Well, I guess we are bound to get a lot of visitors coming to Williamsburg VA for 36 hour trips now that the New York Times has posted a Williamsburg, VA travel story.
I was just looking at my Twitter account ( Twitter/ MrWilliamsburg) and it seems that hundreds if not thousands of people are reposting the story.
Here is the story:
ONCE the preserve of eighth-grade field trips and history re-enactors, Williamsburg, Va., with its restored Colonial District, has become in recent years a much more rounded — and upscale — experience. Local chefs raised on both grits and Asian ginger have adapted traditional Southern cooking and native ingredients to create more exotic combinations. Virginia wineries, once scorned, produce high-quality vintages, while the central district of Williamsburg is known not only for stark Colonial homes but also for a lavish spa and upscale folk-art shops. Of course, if you want to see a staging of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!” speech, or stick your head in the stocks, that’s still an option
Read the rest of the story on Colonial Williamsburg here
By the way. There are many fine restaurants to choose from besides the Fat Canary. Contrary to what the NYT article indicates.
Make sure you take in a performance of “Revolutionary City if you visit. Somehow the writer missed this entirely.
If you lived here instead of paying $34.95 for a one day pass to Colonial Williamsburg, you could purchase an annual " Good Neighbor Pass" to CW for $10. Kids under 17 get an annual Good Neighbor Pass for FREE ! Read about it here: http://williamsburgsrealestate.com/2008/11/29/good-neighbor-pass-colonial-williamsburg-resident-discount/
Another benefit of living here for our kids at least is Busch Gardens. If you are a resident of Virginia instead of paying $59.95 for a one day pass you can buy a Fun Pass that gets you in all season. Or you can take out a second mortgage on your house and buy one year passes to both Water Country and Busch Gardens. I was only kidding about the second mortgage , we all know those aren’t available anymore so you just sign up for the monthly payment plan to purchase your BG passes.
Just got this email from J.M. Randalls in Williamsburg. This has always been a favorite venue to see R & B bands in the Williamsburg VA area.. The line up of bands through the years has been amazing. My one dislike has been the amount of cigarette smoke so it’s great to hear they are going Smoke Free !
GOOD MMMOOOOOOORNNNIIINNNGGGGGGGGGG WILLIAMSBURG…….
spring has sprung, rain, flowers, mothers day, golf tournament, nascar in richmond, busch gardens is open, arts in the square, farmers market, william & mary graduation……..
so much in our quaint little towne to do……and add one more area of fun
here’s the may 2009 entertainment schedule for your favorite place
J. M. RANDALLS
WE ARE ROLLING A NEW MENU, & A NEW WINE LIST
OUT HOPEFULLY JUNE 1ST.
WE ‘RE TWEEKING, AND WORKING HARD ON THAT.
WE FEEL ALL OF YOU WILL BE VERY EXCITED AS WE ARE WITH OUR NEW OFFERINGS
ALSO BIG BIG BIG NEWS!!!!!!!!
WE ARE RENEWING OUR LEASE AND THINGS LOOK WONDERFUL WITH OUR NEW CHANGES, BUT BUT BUT
OUR NEWEST AND BEST CHANGE WILL BE THAT
J. M. RANDALLS WILL BECOME AN INTERIOR NON SMOKING VENUE
ON SUNDAY JUNE 21ST FATHERS DAY
DAD SAID YOU SHOULD QUIT SMOKING SO WE DID……..
OUR FOOD WILL TASTE BETTER
OUR DRINKS WILL TASTE BETTER
EVERYTHING WILL SMELL BETTER
THE BANDS WILL SOUND BETTER
WHAT A BETTER EXPERIENCE……..
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR POSITIVE FEEDBACK ON THIS ISSUE
ATTACHED IS THE MAY 2009 SCHEDULE, HOOPE YOU’LL ENJOY
AND REMEMBER ALWAYS "BE COOL, DO THE RIGHT THING"
THANKS
RANDALL
Check out their website for more information: http://www.jmrandalls.com/
Latest concert Schedule:
Read review of JM Randalls on Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/j-m-randalls-restaurant-and-lounge-williamsburg#hrid:TeaCILZ-2aVFpBCxJJRFpA
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High Street Developers in Williamsburg, VA have announced the opening dates of the first two businesses to open to the the public.
The first business to open will be Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Opening date , March 16, 2009 .
The Movie Tavern, which will show first-run movies and offer in-theater dining, is scheduled to open on March 27. Read more about Movie Tavern here
I first experienced Five Guys in the Washington DC area many years ago and anxiously await it’s opening. If you like big, fat, juicy hamburgers then this is your kind of place..
The Arlington, Va., chain has over 300 restaurant locations in the U.S.
The beauty of Five Guys is its simplicity. Choices are limited to burgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese or a veggie special (basically all the toppings with melted cheese on a bun) plus amazing french fries.
Read more about Five Guys Burgers and Fries here
This will be Five Guys first store on the Peninsula, and the High Street development’s first retail tenant to open.
Last summer, High Street began to take shape when construction started on portions of its residential area, which included its 191 apartment units ( Sterling Manor) and 16 town homes. The apartments and town houses were completed last fall while the 225,000-square-foot retail side was still under construction.
There are about a dozen retailers lined up to move into High Street, according to it’s owners. The tenants include Kilwin’s, a candy store and ice cream shop, in addition to, a wine store, a nail salon, a bank and coffee shop.
The developer (Roseland) plans to break ground on the next phase of town homes in about nine months. They also plan to begin building more than 300 condominiums in High Street over the next few years.
Location Map of High Street in Williamsburg, Virginia
Here is a great video of the Colonial Williamsburg Farmers Market by the co-founders of the Culinary Media Network ( Jennifer and Chef Mark )
Jennifer and Chef Mark discover the great local produce, seafood, and local chefs giving demos at the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Williamsburg Virginia
Rather than spotlight the trendy, they are focusing on the roots of cuisine itself, and celebrating the art of experiencing food, wine and culture via the senses in cooking, in tasting — and in understanding. In short, they are food philosophers.
WordPress Tags: Williamsburg,Farmers,Market,Video,Here,Colonial,Culinary,Network,Jennifer,Chef,Mark,Farmer,Virginia,Rather,roots,cuisine,food,culture,senses,calendar,demos,philosophers
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Z- Pizza has opened in New Town, Williamsburg, VA. Located at 4902 Courthouse St ( Across from the Movie Theater, next to Coco Chocolatier)
What makes Z- Pizza Different ?
They Combine the freshest, highest quality ingredients with authentic and original recipes, then serve the food in a timely manner in a really cool atmosphere and you get zpizza. It all starts with a passion for food.
Our dough is made from premium Montana winter wheat prepared fresh every day, hand thrown and fire-baked until uniquely crisp. We combine select ingredients such as Wisconsin skim mozzarella, certified organic tomato sauce, MSG-free pepperoni and additive-free sausage.
Even our fresh produce sets us apart. But exotic delights like Cremini and Shitaki mushrooms, roasted eggplant, pili pili and truffle oil, pine nuts, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, and caramelized onions assure you’ll never experience a bland, boring, blasé pizza. The same holds true for our gourmet salads and sandwiches.
Note: ( For a limited time ) If you visit zPizza in New Town and add yourself to their mailing list at the store they will give you a free 10″ pizza with the purchase of any other pizza !
zPizza- 4902 Courthouse St, Williamsburg VA
757 903 4750
Check out the zpizza corporate website for more information
Share on Facebook2008 Digital Cities Winners Announced!
Top-Ranking U.S. Digital Cities Named for 2008
e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government and Digital Communities magazine released results of the eighth annual survey which examines how cities use technology to create a seamless environment between local government and constituents.
“This year’s winners reflect that even with budgetary challenges, cities are placing a high value on citizen engagement and improved services,” said Cathilea Robinett, executive director for the Center for Digital Government. “Cities are incorporating newer technologies such as Webcasting, podcasts and blogs while continuing to use IT to enhance delivery options for citizens and businesses.”
The survey is open to all U.S. cities with a population of 30,000 or more and respondent cities are classified into four size-based categories.
The first-place winners in each of the four population categories are:
• Aurora, Colo. (250,000 or more population)
• Lincoln, Neb. (125,000 – 249,999 population)
• Roanoke, Va. (75,000 – 124,999 population)
• Lynchburg, Va. (30,000 – 74,999 population)
This year’s survey was underwritten by Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Blackberry, and Hyland Software, developers of OnBase. All companies are proud partners of city governments across America.
Winners will be honored at a special awards ceremony in Orlando, Fla.
Following are the top 10 cities for each population category.
Congratulations, Digital Cities Top Ten!
Center for Digital Government’s 2008 Digital Cities Survey winners in VA are :
250,000 or more population category:
2nd City of Virginia Beach, Va.
125,000-249,999 population category:
4th City of Alexandria, Va.
5th City of Norfolk, Va.
7th City of Hampton, Va. (tie)
8th City of Richmond, Va. (tie)
9th City of Chesapeake, Va. (tie)
75,000 – 124,999 population category:
1st City of Roanoke, Va.
30,000 – 74,999 population category:
1st City of Lynchburg, Va.
4th Town of Blacksburg, Va.
5th City of Charlottesville, Va.
BLACK ANGUS GRILLE
Chef/Proprietor is an alumnus of the Culinary
Institute of America
NEW $10 Menu Available for a limited time only.
Expires Jan. 31, 2009. Not valid with any
other discount. For local diners only.
Quality food at chain restaurant prices.
Prime Rib
Salmon
Crab Cakes
Any Pasta Entreé
Baby Back Ribs
Fried Shrimp
Catfish
Roasted Garlic &
Spinach Meatloaf
Chicken Parmigiana
Add an extra
$5 Get Cup of Soup & Dessert
All entrées, except pasta entrée, come with a choice of roasted garlic
mashed potatoes, wild rice blend, pasta or roasted red skin potatoes.
* Year around Locals 20% discount on all regular entrées (except $10 menu and excluding tax).
Please inform your server that you are ordering from the $10 menu.
Coming in 2009!
Burgers, Paninis, Pita Sandwiches & Pasta in addition to our regular menu.
1433 Richmond Grill, Williamsburg VA
757 229 6823
www.BlackAngusGrille.com
___________________________________________________________________________
The Seafare Restaurant 1632 Richmond Road • Williamsburg VA
(757) 229-0099
Williamsburg VA LOCALS’ APPRECIATION SPECIAL
$39.95* per couple
Offer valid December 20 – January 15
For Starters
Homemade Rum Bread
Along With
Your choice of one of our Homemade Soups (French Onion, Crab
Bisque, Clam Chowder) or salads (Special Caesar or House)
Next Enjoy
Your choice of one entrée per person:
• Broiled Seafood Combination including shrimp, scallops, oysters
flounder filet, jumbo lump crabmeat.
• Broiled Norwegian Salmon Filet topped with dill sauce
• New York Strip Steak broiled to perfection
Entrées served with either Baked Potato, Steak Cut French Fries
or Rice Pilaf
Top Off Your Meal With Our
Chocolate Lava Cake for Two with Ice Cream
* Not to be combined with any other offer. Reservations suggested. Must present ad in the Gazette
Sunday, November 23rd, 2008
Bluegrass Night – 8th Annual Fundraiser for FISH a Williamsburg VA Non Profit
Concert will be held at The Corner Pocket in New Town/ Williamsburg VA
Who is FISH in Williamsburg VA ?
FISH is a local organization that helps families in times of emergencies. They have over 250 people that offer their services in a completely voluntary manner. FISH offers food, clothing and transportation to the less fortunate members of our community. A family or individual in need may receive once every 30 days a generous supply of dry and canned foods and infant formula, together with sanitation supplies. They may also receive throughout the year clothing and household goods such as bed sheets, towels and blankets. The organization has a well-stocked selection area and the volunteers work hard to make sure that everything that is handed out is in optimal condition.No child that visits the center will leave without a toy and a book. Transportation services are available to persons with medical appointments. Anyone in need of transportation must call three days in advance, although they will do their best to accommodate requests made with less than three days notice.
FISH can be contacted through the United Way Helpline (757-229-2222) or at 757-220-9379. If you cannot call and you need the food, you can go directly to FISH. To receive their services you will only need a picture ID, such as a driver’s license.
Corner Pocket/ New Town Website
A community update brought to you by Mr Williamsburg.com
EXPERIENCE 18th-CENTURY CULINARY CHOICES IN
FOUR COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG TAVERNS
Eighteenth-century patriots savored their meals and hoisted pints of ale as they contemplated
revolution at taverns in Virginia’s colonial capital. Today, Colonial Williamsburg serves select
favorites from the period at four unique historic dining taverns with distinctive menus and authentic
colonial atmosphere. Staff in 18th-century dress serve guests and enhance the dining experience
with explanations of colonial dining habits and food preferences, lively exchanges with character
interpreters and music of the era played on period instruments. At King’s Arms, Shields, Christiana
Campbell’s and Chowning’s taverns, guests enjoy dining experiences similar to those of patrons
who frequented these establishments in the years leading up to the American Revolution. Colonial Williamsburg’s taverns are located in the heart of the Historic Area and are open to the public.
King’s Arms Tavern recalls an 18th-century chop house and continues the tradition of
fine tavern dining as guests feast on such colonial delicacies as roast prime rib of beef,
collops of pork, roast young duckling, game pie and traditional King’s Arms favorites of
peanut soup and the grand mushroom. Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., and
dinner is served from 5 p.m. until closing. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
Guests may order à la carte or try a complete meal of colonial favorites—Mrs.
Vobe’s Tavern Dinner, named after the tavern’s 18th-century proprietress Jane Vobe. This
fixed-price sampler starts with the tavern’s trademark peanut soup followed by a main
course of boneless breast of chicken with ham accompanied by potatoes, meadow
mushrooms and tarragon sauce. Dinner includes Sally Lunn bread and finishes with a
choice of Southern favorites, rice pudding or Williamsburg pecan pie.
In conjunction with Revolutionary City® programming, King’s Arms Tavern offers
Breakfast with Citizens of the Revolution. Guests enjoy a hot breakfast buffet while
engaging in conversation with revolutionaries who helped shape the future of our country.
The breakfast is offered seasonally Friday through Monday, with seatings at 8:45 and 9
a.m.
King’s Arms Tavern originally catered to Virginia’s gentry and the politically
influential before, during and after the Revolution. Today, Queen Anne-style tables, paired
with Sarah Richardson (a colonial resident) chairs, are set with yard-square linen napkins,
brass candlesticks and china stamped with the king’s coat of arms. Original and
reproduction colonial prints and paintings adorn the walls and windows are hung with
hand-woven English linens. In the Purdie House annex, a section of the tavern that
originally existed as the neighboring home of 18th-century Virginia Gazette publisher
Alexander Purdie, the furniture and elegant décor represent a level of wealth and style
associated with a prosperous gentry-class Williamsburg home. The home features not only
the fine carpeting, wallpaper and wall hangings of a wealthy merchant, but also artifacts
that tell the story of the Purdie family – including Purdie’s tobacco pipe on the mantel in
the former study and three small tricorn hats on pegs in his sons’ former bedroom.
Waitstaff are glad to share the story of the family, gleaned from ongoing Colonial
Williamsburg historical research.
King’s Arms Tavern is located on the south side of Duke of Gloucester Street
between Botetourt and Blair streets, near the Capitol. Free parking is available for tavern
patrons across Frances Street. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located in the newly
remodeled Purdie Kitchen behind the tavern.
Shields Tavern® The restored 18th-century capital of Virginia has brewed a unique flavor at its
successful Shields Tavern and transformed the establishment into an 18th-century
coffeehouse. Remember, tea was out of fashion in the pre-Revolutionary colonies, and
coffee was quite the rage in Europe and Great Britain. The first English “coffee house”
opened in Oxford in 1650. Fifty years later, there were 2,000 coffeehouses in London
alone. Williamsburg’s historical records reveal that when tavernkeeper Daniel Fisher took
over Shields Tavern in 1751, he recorded in his journal that the locals called the building
“the English Coffee House.” By 1767, the exotic, dark brew was being sipped at Richard
Charlton’s popular Coffee House located next to the Capitol in the area of Williamsburg
called the Exchange, “where all money business (was) transacted” and the governor and his
council were frequent patrons. Today the Charlton site is an archaeological dig across the
street from Shields Tavern.
James Shields Tavern operates in the spirit of an 18th-century coffeehouse, providing
a venue for interaction between guests, costumed historic character interpreters and
research staff. Served all day, the tavern’s light fare menu offers recipes representative of
the 18th-century food similar to that served by proprietor James Shields in the 1740s for the
lesser gentry and upper middling ranks of locals and travelers.
Over a cold beverage, hot chocolate or coffee and good eats, guests might discuss
18th-century “events of the day” and other topics with the interpreters or simply enjoy a
quiet drink and snack in one of the dining rooms or in the outdoor garden behind the
tavern.
In the evening, a portion of the warm, rustic and historically accurate tavern will
operate as a lounge, where guests may enjoy a quiet beverage before or after dining in one of
Colonial Williamsburg’s others taverns—or any time. Costumed servers continue in the
tradition of interpreting the 18th-century tavern experience amidst period tavern furnishings
and decoration.
Shields Tavern is open daily from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Mr. Shields is pleased to offer
a seasonal feast on Friday and Saturday evenings with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Costumed servers continue in the tradition of interpreting the 18th-century tavern experience
amidst period tavern furnishings and decoration while guests savor a three-course colonial
meal.
The lower level tavern room is available for banquets for up to 100, and the covered
garden area behind the tavern offers an ideal outdoor space for group functions with 18thcentury
entertainment, weather permitting. Shields Tavern is located on Duke of Gloucester
Street just east of King’s Arms Tavern, near the Capitol.
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern tempts guests with traditional seafood from the rest of
the British colonies of North America. Christiana Campbell’s Tavern serves dinner from
Tuesday through Saturday (reservations are recommended), providing guests with ample
opportunity to savor Mrs. Campbell’s favorite dishes of sherried shrimp, scallops and
lobster, as well as the Waterman’s Supper and lump crab cakes, the tavern’s signature dish.
The entrées are complemented by long-time tavern favorites of Campbell’s cabbage slaw,
spoon bread and sweet potato muffins.
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the tavern hosts tea with Mrs. Campbell. Guests are
welcome to experience 18th-century hospitality while their hostess regales them with
accounts of her contemporaries and the quaint customs of the period.
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern was a favorite of well-known colonial Virginians such
as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Servers of the tavern are on hand to recount
stories of George Washington’s favorable diary entries about Mrs. Campbell’s
establishment and other noteworthy tales about the colonial tavern. Free parking is
available behind the
tavern, located today on the east side of Waller Street across from the
Capitol.
Chowning’s (pronounced “chewnings”) Tavern, located near Market Square on Duke
of Gloucester Street, offers guests a popular menu—traditional pit barbecue. References to
“barbecued hog” date back to the late 1700s. The Chowning’s menu features sumptuous
entrées such as beef brisket, pulled pork barbecue, turkey legs and grilled chicken
sandwiches.
Chowning’s offers casual quick fare from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily in the tavern
garden. Guests may enjoy their meal at tables set under grape arbors or inside the tavern.
From 5 to 8 p.m., Chowning’s caters to families with the music, magic and colonial
games of gambols while serving light fare. Beginning at 8 p.m., gambols takes on the
rollicking atmosphere of an 18th-century ale house featuring beverages such as stout rum
drinks, a variety of hearty ales and wine by the glass. The same light fare is offered along
with baskets of fresh-roasted Virginia peanuts on every table.
Mary Randolph, reputed to be the best cook in Richmond by the 1790s, published
“The Virginia House-Wife” in 1824. She included recipes for fried chicken, Spanish
gazpacho, Italian polenta and East Indian curry. The tradition of this cookbook continues
at Colonial Williamsburg taverns with special themed dinners held throughout the year.
Guests have the opportunity to engage in unique tavern programming such as the 18thcentury
Chocolate Dinner, Colonial Chef’s Table, dinner with George Washington and
Thomas Jefferson wine dinners.
Colonial Williamsburg’s historic tavern guests experience the hearty and distinctive fare that
sustained the Founding Fathers, served with Southern hospitality in authentic surroundings.
