WOW! Where do I begin. For those of us that love to
eat out there is no end the to culinary delights (and just good
old meat and potatoes meals) here in historic Williamsburg.
Most of my favorites are only a few blocks away from the Fife & Drum
Inn - a Williamsburg Bed and
Breakfast.
Retro's......good
eats!
I would be remiss if I did not mention the best first (of course I
should also mention the fact that Sharon and I own the
business). Our specialties are
Frozen custard,
Limeades, and fresh cut
French fries. We also have the best hot dog in town. Our business is
based on quality food, fast courteous service, all at an affordable
price. It really is a cool place, even if I do say so myself.
The walls of Retro’s tell a story of a time long before Williamsburg’s
recent growth. On the walls is a wealth of one-of-a-kind photos
portraying downtown Williamsburg in the 1950’s. There’s even an
original two-player “Ms. Pac man” machine that been known to entertain
customers of all ages long after the food’s finished.
Open 11am to 8pm, just a couple of doors down from our historic
Williamsburg Bed and Breakfast.
A Chef's Kitchen
Across Boundary Street to the west is Chef John Gonzales "A Chef's
Kitchen" . I am pleased to say that John is an old friend. He
and I grew up in Williamsburg at about the same time. When Sharon and
I built our Williamsburg bed and breakfast, John was most helpful in
putting our breakfast menu together. He and his wife Wanda have done a
great job of maintaining a fine restaurant together but they also know
how to entertain. Each night guests are treated to
champagne and hors d'oeuvres, a meal of five courses,
three glasses of wine/beverage and recipes.
The seats are arraigned so that as John and his nephew Sam prepare the
meal everyone gets to ask questions and participate.
The classes begin at 6:30 and last
2 1/2 to 3 hours. Not only is the food
really good, but it is a fun experience....ala Emeril. At a fixed
price of $69.50, it is a very good value.
Green Leafe
Cafe
The "Leafe" as it has come to be known by locals is by far
my favorite Williamsburg restaruant. Just 3 blocks to the
west of our Williamsburg Bed and Breakfast, it is an easy walk. For
those into beer, they boast over 150 different types in the bottle and
30+ on tap. Every night they have pretty good specials, from
appetizers to entrees. For a bar, the food for the most part is
exceptional. It can get noisy, especially as the evening rolls
on. As the restaurant is right across from the College of William and
Mary Campus, it attracts a fair number of students. I either sit at the
bar or at the tables directly across from the bar. Food and drinks are
very reasonably priced. Best new menu item is a steak with
béarnaise sauce. The crab cakes have always been some of the best in
Williamsburg. Open for lunch and close about 2am.
A. Carroll's Bistro
Between the "Leafe" and Gonzales' place is a place called A. Carroll's
martini bistro. Closed at the end of last year it has just reopened
under new management. Although I have not been by yet I am
hearing pretty good gossip about the food and prices. Carroll's is on
the corner of Armistead and Prince George Street.
