If you (especially newbie visitors) think the best or only places to eat lunch in Staunton is in its bustling downtown on Beverley Street or in the Wharf, let me give you the local low down. In fact, other than the former down-home and low-cost comfort spot known as The Beverley (now shuttered), there's actually no place downtown for lunch that will make a real foodie swoon. You can get lunch … [Read more...] about Best lunch in Staunton is at out-of-the-way Mike Lundch
Farm-to-Table
Virginia foodie delights at Kybecca, Fredericksburg
As a dedicated local foodie, special occasions always prompt me to find the best of the best for a splurge I won't soon forget. So when I was on the hunt for my 6th anniversary dinner in advance of my stay in Fredericksburg, I was visiting every local restaurant website, reading everything on it, asking around, and then utilized all that to go with my gut about what I thought would be a … [Read more...] about Virginia foodie delights at Kybecca, Fredericksburg
Sophisticated Quaffing at Spencer Devon Brewing, #FXBG
On planning my latest trip, to Fredericksburg for my 6th wedding anniversary, I knew I had to find whatever breweries were around to satisfy my hubby, home brewer extraordinaire. He's on a mission to try as many Virginia beers as possible, which is the perfect M.O. for Girl Goes Virginia (GGV) to go on more Virginia trips. So it was a fun surprise to find Spencer Devon Brewing, a unique take on … [Read more...] about Sophisticated Quaffing at Spencer Devon Brewing, #FXBG
An "organic" breakfast at The Daily, Richmond
I'm not one to customarily put quotes around ordinary references, such as the word "organic." My hubby, with his PhD in English, dings his students left and right for such liberal use of an excessive wraparound, and that inspires fear in my writing since he so often edits my stuff. But I couldn't help but scratch my head a bit in apprehending the "organic" and local case made by … [Read more...] about An "organic" breakfast at The Daily, Richmond
A strong reputation helps Smoke House Grille, Scottsville
Scottsville, that little hamlet perched above the James River, certainly has increased its business offerings over the years, making it an ideal 15 mile or so side jaunt from Charlottesville via scenic Route 20. One Scottsville restaurant whose reputation goeth before it is the Smoke House Grille, reputedly a farm-to-table restaurant, though you'll find only three specific references to local … [Read more...] about A strong reputation helps Smoke House Grille, Scottsville
The Shack strips the aesthetics in favor of the food
I've been eating dinner at Chef Ian Boden's restaurants since first moving to Staunton in 2008. And I was among those rending my limbs in tears when he shuttered his Staunton Grocery in favor of working at the now defunct Glass Haus in Charlottesville. But now he's back, and has been for a little over a year, with a new venture — the Shack — that's been hailed by everyone from Esquire Magazine … [Read more...] about The Shack strips the aesthetics in favor of the food