By Sherman Shifflett   Imagine a fine restaurant uniquely situated in the middle of nowhere. I'm referring to the Palisades Restaurant in Giles County, in the quaint little village of Eggleston overlooking the New River. The Palisades Restaurant is located in an old converted general store, with the proprietor's name, Q.M Pyne Mdse., still displayed above the entrance. The name … [Read more...]

Good news, barbeque lovers. Cowlings Bar-B-Q in Waverly is not out of business. I got some bad information and announced in the last issue of CvilleBuzz that Cowlings had shuttered their doors. Several readers expressed their disappointment, but advised that it was open as recently as last month. They were right. Cowlings, the best barbeque joint in Virginia, is open for business. When I called … [Read more...]

My friend Sherman Shifflett and I have been reminiscing recently about barbeque restaurants, or actually, the lack of really good ones in Virginia. Go down to eastern North Carolina and there are more Five Star barbeque joints than tobacco fields. But here in the Commonwealth, it’s a different story. What I considered the best in the state, Cowling’s in Wakefield, closed its doors and many … [Read more...]

By Sherman Shifflett   A couple of years back, Jade Lourenco and Debbie Wollett, the co-owners of Obrigado's Restaurant in Louisa, decided to open a pie shop next to their restaurant on Main Street. Jade and Debbie had worked together at Tanyard Country Club prior to opening the restaurant and pie shop. Selecting an appropriate name for their shop was important. They considered … [Read more...]

Years ago I was headed for the Northern Neck where I would meet a charter boat captain at Lewisetta and try my hand at catching Spanish mackerel. After asking advice on directions, a friend advised me that when I passed through Tappahannock - if I had a chance - to eat at a place called Lowery’s Seafood Restaurant. It so happened that I was in the small town around dinnertime, and pulled into a … [Read more...]

If I was on death row and the warden asked what I might want to eat for my last meal, I’d think long and hard about a Foot Long Hot Dog Platter from Jak’n Jill in Charlottesville. I happen to love hot dogs. I even enjoy a plain old boiled dog on a bun with a little catsup – like you’d get a Little League baseball game. But the Foot Long Hot Dogs at Jak’n Jil are something else indeed. The … [Read more...]

I was in Virginia Beach, headed out for a night fishing expedition beneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. My guide said we could cast to breaking stripers beneath the lights of the bridge and they would hit flies. On our way out of Lynnhaven Inlet, we docked our boat at a restaurant right on the water. I had a trout sandwich and it was the best fish sandwich I’ve ever eaten. We sat on the porch … [Read more...]

This will be a new section in CvilleBuzz, highlighting some great places to grab a meal. Restaurants across Virginia and even into NC and beyond will be featured. This will also be an opportunity for CvilleBuzz readers to chip in with some of their favorite Eatin’ Out places. Feel free to send us a review. First Up. Sting Ray’s on the Eastern Shore   Sting Ray’s   My … [Read more...]