Eating & Sleeping
Colonial Beach
5 Seaside Thai
& French Thai, French $$
(%804-224-2410; 201 Wilder Ave; mains
$12-23; h11am-9pm Tue-Thu & Sun, til 10pm
Fri & Sat) You read that right: two disparate
cuisines – Thai and French – link up on the
menu of this Colonial Beach restaurant, which
is one of the most popular places in town. It’s
brilliant actually; this kitchen cranks out some
stupendous Thai cuisine and very good French
food. Bon appetit and gin khao.4 Bell House B&B B&B^ $$
(%804-224-7000; http://www.thebellhouse.com/;
821 Irving Ave; s/d $125/142) As you explore
historical homes and the residences of famous
Americans in coastal Virginia, why not consider
staying in one of their houses? The Bell House
is the former digs of inventor Alexander
Graham Bell, most famously the inventor of the
telephone. His former mansion consists of four
elegantly decked out rooms.Norfolk 4
5 Todd Jurich’s Bistro American^ $$$
(%757-622-3210; 150 W Main St #100; mains
$20-37; h11:30am-2pm Mon-Fri, 5:30-10pm
Mon-Sat) This award-winning bistro serves
innovative regional fare, like lump crab cakes
and buttermilk cornbread pudding. The land
options are nice as well; we dig the ribeye
with (oh yes) duck-fat fries. The wine menu is
wonderful and possesses a ton of depth and
diversity. Your best romantic night option in
town.4 Residence Inn Hotel^ $$
(%757-842-6216; http://www.marriott.com; 227 W
Brambleton Ave; r $140, ste $210; pWsc)
A short stroll to a lot of the action on Granby St,
one of Norfolk’s main drags, this friendly chain
hotel has a boutique feel, with stylish, spacious
rooms with small kitchenettes and excellentamenities. Book ahead or online for significantly
reduced rates.Virginia Beach 5
5 Jewish Mother Deli $
(%757-428-1515; 600 Nevan Rd; mains $5-14;
h10am-9pm Mon-Thu, 8am-2am Fri & Sat,
8am-9pm Sun) Get your nosh on with packed deli
sandwiches, ‘penicillin soup’ (chicken and matzo
ball) and monster-sized pie. The Reubens make a
great lunch. Excellent live music is staged nightly;
this is as much a gathering space for Virginia
Beach youth as it is a great deli.5 Mahi Mah’s Seafood $$$
(%757-437-8030; http://www.mahimahs.com; 615
Atlantic Ave; mains $18-33; h5pm-late Mon-Fri,
7am-2pm Sat & Sun; c) This oceanfront local
has some fantastic sushi, which makes up for
the snail-paced service. By day, it’s a bouncy
restaurant that is a good option for families who
want a nice meal out. After dark, this is one of
the most popular nightspots on the beach.4 First Landing
State Park Campground $
(%800-933-7275; http://dcr.virginia.gov; Cape
Henry; campsites $24-30, cabins from $75; p)
You couldn’t ask for a prettier campground than
the one at this bayfront state park, although the
cabins do not have a view of the water.4 Hilton Virginia
Beach Oceanfront Hotel $$$
(%757-213-3000; http://www.hiltonvb.com; 3001
Atlantic Ave; r $180-250, ste from $290;
pWs) The premier place to stay on the
beach is this super-luxurious 21-story hotel. The
oceanfront rooms are spacious, comfortable
and packed with amenities like huge flat-screen
TVs, dreamy bedding and large balconies that
open out to views of the beach and Neptune
Park below. Check the website for information
on the many spa treats and packages you can
indulge in.VIRGINIA.TRIPS.27
(^) BRACKETING THE BAY