This month’s Cheap & Cheery at Grape and Gourmet was special because both Deb and Spencer had their birthdays this week! Shelby and I bought cupcakes from Twisted Sisters and lit candles for them in the shop. Everyone in the store sang “Happy Birthday” and gave them a round of applause afterwards. Love this shop.
Friday Night Wine Tastings - 13 Sep 2013
Friday night tastings at Yiannis Wine Shop and Grape and Gourmet. Virginia Beach, VA.
Fried Chicken and Pinot Night at Terrapin
Terrapin has a Wednesday night Fried Chicken and Pinot special—it’s not to be missed if you live in the area! After dinner we treated ourselves with a Bon Bomb and S’Mores.
The Creative Wedge's First Wine Tasting!
The Creative Wedge in Virginia Beach, VA, had their first wine tasting at the shop. They had a nice spread, sampling their cheeses and meats—of course a good selection of local wines too.
Quaker Steak & Lube - Newport News, VA
Belmont House of Smoke, Norfolk, VA
Food and drink from around Hampton Roads - 16 August 2013
Food and drink from around Hampton Roads. Friday, 16 August 2013. Handsome Biscuit House Soda and Stevie (biscuit), Bulgogi Pita from Panavoir, Wine tasting at Yiannis Wine Shop and then Grape and Gourmet. Cupcakes from Twisted Sisters Cupcakes.
Rib-eyes on the Grill
Battle of the Beers - Norfolk Edition
Battle of the Beers - Norfolk vs. Virginia Beach. Tapped Gastropub in Virginia Beach, VA hosted a friendly competition allowing locals to try beer from the area breweries. Proceeds went toward a benefit for Seton Youth Shelters and the event put together by Beach Ambassadors was highly successful.
Young Veterans Brewing Company won the trophy for their Jet Noise—A double IPA. O’Connor Brewing Company, Smartmouth Brewing Company, Beach Brewing Company, and Back Bay Brewing Company.
Wine Tasting at Grape & Gourmet - 2 Aug 2013
Wine tasting at Grape & Gourmet, Virginia Beach, VA
Wine Tasting at Yiannis - 2 Aug 2013
Wine tasting at Yiannis, Virginia Beach, VA
Handsome Biscuit Trip
Mr. Close Love - Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder with house pickles
Handsome Biscuit run today. Click on the photos for descriptions. Norfolk, VA.
Chick N Fish, Newport News, VA
Chic N Fish in Newport News, VA has the fabled Korean styled fried chicken you might have heard about in hushed conversations. The small, nondescript shop serves both traditional Southern styled fried chicken and fish fry. If you want the Korean styled fried chicken make sure you give yourself 30 minutes for preparation. Its cooked differently than traditional and it is covered in your choice of glaze from savory to hot and spicy.
My friend got the fried flounder sandwich that was huge—this photo doesn’t do this justice. As a bonus, they offer pickled radish as a refreshing side if you choose to take it.
Red Crab
We tried Red Crab for the first time this past weekend and really enjoyed them. Virginia is pushing the Red Crab as an alternative to Blue Crab since the later has dropped in population. We prepared them the same way we would Blue Crabs but we also ate them with butter—I never do that with the Blue.
Overall worth trying and pretty tasty. We bought ours at Uncle Chuck’s Seafood and Produce in Virginia Beach, VA, at the VB Farmers Market.
Tidewater Table Book Signing
The Creative Wedge in Virginia Beach, VA hosted a book signing by local author and columnist Lorraine Eaton. Her book Tidewater Table is collection of local recipes that includes original recipes from the United States’ first cookbooks.The Wedge had samples out and a delicious caramelized onion & balsamic dip I could quit eating (they sent some home with me!)
Lorraine was great, taking the time to talk to customers about her book and food in the area.
4th of July at John and Connie's
July 4th over at our friends John & Connie’s. He made a delicious pulled pork and hung out at the tiki bar; even had a few jello shots. I included a photo of a smoked corned beef brisket he made for the next day. Looked beautiful.
Food Truck Rodeo by PressPlae
Just missed Pressplae at the Norfolk Food Truck Rodeo last week. Norfolk, VA.
Food Truck Rodeo!!
The City of Norfolk has finally granted permission to select food trucks, through a lottery system, to serve the streets of Downtown Norfolk. To welcome those selected Norfolk had its first ever Food Truck Rodeo; check it out!
#pressplae
Braise Opening Week
Recently we went out out for our 23rd Anniversary and we decided to try the newly opened Braise in Virginia Beach, VA. Chef Bobby Huber is a staple in the culinary scene in this area and I’ve heard good things about his food. We ordered a couple of appetizers—a softshell crab & “lobstah” and scallops with apple butter. They were very pretty but I’ll honest and say the flavor was little flat. The softshell crab was kind of tough and the lobster—hate to say it—bland. I got to try a sample of cheesy grits and they were great. For our entrees we ordered the BBQ lamb shank on bleu cheese polenta and a seafood plate. The lamb shank was cooked perfectly but I thought the sauce drowned out the flavor of the lamb. I loved the bleu cheese polenta. Shelby’s seafood was very good.
Another thing that bothered me a little was that our server seemed a little out of it. I don’t know, maybe it was because they were busy but her disheveled appearance didn’t help; she was very nice though. I’d like to try again after they get their legs under them and see what happens next time.
New beer from O’Connor Brewing, Norfolk, VA. S-Turns Summer Honey Saison part of the Endless Saison Series.