Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

One thing you might not know by looking at me is that I really love food. Like, a lot. Yes, I stay somewhere between 85 and 90 pounds year-round, but that doesn’t mean I don’t absolutely go ham at a buffet—which is exactly what happened this past Monday.

For his 36th birthday, I took my husband to Michie Tavern in Charlottesville. It’s a buffet-style eatery serving foods based on 18th-century recipes. If you have the chance to swing by, don’t let the price tag scare you—the restaurant offers a variety of coupons (we used the $4-off discount for Virginia residents). 

If you’re into themed restaurants, you’ll really enjoy today’s lead story by Dorothy Scott. In it, she explores seven different places that offer a smorgasbord of options. Enjoy your meal, and remember, I’m so glad you’re here.

An interior shot of Tiki’s Bar and Grill shows a bar, booth seating, and the restaurant’s entrance all decked out with Hawaiian decor. (Tiki’s Bar and Grill)

Here’s what you need to know: Virginia’s food scene is underappreciated. Yes, we’ve got some of the best Southern food in the nation (and we’ll argue this til our cheeks are blue), but we also have an incredibly rich and diverse culinary scene that’s allowed chefs from all backgrounds to thrive.

Our top picks:

• For a slice of Parisian life, check out Bastille Brasserie & Bar, a restaurant in Alexandria that serves delicious plates and sips with cafe vibes. You’ll find brunch items like Benedict Parisian (poached eggs with a croissant and other goodies), as well as dinner staples like Moules Marseillaises et Frites (mussels with a luscious sauce and fries). 

• The Pink Cadillac Diner is one of those restaurants everyone needs to visit at least once. The food is traditional American grub, including juicy burgers and perfectly salty fries. But the reason you’ll want to stay is the restaurant’s lineup of ice creams—12 flavors, to be exact.
• Known as “The Jewel on the Hill,” The Emerald Lounge is one of the many restaurants you need to try when you’re in Richmond. The bar places a heavy emphasis on agave, brandy, and rum, reflecting its tropical theme and bringing a taste of faraway coasts to Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood with each sip.

Hungry for more? We’ve got options for all taste buds at our link below.

We asked, you answered. 

Earlier this week, we posed the question: What’s one thing you wish candidates understood about life in your part of Virginia? 

I wanted to highlight @abby2jj’s response on Instagram. She expressed an interest in the infrastructure of the Hampton Roads area, especially calling for more pedestrian-friendly communities and expanded transportation options.

Would you like to add to the conversation? Feel free to email me at amie@couriernewsroom.com any time.

Former federal workers who lost their jobs in President Donald Trump’s DOGE layoffs gather on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By Michael O’Connor

Virginia workers could be in even more trouble this year unless better policies are put in place to address the affordability crisis. 

That’s because fewer Virginians are expected to have jobs by the end of 2025, according to a quarterly forecast released last week by the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. Weldon Cooper predicts that Virginia’s July unemployment rate of 3.6% will rise to 4.2% by the end of the year and up to 4.6% in 2026 before edging down to 3.9% in 2027. 

Slowing economic growth is expected to put pressure on jobs that depend more on federal spending, which is under attack from the Trump administration’s austerity measures, according to Weldon Cooper. 

“We do expect 2026 to be weaker now: basically 0% job growth,” said Eric Scorsone, Weldon Cooper’s executive director. “So, flat, which, you know, is not something you’d want. Generally, you’d want job growth.” 

• Five Northern Virginia school districts were placed on high-risk status after not changing their bathroom policies. The US Department of Education is withholding up to $50 million in funding in retaliation. (Read more here)

• Hear from a recent Virginia grad struggling to find a job despite being told a computer science major would land him one right after college. (Watch here)

• Abigail Spanberger’s running mate, Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, is an educator pushing back against her opponent’s plan to defund Virginia’s public schools—and she’s taking on right-wing radio host John Reid in the race for lieutenant governor. (Read more here)

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