Little bite of Big Apple
Famed culinarian Frank Langello will join Terrapin Restaurant chef/owner Rodney Einhorn in a Sept. 19 fundraiser for CHKD's Health and Surgery Center.
Langello is the executive chef of Babbo Ristorante, Mario Batali's flagship restaurant in New York City. Langello and Einhorn were classmates at the Culinary Institute of America and worked together at Le Cirque in New York.
"Our time together at CIA and Le Cirque was so much fun," Langello said. "I can't wait to relive some of that at Terrapin and meet some of Rodney's friends and clientele."
The evening will begin with an opening reception of hors d'oeuvres and wine. Langello will prepare three courses of Babbo's signature dishes and Einhorn will prepare three of Terrapin's dishes. Wines will be paired with courses throughout the meal.
Gourmet magazine has named Babbo one of the 50 best restaurants in America. Langello has worked with Batali for eight years - six of those as Babbo's executive chef.
For the past two years, Einhorn has owned and operated Terrapin - named for his love of turtles - near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Terrapin is noted for use of fresh ingredients, including products from local, independent farmers.
The collaborative meal is priced at $195 per person, which includes tax and gratuity. A portion of the price goes to CHKD, as a tax-deductible contribution.
Terrapin is in the Pinewood Square shops, 3102 Holly Road. Call 321-6688 or visit www.terrapinvirginiabeach.com
Have your beer, and eat it, too
Savory, spicy and smoky, a new barbecue sauce made with Marzen beer finds itself slathered on a platter of pork ribs and served with Asian slaw and garlic-laced french fries. The new menu item, part of a half-dozen or so offerings, has just been released at Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant.
Marzen is one of the German-style beers brewed on site.
The Tennessee-based restaurant group, with 27 stores, celebrates two decades of business this year; the Virginia Beach Town Center location has been open two years. The rollout of the new menu selections highlights the milestone.
"Consumers are looking for more options when they go out - from tasting portions so they can try multiple flavors to unexpected twists on classic dishes," executive chef Bill Heckler said. "We took this demand into account when we developed these new menu items."
In addition to the Marzen Barbecue Ribs (in an appetizer or entree portion), other items include an appetizer of three Kobe beef sliders, a New York Steak Sandwich and Cashew-Crusted Chilean Sea Bass.
T wo new desserts are Strawberry Cheesecake and Mini Dessert Tasters, which are sample-sized portions of Strawberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Carrot Cake, Fresh Berry Trifle and Chocolate Fudge Cake.
Two new alcohol-free cocktails, the No-Jito and the Pomegranate Cosmo, round out the menu.
Gordon Biersch is at 4561 Virginia Beach Blvd. Call 490-2739 or visit www.gordonbiersch.com
Founders Inn: Free food
Now through Labor Day, children under 12 and active-duty military eat free at Swan Terrace Restaurant at The Founders Inn and Spa.
Kids eat free for breakfast Monday through Saturdays and for Sunday brunch - up to two children per party; each additional child's breakfast is $5.95. When accompanied by a paying adult, active-duty military who present a valid ID also eat free.
The promotions are part of the restaurant/resort's "staycation" efforts to attract locals who want to treat themselves with a getaway, without getting too far away. A "Tanks for Coming" package also rewards guests with a $25 gas card.
The Founders Inn and Spa is at 5641 Indian River Road. Call (800) 926-4466 or visit www.foundersinn.com
Reason to eat chocolate
Here is a good reason to eat some chocolate - if anyone needs one.
The Royal Chocolate, a premium confectioner at Town Center, will peddle its wares to raise funds and awareness for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia through Aug. 24.
"Hunger Never Goes on Vacation" is the theme, and during the event, The Royal Chocolate will provide a container for nonperishable food s. In addition, 10 percent of the chocolatier's sales will be donated to the foodbank for the week.
"The foodbank is such a wonderful source of aid for our community, and in the summer it is especially difficult for them to provide help," says Brenda Tusing, an owner of The Royal Chocolate.
"We all get so busy with our plans, we forget our neighbors who struggle just to feed themselves and their families. It seems that during the holidays everyone is so generous, but people need assistance all year long. "
The Royal Chocolate carries chocolate bars from around the world. The company also makes its chocolates in the shop, including caramel and chocolate apples - with 12 different toppings. Chocolate fondue and hot chocolate can be enjoyed around a sitting area with fireplace. New this summer: frozen hot chocolate.
The Royal Chocolate at 164 Central Park Ave. Call 557-6925 or visit www.theroyalchocolate.com
Orange you thirsty?
One of Your Beach Eats Chef's favorite ways to beat the heat is with Waterman's Surfside Grille's signature cocktail, the Orange Crush.
This isn't the syrupy-sweet soda of your childhood. Waterman's Orange Crush is a concoction of orange vodka, triple sec, a whole fresh-squeezed orange and a splash of lemon-lime cola.
Is it global warming that accounts for the spike in sales lately?
"It's just been a really hot summer," said Mike Standing, one of Waterman's owners. "Still, we've been doing a big business with this."
Think a case or so of oranges a day.
"I guess another sign of our success with the Orange Crush is that now there are some restaurants serving their version of it," Standing said. "I guess it's what they say about imitation being a form of flattery."
Waterman's Surfside Grille is at 415 Atlantic Ave. Call 428-3644 or visit www.watermans.com
Fire up the grill
A new steakhouse and grill has opened in the former Friendly's restaurant, just off General Booth Boulevard between Red Mill and Strawbridge.
Texas Ranch Steakhouse is independently owned by restaurateurs and brother and sister John Kapetanakis and Rita Ninos. The siblings have a long pedigree of restaurant industry experience, from fast food ( Remember Wimpy's, where Rally's is now at Virginia Beach Boulevard and Newtown Road?) and finer dining, such as Mahi Mah's and Tournament Players Club.
"We were born and raised here, and have worked in restaurants in Virginia Beach our whole lives," says Kapetanakis. The steakhouse opened in late July.
Texas Ranch Steakhouse is at 2101 McComas Way. Call 288-9452. A Web site is under development.
Coming to Hilltop
Several folks have e-mailed about the space left vacant following the closure of Zinc Brasserie at Hilltop.
"When I was at Border's bookstore I saw some construction going on at the old Zinc," Beach Eats reader Barbara Holmes wrote. "A sign says Burtons Grill. I've never heard of them. What kind of food do they serve?"
Indeed, Burtons Grill will be a new face on the culinary scene in Hampton Roads; currently, locations are limited to Massachusetts and Connecticut. The first location opened in 2005.
So, what is the connection? One of the founders, Kevin Rowell, lives in Virginia Beach.
Clubby with chocolate-hued interiors, dark wood accents, intimate seating alcoves and mahogany tables the restaurant is casual but upscale. It will continue the location's warm, intimate feel, with an assortment of hearty menu selections, including sandwiches and burgers.
Monthly features accent entrees including an assortment of surf-and-turf dishes such as crab cakes, lobster and shrimp pasta, ribeye, New York strip and filet mignon.
Although the sign in the window announces a September opening date, a call to corporate offices found out that construction is a little behind and the eatery likely will start cooking in late October, according to spokesperson Mary Dixon.
"We are very excited to be coming to Virginia Beach," she said.
Visit Burtons Grill at www.burtonsgrill.coms
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