The Virginian-Pilot
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Over in Norfolk, a restaurant's poolside employee party has inspired a new summer sipper.
The update to the classic planter's punch recently debuted at The City Dock Restaurant, a sunny spot on the ground floor of the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel.
The sunset-colored drink combines a duet of rums, juices from pineapples and oranges, bitters, grenadine, cayenne and - here's the update - brewed Tazo passion tea.
When served outside, this elixir is poured over ice into tall, cobalt-blue goblets. Food and Beverage Director Joshua Haugh ordered the plastic glasses after a poolside employee cookout inspired him to open the outdoor area to the public on certain days this spring and summer.
Of course, Haugh needed a suitable cooler to complement the glass and the poolside setting. After several incarnations, Haugh hit on the winning recipe.
It's pretty as can be, garnished with a chunk of sea-salt-encrusted pink grapefruit speared with a straw-sized stick of sugar cane.
Upon hearing of the new drink, we quickly launched a reconnaissance mission to The City Dock and found a libation with remarkable depth and balance. The citrus, the rums and the bitters come together to deliver a sweet, juicy punch. And Haugh's recipe has just a shadow of cayenne, hardly enough to taste on the tongue, but enough to leave a fleeting toasty feeling in the back of the throat.
It might not please the martini crowd, but we think it's a worthy summer cooler.
The 12-ounce drink is tall enough to prompt one to sit for a spell. The patio decks are a nice spot to do just that. There, you can laze in the shade while watching vessels traverse the Elizabeth River, or simply contemplate people strolling the promenade.
If you prefer, take a seat in the sun-splashed dining room, which is decorated in cobalt blue and yellow, and have your drink served in a glass goblet.
But what we're really anticipating is late May, when the pool and poolside deck will be open to the public on Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings, offering full food and beverage service.
Then you can park in a poolside lounge chair outfitted with a flag. When you require something - say, a crab cake sandwich or a cool washcloth to dab your brow - simply lift the flag.
We think it's a perfect place to sip a planter's punch.
Lorraine Eaton, (757) 446-2697, lorraine.eaton@pilotonline.com
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Great...
My friend was also there, he told me that he had a good experience there and enjoyed the stay, Think of your patio as a small garden and ask yourself two questions: what should you use instead of grass for the floor, and what can you use for the walls?
Hey guys thanks for the valuable information truly liked it keep up the good work. Thanks Patio Umbrellas
well
As someone that has spent a lot of time at this hotel I can only say this. The attitude of the employees is a direct reflection of the attitude of the upper management. You cannot have decent employees and expect them to have decent attitudes when they are constantly bombarded with nothing but put-downs, or harassed about not making enough money for the hotel. This is one of the few places in downtown Norfolk where employees are treated in this manner. The upper management staff there has to remember this. When you point your finger at someone for making mistakes you have THREE fingers pointing back at yourself.
City Dock
My husband and I recently went to city dock for dinner and were extremely disappointed.
The dinner entrees were EXTREMELY over priced and the service was terrible. Yes, great views, but that has nothing to the with the restaurant or hotel. The restaurant has very high ceilings and faux hardwood floors which lended to a very noisy experience. You could hear the waiters walking and the the bussers staking plates.
There are many restaurants in Norfolk that I will trade view for food and atmosphere next time I chose a to go to Norfolk.
I do not recommend this restaurant. A drink is easy to make, but it's a lot harder to have a comfortable restaurant, great atmosphere and affordable, tasty food.