Williamsburg VA
October 24, 2006 10:43 AM Subscribe
The partner and I are going to Williamsburg, VA this weekend (Oct 26-30). What is so amazing (particularly delicious) that if we miss it, we will weep over the omission.
I lived there for three years ('01-'04). The trees should look nice this time of year. I can give you more info. if I knew some of your particular interests. If by "delicious", you're referring to restaurants, you might try "Trellis" in Colonial Williamsburg or "Eagles" in Kingsmill resort. Eagles has a very nice bar as well. Additionally, there is another equally nice bar called "Moody's", nearby (also in the resort). I found the whole historical area a little contrived. That's not to say it's hoaky. It's certainly well done and nice to look at but it's signifigance was somewhat lost on me. Again, let me know if you want some more specifics.
posted by beachhead2 at 11:13 AM on October 24, 2006
posted by beachhead2 at 11:13 AM on October 24, 2006
Well, I guess Trellis sucks now.
posted by beachhead2 at 11:14 AM on October 24, 2006
posted by beachhead2 at 11:14 AM on October 24, 2006
You should probably do one of the "authentic" colonial dinners at the restaurants in the park, just for the experience. The food isn't going to be exceptional, but the whole candlelit, colonial dining experience thing is kind of fun.
We were there on a parent's weekend out about six years ago - too long I think for any specific restaurant recommendations to be relevant. We had great meals every night, and I'm pretty sure Trellis was one of those meals.
posted by COD at 11:18 AM on October 24, 2006
We were there on a parent's weekend out about six years ago - too long I think for any specific restaurant recommendations to be relevant. We had great meals every night, and I'm pretty sure Trellis was one of those meals.
posted by COD at 11:18 AM on October 24, 2006
That was mean of me, huh? I don't think it sucks, but I think that they coast on their reputation and location and charge way, way more than they are worth these days.
posted by Lame_username at 11:20 AM on October 24, 2006
posted by Lame_username at 11:20 AM on October 24, 2006
No, captive audience. I'm sure you're correct.
posted by beachhead2 at 11:24 AM on October 24, 2006
posted by beachhead2 at 11:24 AM on October 24, 2006
You should probably do one of the "authentic" colonial dinners at the restaurants in the park, just for the experience.Christina Campbells is probably the best of the lot. They are all kind of goofy, but fun in their way.
posted by Lame_username at 11:24 AM on October 24, 2006
Response by poster: So far the answers are what I wanted.
Dining is the most important part of the trip, and we will do the Colonial thing, and maybe Bush Gardens if the weather is nice and we feel like an amusement park. I was looking for specific restaurants that can't be missed, and any other events or things to see which an ordinary tourist might easily miss.
posted by Classic Diner at 12:10 PM on October 24, 2006
Dining is the most important part of the trip, and we will do the Colonial thing, and maybe Bush Gardens if the weather is nice and we feel like an amusement park. I was looking for specific restaurants that can't be missed, and any other events or things to see which an ordinary tourist might easily miss.
posted by Classic Diner at 12:10 PM on October 24, 2006
Take the free Jamestown Ferry from Williamsburg to Scotland (on the other side of the James River). Drive about five minutes to Surry. Go to Surrey House. Order the ham sandwiches and the peanut soup. You will not be disappointed.
posted by armage at 12:32 PM on October 24, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by armage at 12:32 PM on October 24, 2006 [1 favorite]
Drive up and down the parkway of course. Hit Jamestown in the morning before the crowds (or are there crowds this time of year anyway?) and strike up conversations with the archaeologists if you can. They are finding amazing things.
Shell out for visitor's badge so you can visit all the historic buildings. Take the time to interact with the costumed interpreters, their characters are real people who they have researched. Walk over to the College of William and Mary (where some of America's finest historians are trained) and try to find the groovy statue of two students studying in the grass.
posted by LarryC at 12:37 PM on October 24, 2006
Shell out for visitor's badge so you can visit all the historic buildings. Take the time to interact with the costumed interpreters, their characters are real people who they have researched. Walk over to the College of William and Mary (where some of America's finest historians are trained) and try to find the groovy statue of two students studying in the grass.
posted by LarryC at 12:37 PM on October 24, 2006
Here's a review from the Daily Press out of Newport News.
Also, I second Lame_username's recommendation of Pierce's. Take the Lightfoot exit off of I-64 -- the restaurant is on a road parallel to the interstate.
posted by armage at 12:40 PM on October 24, 2006
Also, I second Lame_username's recommendation of Pierce's. Take the Lightfoot exit off of I-64 -- the restaurant is on a road parallel to the interstate.
posted by armage at 12:40 PM on October 24, 2006
If you are really looking for fine dining in Williamsburg you need to go to Le Yaca. (Le Yaca, 1915 Pocahontas Trl, Williamsburg, VA, 757.220.3616). It is "Country French" and I still remember the smell and melt- in- your- mouth taste of the leg of lamb (infused with garlic) they cook hanging in front of a wood fire. My sister and brother in-law waited tables at the restaurant years ago when we were all in school -- to this day the meal we ate there when they graduated is one of the most memorable in a decade or two of eating well. Make reservations and enjoy!
posted by Binx at 12:48 PM on October 24, 2006
posted by Binx at 12:48 PM on October 24, 2006
Oh. Armage, the Surrey House unfortunately has closed (though the ferry ride to Scotland is still a fun thing to do).
posted by Binx at 12:50 PM on October 24, 2006
posted by Binx at 12:50 PM on October 24, 2006
I went to school in Williamsburg and will actually be there this weekend for homecoming (so things will be more crowded than usual for this time of year).
The Cheese Shop is generally considered the best sandwich place around. It's in Merchant's Square on Duke of Gloucester St. You must get house dressing on your sandwich -- sooo good. They also have a good selection of gourmet foods and cheese and wine. It is always crowded around lunch and dinner time.
A newer restaurant worth trying is the Fat Canary, which is actually attached to the Cheese Shop. I'd say it's contemporary fusion food, definitely delicious. I'm pretty sure they are only open for dinner and reservations may be hard to come by on homecoming weekend, but it's worth a shot.
If you're into beer, The Green Leafe on Richmond Road across from campus has a huge selection of beers on tap, plus tons more in bottles and decent lunch and dinner selections. This, however, is a student favorite and one of only three bars in town, so getting in is going to be difficult this weekend.
Williamsburg also has about a million pancake houses. My friends and I preferred a place called Mama Steve's, but that's more because of the name than anything else. They do have decent pancakes, though.
posted by wsquared at 6:43 PM on October 24, 2006
The Cheese Shop is generally considered the best sandwich place around. It's in Merchant's Square on Duke of Gloucester St. You must get house dressing on your sandwich -- sooo good. They also have a good selection of gourmet foods and cheese and wine. It is always crowded around lunch and dinner time.
A newer restaurant worth trying is the Fat Canary, which is actually attached to the Cheese Shop. I'd say it's contemporary fusion food, definitely delicious. I'm pretty sure they are only open for dinner and reservations may be hard to come by on homecoming weekend, but it's worth a shot.
If you're into beer, The Green Leafe on Richmond Road across from campus has a huge selection of beers on tap, plus tons more in bottles and decent lunch and dinner selections. This, however, is a student favorite and one of only three bars in town, so getting in is going to be difficult this weekend.
Williamsburg also has about a million pancake houses. My friends and I preferred a place called Mama Steve's, but that's more because of the name than anything else. They do have decent pancakes, though.
posted by wsquared at 6:43 PM on October 24, 2006
I cannot stress enough about Le Yaca. You will regret not trying the lamb.
I live in Va Beach, about 45 minutes away from Williamsburg. If you decide to venture into the other Hampton Roads cities, the local paper here has a calendar of events and usually there are quite a few local food festivals that you may want to check out, along with some other things. They also have an online restaurant guide for the area.
posted by sephira at 5:15 AM on October 27, 2006
I live in Va Beach, about 45 minutes away from Williamsburg. If you decide to venture into the other Hampton Roads cities, the local paper here has a calendar of events and usually there are quite a few local food festivals that you may want to check out, along with some other things. They also have an online restaurant guide for the area.
posted by sephira at 5:15 AM on October 27, 2006
Binx, is that true? I was just there in August and they were doing a brisk business. I haven't seen anything in the Pilot about a closure, either.
Just to check, I called them, and they're still open. Surrey House is closed every Monday, though, FYI.
posted by armage at 8:48 AM on December 4, 2006
Just to check, I called them, and they're still open. Surrey House is closed every Monday, though, FYI.
posted by armage at 8:48 AM on December 4, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
In the casual realm, I love Pierce's Pit BBQ for a tasty lunchtime treat of real old-school pit cooked bbq. The sauce is of the sweet variety, but it is something I try not to miss every time I'm in town again.
If anyone tells you to go to the Trellis, they either haven't been there in years (it was once great) or they don't have the same standards I do.
If you have more specific questions, I once wrote a restaurant column for the local student paper, so I have no shortage of opinions.
posted by Lame_username at 11:09 AM on October 24, 2006