Since the last time we saw you, the world turned upside down with the arrival of COVID-19. As Virginia restaurants either close or adapt to social distancing, Robey and Scott focused this week's podcast on the people who continued to run their restaurants with the hope of providing for both their restaurant families and the communities in which they serve.

This week's guests include:

Lee Gregory - Alewife

Jessica Bufford - Toast

Donnie Glass - Grisette

Michael Smith - Laura Lee's

If you would like to be featured in featured We're Open themed podcast, please reach out.

Since the last time we saw you, the world turned upside down with the arrival of COVID-19. As Virginia restaurants either close or adapt to social distancing, Robey and Scott focused this week's podcast on the people who continued to run their restaurants with the hope of providing for both their restaurant families and the communities in which they serve.
This week's guests include:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/chefleegregory/">Lee Gregory</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/alewiferva/">Alewife</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jessbufford/">Jessica Bufford</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/toastrva/">Toast</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thechefimbibes/">Donnie Glass</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grisetterva/">Grisette</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/macklesmiff/">Michael Smith</a> - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lauraleesrva/">Laura Lee's</a>
If you would like to be featured in featured We're Open themed podcast, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eatitvirginia/">please reach out</a>.

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!

As Virginia restaurants either close or adapt to social distancing, Robey and Scott focused this week's podcast on the people who continued to run their restaurants with the hope of providing for both their restaurant families and the communities in which they serve.

We're Open and Socially Distant: The COVID-19 Chronicles Vol. 1

Robey Martin and Scott Wise discuss the latest restaurant news in Virginia, including the expansion of The Fishin' Pig to Innsbrook. 

Nash Osborn joins to talk about The Fishin' Pig's origins, its growth to six locations, and its philanthropic efforts, including supporting Virginia universities and community events. 

They also discuss the upcoming opening of The Fox and Lamb in Farmville, offering a members-only speakeasy and event space. 

Scott shares his experiences at Susie's, Brave Captain, and Pink Room.

Robey's offers insight into Stanley's cheesesteaks in Richmond and Frank and Patty's in Virginia Beach.

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/callmerobey/">Robey Martin</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scott_wise/">Scott Wise</a> discuss the latest restaurant news in Virginia, including the expansion of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefishinpigrva/">The Fishin' Pig</a> to Innsbrook.&nbsp;
Nash Osborn joins to talk about The Fishin' Pig's origins, its growth to six locations, and its philanthropic efforts, including supporting Virginia universities and community events.&nbsp;
They also discuss the upcoming opening of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thefoxandlamb/">The Fox and Lamb</a> in Farmville, offering a members-only speakeasy and event space.&nbsp;
Scott shares his experiences at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/susiesrva/">Susie's</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bravecaptainrva/">Brave Captain</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkroomrva/">Pink Room</a>.
Robey's offers insight into <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stanleysrva?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">Stanley's</a> cheesesteaks in Richmond and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/frankandpattys?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">Frank and Patty's</a> in Virginia Beach.

Robey Martin and Scott Wise discuss the latest restaurant news in Virginia, including the expansion of The Fishin' Pig to Innsbrook. 

Nash Osborn: The Fishin' Pig

Justin Ferguson spends his workdays making Virginia real estate deals. But when work is done and it's time to play, Ferguson becomes TheBlackSommRVA, a role that allows him to share the wine knowledge he's learned while becoming a WSET Level 3 certified sommelier.

"The more I jumped into this business [commercial real estate], I started being around wine more, and I wanted to be a better agent and understand what my clients want. So I'm like, let me learn about it. I've just kept progressing. And here we are now," he said about the bridging of his real estate and wine careers. "During COVID, it was great when the world was shutting down, and you didn't want to talk to anyone about real estate. I would call people and say, 'Hey, let's drink wine and talk about something other than real estate. We'll sit six feet apart and just be humans.' Real estate is transactional, but it gets too transactional. So, like, hey, Justin is here to provide wine value to me as well."

But Ferguson doesn't just use wine to help his real estate career.

He's been able to launch a second career as the wine director at The Underground Kitchen in Richmond, Virginia.

"It is an experiential dining kitchen. So we're not open every day, which is great," he said. "The Kitchen pays respect and creativity to the LGBTQ community but also to chefs of color with flavors. We like seasoning. Chef Steve Glenn likes Creole and Southern cooking. So that's good portion sizes, but really well-seasoned food. It's fun pairing different cultures with wine."

Initially inspired by Dlynn Proctor and the movie SOMM, Ferguson said he hopes his efforts expose more people to the beauty and wonder of wine.

"There was a guy, his name was Dlynn Proctor, and he was, like, the only Black guy. There aren't many Black Master Somms. So seeing him in that role sparked the idea — representation matters," Ferguson said about his initial push toward earning his sommelier certification. "Because my family still, to this day, doesn't drink wine; they aren't wine people. They are beer and other alcohol drinkers. I think [wine] wasn't introduced throughout my culture the same way other spirits were."

When asked to recommend a bottle of wine for Eat It, Virginia listeners to try, Ferguson did not hesitate.

"The thing on top of my mind right now is, honestly, Black winemakers," he said. "One that I've been enjoying is O.P.P wine (Other People's Pinot Noir) by André Mack."

Other stuff on this episode:


The opening of Ripple Ray's, a Grateful Dead themed bar in Richmond (2:10)


The new Mardi Gras menu at Get Tight Lounge (2:45)


The Sunday Bagel phenomenon (4:40)


The opening of the Ugly Dumpling (6:45)


Robey's new column in Style Weekly (7:50)


Robey's recent visits to Brave Captain and Susie's (9:00)


The Mailbag wants to know about James Beard Awards snubbing Richmond restaurants once again (12:00)

Justin Ferguson spends his workdays making Virginia real estate deals. But when work is done and it's time to play, Ferguson becomes <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theblacksommrva/">TheBlackSommRVA</a>, a role that allows him to share the wine knowledge he's learned while becoming a WSET Level 3 certified sommelier.
"The more I jumped into this business [commercial real estate], I started being around wine more, and I wanted to be a better agent and understand what my clients want. So I'm like, let me learn about it. I've just kept progressing. And here we are now," he said about the bridging of his real estate and wine careers. "During COVID, it was great when the world was shutting down, and you didn't want to talk to anyone about real estate. I would call people and say, 'Hey, let's drink wine and talk about something other than real estate. We'll sit six feet apart and just be humans.' Real estate is transactional, but it gets too transactional. So, like, hey, Justin is here to provide wine value to me as well."
But Ferguson doesn't just use wine to help his real estate career.
He's been able to launch a second career as the wine director at <a href="https://www.theundergroundkitchen.org/">The Underground Kitchen</a> in Richmond, Virginia.
"It is an experiential dining kitchen. So we're not open every day, which is great," he said. "The Kitchen pays respect and creativity to the LGBTQ community but also to chefs of color with flavors. We like seasoning. <a href="https://www.wtvr.com/eat-it-virginia/steve-glenn-hells-kitchen-gordon-ramsay">Chef Steve Glenn</a> likes Creole and Southern cooking. So that's good portion sizes, but really well-seasoned food. It's fun pairing different cultures with wine."
Initially inspired by Dlynn Proctor and the movie SOMM, Ferguson said he hopes his efforts expose more people to the beauty and wonder of wine.
"There was a guy, his name was Dlynn Proctor, and he was, like, the only Black guy. There aren't many Black Master Somms. So seeing him in that role sparked the idea &mdash; representation matters," Ferguson said about his initial push toward earning his sommelier certification. "Because my family still, to this day, doesn't drink wine; they aren't wine people. They are beer and other alcohol drinkers. I think [wine] wasn't introduced throughout my culture the same way other spirits were."
When asked to recommend a bottle of wine for Eat It, Virginia listeners to try, Ferguson did not hesitate.
"The thing on top of my mind right now is, honestly, Black winemakers," he said. "One that I've been enjoying is O.P.P wine (<a href="https://maisonnoirwines.com/wine-shop/2013-other-peoples-pinot-noir">Other People's Pinot Noir) </a>by Andr&eacute; Mack."
Other stuff on this episode:
<ul>
<li>
The opening of Ripple Ray's, a Grateful Dead themed bar in Richmond (2:10)
</li>
<li>
The new Mardi Gras menu at Get Tight Lounge (2:45)
</li>
<li>
The Sunday Bagel phenomenon (4:40)
</li>
<li>
The opening of the Ugly Dumpling (6:45)
</li>
<li>
Robey's new column in Style Weekly (7:50)
</li>
<li>
Robey's recent visits to Brave Captain and Susie's (9:00)
</li>
<li>
The Mailbag wants to know about James Beard Awards snubbing Richmond restaurants once again (12:00)
</li>
</ul>

Justin Ferguson: TheBlackSommRVA

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!

We're Open and Socially Distant: The COVID-19 Chronicles Vol. 1

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