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!!

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

Patrons beware: Restaurant may impose a restricted special-event menu without prior notice, even…read morefor reservations made weeks in advance. I booked a Valentine's Day reservation four weeks ago. Three days before the date, I received a text notifying me of a special Valentine's Day menu. I reviewed it and found it consists mostly of seafood or red meat items, with very few options other options. I immediately called to confirm whether this special menu is the only one available that evening. The restaurant confirmed that it is. This information was not disclosed at the time of booking or in the weeks following. Had I been informed upfront that only this limited menu would be offered, I would not have made the reservation. I consider this very poor customer service.

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.

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.

"What does the fox say?" The drinks were great and the Original Rye was our favorite. We were too…read morelate today, and they were all booked for tours through the New Year, but the staff let us down easy and were super kind and helpful. The space is quite wooden and quaint. The sho has great finds as well. Loved the socks! Cheers!

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.

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!

It's been a long time since my last visit to Cooper's Hawk. I went with my Niece and Great Niece…read morefor a tasting yesterday (Saturday) and we also had dinner reservations. All 3 of us chose sweet for our wine tasting. Our server was a lot of fun and very knowledgeable about the wine. You get to taste one wine on each category listed on your menu. The samples of each wine are a generous pour. Some Wineries I've visited, do not provide big enough samples to determine if you like them enough to buy a bottle or not. Sweet Red was my favorite. Sweet Red is currently known as Romance Red. It changes names Seasonally. Dinner was outstanding. I had Gnocchi with Roasted Butternut Squash, Wild mushrooms, Sweet onion cream, Spinach, Feta and Crispy onions. It was a very tasty meal. My Great Niece chose the Pork chop and said it was the best she had ever had. My Niece had a Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad which she said was delicious. I had a very enjoyable afternoon with my Nieces. We will definitely return to Cooper's Hawk soon.

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.

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.

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.