Top 10 Things the NYT Missed about RIC
By now everyone read (or heard) that our beloved RIC received a write up in the Travel section of last Sunday’s New York Times.
That’s right, the Yankees came, they saw and they wrote "36 Hours in Richmond, Va." – a travel piece about Richmond "emerging as a new player on the Southern art and culinary scene."
The folks from NYT shopped in Carytown, dined in the Fan, gallery walked in Jackson Ward and even took in Manchester District. But we think they might have missed a thing or two. Or 10.
Here are the Top 10 Things the NYT Missed about RIC:
Ethnic Food
The New York Times wrote, "Don’t expect to find amazing ethnic food in Richmond — this is fried okra country, not an immigrant town." Um, we beg to differ. Sure, you’re not going to find great ethnic food in Carytown or the Shockoes, but is the best ethnic food in New York found in Times Square? I doubt it. Had they taken a venture west, they would have found great Indian and Vietnamese places and a trip to Hull Street in South Richmond is all it takes to find some fabulous Latin food.
Our Neighborhoods Are Clean
At least the ones they went to! NYT says, "Chefs are setting up kitchens in formerly gritty neighborhoods …" OK, that’s true, except the Yanks went to restaurants in the Fan, Carytown and the Shockoes. I mean gritty, sure, in the ‘80s.
General Robert E. Who?
"Richmond is strutting with confidence, moving beyond its Civil War legacy …" note the moving, present tense, as in, we’re in the process of. We are currently moving past our Civil War legacy. I’m sure there are a handful of diehard Confederates around here somewhere, out in a trailer park south of the city, but the average Richmonder couldn’t tell a Civil War battle from a Bravo reality show.
‘Into the Trees’
"Across the river in the Stratford Hills section, trained instructors at Riverside Outfitters (6836 Old Westham Road; (804) 560-0068; www.riversideoutfitters.net) lead groups on tree-climbing expeditions along the James River that include harnessed walks along limbs 40 feet above the ground and zip-lines." OK, they didn’t miss that, I did. News to me, but good to know.
Queens
According to the New York Times, "Carytown’s half-mile stretch … is Richmond at its most eclectic, from floppy-haired musicians, to gay hipsters with pierced eyebrows …" Forget about eyebrows, we just want to note, every time we’ve been in Caytown, someone is in full drag (and we love it). Now that’s pretty noticeable.
Political Gossip
The folks at the New York Times dropped by Bank of which they said, "Eavesdrop at the bar and you might pick up some juicy political gossip about Gov. Tim Kaine." Again, we didn’t know that. Who knows what? Somebody spill.
The River
The fact that the James runs right through the middle of our city is one of the main things that makes Richmond unique. What about the Canal Walk? They talked about tree-climbing with Riverside Outfitters, but what about the guided kayaking tours they also provide?
A Growing and Thriving Music Community
It may not be as big as Nashville or NYC, but Richmond has a burgeoning music community. Sure the NY Times mentioned The Camel, but failed to see anything beyond that. A restored theater that finally brings big name talent into the city? Concerts in a bowling alley? Sound of Music studio? The growth of numerous different artists that span multiple genres? A community of musicians that work together almost too much? The NY Times could spend 36 hours just following the music here.
Diversity
The most notable thing about Richmond, especially for people not from here, is our city’s diversity. Hipsters, families, young professionals, people of all races, ages, and sexual orientation, you’ll find them all elbow to elbow in any bar, park or street in the city. Now that’s something worth writing about.
We’ve got a Sense of Humor
OK, we’ll be honest, we were tickled pink that the NYT saw fit to give our little ole city a write up. One Richmond.comer was in Massachusetts the day the article came out where she spent the weekend correcting people on her home state. "You’re from North Carolina? Or is Maryland?" "Did I hear someone say you’re from Georgia?" But after the Times article, she came from a place, with a name and a capital city. A place so cool that the New York Times even wrote about it.
That’s what we think they missed. What about you?
Please sign in to respond | | Register