Richmond is kicking off the new year with a fresh vision as Dr. Danny Avula is sworn in as the Mayor of Richmond on January 1, 2025. Just days before officially taking office, Mayor Avula sat down with hosts Scott and Robey to delve into a variety of topics centered around the vibrant restaurant scene in Richmond.

In this episode, Mayor Avula reflects on how food and family meals shaped his upbringing and shares his hopes toward fostering a strong partnership between City Hall and local restaurants.

Plus, we put him on the spot to reveal his favorite dining spots in both Richmond and its surrounding suburbs.

We want to hear from you! Email the show  with your thoughts and suggestions for topics you'd like us to cover in 2025. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes content!

Richmond is kicking off the new year with a fresh vision as Dr. Danny Avula is sworn in as the Mayor of Richmond on January 1, 2025. Just days before officially taking office, Mayor Avula sat down with hosts <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scott_wise/">Scott</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/callmerobey/">Robey</a> to delve into a variety of topics centered around the vibrant restaurant scene in Richmond.
In this episode, Mayor Avula reflects on how food and family meals shaped his upbringing and shares his hopes toward fostering a strong partnership between City Hall and local restaurants.
Plus, we put him on the spot to reveal his favorite dining spots in both Richmond and its surrounding suburbs.
We want to hear from you! <a href="emailto:eatitvirginia@gmail.com">Email the show&nbsp;</a> with your thoughts and suggestions for topics you'd like us to cover in 2025. Don't forget to follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eatitvirginia/">Instagram </a>for updates and behind-the-scenes content!

Eat It, Virginia! is a deep dive into the food, restaurants, and dining trends of Richmond, Virginia and spots around the Commonwealth. 

Eat It, Virginia! is a deep dive into the food, restaurants, and dining trends of Richmond, Virginia and spots around the Commonwealth.

Eat It, Virginia!

Dr. Danny Avula: Mayor of Richmond

Antonio Owen, the chef-owner of Sweet P’s in Richmond, Virginia, recently shared his culinary journey and life philosophies on the “Eat It, Virginia” podcast with Scott Wise and Robey Martin.

The veteran’s guiding philosophies in the kitchen is that no job is beneath him.

"If you think you’re too good to take out the trash, your whole mindset is wrong," he said.

This hands-on mentality has been crucial in establishing a strong, supportive team.

The restaurant also embraces fun, with the introduction of “Whitney Wednesdays,” a weekly event celebrating Whitney Houston’s music and food inspired by her favorite dishes.

In this episode, Robey also discusses  an extensive list of Richmond-area Christmas bars that she helped compile for Style Weekly.

Antonio Owen, the chef-owner of <a href="https://sweetpsrva.com/">Sweet P&rsquo;s</a> in Richmond, Virginia, recently shared his culinary journey and life philosophies on the &ldquo;Eat It, Virginia&rdquo; podcast with Scott Wise and Robey Martin.
The veteran&rsquo;s guiding philosophies in the kitchen is that no job is beneath him.
"If you think you&rsquo;re too good to take out the trash, your whole mindset is wrong," he said.
This hands-on mentality has been crucial in establishing a strong, supportive team.
The restaurant also embraces fun, with the introduction of &ldquo;Whitney Wednesdays,&rdquo; a weekly event celebrating Whitney Houston&rsquo;s music and food inspired by her favorite dishes.
In this episode, Robey also discusses&nbsp; an <a href="https://www.styleweekly.com/get-blitzened/">extensive list of Richmond-area Christmas bars that she helped compile for Style Weekly</a>.

Antonio Owen: Sweet P's

Kat McCay Stanley discussed her extensive restaurant ventures, including the recent rebranding of Holy Mackerel in Prince George County, Virginia, to The Salty Siren, which offers a seafood-heavy menu.

"When Holy Mackerel hit my radar, there was no turning back. The potential there, the view, the building... So I thought, 'Is this crazy? This is pretty crazy,'" she said about her plan to revamp the restaurant along the James River near the Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge. "But I also knew in the back of my mind that if I was willing to chase that craziness, I knew the absolute most dynamite person who would be interested in chasing it with me. So I actually have a 50% business partner there, by the name of Jessica Pilout, and she is the other half of The Salty Siren."

McCay Stanley also owns Old Towne's Alibi, a Petersburg dive bar known for its community involvement and zero staff turnover in three years.

During her Eat It, Virginia interview, McCay Stanley highlighted her community's efforts after Hurricane Helene, organizing multiple relief trips with trailers and trucks filled with supplies to both North Carolina and Virginia communities impacted by the storm.

She emphasized the ongoing need for support in affected area and suggested donating to Covenant Fellowship in Bristol.

This episode is sponsored by Richmond Water

Kat McCay Stanley discussed her extensive restaurant ventures, including the recent rebranding of Holy Mackerel in Prince George County, Virginia, to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Salty-Siren-61564863741267/">The Salty Siren</a>, which offers a seafood-heavy menu.
"When Holy Mackerel hit my radar, there was no turning back. The potential there, the view, the building... So I thought, 'Is this crazy? This is pretty crazy,'" she said about her plan to revamp the restaurant along the James River near the Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge. "But I also knew in the back of my mind that if I was willing to chase that craziness, I knew the absolute most dynamite person who would be interested in chasing it with me. So I actually have a 50% business partner there, by the name of Jessica Pilout, and she is the other half of The Salty Siren."
McCay Stanley also owns <a href="https://oldtownesalibi.com/">Old Towne's Alibi</a>, a Petersburg dive bar known for its community involvement and zero staff turnover in three years.
During her Eat It, Virginia interview, McCay Stanley <a href="https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/virginia-volunteers-help-helene-victims-oct-2-2024">highlighted her community's efforts after Hurricane Helene</a>, organizing multiple relief trips with trailers and trucks filled with supplies to both North Carolina and Virginia communities impacted by the storm.
She emphasized the ongoing need for support in affected area and suggested donating to <a href="https://cfbristol.com/give">Covenant Fellowship in Bristol</a>.
This episode is sponsored by <a href="https://drinkrichmondwater.com/">Richmond Water</a>

Kat McCay Stanley: The Salty Siren

David Whitby, owner of Shoreline Seafood Market, discussed his journey from his parents starting Yellow Umbrella to his new venture Shoreline -- a seafood market and a 10-seat restaurant for special dinners.

Whitby emphasized the importance of sourcing high-quality seafood globally and shared tips for new seafood cooks who might be intimidated to prepare seafood at home.

Robey and Scott also discussed the state of service at Richmond-area restaurants. Slide into their DMs to tell them which restaurants always deliver the goods.

Shoreline Seafood Market

10614 Patterson Avenue

Henrico, Va. 23238

David Whitby, owner of <a href="https://www.shorelinerva.com/">Shoreline Seafood Market</a>, discussed his journey from his parents starting Yellow Umbrella to his new venture Shoreline -- a seafood market and a 10-seat restaurant for special dinners.
Whitby emphasized the importance of sourcing high-quality seafood globally and shared tips for new seafood cooks who might be intimidated to prepare seafood at home.
Robey and Scott also discussed the state of service at Richmond-area restaurants. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eatitvirginia/">Slide into their DMs</a> to tell them which restaurants always deliver the goods.
<a href="https://www.shorelinerva.com/">Shoreline Seafood Market</a>
10614 Patterson Avenue
Henrico, Va. 23238

Dr. Danny Avula: Mayor of Richmond

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