Beach Eats: Dough Boy's opens third location

A third location of local pizzeria Dough Boy's has opened at the Oceanfront.

Owner George Kotarides said the new store, located at the corner of 32nd Street and Atlantic Avenue, tossed its first crust in early June.

Dough Boy's is noted for traditional and California-style pies, as well as pasta specialties, sandwiches and salads.

Two other shops are located farther south on Atlantic Avenue at 24th Street and 17th Street. For more information, visit www.doughboyspizza.com.

A TASTE OF VIRGINIA BEACH

THE SPRING Homearama,held in the Eagle's Nest community in West Neck, featured a display of fully furnished and landscaped homes to tour.

On June 6, kitchens in the dream houses hosted a smattering of Virginia Beach restaurants showcasing signature dishes and vying for awards. The Taste of Virginia Beach had dishes from The Anchor Inn, La Bella Italia at Red Mill, Seacrest Restaurant and Swell: The Local's Break.

According to event officials, hundreds of folks visited the restaurants, which were set up in four of the open houses, and sampled food.

Also visiting the homes were a number of culinary critics, including your Beach Eats chef.

Winning the Critics' Choice award was Swell. Head chef Brian Kettl took honors for his fried wonton topped with layers of tuna tartare, seaweed salad and bruleed crab, garnished with sweet chili sauce and pomegranate reduction.

La Bella Italia took the People's Choice award. Chef/owner Victoria Caruso tempted taste buds with an offering of Tortellini Michelangelo as an entrée, cream puff as a dessert and a blood orange sangria cocktail.

VOTING FOR VEGGIES

Voting has begun to select "America's Favorite Farmers Markets," an online contest sponsored by American Farmland Trust.

The group is a national organization working to protect and promote farm land and farming practices.

Marketgoers are asked to vote for their favorite; the contest runs through Aug. 31.

One boutique, one small, one medium and one large farmers market will take top honors, based on the number of votes garnered.

In 2009, the Williamsburg Farmers Market was picked as the best medium-sized market in the country.

This year there are hundreds of markets participating, including more than five dozen in Virginia. In Virginia Beach, these include the city-run Virginia Beach Farmers Market and

the Old Beach Farmers Market.

To vote, visit www.farmland.org/vote.

YNOT WEDNESDAYS

Ynot Wednesdays have started at Town Center.

The event runs weekly through Aug. 31 in the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts' piazza.

It features fresh produce from the Virginia Beach Farmers Market, live entertainment, and food and beverages available for purchase from Ynot Pizza.

The market and concerts are free; the fete runs from 5 until 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.vabeachtown center.com.

Patrick Evans-Hylton is a chef, food writer and food educator in Hampton Roads.