Weekly Food News: 8 1/2’s new Church Hill spot, West Coast Provisions, the art of Q Barbecue, and more

All the news that’s fit to eat

8 1/2 opens second restaurant in Church Hill – Popular Fan pizzeria 8 1/2, the pie concept from the folks behind Mama Zu, Edo’s Squid, and Dinamo, has opened its second restaurant in Church Hill on April 28th, Karri Peifer with the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. More here on what you can expect.

Mike Isabella settles federal sexual harassment lawsuit – Remember the news about the claims of “extraordinary” sexual harassment from employees at chef-owner Mike Isabella’s Richmond restaurant, Graffiato? His lawyers and partners have settled the suit for an undisclosed sum, the Washington Post reports. Read on here.

West Coast Provisions now open in Short Pump – West Coast Provisions, the sister restaurant of Carytown’s East Coast Provisions, officially opens its doors with a grand opening today at GreenGate in Short Pump. The Richmond Restaurant Group-run establishment brings Pacific Rim influences to the menu including crab cakes, Mexican street food, sushi, and more. There’s even a dish featuring fresh truffles flown in from France! Check it out here.

Nate’s Bagels set to open in the Fan next week – It’s hard to find a great bagel in Richmond, save for maybe Cupertino’s New York Bagels & Deli in the West End. Well, Fan-dwellers, your time has come. Nate’s Bagels, which has been serving their goods at popups and farmer’s markets, will open their brick and mortar space at South Allen Avenue and Cary Street May 16th. Here’s the scoop.

Carytown Cupcakes is headed to Short Pump Town Center – Short Pumpers, you’ve got another cupcake option headed your way. Carytown Cupcakes will join the growing number of establishments including Carytown Bicycles, Carytown Burgers & Fries, and Carytown Tobacco, all of which have expanded outside of Carytown but retained the name of their origin, in the West End. More about when you can expect the cupcake shop to the open here.

Q Barbecue’s Tuffy Stone releases new book – If you’re as big of a fan of Q Barbecue as I am, you’ll want to get your hands on owner Tuffy Stone’s new book, Smoke Signals: The Art of Great Barbecue. Stone, a five-time World Barbecue champion, and reality television star, dishes on his use of smoke as a seasoning, the recipe for amazing barbecue sauce, and more. Genevelyn Steele, writing for Richmond Magazine, has a look.

Hardywood creates a beer and food pairing “For Every Saison” – Style Weekly food editor Eileen Mellon attended last Sunday’s “For Every Saison” Hardywood beer dinner at Maymont featuring delicious dishes from area chefs and a taste of many of Hardywood’s creations. Take a walk through these delectable dishes with the beautiful photography featured throughout, here.

This week’s restaurant reviews

• Pupatella (Richmond Times-Dispatch)