By Karl Kastenbaum

Overview of Brambly Park. Photo courtesy of Brambly Park’s website.

Brambly Park is a winery-slash-restaurant-slash-outdoor space located in Scott’s Addition. It is like no other winery or restaurant I have seen before. The restaurant is divided into two areas: the park and the inside space, also called the Bari. It is spread over a two-acre plot of land. The outside area has a concert venue with picnic tables, two yurts, corn hole and other games, and colorful scenery. The food and drinks for the park area are served from the container bar, which is a shipping container that’s been turned into a bar. There are train tracks that run right along the side of the park, and occasionally a train will come rolling by.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work at a winery or restaurant? I worked as a runner at Brambly Park for a little over a year. My experience working there was phenomenal. The staff is filled with a variety of large personalities that keep the kitchen and workers uplifted. It was like being a part of a large, diverse family. The staff is hard-working and gets the food out in a timely manner. I would often receive compliments from customers for how fast the food was ready and served. Even on drowsy days, when work did not seem like the most enjoyable activity, I would always end up in a splendid mood at the end of my shift. The staff has a way of bringing people up and making them feel welcome.

Interior a yurt. Photo courtesy of Brambly Park’s website.

The indoor dining area of Brambly Park has an urban winery feel to it. They have a room upstairs where parties and meetings can be hosted, with catered food and drinks. There is a heated patio area that connects to the park where you can enjoy your food outside, but under a roof, without dealing with the weather. There is a grass hill along with a woodland area on the far side of the park that allows a view of the stage from a distance. Dogs are always welcome in the park, and dog treats are available to be purchased at the host stand. Water bowls for dogs are available all throughout the park. Hudson Avery (‘23) has dined at Brambly Park said, “It is a very relaxing and fun environment with delicious pizza.” Upper School English teacher and Match advisor Vlastik Svab stated, “I like the patio space and have enjoyed their pizzas.”

Prosciutto & pear pizza. Photo credit: Yelp user Rebecca M.

Brambly Park is a fairly new winery. It opened in 2020 and has contributed to the thriving Scott’s Addition area. Scott’s Addition has transformed from an industrial neighborhood into a hotspot for Richmond breweries, bars, and restaurants in the last 10 years. Brambly got its name from the bramble bushes that surround the premises of the park. They started off with the idea of having mainly Italian-based food that pairs well with wine, but the menu has evolved to include all sorts of different dishes. 

One example of an interesting menu offering is the prosciutto & pear pizza. It is an exotic pizza that consists of goat cheese, arugula, prosciutto, and pear, drizzled in balsamic vinegar. This is my personal favorite pizza at Brambly due to its savory and sweet flavor.    

If you are looking for a delectable juicy burger, then Brambly Park is a place you should consider. The burger is served with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and roasted garlic aioli on a brioche bun. You have the choice to add bacon for $2. It comes with either a side of chips, waffle fries, or a salad. 

Bari Burger with Caesar salad side. Photo credit: Yelp user Kathleen D.

The smoked brisket sandwich is a park menu item that can also be served inside. The sandwich consists of smoked bbq brisket with Korean slaw slathered with brown sugar bbq sauce on a brioche bun. This is also served with either chips, waffle fries, or a salad.

A must-try is the parmesan truffle fries. They are a great appetizer or side to go along with any meal. They are waffle fries tossed in parmesan and truffle and are served with roasted garlic aioli and ketchup. They are sure to have your mouth watering.