Spotlight: Bobo Catoe Jr.

Fancy tinned fish has become a culinary trend in recent years. Get acquainted with the protein-packed swimmers on May 15 during a tinned fish tasting event (and 2nd birthday celebration) at The Kitchen Classroom. Fishmongers Tuckahoe Seafood will lead a sampling soiree featuring five wines, five prepared dishes and five curated tins — trust me, this isn’t the canned tuna from your mom’s cabinet.

Catch up with Marcelo Lopez-Cortez , cocktail slinger at The Emerald Lounge. (Richmond magazine) P.S.: The island-inspired Union Hill bar has teased a Cinco de Mayo takeover dubbed La Esmeralda . Over at their sibling spot, The Jasper, TBT El Gallo plans to serve fresh ceviche, tacos and dips.

Mas Cinco de Mayo: Family-owned Pepe’s is throwing a Cinco de Mayo celebration May 4 and 5 with food specials and strong drinks on deck. Over at Sincero , find crunchy tacos and $8 margaritas. Other spots to consider this Cinco de Mayo or anytime: El Chido (multiple locations, tacos and tortas are go-tos), Abuelita’s (comforting guisos, aka Mexican stews), La Milpa (hit that salsa bar), Y Tu Mama (masters of quesabirria tacos), Taqueria Panchito (classics done right) and La Dona Cocina (a family-operated new addition).

Succulent strawberries are seasonal joys, and I suggest heading outside city limits to visit Old Tavern Farm in New Kent County. Every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., owner John Bryant and crew invite folks to pluck berries straight from the field.

The farmers market circuit is welcoming a fresh face. The Workshop — a Scott’s Addition event space that opened last month — is on the cusp of bringing a year-round indoor farmers market to one of the most bustling neighborhoods in the city. Launching May 8, the Scott’s Addition Farmers Market will be held every Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. Stay tuned for more details.

If you’re looking to scare away the Monday blues, Beaucoup and bivalves are calling.

One of my favorite pick-me-ups, breakfast for dinner simply hits different. On May 6, Filipino-inspired baker Matamis and breakfast pop-up Bad Cat’s for an ultimate first-meal-last-meal mashup at Basic City Beer Co. complete with ube pancakes, beer-mosas and more.

Carbonated water and other bubbly bevvies have become as common as the straight-up stuff, and nonalcoholic options are growing all the time. With this shift, there’s a new crop of canned drinks gracing coolers — and many are spiked with hops. Highlighting hop waters on the market , The New York Times gives Richmond-based Hike Hopped Seltzer a shout-out.

Travel + Leisure has dubbed Richmond one of the best places to live in Virginia (agreed!) and recently outlined an ideal trip to the River City . On the food front, Church Hill bangers The Roosevelt, Grisette and Alewife secure a spot on the itinerary, along with VMFA tearoom Floris and Jackson Ward’s Mama J’s.