Last week, I mentioned the Blue Cheese Dressing at Sting Ray’s Restaurant on the Eastern Shore. Since some of the readers of CvilleBuzz might be heading that way this summer, Sting Ray’s is the featured restaurant this week in “Eating Out.” My family has been visiting the Eastern Shore since 1975 when we first camped at Cherrystone Campground on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Most … [Read more...]
Mama Cucina’s
We met family and in-laws for dinner in Richmond last week, and the recommendation was Mama Cucina’s, an Italian restaurant in Glen Allen. What an experience. The smallish restaurant is located in a small strip mall on Cox Street. It was unpretentious, but the food and service were phenomenal. For starters, they bring you all the homemade Italian bread you can handle with a … [Read more...]
Bonefish Grill
One of our stand-by restaurants these days is Bonefish Grill. It used to be Outback, but when they moved to a larger location here in Charlottesville, they outgrew their wait staff. The service suffered, we had a bad experience and we looked for another spot to eat on short notice. We have eaten at Bonefish off and on since they opened about 10 years ago, but without reservations, we … [Read more...]
The Ivy Inn
Charlottesville, Virginia, home of CvilleBuzz, had 225 restaurants at last count. That’s a lot of choices, but if I had special guests coming to town, price was no object and I wanted to make sure they dined at one of Charlottesville’s finest restaurants, I would take them to the Ivy Inn. Over the years, my wife Nancy and I have had many enjoyable meals at The Inn (mostly anniversaries … [Read more...]
A Trip To Jim’s Drive-In
How far would you drive for a hot dog? For me and my friend George Gillespie, put us down for an 80-mile round-trip jaunt from above Covington clear across to Lewisburg, WV and back. We went exclusively for a couple of Jim’s Drive In hot dogs, perhaps the best dogs on the planet. And I should know. I grew up on them. I don’t know exactly, but Jim’s Drive In probably dates back to the late 40’s. … [Read more...]
Rhett’s River Grill
On a recent lovely Saturday evening, Nancy and I decided to go out for a bite and we really wanted to sit outside and enjoy the incredible spring weather and scenery. We had no reservations, but called Rhett’s and they said they could work us in and we enjoyed a delightful dinner on their side deck. We have known the owner and head chef, Rhett Craddock and his family, for a number of … [Read more...]
Gardner’s BBQ
Three of my golfing buddies were headed to Myrtle Beach this week for a long weekend. I knew they would be traveling down I-95 and bypassing Rocky Mount. “Don’t go around Rocky Mount,” I advised. “Head for Gardner’s BBQ and go through their buffet. They have the best BBQ and soul food in North Carolina.” And they really do. Several years ago, Nancy and I were headed to Topsail Beach near … [Read more...]
Carmello’s Restaurant 7 Wine Bar
Last week, Nancy and I celebrated our 49th anniversary and decided to extend the celebration throughout the weekend. We went to the Aberdeen Barn the first night, and then decided (on Nancy’s recommendation) to try Carmello’s Restaurant & Wine Bar in the nearby Shopper’s World. Carmello’s has been in Charlottesville since 1992, and until recently was located near UVA on Emmett Street. I had … [Read more...]
Diggs Seafood
About 20 years ago, four of us headed for West Point to fish for croakers in the Mattaponi River. Arriving in town early in the morning, my comrades stopped at a place called Diggs Seafood. I assumed they were going inside to buy bait, but it was lunch they were after. “You’ve never eaten at Diggs?” someone asked, incredulously. “Nope. Why?” I responded, as it seemed like a little … [Read more...]
Sonny Bryan’s Texas Smokehouse
On a recent trip to Dallas for the Lighting Show, Nancy and I decided to spend one evening out to see what this Texas barbeque is all about. I have seen numerous Texas restaurants on the Food and Travel Channels and we wanted to eat at a tried-and-true barbeque joint. We asked around and decided on Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse. With seven restaurants in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, they came highly … [Read more...]