JULY/AUGUST
Nine To Dine
Spectacular food and views beyond the Ocean and Bay
Written By: Patrick Evans-Hylton
Flowing, sinuous blue ribbons meander and course throughout the region—waterways of all shapes and sizes. Rivers, inlets and creeks offer more than 2,600 miles of shoreline throughout Hampton Roads.
Folks seem to have a real affinity with water. They come up with inspired thoughts, ranging from the philosophic to the romantic, as waves lap against the banks and a celestial body, be it the sun or moon, dances on the aqua pura. Each waterway has its own personality and story. And many are fortunate to also have their own restaurant—or two.
No doubt there are plenty of places to enjoy a meal along the two primary bodies of water—the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. But there are also plenty of culinary havens off the beaten arteries, too. Along main thoroughfares like the Elizabeth, James and York rivers, and tucked away in cubby holes like Lynnhaven Inlet and Muddy Creek, these aquatic oases offer scenic vistas and good food, too.
We find these nine mighty fine:
BLUE PETE’S
Presidential election issue that is most important to HR: War in Iraq
Best radio station: 97.3 The Eagle
Best morning drive show: Chuck, Jenna and WooWoo, 94.9 The Point
Best voice in radio: Dick Lamb, 92.9 The Wave
Best male T.V. news anchor: Lasalle Blanks, WVEC 13News Daybreak and 13News at Noon
Best female T.V. news anchor: Nicole Livas, WAVY-TV 10 News at 5 and 5:30 p.m., and Fox43 News at 10 p.m.
Best T.V. news reporter: Wayne Carter, WVEC 13News
–SHOPPING AND BEAUTY–
Best men’s haircut: Supercuts, multiple locations
Best women’s haircut: Changes Hairstyling and City Spa, Norfolk
Best bookstore: Barnes & Noble, multiple locations
Best place for women’s clothing: Nordstrom, Norfolk
Best place for men’s clothing: Beecroft & Bull, Newport News and Virginia Beach
Best gym: YMCA, multiple locations
–TRAVEL AND LEISURE–
Best outdoor festival: Town Point Virginia Wine Festival, Norfolk
Best golf course: Cypress Point Golf Club, Virginia Beach
Best place for kids: The Children’s Museum of Virginia, Portsmouth
–ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT–
Best performing arts theater: Ferguson Center for Arts, Newport News
Best movie theater: Harbor View Grande 16, Suffolk
Best local band: Butter
Best large music venue: Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
Best small music venue: The NorVa, Norfolk
Best small museum: Hampton Roads Naval Museum, Norfolk
Best large museum: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk
–HOME AND GARDEN–
Best real estate agency: William E. Wood and Associates
Best cleaning service: Zoots, multiple locations
Best florist: Norfolk Florist, multiple locations
Best home furnishings Store: Decorum, Norfolk and Virginia Beach
–DINING–
Best restaurant period: Swan Terrace at The Founders Inn and Spa, Virginia Beach
Best farmer’s market: Old Towne Curb Market, Smithfield
Best seafood restaurant: Smithfield Station, Smithfield
Best pizza: Cogan’s, Norfolk
Best upscale dining: Vintage Kitchen, Norfolk
Best barbecue: Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que, Williamsburg
Best on-tap beers: Taphouse Bar & Grill, Norfolk
For our editors’ and writers’ picks for What We Love in Hampton Roads in each of these categories, plus opinions from a few experts in their fields, see the March/April issue of Hampton Roads Magazine, currently available on newsstands.
