Sugar Plum dances in customers' heads

By PATRICK EVANS-HYLTON

Local hangout

Sam Esleeck was happy carving decoys and selling them at his shop, Feathers-N-Wood.

Then he thought that adding a few other "country items" would be good. So he added a line of peanuts, and then jams and jellies. He started selling honey, and then hot sauce.

"The sauces started outselling my birds," Esleeck said.

Now his business has retooled with a new name and location. The Original Virginia Beach Sauce Shoppe in Landstown Commons is across the street from his former store in Countryside Shops next to the Virginia Beach Farmers Market.

The sauce shop opened Nov. 23 with more than 1,000 types of sauces - and the list is growing.

"It's mostly hot sauces -that's what people want," Esleeck said. "But we have lots of cooking sauces - sauces to grill or barbecue with, glazes, marinades. Also dry rubs, and other items as well."

Already, the shop has developed a loyal following, including local chefs and collectors, he said.

That's right: collectors. Chile Heads - folks who love all things hot - often buy the bottles, many of which feature unusual names or container shapes that make for collecting. The shop has a Blair's Hot Sauce Halloween Reserve that Esleeck has priced at $400.

"Blair's is recognized as the ones that really took hot sauces to the next level," Esleeck said. "There were only 999 bottles of this one made and sold nationwide. It's probably the only bottle of it in Virginia."

But for folks who want to shake on a little flavor, there are sauces to eat and not just look at. A popular Tabasco-style sauce, Tapatio, retails for $2.99. The sauce shop also features sauces and products that are made in Virginia.

So, why so hopped up on the sauce?

"I'm a firm believer that chicken is chicken and beef is beef, and it is all in the sauce you put on it," Esleeck said. "It's not about hot - it's about taste."

- The Original Virginia Beach Sauce Shoppe is at 3388 Princess Anne Road, Landstown Commons. Call 468-0913.

Oyster orchestration

A free Christmas concert to benefit the Noblemen's toy drive for area children will be Dec. 16 at Lucky Oyster Seafood Grill. The Noblemen is a group of area community leaders that pursues philanthropic causes.

Heading the concert are Kevin Mac, who has opened for the likes of Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride, and Joe Maniscalco. Maniscalco performs steel pan/Caribbean-style music, and has opened for Faith Hill and the B-52s.

The show will get under way at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free, but folks are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or a monetary donation. In doing so, they will receive a $5 off coupon to Lucky Oyster.

- Lucky Oyster is at 2165 General Booth Blvd. in the Strawbridge Shopping Center. Call 430-9600 or visit www.luckyoystervb.com.

Lavishness at Laverne's

Two popular restaurants, Laverne's Seafood Restaurant and Chix Cafe, the sister eatery next door, have added a lineup of specials to their menus.

Laverne's has published an early bird menu with reduced priced entrees daily from 4 until 6:30 p.m. Offerings include prime rib, grilled or broiled tuna, steamed or fried shrimp, crab cake and mussels marinara. Prices run from $6.95 to $15.95.

Chix has added a bevy of adult drink specials and a daily "Happy Food" hour. Featured are such favorites as wings, cheese fries, nachos, raw or steamed oyster and steamed clams. Wings, oysters and clams are 45 cents each.

Laverne's and Chix are at 701 Atlantic Ave. Call 428-6836 or 428-2449.