When I saw on Taste Tidewater's Facebook post that there were only 3 spots left for their Oyster &…read moreWine tour, I reserved the same day! It is also my birthday month and have had my eye on this tour for awhile. It was fate! Not knowing what to expect, I jumped the gun and paid immediately. When Rex, the owner, sent the itinerary, I saw 3 local restaurants, Catch 31, Rockefeller's, & Tautogs. My first thoughts were, "I hope this isn't lame...", "I could go to these places myself..." The group met at Virginia Aquarium for an optional tour inside for the first 30mins. I arrived late. Now, I wish I made it on time to hear more about oysters. Rex tried finding the group for me & we walked all around the museum. It was way too crowded, I was late, & didn't mind waiting. Perhaps walkie talkies as a communication tool for the husband & wife team. Not just for late arrivals. :) Could be distracting too but, just a suggestion. The aquarium attendants had no idea who or where the group was. I did appreciate the effort. Not many would help me catch up with group especially, since I was late. Our first stop was Catch 31. Table was set and ready to go. We had three chefs(one including one of our guides, Chef Patrick Evans-Hylton) and the sommelier at our table. They educated us about the oysters & wine. They walked us through the various types of oysters & wine, regions, how to eat, & how to taste. We were served 4 oysters each from one of the 7 regions & two wine tastings. There were condiments and crackers on the table. I thought this was definitely the most informative restaurant out of the three. Next stop was Rockefeller's. Again, tables were set & wine was poured! No menu w/ descriptions. We had 2 raw oysters and 2 oysters rockefeller. Then, we were served hush puppies w/ pimento cheese which were amazing. Last, was coconut cake! This restaurant had more food offerings which was good because after several glasses of wine, I was hungry & others were too!! Last stop was Tautog's. They sat us outside & setup was more buffet style. Glasses of wine were on a table for us to pick up as we walked in. The presentation was beautifully prepared. They had 3 of their house sauces which were delicious! I thought the sauces were needed with these oysters. Others agreed. Didn't taste as fresh as the previous restaurants. I believe they were Lynnhaven and I've had Lynnhaven oysters before. So, not a reflection on the tour. There was also fresh cut fruit on the oyster platters. Only because TT asked, my recommendations would be: * Posting sample itineraries on social media * Clearer description of what to expect with regards to food so people know whether or not they should eat prior to the tour or pack a snack/sandwich. * Website shows they would be "happy to provide water and light snacks." None were offered. * Market/advertise the 10% off Yelp Check-in offer * Advise up front the 10% off Yelp Check-in is NOT valid for the Oyster & Wine tour. A portion of proceeds go towards non-profit which I totally understand & appreciate, just set the expectation. Overall, this was a lovely experience that one can comfortably do solo! I did and I truly enjoyed! Hands down. I am so happy to see a company like this on the East Coast and executing with such class. Please don't think this is a drunken wild party bus. It is a tasteful informative experience with subject matter experts who also enjoy partaking in libations while sharing their knowledge! :) I hope to see more food tours added to their current list. Rex, Lisa, & Chef Patrick were cordial, knowledgable, fun, and professional. Thank you so much for a memorable experience!

I went on the vineyard tour for a bachelorette party!! It was a fabulous time! Lisa, our tour…read moreguide, was knowledgeable, informative, and very hospitable!! Looking forward to the opportunity the either do a brewery tour or a different vineyard tour in the near future!!

What an incredible adventure! I joined The Nature Bus today with my husband for a birding…read moreexpedition on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, led by Suzanne Moss and tour guide James Abbott. The tour was beautifully organized from start to finish -- we even stopped in charming Cape Charles for a lovely lunch. Even though I'm not a birding expert, I enjoyed every minute of the experience. Suzanne and James made it fun, informative, and welcoming for everyone, regardless of skill level. The group was so friendly and helpful, and the entire day was filled with laughter, learning, and beautiful sights. I highly recommend The Nature Bus for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of Virginia in such a thoughtful and enjoyable way! My only regret is that I did not do a tour sooner. I am looking forward to more adventures on the Nature Bus. Susan and Tom Mayo Virginia Beach

Spent the day on the bus learning about oysters. It was very informative. Suzanne and James (James…read moreRiver Association) were so accommodating. We went to VIMS and learned about oyster lifecycle then onto Big Island Aquaculture for oyster tasting. Wonderful experience

Mermaid winery dinner experience was excellent! We ordered…read morethe recommended wine and it was quite good. The appetizer of calamari was just ok. A bit overcooked and needs a step up on quality. Every other part of the meal was excellent. I had lamb shank , wife had Tuna and daughter had Duck. Why daughter said that it was the best meal she had ever had! Dessert if crème brûlée and carrot cake both very good. Surprise of the night was the beat salad- wonderful! Final not that the service was excellent as well . Overall would definitely recommend the Mermaid winery restaurant in Virginia Beach.

I stopped by Mermaid Winery on a beautiful sunny afternoon and decided to try their Sweet Wine…read moreFlight. In the summer I tend to gravitate toward lighter, sweeter wines, so the flight felt like the perfect choice for the day. Not surprisingly, my taste buds traveled straight to Italy. The Italian wines on the flight ended up being my favorites, with the standout being La Doria Moscato D'Asti. It was light, slightly bubbly, and perfectly balanced -- sweet but still refreshing. If you enjoy Moscato-style wines, this one was definitely the highlight of the tasting for me. The winery itself has a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy a glass (or a flight). They also offer a selection of light bites if you want something to snack on while you're tasting. I ordered the house biscuits with jam and butter, which are made in-house, along with an order of fries. Both worked well as simple bites alongside the wine. If I had been with a group, I probably would have ordered the charcuterie board -- the one at the table next to me looked very generous and easily shareable. Service was friendly and welcoming, and since it wasn't overly crowded when I visited, it made for a relaxed afternoon tasting experience. We actually stopped in after spending the day out enjoying the sunshine with my Boston Terrier, Lexi, and it ended up being a nice, laid-back way to wind down the afternoon

I cannot say enough positive things about VA Executive Sedan & Limousine Service. With fewer than…read more24 hours to spare, they saved my family's wedding by making themselves available when another area company cancelled on us. VA Exec Sedan offered us a top quality alternative, and working with them was seamless and easy. The driver was professional, courteous, and prompt. Thank you for the outstanding service!

I highly recommend this company. Tarek was our chauffeur, and he was so professional. We really…read moreenjoyed the service and the conversation. The sprinter limo was so clean. Great service.

I really enjoy this place. It's one of the many places that allow us to bring our dog to enjoy some…read moregreat snacks and drinks. What is fun is that they seem to rotate and try out different whiskey flavors and bourbon. It makes it fun to always be on the lookout for what's next. The service here has always been top notch. All the employees seem to really enjoy the environment and were very genuine to be nice to our dog and daughter. It's this attention to detail that has always kept us coming. Keep it up Copper Fox! Food Taste: 5 Overall Service: 5 Value of service to cost: 5 Facility: 5 Ambiance: The overall property size is crazy big. The main store front is a place we love to visit as we just like to go to the back with our puppers, play games, drink and enjoy snacks. Repeat customer: yes Dog Friendly: yes

We did the tour and it was great. The bar area has a lot of seating and a really large drink menu,…read moreeven for those who don't drink whiskey or bourbon. Staff was very kind and attentive.

Date night with my love .Tinto wine and cheese in General Booth .Food .wine and staff are a mayread more

What a great place! I've been coming here since they opened and have been blown away by the…read morequality of service and knowledge of every staff member. The owner Shaina is amazing as well - she is passionate about wine and it shows. Stop by and check it out! Become a member and enjoy some awesome savings.

While out on a Wednesday evening, my daughter and I decided to stop by Cooper's for a quick wine…read moretasting, but the wait was far too long, so we ended up sitting at the bar and dining in. The bartender was very sweet and provided us with menus right away. Since I had a "Dine-In Only Bottle" available as a member, I ordered a bottle Cabernet Sauvignon, which is my absolute favorite. We also decided on the House-Made Meatballs (another favorite), the Crispy Barbacoa Arancini, which is a "featured" item, and the Classic Cheeseburger. While we waited, we chatted with others at the bar and since we all wanted to sample the Wine of the Month, the Blanc de Noirs, our bartender was able to provide us with a tasting, which we enjoyed. It took about 40 minutes for our food to arrive but everything tasted amazing, as always. The House-Made Meatballs never miss and the Crispy Barbacoa Arancini were amazing! My daughter enjoyed her Cheeseburger as well. Cooper's Hawk will forever be my one of favorite restaurants and I can't wait to return!!!

This visit reminded me why I fell in love with Cooper's Hawk in the first place!…read more My last few visits had been a little hit or miss, so I was hoping this experience would be different--and it absolutely was. From the moment I arrived, the service was warm, attentive, and made for a wonderful dining experience. I decided to try several items from the **Seasonal Chef Recommendations** menu, and every course was excellent. I started with the Crispy Barbacoa Arancini, followed by the Shanghai Braised Short Ribs, which were incredibly tender, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. I finished the meal with the S'mores dessert, and it was the perfect sweet ending. During my wine tasting, I discovered the Vin Velouté. It was so good that I couldn't leave without taking a bottle home! I was also thrilled to learn that the Watermelon Paloma wine has returned--and even better, it's now a permanent addition to the wine lineup instead of just a seasonal favorite. That was exciting news! This visit truly reminded me why I've enjoyed coming to Cooper's Hawk over the years. Great food, outstanding service, an enjoyable wine tasting, and a wonderful overall experience. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

Every year we visit the Outer Banks Vineyard, and every year the service keeps getting better! The…read morestaff is engaging, helpful, and make you feel like you are hanging out with friends. If you like sweet wines like me, you have to visit when you are in the Outer Banks.

We had an amazing time! Brian was our guide to the winery. He was so informative, friendly, and…read moremade an amazing time better. Our pourer was Emily, she was very knowledgeable answered all questions about the wine and very friendly. I think it is a must do. You are on vacation. Splurge on yourself it is worth the price. We went with a group of 6 and left with 12 bottles. Not home with 12 ;-) The Wine is so great and there is something for everyone.

Virginia Beach Winery is not my typical winery as I'm use to visiting but definitely worth the…read morevisit. The winery had a vintage style. Maria the owner was such a doll. Wine is made on site in the distillery and she has been in business for 8 years. We visited on a Saturday and there was a couple of vendors on site selling merchandise. 5 bucks for 6 samples is definitely reasonable. We indulged in the fruit infused wines, draft wines and slushies. I must say the draft wines were delicious and I wished those were bottled so I could have brought them home. All in all great places and would definitely stop in again.

We were on a Filipino food crawl and needed a break and decided to stop in at the Winery. We love…read morewineries and look for opportunities to visit new ones. We were the only patrons for much of our visit. My birthday daughter and I ordered wine sample flights and chatted up the owner. Wife shopped the gift area and picked out a nice bauble. The good: the owner was very engaging and told us about the wines (and wine slushies) they offer. We asked where the grapes came from and she explained that some came from Chile, some from California (I believe) and other places, and that she blends them here. (This would be expected with no attached vineyard.) The place was very clean, and the restrooms were easily accessible and spacious. The price of the flights was a mere $5 for six communion cup sized samples -- you choose 6 of I guess 12 - 15. Mulled wine is a welcome option on a winter day. The disappointing: While there is a good assortment of wines, and many were on the good side of okay, none stood out and said BUY A BOTTLE OF ME. The fruity sweet wines were VERY sweet, not really good for dessert wine or sipping. (Sorry.) But again, the reds especially were drinkable and pleasant. Verdict: a good stop if you need a break and a glass or two to go with your conversation. Just don't set expectations too high and you'll be fine.

Took the historical tour on Feb. 20 and was taken by the professionalism of the guide and his…read moreknowledge of the Jamestown and Yorktown areas. The tour bus pulled up and the guide greeted everyone on board and let us know where we would be going and what we would be seeing. He also had handouts which identified the areas we would be seeing. During the tour the guide went into specifics of when significant events happened during the historical time periods. The tour was comfortable and had background music playing to accompany the guide. There were plenty of opportunities to stop for restroom breaks and we were also asked if anyone needed to stop. Overall the tour went by very quickly, did not seem like 3 hours had past. I would recommend this tour, should also mention that the guide was pointing out museums and restaurants to visit.

From the owner: Explorer Tours provides two different tours at the moment. One is a guided tour of Jamestown,…read moreWilliamsburg, and Yorktown better known as the Historic Triangle. Our other tour is visiting local craft breweries where you get to experience their beer on us! Both tours are on luxury buses with the most knowledgeable and friendly team in the Triangle.