September 14th, 2014
I am not one to have every day that most important meal…breakfast. But, when on vacation, I love it. Find a local restaurant, eat like the locals.
Even though Hotel Cape Charles had coffee and light breakfast, after a walk around Downtown, we decided we wanted something more substantial, shall we say?
Cape Charles Coffee House is located at 241 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles, VA 23310 Website? http://www.thecapecharlescoffeehouse.com. The building was from 1910 and, originally, it was the Cape Charles Bank.
Our orders of pancakes…..adding fried eggs.
Traditional French Toast…
The BELT is what caught our attention. It was a classic BLT, except that when adding a fried egg….it becomes a BELT. Cindi and I had the same. I liked Cindi’s better. I would have preferred the rye toast…well done. The combination is so good that the BELT is my new “customized” sandwich for breakfast.
Have a great day, wherever you are!!
September 9th, 2014
 
I would have to say that any time you visit a gourmet shop at the Delaware Beaches….and shops that don’t really have anything to do with food, but do represent the best of our beaches, you will find products by the Blue Crab Bay Co. But, wait, not only do they sell nationally, they also sell internationally.
The Blue Crab Bay Co. is located at 29368 Atlantic Avenue in Melfa, Virginia 23410. It is at the Accomack Airport Industrial Park, off Lankford Highway. Tels. toll free 800-221-2722, local 757-787-3602. Website? http://www.bluecrabbay.com. You can also find it on Facebook.
This company started in 1985 by Pam Barefoot. When you visit the website above mentioned check the history. It is very interesting. Blue Crab Bay Co. offers different types of nuts and when Cindi and I found out that we were passing through it was a no brainer to stop at the actual plant.
We got good tips. The Skipjacks, which are honey roasted. Mix them with The Surf Doggies, which are honey mustard roasted, making sure you put one of each in your mouth. It is a totally great combination of tastes.
 
Hooked on the Crab House Crunch…very easy to do. They are sweet and salty. Peanut squares with Chesapeake Bay Seasoning.
Make sure you also check the recipes given on the website. You will not believe how many and how good they sound. Website is http://www.bluecrabbay.com.
The stoneware collection sold at the store and online is exclusively produced and hand painted for the company…designed by Eastern Shore artisan, Jose Dovis, who also designed the logo for Blue Crab Bay Co. in 1985.
You will also find Pam’s Pantry and Home Essentials at the Blue Crab Bay Co. These products are from other companies that are used and recommended by them.
The mixers are to be used as part of your favorite beverages but also there are very good recipes using them, as well.
EVENT: FIRST OYSTER & WINE FEST – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2014 – 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. They will be serving Oysters on the Half Shell from Shooting Point Oyster Co., Oyster Shooters by the Great Machipongo Clam Shack, Oyster & Clam Chowder by Blue Crab Bay Co……Wines by Chatham Vineyards, which I visited with friends, and a post can be found on this website on 9/4/14.
Food tickets available at the door, while supplies last. Parking along the side streets and in the rear of the building. Please note that 10% of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
So, again, I say…..while traveling up and down Eastern Shore of Virginia, make sure you stop and absorb it all. You don’t find too many places like this anymore.
See you…talk to you later.
September 8th, 2014
Cindi and I stopped for a quick visit to Onancock, Virginia. This is one of the largest towns on Virginia’s remote Eastern Shore. I don’t know why they say remote….from the Delaware Beaches it was about 2 1/2 hours.
 
Anyway, we went straight to the marina to Mallards at the Wharf, located at 2 Market St. in Onancock.Tel. 757-787-8558. The restaurant is in The Hopkins Bros Building, circa 1842. It is owned and maintained by Virginia’s Eastern Shore Historical Society…http://www.shorehistory.org.
Do you see the guitar hanging on the wall? Well, this restaurant is also owned by Chef Johnny Mo, who is the Executive Chef, along with Miguel Wiese, Chef de Cuisine. We arrived late afternoon. The restaurant was quiet. But, he is known to entertain its guests frequently. Check the menu and events at The Mallards by visiting http://www.mallardsllc.com.
You can find Chef Johnny Mo on Facebook, as well. This chef is also the Founder of the benefit Music for The Hungry, whose proceeds go directly to the Foodbank of the Eastern Shore. More info., please visit http://www.chefjohnnymo.com.
Being that the location is the Eastern Shore you can imagine all the fresh seafood on the menu.
Cindi and I decided on the Fish Tacos. Fresh mahi-mahi grilled, not fried, with lime juiuce over shredded lettuce, salsa, and spicy mayo, served on a flour tortilla…truly delicious. One of the best!!
Event: The 24th Onancock Bay Challenge will be on Saturday, September 20th. Rain day….Sunday, 9/21. A special prize and trophy will be awarded for the largest “Eastern Shore Brown Trout” (Oyster Toad) brought to the dock. For more information, please call 757-709-8697, 757-787-4237 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
So as you travel Lankford Highway (Rt. 13) up and down….this is a great place to stop and refuel.
Talk to you later.
September 8th, 2014
“Inspired by a full moon rising over the coastal wilderness of Virginia’s Barrier Islands.”
Strolling Downtown Cape Charles took Cindi and I to this whimsical looking shop. Moonrise Jewelry is located at 22 Strawberry St., Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tels. 757-678-0055, toll free, 866-338-9109. Website? http://www.moonrisejewelry.com. It opens 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Sundays, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Moonrise Jewelry started in 2002 and since then it has been featured in magazines across the U.S. Their jewelry is sold in boutiques, galleries, resorts, and jewelry stores….you can also buy online.
All jewelry is handmade. This studio is a testament of their beautiful work.
Their signature jewelry is:
Orchid Blossom Jewelry. One of a kind blossom. The orchid flowers are preserved in a durable resin coating.
You can buy orchid pendant clips and attach them to your favorite necklace.
Or, you can also buy a full necklace with the orchid permanently attached to it. The necklaces are gorgeous, and unique.
 
“Reel” Fish Leather Jewelry is made from salmon, perch, and carp skins discarded by the canning business. The skins are made into leather and dyed in a tannery. The exotic scale pattern is unique to each piece. The cuffs can be worn just as simply as you want….you can mold it to your wrist.
Or, you can buy the cuffs with pearls, crystals and natural stones embellishments to make it a little fancier. Definitely, a conversation piece.
Please visit http://www.moonrisejewelry.com to learn more about Moonrise Jewelry. Have a wedding coming up? They have brides, bridesmaids, flower girls, groomsmens gifts….they can be customized. Give them a call.
Besides their signature jewely, Moonrise Jewelry designs and handcrafts earrings, necklaces and bracelets, all unique to them. Right in their studio in Cape Charles, Virginia.
Their packaging is just as unique, showcasing the “orchid”.
Have a great day!
September 7th, 2014
My friend, Cindi, and I have never met strangers. It ended up being that the owners of Best Nest in Downtown Cape Charles were originally from the Bethany Beach and Selbyville…Delaware area. Small world. We arrived at the store because we wanted to say hi to someone from back home. Best Nest is located at 7 Strawberry Street, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tel. 757-331-4437. Website? http://www.bestnest.net. You can find them on Facebook as Best Nest Home Furnishings.
This is a fairly new location for them….but the store already looked so pretty and it felt like it had been there forever. They open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays. Sundays by appointment.
John and Nikki are the owners and they offer many years of experience to their customers. Their projects can be large or small, and both are very comfortable working with a variety of budgets, tastes and personalities.
The store offers furniture, art, accessories, linens and rugs. At times just an accessory here or there can really define a room.
If you are in need of home staging, or might want to rearrange what you already have to give you a better flow, please give them a call or stop by.
Please visit http://www.bestnest.net if you would like to read some of the testimonials and also to see photos of many of their projects.
The weather felt better today….don’t you think? Have a good one.
September 6th, 2014
No noise and no crowds in Cape Charles as the Second Season gets underway. Checking out the shops in Cape Charles this week was part of our adventure. Cindi and I found Drizzles, located at 16 Strawberry St., Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tel. 321-747-3042. Website? http://www.drizzlesolives.com. It opens Monday through Saturday (Close Tuesdays) from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Sundays from Noon until 5 p.m. You can find Drizzles on Facebook. You can also order online.
Drizzles has been opened for 4 years. Besides infused vinegars, and olive oils, the shop has salts, and sugars.
You can also find peppercorns from around the world.
The best part is that you can taste before you buy. You can relax, sit, and think which of them you liked best.
Lately, I have been hooked on infused vinegars. I, at times, reduce balsamic vinegar….I love that you can drizzle it over fruit, salads, fish, chicken, pork, and beef. Very versatile. What I loved about the vinegars I found at Drizzle was that they were thicker than any others I have tried. Almost like a true reduction.
I bought Fig, Cucumber Melon….doesn’t that sound good? And Grape Passion, which goes well on avocado.
It is a great store, stop by say hello and let your tastebuds do the talking.
Please note that Drizzles carries specialty foods, cookbooks, and single bean coffees.
Have a good one!!
September 5th, 2014
We, definitely, cleaned up well, if I should say so myself!! After a day of kayaking in the hottest day of the summer, we were going out to dinner. And, I was the designated driver.
Aqua we chose, because everyone we asked said to go to Aqua. Beautiful views, tranquil setting….
Located at Kings Creek Marina, 900 Marina Village Circle, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tel. 757-331-8660. Website? http://www.kingscreekmarina.com/dining/aqua.asp. Aqua opens for lunch and dinner.
Even though some were dining indoors, we decided to eat on their deck. It was just after sunset and there was a nice brezze. Our table was comfortable, so we sat to chat, know each other better, and enjoy a nice dinner.
Drinks were ordered, of course. So quickly, these women went with the flow; staging the table.
When the bread was brought, it was still so warm. I must admit that it was very good.
The following is what we ordered:
Seared Dragon Tuna…wasabi and sesame dusted; with seaweed salad and lime soy-dipping sauce.
Fried Green Tomato BLT Salad…Fried green tomatoes, smoked bacon and mixed greens, tossed with a roasted tomato vinaigrette. Yum!
A 16 ounce Prime Aged Ribeye was also ordered with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and house steak sauce.
Shrimp & Grits…simmered in low country sauce with chipotle pepper, onions, peppers, Andouille sausage, tomatoes, garlic and celery, served over cheese grits.
Colossal Scallops were jumbo and seared, served with lobster risotto, steamed broccolini and buerre blanc.
A salad topped with a salmon cake was Whitney’s choice.
Wahoo was my dinner. It was one of their specials of the evening. It had a good flavor…mild. I would have cooked it a minute or so less. It was served over rice, fruit and broccolini.
We were perfectly satisfied, so no dessert was necessary. It was such a nice evening, full of entertaining conversation and laughs.
September 5th, 2014
I cannot believe that we were getting away from the Delaware Beaches and Maryland Beaches. When you think about it, visitors consider these beaches sleepy towns too.
My post for a couple of days have been from the get away trip to Cape Charles, Virginia. You know what was really good? That none of us had been there, so we went with no preconceived ideas. Perfect!!
The Eastern Shore of Virginia is full of small quaint towns. Some are more popular than others. And, believe me, people moving to this coastal area want it this way. The simplicity of these towns is the main attraction, along with beautiful scenery.
Cape Charles and surrounding towns have plenty of inns, and bed and breakfasts, but we decided to stay in Downtown Cape Charles at a boutique hotel called Hotel Cape Charles.
It is located at 235 Mason Avenue, Cape Charles, VA 23310. Tel. 757-695-3854. Website? http://www.hotelcapecharles.com.
Hotel Cape Charles has 22 rooms. They even have a few dog friendly rooms. So make sure you ask if you travel with your pet. The hotel is over 100 years old. It has been completely renovated….contemporary.
Our room was comfortable with a view of Mason Avenue, which is Main Street. A friend that saw this photo commented that the beds looked lumpy….no way. That’s just the way the down comforter looked. Some rooms are set up with cooking availability…we were going out to dinner. No cooking for us on this trip.
The Second Season in Cape Charles started immediately after Labor Day. We were there from 9/2 until 9/3. Already the town was quiet. Its serenity was palpable. Since we were staying right in Downtown Cape Charles all we needed to do was walk out from the hotel to stroll and unwind.
 
The streets in Cape Charles are wide. The beach just a couple of blocks away. Remember we are on the bay.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia was one of the earliest colonized areas in North America. The town of Cape Charles consisted of farmlands and wetlands. It became a railroad town when what is now the Bay Coast Railroad was constructed. Rails from the original tracks laid on the riprap jetty in 1884 by the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad to spend the night and dine overlooking the Chesapeake Bay still exist.
The homes are beautiful and many of them along the beach were homes belonging to shipcaptains.
Others reminded me of Historic Lewes, Delaware.
The park is spacious and with a bandstand.
The Art Deco Palace Theatre brings local, regional, and national talent to the area.
During the week only a few stores are open, and believe me, we visited them. More posts coming your way. During the week-end everything is open for now until the season really gets quiet in November. They told me that only about 200 permanent residents are in the area. I remember back in the 70’s when I came to Bethany Beach, Delaware, when there were only 500.
To learn more about Cape Charles, please visit http://www.capecharlesbythebay.com.
Events: October 10th through October 12th is The 22nd Annual Eastern Shore Birding & Wildlife Festival. For more info., please visit www.esbirdingfestival.com.
And, on Saturday, October 10th is the Cape Charles Fall Festival….Downtown!! More info? Please check http://www.capecharlesbythebay.com.
You want quiet….you got it….you want friendly residents and shopwowners….You definitely Got It!!
And, don’t mind my friends….we were so happy that we had the town to ourselves in the evening.
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