Thai

I read somewhere once that Richmond has the most restaurants per capita of any city in the US. Whether or not this is true, there really are a crapload of restaurants, and it would be a shame to miss out on them. So I figure that's a good place to start.

I've been craving some Thai food, so that's what I'll start with. I haven't done really in-depth analyses on the culinary scenes in other big cities, but it seems like Richmond has a disproportionate number of Thai restaurants for the number of Thai people who live here, no? That might be totally untrue. Whatever.

If You Have a Car:

Go to Thai Diner. It's in that shopping center with the giant cactus. You know what I'm talking about. Get the Bangkok Chicken. You won't be sorry. Unless you order it Thai Hot, which trust me, you can't handle. Unless you are actually from Thailand or some other country where you are used to eating supremely spicy food that white people can't stomach, just go with American Hot.

If You're on Foot:

Go to Elephant Thai, on the corner of Cary and Harrison, right on campus. You probably already know about this place. It's a bit expensive, and the portions are pretty small, but it's perfect for lunch. I usually go for the basil chicken or the ginger chicken. The waitress is terrified of other humans and it's completely adorable. Also, one time I was in there and heard a Scottish guy who sounded EXACTLY like Sean Connery say, "I think I'll try the Pad Thai. I believe that'sh the shtandard Thai dish, ish it not?" For some reason I think if I keep going there I'll see him again.

Why I'm Still Here

Hello, Internet. You can call me Z. I was born and raised in Richmond, VA, and for some reason or another, I'm still here.

I've lived in the Richmond area for my whole life, but I'm now experiencing it on a different level- the Grown-Up Richmond. I'm a freshman at VCU, and I'm living on my own for the first time. There's a lot I already knew about Richmond- you can't live somewhere for eighteen years and not find out something about it. But there's also a lot that's changing, a lot that I'm just now discovering.

It is my experience that freshman at VCU don't know what the hell they're doing. They walk out into the middle of the street in front of moving cars. They go to whatever clubs are advertised on Q94 and they eat only at the restaurants directly on campus.

I am at a great advantage, as far as exploring the city goes, for two reasons: 1) I already know a lot of what Richmond has to offer, and 2) I have a car. So I feel like it's only fair that I pass on my discoveries to the less fortunate, those who live in dorms and eat at Shafer everyday and walk everywhere. Richmond is supposedly becoming the new hip city of the South, and I want to make sure other people know some of its secrets. Here is where I'll chronicle my adventures and discoveries in the river city. Please stay tuned.