Eat It, Virginia!

WTVR

Eat It, Virginia! is a deep dive into the food, restaurants, and dining trends of Richmond, Virginia and spots around the Commonwealth.

  1. 12/16/2025

    Pinky’s = Tapas, Pork Belly Magic & a Whole Lotta Love | Eat It, Virginia: On the Road

    Eat It, Virginia hit the road to Scott’s Addition in Richmond for a trip to Pinky’s, a Mediterranean‑inspired tapas spot with big personality, unforgettable flavors, and a whole lotta heart. 💖    Owner & chef Steve DeRaffele dishes on everything that makes Pinky’s special, from his mom’s influence (and the nickname that became the restaurant’s name) to the open‑concept vibe, neighborhood events, and some of the most drool‑worthy plates in Richmond. 🍽 Highlights include: • Tapas that span Spain, France, Italy, North Africa & Greece — totally different flavors on one table• The legendary pork belly (salt‑cured, braised, crisped, and plated with pickled peppers, fresh orange zest & smoked paprika aioli)• Gluten‑free fried calamari and other allergy‑friendly eats that make guests cry happy tears• Steve’s DIY buildout with skills passed down from his grandfather who built diners• Tropical, vacation‑vibe decor designed by his wife Brittanny (owner of local jewelry shop SUN & SELENE)• Neighborhood parties like oyster nights, hot dog wine pairings, Friendsgiving, and more If you love Richmond’s food scene or just want to meet the chef behind one of the city’s most talked‑about restaurants , you’ll want to watch this. 👉 Subscribe to Eat It, Virginia on YouTube or Spotify so you don’t miss our next stop in RVA and beyond! 📺 Watch more at CBS 6’s YouTube page or listen wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min
  2. 10/01/2025

    The Smoky Mug in Richmond, Virginia

    The Smoky Mug recently opened its expanded location along North Avenue off Brookland Park Boulevard in Richmond, growing from a 1,400-square-foot space with 8 indoor seats to a 3,000-square-foot restaurant featuring 35 dining room seats, a 10-seat bar, and a 25-seat lounge area. Co-owners Dan Lee and Ryan Maynes discussed their journey on the Eat It, Virginia podcast, sharing how their restaurant concept began during a COVID-19 pandemic dinner party in early 2020 when Maynes served his homemade brisket and Lee brought bourbon to share. Maynes, a former paving superintendent, learned his barbecue skills growing up in Clayton, New Mexico, a town so small he graduated with just 42 classmates and could "throw a brisket into Texas from my parents' front door." For their first location, he built a custom smoker from a decommissioned 500-gallon propane tank. The restaurant combines Texas-style barbecue with Virginia and North Carolina influences, using Carolina vinegar sauce enhanced with Southwest seasonings and citrus. The new space has allowed The Smoky Mug to expand beyond barbecue and coffee, adding a full pastry program with items like brisket-filled churro cookies and biscuits created by their trained pastry chef manager. Lee emphasized that their success stems from focusing on service, hospitality, and community building, creating a space where families can gather and newcomers can meet longtime neighborhood residents. The restaurant plans to celebrate its anniversary in October with their annual trunk-or-treat event while waiting for a second smoker to arrive in January, which will enable them to bring back special events like their Oktoberfest sausage-making celebration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    54 min
4.7
out of 5
46 Ratings

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Eat It, Virginia! is a deep dive into the food, restaurants, and dining trends of Richmond, Virginia and spots around the Commonwealth.