After the pandemic put a freeze on all things social and dining was essentially reduced to delivery from the nearest fast food joint, I decided as a New Year’s resolution not only to reinsert myself into restaurant culture but also to make a point to seek out the smaller and more underappreciated restaurants and boutiques of Richmond. Even though I’ve lived in the city all my life, I’ve only been able to skim the surface of everything city-living has to offer. Living within walking distance from Carytown provides easy access to an epicenter of consumerism, and what better a place to begin my endeavor to find Richmond’s hidden gems? 

 

First, not so far a stroll up Cary Street, Indian restaurant Tulsi quickly became my favorite place to grab a spicy meal and explore countless varieties of curry. This recommendation is a bit of a cheat because I first tried it in the pre-pandemic time, but it makes the list nonetheless because I feel as though it’s both highly underappreciated and highly deserving of an influx in customers. Though I’d say the restaurant specializes in their assorted curries and naan breads, my favorite part of the experience is and will likely always be the vegetable appetizer platter, which provides a little taste of the best of the exotic appetizers that Tulsi offers. From samosas to pakora (which is basically a vegetable fritter), this platter provides the perfect sample-sized portions to satisfy an indecisive restaurant goer.

 

 

 

 

 

​

 

 

Recently, my dad spoke with me about a quaint downtown bookstore that he walked to after work one day. At first, I was perplexed because I didn’t believe that he could have found a bookstore I hadn’t already visited since I spent so much time searching for such places, but lo and behold I was introduced to Fountain Bookstore and my new favorite spot to browse for less commercial book types. Still on Cary Street but far past Tulsi and approaching Shockoe Bottom, Fountain is an independent bookstore much like one you would find on the streets of London or Paris. The atmosphere serene and charming, and they showcase local authors alongside popular writers to curate a diverse shopping experience. Not to mention, the customer service is outstanding and I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to work somewhere more in my life.

 

 

 

​

​

​

​

 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, my dad and I were driving down Cary Street and searching for a place to grab lunch, nearing the border at which shops and restaurants become increasingly dispersed and unoccupied. However, we passed a small and easily missable mexican restaurant called T.B.T. El Gallo and soon retraced our steps. Small and relatively new, the restaurant’s “vibe” is comparable to that of a lively food truck’s atmosphere. Previously, my favorite tacos came from En Su Boca, but I can safely say that T.B.T. El Gallo’s food surpassed that of even my top choice Mexican restaurant’s. I couldn’t believe I’d never before struck the gold that is these tacos. The service is quick and amiable, the seating is outdoors and homey, and the motto “All Heart, All Hustle” lives up to its name. My only regret is that I did not order the street style fries as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​