat of frost. Check your area's average last frost date for a general idea of when to plant these bulbs, then get them in the ground once the soil has warmed up.

Use this spring gardening checklist, and you'll have one of the best-looking yards on the block. While there are still a few maintenance chores you should do every season, once you power through these tasks early in the growing season, you'll have more time to kick back and enjoy your landscape throughout summer.

Have We Become Our Parents?

How Homeowners Win When They Downsize

How many times do you hear your friends talking about "downsizing" or "moving back to the city" or "fill in the blank" now that the kids are gone? Downsizing has long been a popular option when homeowners find themselves as empty nesters or as they reach retirement age. But there are plenty of other life changes that could make downsizing worthwhile. Homeowners who have experienced a change in their lives or no longer feel like their house fits their needs may benefit from "right sizing or downsizing too. U.S. News explains:

“Downsizing is somewhat common among older people and retirees who no longer have children living at home. But these days, younger people are also looking to downsize to save money on housing . . .”

And when inflation has made most things significantly more expensive, saving money where you can has a lot of appeal. So, if you’re thinking about ways to budget differently, it could be worthwhile to take your home into consideration.

When you think about cutting down on your spending, odds are you think of frequent purchases, like groceries and other goods. But when you downsize your house, you often end up downsizing the bills that come with it, like your mortgage payment, energy costs, and maintenance requirements. Realtor.com shares:

“A smaller home typically means lower bills and less upkeep. Then there’s the potential windfall that comes from selling your larger home and buying something smaller.”

That windfall is thanks to your home equity. If you’ve been in your house for a while, odds are you’ve developed a considerable amount of equity. Your home equity is an asset you can use to help you buy a home that better suits your needs today.

And when you’re ready to make a move, your team of real estate experts will be your guides through every step of the process. That includes setting the right price for your house when you sell, finding the best location and size for your next home, and understanding what you can afford at today’s mortgage rate.

What This Means for You

If you’re thinking about downsizing, ask yourself these questions:

• Do the original reasons I bought my current house still stand, or have my needs changed since then?

• Do I really need and want the space I have right now, or could somewhere smaller be a better fit?

• What are my housing expenses right now, and how much do I want to try to save by downsizing?

Once you know the answers to these questions, meet with a us to get an answer to this one: What are my options in the market right now? We're here to help you find the house that's just the right size for your family - no matter how big or small!

Bottom Line

If you’re looking to save money, downsizing your home could be a great help toward your goal. You know how to find me - just click on the Contact button and I'll get right back to you!

What’s the Difference between an Appraisal and a Home Inspection?

If you’re planning to buy a home, an appraisal is an important step in the process. It’s a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy. In most cases, an appraisal is ordered by the lender to confirm or verify the value of the home prior to lending a buyer money for the purchase. It’s also a different step in the process from a home inspection, which assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction. Here’s the breakdown of each one and why they’re both important when buying a home.

Home Appraisal

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“A home purchase is typically the largest investment someone will make. Protect yourself by getting your investment appraised! An appraiser will observe the property, analyze the data, and report their findings to their client. For the typical home purchase transaction, the lender usually orders the appraisal to assist in the lender’s decision to provide funds for a mortgage.”

When you apply for a mortgage, an unbiased appraisal (which is required by the lender) is the best way to confirm the value of the home based on the sale price. Regardless of what you’re willing to pay for a house, if you’ll be using a mortgage to fund your purchase, the appraisal will help make sure the bank doesn’t loan you more than what the home is worth.

This is especially critical in today’s sellers’ market where low inventory is driving an increase in bidding wars, which can push home prices upward. When sellers are in a strong position like this, they tend to believe they can set whatever price they want for their house under the assumption that competing buyers will be willing to pay more.

However, the lender will only allow the buyer to borrow based on the value of the home. This is what helps keep home prices in check. If there’s ever any confusion or discrepancy between the appraisal and the sale price, your trusted real estate professional will help you navigate any additional negotiations in the buying process.

Home Inspection

Here’s the key difference between an appraisal and an inspection. MSN explains:

“In simplest terms, a home appraisal determines the value of a home, while a home inspection determines the condition of a home.”

The home inspection is a way to determine the current state, safety, and condition of the home before you finalize the sale. If anything is questionable in the inspection process – like the age of the roof, the state of the HVAC system, or just about anything else – you as a buyer have the option to discuss and negotiate any potential issues or repairs with the seller before the transaction is final. Your real estate agent is a key expert to help you through this part of the process.

Bottom Line

The appraisal and the inspection are critical steps when buying a home, and you don’t need to manage them by yourself. Let’s connect today so you have the expert guidance you need to navigate through the entire homebuying process.

Understanding the Back-Up Offer

“When can I consider my home sold? This is one of the most common questions real estate agents are asked. While the laws vary in different states, generally the contract is binding once both parties sign the offer. At that time the closing process begins. This is also the time when sellers must stop considering other offers, but they can accept back-up offers.

What is a back-up offer? This is when the seller accepts an offer contingent upon the first one falling through. There are many reasons why the home purchase might not close—the buyer may fail to secure the loan, the home inspection may find issues the two parties can’t resolve, it could even be that the Homeowner’s Association has rules that the buyer is unprepared to accept. Whatever the reason, real estate agents know that the deal isn’t done until it closes.

A back-up offer should be carefully executed. Both buyer and seller must be able to pursue other options. Unless the buyer is willing to wait without seeking an alternative property, the back-up offer should be written to allow for the possibility that they find an alternative home in the meantime. The seller, on the other hand, must make clear they are currently obligated to another buyer and will consider the back-up offer only if the current one cancels.

Back-up offers can be a great tool in a fast-moving real estate market. Writing the offer virtually guarantees the listing agent will notify you if the home becomes available again. This gives the buyer an advantage in a seller’s market, increasing the opportunity to capitalize on a home that fell out of contract.

What the Record -Low Housing Means for Sellers

According to most online new services, the real estate market is expected to do very well in 2021, with mortgage rates that are hovering at historic lows and forecasted by experts to remain favorable throughout the year. One challenge to the housing industry, however, is the lack of homes available for sale today. Last week, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their Existing Home Sales Report, which shows that the inventory of homes for sale is currently at an all-time low. The report explains:

“Total housing inventory at the end of December totaled 1.07 million units, down 16.4% from November and down 23% from one year ago (1.39 million). Unsold inventory sits at an all-time low 1.9-month supply at the current sales pace, down from 2.3 months in November and down from the 3.0-month figure recorded in December 2019. NAR first began tracking the single-family home supply in 1982.”

What Does This Mean for You?

If You’re a SELLER:

Realize that, in some ways, you’re in the driver’s seat. When there’s a shortage of an item at the same time there’s a strong demand for it, the seller is in a good position to negotiate the best possible terms. Whether it’s the price, moving date, possible repairs, or anything else, you’ll be able to request more from a potential purchaser at a time like this – especially if you have multiple interested buyers. Don’t be unreasonable, but understand you probably have the upper hand.

Bottom Line

The housing market will remain strong throughout 2021. Know what that means for you, whether you’re buying, selling, or doing both.

Buyers trying to cut corners? Don’t let them make these 6 mistakes

“Measure twice, cut once,” so the old adage goes.

Buying a home is an expensive proposition, no matter how you slice it.  It entails many significant costs, and for many, this is the single largest purchase they’ve made in their entire lives.

No matter whether they are spending $200,000 or $2 million on a home, every buyer has fears and anxiety when it comes to real estate.

As such, the stress of the buying process can often cloud a buyer’s judgement. So without further ado, here are six common costly mistakes that I see buyers make:

1. Being seduced by a home’s good looks and ignoring the fundamentals

Everyone loves a beautiful home.

There is nothing more attractive than an updated or newer home that has a beautiful kitchen, updated baths, trendy floors and an architectural aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye.

However, an untrained eye might overlook critical items that could be costly down the road, such as the reputation of the homebuilder, inferior construction, inferior brands of mechanical systems, like the make and model of the HVAC system or water heater, and so on.

What about the age of the roof, plumbing and electrical system?

A well-staged home can seduce, but is it really a financial siren? Ditto for cheap investor flips that are often attractive to first-time homebuyers.

2. Not buying for location

This is a common one. The buyer falls in love with new construction miles away from their jobs or the conveniences of every day life — shops, services, restaurants and so on.

They are so focused on the “new” aspect of the home versus the practical things that can affect the quality of life, and they discover they bought a home, not a lifestyle or a neighborhood, which can be equally important.

Subsequently, the commute becomes unbearable, and they grow tired of the long drive just to get a loaf of bread from the nearest store. They realize they long for more than just a house to come home to and desire a neighborhood, town and community.

After a year or two, they want to sell the home. So much for all of the closing costs and moving expenses that were just paid, as they will have to do that all over again. Profit margins may be nil because they could still be competing with new construction where they purchased.

3. Skimping on services

It is not unusual for buyers to go into major money saving mode when they are plunking down money for a down payment.

Unfortunately, this means that they may shop for important services like home inspectors or insurance coverage by price alone. All service providers are not created equal, and expensive mistakes can happen when a buyer selects them this way.

A home inspector might be novice and eager to discount fees to grow their business. As such, they might miss a property’s important components and fail to evaluate them properly.

If a buyer is going to remodel after closing, they often choose the least expensive contractor or select the most inferior finishes only to have to redo things later that were shoddily done or did not last in the first place.

4. Waiting on upgrades until after close

Buyers building a home, especially first-time homebuyers, often err on the side of thinking that they can get a better deal on certain upgrades after closing versus doing them with the builder.

That might be fine for certain decorative things like a tile backsplash or fencing, but when it comes to flooring or fixtures, going through the builder might ultimately be a more practical option.

After all, the home has to be finished to obtain a certificate of occupancy for closing, which means the home must be complete.

Do you really want to rip up the floors just as you’re moving in? What are you really saving? Time, money or hassle?

5. Choosing a lender based on advertised interest rate alone

All lenders are not created equal. Repeat: All lenders are not created equal, yet buyers often defer to whatever lender has quoted them the lowest rate.

News flash: That quoted rate might be a trick to reel them in. When they go under contract on a home and make the application, buyers realize that the rate really isn’t the best deal because the good faith estimate shows a hefty origination or processing fee.

Congratulations! The buyer got a lower rate because they essentially are paying to buy it down.  The buyer often has no idea that they are in for some surprises with regard to the interest rate and fees because there is no such thing as a free lunch. And what about the lender’s ability to close on time?

Once application has been made and the appraisal ordered, the buyer might feel ambivalent about their choice of lender, but it can often be too late at that point to switch gears without a huge contagion effect and raising concern amongst all involved in the transaction.

6. DIY moving

With all a buyer has to go through to purchase a home, it is stressful enough to get to the closing table between loan application and approval, the inspections, repairs and the appraisal.

The buyer may begin to feel tapped out with all they have had to expend financially to get to this point, so the one area they think they can skimp on is the movers.

After all, all they need to do, they think, is to rent a moving truck and round up a few friends and family members to help. Who has a few more thousand dollars to spend on movers?

Well, hold on! Buyers typically underestimate four things: how much stuff they have, the size of the truck they are renting, the amount of time needed to move and the availability and reliability of those they have enlisted to help.

Trying to save money on moving is a noble idea, but when you factor in the time, effort and energy trying to move an entire household on time and without damage, urge your buyers to consider these risks.

Let buyers know: There is no insurance if you or your best friend accidentally damages your television in transit. No one can cut you a check to address the huge gauge on that expensive coffee table from the trendy designer furniture store.

Buyers often spend more money having to rent a larger truck, or they end up keeping it longer than anticipated because their “best” friends and family bailed or had sudden emergencies.

Buyers often want to charge full throttle into the homebuying process with a “penny pinching” mindset, but agents can save these kinds of clients money and heartache by taking the time to explain how shortsighted and expensive these kind of corner-cutting tactics can be.

By Cara Ameer

From Inman 

Get the Scoop on Richmond Neighborhoods, Where to Go, What to Eat, Where to Live!

 Richmond’s historic neighborhoods are a destination. Visitors travel from across the region for seasonal festivals, historic strolls and opulent Christmas lights on Monument Avenue. Carytown buzzes daily with people experiencing its eclectic shops and restaurants for the first time. Tour buses carrying visitors to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts treat riders to a scenic look at the Museum District. Every year, new Richmonders move into dormitories and apartments surrounding Virginia Commonwealth University and begin experiencing life in The Fan. But for thousands of city dwellers, Richmond’s historic neighborhoods are just the place they call, “Home.”
 
 The Fan, the Museum District, Carytown, Church Hill and Northside are also destinations for homeowners interested in historic renovation and the lifestyle that comes along with living in walkable, bikable and accessible communities. The neighborhoods feature homes built before 1950 in a variety or architectural styles, sidewalks that canvas the neighborhoods and front porches that are an extension of the living room.

In recent years, Richmond’s historic neighborhoods have returned “to the way those neighborhoods are organically designed to function,” says Bill Martin, director of The Valentine. The evolution of Richmond’s neighborhoods such as Barton Heights, Bellevue, Church Hill, the Museum District and more can be traced through changes in transportation. Streetcars once carried residents from downtown, and the automobile further expanded growing neighborhoods away from the city’s center. The construction of highways in the mid-20th Century left neighborhoods like Jackson Ward divided by new roads, and other neighborhoods with fewer residents as people followed the path of newly-constructed highways to suburban homes.

Historic preservation began in Richmond in the 20th Century and continues today as homeowners update homes that have stood for generations and as business owners revitalize historic neighborhoods with markets, restaurants, bakeries, breweries and more. Richmond’s historic neighborhoods are serviced by the Greater Richmond Transit Company, making transportation to new businesses, hospitals, restaurants and lively entertainment venues appealing for homeowners seeking alternatives to driving to each destination. “In many ways, the city is coming back into itself,” says Martin.

April Straus, owner of Bobby + April, a boutique real estate agency in Richmond that specializes in historic properties, has made her home in the Museum District for 24 years. For her, the opportunity to walk to a spontaneous dinner with neighbors, or enjoy a glass of wine on her front porch and watch the evening pass by, are some of the reasons why people seek out homes in Richmond’s historic neighborhoods.“It’s an opportunity to have a very fluid lifestyle,” says Straus of life in the Museum District and similar neighborhoods.

Straus and her colleague Kendal Thompson, a realtor at Bobby + April, work with clients who move to the city because they want to experience life in a diverse community and feel like they are a part of a neighborhood. Sometimes their clients are empty-nesters who want to reclaim interests that they enjoyed before devoting most of their time to raising children. In other cases, their clients are families or young professionals who enjoy living in a community that changes every day. “It’s a non-homogenized environment,” says Thompson. “You’ve got diversity. You’re going to encounter and experience and embrace a large group of people that you wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.”

Favorite renovation projects in historic Richmond include rooms designed for concert pianos, entry ways that feature art collections, backyards designed for sustainable gardening and elevator shafts for homeowners with physical limitations. The diversity in lifestyle and life experience is reflected in every home.

The Fan

Bordered by Belvidere Street to the east and Boulevard to the west, The Fan is home to Virginia Commonwealth University, locally-owned restaurants, funky shops, Retreat Doctors’ Hospital and Richmond’s scenic Monument Avenue. The neighborhood spreads north to Grace Street and south to Main Street, creating a fan shape that led to its name. On any given day, sidewalks are busy with students walking to class and residents walking to neighborhood markets and restaurants. Cyclers are commonplace on the two-lane roads.

The Fan’s unique vibe is on display during the holidays, especially on Halloween when Hanover Avenue becomes a citywide destination for young goblins and ghouls, and those who are just young at heart. Residents along the historic street decorate their homes with lavish Halloween displays, and children leave at the end of the night with bags of goodies after going block-to-block asking for treats. “I think the interesting thing in Richmond is what you need to know for the holidays about your neighborhood,” explained Straus. “We had some clients move from Fairfax onto Hanover Avenue about a month before Halloween and I warned them that they needed to start building their crypt now. Because you’ve got to do it. It’s got to happen.”

According to Straus and Thompson, Grace Street on The Fan’s northern border is a good street for homebuyers looking for an investment. “Grace (Street) has just been designated as a historic district, so it’s changing hugely every month,” says Straus. “If you’re looking for something at a bargain price that’s going to be worth a lot in five to seven years, Grace Street is the place to look.” The Fan’s western border is Boulevard, but make note that homes facing Boulevard are in the Museum District and not in The Fan.

April and Kendal’s picks for restaurants and markets in The Fan:
- Kuba Kuba
- Bamboo Café
- Postbellum
- 8 ½

Museum District

Two substantial museums face Boulevard, the Museum District’s eastern border, greeting visitors with a combination of modern lines and classic architecture. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Historical Society carve out a large footprint for their growing collections and attract visitors from the Richmond area and far beyond.The Museum District shares the same northern and eastern borders as The Fan, although Main Street changes its name to Ellwood Avenue when it crosses Boulevard. Traffic on Interstate 195 travels past the Museum District on its western side.

Straus says that the Museum District traditionally has fewer rental properties and a lot of generational diversity with young families living alongside retirees. The common bond residents share is lifestyle – they have a common interest in walking to local restaurants and entertainment, riding bicycles for local transportation and participating in an active social neighborhood. With Carytown adjacent to the Museum District on its southern side, residents enjoy shopping, restaurants and nightlife just a short distance from their homes.

April and Kendal’s picks for restaurants in the Museum District:
- The Stables 
- The Franklin Inn
- Belmont Food Shop

Carytown

Home to dozens of locally owned shops and restaurants, The Byrd movie theater, Garden Grove Brewing Company and a variety of nightlife options, Carytown is one of Richmond’s notable destinations for tourists and locals alike. The diverse shopping options attract people looking for the perfect gift, and others who want a non big-box shopping experience. Like the Museum District, the neighborhood is bordered on the east by Boulevard and on the west by Thompson Street.

The Carytown Watermelon Festival, held annually in August, packs the streets, which are closed off during the festival so that local businesses can showcase their wares while festivalgoers enjoy live music and cold watermelon throughout the day.

Cary Street traffic is one way heading east beginning at Thompson Street. To the south of Cary Street is a residential neighborhood that is bordered on the by Interstate 195, and is often overlooked by homebuyers who are looking for a Fan or Museum-District lifestyle, but at a more affordable price.

“I don’t want to say it’s up and coming, because it’s up,” says Thompson. “It’s a great opportunity for a first-time homebuyer.”Straus says that homes in Carytown are not only affordable, but they’re great investments.“When we have clients who are looking under $300,000, we almost always say, ‘How do you feel about south of Cary Street?’” she says.

April and Kendal’s picks for restaurants Carytown:
- Can Can Brasserie
- New York Deli
- The Jasper
- Weezies

Church Hill

 One of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods, Church Hill is perched above the city with Libby Hill Park offering residents and visitors expansive views of Richmond’s skyline and the James River. It’s a well-known place to catch a colorful sunset and enjoy a picnic.

Take Broad Street east from downtown and just past VCU Medical Center you’ll arrive in Church Hill at 22nd Street. The neighborhood spans six blocks east to 28th Street, and it is bounded by 9 Mile Road and Fairmount Avenue to the north, and Jefferson Avenue and M Street to the south. Historic St. John’s Episcopal Church welcomes guests to re-enactments of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty, or give me death,” speech. Just a block away, pastry lovers can be seen lining the sidewalk on Broad Street just outside of popular bakery Proper Pie Co.

Each March, Church Hill’s streets overflow with visitors enjoying activities and music inspired by Ireland, cold beer and local bands at the Church Hill Irish Festival. During the fall, Richmonders pack Libby Hill Park for a sampling of the area’s best barbecue and craft brews at the Hogtober Festival.
Restaurants and bakeries have been front and center in the ongoing revitalization of Church Hill, and Straus says that if she’s showing a house in the neighborhood around lunch time, she picks up lunch at Alamo BBQ.

Church Hill maintains a historic feel, especially during the holidays. “At Christmas time, everyone’s decorated with pineapples, apples and pears,” says Straus. “(Church Hill) has a very Colonial look to it.”

April and Kendal’s picks for restaurants and other establishments in Church Hill:
- Captain Buzzy’s (April says that they have the best deviled eggs)
- Dutch & Co
- Sub Rosa Bakery
- Alamo BBQ

Northside

Just a short drive north from The Fan and the Museum District, through the commercial development along Boulevard and past The Diamond, Richmond’s historic Northside neighborhoods are tree-lined reminders of Richmond’s past.

A mixed-generation neighborhood, homes in areas such as Bellevue, Ginter Park and Lakeside are an opportunity for home buyers who are interested in large yards and more space for a historic renovation. Like other historic neighborhoods in Richmond, Northside is home to a growing number of locally owned shops and restaurants that draw residents out for an afternoon stroll, as well as destination diners and shoppers. The shops along Lakeside Avenue are known for antiques, bargains and collectibles. The Lakeside Farmer’s Market is a must-stop on Saturday mornings, but not until you’ve picked up breakfast at Early Bird Biscuit Co. & Bakery known for hot buttermilk biscuits and locally-roasted Blanchard’s coffee.

Northsiders start the holiday season early (before Thanksgiving) with the Holly Jolly trolley event that picks shoppers up along Lakeside Avenue and drops them off at the area’s eclectic shopping destinations. Gardens and outdoor space are at a premium in Richmond’s Northside, home to nationally-acclaimed Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and the mountain-bike friendly trails at Bryan Park.

April and Kendal’s picks for restaurants and markets in Northside:
- Dot’s Back Inn
- Enoteca Sogna
- Morsels on MacArthur
 

Scott's Addition - More Than Breweries

If you are ready for a fun (and different) night out, venture by Uber, Lyft or Pulse to Scott’s Addition – likely the hottest neighborhood in the Richmond area!  Not familiar? The area is just north of Broad Street– specifically defined by Interstates 95 and 64 to the North, Broad Street to the South, the Boulevard to the East and Westwood Avenue to the West.
 
The Scott's Addition Association describes their neighborhood this way:  "Once a bustling industrial area, Scott’s Addition is now the City of Richmond’s fastest growing neighborhood, adding over 3,500 residents in the past seven years alone. Perhaps now best known for its impressive collection of over 13 breweries, cideries, meaderies, and distilleries, Scott’s Addition is also a booming entertainment district featuring delicious local restaurants, a growing number of shops, a rooftop bar, a boutique bowling alley, cinema, shuffleboard bar, and more–it’s truly the spot to live, work, and play!"

While we certainly don’t claim to have tried every establishment in the area – there are a few office favorites we’d like to highlight – so get some friends together and check out these spots over the next few weekends – we know you won’t be disappointed! – If you are interested in breweries or restaurants – check back next week for info on those!

For straight up fun, try the Circuit Arcade Bar– known simply as The Circuit - which is touted as Richmond’s first modern arcade. https://www.thecircuitarcadebar.com  Want to get your “PacMan” on? This is your spot – they have over 80 retro and modern arcade games, skeeball, and the largest collection of pinball games on the East Coast! Not only do they have games, but they also have a state of the art tap system featuring 50 selections of beer, wine and cider. The food kiosk is unlike anything you have seen, and gives tons of choice between games. Just to note, the Circuit allows children - accompanied by an adult at least 25 years old - before 9:00 p.m.  But this is a straight-up bar – and people are drinking so use your discretion and we’d suggest leaving the little ones at home.
 
Prefer shuffleboard to skeeball? Try Tang and Biscuit – “RVA’s shuffleboard social venue.”  http://www.tangandbiscuit.com  A mix of shuffleboard and bar – Tang and Biscuit boasts 10 regulation sized floor shuffleboard courts, giant Jenga, ping-pong, cornhole and more! Need a beverage – check out the 50 foot bar serving Tang inspired drinks and beer! Again – opening at 11 am, the courts are available to all ages, but as the night rolls in be aware you are heading to a bar and maybe find a sitter for the night!

Ready to Roll? Check in at River City Roll -  Richmond’s boutique bowling alley!  https://www.rivercityroll.com  Before you go – call or go online to see if it’s “League Night” which can spoil the party – but normally it’s not too hard to get one of the 20 lanes. This isn’t your Dad’s bowling alley – they have a great upscale kitchen and a hopping cocktail scene. And who wouldn’t want to hang out in the leather sofas and have a drink? River City Roll is more adult oriented with no one under 21 after 5!

Let us know which were your favorites - and check in next week for ideas on a brewery or cider tour of Scott's Addition!
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