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...]

Heading down I-95 on our way to Topsail Beach, NC, Nancy and I pulled off at the Dorches exit on Rt. 43 toward Rocky Mount. Our destination was Smith’s Red & White, one of the world’s great grocery stores. Smith’s packages many of their foods and vegetables and makes their own sausages and other delectable dishes. We loaded up with some groceries to take to the beach, then went next door to … [Read more...]

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...]