Summer in Richmond is so full of amazing events, parties and incredible food, your head might just pop right off. Good thing we’re here to help you decide where to go and what to do. Pro-tip: Best get the next size up in those jorts.

 

Biggest Berries

Are strawberries just hitting different this season?

Head over to any farmers markets and pick up a pint of locals to kick up your morning yogurt — personal favorites are the market at St. Stephen’s Farmer Market from 8 a.m. to noon and Lakeside Farmer’s Market from 9 a.m. to noon every Saturday. OR ….

Drink your berries.

Pop through Bingo Beer Company for their Strawberry Negroni, an alluringly fuchsia-tinged cocktail with Citadelle gin macerated strawberries and white vermouth. It’s “almost” too pretty to drink (hat tip to Megan Marconyak of the RTD).

Also, check out the new Emerald Lounge. The spot opened to the public last week and has had an hour-plus wait ever since. If the space looks slightly similar to The Jasper in Carytown, you’ve nailed it; it’s the same owners, which is why the cocktail menu is so compelling and why the frozen strawberry daiquiri is the best in town. Simple, chilly, and genius — local Virago white rum, lime and strawberry.

 

It’s all Greek … and Italian

Nothing makes Richmond happier than drinking in a church parking lot surrounded by tiropita. You have three days left to partake in the 45th Richmond Greek Festival which garners huge crowds for its incredible array of Greek foodstuffs like pastichio, a rich, layered dish of noodles, beef , cheese and béchamel and the aforementioned tiropita, flaky and cheesy. The details can be found at greekfestival.com.

On a more intimate scale, Oro and Celladora Wines are pairing up together for Cibo E Vino on June 3rd and June 4th. Oro is the tour de fresh pasta of award-winning chef, Laine Myers. Celladora is the new(ish) low-intervention wine bar at 111 Lombardy in the fan from Megan Lee Hopkins. This dinner menu playfully spotlights Italian cuisine like an Italian Sub Wedge salad with local Tomten Farms iceberg lettuces, soppressata and Tropea onion. Space is crazy limited for seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m. and the $110 price tag includes wine. To get a resy, you must text 804.709.5216.

 

Let me eat cake

If you want to be dumbfounded by cake, head to Danya Smith’s Instagram, @layerscakestudio. There is a Chanel bag cake, a Cohiba cigar box cake, a Nike Lebron 19 hightop [shoe] cake and a cake BopIT. The level of detail is mind-bending. Unsurprisingly, it’s been noticed. Smith will be featured on season two of “Is It Cake?” on Netflix. The premise of the show is exactly what you’d expect from the title: Can you spot the real object, or is the object cake? Season two premieres on June 30th. Go Danya!