NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 15:22:54 +0000 (UTC) Xref: usenet.INS.cwru.edu rec.food.restaurants:53413 dc.dining:19227 Marra wrote: > Greetings from a mostly lurker. I used to spend a decent amount of time > in Norfolk and Virginia Beach about 5 or 6 years ago, and now have an > opportunity to spend a week there. Although it's been a couple of years, if you're in a seafood mood my top recommendation for the area would be the Lynnhaven Fish House on Shore Drive (Rt. 60). They have a website at http://www.lynnhavenfishhouse.com. Now why can't we have places like that in the metro area? IOW reasonably priced, a cut above the Red Lobster, and not tied to a particular forms of preparation like Asian, Cajun, French, Italian, etc. I enjoy these types of seafood cuisines but after a while I want something different, perhaps simpler without all the sauces and spices. Maybe accompanied by hushpuppies and cole slaw. I guess a place like Legal Seafoods probably comes closest to what the Lynnhaven offers - fresh seafood prepared to your desires (grilled, baked, poached, etc). Bon appetit. John Wood (Code 5551) e-mail: [email removed] Naval Research Laboratory 4555 Overlook Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20375-5337
Virginia
Restaurant Rec's in Norfolk/VA Beach
>>I used to spend a decent amount of time in Norfolk and Virginia Beach about 5 or 6 years ago, and now have an opportunity to spend a week there. I am trying to get recommendations for interesting restaurants with good food.<< If you only have a week to spend, then get your pen and paper out and write these down. Or better yet, print out this reply. Let me address the places you mentioned first: >>Cafe 21<< The place right across Gene Walter's Marketplace on 21st Street in Ghent? It closed down about a year and a half ago. It is now under new ownership and management as "Chez Beau", a combination French and Thai restaurant. When Chez Beau first opened, it was great. However, it has been unable to maintain its quality and has gone downhill several notches. >>Lucky Star, Coastal Grill<< You have mentioned two very highly rated Virginia Beach restaurants. Being primarily a Norfolk diner, I have never been to either of them. However, I have heard nothing but positive accolades. >>Cafe David.<< I've heard the name, but I think they closed. I checked our latest phone book and did not see a listing. >>I did my best to avoid Waterside<< You're still wise to do so. Unless you have a special fondness for Hooter's or Outback Steak House, two recent chain additions to the Waterside complex. >>I really like Ghent<< Ah! Now you're in my neck of the woods. Please let me enlighten you. Arguably the best Ghent restaurant at this time is the No Frill Grill, located on Spotswood Avenue right off of Colley Avenue. This restaurant has become an annual "Golden Fork" winner for the past several years. If the menu doesn't grab you, check out one of the gourmet chalkboard specials. Right around the corner from the No Frill Grill is the "Wild Monkey" on Colley Avenue, a funky diner type place. A popular hangout with those who like body piercings. Some people rave about this place. The food's good, occasionally excellent, but I prefer the No Frill Grill. Another favorite is the "Luna Maya", located in one of those "strip malls" you mentioned, at the intersection of 21st Street and Colonial Avenue. It is a new South American Mexican style restaurant with some Bolivian influences. If you drink, you have got to order yourself a "Margatini", a martini rimmed on the outside with chipolte chile salt. If I feel like venturing outside of Ghent, my favorite is Todd Jurich's Bistro, located in downtown Norfolk. Many people argue that it is the absolute best restaurant in all of Norfolk. I've only eaten there three times, and each time, the food was absolutely superb. A great new seafood restaurant I keep hearing about is "One Fish, Two Fish" in Virginia Beach. I've never been there, but I have heard from a number of sources that it's outstanding. If you want good Chinese, avoid the "Szechuan In Ghent" on Colley Avenue. Instead, venture on out to the "Golden China", located in Virginia Beach on Independence Avenue right across from Pembroke Mall. Order the "Salt Baked Shrimp" if you want to try something truly special. This is also the only place I've seen that offers a special menu for "Congee." I've mentioned my personal favorites. There are other places, but I will give somebody else a chance to steer you for a while. Good luck and happy dining. Dennis
>>Why you try Kincaid's in the new shopping mall in Norfolk<< I have eaten at Kincaid's on three different occasions and have been disappointed each time. Small portions and high prices for the portions you receive. In any event, if you're coming to Norfolk, you will definitely want to check out MacArthur Mall. This is now Norfolk's "crown jewel" shopping center and where Kincaid's is located. However, I cannot honestly recommend any of the restaurants there. However, an above average burger can be had at Max & Erma's. Go ahead and try Kincaid's and make up your own mind. You might as well if you're going to make MacArthur Mall a part of your visit. However, a lot of people I talk to give it a "thumbs down." Another place I forgot to mention on downtown's Granby Street is the 219. This is another Golden Fork Winner, and they do a lot of interesting fusion stuff with Asian and Southwestern themes. However, I was a little disappointed with their signature Rockfish entree during my last visit. But please, do not come away from Norfolk without trying Todd Jurich's Bistro. Dennis
NNTP-Posting-Date: 12 May 2001 13:13:01 GMT X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2314.1300 X-Priority: 3 X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2314.1300 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Xref: usenet.INS.cwru.edu rec.food.restaurants:53433 dc.dining:19236 Someone wrote: > Greetings from a mostly lurker. I used to spend a decent amount of time > in Norfolk and Virginia Beach about 5 or 6 years ago, and now have an > opportunity to spend a week there. I am trying to get recommendations for > interesting restaurants with good food. The ones I used to like the most > (and I wonder if they still exist ... ) were Cafe 21, Lucky Star, > Coastal Grill, and Cafe David. Here are a couple of my favorites: Bobbywood 7515 Granby St Norfolk (just off I-64) http://www.chefbobbyhuber.com/ Dumb name, great food. The oyster stew is incredible. There is a sister restaurant (Americana) in Hampton, but I haven't tried it. Daruma 608 N. Birdneck Rd Va Beach There are quite a few sushi/Japanese restaurants in the area now, but I've never tried any except Daruma. It was the first one that I tried and I fell in love with it. And since you'll only be about 80 miles from the Outer Banks, go to Ocean Boulevard (http://www.goodfoodgoodwine.com/). It's worth the trip.
From: Kate Connally [email removed]
>>It's been years since I've been there so I don't know if they are even still
in business but I used to love the Lynnhaven Fish House in Lynnhaven which is between Norfolk and Va. Bch. I was wild about their crabcakes and hushpuppies.<<
It's still in business, although it has been about ten years since I have eaten there. Word of mouth tells me that is it still good, but not what it once was.
From what I hear, a new restaurant that opened over a year ago, named "One Fish, Two Fish" is the place to go now at the Beach for top notch seafood. I can't vouch for it, though, as I haven't made the trip there yet.
DennisFrom: "Lynn A. Johnson" [email removed]:
>>I was on "Shore Patrol" at Virginia Beach and I can't place the
restaurant. How far was it from the Seals camp?<<
The Lynnhaven Fish House is located on Shore Drive, facing the Chesapeake Bay. I don't know where the Seals camp was.
Maybe this will jog your memory. There used to be a great little Mexican restaurant, called the El Sombrero, located on Shore Drive, just before crossing the Lesner Bridge. After crossing the bridge, the Lynnhaven Fish House is about a couple of minutes away on Shore Drive.
It's also very close to Great Neck Road, if that rings a bell.
Dennis