El Mejor is a great family restaurant - especially in the summer. The outdoor patio is spacious and comfortable. This is a primary reason to go here if you like to eat outdoors with the family or friends for that matter. Depending on the direction you look the views are nice (it's adjacent to Pleasure House road but the noise doesn't bother you much.) If you live in Church Point or Thoroughgood it's also a short easy walk to burn off the food and drink.
The menu is a bit broader than a typical mexican place but it's still very familiar. The fish tacos are good but a little messy. The fish is not battered. The chimichanga is tasty. There are multiple seafood and vegetarian options (I liked the spinach enchiladas.) Kids have Mexican and burger options so they are happy. In the summer, the mariachi band plays at least once a month.
The margaritas as good but typical. Try the Texas version for extra kick. The Bloody Mary is so-so.
El Mejor Rodeo
1716 Pleasure House Rd
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
(757) 318-6381
Monday, December 3, 2007
Local, Fresh and Terrific at Terrapin
Last Saturday it was time to test whether Hampton Roads had great cuisine to offer. With a birthday as an excuse and the kids with their grandparents it was time to try Terrapin. I had read in Chowhound that is was very good so we gave it a shot. It's near the beach but several blocks away in a small shopping center. It's attractive on the outside but nothing fancy. Once inside it deceives as being large until you realize the mirrors on the far end have expanded the size significantly. But there are still plenty of tables. On a saturday nite in November it didn't get crowded until 8pm-ish. The decor is modern and comfortable.
The best part of reviewing the menu was discovering that there were many choices that interested me. I was told that 90% of the produce is local and fresh. It certainly tasted that way. I had the Warm Spinach & Goat Cheese Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Toasted Walnuts & Orange-Mirin Vinaigrette. Wow! The spinach was just slightly crispy on the edges. The dressing was light but flavorful. My wife had the House "Pulled to Order" Fresh Mozzarella & Shenandoah Farm Tomatoes with Fresh Basil & Balsamic which was also very tasty.
For cocktails I had a Pom-Pom Club and she had a Green Tea liquor (Zen) based "-tini". The wine was St Supery Virtu 2005. It was good but a little oaky for my taste.
The signature dish is the Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops with Dave & Dee's Oyster & Wild Mushrooms in a Truffle Pan Sause, Sea Beans & Oven Dried Tomatoes. I was impressed - I don't always have good luck with scallops but this was incredible. Don't expect a huge portion - it's about quality not quantity. Between first and second course plus desert there was plenty. My better half had the Grilled Blue Fin "Hawaiian Tuna" with White Bean & Wild Mushroom Ragout, Saffron Aioli & Tomato Ginger Broth. Also very nice. Next time I want to try the halibut which looked great.
The entree's range $24-30. Starters ranged $6-14.
Terrapin Restaurant
3102 Holly Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 321-6688
www.terrapinvirginiabeach.com
The best part of reviewing the menu was discovering that there were many choices that interested me. I was told that 90% of the produce is local and fresh. It certainly tasted that way. I had the Warm Spinach & Goat Cheese Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Toasted Walnuts & Orange-Mirin Vinaigrette. Wow! The spinach was just slightly crispy on the edges. The dressing was light but flavorful. My wife had the House "Pulled to Order" Fresh Mozzarella & Shenandoah Farm Tomatoes with Fresh Basil & Balsamic which was also very tasty.
For cocktails I had a Pom-Pom Club and she had a Green Tea liquor (Zen) based "-tini". The wine was St Supery Virtu 2005. It was good but a little oaky for my taste.
The signature dish is the Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops with Dave & Dee's Oyster & Wild Mushrooms in a Truffle Pan Sause, Sea Beans & Oven Dried Tomatoes. I was impressed - I don't always have good luck with scallops but this was incredible. Don't expect a huge portion - it's about quality not quantity. Between first and second course plus desert there was plenty. My better half had the Grilled Blue Fin "Hawaiian Tuna" with White Bean & Wild Mushroom Ragout, Saffron Aioli & Tomato Ginger Broth. Also very nice. Next time I want to try the halibut which looked great.
The entree's range $24-30. Starters ranged $6-14.
Terrapin Restaurant
3102 Holly Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
(757) 321-6688
www.terrapinvirginiabeach.com
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