"Kidnapped" Kari for her 45th to VA Beach

A couple of weeks ago, Lori and Sheri "kidnapped" Kari for her 45th birthday which really isn't until April 22.  We had a glorious weekend at friend's very cool condo facing Back Bay in Sandbridge.  The weather couldn't have been better...87 and sunny when we arrived.  We did lots of fun things including eating at some great restaurants (see notes below)...checking out the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia and Virginia Aquarium, cruising the boardwalk with all the Shamrock marathon runners and families, and walking the beach.  Cocktails and yummy appetizers were enjoyed on the balcony overlooking Back Bay and the beautiful sunsets.  We got a call from Dad on Saturday evening telling us to look at the biggest moon ever...so we did after dinner at Catch 31 on the beach.  It was spectacular.

Day 1
So to keep Kari on her toes guessing our final destination, we stopped off at Old Chickahominy House for lunch in Williamsburg.  Friends told Lori it was a place we just had to go to enjoy southern food.  Very small and old--some of the building is over 200 years old--although there is a large gift shop, and the restaurant was full of regulars. No reservations although we got on the list before we left home so we didn't have too wait long. Basically you get  unsweetened or sweetened tea.  Then you get flat rectangular biscuits which was a real surprise for us, ham, chicken and dumplings, and they really push the pie.  They thought we were weird not wanting any pie.    Being a Lenten Friday, Sheri had veggie Brunswick stew which was more like veggie soup. Biscuits were great even though they were flat and rectangular instead of round and deep.  Ham salty good.  Chicken and dumplings tasty and very filling.  www.oldchickahominy.com.

 After settling into our condo  (Aqua Boogie in The Sanctuary), we took a walk on the beach and saw a pod of dolphins flying out of the water and twirling around to our amusement.  When we decided we walked off lunch, we headed back to the condo to enjoy cocktails, nachos, fresh salsa and guacamole, and watched a beautiful sunset over Back Bay.  Ready for dinner, we skipped across the street to Baja Bayview Lounge & Grill.  It doesn't look like much on the outside but is very cute inside.  A little surprising it isn't more open to the bay views though.  (Dave Matthews mom lives nearby and sometimes he just shows up and plays until it gets too crowded.) Waitress was fabulous.  Above picture to the left is Angry Mussels which Kari, who loves mussels, and Lori enjoyed for the first time.  Lori was a little skimish but gave it a try.  They were served with a flavorful broth and toasted bread.  Sheri is allergic to shellfish which is a bummer.  We enjoyed mouth watering panko crusted flounder with crabmeat and spinach salad with grilled tuna and sweet vidalia onion vinaigrette.  Yummy all around.  http://hamptonroads.com/2009/06/baja-bar-and-grille-offers-sunset-views-live-music

Day 2

After a good night sleep, breakfast of yogurt, berries and delicious muffins from Greenberry's in McLean, we were off to Virginia Beach.  We stopped off at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia and saw an incredible exhibit by Marc Sijan.  The sculptures of people, many of his friends and family, are so real-like...muscles, facial expressions, veins, skin, everything.  You got to check it out. The museum is beautiful too and there was a great exhibit by area students as well. www.cacv.org

Back in the car, we drove a short distance and parked at 25th Street.  So excited to see the Norwegian Statue honoring American and Norwegian sailors who perished after a ship wreck.  We cruised up and down the boardwalk with thousands of exhausted runners (many dressed in St. Patty's day attire and colors) and their families with cameras and signs.  It was sunny with a chill in the air and slightly windy, but beautiful.  So fabulous being outside, hearing the waves breaking, and basking in the sun.

After all that walking (we must have burned off a couple of hundred calories at least), our minds turned to lunch.  To Mahi Mah's we headed for some more scrumptious seafood.  Wanting a nice ocean view and being warmed up from our physical exertion, we sat outside.  However, the inside of the restaurant was very cozy and attractive with a sparkling aquarium full of coral and brightly colored exotic fish.  Huge dark wood bar too.  Our waitress was nice, but a little busy and service was inconsistent.  We started off with avocado rolls which were delish.  Kari enjoyed a tasty Bloody Mary...it is her birthday weekend after all and the runners seated next to us were lapping them up. Crispy lightly fried tilapia tacos with shredded cabbage, cheddar cheese, chipotle sour cream, rice and beans, and a giant stuffed yellow fin tuna burrito arrived shortly after.  As you can see from the photo above, it was GIANT.  Fries, fresh tomato salsa, lettuce, jack cheese, sour cream and beans joined the burrito.  Tangy and spicy sauces heightened the flavor of the dishes.  Tasty all around.  Another home run.  www.mahimahs.com


Now it was time to burn off those calories although we were eating pretty healthfully.  Drive down the road a piece to the Virginia Aquarium which is packed with families.  As aquariums go, it was very nice and we got to pet some sting rays. www.virginiaaquarium.com.