Food for Thought
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Religion, politics and food are three topics about which everyone has a firm opinion.
According to your results, three big powerhouses continue on the Hampton Roads dining scene: downtown Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg. But several noteworthy restaurants in Chesapeake, Portsmouth and others on the Peninsula also got mention.
Around since the 1940s, Steinhilber’s Thalia Acres Inn was named one of the best overall restaurants. A long-standing local and national favorite, The Trellis, also made the list.
Some new additions to the area must have made a good first impression. Only open since October 2002, P. F. Chang’s China Bistro was selected as one of the best Chinese restaurants around. Ranked as the best new restaurants are Cobalt Grille and Club Soda.
A few of the restaurants seemed to get it right in a multitude of ways. The top award-getter was Kincaid’s Fish, Chop and Steak House inside Norfolk’s MacArthur Center, placing in best overall restaurant, best beer selection, best wine selection and best seafood listings.
For the next 12 months, these restaurants can boast and brag that they were selected the best-of-the-best of eateries in Hampton Roads. You’ve put them in that category, and later this year we’ll ask you to grade them again. Will your favorites remain your favorites, or will someplace else come along to wow you? Only time will tell.
Best Overall Restaurant
1. Kincaid’s Fish, Chop and Steak House, 300 Monticello Ave., Suite 14 (inside MacArthur Center,) Norfolk, 622-8000
2. Steinhilber’s Thalia Acres Inn, 653 Thalia Rd., Virginia Beach, 340-1156
3. TIE
Havana Restaurant, 255 Granby St., Norfolk. 627-5800. and 1423 N. Great Neck Rd., Suite 101, Virginia Beach, 496-3333
The Trellis Restaurant, Duke of Gloucester Street in Merchant’s Square, Williamsburg, 229-8610
Best Ice Cream Shop
1. Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, Locations in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg
2. Dairy Queen, locations across Hampton Roads
3. Scoop’s Ice Cream Parlor, 5792 Churchland Blvd., Portsmouth, 483-5666
Best Lunch
1. Freemason Abbey, 209 West Freemason St., Norfolk, 622-3966
2. Mizuno Japanese Restaurant, 1860 Laskin Rd., Suite 120 (La Promenade Shoppes,) Virginia Beach, 422-1200
3. Uncle Louie’s Restaurant, 132 E. Little Creek Rd., Norfolk, 480-1225
Best Late-Night Restaurant
1. IHOP/International House of Pancakes
2. Empire Little Bar Bistro, 245 Granby St., Norfolk, 626-3100
3. Uncle Louie’s Restaurant, 132 E. Little Creek Rd., Norfolk, 480-1225
Best Wait Staff
1. Aldo’s Ristorante, 1860 Laskin Rd., Suite 107 (La Promenade Shoppes,) Virginia Beach, 491-1111
2. Steinhilber’s Thalia Acres Inn, 653 Thalia Rd., Virginia Beach, 340-1156
3. Todd Jurich’s Bistro, 150 Main St., Norfolk, 622-3210
Best New Restaurant
1. Cobalt Grille, 762 Hilltop North Shopping Center, Virginia Beach, 333-3334
2. Club Soda, 111 W. Tazewell St., Norfolk, 200-7632
3. Todd Jurich’s Bistro, 150 Main St., Norfolk, 622-3210
Best Deli or Specialty Market
1. Taste Unlimited, Locations in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach
2. Fresh Market, 1616 Laskin Rd., Suite 744, (Hilltop North Shopping Center,) Virginia Beach, 491-0904. 113 Colony Square, Williamsburg, 565-1661
3. Azar’s Natural Foods, 108 Prescott Ave., Virginia Beach, 486-7778
Most Romantic Restaurant
1. Antiquities, 1500 N. Military Hwy. (inside the Norfolk Airport Hilton,) Norfolk, 466-8000
2. Lynnhaven Fish House, 2350 Starfish Rd., Virginia Beach, 481-0003
3. Blue Pete’s Seafood Restaurant, 1400 N. Muddy Creek Rd., Virginia Beach, 426-2005
Best Restaurant Beer Selection
1. The Bier Garden, 438 High St., Portsmouth, 393-6022
2. Kincaid’s Fish, Chop and Steak House, 300 Monticello Ave., Suite 14 (inside MacArthur Center) Norfolk, 622-8000
3. Hilltop Brewing Company, 1556 Laskin Rd. Suite 134, Virginia Beach, 422-5652.
Best Restaurant Wine Selection
1. Aldo’s Ristorante, 1860 Laskin Rd., Suite 107(La Promenade Shoppes,) Virginia Beach, 491-1111
2. Cities Grille, 1036 Volvo Pkwy., Chesapeake, 312-0032; 605 Pilot House Dr., Newport News. 595-6085, 4511 John Tyler Hwy. Suite C, Williamsburg, 564-3955
3. Kincaid’s Fish, Chop and Steak House, 300 Monticello Ave., Suite 14 (inside MacArthur Center) Norfolk, 622-8000
Best Vegetarian Menu
1. Terra Nova Natural Foods, 1805 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach, 425-5383
2. Heritage Health Foods Café/Deli, 314 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach, 428-0100
Best Authentic Mexican Restaurant
1. Guadalajara Restaurante Mexicano, 509 Hilltop Plaza, Virginia Beach, 491-1613; 200 21 St., Virginia Beach, 433-0140; 2272 W. Great Neck Rd., Virginia Beach, 481-5511
2. Luna Maya Cantina Mexicana, 2000 Colonial Ave., Norfolk, 622-6986
3. Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant, Locations in Newport News and Virginia Beach
Best Chinese Restaurant
1. China Garden, Locations across Hampton Roads
2. Port Arthur Restaurant, 11137 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, 599-6474
3. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, 4551 Virginia Beach Blvd. (inside The Town Center of Virginia Beach) Virginia Beach, 473-9028
Best Asian Restaurant
1. Bangkok Garden, 339 W. 21 St., Norfolk, 622-5047; 4000 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, 498-5009; Hilltop, Virginia Beach, 425-4909
2. Kin’s Wok, 222 W. 21 St., Norfolk, 623-2933; 7645 Granby St., Norfolk, 423-2828; 4861 Shore Dr., Virginia Beach, 318-3188
3. Thai Erawan, 2900 Hampton Hwy., Hampton, 766-2748; 1064 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, 464-4555
Best Italian Restaurant
1. Aldo’s Ristorante, 1860 Laskin Rd., Suite 107 (La Promenade Shoppes) Virginia Beach, 491-1111
2. Cafe Rosso, 123 W. 21 St., Norfolk, 627-2078
3. Olive Garden, Locations across Hampton Roads
Best Seafood Restaurant
1. Surf Rider Restaurant, 723 Newtown Rd., Norfolk, 461-6488; 8180 Shore Dr., Norfolk, 480-5000; 928 Diamond Springs Rd., Virginia Beach, 497-3534; 2100 Marina Shores Dr., Virginia Beach, 481-5646
2. Lynnhaven Fish House, 2350 Starfish Rd., Virginia Beach, 481-0003
3. TIE
Chick’s Oyster Bar, 2143 Vista Cir., Virginia Beach, 481-5757
Kincaid’s Fish, Chop and Steak House, 300 Monticello Ave., Suite 14 (inside MacArthur Center), Norfolk, 622-8000
Best Steakhouse
1. The Grate Steak, 1020 Eden Way, Chesapeake, 366-5677; 1934 Coliseum Dr., Hampton, 827-1886; 235 N. Military Hwy., Norfolk, 461-5501
2. Outback Steakhouse, Locations across Hampton Roads
3. Black Angus, 706 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, 428-7700.
Best Pizza
1. Y-Not Pizza, 2102 Great Neck Square Shopping Center, Virginia Beach, 496-9111; 5357 Providence Rd., Virginia Beach, 474-6000
2. Pizza Hut
3. Chanello’s Pizza
Best Burger
1. Kelly’s Tavern, Locations in Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach
2. Hardee’s Six Dollar Burger
3. Fuddruckers, Locations in Chesapeake, Newport News and Virginia Beach
Best Sushi
1. Kyoto Japanese Steak House, 1412 Greenbrier Pkwy., Suite 129, Chesapeake, 420-0950
2. Mahi Mah’s Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Saloon, 615 Atlantic Ave. (inside the Ramada), Virginia Beach, 437-8030
3. Mizuno Japanese Restaurant, 1860 Laskin Rd., Suite 120 (La Promenade Shoppes), Virginia Beach, 422-1200
Best Coffee
1. Starbucks
2. Dunkin Donuts
3. 7-11
Best Chain Restaurant
1. Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar
2. Outback Steakhouse
3. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, 12357 Hornsby Ln., Newport News, 249-3020; 200 Bypass Rd., Williamsburg. 220-3384
Best Breakfast
1. IHOP/International House of Pancakes
2. Beckett’s Café, 1328 N. Great Neck Rd., Norfolk, 496-6055
3. Charlie’s Café, 1800 Granby St., Norfolk, 625-0824
