Pirate's Cove

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/