Dallas is a little far for a Central Virginian to travel for a dinner out, but if you did, you wouldn’t regret it if the restaurant was Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen. Each January, Nancy and I attend the Lighting Show at the Dallas Trade Mart (see the article below), and each year, we “Uber” our way out to Pappadeaux for what is always a wonderful dining experience. Pappadeaux is based in … [Read more...]

Just west of the small town of Lewisburg, WVA on Rt. 219 is one of the world’s best places to eat a hot dog. I should know, because I grew up in Lewisburg and spent many an hour at the old drive in. Back in the early 60’s, we would go to Jim’s, order a couple dogs all the way with an order of fries and a frosty mug of root beer and have change left over from a dollar bill. Prices have gone up … [Read more...]

Charlottesville, Virginia, home of CvilleBuzz, had around 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 very 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 … [Read more...]

Sometimes you find great food in strange places. A few years back, my wife Nancy and I stumbled upon such a place - Nick's Family Style Spaghetti and Steak House in West Point. We had a couple days to get away and we wanted to be somewhere on or near salt water without the long drive to the Eastern Shore or Virginia Beach. The closest place to Charlottesville appeared to be West Point, about 30 … [Read more...]

Sometimes the sheer convenience of a restaurant is enough reason to make reservations, but it helps if the food is good and the prices are fair. That’s why when Nancy and I make it to the Regal Cinema in Charlottesville, we are likely to eat at nearby Travinia, one of Charlottesville’s top Italian Restaurants. Travinia Italian Kitchen is a chain with about a dozen locations, spread across the … [Read more...]

Golfers know that the food they eat at the turn from the local pro shop is not always ideal. If you’re lucky, you won’t get E-coli from the hot dogs. But there is one golf course grill in Charlottesville that is so good, it draws non-golfers throughout the day. And that’s 2 Sides Restaurant at the Meadowcreek Golf Course. The reason it’s good is that they have cooks on staff that actually know … [Read more...]

On a too-short vacation to the Outer Banks a few weeks back, Nancy and I planned in advance to go out to eat at our favorite beach restaurant, Basnight’s. When we arrived at the restaurant, the wait was over an hour. Most disappointed, we left and tried another restaurant, left disappointed and wished we had waited the hour. As for Eatin’ Out, Basnight’s Lone Cedar Restaurant on the causeway … [Read more...]

Just got back from a short getaway to Nags Head. The weather was beautiful, our condo on the ocean front was ideal and the food was delicious. When Nancy and I manage to be able to slip away to the beach, we like to rent a cottage or efficiency so we can cook a few meals. And we also like to splurge and go out a few times. Last weekend, we ate at some of our tried and true restaurants, and … [Read more...]

Nothing irritates me more than going out to eat to find that the servers were not attentive or that the food was not properly prepared. It’s as if you just tossed $60 or more out the window. I had rather spend more and know that I will enjoy my evening and that the restaurant staff will be constantly aware of my needs. That’s why Nancy and I - when we want a great dinner and no hassles - go … [Read more...]

Here is the strongest endorsement I can give for a place to “Eat Out.” A few weeks back, I endured my first (and hopefully last) colonoscopy. Every thing turned out fine, but because of the timing and required fasting before the scheduled procedure, I had not eaten anything in almost 48 hours. After I came to from the sedation, I was ravenous. Nancy asked me where I wanted to eat, and we could … [Read more...]