I don’t reblog often and it’s usually food, but this is going to be a great show. My favorite local band Long Division will be headlining the list and they’re going to have a surprise to those who have been following them.
Disclaim… — I don’t reblog often and it’s usually food, but this is going to be a great show. My favorite local band Long Division will be headlining the list and they’re going to have a surprise to those who have been following them.

*Disclaimer: My son is in the band*, but that’s only one of the reasons why you need to see them!

25 Oct at 7:00. Get tickets before the show and get a $2 discount! They’ll be $12 at the box office.

pressplae:

The Norva Presents: On The Verge Best Of 757 Locals 10/25

Check the flier for more deets.

Long Division playing The NorVA

October 21, 2013

Young Veterans Brewing Company →

October 21, 2013

Check out my story on Young Veterans Brewing Company at WHRO's food blog Let’s Eat!

i<3food

Distinction Magazine "An Evening with the Virginia Arts Festival"

October 20, 2013

An Evening with the Virginia Arts Festival

Earlier this week we were lucky to attend a great event in a gorgeous house on the water in Alanton. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres were provided and live music was inside and out. Thank you Markella and Distinction Magazine for the invite! The John Savino Group managed this beautiful property.

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Thom Kha at Thai Arroy

October 19, 2013

Wine Tasting at Grape & Gourmet - 18 Oct 2013

October 19, 2013

Wine Tasting at Grape & Gourmet - 18 Oct 2013

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Wine Tasting at Yiannis - 18 Oct 2013

October 19, 2013

Wine Tasting at Yiannis - 18 Oct 2013

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Taste of the Region - Part 8

October 17, 2013

Taste of the Region - Part 8

Well known regional chef Patrick Evans-Hylton asked me to be one of the judges in Taste of the Region at the Parade of Homes in Cypress Creek, Smithfield, VA. We got to check out several beautiful homes and try delicious food from the Smithfield area easily accessible to those moving into the area.

Last stop was at Just Cupcakes gave us dessert with a chocolate cupcake. Afterwards we made our way back to our starting point to hand out awards. We met Blanche there, her son was the builder for that particular house, and she had this amazing Chewy Bread. I need to tell more people about that stuff—caramel with nuts, melts in your mouth. She sells the bread and other sweeties from her business Blanche’s “Legendary” Chewy Bread & Sweet Treats.

After it was all said and done we made our way back to our cars and drove home. Shelby and I saw a green shooting star and a couple of young deer on the way out. Fun night.

i<3food

Taste of the Region - Part 7

October 17, 2013

Taste of the Region - Part 7

Seventh stop was at Smoke BBQ with the following:

- Smoked Beef Brisket with Bleu Cheese and Bacon Mac

I took a lot of photos, so I’ll post in segments.

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Taste of the Region - Part 6

October 17, 2013

Taste of the Region - Part 6

Sixth stop was at Smithfield Station with the following:

- Peppered Goat Cheese Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Sour Tomato-Red Onion Jam

I took a lot of photos, so I’ll post in segments.

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Taste of the Region - Part 5

October 17, 2013

Taste of the Region - Part 5

Fifth stop was one of my favorite food trucks Stuft! (they were a close 2nd for the Critic’s Choice Award) with the following:

- Jamaican Jerk Chicken

- Tacos De Alambre (chicken, bacon, pineapple)

- Beef Bulgogi

I loved all the stuff they had at…Stuft.

I took a lot of photos, so I’ll post in segments.

i<3food

Taste of the Region - Part 4

October 17, 2013

Taste of the Region - Part 4

Fourth stop was Captain Chuck-A-Mucks with the following:

- Unisex Crab Soup

Captain Chuck-A-Mucks was featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. I didn’t ask what the name was about, I’ll have to look into that later.

I took a lot of photos, so I’ll post in segments.

i<3food

Taste of the Region - Part 3

October 17, 2013

Taste of the Region - Part 3

Third stop was Vintage Tavern ~ Seasonally Southern (winner of the Critic’s Choice Award that night) with the following:

- Pulled pork layered with Chow Chow on a bed of grits.

Even though I’ve lived most of my life in Virginia, this was the first time I’ve ever had Chow Chow in my life! Patrick took away my “Virginian” card. I think he said he’ll give it back to me later.

Vintage Tavern also had a great lemonade outside which was great…we were all very thirsty at this point.

I took a lot of photos, so I’ll post in segments.

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Taste of the Region - Part 2

October 17, 2013

Taste of the Region - Part 2

Second stop was Country Boy’s Barbeque with the following:

- Burgoo Stew, their play on Brunswick Stew, this one with brisket and smoked pork shoulder

- Pulled pork on top of Beer Bread made with Yuengling beer

- Cracklin’, this stuff was so good, fried pork skin, great seasoning and a little chewy, loved it!

I took a lot of photos, so I’ll post in segments.

i<3food

Taste of the Region - Part 1

October 17, 2013

Taste of the Region - Part 1

First stop was The Plaid Turnip (winner of the People’s Choice Award that night) with the following:

- Shrimp & Grits & Greens. Shrimp sauteed with onions, green peppers, mushrooms and country ham served

- Pulled Pork Barbecue with Turnip Slaw on a Cornbread Crostini

- Mini Pumpkin Waffles with homemade maple ice cream and candied bacon drizzled with maple syrup. Finished with sprinkled sugar and cinnamon

I took a lot of photos, so I’ll post in segments.

i<3food

Cheap & Cheery at Grape and Gourmet - Oct 2013

October 15, 2013

Grape and Gourmet’s monthly wine and beer tasting event: Cheap & Cheery! Virginia Beach, VA.

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Breakfast at Tomstone

October 13, 2013

We tried out a new spot in town called Breakfast at Tomstone.

If you didn’t know it the Tom in Tomstone is Tom Ray. He illustrated the Grinch! He passed away in 2010 but he did live here. The shop has some of his original artwork for sale still. His wife Brenda opened a cafe next to the animation shop.

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Wine Tasting at Yiannis - 11 Oct 2013

October 12, 2013

Wine Tasting at Yiannis - 11 Oct 2013

Wine Tasting at Grape & Gourmet - 11 Oct 2013

October 12, 2013

Wine Tasting at Grape and Gourmet - 11 Oct 2013

Run to Whole Foods

October 9, 2013

We ran by our go-to place for a quick dinner tonight—Whole Foods in Virginia Beach. We went specifically for the Pulled Pork (so good) but it wasn’t on the line!

Fortunately the Mac ‘n Cheese was and the Beer Battered Cod. I grabbed some of the Loaded Bake Potato soup, it had a great smokey flavor. Perfect for today; it’s been wet and chilly all day.

Shelby got a small assortment including wings seasoned with chili pepper. They looked good. On the way to the register we also bought a vanilla cheesecake tart and a caramel one.

Leaving we bumped into a some people we know, had a little chat. Standing in The Porch, Shelby stood in the only spot that had a little drip from the roof. We finished up, came home and ate. Very nice.

p.s. - They have this years vintage of Bogle Phantom in store!

i<3food

Cider Tasting and Jewelry Trunk Show at The Creative Wedge

October 7, 2013

The Creative Wedge had a cider tasting and jewelry trunk show with jewelry by From Heather’s Hands and the cider samples provided by Foggy Ridge Ciders.

We were at the 1st Virginia Bacon Festival before we stopped by Sloane and Barbara’s shop and we were ready for a little AC and cold drinks! Heather Crow Wright had her jewelry on the sidewalk and in the store for customer to check out and the cider was setup on the counter inside. We tried 5 different ciders—all made in Virginia—and ended up taking home a bottle that was a little dry, but sweet.

Here is something kinda fun—Paul and Donna Chin were in the shop and they made a Tastemade video of the event. I’ve been wanting to make these myself and I think I just need to jump right into it.

Check out the video here by clicking this link.

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