Move over Baltimore, there’s a new Charm City! I’ve driven through Richmond hundreds of times, but I haven’t spent much time there. After my meeting was over, I headed downtown and had about an hour to kill before the blogger dinner. So I went for a walk.
A crunchy fall walk!
So many cute row houses – but they all had details, brickwork, porches, and brightly colored doors and trim that made them super charming. Reminded me a bit of Charleston + Savannah!
I joined up with Brittany and Isaac and we made our way to our dinner spot – an adorable casual café called Olio.
It was perfect cozy atmosphere, gourmet menu and pay-at-the-counter convenience.
Hot tea to drink!
Upon first glance I knew I had to have the Smoked Salmon Nicoise Salad (Norwegian salmon, fresh goat cheese, roasted peppers, fresh cucumber, roasted tomatoes with balsamic dressing), which came with grilled bread!
The salad was amazing!! I LOVE smoked salmon AND goat cheese AND veggies AND grilled toast! I saved a curl of salmon in a doggie box for my lunch tomorrow : )
I also ordered a cup of the tempting Pea + Prosciutto Soup since it was a dreary rainy night. I loved how brothy it was – with peas floating – rather than pureed. [Foreshadowing – ooooooo!
]
Much to our surprise and delight, Olio brought out a sample platter of desserts for us to try!! I think a little Twitter bird must have let them know we were a bunch of bloggers and tweeters ; )
Cookies, and tiramisu and cannolis!
We played "pass the dessert tray" and had a taste of each
Richmond is cool!!
Stephanie, moi, Katharine, Julie, Brittany
Especially when I saw THIS!
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
That smoked salmon looks so delectable and so do the desserts!
I love taking walks through crunchy leaves like that — the sound of the leaves is so satisfying.
Brittany (Eating Bird Food) says
I love the photos you got while walking around Richmond!!
I have a picture of myself and a friend on top of that polar bear – it was a wild night. 😉
Heidi - apples under my bed says
I’m in love with your fall photos. Especially the first one – how did you get that shot, can I ask?
Heidi xo
Kath says
Thanks! Camera on the ground, AV setting to f/2.5 or so
ilana says
I second that! What a great shot! The epitome of fall. 🙂
Heidi - apples under my bed says
thanks a bunch xo
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write says
Actually, that bear is creepy!
I love your crunchy leaves. I pine for them here in Cali, where fall only really means a change in the light. Boo.
Helen says
Love the photos as well. I wish we had such pretty fall landscape in Louisiana…just crazy pine trees and swamps 🙁 But it is a fun place as well. Looks like your night was a great one….I love gathering with my girlfriends. Happy Fall!!
Katie (The Boston Marathoner) says
I love a good crunchy fall walk – and a dessert plate. Great day!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
Richmond looks so quaint! Looks like it would be a cute place to live.
Maddie says
Richmond is beautiful! I love the architecture and fall leaves.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
Charleston and Savannah are my two all time favorite cities. What a pretty town it looks like! And good looking food too.
Julie says
Such a fun night! Glad I spilled the beans to the Twitterverse–those desserts were delicious!
Katy says
Jules! So jealous you got to meet Kath! I hope you told her your sister is a fan, too. 🙂 (Good work on letting your fellow Twitterers know Kath would be in town–those desserts looked awesome!)
Hannah H. says
I spy a Pi Phi Spider! Love seeing you on the blog, Julie! These fall pictures are great, Kath – it makes me miss Richmond in the fall, even those rainy dreary nights!
Julie says
Who knew I had so many KERF reading friends? Hi Hannah!
JenniferfromLaJolla says
I grew up in Richmond (the Fan District) and my mom lived in Keswick Estates for several years, so you are experiencing an area of the country I have known and loved for a long time–glad you are enjoying Virginia!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
What a lovely dinner!!!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie says
Oh my goodness how beautiful! I love pretty cities in the fall. There’s nothing quite so complimentary to a gorgeous house as colored leaves.
Katie says
I love that first picture- it’s like what an ant might see from his perspective. Gorgeous city shots, I am such a sucker for weathered brick.
Alison says
Ok, I have never commented on your blog before but I HAD TO when I saw where y’all went for dinner tonight! I’ve been a reader for a while, and considered taking you up on your offer when you mentioned a meet-up in Richmond, but I figured since I’d never commented or anything, that might be wierd haha. BUT, my boyfriend and I had plans to go to that exact restaurant tonight and ended up not going because a family member is in the hospital. I would have seen you there! I can’t get over how crazy that would have been! haha this comment was waaaaay too long. Glad you enjoyed yourself though, Richmond (and Olio’s!) is an awesome place!
Kath says
Oh that would have been so fun!!
Don’t hesitate to join the meetups – they are to meet new people!!!
Lesley Lifting Life says
Crunchy fall walks are the best! : )
Stephanie says
Such a fun dinner – I can’t believe you finally got me to try smoked salmon! You got some great shots of The Fan area, love the polar bear, reminds me of when I lived down there and fun walks home from the bars (aka Brit’s comment haha) 😉
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Wow, that is a beautiful place! Dinner looks delicious too!
Shannon (A Better Me) says
Love the fall leaves pictures. This is such a beautiful time of year. My favorite season! 😀
Clare @ Fitting It All In says
YUM. Smoked Salmon always reminds me of my godmother in Ireland. She would buy it fresh every Sunday and serve it as an appetizer to her 5 course dinners. Irish Salmon = to die for!
Katie says
Everything looks so quaint!
Anna S @ History Running Girl says
Yum! Those desserts look amazing.
I also love the fall shots! Beautiful.
Kristen @ Kristen, Sweetly says
Your walk photos make fall look so warm and inviting. And now I’m craving a cup of tea, even though I would be up and down all night long if I had one now! Curses. I suppose tomorrow is another day. :-p
Laughter-Loving Stacy says
I made Cannoli once! Not that hard (surprisingly) 🙂
Erin @ Shortcut to Bliss says
Oh, how I miss the fall back East! What a lovely afternoon.
Camille says
I love all the fall leaves!
I have been riding my bike like a total weirdo lately so I can ride over as many crunchy leaves as possible 🙂
yummieecupcake says
definitely a charm city!
i want your desserts plate!! fork it over!!
Krystina (Organically Me) says
LOL love the polar bear!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
That salad looks delicious! You don’t usually see salads that creative.
Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous says
I think I actually got a little scared when I scrolled down and saw that bear! haha
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
that first shot of leaves is one of the best i’ve seen…beautiful!
Hannah says
Your smoked salmon plate mimics the colours of Autumn! Gorgeous! (And yummy too, to boot!)
claire says
Wow, that town really looks lovely! Love the fall atmosphere! Yum, those desserts too…
Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice says
What a beautiful Fall day! Those cannolis look amaaaaaazing.
Ali says
Just ‘discovered’ a new oatmeal combo: oats, pomegranate seeds (arils?), greek yogurt, and a drizzle of molasses. It’s delish!
maya @ finding balance in tokyo says
Those outdoor shots are amazing! Is that the new 35mm lens in action?
notyet100 says
loved the dessert platter
Steph (@ mediterraneanmiss) says
Hi Kath! This is my first time posting on your blog; it’s so exciting 😀
Kath says
Welcome!!
Lauren says
I haven’t been to Richmond in years. It is such a quaint little town. Glad it was a good day!
Steph (@ mediterraneanmiss) says
Hi Kath! This is my first time posting on your blog; it’s so exciting 😀 Oops, sorry, my comment cut off there hahaha.
That dessert plate looks great, and it is such a fun time to have a blogger meet up! I like brothy soups more than pureed ones, too. I’ve never had a brothy pea soup before though. Recipe, please? 😉
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Those pictures are pretty! Dinner looks amazing – you always find the cutest places to eat!
Simply Life says
oh that salad looks incredible – great inspiration for ways to spruce up my salads I often bring for lunch!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
The cannoli has me swooning.
Love all the fall shots! Mmm…autumn is by far the best time of the year. 😀
Cara Craves... says
Looks like a lovely fall day with good food and friends!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
I toured the University of Richmond twice in high school, and it was a gorgeous place…I had no idea the town was so cute as well though! Looks like a fun day!
Christie {Honoring Health} says
Glad you enjoyed your evening in Richmond! Sorry I couldn’t make it, hopefully next time.
p.s. kind of weird to see photos of Richmond and totally recognize where you were.
Becky says
Am I allowed to giggle that the group shot points down at you and Katharine and says, “Dirty Ish”? 😉
Great photos as always! Thanks for sharing!
Kath says
🙂
faith @ gracefulfitness says
I will go eat that salad next time I am in Richmond!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I would have ordered that salad too. I adore smoked salmon!
colleen says
Question. I think I check your blog regularly but I am wondering what is going on with Great Harvest. When are you planning to open etc… thanks for the update!
Kath says
We are working on a lease and are hoping to open April/May!
kelsey says
yummmmmmmmmmmmmm. and lovely photographs.
Claire says
If you are in Richmond for a longer time, check out the beautiful Virginia Museum of Fine Arts!
Ally says
Hi! How was the sports nutrition class from the conference? Worth doing a little write up on?
Kath says
I didn’t mention it because I didn’t think it was worth a write up 🙁 I wish there had been more research and less basics.
Jenifer says
Lol… ohhh the bear. This is in my brothers front yard.