Nancy and I were in the mood for steaks. Both of us had been traveling and preferred not to cook. We didn’t want anything fancy, just a nice slab of beef. We decided on the Texas Roadhouse, on Route 29 in Charlottesville, not far from our house. Nancy had eaten there once before. She said it was noisy, but the food was okay. I don’t mind noisy if the food is good, and I was curious, so we gave … [Read more...]

  Sometimes you just feel like Italian – food that is. Since Olivate closed in Albemarle Square, we have not settled in on one regular Italian Restaurant, though we often visit Travinia’s and find it quite good – depending on the waiter that evening. But when I think of an Italian ristorante, I think of soft music, a glass of smooth red wine, candlelight and elegant dining. This past … [Read more...]

Sometimes the best place to eat at Nags Head is in the kitchen of your rental cottage if you have had a little luck in the fishing or crabbing department. Last year, with some fresh trout and red drum filets caught aboard Capt. Stecher’s boat, Nancy and I enjoyed some of the best home-cooked Catch of The Day Fish Sandwiches I’ve ever had. But we also like to eat out and there are so many great … [Read more...]

Sunday night dinner? Whip up something in the kitchen or go out for a quick bite? We had had a busy weekend, so Nancy and I decided to let someone else do the cooking, and since we had a coupon from Bonefish Grill for a complimentary entrée for one guest, we headed in that direction. Naturally, we pulled up two stools at the bar where we have found the best possible service. You don’t have to … [Read more...]

Pizza toppings? For me, it’s bacon, sausage, steak, pepperoni, ham and any other topping suitable for one of the world’s greatest carnivores. Sometimes I’ll sneak a few mushrooms on if no one is paying attention, but I like meat on my pizzas. Yet….. A few nights ago we had company and I decided on an easy meal of pizzas and wings. “What do you like on your pizza?” was my question, … [Read more...]

Over Labor Day weekend, Nancy and I travelled to Bath, NC, about 40 miles south of Greenville, home of East Carolina University. We would spend the weekend with my daughter, Angelin’s family, and drive up to see our grandson, Ben, a cheerleader for the ECU Pirates. We attended the Saturday night football game, or tried to. Somebody saw a flash of lightning and the game was delayed a half-hour. … [Read more...]

By Sherman Shifflett   Ava and I enjoy eating at new restaurants (plus old restaurants), and we don't mind driving a distance. We travel to Tappahannock two or three times a year to Lowery's Seafood Restaurant. That's a two-hour haul each way. And, once a year, we drive three hours to Palisades Restaurant in the little village of Eggleston, VA (Giles County), west of Blacksburg. On that … [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...]

I cook a pretty mean hamburger. I call them Daddy Burgers. They are fat and juicy with a salty crust, and when topped with a slice of sharp cheddar and a slice of Vidalia onion, they are hard to beat. So, it is with some reluctance that I ever order a burger when Nancy and I go out for a bite. There are some really good burgers in Charlottesville, almost every restaurant now offers a Signature … [Read more...]

We’re planning a late September getaway to the Outer Banks and one of our first stops will be at Capt’n Franks. Yep! Hot Dogs. Franks. Weenies. Tube Steaks - and at Capt’n Franks, they are especially good. Capt’n Franks is located in Kitty Hawk around milepost 4.5 on Croatan Highway. They have inside and outside seating, but we always grab one of the picnic benches outdoors and feast there on … [Read more...]