Where Jon & Kate Ate

Todd Jurich's Bistro-Valentine's Day 2010

2010-02-13T20:43:00.011-05:00

Date Visited: February 12, 2010

Reason Why we Visited:
Valentines Day 2010! Jon found this restaurant online and was eager to try it. The chef Todd Jurich is a James Beard Foundation member and both him and the restaurant have won numerous awards and accolades. For more info about these awards, please visit this link: http://www.toddjurichsbistro.com/todd.html .
This establishment is located on Main Street in downtown Norfolk right across the street from Nauticus.

The Wait:
For once in our culinary tasting career we made a reservation. We figured fancy restaurant plus Valentine's Day Weekend required planning ahead. We were seated immediately upon entering. Our car also was treated to valet service so parking was no problem. Valet was $5.

The Atmosphere:
Todd Jurich calls this little restaurant venture of his a "bistro". The decor and atmosphere reflects everything you would expect in a chic down-town eatery. The wood paneling and white tablecloths with polished silver was inviting and warm. However, Jon and Kate were a little put off by the accent color on some of the walls above the paneling. The artsy and decor-minded Kate felt that the pale yellow did not compliment the rest of the room's class and actually gave the area in front of the kitchen a "fast food" appearance. The waitstaff were dressed well and the general look of the place is appealing and comfortable.

The Service:
Our waiter was prompt and courteous. He was very knowledgeable of the menu and quickly informed us of his excellent recommendations. Please be advised readers, the menu was a special Valentine's Day selection and may differ on other nights. Take note of the website provided to view their regular dinner fare. In general, the service was quick and effortless. There seemed to be excellent communication between all members of the staff and kitchen. Our waiter answered all of our questions well and was very personable.

The Drinks:
Throughout the evening Jon sipped on a Tom Collins and a mojito, two of his all time fave drinks. He thoroughly enjoyed his mojito, noting the hand made quality that denoted this drink did not come from some bottled "mix". Kate had two glasses of an excellent Max Reichter Riesling. She had not sampled this particular kind of Riesling before but liked it so well she declared it one of the best she's had. Wine is sold by the glass and by the bottle with extensive choices available.

The Food:
Jon and Kate both ordered the Cesar salad, preferring a light "first" as the menu called it, over a heavier appetizer. We agreed to save our palette for the main event. The Cesar did not disappoint. Romaine lettuce, strawberries, and tasty dressing were complimented by a warm, delicious "popover" and a Parmesan frico. The frico crunched up over the salad provided the salty and crunchy aspect usually expected from croutons.

The entrees we chose were the flounder and jumbo lump crab flavored with Meyer lemon for Jon and the tuna steak with peppercorn crust on a bed of bok choy and mushrooms for Kate. Jon loved his dish and enjoyed the sweet/sour flavoring of the Meyer lemon. The flounder came lightly breaded and was cooked perfectly resulting in a flaky texture. The only negative he noted, was a small amount of grittiness in the lump crab. Kate and Jon enjoyed the tuna dish immensely. It was prepared medium rare and had a good sear with a nicely formed crust. The pepper was a little over powering but the delicious melt-in-your-mouth quality of tuna more than made up for it. The bok choy was wilted and still crunchy and the marinated mushrooms were a perfect complement.

The Dessert:
Jon and Kate chose the bread pudding. It came topped with hand whipped cream and crunchy toasted nuts on top. The bread and cream anglaise were perfectly married into a soft and chewy masterpiece. Each bite was better than the last and both of us were disappointed when it was gone. Excellent!! This is a must try.

Value:
The prices at this bistro reflect typical downtown complete with an award winning chef. However, Jon and Kate both felt the money more than paid for the excellent quality and service. Every dime was well spent and very much enjoyed.

Overall:
Jon and Kate would definitely recommend this eatery. Don't just save this one for special occasions. The bistro also offers a lunch selection and seasonal specials. Jon and Kate plan to return and try the calamari and the salmon! The descriptions listed on the menu were mouth-watering and tempting.

For further info check out:
http://www.toddjurichsbistro.com/index2.html

Happy Valentine's to our readers!!! And in recent news....Jon and Kate became engaged February 12, 2010.

Orapax in West Ghent, Norfolk

2009-09-17T13:35:00.004-04:00

Date Visited: August 27 2009

Reason Why we Visited:
It was the beginning of our weekend and Jon's friend Holly was in town. We decided on a local favorite to show off Norfolk's culinary diversity. For those of you not from HR, Orapax is a long time favorite for many of the locals. It was transformed from an old inn.

The Wait:
Since Kate is a Hampton Roads lifer she has visited this establishment many times. She commented to us that she has never had to wait even at it's busiest. This proved to be par for the course as we were seated immediately upon arriving.

The Atmosphere:
Orapax has an authentic "old country" feel. It is very family friendly and although the tables are close together and the entire place not very big, it is relaxing and homey. The decor lends itself to its Greek and Mediterranean heritage. There a few different sections and we have been here previously where large parties were hosted comfortably. This visit, we were placed in a little nook where it was quiet and we could entertain our guest. Orapax also features an open kitchen and as you can tell from our previous comments on this (see Catch 31 review) Jon and Kate both find this style of restaurant interesting and transparent.

The Service:
Our waitress was excellent. She was very knowledgeable of the menu and explained many of the exclusively Greek dishes that Americans may not be familiar with. Even when a slight miscommunication landed Jon with the wrong dressing for his salad, the waitress was very gracious and patient.

The Drinks:
Jon and Holly both ordered a domestic beer while Kate and Isabelle stuck with soda and juice.

The Food:
All tables are started off with Orapax's home-made bread and clarified butter for dipping. This is very yummy and it is hard to stop snacking so there is room for the rest of the meal. We ordered one of our staples, the calamari, as the appetizer. Jon raved about it, saying it was probably the best he has ever had. Kate thought it was very good but said she could have done with a lighter batter. Obviously, this judgment will be up to personal taste. We enjoyed dipping the calamari in their house marinara and the tazikhi sauce (that we asked the waitress for specifically). It seems that one of our goals is to taste all the calamari in Hampton Roads. Jon and Holly both ordered the gyro platter which is an Orapax classic. Jon was a little put off by the fact that the ingredients came separately so that one had to assemble their own pita bread, meat and toppings together. He suggested this was probably because he is used to the gyro sandwich where all the components are put together beforehand and served as one dish. Holly thought the flavor was very good. Kate ordered a Ceaser salad (another one of her old stand-bys) because she ate so much calamari that all she wanted was something light. She also enjoys Orapax's Ceaser dressing that is a little bolder than the norm. Isabelle munched on everything. Kate mentioned to the group that she has also ordered the Vegetarian pita and found it to be delicious. Everything on the menu that we have tried so far has been very fresh tasting and authentic.

The Dessert:
We passed on this because we had other adventures lined up for the evening and were pressed for time.

Value:
The menu is reasonably priced and the portions are a good size for the cost. The service is typically good and we have rarely been dissapointed by anything on our visits.

Overall:Orapax is a great family friendly, good service, unique food kind of place. We have heard good things about their pizza as well, and glancing over the menu, it looks as if they have many different variations to try (definitely not your delivery from Dominos, Chanellos, Pizza Hut, etc).

Isabellas, Upper West Side, New York City

2009-09-04T22:45:00.003-04:00

Date Visited: August 22, 2009

Reason Why we Visited:
At the last minute Jon was able to work out a day trip to NYC. Before we left we researched a few restaurants so we knew where we would end up for lunch. At first, we searched the famous ones, but apprehensive of crowds, noise, and high prices we opted for a few lesser knowns. The one that caught Kate's eye was "Isabella's" because of course, it was so close to her daughter's beautiful name. The online reviews were good and the menu on their website boasted high-end and healthy options.

The Wait:
Kate's initial idea was to NOT make reservations or call ahead for the following reasons: 1) we weren't exactly sure when we were stopping for lunch (we still hadn't quite mastered the subway schedule) so we didn't want to be too early or too late for a reservation 2) we thought we would have lunch a little later in the day missing the "lunch crowd" and 3) we figured even if there was a considerable wait, what would be the harm in wandering around the area surrounding the restaurant...that's what the whole point of our trip was anyways. FIRST MISTAKE! It had been off and on drizzling all day. We asked the hostess for wait time and she seemed a little put off we didn't call ahead. She offered us the outside or the bar for immediate seating, but we were warned that if the weather turned we would be moved inside, possibly to no table. We chose the bar which was a little disappointing. THEN, just as we were seated at the bar the rains came. We thought we were safe because we were safely inside gloating that we had not decided to wait and get caught in the storm. Just then, everyone from Columbus Ave poured into the tiny establishment, shoulder to shoulder, invading our personal space. Conversing at a bar is already a little difficult but is made immensely harder when 30 New Yorkers are chatting in a confined space right behind you.

The Atmosphere:
Very cute. Little New York style high-end bistro. Small, as many New York restaurants are but nicely decorated and pretty views of the street inside. Outdoor dining area for nice weather. It seemed very "local" and not as tourist-ish.

The Service:
The bartender was great! Just as friendly as if she were a waitress at the table. Gave Isabelle crayons and chatted with her like she was an adult. Very attentive. The BEST part: When she found out Isabelle's name she insisted on getting a hat from the kitchen with the company's name and logo on it for it.

The Drinks:
Kate had a slight headache from so much walking and only wanted water. We were just not in the mood for cocktails since we had alot more of the city to explore.

The Food:
We had the calamari served with marina and tzatziki sauce for an appetizer. (If you've followed us regularly you have noticed calamari is one of our fave appetizers). It was good and Jon and Kate agreed that the tzatziki sauce was delicious-cool and refreshing. Also different, since this is not the traditional calamari accompaniment. Marinara was only ok, something similar to Campbells tomato soup. Kate ordered a dinner size Caesar and Jon had the Spinach-Ricotta Ravioli. The Caesar was good, nice portion, and tasty dressing. Jon enjoyed his pasta except he mentioned that a few pieces were a little undercooked. Kate tasted the dish and liked it as well. The tastes were excellent. Jon praised the sauce.

The Dessert:
We skipped dessert due to our hectic schedule. However, if dessert was anything like the meal it would have been good.

Value:
Prices were definitely not bad, especially for NYC. Very reasonable for good food and great service in a classy neighborhood.

Overall:
We really enjoyed our visit but we regret not calling ahead and getting better seating. We also felt (and this was a continual feeling throughout the day) that we wish we had more time to linger and soak it all in. But NYC is huge and we only had a few hours to scratch the surface. Isabella's is a place we would recommend for anyone visiting NYC.

Abuelos in Chesapeake

2009-08-16T22:03:00.007-04:00

Reason Why We Visited:

We were running errands in Chesapeake and we were hungry. In the mood for Mexican but unwilling to drive out to Virginia Beach or Norfolk to visit our normal Mexican joints, we opted for the newly built Abuelo's located in front of Greenbrier mall. Kate had been there before right when it opened with friends and had mentioned that it was "ok" when she visited.

The Wait:

Not that bad for a Saturday night. It was busy and there were quite a few families and large parties waiting to be seated. However, we only waited in the lobby for about twenty minutes before being seated.

Atmosphere:
Jon and Kate commented together how the usual "mom and pop" Mexican restaurant has an authentic feel to it, from the entrance down to the tables and decor. This restaurant struggled with its identity. It strove to be upper class and fancy which somewhat detracts from the typical "home style" Mexican feel that the average patron has come to recognize. The murals and paintings seemed canned as if they were cheap and mass produced copies of the real Mexican experience. It was all very pretty and clean, but lacked in the originality and homeyness of a true Mexican restaurant.

Service:

Our waitress was excellent. Very prompt and explained the menu and specials well. She was even indulgent in granting Kate's daughter, Isabelle's whiny request for a "drink like Mommy's." She was not over eager but genuine in wanting to facilitate a good and delicious experience.

Drinks:

Jon was disappointed when the waitress told him they were out of the Mojito ingredients (oddly enough the featured beverage emblazoned boldly on the front of their drinks menu). He opted instead for the Sangria Swirl that looked refreshing in the picture and in real life. Katie had a strawberry daiquiri and Isabelle, a virgin strawberry daiquiri.

Food:

We started out with an appetizer of tortilla chips and guacamole (usually offered free at most Mexican restaurants) however, all dips and salsas were charged as extra at this establishment. Being used to home-made or at least tastes like home-made chips (Tortilla West in Ghent being the best at this) we were dissapointed by the stale and unsubstantial taste of the grocery store brand chips. The guacamole was also less then spectacular, not fresh or home-made tasting either. Jon ordered the "Enchiladas de Cozumel" and Kate ordered the "Shrimp Mojo de Ajo", both House Specialities in the Seafood section. The description for Jon's dish was "Three delicious crepes filled with fresh guacamole, covered in a rich white wine sauce with a medley of perfectly seasoned shrimp, scallops, mushrooms, fresh spinach and roasted peppers," according to the menu. Jon noted that the sauce tasted bland and floury and there was an abundance of guacamole covering up what should have been the flavor of the rest of the dish. The rice side dish was also undercooked and seemed to have been made long ago and allowed to sit out. Kate felt that the shrimp dish was very lack-luster. Not Mexican in flavor, more greasy Olive Garden meets Carrabas Italian wannabe.

Dessert:

We shared one slice of the Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. Incredibly rich but again like other chain restaurants tasting like it came from a mass produced box one could also find in the freezer section of the grocery store.

Value:

One of the reasons most people, including us love Mexican so much is because of the typical economical prices. The average patron can get any number of tasty combination plates at other non-franchise Mexican places for under ten bucks. Abuelo's in its quest to be "higher class" in the Mexican restaurant industry includes a price tag to match. Unfortunately, I would prefer the home style feel and taste over the "delusion's of grandeur" offered by Abuelo's.

Overall:

On Jon and Kate's extensive list of excellent Mexican places (it being one of our fave ethnic cuisines) Abuelo's hovers precariously near the bottom. There are many places that even warrant an extra drive out of the way including El Loro which is also conveniently located in the Greenbrier area of Chesapeake.

Catch 31 at the Hilton, Virginia Beach

2009-08-09T12:00:00.001-04:00

Date Visited: July 30, 2009

Reason Why We Visited:
The local band "Butter" is awesome. This summer they have performed many outdoor free concerts at the 31st Stage on the Oceanfront. This is a neat venue because we got the benefit of the ocean breeze, the tourist people watching, and Isabelle loves to dance around with the other kids on the huge lawn in front of the stage. The plan was to eat at Catch 31's cool outdoor section positioned conveniently within earshot and view of the 31st stage. We wanted to eat a light dinner, have a few drinks, and enjoy the music.

The Wait:
Because this IS tourist season and this is one of the most high class and popular spots on the Oceanfront, we were in for a wait. We ended up sitting on the lawn and listening to Butter play for over an hour before our little pager vibrated and we were actually given a table. Also, because we were warned of the wait when we arrived and we were starving we asked for "first available", so that landed us inside. At least we had gotten our Butter fix.

The Atmosphere:
Catch 31 is upscale. Its decor matches the hotel. The Hilton is only about five years old and everything in it is definitely meant to be eye-catching and luxurious feeling. The restaurant itself is a little on the loud side for Kate's taste. Between the clatter of the open kitchen, the conversation of other patrons, the canned music playing overhead, the TVs in the nearby bar area, and the faint sound of the outside activity including Butter still playing, it can be a bit overwhelming. Jon mentioned to me at this point the pros and cons of an open kitchen. Pro: Patrons enjoy watching the activity, it can be entertaining and it can give one the security of knowing what is NOT going on behind closed doors. Con: As a kitchen employee, one can feel a sense of pressure and uneasiness with all those eyes on you. There is little chance for horseplay or casualness with your fellow cooks, its all business and professionalism.

The Service:
After we were seated by the hostess (who proved to be everything a hostess should be: cute, perky, and polite), we waited a full five minutes before a hurried waiter rushed up to our table, poured water into the water goblets (which Kate loved) and mumbled something about our "real waiter" coming by shortly. Granted, they were VERY busy, but this display of events was a little annoying. Another five minutes goes by, and finally our "real waiter" arrives. He is breathing heavily and apologizing with some bizarre, half baked, almost unintelligible in his quick gaspy breaths, story about helping some other lady with her take-out order. For the rest of the evening he was creepily ever-present. Hovering and prodding excessively. "Can I get you anything else? Is everything ok?" Showing fake attention to the appropriateness of our drink and appetizer choices. Kate said to Jon (as the waiter walked away) "Ok dude, you were late, you are still getting a tip, back off".

The Food:
The goal of dinner was light. We ordered calamari as a shared appetizer and two dinner sized Ceaser salads. Kate has a special affinity for calamari and can tell you at just about every restaurant that serves it, whether it is good or not. Catch 31 disappointed...what was even further disappointing was that this restaurant is no casual dining joint that just attempts to reheat frozen calamari. This establish is ON the Oceanfront. It is supposed to have good seafood and even claims via the menu that it obtains all its product from fresh local markets. The calamari was not very tender and had a huge overabundance of tentacles instead of the more appetizing delicate rings that should melt in your mouth. The accompanying sauce however, was a pleasant surprise. Being used to some form of cocktail sauce, offering a different selection with calamari is definite points in our eyes. It was called a "sweet chile sauce" and it was a little sweet and a little spicy, just right. The Ceasers were Ceasers. Nothing much different from one eating establishment to the other. The only thing of note was the dressing. Kate mentioned that it was the lightest and tastiest Ceaser dressing she had had in a long time. Very mild and just the right amount on the salad.

The Drinks:
Jon ordered one of our over-eager servers recommendations, some kind of Island Rum Tea. He thought it was good although a little strong. Kate asked for own of her old faves, A Sex on the Beach. To her surprise, it came a weird algae green color instead of its traditional pink and orange. I asked the waiter to insure there was not a mix-up and he acted a little offended that I didn't recognize my own drink, as if its always been that color. Very strange...but still tasted like a Sex on the Beach so I guess no points lost.

The Desserts:
We took a short glance at the dessert menu. Over priced and everything sounded like they might have taken it out of a Sara Lee box and poured some melted chocolate over it. Not worth it.

Value:
Definitely not budget friendly. Everything on the menu is priced like you would expect at a "upscale seafood restaurant". Even our salads were a bit overpriced for plates of leaves and some cheese and croutons. But not a shocker either...this is the Hilton and the Oceanfront, remember.

Overall:
We would like to go back. There were quite a few other dishes on the menu that we wanted to try, especially the soups...they all sounded incredibly tasty. Maybe in the winter, minus the tourists and plus the cold weather.

Introduction of Our New Blog

2009-08-08T21:36:00.001-04:00

First of all, this site IS NOT about Jon and Kate Gosselin. This IS about Jon and Kate from Hampton Roads in South Eastern Virginia. We have been dating for over six months and have decided that we both love to experience and evaluate restaurants. In fact, one of our aspirations if we ever get the courage (and the capital) is to start our own restaurant. We figured a good start to accomplishing this goal is RESEARCH. Part of that research is visiting restaurants all over Hampton Roads and deciding what we like and don't like about each. Over dinner (of course), we also assumed that other people in our area could benefit from this knowledge. So, weekly we will review a restaurant, some we have been to previously and some we have recently visited. We will also have a special entry once a month featuring a national "chain restaurant". We would also welcome suggestions from our readers (once we know we have some) about good places that you want us to review. We will try to use the same format to review all restaurants that gives you an overall sense of the establishment including atmosphere, taste, service and value.