Weekly Food News: Tobacco Company update, new Willow Lawn restaurant, free ice cream, Galley’s pizza, and more

All the news that’s fit to eat

Finally, an update on fire recovery efforts at the Tobacco Company – It’s been more than six months since a fire at the Tobacco Company in Shockoe Slip closed the popular, sprawling restaurant housed in a former tobacco warehouse. Karri Peifer with the Richmond Times-Dispatch has an update from management, saying the restaurant should reopen in the coming months. Water damage from the fire, which was caused by grease build-up in the kitchen hood system, has been the main problem, according to a representative. Get caught up on what’s being done and something new planned for the Tobacco Company once they’re back up and running right here.

New restaurant on the way to former American Tap Room space at Willow Lawn – First it was American Tap Room. Then, the restaurant’s parent company brought in another concept, Hattie Mae’s, which barely lasted five months. Enter Legends Grille, a sports bar that’s been open in Fredericksburg for the past six years. The new concept will feature 36 beer taps and specializes in chicken wings. Learn more about what you can expect here.

Pizza is the star of the show at the new Galley To Go in Forest Hill – I’ve seen mixed reviews of the new Galley To Go in Forest Hill. Some like it, and others, such as my wife and her coworkers, say the food leaves something to be desired. Guess I should give ’em a try myself. Everyone, however, seems to be raving about the pizza. Karen Newton, writing for Style Weekly, has a great profile on Galley lunchtime server and musician Giustino Riccio (who plays in local band Bio Ritmo) and his unique take on Neapolitan pizza that’s delighting the neighborhood. Check it out here.

Owners of new Church Hill ice cream shop making friends quickly with free samples – If you live in Church Hill and like ice cream (and if you don’t like ice cream, who are you?!) you can get a free pint of a new shop’s flavor of the week all winter long, no strings attached. Spotty Dog Ice Cream owners Alex Miller and Hannah Sager are introducing their product to the neighborhood by dropping it off to their neighbors. And before you say it’s too cold for ice cream, they say they think it’s actually the “coziest” time of year to enjoy it. What a “cool” idea, huh? Here’s the scoop. Oh God, the puns–I swear I’m done.

Chef Mike Ledesma previews Perch at Blue Bee – Chef Mike Ledesma’s forthcoming Scott’s Addition restaurant, Perch, will open in the coming months. In the meantime, he previewed some of the recipes he’s tinkering with and just generally went wild with a seven-course cider pairing dinner late last month at Blue Bee Cider, down the street from his forthcoming restaurant in the former Joy Garden space. Here’s a look at what he served and what you can expect at Perch from Richmond Magazine’s Sarah Geroux.

Perk accepting items to help the less fortunate survive the brutal cold – Perk in Bon Air, like the rest of us, has noticed the harsh temperatures and even harsher winter weather that is coming and decided to do something to help others. The café has a collection bin set up to accept coats, gloves, scarves, and the like. Here’s what you need to know to help.

This week’s restaurant reviews

• Demi’s (Richmond Times-Dispatch)