Well, this isn’t the Near West End….But, The Byrd House Market in Oregon Hill, is the closest farmers market to the Near West End. I haven’t been there yet, so maybe I shouldn’t be suggesting it….but I have heard such great things!

Now that the official CSA Sprout Organic Shares are done for the season, we get to go and pick out our own veggie and this week, I’m thinking I’ll stop by the Byrd House Market instead of the 17th Street Farmer’s market to collect them. Victory Farms, which raises the food for Sprout always has the best greens and veggies. Last week we ate arugula, broccoli rabe, butternut squash, and Swiss chard. I also have my eye on the apples and locally grown sweet potatoes at Mica Hill Farm. Don’t ask me why I’m trying to figure out why I need 40 pounds of them….for a steal of a deal at $25.

Plus they have stories, kids activities and more. And, if you wait until October 30th to go to to the Byrd House Market they will have the PURE Richmond Belly dance Troupe performing at 6:30. I love belly dancers, and my kids do too. There is something mesmerizing about watching them and hearing the clang of their metal decorations. Plus their goal is to bring peace, healing and goodwill to the community — can’t argue with that!

Having grown up in Northern Virginia, I’ve had a few experiences with Silver Diner. And although I’m not a huge fan of chains, I am really happy that this mini-chain (located in Rockville, Md.) is coming to Innsbrook (at the northeast corner of Cox and W. Broad.)
River City Diner has been disappointing me for quite some time. I’m just not a Cracker Barrel girl and Boychicks just doesn’t suit me either. We are not talking Denny’s here. We are talking a really cool atmosphere that is extremely kid friendly and hip. And best of all, they have great food and even better service. Now, we just have to hold off on the pancakes until they open.
[via]

I love the Festival of India. I go every year. Granted, I work at the Richmond Metro Convention Center on weekends, so I’m there anyway, but this is such a great event and it’s free.
Music, great food, and dancing. Unlike so many festivals where the food is sub-par due to cooking mass quantities and reheating them at locations with difficult logistics (i.e. The Vegetarian Festival), the food at the Indian Festival is actually unique and sometime better then what you can get at the restaurants. The reason is, that in addition to restaurants providing the food, they have local volunteers preparing specialties you sometimes can’t get in restaurants.

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Considering I work for a private school, I don’t think I’ll be attending this outing. But here’s the info for anyone else who might want to [via]:

Buckhead’s, 8510 Patterson Ave., is having a five-course dinner paired with wines from the Napa Valley vineyards of Ladera at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The dinner is $120 per person. For reservations, which are required, call (804) 750-2000.

I haven’t had the opportunity to eat at Chez Max at 10622 Patterson Ave. but the Times-Dispatch’s Dana Craig did and gave the establishment a four-star rating.

Nonchalantly hidden in the corner of a suburban shopping center, Chez Max offers classic French cuisine in all its laborious and intricate glory minus stereotypical stuffiness and snobbery.

This is a place where diners of varying ages, palates and fashion preferences can enjoy a definitive yet spirited French menu in the most welcoming of settings.