Toast Bar - Norfolk, VA

Toast, how we love thee...

Tuna Melt

Today was our first experience at Toast.  We liked Field Guide, have heard great things about Handsome Biscuit and figured this had to be another endeavor in food excellence.  Located in a spacious, new-old (read: hip, renovated) building at the corner of Colonial Avenue & 24th Street.  We were greeted by a very pleasant guy I recognized from Field Guide.  We grabbed a booth by the window to get ready for what would be one of the best lunches we have had.  The server was extremely helpful with the menu and any questions we had (we ask a lot if you remember). 

 

I debated between three savory toasts, the Tuna Melt, the Eggy Weg and the Egg Salad.  After the three starving parties at our table agreed to split the Tuna Melt as an 'extra', I settled on the Egg Salad with lime chili oil and kimchi, based on that being the more unique of the two egg toasts, according to the server.  Our third musketeer ordered the Texas Pig with peppers, micro greens, pickled onions and sour cream, which she thoroughly enjoyed.  She was slightly nervous about the Tuna Melt (she does not like tomatoes) but we convinced her to give it a whirl and she could not believe how much it tasted like bolognese.  We thought the same - this is a winner.  The egg salad was creamy, not too heavy and with the lime chili oil and kimchi had some texture.  I find egg salad needs something extra to balance the softness of the eggs and mayo.  

Egg Salad

Texas Pig

 All of that led us to dessert, the main attraction.  In reality, we had looked at dessert first and Laine and I could have lived in just that BUT to give a fair review, we wanted to eat a 'real' lunch first.  The server recommended the churro which sounds really good but we had our hearts set on the Tres Leches and the PNUT.  The Tres Leches is 'lighter' if a dessert of bread, condensed milk and butter can be called light.  We went 'all the way' with the PNUT by adding the recommended malted chocolate ice cream.    This dynamic combo consists of peanut butter, homemade jam, ice cream and chocolate chips on top of the waffleloafle bread, a Toast specialty for their sweet toasts.  This was out of sight and put us over the edge.  We had all had one and a half regular toasts and split the two desserts so I would say we can give a well-rounded review...Toast is wicked good and we will be back, soon.  As Laine mentioned, this would be a good spot for post-ODU football game dining.

_Alex

The premise is that each dish is served on top of a piece of Toast, hence the name. The thought of this brought haunting images of chipped beef on toast to mind, but after checking out their Facebook page, I decided to give it a try. Toast is just across the railroad tracks on Colonial Ave, close to Handsome Biscuit. It’s nice to see businesses exploring options and succeeding in Park Place. They have their own parking lot (bonus) and a cute outside dining area. The outside dining is right next to the street and the parking lot, making it a little less appealing. Since our lunch coincided with a torrential downpour, we opted to dine in.  There is counter seating overlooking the outdoor eating area, about 15-20 seats around the bar and several booths. It has a solid urban vibe with exposed brick and minimalistic décor. I like the look of the open kitchen with the large brick archway.

The menu is very interesting, with a lot of variety and very reasonable pricing. They have eggs, chicken, tuna, pork, beef, bacon and vegetarian selections. There is a bar, so mixed drinks and brews are available. Since we had to return to our jobs working for the man, I tried their in house Ginger Beer. It was awesome; very crisp tasting and sweet like a Sprite, but with the added zing of ginger.

The portions are hearty. As a first timer, you might think that the entrées will be “less than” a sandwich, but you would be wrong. They are “greater than” the average sandwich! The delicious bread is at least one inch thick, with a hearty crust. It is, of course, toasted. Next, your choices are piled high on top. It can only be eaten with a fork and knife. I liked that they provide an oversized serrated knife. This lets you cut all the way through the toast without destroying your dish. 

PNut

All of our choices were stellar. The Tuna Melt is very unique. The server warned us that it tastes more like Lasagna than a Tuna Melt. Say what?! He was right and I am still not sure how that can happen! When it was all said and done, my heart belonged to the PNut. It sets the new standard for dessert decadence. We will be back.

_Laine

Toast Norfolk

2406 Colonial Ave

Norfolk, VA 23517  

Food-5

Service-5

Beverage -5

Restrooms-NA

Ambiance-3

Mother's Day Brunch - Todd Jurich's Bistro

Mother's Day should probably be renamed "Mothers Refuse to Cook Day". Based upon the masses of families heading out to eat on Mother's Day each year, I think it is pretty safe to say that everyone else in the family refuses to cook on Mother's Day too. Back in the dark ages when I waited tables, I dreaded Mother's Day. It was the busiest day of the year AND the day you made the lowest percentage of tips. Nothing like taking mom out to eat and stiffing the server!

Now that I am a mom, I like to go out to eat too and Mother's Day for me means brunch. Even restaurants that aren't normally in the brunch game dip their toes in the water for Mother's Day. I have been going to the same places loyally now for about 8 years, and was ready for a change. It's no secret that Todd Jurich's Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants. The brunch menu looked good to me, so I booked a reservation through Open Table. I have started to use Open Table more and more. It is easy to use and has a Dining Rewards program through which you earn points which can eventually be redeemed for Open Table Dining checks. Not bad, considering it is a free service.


We arrived on time and were promptly seated in a booth located in front of the door. A great spot for people watching, and in close proximity to the salad / soup bar. I was very curious about the salad bar. The Bistro converts their bar by covering it with linens. Viola! No rocket science required. There were three soups offered: She Crab Chowder, Spring Gazpacho, Spicy Coconut Milk Lobster Bisque. The salad bar consisted of four prepared salads: Tomato and May peas, Spring mix greens, Chick Pea salad, Fresh Cucumber and Sweet onion. There was also a meat and cheese platter. I tried the Lobster Bisque (delicious with a little kick) and the Tomato and Cucumber salads. The vegetables were all fresh and nicely seasoned.


The menu was slightly different than the one posted online. There were a few ommissions. I was sad to see the Southern Bourbon Pecan Pie with brown sugar-cinnamon Ice Cream was no longer an option. For the children we ordered the pasta dish of May peas, morels, shaved aged pecorino Romano, fettuccini and Local Cage Free Farm Eggs. They really liked this. I ordered Eggs Benedict Norfolk: Homemade Black Pepper Biscuits, Surryano Ham, Local Cage Free Farm Eggs, Lump Crabmeat, Lemon Hollandaise. This was exquisite! The biscuits were special, and I loved the ham. The Mister ordered exactly what I anticipated, Chesapeake Bay Soft Shell Crabs: Crab-Bacon Slaw and Sweet Pickle Tartar Sauce. You never know what you will see when you order a soft shell. This one looked great. Lightly battered, served on top of the slaw and sauce. It received two thumbs up! The original menu listed Old Bay Gaufrette Potatoes, but this was changed to sliced ‘chip’ potato or croustilles (not waffled). As you can see from the pictures, the presentation on everything was lovely. We ordered dessert early as suggested to make sure it was reserved for us. All three girls went chocolate with the Dark Chocolate Pot de Crème. I added a shot of espresso to round it out. This was a rich decadence which none of us could quite finish.



_Laine

Food-5
Service-5
Beverage-5
Restrooms-5
Value-4
Ambiance-4

Todd Jurich's Bistro
150 W Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
(757)622-3210

Hokkaido Sushi Bar - Granby Street, Downtown Norfolk

Last time I dined at Sakura in Old Dominion University's Monarch Village, I noticed their chopstick wrappers advertised another restaurant's name, Hokkaido in downtown Norfolk. There is a current sushi battle in downtown right now with at least four open. Laine noticed Hokkaido's hard work on the nice, large outdoor patio. Today's nice weather drew us there to enjoy lunch. We ended up having it to ourselves, even better! The menu mimics Sakura's, so I was pretty certain I would be happy. The lunch special made me even more enthusiastic. The two rolls I typically order at Sakura turned into my lunch special for $7.75. Of course, Laine and I have to upgrade in some way, and like my best friend, I substituted the salad for the Miso soup for $1, not a bad up-charge. We started with the edamame, a healthy appetizer that will not ruin your meal. The salad was standard and I do love the accompanying ginger dressing. The Sweet Potato Roll is one of my favorite rolls. The potato is fried and slightly warm, which is unique for a vegetarian roll. My other mainstay is the Peanut Avocado Roll and I always add cream cheese to this for good measure. Hokkaido charged fifty cents to add cream cheese which is reasonable. Related, the iced tea was $1.75 and that is a great price compared to some restaurants who want to charge $3 or more for tea and soda. That always amazes us. My bill came to just over $12...for two rolls, a salad and tea. Quality food, fast service, nice atmosphere (inside and out) and good prices...Hokkaido will be seeing us again very soon.
~Alex

I watched Hokkaido on Granby evolve over the winter months. I witnessed a lot of work being done inside and out of the building. Instead of tearing down the dilapidated woodwork on the exterior, they invested in the historic character of the building and worked to repair and update it. The building is nicely renovated inside as well, updated from the former Brazilian meat on a stick restaurant. (I was never a fan.)

A warm day prompted us to venture down Granby for a patio seat to check out the food as well. I have heard great reviews from co-workers. As Alex mentions, Sushi restaurants are popping up on every corner. They are NOT all created equal. I consider myself a bit of a sushi snob and wanted to see for myself if Hokkaido measured up to the hype. It did. Here's why:
1. Very reasonable pricing
2. Good quality fish (I had tuna, salmon, yellowtail sashimi)
3. Interesting and creative Rolls
4. Great service. Friendly, timely, accurate.
5. Nice decor
6. No issues, no drama, no errors

_Laine

Food-4
Service-5
Beverage-4
Restrooms-5
Value-4
Ambiance-5

Lunch Special

Lunch Menu

Patio View

Nothing exceptional, just a regular sushi salad

Edamame

Sweet Potato Roll

Peanut Avocado Roll

Yellow Tail Sashimi...nicely sized portion

Wooden sculpture on Patio. Who will win? The Tiger or the Eagle?

Good Value. $7.75 for 3 pieces of sushi or sashimi and one roll (from list provided)

Another Lunch Special - Any 2 Rolls, $7.75

Hokkaido Sushi Bar
233 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757.622.2318
http://www.lovehokkaido.com/

Todd Jurich's Bistro

Another Friday, another great lunch with Alex and guest. Continuing our quest for a great meal, we headed to one of my personal favorites, Todd Jurich's Bistro. They did not disappoint! We had three wonderful entrees (pictured below): Cobb Salad, Calamari with sweet walnuts, apples, Bleu Cheese dressing and a special for the day Deviled Egg Sandwich. Service was professional and watchful. Overall, a fantastic dining experience!

Vintage Kitchen - Downtown Norfolk

After a number of big disappointments in downtown dining, I was ready for something different. It has been 2-3 years since we last visited Vintage Kitchen. We were under-impressed on our last visit. It wasn't bad, it just didn't wow us. We booked a reservation through Open Table for lunch today, requesting a window seat. We were promptly greeted and led to a sunny window table with a sweeping view of the Elizabeth River. It was so nice to feel the warmth of the sun after all the cold, clouds and rain from recent weeks.

They have a great lunch menu.The one online is a bit outdated, as the current one has more choices. For starters we decided to share the Black And White Mac’ and Cheese With Truffle, Nutmeg, And Marshall Farms Cheddar $9. There was no need to take a vote on this one. Hands down best Mac and Cheese ever. Truffle can be a powerful flavor and is frequently overdone, ruining many a great dish. Not so here. This was rich and creamy decadence.  We would go there again and just get that. My main dish was Grilled Portobello and Gruyere with pesto on Focaccia $8.95. It came with a dill pickle slice and a bag of Route 11 chips. Delicious!

I (Alex here) ordered the soup du jour, a Roasted Red Pepper and Smoked Gouda combination. It was the biggest bowl of soup I have ever seen but managed to polish it off. Creamy but not too heavy and the amount of Gouda was just right, not overpowering. For once in this day and age, bread was served at the table. Two heated rolls rolled in a dash of salt and oil, a really nice touch.

As if that wasn't enough food, we decided to top it all off with dessert. A bittersweet chocolate mousse topped with sea salt caramel and peanut brittle $7.95. It was served in the cutest cup with heart handles. This too was delicious. The bittersweet of the chocolate overpowered the caramel and peanut brittle a little but, but it was still amazing. We had a similar dessert recently at California Pizza Kitchen, that blended caramel, sea salt and chocolate. It's a good combination. Service throughout was top notch. The decor is a clean contemporary. A calm, quiet atmosphere that lends itself well to conversation. It is quiet, but not the kind of quiet where you feel like your neighbors are hearing your every word. It is the kind of quiet where you can relax a little and not have to shout over music or racket from the kitchen.

We rolled out of Vintage Kitchen well fed and happy.

_Laine & Alex

Food-5
Service-5
Beverage-3
Restrooms-4
Value-4
Ambiance-4

Vintage Kitchen (Inside Dominion Tower)
999 Waterside Dr, Norfolk, VA 23510

Black And White Mac’ And Cheese

Bite Restaurant & Catering - Downtown Norfolk

Saturday night was another show at Chrysler for me and another attempt at downtown dining. I had been to Bite about a year ago for lunch with Alex and another buddy. I thought it was okay, but I wasn’t wowed. Alex was not impressed at all. The skimpy portion of a salad special did her in, and she hasn’t had the desire to return. I was a bit more curious and willing to give them another shot. The recommendation of another friend and the proximity to my venue pushed me over the edge and I booked a reservation for Saturday night.

I seem to recall that originally Bite advertised using fresh, local, organic ingredients, which I can appreciate. I don’t see any note of that on their website, so it could be that my memory is failing me. Regardless, the current dinner menu is slightly limited in choices and not for those seeking light fare. The 4 listed “Firsts” are either fried, or cheese. Three of the six entrees are pasta based, one is steak, one is chicken (with cheese) and one is seafood, the lightest option. I have to mention that the steak is a whooping 26 ounce rib eye. What? According to the American Heart Association individuals should not consume more than 6 ounces of meat a day. This seems a bit ridiculous to me. I can’t sit through Jersey Boys with 20 ounces of carryout steak in my lap.

We were running at tad late, so I called to say we were parking and would arrive in no more than 5 minutes. I was assured that our table was ready and waiting, and not to worry. Upon arriving we noted the restaurant was bustling and about 80% full. They did not have a host or greeter, but seeing our name on a two top right by the door, we walked up and started to remove our coats. A rather large server with a rather menacing expression asked me what I was doing. Stating the obvious, I pointed to the card and said, "That's us. I just called." He then told me that, "We usually like to seat our customers."

I sat down and looked across the table at my husband. He knows me too well, and was waiting patiently for the comments.  Barely in the door and this is already not going well. Fifteen minutes and two other tables being greeted later, another less menacing server approaches and asks if we have been helped. We receive menus. There is not an impressive assortment of wine. The choices are very limited. I select the only Pinot Grigio offered by the glass. They are out of it. At 6:15 on a Saturday night, they are out of it. I order the one Sauvignon Blanc, my husband orders the one Malbec. Another 15 minutes pass before the wine arrived. After sitting for 30 minutes waiting on this drink, our wine arrived in oversized stemless wineglasses that are filled about 1 inch. Things are rapidly deteriorating.

Our waiter asked if we were interested in starters. My husband said he wanted to try the She Crab soup, which was promoted on the table topper as being one of the best in town (with the typical appeal to “Vote for it in Best of Hampton Roads”). Well, we won’t be voting for it, because it was not on the menu that night, even though it was being promoted on the table. Instead, we order the Fontina appetizer ($9) at our server’s suggestion. It is melted Fontina, roasted garlic and oil, service with garlic toast points. We had to stir it a bit as the cheese was not fully melted when it arrived. If you love garlic, this is for you. We both liked it very much. For entrée’s I ordered the Osso bucco with parmesan leek risotto ($24). It is served with a Veal Shank. My husband ordered Cioppino ($19) which is served with the catch of the day (flounder) and mussels in a tomato broth. I was thoroughly disappointed in my meal. The risotto was beyond al dente, it was downright crunchy. The veal was overcooked and riddled with gristle. The Cioppino was okay, but nothing impressive. There was a healthy portion of mussels, but it was rather light on flounder. At some point during the meal, we ordered more wine, because an inch of wine lasts about 60 seconds with me. They ran out of Malbec. The server brought out a Merlot at no charge, which was very nice and not expected.

Throughout the meal we were plagued with long waits. I can’t say service was bad because I believe the servers were simply too busy. From what I could tell there were only two servers and one bartender. They really needed at least one more person help to run drinks, clear dishes….and seat people. As for the “no wine” situation, I can’t help but wonder if Bite might be struggling. If you have a monthly menu, I would think that you could stock your wine accordingly versus trying to prepare from week to week? As the hour approached for the show at the Chrysler, Bite emptied out.

As the Mister said, “Not in a hurry to go back there

Food-2
Service-3
Beverage-1
Restrooms-4
Value-2
Ambiance-3


Bite Restaurant & Catering
440 Monticello Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510

Town Point Club - Downtown Norfolk

Norfolk's Town Point Club has a Friday lunchtime Grand Buffet that is always a winner. Today's really hit a high note with us for two reasons:
a. Spinach Ravioli in cream pesto sauce with pine nuts.
b. Seafood Cioppino
The usual seafood bar was in top form today with delicious raw oysters, spicy steamed shrimp and smoked salmon and capers. And yes, we hit the dessert table too.

Omar's Carriage House $10 Entrees

Omar's Carriage House is a funky little restaurant tucked back a little bit off the beaten track on West Bute Street. They have good food and I enjoy their eclectic ambiance. Omar has been running this special annually for several years now. It is popular and a good deal. We recommend that you give them a try if you haven't already, and make sure you book a reservation.

In celebration of our 14th anniversary, Omar's will have $10 entrees and $10-$20 bottles of wine every night of April, Monday-Saturday, 5-10pm.

We do this every year as an appreciation of our customers' continued support for the last 14 years!!

http://omarscarriagehouse.com/

313 West Bute Street, Norfolk, VA 23510

(757) 622-4990

Kincaid's Fish, Chop & Steak House - MacArthur Center, Norfolk

Two Saturdays ago after a movie at the Naro, my husband and I stopped in Kincaid's at 4:45PM for cocktails before deciding what we wanted to do for dinner. It was already kind of busy, (something to do with basketball), and the 4 available tables in the bar area were dirty. No biggie, we just took a seat and were quickly waited on, including having the table cleaned. We had great drinks, and enjoyed the Oysters Rockafeller’s so much we ordered 2 rounds.

When the server asked if we were going to have anything else, and we said no, she asked us to make sure no one else sat at the table, because she had already promised it to someone. By now the place was packed. I suggested she get a reserved sign then, as I am not really into barroom altercations, which she did. When she brought us the check, she said "I am sending the people over now." And she did, while we were still seated at the table. We had not even had a chance to TIP her or sign the receipt. Six people came and sat on the empty seats right next to us and stood over our table. We spent $65 on drinks and appetizers, $80 with a tip, only to get our butts kicked to the curb by our waitress.

I so badly want to like Kincaid’s. I constantly torture myself, returning there time and time again, only to be disappointed.

_Laine

First Updated to Review
10/23/09
I have to add an update to this previous review. I had lunch today with 4 co-workers at Kincaid's. It ended up being a series of small errors that added up to a less than satisfactory experience. The food was great. That was not the issue. The service was a mess. It took 50 minutes to get our food. During that time the table next to us got in a tizzy because a credit card was "lost" in-between being given to the server and making it back to the table. Yikes! During the conversation they were having with the server another man who worked there presented the credit card which had been returned by a patron who found it on the floor. Thank goodness for honesty.

The entrees made it to the table with one missing completley and another one missing the sweet potato fries. We were assured that the fries would be right up and the other entree was on the way. The other entree came rather quickly but the fries did not. With a reminder, the fries made their way to the table when we were all wrapping up our meals. The manager offered a free dessert to that diner for her inconvenience. When she ordered, her dessert of choice was not available. She chose another and requested it as "to-go".

A couple of the guys got the wrong checks when they came to the table, and the server had to return with the correct ones. Next, one was missing an item in error. Ah, another honest patron! Back again to correct the check. Finally, gift cards were presented for most of the orders and we were told it would take about 10 minutes to process them because of the computer. Good grief, are they using dial-up?

Upon returning to work, another co-work who we had seen there told us that when his food came out, it was given to th wrong table. After the people checked it out (touched it)and informed the server of the error, she tried to simply pass it over to his table. This would be acceptable if it had not been handled by someone else, but.... He ended up getting a fresh order "to-go" because he had to get back to work.

I honestly don't think that most if the issues were the servers fault. Yes, she was seriously in the weeds, but that seemed more a function of staffing than ability. I could tell she was stressed out about it and trying her best to maintain. I can honestly say that I have never had a meal at Kincaid's that has been a home run. NEVER.
_Laine



Original Review - November 04, 2008
Kincaid's Fumbled, But Recovered the Ball...Sort of...

Without randomly drawing as we usually like to do, Laine and I chose Kincaid's for last week's adventure. Kincaid's is a chain, something that usually scares me, but she and I decided to go for it. We would need to review it eventually and this day was as good a day as any. Plus, it was cold and windy outside. We were not in the mood to stand around deciding. Kincaid's has a more sophisticated feel than, say, California Pizza Kitchen. Located in the MacArthur Mall, Kincaid's is a happening after hours spot for Downtowners. They have a large lunch menu as well as a varied dinner menu. At first, we were both set on salads, but then decided to go for something else. We know our readers eat more than salad. I chose the wild mushroom omelet with smoked Gouda, truffle oil and chives. I was pretty excited as it is hard to find omelets during lunch unless on a brunch menu and that is usually restricted to weekends. Instead of potatoes (not a huge fan), they gave me sautéed broccoli and carrots and mixed greens. I was very pleased. I have had dinner before at Kincaid's and thought it was fine, but nothing exciting. Today's lunch has put Kincaid's on our steady lunch menu and I would go for dinner again - overall, it was a better experience than previously. Service was perfect. Mary, our waitress, was attentive and fast. She even asked if we were under a time restriction and since we were, our food came out fairly quickly. No martini or wine lunch for Laine and I today, unfortunately, but we appreciated Mary asking. We have definitely visited a few restaurants that do not seem to realize that people are trying to eat lunch in an hour, give or take. Kincaid's also has a lunch deal for $10that includes soup, a salad and an entree such as salmon or steak. We might try that the next time.
~Alex

I have been to Kincaid’s numerous times over the years for drinks (they make a mean Manhattan) and/or dinner, but this was a first for lunch. I have had great meals there and some pretty bad ones, so I was curious to see how lunch would pan out. I agree with Alex that the ambiance offered beats most of downtown's loud and rushed lunch vibe. The atmosphere is quieter and calmer, but service was snappy and professional. Alex and I decided to step out of our salad box and consume some calories for lunch. Lately I have had a serious bacon craving. What in the world? I love bacon. I love to smell it cooking. I love it crispy and not crispy and more is better. With this said, they had an interesting sandwich with bacon, turkey and avocado. Sign me up! I even ordered sweet potato fries....out of control! The sandwich arrived, and it was cold. I was expecting toasted, or maybe even grilled, since this was basically a BLT, or club sandwich with avocado added. I was a little disappointed, but soldiered on. I took one bite and it was pretty good. I took a second bite and the bread started to break. I took a third bite and decided to eat it with a fork because the bread was falling apart. Ugh, bad bread? Was this my reward for stepping out of the box?! Mary came to the rescue, swiped my plate and returned in about 5 minutes with a completely new, fresh order. Of course, this was round better and the bread was fine, but to be honest, I had been let down. I took most of it back to work in a carry out container. Geez that reminds me… it is still sitting in the fridge....
_Laine

Kincaid's
300 Monticello Avenue, Suite 147
(in MacArthur Center)
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone:(757) 622-8000

Lunch Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30am-4pm
Sat 11:30am-3pm
Sun 11am-4pm

Sunday Brunch Hours:
Sun 11am-3pm

Dinner Hours:
Mon-Sat 5-10pm
Sun 4-8pm

Bar Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30am-11pm
Sat 11:30am- 12am
Sun 11:30am-9pm

Happy Hour:
Monday-Friday 4:30-6:30pm

The Lizard, Located in Prince Books

 Last Wednesday's lunchtime outting led Alex and I back to the Lizard Cafe. There is something innately cozy about a cafe in a book store.  On this particular day the cafe was unusally quiet and uncrowded. Perfect! A peaceful sabatical from work, no matter how brief, can be just the shot in the arm we need on some days. I tend to be a creature of habit with my orders in restaurants I frequent, but on this day I was ready to break out the of the box. Here is what we ordered:

Taster Sampler $7.95. Tuna Salad, Chicken Salad and Hummus. The hummus is really good, chunkier than most, which I like.

Cup of Butternut Squash Soup. Served with a hearty side of bread.

Bowl of Butternut Squash Soup. Substantially larger if your appetite can meet the challenge.

Main Street Salad $7.85

I was really happy with my sampler, and quite full when it was gone. I enjoyed my soup. Although Alex liked it, she did mention it was not her favorite. "Lighter than most, not as much cream" was her comment, which may be why I liked it more! The Main Street is a repeat for her. She suggests ordering the dressing on the side, as "once or twice it had slightly too much." Overall, we give the Lizard Cafe in Norfolk two thumbs up and recommend it as a safe lunch bet.
Click HERE  to see their menu.
_Laine


Original Review Posted 10/8/08

Located at 109 E. Main Street, The Lizard is the new cafe in Prince Books. Specializing in "seasonal fare from the local farms of tidal Virginia", they offer sandwiches, wraps, salads, soup and dessert daily for lunch. We made our first trip for lunch on Tuesday, again with our buddy Brianna*. The interior of the cafe is cozy. Rich green and orange colors are used on the walls and booths. The tall, old windows get southeastern exposure, permitting lots of natural light and warmth to pour in. Finally, a place to eat that isn't freezing! In an odd case of role reversal, I had a plethora of menu questions for the server, who was great. Not only did she answer my questions about various ingredients, preparation methods, etc., but she also brought out samplings of three different mayo spreads they use on their sandwiches.

After ordering and switching, I ended up with the Season's Best Salad, topped with Chicken Salad. Their Chicken Salad boasts roasted almonds and curried peach chutney. It is very subtly seasoned. No big chunks of peach and nuts. It's one of those dishes where I would have been scratching my head trying to figure out what was in it, had I not already know. Nor is it overly "mayonnaised", making it a nice light salad addition. The vegetable salad was really fantastic. The dressing was homemade vinaigrette, seasoned with basil. About half way thru the salad it became a bit too oily for me, but Alex really liked it. They make their own bread and it accompanies the salad. It was a hearty white bread with slight herbal seasoning. I usually avoid bread, but found myself munching on it in spite of myself. Nice to go somewhere that will give you bread without having to request it. Brianna* got the Cheesy Cheese sandwich, and it looked to die for! She said it was awesome and I watched her eat every bit of it. This is a gal who usually only eats about 1/2 to 1/3 of her lunch. Their other signature sandwiches look good too, using interesting ingredients like Artichokes, Surry Ham, lots of cheeses and as mentioned above, flavored mayo.

Overall, I was very pleased with The Lizard's food, ambiance and service. The partnership with Prince Books only adds to its appeal. I highly recommend The Lizard as a downtown lunch destination.

_Laine

The Lizard.  What a great name.  Laine and I had scoped out a few places new to us for this week's adventures and The Lizard was one of them.  We swung by the day before and did a little reconnaissance. Grabbed a menu, checked out the clientele and pre-approved the atmosphere.  Everything looked promising, but you can never be sure these days.  Don't judge a book by its cover, right?  I do not follow this lesson very well.

The place is cute.  It has been slightly altered from its former occupant and in a good way.  While the restaurant is small, The Lizard makes great use of space with numerous window booths and a few stand-alone tables.  They even have a few chairs for guests waiting for take-outs.  Nice touch since there are many Downtowners who grab their lunch and head back to the office.  We had a nice window booth which was very comfortable.  Our waitress was friendly and patient, even after Laine asked ten questions.  While usually my area, Laine's questions were well warranted.  We saw some things like 'yogurt mayonnaise' and just had to have a little more explanation.  I ordered the season's best salad with chicken, mixed greens, cucumbers, zucchini, squash, mushrooms, tomatoes, feta and Kalamata olives.  The salad dressing, a basil vinaigrette, was a nice touch and a new taste for this traditional Greek salad.  They also had tuna as a meat option for that salad, but were out of that yesterday.  Chicken salad and tuna salad are other choices to add.

Everything that came out looked fantastic.  There are traditional sandwiches, such as the roast beef and turkey or some new choices, such as the mushroom and artichoke or the Surry ham and cucumber sandwich.  Brianna* had the grilled cheese (aka the cheesy cheese) and Laine and I were both staring wide-eyed and thinking how good it looked.  There is also a soup every day, as well as homemade (killer-looking) dessert.  Prices are very reasonable.  We all checked out between $10-13 each.

The tagline on The Lizard's menu reads 'seasonal fare from the local farms of tidal Virginia' so we are supporting our local growers.  Laine and I like to support area businesses. Hours are Monday-Saturday until 5pm.  There is not a website for The Lizard, but you can view it on Prince Books' site at http://www.prince-books.com/

While you are in there, peruse the Prince Books' selection.  It is another opportunity to support our local businesses.

~Alex

219 An American Bistro, Norfolk, VA

Alex and I probably go to 219 once or twice a month and our friend Brianna tags along on most of these trips. 219 is a solid Granby Street restaurant. The food is always good. Always. The prices are very reasonable and their specials are downright deals! Below is pictured what we had today. The quiche was interesting because all the ingredients were layered versus mixed together. I rather liked that. The egg layer was unbelievably smooth and creamy. The bacon was a little bland and I would have liked a bit more, but I can't complain for $6.99. When we were walking into the restaurant a buddy of ours was outside eating the Meatloaf Sandwich. The seed was planted in Brianna's brain and that is what she ordered. (Alex and I helped her with the generous portion of fries). Alex stuck with her lastest favorite twist of the Southwest Caesar Salad. Everyone enjoyed their entrees.
Our server was David. He was quick and did a great job keeping the beverages full. All in all, a great lunch.

Canadian Bacon and Spinach Quiche with fresh fruit - Daily Special $6.99

Meatloaf Sandwich (with tomato sauce on side as requested) with Fries $13.99
This is same price as Lobster roll, but check it out. It is a substantial sammy!

Southwest Caesar with Portobello $6.99 for Caesar plus extra for chicken, portobello, etc.

_Laine

Original Post 7/21/11
Laine told me that one of our friends really likes 219’s Southwestern Caesar Salad ($6.99), so I decided to give it a go this week during lunch.  The restaurant week options did include an appetizer size of the this salad but with nothing in the entree category, I had to order off the regular menu.  One mistake 219 made with their new regular lunch menu was nixing the Asian Noodles with Tofu.  First, I wanted to try that dish and never did.  Second, it was supposed to be a really great entree.  Third, the tofu could be added to any salad or used as a substitute for chicken, shrimp or fish in some of the other items.  I hope they reconsider that change.  Tofu is not complicated to keep, nor is it an expensive item to keep on hand.  Without this as an option, I requested a portabella be added to my salad just to give it a little something.  The $2 up-charge was very fair and beats the time I was charged $3 for fries - I’ll never get over that and 219 never responded to my email after Laine was only charge $1 for a substitute side.  I digress.  This is one of my new favorite things at 219.  The salad is much larger than I expected and while tofu would have been a great addition (hint, hint, 219), the portabella sufficed (a few more slices would have helped).  The roasted red pepper and chipotle dressing makes the dish.  
My friend ordered the Vegetarian Lasagna (around $8.99), a newer menu item that caught my eye recently.  I did not try it, but it was a large portion and looked divine.  It is certainly on my ‘soon to try’ list.  
This was not my idea, I promise, but my friend thought we should order a dessert since he knows I have a sweet tooth.  How could I resist and I had yet to try 219’s Red Velvet Cake ($6.99).  It is a standard piece of cake but they serve it sitting on the icing side.  A little odd, but it does a lot for presentation.  You do need to knock it over, as cake is usually served, to eat.  The whipped cream was homemade, as it should be, and we had no problem finishing this delectable find.  
I was disappointed that 219 did not have a vegetarian restaurant week entree option, as they have some good ones on their regular menu, but I had a great salad and dessert and a nice lunch overall.  Service was stellar and our waitress was right there to refill my iced tea each time I downed a glass (this is a feat on its own).  
~AlexI hit 219 for lunch on Tuesday with my regular Tuesday lunch buddy, Brianna. We go here fairly regularly as it is one of Brianna's Granby Street favorites. I have NEVER seen it as busy as it was Tuesday. They were turning people away. Every table was seated, including out door seating and bar area. The Restaurant Week lunch menu completely unimpressed me. Roast Beef Sandwich or Chicken Salad Sandwich....YAWN. Blackened Fish? I am not a fan of anything burnt. However, the specials peaked my interest, and I ordered the Fish Tacos with Black Beans and Rice. Brianna ordered a Bacon Cheeseburger, selecting American Cheese. Moments later the waitress returned to let her know they were out of American Cheese. Out of American Cheese, well that is just un-American! What is it with restaurants running out of food!? She opted for provolone in its place, and we got on with our gab-fest while we waited for our orders.

Fish Tacos with Black Beans and Rick

Bacon Cheese Burger

I anticipated a wait due to the crowd, but our meals came out very quickly. The Fish Tacos hit the spot, and Brianna enjoyed her Burger too. Here's the best part. The total on my check was $7.79. Yes, that's correct. The special was $6.99 and included my beverage. Considering the crowd, our waitress Grace did a phenomenal job keeping drinks topped off, delivering requests to the table and handling the check. All in all, a very nice lunch.
_Laine

219 An American Bistro
219 Granby Street

http://www.downtownnorfolk.org/enjoy/events/restaurant_week

Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 416-6219
Open Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-11pm; Sat 5pm-11pm