Connect with James

Tell us why you love Richmond and receive invitations to exclusive events and more.

Why do you love Richmond?

Richmond is a small town with big-city features.  We have a thriving food scene, world-class museums and a vibrant night life.   We are known as the festival capital of the country, so there's something for everyone!  Richmond is also a welcoming city.  No matter who you are or where you're from, our citizens and our business are always glad to see you!

What’s your favorite thing to do in Richmond?

I'm a total foodie, so I love taking advantage of the growing food scene.  New restaurants open weekly here, it  seems, so there's always something exciting to try.  I also love the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.  It's a gorgeous space that attracts world-class exhibitions in addition to its impressive permanent collections!

What do you do here?

I'm in the restaurant industry and I volunteer a lot of my time to issues and organizations that are near and dear to my heart, including Caritas, VA Pride, Diversity Richmond and the Fan Free Clinic.

What’s your favorite restaurant?

I have many, for lots of reasons.  L'Opossum is at the top of the list, along with Max's on Broad, Tastebuds American Bistro, Can Can, Mezzanine--oh, I could go on for days.

What would you tell somebody who has never been to Richmond before?

Don't let the history and slower pace of life fool you.  Richmond is a forward-looking city that is quickly becoming a hot-spot on the eastern seaboard.  Also, if you visit, look at the region as a whole for things to do--we've got mountains and vineyards, beaches and water sports all within a short distance.

What's your favorite store?

Mongrel is always fun--Bygones is a fantastic consignment store.

How do you spend your free time?

Spending as much time with my partner as possible.  We love to eat out, go to movies, museums and clubs.  We also like to travel.

What's your favorite neighborhood?

Carytown, for sure.  But I also love the Bellevue neighborhood in Northside   There are really cute restaurants and shops.

How do you describe your community?

Diverse is the first word that comes to mind.