Virginia Beach Visit Summer 2013

As many of you know, I spent a little over 3 years in Virginia Beach before returning to Georgia. Luckily, I snagged my beau up there. He and I both have family in Virginia Beach, so we have a fabulous excuse to visit anytime we want.

If you've ever been to the Hampton Roads area, Virginia Beach in particular, you know it's necessary to indulge in a celebratory orange crush upon arrival. We choose a favorite at the oceanfront, Mahi Mah's. Mahi Mah's is a fabulous restaurant connected with the Gold Key Group. A bit of a tourist trap, and definitely not cheap, the food expresses the local flavor of the beach. We started off with tuna sashimi and then progressed into a white fish citrus taco. Amazing.

I wish Virginia Beach would take after Savannah a little bit more with their liquor laws. How much fun would it be to walk the board walk with a cool orange crush in hand? I'm just sayin'. . . .

That evening we went to Wharfside Bar and Grill with J's immediate family. The restaurant was formerly Todd Jurich's Burger Bar. I was a bit surprised the Burger Bar didn't make it, but in a recession, who is really going to pay $15 for a burger with an up charge for specialty fries? The burger joint may have made it with those prices if it had not been known for an expensive burger place. Let's be honest, a $15 burger isn't completely off the wall for the oceanfront as some of it's more touristy locations.

Wharfside seemed to pride itself on liquor specials. I found this interesting. It promotes itself as a family restaurant and then blends into the night crowd with it's liquor specials for the over 21 crowd. The main appeal to this restaurant is it's beautiful, calming view of the water and enormous portion sizes. I ordered a salad that 4 people could have split happily.

Our next adventure was a post- rehearsal dinner drink at (yet another Gold Key property) Catch 31. Did I forget to mention the main reason we were in town was two former co-worker's weddings (they are marrying each other -- not just a happy coincidence)? As out of town guests we were invited to their rehearsal dinner at Isle of Capris and joint bachelor/bachlorette party at Catch 31 late night.

We happily went to Catch 31. J used to valet there as a high schooler. A decade and a half later, he still knows some of the same people he used to work with in high school!

We were able to squeeze in friend time as well. Some much needed time with my friends in Virginia Beach. We tried out a new restaurant called Salt. They consider themselves a restaurant with, " a contemporary selection of fine foods from around the world with a European and Asian twist. The inspiration for our menu came from different techniques used around the globe and appeal to a vast array of the public." Food was good, service was slow. We didn't mind though because we were all catching up.

 No trip to Virginia Beach is complete without a mandatory walk on the beach. We choose to walk Croatan Beach sheerly for the fact that's where we were staying. We walked down to the jetty and back. We saw several fisherman casting nets. They catch all sorts of croaker, crab and even a few flounders. It's always fun to see how people are able to live off the land. 

After our walk in the beach, we ran into Tad's Deli to get lunch. The place make the best sandwiches in all of Virginia Beach. You can literally taste the freshness. It sounds bit like we had a food tour of Virginia Beach. In actuality, we just are simply the type that accept food brings people together. We use food as an excuse for social gatherings to bring people together. More details on the wedding to come!