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Virginia Beach Travel |
A Taste of Virginia
Beach
by
Wendy Schatzman
Virginia Beach is probably best
known as a summer resort spot.
However, travelers to the city
will find magnificent meals to
suit all tastes and budgets.
Virginia is the third-largest
seafood producing state in the
country. In addition to great
seafood, there are many other
tastes of Virginia Beach to be
savored.
"What you see is what you get,"
says one regular patron of the
original Famous Uncle Al's
restaurant (3045 Shore Dirve/757-481-2718).
Founder Al Stein is best known
for his quirky personality,
however Famous Uncle Al's is a
place best known for its
outrageous hot dogs and juicy
cheeseburgers. They also serve
fresh, out-of-this-world french
fries to accompany anything.
Having won several local
restaurant awards - Al has seven
locations around Virginia Beach
- Uncle Al's packs in the crowds
daily. His regular customers
boast that lunch is the best and
cheapest in town. Some of his
patrons even have their names
adorned on yellow, wooden
plaques hanging on the wall
because they have eaten as many
as nine, 10 or even 12 hot dogs
in one sitting. Why? According
to Stein, his hot dogs have less
fat in them than any of the
local fast food places and
"people love hot dogs," he says
with a smile.
Newly renovated Primo Pizza on
the corner of Princess Ann Road
& Baxter Road (757-499-0049)
serves truly authentic New York
style pizza. In addition to its
famed pizza pies, owner Domenico
Morrocu makes lots of "simple
Italian" meals, including a
scrumptous, heavily garlic-laden
fresh spinach dish in olive oil.
Together with a few of the
restaurant's signature garlic
knots, this makes for a special
meal.
Everything is made to order and
new items are being added to the
regular menu. Primo also
features daily specials. Primo
does take-out and is also a
great spot for family dining.
For a taste of the finest
Chinese cuisine Virginia Beach
has to offer, Imperial Palace
(4878 Princess Anne
Road/757-473-3577) tops the
list. The owners offer casual
dining with an elegant feel.
Although jeans and shorts are
acceptable, upon entering you
are surrounded by fresh flowers,
a flowing waterfall and a unique
fish tank that gives the feel of
black-tie dining.
For Peking Duck lovers, I
strongly recommend this dish as
it is the least greasy duck I
have eaten anywhere. Imperial
Palace also offers an extensive
menu with Chef Tan's grilled
specialties as well as salmon
and shrimp kabobs. Appetizers
such as lumpia, barbecued pork
spare ribs and cucumbers with
sesame seeds in soy sauce make
excellent starters. Imperial
Palace also features Hong Kong
wonton soup, which puts a spin
on traditional wonton soup.
Virginia Beach's finest French
and Belgian continental cuisine
can be found at Le Chambord (324
North Great Neck
Road/757-486-3636). Chef Alain
Jacqmin creates luscious meals
with fancy meats and fresh
seafood. I enjoyed the salmon
"en croute," a filet of salmon,
fresh mushrooms and leeks
enveloped in a phyllo puff
pastry served in a pistachio
butter sauce. Another
tantalizing dish is the lobster
"Chambord," a poached lobster
tail, sea scallops and shrimp
over sauteed julieene vegetables
in a sweet Chardonnay sauce
garnished with Israeli coucous.
Pastry Chef Martine Jacqmin can
prepare decadent desserts,
including plain or Godiva
chocolate chip Cr譥 Brule,
homemade bread pudding or a warm
Grand Manier souffle. Le
Chambord serves lunch and
dinner. For an elaborate Sunday
brunch try "The Bistro," just
next door.
The Beach Bully (19th &
Mediterranean/757-422-2222) is
known for its southern beef
barbecue, great pit-cooked pork
ribs and roast beef sandwich.
They also have delicious fresh
corn on the cob.
Some of Virginia Beach's fresh,
local seafood can be found at
Chick's Oyster Bar (2143 Vista
Circle/757-481-5757). It has
fantastic daily specials, an
extensive menu and an outdoor
deck overlooking the water. If
you are in the mood for a
creamy, She-crab soup then The
Lynnhaven Fish House (2350
Starfish Road 757-481-0003) near
the oceanfront, is the spot to
have it.
And for those who want to eat
some special dishes made with
the local seafood, Lucky Star
(1608 Pleasure House
Road/757-363-8410), also one of
Virginia Beach's fine dining
spots, is the place. Chef, Amy
Brandt prepares delicious
Cherrystone clams in a light,
cream and vegetable broth. The
restaurant is also known for
having the best crab cakes in
the city.
For a taste of TexMex, The
Coyote Caf頨972 Laskin Road
/757-425-8705) serves authentic
Southwestern food, including a
wonderful creation of lobster
and avocado, but make sure to
call ahead to see if the chef
has fresh lobster meat because
it is not on the menu.
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