Weekly Food News: Harvey relief, another kitchen fire, Tap 20 Tavern, Vagabond’s overhaul, and more

All the news that’s fit to eat

Jack Brown’s donating all profits to Harvey relief – Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint near Libbie & Grove is going all in to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey’s historic flooding in Texas. The restaurant is donating all profits–yes, 100%–to relief efforts all week long. If that wasn’t enough, they’ve also tapped the only keg in existence of The Veil Brewing Co.’s “Weekend At Bronzie’s” IPA (outside of their taproom) to help boost sales. Go by, have a brew and a burger, and help the victims of this terrible tragedy this week. Learn more here.

Branch & Vine has reopened following a small fire – Well, it’s safe to say 2017 has been the year of restaurant fires in Richmond. The latest was Branch & Vine in The Fan, which suffered a small kitchen fire late Sunday. No word on the cause, but the restaurant is already open again, unlike others like Don’t Look Back and The Tobacco Company, which remain closed following similar incidents. More details here.

Ding’s Kitchen taps out as Tap 20 Tavern takes its place – Elsewhere in The Fan, Szechuan restaurant Ding’s Kitchen has closed after just five months in business. Owners quickly rebranded the space, which reopened as Tap 20 Tavern on Saturday. I have my own theories on why Ding’s closed so quickly (having never had their food, admittedly). For one, they met the fate of other restaurants who opened on or near the VCU campus when school was about to let out for summer. The shopping center, anchored by Kroger, is also congested and hard to get in and out of. With some marketing to the surrounding neighborhood, however, it could prove quite the successful venture. More on Tap 20 here.

A lady, a vagabond, Mama J, and a guy named Sully walk into a bar – Vagabond has some new owners, and some major changes to the menu will soon follow. Several of the owners of FWS Group, the team behind Lady N’awlins Cajun Café and F.W. Sullivan’s Fan Bar & Grill have teamed up with Lester Johnson of Mama J’s to spread the latter’s soul food and good southern cooking. The Vagabond name will remain, but expect an entirely new menu from new executive chef Katrina Mazyck, who comes to the restaurant from Mama J’s, where she served as kitchen manager. More about the concept here.

Local restaurateurs hosting school supply drive – Richmond dining heavyweights Michele Jones, Jason Alley, and Jay Bayer are throwing their brands behind a drive to collect school supplies for kids in need in the area. School starts next Tuesday, and the restaurants of Comfort, Pasture, and Flora are all stepping up to make sure no kids start the school year without the things they need to be successful. Learn more about the venture and a special happy hour benefitting the effort right here.

Style Weekly’s Food & Drink Power List revealed – Speaking of heavyweights, just who are our city’s biggest movers and shakers in the restaurant scene? Style Weekly ensures you’ll wonder no more with their annual ranking of food and drink purveyors. It’s part of the larger Power List issue, which explores the folks making things happen and shaping our town every year. See the list (including many familiar names) here.

This week’s food reviews

• Greek On Cary (Style Weekly)
• Mijas Mexican Kitchen & Cantina (Richmond Magazine)