September/October 2004

To Market, to Market

Princess Anne County Grill serves up fresh flavors at Farmers Market

With few exceptions, fresh is best.

Folks who have been to Europe know how people decide what to have for dinner: they go to the market in the morning, and whatever is freshest will end up on the table that night.

It’s that concept of market-to-meal that is behind the Princess Anne County Grill, located at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market.

The market is home to a half dozen-plus shops that showcase produce right from the farm. Some of the stands, like Creekmore’s Place, Hare Farms and Holland Produce sell seasonal, fresh picked vegetables and fruits and homemade jams and jellies. Bergey’s Dairy has fresh dairy products. The Country Butcher Shop offers fresh meats and meat products.

“We buy directly from them,” says Chef Scott Wilson, who runs the grill along with business partner Joseph Faughnan. “We get what we can fresh from the other vendors here at the market, and you can tell the difference in the quality.”

Wilson comes from more than 25 years in the food service business, including owning his own pizzeria and working as a chef at Havana in Virginia Beach. He calls his cuisine at Princess Anne County Grill “country with a twist.”

There is meatloaf, but it is topped with a savory peppercorn brown gravy. There is chicken fried steak, but it is made with Angus beef. There is fried catfish, but it can also be prepared blackened.

“It’s good, simple food, but with lots of fresh flavor,” Wilson said.

The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner prices run from $2.99 to $10.99. The restaurant also offers daily blue plate specials priced at $5.49.

Wilson said the menu is ever-changing.

Just like the seasons.

—P.E.H.

RSVP

Princess Anne County Grill
At the Virginia Beach Farmers Market
3640 Dam Neck Rd., Virginia Beach
757-468-5700

Open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m.—6 p.m. (Friday until 10 p.m., May through September), Sunday 7 a.m.—4 p.m.