Across Virginia, groups will find grills fired, taps flowing and corks popping as the state’s culinary star continues to rise.
The accolades keep coming for Richmond’s exciting restaurant scene, where the reality truly matches the hype. L’Opossum, a delectable “food-as-theater” choice for smaller groups, is among Southern Living’s 2015 picks for best restaurants in the South, with similar honors going to The Roosevelt from Conde Nast Traveler and The Thrillist. Lee Gregory, The Roosevelt’s chef and co-owner, was one of three Richmond-area chefs named as James Beard semifinalists for best chef Mid-Atlantic this year.
With nearly 46,000 farms covering one-third of the state, Virginia’s $52 billion agriculture industry dominates all others. Along with the rich oyster beds and other marine harvest along the coast, that means abundant fresh produce for the table and glass.
Supporting $623 million in economic impact, Virginia’s growing craft brewing industry got the gubernatorial blessing this year, with Gov. Terry McAuliffe officially proclaiming August as Virginia Craft Beer Month. Another major liquid asset is wine. In February, Bloomberg Business named Virginia and its 240-plus wineries one of the world’s top eight emerging wine destinations. From moonshine to whiskey, craft spirits are also making a splash.
Served with traditional Southern hospitality, the Virginia menu is a sweet deal for groups.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
With close proximity to Washington D.C., Arlington and Fairfax counties share the capital’s dining diversity, with abundant options for group and private gatherings.
Arlington’s bountiful scene includes the hip Liberty Tavern, offering function space for 125 guests and also hosting events at its neighboring sister restaurants, Lyon Hall and Northside Social.
Fairfax groups have the historic Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, and contemporary choices such as the rave-reviewed 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church, offering dynamic spaces such as the Waterfall and Koi rooms, or buyouts for 200, outdoor patio space included. In Tysons Corner Center, Barrel & Bushel offers a wide array of craft beer, bourbons and wines, plus indoor communal seating, private dining and an outdoor patio.
Beckoning west of Dulles International Airport is gorgeous Loudoun County, or “D.C.’s Wine Country,” where more than 40 high-quality producers are a ready option for groups.
Beauty spots include Bluemont Vineyard, offering panoramic views from its hilltop perch, and Otium Cellars in nearby Purcellville. Scenically unfolding atop Hogback Mountain south of Leesburg, Stone Tower Winery specializes in customized tours and tastings for groups. Event spaces include the rustic Harvest Barn, the Tank Room production area, and a new conference and event facility, which includes ballroom space for up to 230 seated guests. Just outside historic Middleburg, Cana Vineyards and Winery is another group favorite with scenic views.
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Easily evoking rural England, Middleburg, founded in 1787, is a haven for gourmands, with draws including the Red Fox Inn & Tavern, from 1728; Market Salamander, offering culinary classes and chef-led programs; and the five-star Goodstone Inn & Restaurant. At the Salamander Resort & Spa, which just launched its own honeybee program, group options include private classes at the on-site Cooking Studio, and outdoor dining in either the culinary garden or terrace adjoining Harriman’s Restaurant.
In downtown Leesburg, Lightfoot Restaurant is the majestic revival of a landmark bank from 1888. Featuring wine stored in the former bank vault and the grand ambience of gilded lions, hand-painted Venetian chandeliers and vintage poster art, the venue accommodates up to 150 guests in versatile spaces such as the Marshall Room, named after renowned WWII Gen. George C. Marshall.
Halfway between D.C. and Richmond, Fredericksburg offers several craft breweries. Food trucks add flavor to the scene at Adventure Brewing, while Capital Ale House, presently under reconstruction, is renowned for its annual downtown Oktoberfest celebration.
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
Richmond groups have a tasty tie-in at this month’s second annual Fire, Flour & Fork. Billed as “a gathering for the food curious,” the inaugural edition of this five-day, citywide event attracted more than 1,650 visitors from 12 states near and far, including California, as well as from Canada. Twice the crowd is expected this year, as the event, featuring an all-star mix of local and out-of-town culinary talent, underscores Richmond’s arrival as a national culinary destination.
“Highlighting the best of Richmond, from its history and leafy neighborhoods to its present-day storytellers and its collaborative culinary community, it’s a great event for groups to attend,” says co-founder and organizer Susan Winiecki.
Fire, Flour & Fork kicks off with America’s Best Ham Dinner at Southern Season, a 50,000-square-foot grocery store offering a market, cooking school and full-service restaurant with year-round event space. Themed dinners around town include Farm to Fork and Virginia Vegan, while Beardbound will feature Richmond’s James Beard-nominated chefs at group-capable Southbound restaurant.
Groups can also enjoy culinary demos and lectures, plus an artisanal tasting tent, at the newly relaunched Hilton Downtown Richmond.
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With event-capable Hardywood Park Craft Brewery pioneering the way, Richmond’s reputation for high-quality, creative beer is attracting major outsiders such as San Diego’s Stone Brewery, which is currently building a massive new “eco-savvy” brewery and restaurant near downtown.
Beer is big throughout central Virginia. Ashland is home to the aptly named Center of the Universe Brewing Company, while near Charlottesville in Crozet, Starr Hill Brewery is the second oldest craft brewery in the state. Groups of 100 can convene in the brewery’s Tap Room, with food trucks or catering services available.
Another Charlottesville treasure is C&O. Opened in 1976, this local institution offers six different areas for dining, including two private areas in historic railroad buildings beside the former C&O rail yard and passenger station.
Charlottesville’s scene extends to the regal Keswick Hall and Golf Club, home to award-winning Fossett’s restaurant and surrounded by local vineyards. Scenic Albemarle County is also home to stops on the Virginia Cider Trail, including Albemarle CiderWorks and Castle Hill Cider, both accommodating private events.
COASTAL VIRGINIA
Last year, the Hamptons Road region was rebranded to Coastal Virginia to better convey the bayside and Atlantic-facing character of group destinations that include Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth and Suffolk.
Williamsburg is hot with F&B developments, with new experiences such as the Virginia Beer Company. Set to open this fall, the facility will feature a tap room and outdoor beer garden. Another anticipated 2015 arrival is Williamsburg Distillery, which will offer crafted vodka, rum and bourbon using 18th century recipes and techniques. Last December, Copper Fox Distillery announced it will start building its second local malting, production, aging and tasting facility.
Since opening last summer, Silt, a chic yet rustic farmhouse-style restaurant offering private space, has attracted attention for its globally accented Southern fare. Chowning’s Tavern reopened in March 2015, featuring a revamped outdoor dining area and serving an exclusive recreated 17th century beer from group-capable Ale-Werks Brewing Company.
Complementing Williamsburg’s quartet of historic taverns, which include Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, reportedly George Washington’s favorite for seafood, is DoG (Duke of Gloucester) Street Pub. Housed in a historic bank building, this inviting gastropub accommodates up to 50 guests for private events.
Hampton is home to the St. George Brewing Company, while group favorites in Portsmouth include dinner cruises on the Elizabeth River aboard the Spirit of Norfolk. Wine-lovers have nine wineries to choose from on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail, with another four on the Colonial Virginia Wine Trail. In Norfolk, the Mermaid Winery is Virginia’s first urban winery.
WESTERN VIRGINIA
Groups with a taste for authentic food experiences are well served in the Roanoke Valley, the main group base in Virginia’s spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains. Choices range from the iconic 1930 Texas Tavern to cosmopolitan Metro!, with private space for 30 people in the balconied upstairs mezzanine level, and sophisticated Alexander’s, seating 80 for private dinners or 120 for standing receptions. Food trucks are also part of the scene, with 2Dye4Que and the Rock & Roll Diner Food Truck among those providing event catering services.
Farm-to-table dining and a fluid winery and brewery scene flavor the agenda in the timeless Shenandoah Valley locales of Lexington and Rockbridge County, where group-ready venues include the Southern Inn Restaurant, Devils Backbone Outpost Brewery and Rockbridge Vineyard.
