Writing this blog actually takes a lot of planning -- and it sometimes happens that we just stumble upon something great without being prepared to blog about it, no camera, no advance prep work. It's been happening a lot lately, so right now I have a ton of new experiences to write about but sadly not enough for a full blog post. It seemed a shame to not share, though, so I thought I'd stitch a few of our latest greatest experiences and discoveries together in one post here. Here goes -- a few snippets of stuff we've been up to around town lately.



Brunch at the Cyprus Grille (Hampton): We meet up with friends regularly for brunch; this month we decided to try out the Cyprus Grille, located inside the Embassy Suites hotel in Hampton. Cyprus Grille's been getting a lot of press lately because it  recently placed in a state cooking competition! Chef Kyle Fowlkes's recipe for Nana's Buttermilk Fried Chicken came in second in the contest and after tasting it, we're wondering what could have possibly topped it. I highly recommend their chicken and waffles -- the waffles are crisp, the orange-black pepper syrup is unlike anything I've ever had before, and the cheesy grits it's served with are great, too.



Rose Garden at the Virginia Zoo (Norfolk): Recently, we went to the Virginia Zoo with our playgroup and discovered a previously undiscovered corner of the zoo (at least, to us).  Beyond the kangaroo exhibit, all the way at the south end of the zoo, you'll find the Victorian gazebo situated among a host of rosebushes, all in full bloom this time of year! Bonus points: you can see the zoo's beehives  (which I didn't even know existed) and stone steps nearby are a nice place to put on a show with friends. Read more about what to see in the rose garden here.



Atumpan African Dance (Norfolk; various locations): Speaking of the Virginia Zoo, we saw the Atumpan dance group at the Virginia Zoo's Arts Are Wild celebration last weekend and they were fabulous. Such a sense of humor, passion, and vibrancy from all the dancers and musicians. They know how to work a crowd, and how to deliver information in a way that's fun for all age groups. Anouk got up and did her best to follow the steps while the rest of us played along with the traditional West African instruments the dancers passed around. Atumpan offers regular lessons (drop in or recurring, ages 2 to adult) at the Attucks Theatre in Norfolk or you can catch them at one of their local events.

 What have you been up to lately? Any new discoveries (here in HRVA, or in your neck of the woods?)

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day but I hate getting up early. Enter brunch! Going out for brunch is one of my favorite things to do on a cozy weekend morning -- I think I've eaten brunch in every city in Hampton Roads (except Suffolk! If you know a good place over there, please let me know. I'd love to try it out.)

The only requirements I have for a brunch place is a great Bloody Mary and a family-friendly atmosphere (since babysitters aren't usually available bright and early on weekend mornings). Here are my five favorite kid-friendly brunch places in #HRVA. What're yours?

1. Waterman's (Virginia Beach): We visited this beachfront restaurant last weekend after seeing Santa at the aquarium and it jumped to the top of the list based on the lovely view alone. Luckily, the menu is also good -- a lot of interesting specials, varied kid selections, and best of all, they bring a cinnamon roll basket to the table like other restaurants bring bread. They also proudly support the Sustainable Seafood program. What's not to like? Try: the Orange Crush.

2. No Frill Grill (Norfolk): My all-time favorite brunch place from way back, down in the heart of Ghent (there's also one at Hilltop). The name suits it -- the food isn't fancy or frilly but just plain well done. Can get a little packed on Sunday mornings but it's always worth the (minor) wait. Try: the Crab Benedict.

3. Conch and Bucket (Hampton): A sweet new(ish) place in adorable downtown Hampton. C&B has an emphasis on seafood with some creative combinations (salmon and orange risotto, seafood mac and cheese) but also does the traditional brunch classics well. My favorite part (besides the food) is probably the bricked-in, vine-covered patio out back; in the summer, it feels like you're eating in someone's backyard, not an urban city block. Try the Italian Bread French Toast (my friend swears by their creme brulee cheesecake if you're feeling dessert-ish).

4. Beach Pub (Virginia Beach): Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, this Laskin Road location has been around for over 35 years. It's not fancy but the food is amazing. Try: the Oysters Rockefeller and the blueberry muffins.

5. Charlie's Cafe (Norfolk): Charlie's is a Norfolk institution. Besides great service and a relaxed vibe, this (more than a) diner makes omelets that are feather-light and perfectly done. Charlie's just moved to its new location in Riverview on Granby Street and we can't wait to check it out (the top pic is Anouk at the old location over the summer). Try: the sake Bloody Mary and a bag of fresh Norfolk donuts.

Now I'm hungry. Happy weekend, all!

We celebrated Easter with my extended family by going out to brunch at the historic Chamberlin Hotel -- a whole crowd of us, 22 people in all. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, the works. People you love + good food + chocolate bunnies and jellybeans for all = what's not to get excited about?

The Chamberlin is located on the grounds of Fort Monroe, in Hampton. Because the base was decommissioned in 2011, after we ate, we were able to walk around and explore everything. James, Anne and I set off down the seawall to Overlook Beach and took in the sights: the old fort, which replaced an earlier one built in 1609, the Civil War-era barracks and batteries surrounded by an imposing moat, and the tons of beautiful historic houses. Since the base is being partially reclassified for residential use, some of these old mansions are actually for sale! We spent a long time picking out our favorites -- I eventually chose one with sleek white columns for my dream house. I think I could even handle having to drive over the bridge-tunnel all the time if it meant I could live there.


But the most exciting part of the day by far was getting the chance to see a panoramic view of the base and bay. During brunch, I asked our maitre'd if there was a place I could go outside to take photos, and she kindly offered to take us up to the top of the hotel where we could see everything -- almost the entirety of the giant stone fort, most of Old Point Comfort, and across the bay to Fort Wool and Rip Raps just offshore. So much history in one glance! It was amazing.


All in all, it was a very special day and a holiday to remember forever. We're planning to go back to Fort Monroe when the weather is nicer to visit the Casemate Museum and see a little bit more of the grounds. And James really wants to take his kayak over to Fort Wool (I think I'll wait for the boat tour).

Happy Easter to you, if you celebrated! And if not, hope you had a happy weekend.

Sunday, James suggested that we take a break from watching the news, from errand running and go out to brunch. It seemed like the perfect idea; a little break and some togetherness was just exactly what was needed. We headed down to the Oceanfront, to Pocahontas Pancakes, at the corner of 35th and Atlantic.

Pocahontas Pancakes is a little bit of a landmark. It's been around since the 1970s, and in 2002, the Food Network featured it in their "Best Of" series, naming it the best pancake house in Virginia Beach.  A conclusion that we definitely agree with after eating here.

From a kid-friendly standpoint, Pocahontas Pancakes is the perfect mix of food and atmosphere. It's cheery and bright and welcoming -- not to mention bustling enough that nobody seems to notice a happy toddler making a joyful noise over chocolate milk. But unlike a lot of kid-friendly joints, the food is good enough to satisfy even the most sophisticated and grown-up diners. Baby A. had a kid-sized serving of the signature pancakes, I ordered the famous pecan waffles, and J. (the contrarian) went for eggs. We shared bits from our plates with each other and agreed that everything was perfectly delicious.




It was a little rainy and overcast, but that didn't stop us from crossing the street to walk the boardwalk for a while after we left the pancake house. We stopped to visit the Virginia Beach police memorial, which put me in mind of a Mr. Rogers quote I've been saying over and over to myself a lot while watching the news this weekend:

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.


Here's to the helpers, and all of the caring people out there. Stay safe, everyone. x