Delicious!

Cotton Southern Bistro

2011-10-18T09:02:00.004-04:00

It was my 47th birthday and I was in desperate need of comfort food and I wasn't going to cook it for myself. After a little bit of research I found the Cotton Southern Bistro in Chesapeake. The reviews were mixed but one thing that really impressed me was that with every negative review on Urbanspoon, the owner responded and offered to make the situation right. He seemed to really care about his customer's satisfaction.

Cotton is located in a shopping center on Grassfield Parkway and the ride from Kempsville at dinner time was traffic filled but not unbearable. When we walked in I was surprised at how large the dining area was. There was plenty of seating and I noticed that there was also a separate bar area. We were seated immediately and our drink and appetizer order was taken.

The menu is filled with so many options but I was able to decide on the fried pickles as a starter.

The picture is deceving because there were twice as many pickles in the platter when it was brought to the table. I didn't think to snap the shot until we were almost finished. That's because they were so good. The pickle chips were lightly dusted and fried. Not at all heavy and the creole dipping sauce was a nice compliment but I could have eaten them by themselves.

Cotton serves nightly specials and on Monday we were treated to a pound of steamed shrimp for $7.99.

Seasoned with a generous amount of Old Bay and served with drawn butter and cocktail sauce.

As I said at the beginning of the review, I was in search of comfort food. What is more comforting than fried chicken and macaroni and cheese?

The chicken fried chicken is a breast fried perfectly and topped with country gravy. The chicken was so tender and so juicy and for me, it was the perfect portion size. The mac and cheese was also very good. Not as good as mine ... but still delicious.

The third entree for the evening was the Cotton signature dish, the Kentucky Hot Brown

This is an open-faced grilled turkey sandwich served with fries and smothered with brown gravy. And they aren't kidding when they say "smothered". The turkey was tender and the gravy was tasty but there was just so much of it, that it made the fries soggy and inedible.

The service at Cotton Southern Bistro was friendly. I was a little confused by the uniforms which were black and white striped shirts which made all the waitresses look like referees. I didn't get it but I suppose it's not for me to get. The unform had no bearing on the level of service which I thought was superb and the prices are reasonable as well with the average entree being about $15.

Check Cotton's website for nightly specials and they also advertise live entertainment.

I enjoyed our visit to Cotton Southern Bistro. I love to eat local and the next time I'm craving good comfort food I'll be sure to head back.

648 Grassfield Parkway
Suite 12
Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757) 609-3156
www.cottonsouthernbistro.com

Pulcinella

2011-10-09T20:11:00.004-04:00

What's better than authentic Italian food? Authentic Italian food in my neighborhood!

I was so very excited to have discovered Pulcinella in the Kempsville neighborhood of Virginia Beach. I've been a resident for several years and I'm not sure why I didn't stumble upon this place sooner.

Pulcinella is conveniently located in the Kemps River shopping center in between Tropical Smoothie and Outback. It's a cozy, little place and very comfortable. I arrived shortly before 6:00 pm and almost every one of the twelve tables was occupied. Since I was dining alone I had to wait until one of the smaller tables became available. They provide outdoor seating but I was willing to wait for an indoor table. The wait was no more than fifteen minutes.

Once seated I ordered a glass of pinot noir and perused the menu. The menu contains a huge variety of pasta, chicken and veal dishes as well as many appetizers and salads. For such a small place I was surprised at how many different items were on the menu.

I decided on the veal sorrento.

The veal was thinly sliced and extremely tender and prepared with roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms. For me, the portion size was perfect and the flavor was light and delicate. The side dish that I ordered was spinach which was sauteed in olive oil and garlic and dusted with grated parmesan cheese. It complimented the veal perfectly.

Of course, I had to have dessert so I ordered the chocolate mousse.

It was smooth and creamy and the perfect ending to a perfect meal.

The service was outstanding. When I received the check there was a note to leave the tip in cash. I'd never seen that before and it could have been awkward for someone who doesn't normally carry cash. Like myself. However, that day I did have cash with me so it all worked out.

Finding Pulcinella was the highlight of my week. The food was fantastic. I overheard the man at the next table say that he lived in Naples for thirteen years ... in my mind he knows good Italian food and the fact that he was sitting in Pulcinella's speaks volumes.

If you're in the neighborhood you should definitely check it out. Pulcinella is open seven days a week and you can view their entire menu on their website.

1255 Fordham Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
(757) 222-0081
www.pulcinellavb.strategicmarketsites.com/

Classic Diner

2011-10-02T15:22:00.003-04:00

You ever wake up craving something specific? That happens to me sometimes too. This morning I got up and ran almost five miles and after showering and shampooing all I wanted was eggs and homefries. I could have easily gone into my kitchen and prepared them and I usually do but today I really wanted to hold a menu and have someone else do the cooking and serving.

My desination was the Broken Egg on Kempsville Road but when I pulled up the line was out the door. If I didn't have another appointment I probably would have waited because their food is really good. But I was starving and not in the mood to wait. I considered a few other places that I knew of but I didn't want to drive all the way to Great Neck for eggs and homefries. There had to be a place in Kempsville that wasn't a chain, where I could get a good breakfast and not wait half an hour to be seated.

Classic Diner.

Classic Diner is conveniently located in the Providence Square Shopping Center and I like the place. The service is always friendly and quick and the owners are just really nice people. This place is nothing fancy. Don't wait to be seated and don't look for a cloth napkin. It's a diner for goodness sake.

When I walked in all the booths were taken and all but two of the tables were filled and there were a few seats at the counter. They were extremely busy so I was glad to get a seat. I looked at the menu briefly even though I knew exactly what I wanted. I ordered a veggie omelette and homefries with wheat toast.

The omelette was loaded with spinach, onion, green pepper, tomato, mushroom and swiss cheese and the potatoes were perfect. It was so good just to come to an unassuming little place and get a good meal at a good price.

The customers never stopped coming in and by the time I left there was a wait to get a table.

Classic Diner is open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch.

1021 Providence Square Shopping Center
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
(757) 467-3000

Cobalt Grille - Monthly Wine Dinner

2011-09-05T17:03:00.002-04:00

I have been to many wine tastings over the years. I've visited various vineyards, festivals and tastings hosted by different restaurants. There are generally no real surprises. You go, you taste, you buy. Simple.

What attracted me to the Cobalt Grille wine dinner was that the tasting was centered around a specific wine region and the wines were carefully paired with food. The spotlight is definitely on the wine, but the meal that accompanies is well thought out and executed quite nicely.

The August wine dinner took us to the Napa Valley where I got to sample Sauvingon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvingon and Zinfandel.

The first course was a plate of seared scallops with roasted silver queen corn and tomato salad with a sun dried tomato aioli. This course was served with the 2008 Sawyers Cellars Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc is my favorite white wine and I was delighted when it hit the table. It was light and fruity but not sweet.

The second course was pan fried branzini over spinach salad with a saffron broth. It was served with the 2008 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay. I never order Chardonnay. It is just too acidic for my tastes. I sipped it alone and as expected, I didn't like it. However, when I took a bite of the branzini and then sipped the wine ... perfection! It really was amazing to me how palatable the wine was with the fish.

The third course was a wild mushroom and goat cheese tart, served with an arugula balsamic reduction. It was served with the 2009 Novy Family Winery Syrah. For me, this wine was the star of the evening. It was full and rich and delicious and I enjoyed it with the tart but could also sip it alone.

The main course was a roasted beef filet, apple wood smoked bacon braised cabbage, Provence roasted potatoes, red wine bordelaise sauce. The meal was absolutely fantastic. The filet was cooked to a perfect medium temperature and the cabbage was like nothing I had ever tasted. It was served with the 2004 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon. Typically, I am not a fan of cabernet and the Smith-Madrone did nothing to change my mind. It was a huge, robust wine that was just too much for me.

For dessert we were presented with a lovely chocolate cheesecake with local figs and pistachios. It was paired perfectly with the 2009 August Briggs "Old Vines" Zinfandel. The zin was my second favorite of the evening. It was rich and aromatic and not too sweet but was lovely with the dessert.

The Cobalt Grille monthly wine dinner was a delight. The service was wonderful and each course was brought out professionally and efficiently. There was not a lot of waiting and I was lucky enough to be seated with the wine host, so I got plenty of details about the event and about what I was drinking. He was an excellent host.

The price for the dinner is $90 per person and for my money, it was well worth it. You also have the opportunity to purchase any of the wines served that evening. The next dinner is scheduled for September 29th and I would highly recommend it.

1624 Laskin Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 333-3334
www.cobaltgrille.com

Burtons Grill

2011-09-04T13:13:00.003-04:00

I love Burtons Grill so I thought it was about time to update my 2009 review.

After a few hours of shopping on Friday I was in the mood for seafood and I thought Burtons would be a good choice. Their menu is quite varied and I'm sure that Burtons can accommodate whatever it is that you are looking for, whether it be a sandwich, burger, steak or seafood.

The atmosphere in Burtons is comfortable and family friendly but it would also be perfect for a special date night. When we arrived without a reservation we were greeted with a smile and seated immediately. One of the things that I love about Burtons' menu is that the specials are listed right inside the menu and they consist of an appetizer, entree, drink and their special 100th wine. I don't have to wait for the server to explain the specials but they are on hand in the event that I have any questions.

I started the meal with the drink special which was an apple martini. The rim was sugar coated and the drink smelled like apple pie. It was wonderful.

As an appetizer I ordered the she-crab soup.

It was warm and delicious and filled with big lumps of crab. It was not overly seasoned and the flavors of the crab and sherry really came through.

As an entree I ordered the shrimp and lobster pasta

Burtons is not stingy when it comes to portion sizes. The shrimp in this dish were huge and they were cooked perfectly. The lobster was plentiful, sweet and tender. The dish also had tomatoes, snap peas -- which added a beautiful pop of color and a very mild sauce.

We also ordered the shrimp and grits

I've had shrimp and grits in quite a few places around town but never like this. There were five jumbo shrimp served atop a grit cake. The sauce included andouille sausage, corn and green peppers. All those flavors combined were fabulous. The grit cake tasted good but it was a little heavy. Next time I'll know not to order an app if I want to finish this dish.

Our server, Adam was very helpful and attentive. He knew the menu and made many good suggestions. The service was great.

Dining at Burtons is always a good choice. Their menu always includes fresh and local items prepared to perfection. The prices are on the high end, but it is so worth it. If you haven't been to Burtons lately you really need to check it out.

741 First Colonial Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

(757) 422-8970

www.burtonsgrill.com

Terra Restaurant and Bar

2011-07-29T09:18:00.005-04:00

Hold on to your hats.

I actually left the Southside and went to the Peninsula for a meal. Imagine that. It's still a big deal for me to leave the beach and go to Norfolk, so going through the HRBT is a huge deal for me. Why did I do it? My running group scheduled an event and Terra Restaurant and Bar in the new Peninsula Town Center was the location. This was my first visit to the new shopping center and I was looking forward to the visit. Even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone.

The visit took place on a Thursday evening and I was surprised at the amount of activity that was taking place in the town center. There were people everywhere. Doesn't anyone have to go to work in the morning? Guess not. I did have to go to work the next morning so I planned on making it an early evening.

I arrived at Terra at 7:30 pm and the room was already pretty filled up. Apparently, there were a few private parties going on as well as my small group of nine, not to mention almost all the seats at the bar were filled. Terra also provides outdoor seating which would be perfect if most of our evenings weren't bordering on 90 degrees.

I was the last of my group to arrive and once I was seated the waitress came around to take our dinner orders. Terra touts itself as a tappas and wine bar. It seemed to me that some of the menu items did not scream "tappas" but I decided to go with it anyway. I reviewed the wine list and there were several choices by the glass and the bottle, either white or red. The menu also provided wine recommendations with certain entrees.

Our server was sure to let us know that there may be a bit of a wait because of how backed up they were. I appreciated the head's up. Since we were in such a large group we stayed occupied with conversation and didn't really notice the wait. At least I didn't.

Once the food began to hit the table, my feeling that this wasn't really tappas was reinforced. I saw a lobster roll, a huge plate of oysters

and some regular sized salads. I'm not really complaining because I (unfortunately) enjoy large portions but for someone who is expecting a true small plate, they may be disappointed.

I ordered the crabcakes and the lobster macaroni and cheese.

The mini crabcakes were served over sweet corn and topped with a touch of creole remoulade. I was given the choice of ordering a half order (2), full order (4) or large order (6). I chose the half order for $6.75. The crabcakes were flavorful with very little filler and I had to resist the urge to pop them in my mouth like little crab nuggets.

The lobster macaroni and cheese contained chunks of lobster and was blended with several different cheeses. It came to the table steaming hot and I had to wait for it to cool off before I could enjoy it. This plate comes in half and full sizes as well. I thought I ordered the half size but now when I think about the bill and the size of the bowl and the fact that I couldn't finish it, I believe I had the full size for $18.00. The macaroni and cheese was very rich and creamy and the chunks of lobster were plentiful, but paying $18 for a bowl of mac and cheese just doesn't sit well with me.

I really enjoyed the atmosphere in Terra. While we were there a band was setting up to play for the evening and I believe they often have live entertainment.

I was not put off by the service at all. Our server was courteous and helpful with meal suggestions. She may or may not have gotten my mac and cheese order wrong. I can't remember and it's really not an issue. Overall it was a good experience and if someone suggests an outing to the Peninsula Town Center again, I'll probably take them up on it.

2330 McMenamin Street
Hampton, VA 23666
(757) 838-WINE (9463)
www.terrarestaurantandbar.com

Tautog's

2011-06-26T10:20:00.004-04:00

The last time I craved seafood, I took some random advice from someone that I didn't know and I ended up extremely disappointed. This time when the craving hit again I did a little more research and found myself at Tautog's on a Saturday night.

As you can see in the above photo, Tautog's is a very unassuming place on 23rd Street at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. You have to know where you're going in order to find it. I didn't know where I was going so it took me a little while.

I don't want to spend a lot of time discussing parking or wait time because I live in a tourist area and it's tourist season, plus it was a beautiful Saturday night at the beach ... so use your imagination.

Once seated, our server, Jessie appeared almost immediately with a smile and prepared to take our drink orders and to let us know the specials for the evening. Tautog's wine list contains many choices of various varietals which are available either by the bottle or the glass.

As an appetizer I decided on 1/2 dozen oysters rockefeller. Jessie suggested that I split the order and try Benny's oysters just to mix things up.

I took her advice. Benny's oysters are oven roasted with sun-dried tomatoes, pesto and melted havarti cheese. The flavor was mild and slightly different than the bacony flavor that comes with the regular oysters rockefeller. Both choices were very tasty.

Next up we ordered a pound of crab legs.

and an order of Tautog's wings.

The portion size of the wings was more than enough and could have been a meal instead of an appetizer. The wings were plump and juicy and mildly seasoned. If you prefer your wings hot, you may want to ask for additional hot sauce.

As an entree, I ordered the stuffed flounder in a bag.

Jessie really helped me out with this dish by reminding me that it is actually served in a bag. She mentioned that some patrons forget that and accidentally eat the bag. I don't know if she was joking or not, but I could see how that would be possible. Especially, after a few cocktails. In any case, I tore open the bag and enjoyed a nice size filet of flounder, generously stuffed with crab meat and shrimp. The fish was moist and flaky with a mild flavor. The dish was served with seasoned potatoes.

I was full and satisfied at the end of the meal but I couldn't leave without having something sweet to end the meal. I decided to try the warm brownie sundae which is dubbed the Chocolate Tautog.

I could only eat a few bites but it was so good. The combination of the warm brownie and the cold ice cream was just what I was looking for.

I enjoyed my meal at Tautog's. The place is extremely busy but they have a really good handle on what's going on. When the hostess told me that it would be a 45 minute wait, she wasn't kidding. It was 45 minutes. Again, this is to be expected on the oceanfront on a Saturday evening. The service was friendly and efficient. Dinner is served on Saturdays until 11:00. I would recommend it.

205 23rd Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 422-0081
www.tautogs.com

Pirate's Cove

2011-05-14T07:21:00.003-04:00

Friday night and I'm starving and I find myself at the Pirate's Cove in Chesapeake. I decided to try it based on a random recommendation. When we arrived I could see that the restaurant was packed and there was a steady stream of patrons coming in. We put our names on the list and were told to expect a 10-15 minute wait. No big deal. It was Friday night and any wait time should be expected.

Once we were seated, our server Jody greeted us and took our drink orders immediately. She came back and explained the specials and to start I decided to try a cup of she-crab soup.

The soup, at first taste, reminded me more of clam chowder instead of she-crab. The taste was a little bland but once I added salt and pepper it seemed to improve.

Jody came back and took our dinner orders, each came with two sides.

This is the galley salad which served as one of my sides. The vegetables were crisp and fresh. I ordered the raspberry vinaigrette and it was light and very tasty.

As an entree I had the rockfish special stuffed with lump crab meat. As you can see from the picture, the entree is served with three golf ball sized hushpuppies. And tarter sauce. I don't think I have ever received tarter sauce with rockfish. The fish itself was broiled and overdone. It was very dry and I actually felt I had to use the tarter sauce.

We also ordered the half pound of steamed peel-and-eat shrimp. Good portion size. Not a lot of flavor.

The Pirate's Cove appears to be a local's favorite. Like I said, the restaurant was packed and the customers kept coming. I think I may have expected too much from this neighborhood spot. It's a no-frills place and I guess I was looking for the frill. Especially because of the prices.

The service was excellent and that alone is enough to try The Pirate's Cove again. My daughter wants to try the Thursday night special: 1 pound of crab legs for $12.95.

Who knows?

109 J/K Gainsborough Square
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 549-7272
http://www.piratescoveva.com/

Terebinth - A Sweet Retreat

2011-04-09T20:40:00.005-04:00

It all began with a picture of an incredible dessert taken on a camera phone. And it ends with a picture of more incredible desserts taken on a camera phone.

A few months ago a friend of mine showed me a picture on her phone of a dessert that she could not stop raving about. She said it was so delicious she had to take a picture of it. I don't recall what the dessert was but I did remember where she had purchased it: Terebinth.

Terebinth is a high end coffee shop in the Towne Place Center of Chesapeake and what you see above are the desserts that I purchased during a recent visit. We have a lemon meringue tart, a chocolate coconut cake topped with a chocolate truffle and two chocolate cannolis. Yes, two chocolate cannolis. I was fortunate enough to have a buy-one-get-one coupon for the desserts so I decided to splurge.

The shop seems very large with plenty of comfortable seating and the decoration is subtle with sporadic pops of color. Upon entering we were greeted cheerfully by the owner. The menu includes sandwiches, salads and soup in addition to the desserts and various coffee drinks.

We ordered two sandwiches which each came with a side salad, we had a choice of either a house salad, ceasar or pasta:

This is the turkey wild panino. It is filled with smoked turkey, smoked gouda, bacon, an apple reduction and sun dried tomato mayo.

I had the caprese and prosciutto sandwich. This one was prepared with lettuce, tomato, baby spinach, fresh mozzarella and basil drizzled with sundried tomato vinaigrette. The sandwich was delicious and I always love the combination of tomato and mozzarella. The addition of the prosciutto and the vinaigrette just pushed it over the edge. It was fantastic. And it may appear to be a "regular" sized sandwich but it was very filling.

The service was very good and the owner did a great job of twisting my arm in order to get me to buy all those desserts. It was well worth it.

Terebinth is elegant. Smooth jazz fills the room and they offer free wi-fi. Food can be eaten in or taken out. Either way you'll be in for a treat. It is a little pricey so it probably won't be my weekly lunch spot but every time I feel like I deserve a "sweet retreat" I'll know exactly where to go.

Terebinth is open Tuesday thru Saturday. Check their website for other services.

717 Eden Way N

Suite 610

Chesapeake, VA 23320

(757) 410-0900

www.theterebinth.com

El Gavilan Pupuseria

2011-04-03T16:06:00.004-04:00

I decided to try El Gavilan in Norfolk because of the reviews that I had read. For the most part, the reviews were all positive and the word "authentic" seemed to keep creeping up. I generally do not enjoy Mexican restaurants because the menus are all the same and the food is all the same -- boring.

So on a Sunday afternoon I made the trip to have lunch at El Gavilan. This is not the usual Mexican restaurant that I've been to in the past. It's not a chain and it's definitely not fast food. I'll say this now ... the service is comparitively slow but that is because it takes time to actually cook a meal. Not just throw something in the microwave and splash some unidentifiable sauce over it. I believe that El Gavilan's food is the real deal.

The menu is in Spanish and contains all sorts of Mexican and El Salvadorian dishes. They also throw in a few American dishes for the less adventurous. These items include: wings, burgers and steak and cheese.

The restaurant is very modestly decorated and over the front counter hung several signs that said "Welcome to Norfolk". For some reason this made me laugh. Probably because when you're in the restaurant you kind of forget that you are even in Norfolk. The music that played sounded like Spanish hip hop and I couldn't help but move to the beat and try to pick up a few words. One television was tuned to a Spanish-speaking station and the other television had on a soccer game.

The menu is filled with different options but I came for one thing: the pupusa.

The pupusa is the El Salvadorian version of the tortilla only thicker. It's usually stuffed with cheese, beans and/or meat. I ordered the Pupusa Loca (Crazy Pupusa) which is made with cheese, herbs, pork, chicken, shrimp, beans and squash. Initially, I thought the squash sounded weird but it worked out well. The portion size was huge and as you can see it more than covered the plate. It was really delicious. The pupusa does not contain big chunks of ingredients but everything is blended perfectly. It is served with a side of cole slaw which is nothing like I've ever tasted. It was vinegar-based and I believe it was made with oregano. Also very good.

We also ordered the chicken and cheese quesadillas:

Again, huge portions that fill the plate. They were served with guacamole, pico de gallo, lettuce an sour cream. Yummy.

El Gavilan is open seven days a week and seems to be a favorite among the local Hispanic community. Which, by the way, is not something I usually see in the "other" Mexican restaurants.

For me, someone who rarely ventures out of the beach, El Gavilan is well worth the drive and deserving of a second trip.

7920 Chesapeake Blvd.

Norfolk, VA 23518

(757) 587-9200

Kincaid's

2011-02-13T15:35:00.004-05:00

Okay, so here's the thing: I'm finding more and more that when I end up someplace on a whim, it turns to out to be a better choice than my original plan. Such was the case on Friday night.

It was a long week and I planned to have dinner and drinks at another place in Norfolk (which shall remain nameless) but when we arrived there seemed to be a shortage of premium spirits because of the Thursday night College Night. I was told, "Those kids wiped us out."

Really? Really?

That was how I ended up at Kincaid's located in the MacArthur Center mall in downtown Norfolk.

We walked in the mall entrance door and my heart immediately sunk. The place was packed and there were people waiting to be seated. After the week I had I was not in the mood for this. Luckily, I saw two empty seats at the bar and we grabbed them. If you've been reading me for a while you'll know that in some cases I prefer sitting at the bar because the service is better. I'm never out of the server's line of vision. It's perfect for me.

We ordered cocktails, skipped the appetizers and decided to start with the entrees:

First up, the tableside seafood etoufee

This dish is prepared with jumbo sea scallops, black tiger prawns, fresh mussels, clams and andouille sausage. It includes braised greens and is served atop a serving of cheese grits.

When my plate arrived, the man next to me commented, "I don't know what that is, but it certainly smells good!" I had to agree with him and it tasted even better. It was just spicy enough and the savory sauce that was poured on top was the perfect compliment to the seafood. The only thing that could have made the dish better was if there was more of it. For the price, they could have spared a few more scallops.

Next up:

Oven baked catfish

I am a huge fan of catfish but I normally only eat it fried. For me, it's just more flavorful when it's fried as opposed to baked. The size of the fish was huge and when I tasted it, I thought it was okay. More than okay. It was flaky and seasoned very well and almost had me changing my opinion about my beloved fried catfish. Almost.

Finally, for dessert:

New York style cheesecake with fresh strawberries

The cheesecake was lovely. The slice was big enough to share and the texture was smooth and delicious.

Kincaid's is a cool place to dine. But be forewarned: MacArthur Center is prime real estate and you are paying for that real estate. The meal was delicious but definitely overpriced. Our service was very good. I can't speak for the folks that had to wait for tables but I believe they were waiting for a quite a while. There's quite a bit of activity in the bar area so if you're looking for something a little more intimate than you might prefer waiting for one of the tables. I like the activity. Overall, it was a good experience. I would recommend it and I'll more than likely return.

300 Monticello Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 622-8000
www.kincaids.com

Cobalt Grille

2011-01-08T13:45:00.005-05:00

Friday night found me at the Cobalt Grille in the Hilltop Shopping Center in Virginia Beach.

It's a very pretty place. The restaurant opens up to a beautiful, dimly lit, cozy lounge and bar area. The menu includes a tapas selection which is only served in the bar. I think my next visit will be in the bar but on Friday night I planned for a full dinner in the dining room.

The dining room is also cozy and dimly lit and would be perfect for a romantic evening. Or so I thought, until a family with two small children were seated next to me. Okay, it's a family place as well.

The meal began with an appetizer of beef and vegetable spring rolls

the rolls were fried and served with a sweet plum dipping sauce and mixed greens.

Although fried, they were not heavy and I thought it was a good way to begin the meal.

The first entree we ordered was the shrimp and scallops over fettucine

This dish was so colorful and festive. Almost too pretty to eat. The bowl was filled with three different types of tomatoes and garden peas along with the fettucine and topped with shaved romano cheese. The seafood was cooked perfectly and there were so many great flavors in this dish.

The second entree was the herb crusted salmon filet

the salmon was pan roasted and served over a bed of baby spinach and roma tomatoes, with a roasted tomato vinaigrette. The portion size was very generous and the fish tasted fresh and perfectly seasoned.

For dessert we shared a slice of espresso cheese cake

this was a little slice of heaven. The texture was smooth and velvety and before I knew it I had eaten more than my half.

Everything was good at the Cobalt Grille: food, service, location, atmoshere. However, for the price, I think I was expecting "great". Don't get me wrong, it definitely warrants a second visit but I'll probably try the tapas at the bar next time.

1624 Laskin Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

(757) 333-3334

www.cobaltgrille.com

Savor

2011-01-02T13:14:00.005-05:00

The holidays are over and it’s the end of the weekend. But before it was all said and done and I trudged back to the grind of daily living, I wanted to unwind with a nice, relaxing Sunday brunch.

I decided to try out a relatively new restaurant called Savor located conveniently in the Great Neck Village shopping center in Virginia Beach.

Savor is small and intimate, only holding eleven tables and a few seats at the bar. If you plan to go for dinner I would definitely recommend that you make a reservation.

We were seated immediately upon arrival and it wasn’t long before our server brought water to the table and told us about the available specials then she gave us time to peruse the menu which had many different dishes to choose from.

Once our order was placed our server returned with these mini blueberry muffins

After the muffins, she came back again with a tiny fruit cup which included melon, pineapple and grapes. I have to say that I like the idea of these little brunch appetizers. I was starving and I like having something to nibble on while I’m waiting for the main course to arrive.

We ordered the bananas foster French toast

The French toast was light and the bananas were warm and sweet. The dish was served with just enough syrup not to overwhelm the flavor of the toast or make it soggy and sticky. I thought it was perfect.

Belgian waffle

This waffle was cooked perfectly. It was light and fluffy with a very smooth texture. Some waffles can land in your stomach like a brick. Not this one.

I had the seafood omelette which was one of the featured specials

It was stuffed with shrimp, scallops and crabmeat. The scallops were so tender. I admire anyone that can perfectly prepare a scallop, because I mess them up every time. The omelette was a little salty but that didn’t stop me from finishing it and enjoying it.

The Savor experience is one that I’m sure I will repeat. I like the neighborhood and parking is not an issue. I didn’t catch my server’s name but she was very friendly and attentive. The brunch dishes averaged at about $10 each which I thought was reasonable and well worth it.

1340 N. Great Neck Road, Suite 1232

Virginia Beach, VA 23454

(757) 963-1641

http://www.savorva.com/

EAT an American Bistro

2010-10-20T06:48:00.002-04:00

Recently, I celebrated another birthday and I decided to do that at EAT, located on Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach. Last year I made an attempt to visit EAT but was unsuccessful. You can read about that here. This time I was quite successful.

EAT is a tiny little bistro which serves some really great American classics in a very special way. The menu lists several small dishes, salads, appetizers and entrees as well as various weekly specials.

We decided to sit out on the patio to take advantage of the beautiful weather. We didn't take into consideration the jet noise, but it wasn't too much of a distraction. The server took our drink orders immediately and told us about the specials.

I decided on EAT's version of the tomato stack for an appetizer:

this creation included yellow heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, grilled beets and was toppped with bean sprouts. The beets added some color and flavor that I hadn't expected and surprisingly enjoyed.

As an entree I decided on the rockfish special which was served over a bed of macaroni and cheese and topped with collard greens:

the fish was cooked perfectly, as was the macaroni and cheese. The too-large collard green leaves had a tart taste and were a little too chewy for my taste.

Overall, the experience was very good. The service was wonderful and the prices were reasonable. The only downside was the parking situation. Finding parking close by on the street is definitely a challenge. EAT's management posts signs everywhere alterting customers that they will be towed if they park in another establishment's parking lot. We parked at 31st street and walked nine blocks. It was a beautiful evening and I really wanted to try this restaurant. Not sure if I would do it again.

4005 Atlantic Avenue

Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 965-2472
www.eatbistro.net

Pasha Mezze

2010-09-26T12:45:00.003-04:00

Pasha Mezze opened its doors in 2003 and is a family owned, Turkish restaurant. It is conveniently tucked away on West 22nd Street in the Palace Station shopping Center in Norfolk.

The decor is very chic but not pretentious in any way. It felt very comfortable and inviting. The layout consists of a main dining area in the front of the restaurant which looks out onto the open kitchen and bar, a separate area in the rear which boasted exposed brick, hardwood floors and comfortable lounge seating, and outdoor seating is also available. We did not have to wait to be seated and were led to the quieter area in the rear of the restaurant.

There were many options on the brunch menu including omelettes, soups, salads and many Pasha signature dishes.

We chose the Turkish style french toast

which was served with whipped cream and strawberry preserves. I read a review that said they were served cold, but they were actually room temperature. They were a bit sweeter than regular french toast but still rather good.

I ordered a cup of the organic red lentil soup which was served with their homemade artisan bread. The soup was hearty and very filling. I've never had red lentil soup and I was interested in trying it and I found the taste to be creamy and very tasty.

I also ordered one of the Pasha signature dishes, the grilled chicken and poached eggs on potato cakes

this is a combination of marinated chicken strips, sauteed baby spinach and onions and mozzarella cheese layered on two potato cakes and topped with two poached eggs and a cream sauce. It may seem like there's a lot going on there but it seemed to all work together in a nice way. It had a very mild flavor and I felt it was seasoned very well. The portion size was extremely generous and as much as I wanted to finish the whole thing, I couldn't.

Pasha is such a cozy and comfortable restaurant. I loved the atmosphere and the service was excellent. Parking is very convenient in the shopping center.

Pasha's entire menu and operating hours can be found on their website.

340 W 22nd Street

Norfolk, VA 23517

(757) 627-1318

www.pashamezze.com

yNot Pizza

2010-09-06T17:07:00.003-04:00

After a morning full of running errands all I wanted to do was sit down and have a nice lunch with my daughter. Instead of the usual takeout I decided to take her to yNot Pizza. yNot is locally owned and one of the better choices for pizza in town.

The Kempsville location is roomy and very comfortable. Once you enter the restaurant you are free to seat yourself at one of the many tables or booths. Since I'm dieting, I had to quiet my conscience by ordering a small garden salad.

Now that my conscience is quiet. I was free to order the pizza!

I ordered a 14" pie with mushrooms, bacon and chicken. The bacon was for my daughter and the chicken was for me. The thin-crust New York style pizza was so fresh tasting and delicious. The chicken was not dry at all but tender and so yummy. Each ingredient complimented the others. It was just a really good pie.

Of course we didn't finish it because we had to order dessert.

yNot has a huge selection of homemade desserts. Cakes, gelato, cookies ... but I come for the chocolate cannoli:

Yes, I'm dieting but I couldn't resist. I have only had one cannoil better and that was in Boston's Little Italy.

My daughter had to have the four-layer carrot cake.

Everything about yNot is fantastic. The people are always friendly. The prices are more than reasonable. yNot offers the following dining options: order online, delivery, carryout and dine-in. I always prefer to dine in. The menu is loaded with Italian specialties and I'm sure one day I'll get around to trying each of them. However, today I was quite satisfied with the pizza.

5257 Providence Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
(757) 474-6000
www.ynotpizza.com

Finn McCool's Fish House and Tavern

2010-09-05T13:20:00.004-04:00

This will have been my second visit to Finn McCool's on Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach. The first time I went was right around the time that it opened. I was very impressed with the decor, the service, staff and food. It was definitely a homerun. I would probably classify my second visit as a triple.

The restaurant itself is beautiful. The furnishings and the decoration make for a very comfortable dining exerience. We were sitting close to the bar so it was a little loud but that is to be expected and it wasn't a big deal. It was early Saturday evening and there was no wait to be seated which I really appreciated. Our drink orders were taken immediately.

After the drinks came out we ordered an appetizer:

The crab dip came out and I thought it tasted okay. It is a blend of crab, artichokes, spinach and creamy cheese and served with the house flat bread. It wasn't bad but probably could have used a little more seasoning and a little more actual crab.

As an entree we ordered the crab-topped rockfish and the jumbo shrimp:

The rockfish was fine but I expected to see chunks of crabmeat on top of the fish. Instead I see the same crab dip that I had earlier spread on top of it. That was a little disappointing. I should be clear and state that the menu described it exactly as it came out. I just didn't read it carefully. My fault. I found the potatoes that accompanied the meal to be perfectly seasoned and very tasty.

The jumbo shrimp were okay as well. The rice on the side was bland and slightly overcooked.

Finn McCool's is a nice place in a great location. The servers were friendly, attentive and accomodating. I thought the prices were reasonable and I enjoyed my time there. It wasn't a spectacular dining experience but I would probably go back for drinks and appetizers.

3388 Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 689-0829
www.finnmccoolsvb.com

The Broken Egg Bistro

2010-07-31T19:40:00.003-04:00

The Broken Egg Bistro on Kempsville Road in Chesapeake is pretty well known for their breakfasts and lunches. I was pleased to discover that they also have a pretty tempting dinner menu as well.

The Broken Egg Bistro is located in a tiny shopping center on Kempsville Road and I first discovered it while attending Chesapeake Hot Yoga classes, which is located in the same shopping center. I wasn't interested in visiting for breakfast but I was curious about their dinner menu so I checked it out online and then went in for myself on Saturday evening.

Fair warning: Broken Egg Bistro is not a cozy, intimate dinner spot. It's loud and there is a lot of activity. When we arrived I noticed that there appeared to be a wait to be seated, unless we sat at the counter, which is what we did. I always enjoy sitting at the bar because I never leave my server's line of vision. For me, the service at the bar is always good. And this visit was no exception. As soon as we were seated the specials were explained and our drink orders were taken. I had already spied the menu online so I had a really good idea of what I was going to order.

To start, we had the oysters rockefeller ($8)

Six plump oysters served on the 1/2 shell and topped with spinach, garlic and real bacon and then broiled. The oysters tasted really fresh and they weren't at all overwhelmed by the flavor of the toppings. They were prepared perfectly.

In addition to burgers, various chicken, beef and pasta dishes there are also a few house specialties. The etouffee ($14) being one of them:

this big bowl of goodness came out and I suspected that I was in for a treat. It was filled with fresh chicken, jumbo shrimp and smoked surry sausage in a spicy, gumbo style sauce and served over black beans and rice. The dish was just spicy enough to give it a little heat but allowed all the flavors to come through. The shrimp may have been a little overdone but it didn't ruin the dish at all. The portion size was more than adequate, in fact, I had to take it home with me in order to save room for dessert.

I ordered the mini hot apple crumble ($5). I love the fact that this dessert came in a "mini" portion size:

it was served with vanilla ice cream and topped with caramel. It tasted so good and it was the perfect size.

Overall, our experience at the Broken Egg Bistro was a positive one. From what I've seen, it is always busy and the customer's around me seemed to be enjoying themselves. I checked out other dinner plates and large portion sizes seem to be the theme of this restaurant. The prices are very reasonable and our server took very good care of us.

If you haven't tried the Bistro for dinner, I'd certainly give it a shot.

501 Kempsville Road

Chesapeake, VA 23320

(757) 410-8515

www.thebrokeneggbistro.com

Paradocks Grille

2010-06-13T18:30:00.008-04:00

Did you know that Paradocks Grille had a brunch on Sundays? I didn't either.

Paradocks Grille is a casual eatery on Eden Way North in the Greenbrier section of Chesapeake. I've been there several times. Usually when I want something quick and simple . Paradocks' menu is as varied as it is simple. You can get just about anything there: sandwiches, various types of wings

seafood

and salads

this is the Santa Fe chicken salad which contains thin strips of chicken breast served over cool greens, tomatoes, shredded cheese and tri-color tortilla strips. It is served with chipotle ranch dressing and garlic cheese toast. I thought it was pretty good.

Paradocks provides plenty of seating in the main dining room, the bar area or outside on the deck. We decided to sit outside and take advantage of the beautiful day. There are flat screens and music from the 80s and 90s is playing on the sound system. It was fun and since we visited on Sunday during brunch I was able to take advantage of the $1.99 mimosas.

The service is always friendly and quick. It's simple, it's casual and a fun place to visit on a Sunday afternoon.

801 Eden Way North

Chesapeake, VA 23320

(757) 321-2202

http://www.paradocksgrille.com/

Sonoma Wine Bar and Bistro

2010-06-06T10:55:00.004-04:00

I've heard plenty of things about Sonoma so I put it on my list of places to visit this summer. I had the opportunity to try it out last night. It's located in the heart of Town Center in Virginia Beach on Central Park Avenue. I showed up at 7:00 p.m. without a reservation and was seated immediately.

The atmosphere in Sonoma is very cozy and exactly what I would expect from a wine bar and bistro except that the noise level was pretty high.

The menu is a combination of steak, seafood and pasta and entrees average about $27. Check the website for brunch and holiday specials.

I ordered the caprese salad to start and as you can tell from the picture it really is a beautifully simple dish. Just tomatoes, mozzarella and basil with a balsamic reduction. The tomatoes were room temperature, which for me makes the salad perfect.

I followed the salad with the "Spring" Salmon.

The fresh Atlantic salmon was served over shitake mushrooms, asparagus and Yukon gold hash. The portion was more than enough and the salmon was cookd perfectly. I really loved it.

My sister ordered the pasta sonoma

Which was prepared with shrimp and scallops sauteed with fire roasted red peppers, zucchini, olives, tomatoes and tossed with feta cheese. She said it was delicious.

Sonoma has a pretty varied wine list with many choices by the glass or bottle. They also feature wine tastings on Wednesdays for $30.

I enjoyed dinner at Sonoma and would recommend it based on the quality of food and the service. It is a bit pricey but I felt that it was worth it. They also provide outdoor seating which I believe would be lovely for a Sunday brunch. Check their website to view the full menu and hours of operation.

189 Central Park Avenue
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 490-9463
www.sonomatowncenter.com

Surf Rider (Chesapeake)

2010-05-15T21:03:00.006-04:00

I have visited Surf Rider on Marina Shores Drive in Virginia Beach several times. I love the atmosphere. It's a great place to have a few cocktails and soak up the sun while enjoying the view of the marina. The service is always friendly and efficient and that is why I continue to go back. So, I was a little surprised to learn that an additional Surf Rider had opened in the Town Place shopping center in Chesapeake. Surprised because, in my opinion what makes Surf Rider enjoyable is its laid back location on the water. How can that be replicated in a shopping center?

The short answer is: it can't.

Surf Rider Chesapeake occupies the space that once belonged to Sterling's. As soon as I walked through the revolving door my expectations increased. The room is large and roomy and filled with many tables and booths and a separate bar area. At first glance it looks like an upscale place. Except for the huge fish hanging on the walls. And the laminated yellow menus -- which is what I expect from Surf Rider -- but somehow this place just didn't feel like my Surf Rider.

After ordering a cocktail I checked out the menu and decided on a cup of she-crab soup ($4.75) and a crabcake ($12.95).

The soup came out almost immediately and as soon as it hit the table I was assaulted by the smell of Old Bay. The taste of the soup was okay but it had the consistency of pudding instead of soup and I had to search for the crab.

The crabcake came with two sides. I ordered green beans and mashed potatoes and gravy. The crabcake itself had practically no filler which was good but it was overcooked. The green beans were limp and had a greasy taste and the potatoes were a little stiff.

I was never disappointed when I left the Marina Shores Surf Rider. It wasn't because the food or the service was better. I don't ever remember being blown away by the food at Marina Shores either. I was never disappointed because I loved the atmosphere. It was relaxing. It was calming. It was fun. I didn't feel any of that in Chesapeake. Frankly, I don't understand putting a place called Surf Rider where there is no surf. Just my opinion.

There were quite a few other patrons in the restaurant while I was there so I may be alone in my opinion. Maybe not.

725 Eden Way #700
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 549-2626

www.surfridergroup.com

Press 626

2010-04-25T18:32:00.003-04:00

Press 626 is located on West Olney Road in Norfolk where the old Wine House once was. I've driven by it many times and always thought it was an interesting looking building and a great place for a restaurant. After checking out the brunch menu on line I decided to visit on Sunday.

There are seven choices on the brunch menu but Press also offers any of their hot off the "press" sandwiches during brunch. Additionally, brunch cocktails are offered for only $3. Take your choice of mimosa, poinsettia, screwdriver or bloody mary. After reviewing the menu, we decided on the shrimp and grits and the BMT:

the grits were creamy and cheesy and cooked perfectly.

The BMT is basil, mozzarella, pesto and tomato, with a fried egg on toasted sourdough with applewood bacon. It was served with homefries.

Both meals were very good and the only complaint that I could make was that the portion size was a little small. Once I finished my sandwich I was ready to order another one. But I didn't. Instead I had a chocolate, flourless cupcake with ice cream for dessert.

It definitely hit the spot.

Press 626 is a cute place and it was the perfect setting for Sunday brunch. There is plenty of seating available inside and outside on the front porch. The service was fast and friendly and the prices were extremely reasonable. Brunch for two only cost $40, including drinks.

Free parking is available behind the restaurant. Press is open from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Monday thru Friday, 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Saturday and their Sunday brunch hours are from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.

626 W. Olney Road

Norfolk, VA 23507

(757) 282-6234

www.press626.com

Pho 79

2010-04-18T10:57:00.004-04:00

I read a review about Pho 79 not long ago and I was intrigued. I am not familiar with Vietnamese food or with pho but I was willing to try it out.

The restaurant is located in the Walmart Way Crossing shopping center in Chesapeake. The space is large, clean and gets plenty of light. There are many tables and booths and I was surprised to see a flat screen television tuned to ESPN. Not sure why I was surprised but it just seemed out of place. Anyway, patrons are free to seat themselves and are waited on immediately. There were plenty of customers in the restaurant when I was there for lunch and there seemed to be a steady stream of them coming and going, either to eat-in or take-out.

Here is what I read in the Pho 79 menu: Pho, or Hanoi Beef Soup, has been a staple food item all over Vietnam for centuries. Enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Pho soup is widely regarded as a comfort food, a source of energy for the tired traveler, and to many Pho believers--a cure for whatever ails you.

Pho is eaten with both chopsticks and a spoon in order to get all the delicious broth. I ordered a soup with pho noodles, shrimp and pork loin and spring rolls:

The soup was filled with shrimp and large pieces of pork and plenty of greens. You can't tell by the photo but there was also a substantial amount of noodles in the bowl. I didn't think the small soup would fill me up which is why I also ordered the spring rolls. I was wrong. The soup was hot and hearty. The broth was like nothing I had ever tasted. I enjoyed it so much and I was disappointed that I couldn't finish the entire bowl. The spring rolls were also very filling. They were fresh and filled with shrimp, rice and greens and were served with hoisin sauce. The order comes with two large rolls.

The menu is very diverse and includes Vietnamese sandwiches, rice dishes and many different soups. The menu is divided into sections for beginners and for those that are more experienced, which I found quite helpful.

I enjoyed everything about Pho 79: the location, the people were friendly, all the customers looked happy, the food was delicious and the prices were very reasonable. Pho 79 calls itself The Health Conscious Choice and I have to agree. I definitely recommend it and will be returning.

1445 Sam's Drive

Chesapeake, VA 23320

(757) 547-4800

The Green Onion at Great Neck

2010-04-05T09:27:00.002-04:00

The Green Onion has opened up in Great Neck. I’m glad about that because I’ve always wanted to try this restaurant but as you know, I don’t make it to Norfolk as often as I should. I’m doing my best to remedy that.

I visited The Green Onion on a beautiful Saturday afternoon for brunch. It wasn’t that busy so I was seated immediately and chose to sit outside on the patio to take advantage of the day. While outside I was able to watch this young lady painting the patio wall.

They say it looks beautiful in the evenings when the lights hit it.

The brunch menu is varied. It includes, salads, soups, pancakes, steak and eggs and shrimp and grits. There are also many drink options such as bloody marys, mimosas, or a pitcher of pomegranate sangria. I chose to order a turkey and brie sandwich on a croissant with a glass of sauvignon blanc.

The sandwich was served with a generous side of pomme frites (French fries). The sandwich was tasty, piled high with turkey but since brie is so rich I would have used a little less of it on the sandwich. At times the cheese overpowered the turkey. The potatoes were perfectly seasoned and delicious.

I even saved some room for dessert

This beautiful flourless chocolate torte was amazing.

The service at The Green Onion was great. My server, Josh was attentive and friendly.

The Green Onion has nightly features which are worth checking out. On Mondays 10% of all sales go to the Virginia Beach SPCA. Tuesdays is half price wine night and on Wednesdays it’s all you can eat mussels with a glass of their featured wine for only $17. Happy hour is everyday between 2:00 and 6:30.

There have been a few other restaurants in this location that didn’t succeed for whatever reason. I think this is a good location and I believe The Green Onion could make it in Great Neck. I would recommend that you come out and try it for yourself.

1336 N. Great Neck Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23454

(757) 248-3474

Il Giardino Ristorante

2010-03-21T13:20:00.003-04:00

It is officially Spring. Which means people are heading back to the Oceanfront. It felt good to be there this weekend and it was hard to believe that my lawn was covered in snow just nineteen days earlier.

My trip to the Oceanfront was specifically intended to visit one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Il Giardino Ristorante is located at 19th Street and Atlantic and it is undeniably one of my favorite places to eat. I called for reservations the day before and was told that the only thing they had available was 4:30 pm and after 8:30 pm. I grabbed the 4:30 ... this place is extremely popular and I would not suggest strolling in there without a reservation.

Everyone at Il Giardino is courteous and friendly. From the valet to the hostess to the servers, everyone is properly trained in customer service. We were seated immediately and since it was such a beautfiul day we were happy to sit outside under the covered seating area on Atlantic Avenue. We were able to enjoy cocktails as we leisurely browsed the menu and enjoyed the sights.

The menu has many options including several pasta dishes, chicken, veal or fish. As well as a variety of different pizzas from their wood burning oven. I chose to have the pizza primavera

The thin crust pizza was served with tomato sauce and fresh vegetables and it was the perfect size for one person. I added a touch of grated parmesan and red pepper flakes for a little bit of a kick and it was just fabulous.

Il Giardino also boasts one of the better wine lists that I've seen in Virginia Beach.

The restaurant offers valet parking which is always a plus when heading to the Oceanfront.

The combination of good service, good food and a beautiful atmosphere made for a wonderful dining experience.

910 Atlantic Avenue
Virginia Beach, Va 23451
(757) 422-6464
www.ilgiardino.com

Smokey Bones

2010-02-28T10:28:00.002-05:00

It was Friday night and I was hungry and I did not want to order take out and since I was hanging out with my fifteen year old, I really didn't want anything too fancy.

That is how we ended up at Smokey Bones on Greenbrier Parkway in Chesapeake.

This was not my first visit to Smokey Bones and I think one of the reasons I enjoy it is because of the casual atmosphere. It's perfect if you're looking for that sort of thing. There is a large dining area, a large bar area, pool tables and many flat screen televisions. We arrived shortly after 7:00 p.m. and we were faced with a 40-minute wait. That may be typical for a Friday night anywhere. My fifteen year old and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders and decided to wait. The waiting area had plenty of comfortable seating and we didn't have anything else to do, so why not?

Once our names were called the hostess led us to our table and let us know that it may be a few minutes before our server arrived. Tyler arrived in less than a few minutes and because the restaurant was so busy we placed our drink and dinner orders at the same time.

Smokey Bones has a wide selection of steaks, burgers, chicken and of course, barbecue. Their menu can be accessed on line. I'm trying to eat a little healthier these days so I ordered the steak and spinach salad. I asked for the steak to be cooked medium and it came out perfectly. The dressing did not overwhelm the greens but I did leave a big pile of onions at the bottom of the plate. My fifteen year old ordered a sampler platter which included a few fried goodies like onion rings, chicken fingers and cheese fries. She ate all the chicken, we shared the rings and she picked at the fries. Including drinks, we spent less than $40 for the two of us. The service was quick and friendly and I always get a kick out of reading the T-shirts that the servers wear. One said: "Nothing is better for meat than a good dry rub. Stop laughing."

I couldn't stop laughing.

1405 Greenbrier Pkwy
Chesapeake, VA 23320
(757) 361-6843
www.smokeybones.com

The Cellars

2010-02-08T15:34:00.005-05:00

Are you looking for a place to take your sweetie on Valentine's Day?

I'd like to recommend The Cellars.

The Cellars is literally in the cellar of the Church Point Manor bed and breakfast in Virginia Beach. We were spending the night at the bed-and-breakfast and since the weather was so bad we thought it would be a good idea to just eat downstairs. The restaurant is dimly lit and provides a comfortable setting. We had the option of dining either in the dining room, the bar or the lounge area, which includes a fireplace and television. In addition to tall tables there are comfortable couches which line the perimeter of the lounge area. We chose the lounge.

The menu didn't seem to contain a lot of variety, but I was intrigued by what I did see. Of course, there were also specials that were not inlcuded on the menu.

We started with appetizers:

This is the Virginia Tomato Two-Way

Fried green tomatoes, local vine-ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, local basil, pickled shallots, red pepper essence and an aged balsamic reduction. Pretty, isn't it? This is one of my favorite appetizers but I've never had it with fried green tomatoes and I thought that was an interesting twist. The tomatoes were lightly fried and not at all heavy. The portion size, for me, was perfect and adding one more fried tomato would have been too much.

We also ordered the Church Point Rockafella:

We always enjoy oysters rockafeller but as you can see this is not oysters rockafeller. These are lightly fried selected oysters covered in a puree of local watercress, arugula, applewood bacon, sambuca, parmesan and chives. I was only able to taste one of them because I blinked and Bryan had inhaled the others. Needless to say, he loved them.

As an entree, Bryan ordered what was called the "over-the-top"

It consists of a beef tenderloin, on top of mashed potatoes and carrots, and topped with carmelized onions and a sauce that I can't recall. The steak was cooked perfectly but I thought the sauce was a little heavy.

I ordered the special which was herb encrusted rockfish in a chorizo sauce with pesto mashed potatoes and baby bok choy.

Where to begin. I have never had a rockfish that I didn't like. You can't see them in this picture but the mashed potatoes were green (because of the pesto) -- which threw me at first but they were delicious. This was my first time being served bok choy in a restaurant. It's a little stringy and not one of my favorite vegetables. It was lightly seasoned and complimented the fish in a good way.

For dessert, we shared an apple tart topped with bourbon vanilla custard.

The staff at The Cellars were completely professional. Initially, we were brought into the dining room but when we requested a seat in the lounge they were happy to accomodate us. The service was outstanding and the entrees average about $26. In my opinion, it was well worth it. You are encouraged to make reservations and you can view their menu and wine list on their website.

4001 Church Point Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23455

(757) 460-2567

http://www.thecellarsvb.com/index.php

Terrapin

2010-01-22T07:30:00.003-05:00

Let me say one thing about Restaurant Week: Make a reservation.

I thought about it and thought about it and never did it. Luckily we arrived at Terrapin early enough that we were able to score two seats at the bar. I don't mind sitting at the bar because I never have to worry about my server forgetting about me or disappearing. We're right there in each other's faces all night. Which makes for fairly decent service. Another advantage (in my opinion) to sitting at the bar was that we had a view of the open kitchen and were able to witness all the activity. Fascinating.

Out of all of the restaurants featured during the Virginia Beach Restaurant Week, you may be wondering why I chose Terrapin. I looked at the list and I crossed off all the places that I had already visited. Then I crossed off all the chains. Then I crossed off the places that were too casual for date night. Then I zeroed in on the menus of the remaining sixteen restaurants. Terrapin sounded the most interesting and appetizing.

I started with the roasted pumpkin soup

It was warm and sweet with a little bit of spice. I thought it was perfect for a cold, rainy evening.

Next were the entrees:

I had the crispy skin organic half hen with truffle mac and cheese and local greens. The hen was prepared with a thyme demi-glace. It amazes me how a restaurant can turn something as simple as chicken, greens and macaroni and cheese into something so delicious. The mac and cheese is made with Vermont "private stock" cheddar and black truffles and it was so good. It can also be ordered as an appetizer. The hen was very tender and delicious but I did notice that some more fat could have been trimmed from the leg portion. Otherwise it was perfect.

Bryan ordered the rockfish:

which was served with local collards and pee wee potatoes. The fish was cooked perfectly but I thought the portion size was a bit small.

For dessert we each enjoyed the Cocoa Gateau:

which is a three-layer concoction made up of flourless chocolate cake, chocolate gateau (mousse) and sweet cream bavarian. Off to the side was a mocha mousse puffed rice crunch with chocolate malt ice cream and the plate was drizzled with hot fudge. So chocolatey, so pretty and so very good.

Terrapin is tucked away on Holly Road and provides plenty of on-site parking. It's a beautifully decorated restaurant and I enjoyed the surroundings. The staff was attentive and friendly even though it appeared that they were in the midst of chaos -- the restaurant was packed!

I would highly recommend it for a night of fine dining. You can check out their menu on line and don't forget to make a reservation.

3102 Holly Rd

Virginia Beach, VA 23451

www.terrapinvirginiabeach.com
757-321-6688

Whitner's Barbecue

2010-01-04T08:56:00.003-05:00

Okay. I’ll be the first to admit that Virginia Beach is not necessarily the Mecca for good barbecue. Too many chains and I am not exactly a fan of the chain. So when I walked into Whitner’s Barbecue on Lynnhaven Parkway for lunch, my expectations were not that high.

I was intrigued when I walked through the front door. It looks like a little country barbecue joint. The menu and specials are scrawled across a chalk board and the tables and chairs look like they came from an old elementary school. None of this is indicative of the taste of that barbecue though. Seriously.

Once you enter the front door there is a man waiting to take your order. You can pick up your utensils and drinks on your way to the table and in just a few minutes the food was ready.

Whitner’s menu has everything: pulled pork or chicken, burnt ends, sliced brisket and smoked sausage; bulk ribs (wet or dry), a variety of sandwiches and several sides to choose from.

I started with the gumbo which included shrimp, pork and chicken and is served with a big piece of cornbread

The gumbo is spicy and delicious. I actually shared Bryan’s and I wish I would have ordered my own. There’s always next time.

I also ordered the pulled chicken tray

It was served with two sides and I chose macaroni and cheese and collard greens. As you can see the portion size is more than enough. You also have the choice of having the chicken on a sandwich for a few cents more or adding cornbread. The chicken was so tender and the sauce was just wonderful. I was hungry when I walked in and completely satisfied when I left.

Whitner’s also provides catering services and I would definitely recommend them for any event. The menu is huge but I wouldn’t worry about what to order … just work your way through it with each visit.

869 Lynnhaven Pky ste 106

Virginia Beach, VA 23452
757-689-8215

www.whitnersbbq.com

Fire and Vine

2009-12-21T07:52:00.003-05:00

One thing I enjoy about the holiday season is the opportunity to eat out often. Holiday parties, luncheons, get-togethers ... I love it. Last week my department celebrated the season with a luncheon at Fire and Vine on Laskin Road in Virginia Beach.

I love Fire and Vine but initially I was apprehensive because it was a work function and why go to a place with a 5,000-bottle wine inventory if you can't sample any of it? That would be like going to McDonald's and not ordering fries. Anyway, of the 5,000 bottles, 350 are considered new world wines. In other words, they come from regions that have only been producing wine for less than 400 years. The lunch took place on a Friday afternoon and my manager treated us to a couple of bottles and I took the rest of the day off. I also purchased a bottle to take with me as a Christmas gift.

I have reviewed Fire and Vine's wine selection before so this time I'm talking about the food.

The lunch menu doesn't have a lot of variety and it is for this reason that the New World's Chef's Table is offered as part of three different combination lunches and also with any of the four entrees at no extra charge. The Chef's Table is basically a salad bar with very unique selections instead of your usual salad bar fare. If you order a soup & skewer or a wood fired sandwich the Chef's Table is extra.

I ordered the French onion soup

topped with gruyere cheese and croutons. I am not an expert when it comes to French onion soup. In fact, this may have been my first time and I'm grateful that Adam, our server recommended this over the soup of the day. It was very good. I was afraid that the onions would be overpowering and offensive but that wasn't the case at all. The soup had a mild flavor that I really enjoyed.

I also ordered the Cuban wood fired sandwich

The cuban is prepared with house-smoked porkloin, stone ground mustard aioli, olive caper relish, mozzarella and spicy pickle chips. The sandwich came with steak fries and only cost $8. It was the perfect accompaniment to the soup and made for a delicious lunch.

This is my third trip to Fire and Vine and I have yet to be disappointed. The service is always friendly and quick. Since it is the holiday season there were other luncheons going on but that didn't seem to affect us at all.

Fire and Vine has a daily happy hour from 4:30-7:30 where $5 woodfired pizzas and $5 martinis are featured. Check the website for the menu and other specials.

1556 Laskin Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 333-4824
www.fireandvine.com

McCormick & Schmick

2009-12-14T07:00:00.002-05:00

Third time's a charm.

My third visit to McCormick & Schmick was the one that turned me around. It was during my company's holiday luncheon and had the company not chosen M&S, I probably would not have made a third trip. I will have to try it one more time for dinner just to be sure that today's assessment is an accurate one.

The luncheon took place in one of the back meeting rooms. The room was set up with five separate round tables which sat five people to a table. I don't think this layout was conducive to socializing but I suppose that is neither here nor there. I was there for the food.

The first course was an hors d'oeuvre of Maryland lump crab cake with tartar sauce:

The crab cake was prepared with just enough filler to hold it together. I enjoyed it and the portion size was perfect.

Next up was the Maryland Crab Soup:

The server warned us that this soup was spicy so those that couldn't handle spice had the option of ordering a salad. I stuck with the soup and he did not exaggerate ... if you like spice, than I wouldn't pass on this soup. Although it was called Maryland Crab, it was actually a spicy vegetable concoction with very little crab.

My main course was the blackened catfish with lump crab and sherry cream:

The fish was fantastic. The seasoning was perfect and the sherry cream was a nice complement to the seafood. The mashed potatoes were real and the green beans were not overcooked and mushy. Everything was delicious.

And for dessert, we had the upside down apple pie with cinnamon ice cream:

It was a good choice for dessert. My only complaint was that the pie was room temperature and I would have preferred it warm since it was being served with ice cream.

Overall, my third visit to McCormick & Schmick was a good one. The service was friendly, organized and quick. I feel as though our group was well taken care of and I would recommend it for large functions. Their menu can be accessed online.

211 Market Street

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

www.mccormickandschmicks.com

757-687-8686

Burtons Grill

2009-12-07T18:34:00.006-05:00

Burtons Grill is located in the Hilltop area of Virginia Beach on First Colonial Road and has been open for a year. My expectations for a relatively new restaurant aren't usually too high. Primarily because I don't want to fall in love with a place to see it replaced with another place in a year or so. I remember when Vivo operated at this location. I loved Vivo ... now it's gone. It was replaced by Zinc, which I never had the opportunity to visit. Now we have Burtons.

Burtons was quite busy on the Saturday night that we went and I was initially concerned when the hostess asked if we had reservations. Even without a reservation we were able to be seated immediately. There is plenty of seating in the dining area as well as the bar.

The menu displayed quite a bit of variety which was impressive. It includes several different appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafood and steaks. The dinner entrees range in price from around $10 to $25. There are also reasonably priced vegetarian selections.

It was a chilly night so we decided to begin the meal with soup. I had the butternut squash soup:

this was a first for me so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was creamy and smooth with a silky texture that I really enjoyed. Bryan ordered the she-crab:

Also very good. The crab was plentiful and there was a bit of a kick to it -- not too much but just enough to let you know what you were eating.

We were anxious to order our entrees: rockfish. We've been slacking and this is the first time that we've had our favorite fish this season. My dish was prepared with seafood risotto:

The local rockfish is bronzed and served over risotto with calamari, shrimp, tomatoes and spinach. The flavor of the seafood risotto was bold but it did not overpower the delicate flavor the fish itself. It was a lovely balance. Bryan ordered the rockfish with the crabmeat and shrimp risotto:

This was a little different and when I first looked at it I thought it would taste bland. Seeing the corn and snap peas gave me that impression but when I tasted it, I knew I was mistaken. It was topped with a lemon butter sauce which gave it a wonderful flavor, again not enough to overpower the fish, but just enough to enhance it.

For dessert, we shared a warm apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce:

It was a great way to end the meal.

Burtons has a great wine list and you can either peruse all ninety-nine selections or you can choose the 100th wine which is listed as the special of the evening. On our night the special was a 2006 Slipstream Shiraz Grenache from Australia. I was not disappointed.

Burtons' ingredients are fresh and locally grown. They defintely pride themselves on their customer service. Our server was friendly and very knowledgeable. There was practically no wait time in between courses yet we didn't feel rushed. The General Manager stopped by our table to check on us which I always feel is a nice touch.

Burtons is also open for lunch and Sunday brunch and the menu can be accessed online at http://www.burtonsgrill.com.

741 First Colonial Rd
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
757-422-8970

Bean There Cafe

2009-11-27T14:05:00.003-05:00

Do you ever need to just get out of the house?

I do and I'm happy to report that I have found the perfect place for me to do just that. I had no interest in the Black Friday sales but I did need to pick up a few things and afterward I decided to stop into the Bean There Cafe located at Towne Place in Greenbrier.

It is the cutest little coffee shop I have ever been to. It's not fancy at all. It's funky and comfortable and just ... easy. The indoor lighting is dim but there is plenty of natural light coming in from the large window in the front of the store.

The menu has plenty of iced and hot coffees, tea, specialty drinks and specialty lattes such as the Little Red Corvette, The Diamond Dave and Island Kiss. How could you resist that? The store provides plenty of seating throughout either at tables or big, comfortable easy chairs. I even saw board games just waiting to be set up.

I ordered a large chai latte and a pastry called the raspberry rhapsody. The latte was pretty good and for some reason was served to me in a mug which advertised a local heating and cooling company.

The other patrons all seemed to be having a great time just relaxing and drinking their drinks and socializing with one another. One woman came in and headed right toward the back and set up her laptop because Bean There offers free wi-fi.

Bean There is a real coffee shop which is locally owned and operated. So bypass the big guy and sip locally at Bean There.

733 Eden Way N

Chesapeake, VA 23320

www.beantherecafe.com
(757) 312-0188

Tiki Island Bar and Grill

2009-11-07T07:38:00.002-05:00

We celebrated the return of “Date Night” with a trip to the Tiki Island Bar and Grill in Virginia Beach and I’m sort of wishing we had chosen a different spot to celebrate.

Tiki is a beautiful place. It is my understanding that it has been completely remodeled and whoever was in charge of the remodel did a fantastic job. The restaurant is tastefully decorated, the lighting is beautiful and there are flat screens over the large bar area. There is also outdoor seating provided for when the weather warms up. It is really a nice looking place.

Unfortunately, that is where the praise ends.

I’m not exactly sure who the target audience is for Tiki Island Bar and Grill but I do know that I’m not part of that group. It only took a few moments to go through the menu because there really isn’t that much on it. I was hoping to confirm that information by checking the website but the site is still under construction and could not be accessed. I seem to remember a few steak dishes, a fresh catch, burgers and sandwiches.

As an appetizer we ordered the Oysters Tiki

Interesting dish as it was a spin on the classic oysters rockefeller only this had melted cheese, black beans and corn. It was very pretty to look at but the flavor just sort of sat on my tongue.

As an entrée I had one of the Luau noodle bowls (which can also be ordered with rice instead of noodles)

My bowl was prepared with seared scallops, plenty of vegetables and teriyaki sauce. My problem with this dish is that the noodles and the sauce overwhelmed everything else. The food was literally drowning in the sauce. In my opinion the dish could have been greatly improved if the sauce was more in the background so the flavors of the scallops and the vegetables could have taken center stage. Along with the entrée came a bowl of she-crab soup

It wasn’t bad. Rich and creamy with chunks of crabmeat but it also had big slices of onion and the top was sprinkled with Old Bay instead of sherry which I had never experienced before. For my taste, the onions should have definitely been in the background for a she-crab soup instead of visible as in a vegetable soup. Just my opinion.

One last thing: I usually have a glass of wine or a cocktail with dinner. At Tiki I ordered a cosmopolitan with top shelf vodka. I always do this so I’m used to paying a little extra but in my estimation $12 for a cocktail is totally overpriced.

Clearly, I’m not the target audience and that’s okay because I probably will not be returning. You can check it out for the atmosphere but I would go someplace else for a good meal.

1993 Sandbridge Road

Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Silver Diner

2009-11-02T07:42:00.004-05:00

Halloween at the Silver Diner ... what can I say? It was an experience. To tell the truth I expected more. I expected it to be a little more entertaining. I mean, the wait staff took the time to put on costumes however they seemed to be a little resentful about the whole thing. They weren't really into it. I can't say I blame them. I mean, if I had to wear a bumblebee outfit to my job I'd be a little salty too.

We showed up at around 12:30 in the afternoon and the diner was packed and we had to put our names on a list. It wasn't long before we were seated and I enjoyed watching the old music videos in the lobby while we waited.

Anyway, the Silver Diner is known for it's funky atmosphere with the oldies music and the juke boxes on the tables and its classic American fare. It's a diner right in the heart of Pembroke. It's simple, it doesn't over promise or under deliver. You get what you expect to get at the Silver Diner. What did I get?

Cajun salmon and eggs. There are two large cajun-style salmon filets hidden under the tomatoes. This dish is listed on the brunch menu along with many other dishes all served with eggs. The fish was cooked perfectly and the tomatoes were warm and the potatoes were good too. I passed on the eggs. It was a good meal at a very good price.

Silver Diner did not WOW me but it will certainly do in a pinch. The food was hot, the service was fast and the price was right.

4401 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 499-3600

Zest

2009-10-21T17:32:00.003-04:00

I have been wanting to check out Zest for months but because of the distance, I haven't had the chance. I recently celebrated a birthday and took an extra long weekend (Fri-Wed) so I decided to make the trek out to Sandbridge to enjoy lunch at Zest.

Zest is located right at the end of Sandbridge Road and probably as close to the beach as you are going to get. The sign out front is so small that I missed the entrance to the restaurant the first time and had to circle back. There appears to be plenty of parking for the size of the restaurant.

Upon entering I was asked if I wanted to sit up front at the counter or in the back in the dining room. I chose the dining room which was set for dinner. Even though it was about 12:30 in the afternoon, I was the only patron and the lights had to be turned on and the server turned on some music for me: first classic rock, and then she changed it to jazz which I actually preferred. At the door I was handed the lunch menu on a single sheet of white paper which listed a large variety of sandwiches to choose from. I would have preferred a wrap or a salad and I was surprised that there weren't any on the menu. Before ordering my sandwich I asked to see a wine list (still celebrating my birthday). The list was varied and was fine for lunch but I didn't see anything that I would have enjoyed had I been there at dinner time. I ordered a glass of Sauvingon Blanc and a curious sandwich that was called, "I don't know what it's called but it's sooooooo good!"

Seriously.

After that build up, I had to order it. The server admitted to having never tried it but she assured me that everything Zest serves is good. The sandwich was made up of roast pork, roast beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and horseradish on foccacia bread. I had my choice of chips or pasta salad. I ordered the pasta salad which was penne pasta with cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and onions with just the slightest hint of vinagrette. It was light and very fresh tasting. The sandwich was huge and I was able to eat more than half of it. It was so good. I was a little apprehensive when I saw the horseradish but it didn't overwhelm the other flavors at all.

The restaurant itself is small and cute with a beachy feel to it. If it weren't so far from where I live I would really make an effort to visit at dinner time. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my lunch and I'm sure that during the summer season Zest is much busier than when I visited and since the dining room is so small I would recommend making reservations. Check their website for the dinner menu.

312 Sandbridge Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
(757) 301-8553
http://www.zestinsandbridge.com/

The Lizard

2009-10-14T05:39:00.001-04:00

It takes a lot to get me to go to Norfolk. Why? I don't know. Let's forget for a moment that I drive to Norfolk everyday for work. But my office is nowhere near Downtown and parking is not an issue. I live at the beach and I'm a creature of habit. Downtown is difficult to navigate if you are not familiar with the area. Where am I supposed to park anyway? A couple of weeks ago I stumbled across my new favorite book store, Prince Books. I love this place and one day I will own a place just like it ... at the beach, of course. Anyway, inside Prince Books is a little cafe called The Lizard.

The Lizard is quiet and unassuming and simple and comfortable. The Lizard prides itself on only using ingredients that are produced locally and while their menu seems pretty simple: sandwiches, wraps and salads, there seems to be a little something extra involved that I really enjoyed.

I initially wanted a nice bowl of soup but they weren't serving any on this particular day so instead I ordered the Taster Sampler for $7.50

The taster sampler includes a little bit of everything: chicken salad with peach chutney, fresh dilled tuna salad, hummus, sun-dried tomato pesto and a side of green salad topped with feta cheese. It sounds like a lot because it is a lot but it wasn't heavy. I said before that I wasn't a fan of hummus and while The Lizard's hummus didn't convert me or anything it was pretty good.

The menu also includes signature sandwiches like roast beef and turkey and surry ham and cucumber and all the sandwiches are served on their own homemade bread. You can even get a grilled cheese sandwich made from fresh mozzarella and provolone cheese with tomato and basil mayo. Sounds good.

There is plenty of seating at The Lizard, either at a booth or a table and the store has free wi-fi. On the day I visited, there was only one person working in the cafe. That didn't slow down my service but it took a while to get the tables cleared away. I would have wanted to sit at a booth but most of them were littered with the previous guests' dishes.

The Lizard is a cool little place and I'm assuming that it gets pretty busy during the week with the folks that work Downtown. They are open Monday thru Friday from 9 to 5 and Saturday from 10 to 4.

So, like I said, it takes a lot to get me to go to Norfolk but so far I've been to Prince Books and The Lizard twice and I predict many more trips in the future.

109 E Main Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-622-5973

Mojito Cafe

2009-10-07T06:29:00.001-04:00

The Mojito Café is a tiny little café at the corner of 28th and Pacific. I am not exaggerating when I say “tiny”. Some would probably describe it as “cozy” or “intimate” but those words didn’t spring to mind when I visited recently for a quick lunch with my sister. It’s just tiny.

The café itself holds seven tables and six seats at the counter. When I arrived the counter was full and all but two tables were filled. I was seated immediately even though my sister had not yet arrived, which I truly appreciated because it wasn’t long before more patrons arrived and occupied the other two tables.

The atmosphere at the café was relaxed. The annual Neptune Festival was taking place and it seemed that many of the guests were coming in from the festival for a bite to eat. I just happened to be at the Heritage and had a craving.

While I waited, I looked over the menu and the wine list. The wine list only had six wines to choose from: three red and three white. With a name like “mojito café”, perhaps you expected me to order a mojito, right? I would have but I’m not a fan. So, I settled on a glass of red.

I also ordered the empanadas as an appetizer:

They serve these pastry turnovers filled with either ground beef, chorizo and cheese or olives. I ordered three so I could sample all of them. The pastry itself had a buttery flavor that was crispy but not too hard. The filling was just enough and I had to fight myself not to finish them before my sister arrived. Once she did, we placed our orders. She decided on the camarones al ajillo

This dish consists of sautéed shrimp with garlic, lime juice and fresh cilantro served with rice, beans and fresh asparagus. The shrimp were larger than expected but they seemed a little tough. Overall everything blended nicely and tasted good.

I had the Latin fricassee with chicken

This dish included sautéed peppers, asparagus, onions, olives, tomato sauce and chicken served over rice. The combination of flavors resulted in a mildly sweet taste that I just loved. It wasn’t at all complicated and looked and tasted like something I could probably make myself. If I were into that kind of thing.

The service at Café Mojito was good. The server was pleasant and even though it was quite busy she seemed to have it under control. The other guests appeared to be enjoying their experience as well. This isn’t the type of place where you feel rushed to leave. Mostly everyone was lingering over their meals as they chatted and socialized.

Parking is available in a small lot right behind the restaurant and Café Mojito serves both lunch and dinner, however, since the beach season has ended their hours are changing. Check their website for details.

Mojito Café
300 28th Street
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 233-6855
www.mojitocafevab.com

Azar's

2009-09-30T06:13:00.002-04:00

Azar's Natural Foods is located on Prescott Avenue in Virginia Beach. It is very unassuming and you probably wouldn't know it existed unless someone told you about it. That's why I'm here.

Azar's is a small diner style restaurant with an adjacent gourmet market. The dining area is filled with cute tables and the large glass door in the front of the room allows for plenty of natural light. The shelves in the market are filled with an impressive assortment of cheeses, pastries, fruits, nuts, meats and wine. I have only been to Azar's for lunch but I really want to go back for dinner so I can try the wine.

The menu is an array of Mediterranean specialties in the form of soups, salads, wraps, herbal pizzas among other things. Azar's provides both vegetarian and vegan choices. I ordered the half and half combination platter for $8.95. Which for me included the chicken taewook wrap and a bowl of tomato basil bisque.

The chicken taewook wrap is prepared with baked marinated chicken, cabbage, tomato, pickles, parsley and a touch of "Mama Lina's dressing" all rolled in a toasted pita.

The bisque was sweet, rich and creamy. It is prepared with a touch of hot pepper which gives it some kick. I was pleased with the portion size in the combo platter. I was expecting smaller but it was very filling and a great value at only $8.95.

Each meal is served with pita triangles and hummus. I'm not a fan of hummus but I'm told that Azar's is delicious. I tasted it and was not moved. I was also not moved by the fact that there was no silverware on the table and we had to spread the hummus with the spoon that came with the soup.

One menu item that is definitely worth trying are the rolled oat cookies. They are a mix of nuts, seeds and oats and sweetened with honey. These cookies taste so good you'll swear you're doing something wrong, but you're not.

Azar's also has a location in Ghent and their entire menu can be accessed on line here.

Jolly Roger

2009-09-24T05:50:00.006-04:00

The Jolly Roger restaurant in Kill Devil Hills was an interesting breakfast experience. The exterior is decorated with oversized chairs, bejweled horses and statues of pirates and once we entered we were greeted by a young man dressed as a pirate (insert free.credit.report dot com jingle here). Like I said, interesting. The lobby was packed with people waiting to be seated. While we waited we browsed the collection of knick knacks and souvenirs that lined the lobby walls. It gave everyone something to do while they waited for a table.

Twenty minutes may have passed before we were finally seated. The sign outside the restaurant says, "home of the $2.99 breakfast" but when I opened the menu, I swear I didn't see any breakfast for $2.99. I did find out later that the $2.99 breakfast consists of two eggs served with homefries or grits or baked apples and toast. Not bad for three bucks.

Our server, a young woman dressed as a pirate chick (similar to biker chick I imagine) came over quickly to get our drink orders. There was so much activity in the restaurant and I believe that most of the people were vacationing as we were.

Even though my eyes couldn't find the $2.99 breakfast on the menu I did notice many different breakfast combinations to choose from. I settled on the Italian frittata with grits:

Can you see that pool of butter on top of the grits? Probably not the best way to start my day, but I don't make it a habit so I took my chances. The three-egg fritatta was loaded with onions, tomato, green pepper, mushrooms and romano cheese. Everything tasted good and definitely filled me up.

Bryan ordered an omelet with spinach and feta cheese but the thing that I found fascinating was the biscuit and gravy that he also ordered:

I have never seen a biscuit that covered an entire plate. I stay away from the B&G because it's just too heavy but I did taste this one. Awfully light and fluffy for a biscuit and the sausage gravy was just right ... I still wouldn't be able to eat the whole thing though.

I was surprised at how quickly the food hit the table based on how many people were being served. I noticed the owner, Carol Ann Angelos walking around in the midst of the breakfast rush. She too, was dressed in the pirate garb and she stopped at our table to see how everything was. She also gave us coupons to visit her other restaurant, Carolina Seafood which is a seafood buffet.

The Jolly Roger has been around since 1972 and is the oldest Italian restaurant on the beach. The friendliness of the staff is one of the reasons why I love going to the Outer Banks. It seems to represent easy living. And what is wrong with that?

Outer Banks Brewing Station

2009-09-18T05:29:00.002-04:00

We arrived in the Outer Banks shortly after 5:00 pm and I was starving. All I had to eat that day was a breakfast drink and half a frozen Healthy Choice meal. My schedule got all screwed up and I just never ate. I was ready to start my final summer fling but I was running on fumes.

Bryan suggested that we stop at the Outer Banks Brewing Station at milepost 8.5 on the main road into Kill Devil Hills. “Brewing station?” I thought. I wanted to eat not drink beer. He assured me that it was a restaurant and I didn’t have to worry. The brewing station does serve handcrafted beer and there was plenty available. Apparently, the beer menu changes frequently because Scott Meyer, the brew master is constantly trying new things and coming up with great brews. I have to admit right here that I am not a beer drinker so I am far from qualified to review it. Bryan, on the other hand, is somewhat of a connoisseur and has reported that the Olsch and the Dog House Tripel were fantastic.

There was plenty of activity on the first floor of the restaurant, in the dining area and especially at the bar. We were seated immediately on the second level where it was much quieter. I didn’t particularly have an issue with this but I would have preferred to have been given a choice as to whether I wanted to sit upstairs or downstairs. I think Bryan wanted to be downstairs closer to the action. I, on the other hand, just wanted to eat.

We started our meal with the old school crab and artichoke dip. It was mild in flavor, topped with bread crumbs and served with the house bread. As I said earlier, I was starving so I don’t know if we finished it so quickly because of that or if it was just really good. Okay, it was really good.

I ordered the daily fresh catch which was red snapper. It was prepared with sautéed potatoes, artichokes, asparagus, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers and capers. It was an interesting combination of vegetables that seemed to complement each other quite well. Nothing got lost in the mix. It was delicious.

Bryan ordered the pasta special which consisted of swordfish and shrimp over penne pasta and seasoned vegetables. I noticed that this dish wasn’t loaded with pasta which would force you to search for the fish and shrimp. It was nicely balanced.

For dessert, our server convinced us to order the Monkey Mousse. She explained that it was a take on Chunky Monkey ice cream and it is prepared fresh at the brewing station. This creation is layered with a graham cracker crust, banana cake and chocolate mousse and it’s drizzled with chocolate and banana sauces. Trust me, it looks heavier than it actually is.

It was ridiculously good.

I was not expecting to be so impressed with the food at a beer brewing station. I actually expected regular bar food: hot wings, onion rings and the like but not so at the Outer Banks Brewing Station. It also bears mentioning that the Outer Banks Brewing Station is America’s first wind powered brew pub.

The service at the Station was spot on. Friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Elizabeth, our server was patient and understood completely when I stated how hungry I was and that we just came in from Virginia Beach … she was quick with the cocktails and everything hit the table in a reasonable amount of time.

Classic Diner

2009-09-15T06:18:00.003-04:00

You ever just want really good food at some little joint? Classic Diner in the Providence Square shopping center is that joint. Some of the best food I have ever had has been served to me by real people at real places. No pretense, no flair ... just real good food.

One Saturday morning I took my daughter to the salon for her back-to-school 'do. While we waited, another customer walked in the door with a take out box which contained mozzarella sticks and she acted like she loved them. At the time, I had no idea where she had gotten them. While waiting for my daughter's appointment to finish I spoke to Bryan on the phone and I told him where I was and he mentioned that I should try Classic Diner which was just a few doors down from where we were. He goes there for breakfast quite often and could not say enough about the biscuits and gravy. I figured, what the heck? After three hours in a beauty salon I was starving!

You walk into Classic and it is what you expect from a diner. It's small, it's comfy, the furniture is worn and the carpet is stained. Despite all that, I was taken aback by the greeting I received from Rich, the owner when we walked in. He shook my hand, introduced himself and welcomed us like we were coming to his house. He told us we could sit anywhere and we chose a booth that was up front. He sat and chatted with us for a while about back to school and how he caters for special events that my daughter's school participates in. Classic serves breakfast and lunch and they have all the diner staples on the menu: steak and eggs, pigs in a blanket, reubens with your choice of pastrami, turkey or corned beef and all kinds of burgers.

My daughter ordered the chicken fingers and fries and I had a grilled chicken ceasar salad. Simple food that was simply delicious. Rich twisted my arm and got me to get a piece of chocolate cake for my daughter for dessert. She loved it, so thanks Rich.

Rich has owned Classic for almost two years now but the actual restaurant has been there for closer to thirty years. I'm glad I walked into his joint on that Saturday and I'm looking forward to many more visits.

Yu-Mi Sushi Japanese Cuisine

2009-09-10T05:54:00.001-04:00

I love sushi. I don't review it often because what can you really say about it? All I really want to know is if it's fresh or not. Some places are obviously better than others but I can't say that I've had a bad roll unless it was from the grocery store or one of those stands in the mall. And even those weren't horrible.

Yu-Mi Sushi on Kempsville Road in Chesapeake is a great place for fresh sushi. It's in the neighborhood which makes it perfect for me. I'm trying to stay closer to home these days because, let's face it ... the Oceanfront isn't the only place that can provide quality food at reasonable prices.

This trip to Yu-Mi was a quick one with the kids so convenience was key. Yu-Mi's menu is several pages long with many different varieties of sushi. The menu labels the items as either cooked or uncooked which is particularly helpful for those of us who are relatively new to the sushi scene. I ordered the spicy tuna roll, salmon roll and miso soup, while my son ordered the MacArthur roll:

I tried everything on the plate and loved it. I particularly appreciate the way the food is presented to me. I prefer this much more than the sushi buffets that I've visited.

My daughter, who is not a sushi fan ordered the chicken teriyaki box

This dish includes chicken teriyaki, rice, salad, miso soup and a California roll. It was more than enough for her and perfect for anyone who is invited to a sushi restaurant but doesn't want sushi. It looked good and it tasted better. There are other non-sushi boxes available on the menu.

If you are in Kempsville and you want good sushi, I'd recommend Yu-Mi. The restaurant itself is clean and nicely decorated. You have the option of sitting at a booth or the sushi bar. I enjoyed a glass of Pinot Grigio and still got out for around $50. I think that's pretty good for three people.

Zoë’s

2009-09-04T06:49:00.002-04:00

It all started with a reservation at the Chef’s Table at Zoë’s.

And that was the beginning of one of the better dining experiences that I have had at the beach. Zoë’s is located on 19th Street at the beach and I’m pleased to say that my expectations were greatly exceeded.

The restaurant is very cozy and comfortable. It contains a small bar area, main dining room and a private dining area for special events which would comfortably seat up to fifteen people. We were greeted at the door by the sommelier and co-owner and immediately seated at the Chef’s Table.

First of all, if you have the opportunity, reserve the Chef’s Table. This gives you a bird’s eye view of what is going on behind the velvet rope and you also get to take advantage of special tidbits, compliments of the chef:

These are Virginia figs, with maytag blue cheese and a lavender drizzle. Okay, I don’t know what all that means but aren’t they lovely? We had to just look at them for a while because we couldn’t get over the fact they were served on slate. Finally, curiosity was killing me so I tried one. The sharp flavor of the cheese combined with the sweetness of the fig was very good and like nothing I had ever experienced.

Secondly, since we visited Zoë’s on Tuesday night we were able to take advantage of their Tuesday special: half price wine night! We enjoyed the 2005 Franciscan Cabernet. Honestly, Cabernet isn’t usually my first red wine choice. I usually lean toward Shiraz, but after tasting the Cab it made me rethink that notion. It was big and full of flavor but the alcohol was not overpowering.

Zoë’s menu is filled with interesting kitchen creations and everything is a la carte but there is an option called the “Chef’s Tasting Menu” which allows you to choose three, four or seven items (appetizer, salad, entrée, dessert or any combination) for one price.

I began the meal with the spinach and tomato stack topped with fried goat cheese

colorful and delicious. The tomatoes were not refrigerated so I especially loved it. I also had the drunken mussels

Not sure what made them drunk but the taste was very good.

We also ordered the shrimp tempura

which was served with a sweet and spicy cocktail sauce.

Zoë’s offers a variety of steaks

this is the six ounce center cut filet mignon. The chef prepared a perfectly cooked medium steak that was incredibly tender, juicy and flavorful. A steak with so much flavor does not need anything else. But, Zoë’s serves a house sauce with the steaks which just brings out even more of the flavor.

For my entrée, I ordered the lemon tilefish served with stewed tomatoes and peppers and Sicilian potatoes

I had never had tilefish before and I wasn’t sure if I would like it. It has a strong texture, definitely not a wimpy fish, but the flavor was delicate and I loved it.

One of the signature dishes on the menu was the blue crab mac-n-cheese. We couldn’t leave without trying it

I didn’t know macaroni and cheese could taste so good.

We ended the evening with two desserts: the banana foster and the chocolate soufflé:

I know what you’re thinking, “She always says she’s not a dessert person, but she ends every review with a dessert, and this time there’s two!” First of all, those two desserts were split between four people and secondly … I guess I am a dessert person. But can you blame me? Look at these. I could not resist.

Zoë’s is a wonderful place for an elegant evening as long as you don’t mind paying for quality. Our server, Spencer was awesome. He was attentive and personable without being obnoxious. He made sure that we were well taken care of all evening. There is plenty of off-street parking, which is always a plus when going to the oceanfront. It was a great evening with good friends, good wine and good food. I’m looking forward to a second visit.

Mangos Mexican Restaurant and Sports Grill

2009-08-27T18:37:00.008-04:00

Every few weeks a few of my co-workers and I like to venture away from our desks and eat out at lunch time. Recently, we decided to check out Mangos Mexican Restaurant and Sports Grill on Newtown Road in Virginia Beach.

Upon entering Mangos I was surprised at the size of the restaurant. I noticed dozens of large flat screen televisions, a pool area, two bars and a special VIP section which includes overstuffed furniture and tables. I also noticed many chandeliers which seemed out of place in a Mexican/Sports bar, but to each his own.

We were the first lunch time customers and had the option to either sit at the bar or at a table and we chose a table. Shortly after we placed our orders two more parties of three entered the restaurant. Mangos menu is extensive and includes standard Mexican favorites as well as many items “from the grill” such as pork chops and tilapia. Mangos offers a $5 lunch menu which includes enchiladas, tacos and chimichangas each served with your choice of rice or beans.

My co-workers both ordered the chicken enchiladas, one with rice

And one with beans

I ordered the chicken fajitas

They were good but I was surprised when I received only two tortillas. As you can see, the amount of filling was enough to fill at least four. I asked for more tortillas and was brought an additional three (not sure why they didn’t give me three to begin with) and then was charged extra for them. I was not thrilled with this at all. So, if you order the fajitas be prepared to pay extra for the tortillas.

Other than that it was a positive experience. Mangos was a short trip from the job and they provide plenty of parking. Overall it was a good spot for lunch. A quick perusal of their website shows that they provide weekly specials which include Wednesday night salsa with half off appetizers and free salsa lessons; and on Tuesdays kids eat for a $1.00 when ordering from the kid’s menu.

Mangos appears to be a pretty cool place. I think the size of it alone would make it a great place for private functions.

On the Waterfront, New London, CT

2009-08-21T15:24:00.010-04:00

While visiting my parents in New London, my mother suggested that we eat on the waterfront. “Is that the name or the location?” I asked. “Both,” she replied.

My kind of place.

I lived in Connecticut for the better part of twenty-eight years and I never fully appreciated my proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, it’s only now that I’m living in Virginia Beach that I really try to take advantage of the beauty of the ocean. So, when I went home to Connecticut for the weekend I was thrilled with the idea of dining on the waterfront.

On the Waterfront appears to be a locals favorite. It was very busy when we entered and there was a bit of a wait to get a table. In fact, at some point the hostess completely disappeared and when she returned there was quite a line of hungry patrons behind us. On the Waterfront caters to all size parties. I noticed larger parties of more than ten people as well as cozy dinners for two. They provide indoor and outdoor seating, all facing the water. There seemed to be a lot of activity around us when we were seated. The hostess neglected to provide us with menus when she sat us at our table so we just kind of sat and looked at each other until the server showed up … which took a while. When she did show up, the first thing she said was, “What do you have to do to get some service around here?” and she began filling our water glasses. I’m telling you, she really broke the ice with that statement and immediately put me in a better frame of mind. The hostess hurried over with our menus and apologized for not getting them to us sooner.

My mother had ordered carry out from On the Waterfront and she said that the food was always good. The menu was more diverse than I expected. I expected tons of seafood and not much else. Surprisingly, the menu also included salads, sandwiches, steaks and pasta. To start I ordered the Mediterranean seafood soup

This soup was filled with large chunks of fish, calamari, mussels, pasta and vegetables. If you like spice than you’ll love this. I thought it was terrific. Just enough of a kick to give it flavor but it wasn’t so hot that I couldn’t enjoy it.

As an entrée I ordered the Waterfront Chicken Salad

Have you ever seen a chicken salad in a taco shell? This was a first for me. The salad contained healthy portions of grilled chicken breast, romaine lettuce, tomato and cheese. I ate much more than I thought I would because as you can see, it is a huge salad but it was so good, I couldn’t help myself and besides, it's a salad ... so no harm done, right?

My mother ordered the Montauk Jumbo Stuffed Shrimp

Honestly, that was my first choice but she ordered it first. The shrimp was stuffed with crabmeat and it looked good. According to Mom, it tasted good too.

The kids ordered the Waterfront Cheeseburger

And the fish and chips

The cheeseburger was served with homemade potato chips that were fresh and crispy. Serving sizes are definitely not an issue On the Waterfront. Additionally, Dad ordered the shrimp scampi but I was unable to get a shot of it. He liked it but he said that he had had better. Oh well, can’t please everybody.

I loved this restaurant. It was pleasant and our server was just as nice as she could be. They advertise ample parking but I had to park about two blocks away and walk to the restaurant. I thought the prices were very reasonable. We paid the exact same amount for five people that we did for four people at the Italian place that we visited the night before. I would highly recommend visiting On the Waterfront and I hope to get back there again when I’m in town.

Tony D's, New London, CT

2009-08-21T15:23:00.008-04:00

Since I am from New London, Connecticut when the opportunity to review their restaurants presented itself, I couldn’t resist. I recently went home to visit my parents and in addition to visiting my old favorite, D’Angelo’s, we also decided to try some authentic Italian food at Tony D’s on Huntington Street.

Tony D’s provides plenty of parking but getting to the actual restaurant can be a little challenging. The front entrance is down a hill and around the corner. They recently provided access through the back door and down a flight of stairs. Once entering the restaurant we were greeted by the hostess and seated immediately. The restaurant has quite a bit of seating but it still had the personal, intimate feel of a smaller restaurant.

The menu was small but contained all the expected traditional Italian fare with a few specialty items as well. It also included an extensive wine list. We ordered a variety of dishes, which included the spaghetti and meatballs

Great portion size. When I asked my son how it tasted his response was, “It tastes like spaghetti and meatballs.” Okay.

The Cajun shrimp with polenta, which was actually an appetizer that was ordered as an entree

My daughter expected the dish to be spicier since it was Cajun.

Mom ordered the chicken marsella

Looks good but she wasn’t really that impressed.

I had the scallops Martinerri (sp?) which was named for one of the bartenders.

The scallops were prepared with spinach, onions and sun-dried tomatoes and served over linguine. The scallops were nice and tender and I liked the combination of vegetables. I would have been happy with less pasta and a little more seasoning.

All the portion sizes were more than adequate and the service was very good. The prices were slightly higher than I would have expected. The decor and intimate feel of the restaurant suggests romantic outings or special occasions.

Isle of Capri

2009-08-17T16:21:00.002-04:00

Date Night found Bryan and me at the Oceanfront once again. It must be the season … I hear the ocean actually calling to me. Anyway, our destination was a place called EAT on Atlantic Avenue. We heard the food was amazing but after driving around for more than twenty minutes trying to find parking we gave up. That’s how we ended up at Isle of Capri on the sixth floor of the Holiday Inn at 39th and Atlantic.

Isle of Capri was established in the early 1950s in Virginia Beach and it is my understanding that it was initially a night club and then eventually changed locations and themes and is now one of the many fine Italian dining establishments at the Oceanfront. One of the best qualities of Isle of Capri is the beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean. Our view was slightly obstructed by the table of people in front of us, but no doubt their view was spectacular.

The menu had all the items that I come to expect from an Italian restaurant. The typical veal, chicken, seafood dishes with pasta. No real surprises. A Caesar salad prepared tableside is offered for $9 a person which I thought was a nice offering but a little expensive for a salad.

We started our meal with an appetizer of Mediterranean shrimp

I really enjoyed the combination of warm shrimp ad cool veggies. And because I forgot to charge my camera battery this is the only dish that I was able to shoot.

Bryan chose to have the she-crab soup which I tasted and I thought it was pretty good. It was very rich and delicious.

The entrees included an order of lobster ravioli with a tomato cream sauce ($19) which I ordered and there were no surprises. It was okay but a little bland for my tastes. Bryan ordered the Chicken Toscana ($19). This chicken dish was simmered in a brandy cream sauce with sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms. This dish was fantastic. I loved the brandy sauce and I had to stop myself from finishing his meal.

For dessert we shared a delicious flourless chocolate torte.

Isle of Capri was a nice place. It didn’t blow me away but it was nice and the setting was intimate and romantic. The prices were reasonable and they provided valet parking. Which is a lot more than I can say for EAT. Hopefully, we’ll get to that place one day.

Pacifica Little Bar Bistro

2009-08-12T06:16:00.000-04:00

Friends suggested that we try Pacifica Little Bar Bistro on 40th Street in Virginia Beach. And since we’re always looking for new places to eat, we gave it a shot. Pacifica is one of four bistros owned by father and son, Bob and Chris Glover. They also own Crackers and Empire, both on Granby Street in Norfolk, and Six in Hampon

Pacifica’s furnishings of traditional tables and comfy sofas make for a cozy and casual atmosphere. Pacifica specializes in tapas dishes. Tapas can best be defined as a wide variety of small plates or snacks which encourage intimacy through sharing. If you go to the right place, tapas can be a wonderful experience. If you don’t choose wisely, you end up spending a lot of money for a lot of tidbits that don’t encourage much of anything. Tapas is tricky because the plates are larger than regular appetizers but smaller than regular meals and you never know how they should be priced.

For me, Pacifica was a wise choice. The menu includes hot and cold tapas dishes and specials are posted on the huge chalk board and we also relied on Jeff’s (our server) recommendations. We started out with the tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella stack:

I have said in previous reviews that I prefer this dish warm. I know now that what I prefer is for the tomato not to be refrigerated. The tomatoes in this dish are locally grown and never refrigerated and they totally make the dish. You may be thinking, “Come on, how can anyone mess up tomatoes and cheese?” Well, I’ve had it in several places and while no one really “messes it up” everyone prepares it differently. Pacifica prepares it perfectly.

Next we tried the fennel poached lobster tail with asparagus with béarnaise sauce:

Simple and delicious. The lobster tail was tiny, as expected for a tapas dish. The preparation and presentation were lovely, I just wanted it to be bigger.

Next up were the crab and sweet corn fritters with a Spanish remoulade:

These fritters had the look of hush puppies but they weren’t as heavy. In fact, they were so light they melted in my mouth.

The last dish we sampled were the Morrocan spiced black lentils with kobe beef meatballs and local figs:

Another beautifully presented dish. The combination of the figs with the meatballs was interesting. The sweetness of the figs really complemented the spiciness of the lentils and there was a hint of sweetness to the meatballs. I thought I tasted cinnamon … Very good.

For dessert, we treated ourselves to the peach pie and a glass of Bailey’s Irish Crème.

Pacifica is a nice place to unwind. It’s a great place to get together with friends to share a few small plates. The patio seating is great during the summer season and they provide plenty of parking. While we were there, we listened to the Blues being played on the satellite radio and that just added to an already comfortable atmosphere. We visited Pacifica on a Tuesday night and it got surprisingly busy. Reservations are not taken so I would suggest going early.

Passion, the Restaurant

2009-08-05T05:31:00.000-04:00

When I think of elegant dining I don’t automatically think of Chesapeake. I generally head to Great Neck, the Oceanfront, even Downtown Norfolk, but not ten minutes from my house at the Shoppes at Greenbrier. Clearly, I don’t know what I have been missing. Passion, the restaurant, is a restaurant that is a stone’s throw from my door step and I didn’t even know it existed. It is an elegant little place that has been open for a little over a year and I wish I had known about it sooner. Or maybe not. Sometimes newer places need time to work out the kinks. I guess it all depends on how you look at it.

Passion is nicely decorated and dimly lit and I got a pretty good feeling when I walked through the front door. The bar is at the entrance and just behind that is an open kitchen. Each table in the dining area is intimately lit with a single candle.

Passion’s menu is an interesting combination of appetizers, small plates, entrees and desserts. The wine list is varied but I didn’t think there were enough by-the-glass choices for those of us who don’t order bottles of wine with dinner. We chose the Candor Zinfindel from Paso Robles, California.

We began the meal with soup. I had the Passion she-crab. It seems I order she-crab soup at every restaurant but I can’t help it. I like to compare them and I have to admit that the Passion she-crab stands up against the very best

It’s thick and rich with tons of crabmeat. It was delicious.

We also ordered a Panamanian vegetable pear soup with shrimp and applewood bacon

Sound intriguing? I had never heard of anything like this and was anxious to taste it. It was awesome. The combination of the bacon and shrimp just made the soup. I definitely recommend trying it.

I ordered a salad and a small plate as my entrée. I started out with the caprese salad.

I always enjoy caprese and I’ve enjoyed it served both cold and warm. Passion serves it cold, which is fine, but I prefer it warm. Something about the molten mozzarella over warm tomatoes just does it for me. However, for those that prefer it cold I would definitely order it. The tomatoes, mozzarella and basil taste fresh and delicious.

I also ordered an interesting dish called “Not Your Grandma’s” Spaghetti and Meatballs

This dish blew me away. It consists of blackened sea scallops with oven roasted spaghetti squash and Fra Diablo. It’s topped with an asiago cheese crisp. It was so unique and the taste was amazing.

The second entrée was the carmelized leek encrusted salmon

The salmon was cooked to order and served with a marinated Portobello mushroom, sautéed spinach and chive mashed potatoes. The fish was cooked perfectly and it made for a very tasty meal.

We finished the evening with a lovely bread pudding

topped with fresh whipped cream and a strawberry. I always say that I’m not a dessert person but it seems I am slowly turning into one. This was worth forgetting about the diet.

Overall, our experience at Passion was a pleasant one. The service was a little slow as there was a thirty minute wait between the soup and the entrée. The dining room was not that busy so it was sort of surprising that the owners did not make an attempt to engage the customers. Also, it was interesting that our server did not suggest a second glass of wine. These are relatively small things that will not stop me from coming back a second time. Perhaps these are some of the kinks that they are still working out. It still has a nice feel to it.

There is plenty of outdoor seating as well as seating at the bar. There is a special five dollar bar menu which you can take advantage of between 4:00 - 7:00. Passion also offers wine tastings, wine dinners, cooking classes and weekly cigar events. You can check their website for details.

The Street Cook

2009-07-29T05:51:00.002-04:00

The Street Cook has enjoyed its quiet, unassuming location on Lynnhaven Parkway for twenty-three years. I’ve lived in the area for 17 of those years and finally made my way into the Mediterranean restaurant. The atmosphere inside The Street Cook is something out of a different era … in a good way. There is something very traditional about the room and I immediately felt at ease. We did not have a reservation but were seated immediately. The booths are small and I thought they were perfect for two but I noticed parties of four enjoying the same size booth and there were accommodations for even larger parties toward the back of the restaurant.

The Street Cook’s menu is filled with traditional and authentic Mediterranean dishes. I’m not an expert in Mediterranean cuisine so I had to rely heavily on the advice of our server. Interestingly enough, one of the first things our server advised us on was dessert. It’s a fabulous creation called “The Bombe” and according to the server, this dessert has to be reserved in advance because they only make a limited number. Additionally, it’s been written up in the local paper and people come to the restaurant because they’ve heard so much about it. I’m not a dessert person, but after all that, we had to reserve one. More on this later.

We started the meal with a carafe of sangria and a plate of spanikopita, which is spinach, ricotta and feta cheese in a filo pastry:

It was delicious but very filling. The Street Cook does not skimp on the portion sizes so it is my recommendation to skip the appetizer if you plan on having an entrée and dessert. Or get the appetizer and order the dessert to go.

Each meal is preceded by a large Greek salad which is served “family style”. The salad was topped with their own Greek dressing and it was wonderful.

For dinner we ordered the house specialty, Chicken Sorrento

This dish is a breaded boneless chicken breast covered with mushrooms, cappicola and marsala wine sauce and topped with provolone and it is served with fettuccini alfredo. The chicken on this dish was so tender it was cut with a fork.

We also ordered the Kota Tourlou which was sliced chicken breast sautéed with mushrooms, peppers, onions, tomatoes, eggplant garlic and dill and served over rice pilaf.

Also very good. And you can tell from the pictures that I wasn’t lying about the portion sizes. We both ate half and carried out the rest. We ordered chicken dishes but the menu also includes many seafood, pasta, and veal dishes as well.

Now on to The Bombe:

This dessert is ridiculously rich and I’m glad I saved room for it. The Bombe is a dark chocolate brownie topped by light chocolate mousse and drenched in a dark chocolate ganache. It’s sprinkled with finely chopped walnuts and sits in a beautiful pool of white chocolate sauce. It’s a chocolate lover's fantasy and definitely lived up to the recommendation of the server.

The Street Cook is open everyday for lunch and dinner, except Monday. They also serve brunch on Sunday between 9-2. Everything is made fresh and made to order. Substitutions are not a problem. The service was fantastic and it was reasonably priced. It was a great night and I guarantee it won’t be another 17 years before I decide to visit again.

Lynnhaven Fish House

2009-07-22T05:33:00.000-04:00

The Lynnhaven Fish House on Starfish Road in Virginia Beach has been a Hampton Roads staple for twenty-seven years. It is consistently voted Best of the Beach and it has beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay. It’s reputation precedes itself which makes it perfect during the tourist season. I’ve been invited there a few a times and it is a nice restaurant. However, with all the hype surrounding the Lynnhaven Fish House, I guess I just expected more.

I recently visited Lynnhaven Fish House with several co-workers, some came from out of town and this was their first visit. Reservations were made and once we arrived we were seated immediately. The restaurant is set up so that almost everyone can take advantage of the view. However, since they seat so many people the restaurant is usually crowded and loud so it’s difficult to actually relax and enjoy the view. This restaurant is perfect for large groups of friends or families but if you’re looking for an intimate dining experience you may want to make another choice.

We started the evening with drinks and appetizers as we waited for the rest of the group to join us. The wine list provided many varietals and blends to choose from. We ordered fried calamari, shrimp skewers and oysters rockefeller for appetizers as well as the award-winning she-crab soup. The oysters rockefeller tasted a little like the bay and they were topped with a large piece of undercooked bacon which overpowered any of the other flavors. Regarding the she-crab soup, it was good but in the past two weeks I visited two other restaurants that did it better.

Our entrees were a variety of different seafood dishes. Our server was extremely helpful with his suggestions. I ordered the seafood kabob which is a combination of lobster, shrimp, scallops, fresh tomatoes, onions, marinated green peppers and mushrooms, flame-broiled on a skewer and served over rice pilaf and it was both beautiful and tasty.

One co-worker ordered the colossal sea scallops which were topped with lump crabmeat. She absolutely loved it. The portion size was more than generous and she ended up taking half of it with her.

Another co-worker ordered the king-sized soft shell crabs which looked good but they were too mushy for her tastes.

The rest of our party seemed to be satisfied with their meals. Although for some reason six entrees came out at the same time but it was about five minutes before the remaining two meals hit the table.

We decided to pass on dessert.

As I said, the Lynnhaven Fish House is a nice restaurant. The food is good and the service we received that evening was top-notch and you may not be able to find better views of the Chesapeake Bay. I just feel that they are relying too heavily on their reputation and not working to exceed our expectations.

Eurasia Cafe and Wine Bar

2009-07-15T08:31:00.002-04:00

I have wanted to write a review on Eurasia Café & Wine Bar on Laskin Road in Virginia Beach for quite some time but have always hesitated because part of me didn’t want the word to get out. Somewhere in my mind, I believe that I’m the only person that knows about this fantastic place. Logically, I know that is not the case and now it is time to help spread the word.

Eurasia blends European and Asian cuisine and in the process has created something extremely special. It has quickly become my favorite restaurant in Virginia Beach. I have been there several times to celebrate anniversaries, holidays and for absolutely no reason at all other than to enjoy a good glass of wine and a fantastic meal. The menu, which changes with the seasons, is filled with choices that will satisfy anyone’s taste buds. I especially love the Off the Hook “Rockafella” which combines the daily catch with fried oysters, creamed spinach with fontina, bacon, stravecchio and mashed potatoes. Other favorites include the scallops, pan seared pork and shrimp pot stickers, and the Hollywood’s Cobb Wrap, which combines all the ingredients of a cobb salad in a wrap. Delicious! Meredith, who is in charge of the Eurasia kitchen, does something wonderful with food. It goes beyond typical preparation. It shows imagination, spirit and a fundamental love for food. I have never met her, but I absolutely love her.

Eurasia also boasts an impressive wine selection and the menu lists various wine suggestions with each entree to make your choice that much easier. The staff is also very knowledgeable and helpful regarding wine selections. If you cannot find a wine to your liking, you also have the option of purchasing a bottle from the adjacent PJ Baggan and bringing it into Eurasia for a small cork fee.

The setting is cozy and seats about 40 guests. It is decorated with lovely artwork and intimate lighting. The restaurant is open until 9:00 pm during the week and 10:00 pm on the weekends so reservations are recommended. The staff at Eurasia are experienced and attentive and make the experience that much more pleasurable.

Mannino's Italian Bistro

2009-07-08T10:34:00.000-04:00

I am slowly discovering that spontaneity can be a positive thing when dining out. Tuesday is date night and we had a plan. We planned to go to one place for dinner but my guy wanted to stop for a drink before dinner. Honestly, I don’t really understand that concept. I mean, why not have drinks at the same place that you’re having dinner? He likes the variety. I told him that I was game. That was how we came upon Mannino’s Italian Bistro on Princess Anne Road in Virginia Beach.

Mannino’s is a small, out of the way bistro which is very unassuming and neither of us had heard of it before tonight. My guy was driving by one night and saw several cars in the parking lot and filed that image in his mental rolodex and pulled it out for such an occasion as this.

I walked into the Italian bistro and was not surprised by the décor or the setup. It looked like an Italian bistro. It was cozy and the simple wood furnishings were polished to a bright shine. It was clean and comfortable. We opted to sit at the bar because we planned to only have drinks. Our server, Chuck, introduced himself and showed us a wine list. He suggested a Cabernet Franc out of Napa, which is usually used in blends and the only other time I tried a straight Cab Franc I hated it. He allowed me to taste it and I was pleasantly surprised. While he poured two glasses he began to give us some of the history behind Mannino’s. The restaurant has only been open for a year and they are about to open a second location on Pleasure House Road. Everything is made fresh and everything is made to order. They make their own mozzarella and they grow their own herbs. At this point, we had all but decided we’d be staying for dinner. After Chuck gave us a quick rundown of the specials it was a done deal. I have a weakness for Italian food.

As we sat at the bar and sipped our wine, I noticed that the front door kept opening and there was a steady stream of patrons. More than once the host greeted people by name. For some reason, that made an impression on me. I appreciated the friendly atmosphere.

We both chose soup as our first course. I had the smoked halibut soup which was full of smoky fish and hearty potatoes in a creamy white broth. My guy had the crab soup and instead of being made with sherry it was prepared with marsala. Of course, living in Virginia Beach, I have had my fair share of she-crab soup and this was by far one of the best I’ve tasted.

Our main courses were something to behold:

I ordered the salmon over puttanesca sauce. Puttanesca is a combination of regular olives, Kalamata olives, capers, tomatoes and anchovies in olive oil. The combination of the salmon and the sauce made for a surprisingly light meal. The fish was fresh and cooked perfectly.

My guy ordered this beautiful dish:

It’s called Vitello Saltimbocca which is a pan seared veal cutlet topped with prosciutto ham, baby spinach and fresh mozzarella. The sherry wine sauce was incredible. It had a mildly sweet flavor that reminded me of maple syrup … only not that heavy. Trust me, it was wonderful.

I don’t generally order dessert but my guy always does. So we compromised and decided to share a ridiculously delicious chocolate chip cannoli for dessert. House made tiramisu and New York style cheesecake were also featured on the menu.

Mannino’s is open for dinner Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday. The most expensive entrée on the menu was $18 and on Monday nights they feature a wine special. All bottles are on sale for $10. This gives patrons an opportunity to try a variety of new wines or stock up on old favorites because any wine that is not finished in the restaurant can be corked and taken with you.

Although we had plans to go somewhere else, I’m glad we were led to Mannino’s. The food was wonderful. Our server made excellent food and wine recommendations. The service was outstanding and the price was more than reasonable. This is a place that we definitely plan to revisit.