December can be a slow month for independent restaurants. Folks spend the month shopping, attending family functions and office parties, with not much time leftover to go out and eat, much less attend a wine dinner. But now, December seems as far away as the North Pole. If January’s calendar is an indicator of things to come in 2010, it’s going to be a very good year for food and wine in the River City. The week ahead gives Richmonders plenty of opportunities to make up for lost dining (and to beat next month’s Valentine's Day crowds).Here are my picks for...