Category: ABCs

I’m late on closing out the 2025 ABC challenge and also ashamed to share that we did not complete it. We missed it by two letters (K and V) and even had places ready to go during the holiday break. Then I threw my back out at the gym on Dec 27th and we scraped our plans because I couldn’t walk or sit up for a week.

We are doing another restaurant challenge in 2026, but for now some quick thoughts on letters N, R, and “X”:

Native Plate

A wide variety of Asian cuisine + street food inspired options on the menu. We liked the vibe, food, and prices. All of it worked. If this place was just slightly closer we’d probably be regulars. It felt approachable, not like the spot for a special event, but a “you know where we haven’t been a while, we should go there tonight”.

The Roosevelt

Church Hill is the real MVP of our 2025 challenge. We couldn’t close out the year without hitting this staple that was on the list since January. It didn’t disappoint. Southern cuisine expertly elevated. But definitely a “fancy” date night spot. Get a reservation and give it a try.

1870

Good, but not great was the through line for every course we had at 1870. Cocktails a little too bland, appetizers a little underwhelming, and mains not completely in concert with each other. If we got invited to return by someone I’d be happy to go, but for the price tag, it isn’t a place I’d pick again.

We have a “J” on the board and it’s a 5 out of 5. We are slowly working our way through the Richmond alphabet and our most recent find was JewFro. A restaurant focused on Jewish and African culinary fusion. That is a pretty lofty scope, there is literally a whole lot of Africa, but they nail it.

The menu when we went in April was a fixed four course meal for $65 a person. Three choices in each course and every dish we picked was excellent. Specifically the lamb loin I had for my main is the best lamb I have ever had. Hard to top that. Plus good cocktails to boot. That same menu concept rotates every month too, so a return trip would be rewarded with a whole new experience.

In December last year, on the side of a chilly field, a fellow soccer parent let my wife and I know about a novel concept. The restaurant ABCs. His family had been partaking in a 2024 goal to go to a new restaurant in Richmond for every letter in the alphabet. Could we do that? Our kids are old enough, we should get out more, why not?

Introducing our very own 2025 ABCs of Richmond. We didn’t commit to it until late February, but have been running up our list recently. I’ll keep the page going with the collected entries and periodically post about new additions here.

E. Eazzy Burger

Killer burgers and fries tucked between Ardent and ZZQ. Already two of our favorite spots in town. The outdoor seating and ready access to excellent beer got a big thumbs up from our whole crew.

G. Gersi

We went to this little Italian spot in the Fan with friends after numerous recommendations. Everyone was right. Daily handmade pasta and crisp cocktails. I’d recommend the Gersi Manhattan and a reservation ahead of time.

H. Henley on Grace

A wine bar with upscale food, right near the Carpenter Theatre. We already had tickets to a show, and needed an “H”. We were treated to fantastic service, atmosphere, food, drink, and great night out.