Dining Out: Hampton Roads + COVID-19 Edition

During this pandemic, it has been extremely tough on local businesses all across the country. The magic of a local restaurant is something truly special. So, I’m sharing a few of my new favorite spots in the Hampton Roads area that are currently offering curbside, to-go, online ordering, and delivery options. A few spots are even offering limited dining room seating as well. This is definitely a great way to resolve some of that cabin fever feeling you may be experiencing or if you need a break from cooking!

Check out some of my favorite dishes at these local spots below!

Commune

limited dine-in options and carry out orders

My first visit to Commune was for lunch in Norfolk, VA, and it was so delicious! I could not wait to try their brunch in the Virginia Beach location, which was much closer to home for me. As soon as you walk in you are greeted with smiles. During our visit their staff was very nice and offered great recommendations for us to order and try. We were not disappointed with any dishes we had, and any time the table is quiet during brunch it means the food is really that good.

The entrance to Commune - Virginia Beach

The entrance to Commune - Virginia Beach

Crispy Fried Potatoes: Crispy fried potato, pickled mustard seeds, crumbled, farmer's cheese, roasted garlic aioli, shaved raw radish

Crispy Fried Potatoes: Crispy fried potato, pickled mustard seeds, crumbled, farmer's cheese, roasted garlic aioli, shaved raw radish

Corneal Waffle: chicken thigh, scrambled eggs, chamomile butter, and hickory syrup

Corneal Waffle: chicken thigh, scrambled eggs, chamomile butter, and hickory syrup

Organic Buckwheat Crepe Galette Complete: traditional french crepe with ham, melted cheddar, organic greens, and scrambled egg

Organic Buckwheat Crepe Galette Complete: traditional french crepe with ham, melted cheddar, organic greens, and scrambled egg

Fried Chicken Sandwich: pasture-raised fried chicken thigh, organic greens, pickled mustard seeds and smoked pepper mayo on a toasted sourdough brioche bun

Fried Chicken Sandwich: pasture-raised fried chicken thigh, organic greens, pickled mustard seeds and smoked pepper mayo on a toasted sourdough brioche bun

The bar at Commune

The bar at Commune

The Bee and The Biscuit

closed + carry out orders coming soon

The Bee and the Biscuit is a return favorite for me. I love that this place is just a few minutes away from my home, and it’s a spot my husband and I frequent quite a bit. This little gem is always packed, so be prepared to wait a little bit. The average wait time can be from 30-50 minutes, but don’t let that deter you from visiting this spot, there is bar outside! Their bartender is serving up all of the cocktails that are featured on the restaurants menu. Also, there are plenty of outdoor seating, games, and things to keep you busy while waiting for your table.

The cutest little setup at The Bee & The Biscuit

The cutest little setup at The Bee & The Biscuit

Everything is insanely delicious at this place! One of my favorite things this spot offers, is not on the menu, but if you order a bottle of champagne, you’re given a mason jar of a juice of your choice for just $20! For our group of four, it was a no brainer to select this option for our meal. My recommendation, order the blood orange - it is my absolute favorite.

El Wrapo: scrambled eggs, chorizo, cotija cheese, green onion, black beans, in a wrap, smothered with our savory sausage gravy. Served with country potatoes

El Wrapo: scrambled eggs, chorizo, cotija cheese, green onion, black beans, in a wrap, smothered with our savory sausage gravy. Served with country potatoes

Avocado Toast: grilled sunflower bread, mashed avocado, fresh herbs, drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, served with a baby arugula salad and lemon vinaigrette

Avocado Toast: grilled sunflower bread, mashed avocado, fresh herbs, drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, served with a baby arugula salad and lemon vinaigrette

The Porch on Long Creek

curbside pickup

This spot has been open for less than a year, but it is so extremely popular, and has some amazing food. Not only is the food fantastic, but the ambience is stunning. The staff is super kind, and made some wonderful recommendation during our visit. Also, the menu has such a wide variety of options from seafood to steak, you’ll have plenty to choose from!

Surf & Turf Special: grilled shrimp, steak, garlic parmesan potato wedges, creamy a jus sauce

Surf & Turf Special: grilled shrimp, steak, garlic parmesan potato wedges, creamy a jus sauce

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake: whole grain mustard sauce, jicama slaw, french fries

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake: whole grain mustard sauce, jicama slaw, french fries

Chocolate cake with fresh berries

Chocolate cake with fresh berries

Creme brûlée

Creme brûlée

Heirloom

carry out

This wonderful spot is right in my neighborhood, and is in walking distance from my house - seriously, how lucky am I? Heirloom’s space is beautiful, and their food is great! I really enjoyed my experience at this local spot, and the staff was wonderful, from their in-house sommelier to the attentive waitress, we received the best service! I cannot wait to see how much of an impact this spot makes on our community, and they have only been open since December 2019!

Braised Lamb: turnip & rutabaga purée, charred brussels sprout leaves, pan jus

Braised Lamb: turnip & rutabaga purée, charred brussels sprout leaves, pan jus

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes: maple sweet potato, baby spinach

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes: maple sweet potato, baby spinach

If you live in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area, here are a few other of my favorite local spots, that are still offering curbside/to-go orders during this time:

If you are not 100% comfortable with dining out quite yet, which is totally understandable during this time, then feel free to support your local restaurants by ordering gift cards to your favorite local spots to redeem at a later date! Also, many restaurants are selling their produce, meats, beer, wine, and speciality curated cocktail kits! There are so many ways to support local during this pandemic.

Stay safe everyone!

XO, Analise

Dining Out: Virginia Beach, VA

“I try to cook as much as possible, but I love to eat out.” - Karrueche Tran

Virginia Beach is totally bursting at the seams with amazing new restaurants - and today I’m sharing three of my faves.

One spot is right in my neighborhood, and I love being able to drive 5 minutes to an awesome restaurant. The second, is a place that is close to my heart, and instead of having to drive an hour to enjoy their delicious wine and fare, they’re now in my city! Last, and certainly not least is a cool little spot near the Oceanfront, and is full of warmth, delicious bites, and kind faces.

Today, I’m sharing my experiences at Civil Libation, The Williamsburg Winery Wine Bar, and Hearth.

Civil Libation - Virginia Beach, VA

Civil Libation is such a cool and eclectic place. The vibe in the restaurant is welcoming, and their menu is so unique. They specialize in hand crafted speciality cocktails that are very popular amongst the patrons visiting. Also, their menu has expanded since their opening a year ago, and they did not disappoint with the new additions. The meals we ordered were really delicious, and G absolutely raved about the Porkchop - many guests have gushed about how wonderful it is. What I personally truly loved, were the Squash Rings. The deep fried squash rings paired with the chipotle aioli was absolutely so delicious. I could literally eat the squash rings by themselves, they are that filling!

Civil Libation will definitely be a spot that I visit on a regular basis. The food, hospitality, and especially the close proximity to my house make it a total winner in my book.

Duroc Pork Chop - 12oz bone-in, Bourbon maple glaze, sautéed greens, and garlic mashed

Duroc Pork Chop - 12oz bone-in, Bourbon maple glaze, sautéed greens, and garlic mashed

Squash Rings - Crispy butternut squash, chipotle aioli

Squash Rings - Crispy butternut squash, chipotle aioli

Pesto Chicken Sammy - Grilled chicken breast, basil pesto, provolone, bibb lettuce, vine ripe tomato, bacon all on a toasted brioche bun

Pesto Chicken Sammy - Grilled chicken breast, basil pesto, provolone, bibb lettuce, vine ripe tomato, bacon all on a toasted brioche bun

The Williamsburg Winery Wine Bar - Virginia Beach, VA

Williamsburg Winery is a place that I love to visit several times a year. This past summer, they have set up shop, opened a cozy and darling wine bar in Virginia Beach. They are staying true to their roots, and serving up all of their wines, in addition to local favorites as well. Also, their menu is so delicious - their charcuterie board was so yummy, and had such a stellar variety available! The staff and Manager, Clay Hale were absolutely so nice. Clay was so attentive, and provided wonderful recommendations during our visit! This spot is now my new favorite wine bar in town, and I cannot wait to attend regularly now that they are open.

Virginia Sparking Flight

Virginia Sparking Flight

Specially curated charcuterie board

Specially curated charcuterie board

Artwork by local Hampton Roads artist, Reba

Artwork by local Hampton Roads artist, Reba

Hearth Wood Fired Cuisine & Craft Beer - Virginia Beach, VA

I have been hearing wonderful reviews from several people about Hearth. We were really excited to try out their food. They specialize in wood fired food - and G and I were pretty impressed with their options! First of all, the staff was very nice and so accommodating. Our waitress provided a great overview of the entire menu as it was our first time visiting. I opted for the Wood Fried Deviled Oysters, and they were so good! Also, their Garlic Herb Fries with the assortment of house made dipping sauces did not disappoint either! G’s order of the Steak Frites was a delight to him, and he absolutely enjoyed his dish. I honestly cannot wait to return back to this spot, especially to try their pizzas! Their pizza menu looked so good - and the variety was fantastic!

Wood Fired Deviled Oysters - East Coast Oysters, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, Deviled Stuffing, Tabasco-Hollandaise

Wood Fired Deviled Oysters - East Coast Oysters, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, Deviled Stuffing, Tabasco-Hollandaise

Steak Frites - Cast Iron 8oz Center Cut Sirloin, Hand Cut Truffle Fries, Baby Arugula Salad, Lemon, Veal Jus

Steak Frites - Cast Iron 8oz Center Cut Sirloin, Hand Cut Truffle Fries, Baby Arugula Salad, Lemon, Veal Jus

Garlic Herb Fries - with their three signature sauces: Chipotle Ketchup, Kalamata Olive Aioli, Hearth Remoulade,

Garlic Herb Fries - with their three signature sauces: Chipotle Ketchup, Kalamata Olive Aioli, Hearth Remoulade,

XO, Analise

Dining Out: Hampton Roads + Richmond, VA

“Eating good food is, to me, one of life's greatest joys, and I will never punish myself for it.” - Miriam Shor

It’s always so much fun finding and visiting local restaurants. Hampton Roads has so many wonderful local gems and it has been a blast uncovering them. Virginia Beach is my hometown, but Richmond, VA holds a special place in my heart. After graduating from college in 2011, I got an amazing job offer in RVA, and lived there for about 3 and a half years. Richmond has some amazing food, and anytime I’m able to visit I jump at the opportunity.

Today, I am sharing three favorites from both Hampton Roads and RVA.

Hampton Roads, VA

Redwood Smoke Shack - Norfolk, VA

Redwood Smoke Shack has been a favorite of mine ever since we tried their delicious food at Back Bay’s Farmhouse at the beginning of the summer. I was super excited to finally dine in at their new establishment a few weeks ago, and was not disappointed. My husband has been several times since their opening this summer, and has raved about their food, service, and overall experience.

Everything was super delicious and fresh. I do recommend getting to the restaurant earlier in the day, as some of their popular items do sell out really quickly. The staff is nothing short of amazing, and they are always recommending some wonderful options.

Top TrayThe Woody - sliced brisket, pulled pork, house BBQ sauce topped with cilantro slaw, between a Krispy Kreme donutSides - Cornbread, Greed Chile Mac & Cheese, and Pit Smoked BeansBottom TrayOG Sammich - pulled chickenSide - Cilantro Slaw

Top Tray

The Woody - sliced brisket, pulled pork, house BBQ sauce topped with cilantro slaw, between a Krispy Kreme donut

Sides - Cornbread, Greed Chile Mac & Cheese, and Pit Smoked Beans

Bottom Tray

OG Sammich - pulled chicken

Side - Cilantro Slaw

Town Center Cold Pressed / Town Center- Virginia Beach, VA

TCCP is my new favorite spot in Virginia Beach. The coffee shop is serving up some delicious food, and well as some of the best juices, smoothies, and of course java. I absolutely love how the shop allows their patrons the options to curate their own sandwiches, and are so flexible with creating the best meals possible. The environment is so cozy, and its the perfect place to relax or go with a small group of friends.

Matcha Lemonade

Matcha Lemonade

Shake Shack / Town Center - Virginia Beach, VA

If you have been following me for awhile, you’ll know that Shake Shack holds a special place in my heart. My hubby and I went to the new Town Center location on opening weekend, and to say the least it was a wild experience. Now that the new location has gotten it’s footing and the buzz has died down - our time there was so much better! We were pleasantly surprised with turnaround, and how wonderful the staff is.

Shack-cago Dog, Fries, and Chick’n Shack

Shack-cago Dog, Fries, and Chick’n Shack

Richmond, VA

Upper Shirley Vineyards - Charles City, VA

I am a huge fan of Upper Shirley, and have talked about them countless times, here and here. It is very rare for a winery to have knockout amazing wines, but also an onsite restaurant that’s simply phenomenal. Patrons literally come in for the food alone - it is that good! G & I visited for a wine tasting on a Saturday afternoon, and the staff offered the option to dine in afterwards, and prepared our table while we completed our tasting. The team at Upper Shirley is great, and everyone was super welcoming during our visit.

Crispy fried oysters with slaw and remoulade sauce + side of fries.

Crispy fried oysters with slaw and remoulade sauce + side of fries.

Richmond Wine Station - Richmond, VA

My first visit to Richmond Wine Station was great - the staff was so kind! At the station, you are able to get a re-loadable card to insert into several different wine machines for a self-serve tasting. I really enjoy this concept and so glad more places are doing this! During my visit, I went with a group of girlfriends who all enjoy different types of wines, so this experience was fantastic for everyone. You are able to as little or as much as you want, and select a budget that works for you. Also, during our visit they hosted a free wine tasting - and the wines were great, and the host recommended excellent selections.

Caprese flatbread + Grilled chicken flatbread

Caprese flatbread + Grilled chicken flatbread

Brunch… - Richmond, VA

The popular phrase, “Worth the wait.” is totally about Brunch… and this is now my new go to brunch spot in RVA. Brunch…is sooooo good! The wait is quite long, for a group of 4 we did have a wait for about 30-45 minutes. I would recommend having a member from your party putting your name down as quickly as possible or going earlier in the day. Service was quick and our waiter ensured that we got exactly what we wanted during our visit. Everything was delicious and I was super impressed with our time there. My waiter was very accommodating and even help curate an off the menu dish for me which was so kind!

Custom order, and not on the menu - Maple bacon waffle

Custom order, and not on the menu - Maple bacon waffle

XO, Analise

Dining Out: Norfolk, VA - Codex + La Brioche

“We all eat, and it would be a sad waste of opportunity to eat badly.” - Anna Thomas

Whenever I am able to try a local spot, it makes me so happy. Downtown Norfolk is literally bursting at the seams with amazing and quality restaurants. Many are tucked away in the historical Ghent area or easily accessible within the Neon District and on Granby Street! No matter where you turn you are bound to luck up on some place super special. Not only is the food super delicious, but the people make the experience that much better. Being able to connect with local business owners, and trying their food really make dining out that much cooler.

Today, I’m sharing two new spots that I’ve recently lucked up on - La Brioche and Codex. Their food and unique atmosphere really are worth trying out!

La Brioche

Rating: 5/5

One of my dear friends has raved about La Brioche - and I totally value her opinion, because she is from France! La Brioche is a French-style bakery, and their food is so fresh and authentic. Everything is made fresh daily and in-house - once an item is sold, it’s gone until the next day. From pastries to gourmet sandwiches, everything is super delicious and absolutely yummy. The ingredients are high quality, and you can taste it in each bite.

The entry to La Brioche, in the Neon District.

The entry to La Brioche, in the Neon District.

The staff was so sweet, and really went out of their way to review their menu. They were kind and ensured throughout our visit that we had everything we could possibly want. La Brioche, is perfect to visit at anytime throughout the day - from a breakfast stop to a afternoon snack, they have so many options. I do recommend visiting first thing in the morning if you want an excellent selection though - their items go fast!

Chocolate Chip pastry, Apple Tart, and Almond Croissant.

Chocolate Chip pastry, Apple Tart, and Almond Croissant.

Codex

Rating: 4/5

Remember when I went to visit Pendulum Fine Meats & Market last month? Well, Codex is located right in that same space! By day this location is Pendulum, and by night Codex comes in and flips the restaurant into a Modern American dinner spot. Codex makes the restaurant slightly different by switching up the ambiance and adding additional seating. This place gets packed super quickly - so I most certainly recommend making a reservation - otherwise you’ll be waiting for awhile for table.

Entrance into Codex + lovely artwork showcasing the restaurant logo.

Entrance into Codex + lovely artwork showcasing the restaurant logo.

I was so pleased with the staff, and how kind they were during our meal. Our waitress even let us try a few wines before we selected the perfect pair for our meals! For my dinner, I ended up choosing the Sockeye Salmon entree. It was really delicious, and paired with the light salad, was the perfect summer dish. The experience was pretty neat, to see one of our favorite lunch spots transitioned to a high-end dinner spot was pretty cool. There was a slight drawback, it was pretty cramped in the restaurant to accommodate for extra seating, but my husband and I were glad we tried it out!

Sockeye Salmon + Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Panzanella Salad

Sockeye Salmon + Heirloom Tomato and Cucumber Panzanella Salad

I can’t wait to try more local spots in the near future. It’s always a blast being able to try new experiences, and sharing them with loved ones.

XO, Analise

Dining Out: Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry

pros·per·i·ty /präˈsperədē/ - a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition, good fortune

Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry, is the cutest and most peaceful spot near the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, VA. This Roman inspired bakery takes me back to my Italy vacation from earlier this year. As soon as you step foot into the pantry, you are greeted by kind faces, a wide array of pizza options, and fresh baked goods. Everything is made onsite, and with the best ingredients. I was super eager to try their food, and their unique slices are like no other pizza place. Their pizza is served Roman-style - on a square baking sheet, and each slice is cut with a pair of scissors. The staff took their time to explain the history of their shop, how they make their pizza, and went over the quality ingredients they use for the baked goods.

Prosperity is amazing, and I cannot wait to share my experience there.

The entrance to Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry.

The entrance to Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry.

The coolest artwork on the side of the building.

The coolest artwork on the side of the building.

Prosperity has a small but eclectic wine collection. Their wines are fantastic, and from Italy, which matches the Roman theme of their restaurant. The staff went over their wine list with me, and even let me try one of the Sangiovese’s! During our visit, I opted for a glass of Cabernet from Baurboursville Vineyards in Charlottesville, VA.

The wine offered for purchase to guests.

The wine offered for purchase to guests.

A wall decorated with an assortment of jams for patrons to order.

A wall decorated with an assortment of jams for patrons to order.

The freshly made pizza on display for guests to select and enjoy.

The freshly made pizza on display for guests to select and enjoy.

Cookies, croissants, breads, scones - you name it Prosperity has it for you!

Cookies, croissants, breads, scones - you name it Prosperity has it for you!

The restaurant used to be an auto repair shop, and the way they have converted the space is absolutely magical. It is cozy, and so inviting. During your visit you can see the staff baking behind the counter while you enjoy your meal. Also, the space is setup to where you can meet new people and share a table to enjoy your meal.

The lovely space and decor is so inviting in Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry.

The lovely space and decor is so inviting in Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry.

Where the magic happens.

Where the magic happens.

Our Order

When you order your slices, they heat up the pizza so it is nice and warm. Then, they serve it on the cutest tray for you to enjoy. The pizza is absolutely light and fluffy - their dough goes through a 3-day fermentation process, so that your body can easily digest it -which means, more pizza for me!

My husband and I went the traditional route and ordered the Pepperoni Pizza. Everything about it was fresh. The flour and tomato sauce were both organic. Also, the cheese and pepperoni were so high quality.

G decided to be super adventurous, and ordered a slice of the Bacon, Pear, and Blue Cheese Pizza. Once again, they used organic flour for the pie. Also, the ingredients are as follows: unfiltered olive oil, pears, blue cheese, sweet onion, kale, bacon, mozzarella, and wild honey. He loved the sweetness of the ingredients as they paired super well with the smokiness of the bacon. The blue cheese also added a really cool dynamic to the slice as well.

Cabernet + Pepperoni and Bacon, Pear, and Blue Cheese Pizza

Cabernet + Pepperoni and Bacon, Pear, and Blue Cheese Pizza

We couldn’t leave without getting some pastries to go! I love chocolate croissants, and G is a huge fan of scones. Fresh baked goods are always nice to have for the morning after. These goodies were the perfect treat indulge on during a relaxing Sunday morning.

Fresh baked goods, packaged in the pantry’s signature box.

Fresh baked goods, packaged in the pantry’s signature box.

Prosperity Kitchen & Pantry has been open for less than a year, but is doing so amazingly well. This new restaurant is taking Virginia Beach by storm, and I cannot wait to visit in years to come. I’m so blown away by this spot, and the kitchen is a true testament to “quality over quantity”. Everything is done right, and I’m so thrilled we have a restaurant like this in our hometown city.

XO, Analise