Williamsburg, VA
 

Dining recommendations for in and around Williamsburg, Va. Myself, spouse and 2 children (5 & 8), who have been dining out & traveling for most of their lives. All types of ethnic foods & cusines work. Nice, but not stuffy dining works for all of us, hopefully not chain places. Price is not an object. Thanks for any suggestions.

The Green Leafe Cafe offers a fun pub-type atmosphere. The environment is definitely family friendly, being on the fringes of Colonial Williamsburg (go before 7 as the college crowds fill in the later it gets). They offer typical pub food, and several local beers if you're into that sort of thing. It is at the intersection of Scotland St. and Richmond Rd.

Any of the taverns within the boundaries of the colonial area are good as well. Waitstaff is in period costume for a change of pace from the typical restaurant.

Pierce's BBQ on Rochambeau Rd. (runs along the west side of I-64) between exits 238 and 234, is supposedly famous for their pit style bbq pork. It is a quick meal stop, order at the counter, seat yourself setup. I enjoy the food, my coworkers give it mixed reviews.

Yes, yes, yes, do I have a recommendation for you! The ALL-TIME best dining experience of my life was at Captain George's Seafood Buffet, located in several towns. We went to two of them, in the Williamsburg and the Virginia Beach locations somewhat over ten years ago. I hope they haven't changed.

Your post doesn't sound like the buffet type, so maybe not quite right for you. But for anyone who really, really likes high quality seafood (plus beef plus delectable desserts, and on and on), the website (I just checked it after reading your post, to make sure CGSB is still around) is www.captaingeorges.com. Picture on the website doesn't do it justice (assuming the quality I remember so vivivdly is still there). I remember in particular getting a full plate of all-you-can-get oysters Rockefeller. No fried oysters when we went, however, were told they weren't in season. Place was so good that the DH and I often talk of how we need to go back to Virginia, specifically to return to Captain George's.

A note of caution: There were in the past several seafood buffets with similar-sounding names but with less bountiful selections. So you might want to verify the name. Also, when we were there, very long waiting lines, not that we cared. :)

I would unreservedly recommend The Trellis in Merchants Square, right in the center of Williamsburg. It is seen as one of the country's best restaurants and to me has a perfect blend of wonderful food, upscale feel and unpretentious, non-stuffy atmosphere. I think your kids would be fine there. See www.thetrellis.com and have a great time.

Went there about 10 years ago and it was indeed superb.

Stack 'Em High Pancakes
 

You mentioned two children; a nice breakfast place if you're with kids is the Stack 'Em High Pancakes restaurant on Richmond Road (U.S. Route 60).

I'll also second the nominations of the Green Leafe Cafe. Nice pub grub and comfortable atmosphere. Try the St. George IPA that they usually have on tap (or if you see it around the area); it's brewed nearby in Hampton and in a blind taste test earlier this year a panel of beer industry types chose it as the best beer made in Virginia.

I'd recommend Green Leafe Cafe, as a lunch/late lunch/early dinner stop. Another place, if you don't mind a bit of a drive, is the Boulevard or Port Arthur Chinese restaurant. The Boulevard is a bar/restaurant, with 6 beer taps, 5 of which traditionally have micro-brews. Port Arthur has some of the best Chinese food in the area. Those are located in Newport News, near the Mariner's Museum, which might be a good stop for a day. They have the turret from the Monitor on display there.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I think we should have time to try out at 5 or 6 of the places mentioned.

Happy eating to all !

I have to disagree with the recommendation for Port Arthur. What kind of Chinese restaurant puts rice in the egg drop soup? I have lived in Newport News for 25 years and all of my friends agree that Port Arthur is not good. However if you want to go, it is about a 25-30 mins drive. I do recommend the Trelis in Williamsburg. The Green Leafe and surround delis are decent.

DH loves Port Arthur. When's the last time you were there? He was there last in December, I think, right about the time we moved out of the area, and loved it.

I would put the Trellis at the top of the list. The colonial taverns are all good....I happen to like King's Arms and Shields the best...Green Leafe is great for early dinner and lunch. I would definitely try to get to Pierce's for barbeque....it is really unique. The Golden Horseshoe clubhouse (overlooking golf course near Williamsburg Inn) is delightful for lunch....they don't serve dinner. Also Barrett's Seafood near Merchant's Square at the College end of the town. Have a great trip!

The Trellis is very good, i would just go their for desert though, the chef is the one who first created "death by choclate" They have a whole menu of deserts and they are reasonably priced. If price is no object i would eat at the Regency Room in the Williamsburg Inn. The Taverns in Colonial Williamsburg are also very good, I would recomend Kings Arms (call 1-800-History to make a reservation, kinda needed). The colonial game pie is excellent. For Sandwiches i would goto the Cheese Shop in market square. And for pizza/italian i would goto Paul's Deli which is towards William and Mary, the college deli is right across the street which is very good as well. and they just opened a Hooters there as well if you like that :cool: Any questions let me know.

Also....money no object...the Brae Bistro (spelling?) at Kingsmill is great. They also have the Eagles restaurant there which is a little less upscale and very good for lunch/dinner as well.