Time For a Change....

Okay, time for a change. It seems that Two Mikes and a Menu did not kick off the way we expected. Several reasons became evident: time, money and location we live in. We will still do a review every once in a while, but for now let’s change things up a little.

You can now follow our cooking experiences and experiments. Does that sound like something you would want? We have longed for the chance to experiment in the kitchen and given the fact that Mike Sr is nearing retirement and having just moved in with his daughter and her family, We now have the kitchen to expand our culinary experience. We have had some lifesyle changes and are adjusting to it. Would you join us in following our adventure into new and better flavors in the expanding new culinary world?  If we find any more of those quite little hole in the wall secret restaurants we will still share our dining experience with all of you......

Welcome to “Two Mikes and a Menu – Learning New and Better Ways to Eat”.

Please keep a lookout for new updates coming soon....

http://www.twomikesandamenu.com/


If you have any favorite recipes or kitchen tips you think we should try out let us know, stop me in the hall or send me a quick note.

twomikesandamenu@gmail.com

Mojito Cafe

300 28th St
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
ph # (757) 233-6855
fax# (757) 233-7662
 www.mojitocafevab.com

 
Food:    8 out of 10 Mikes
Service: 8 out of 10 Mikes

Recently I had the joy of finding the little place on the main strip in Virgina Beach.  Its tucked away in a split building at 28th street and Pacific (Subway sandwich shop is right next door but do not let that steer you away).  As you walk, in you are greeted by the sounds of Puerto Rico coming from the radio and a smiling face from the waitress.  Its a small place with about 7 or 8 tables and about 6 seats at the bar.  They always have daily specials from Fish Tacos to Fresh Paella.  I always  start with an order of the Empanadas, its an order of three (one beef, one chorizo and one olive and cheese) accompanied by a tomato dipping sauce (which is amazing!!).  The waitress was very helpful with the menu.  I went and tried the "Pernil y Arroz", it is a roasted pork dish seasoned to perfection served with rice and vegetables.  A huge portion of tender pulled pork that tasted as if it has fallen from Heaven.  Since then, I have had the Fish Tacos (some of the best I've had) and then there is my new favorite item on the menu......."Churrasco con Chimichurri".  It is a marinated, seared skirt steak with a Chimichurri sauce drizzled on top.  It comes with Cuban style black beans and rice with veggies also.  It is so good you can not not help but savor each and every individual bite.  On the Menu you will find Tostones and Maduros, various sandwiches and also "Mofungo" (a mixture of green plantains, garlic, seasonings all smashed together, then mixed with either chicken, pork, beef or shrimp).  They always have fresh desserts listed on the chalk board (go with the Bread Pudding, you will not be disappointed).  Chef Tito really knows what he is doing and how to keep his customers happy.  So if your down at the oceanfront and your looking for a quaint little spot to get some outrageous food...........Mojito Cafe is it.  You might even find me enjoying some incredible food too.


Hours:  Tues - Thurs: 5pm-??? (dinner only)
            Friday:  11am-2pm  5pm-???
            Saturday & Sunday: 12pm-??? (all day)

Prices:  Prices averaging $7.29-$16.59 per entree

Mike Jr.

Cotton Southern Bistro

648 Grassfield Pkwy #12,

Chesapeake , VA, 23322

757-609-3156

http://www.cottonsouthernbistro.com

Food:    9 out of 10 Mikes
Service: 9 out of 10 Mikes

Mon - Thurs:	11:00 am	-	10:00 pm
Fri:	11:00 am	-	12:00 am
Sat:	7:30 am	-	12:00 am
Sun:	9:00 am	-	3:00 pm   (Sunday Brunch)

JUST GOOD FOOD. Cotton opened around the end of May and they opened with a fresh look at dining. We have been there several times and all I can say is Jeff and Amanda Brown are doing it right. They have a great wait staff and there is always good music playing. The atmosphere is very appealing and family friendly. The menu is very versatile and caters to all tastes. They have specials for lunch ($5.99) and dinner ($8.99), too numerous to list. I have tried several different dishes and everything I have eaten was very good and tasty, hard to pick a favorite. If I had to pick it would be between the fried chicken on Wednesday or the liver and onions served everyday. Mike Jr enjoys their salads, the Caesar is one of the best he has ever had. All dishes come with two sides, which change daily according to what is available locally. Be adventurous, try something you have never had before and you will be pleased. I really could eat here several times a week and actually I have. They also have some great desserts on the menu, try Mamaw’s Funny Pie or the Coconut Cream Pie. They have live entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Bring the family and enjoy just good down home southern cooking featuring fresh, local ingredients. Made from scratch in a family atmosphere. Jeff will come by and ask how things are, if you have any suggestions he is open. Sunday has a brunch from 9AM to 3PM and have a jazz band playing. Enjoy!  Oh and tell Jeff, "The Two Mikes" say Hello..........

Carolina Hotdogs

977 Reon Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
phone: (757) 424-2314
fax: ( 757) 424-2316

Food:    5 out of 10 Mikes
Service: 5 out of 10 Mikes

If you did not already know, we LOVE a good Hot Dog!!!  It is a staple of life for the "Two Mikes", and we found another joint that serves up a tasty dog.  Carolina Hotdogs has good dogs at good prices.  It sits back in a shopping center just off of Indian River.  Their hot dogs are the "Carolina pink" type of dog.  It is a pork/beef blend, prepared with mustard, onions and chili.  They also have a all beef version too.  Their "Drive-In Burger"  is your typical grill top burger, good flavor.  Red Hots are one the menu too, but out of all of them I recommend to "Carolina Dog".  Be sure to order two because one will leave you wanting more.  The Chili sauce they have is tremendous (could eats it by itself if they served it in bowls).  Fries, potatoes salad and cole slaw can be found on the menu along with nostalgic bottle sodas (brings back memories from my childhood, foot long chili dog and a grape soda at danny's..........thanks dad!!).  All in all its a nice little lunch spot, with a friendly staff and a nice clientele.  We definitely have added this to our list of places to depend on a good lunch, maybe we will see ya there sometime.

Hours: Monday- Saturday 10:30am-3:30PM
            Closed Sundays

It's a Sad Day..............

Friends and fellow Foodies,

I have some bad news.....One of our most favorite and beloved spots has announced they are closing their doors.  Outer Banks Seafood Company posted this on their Facebook page earlier today..........

"Unfortunately the time has come for us to close our doors here at Outer Banks Seafood Company, effective Sunday night, April 3, 2011. It has been a great year, but due to tough economic times and events beyond our control, we have to throw in the towel. A big THANK YOU to all our loyal customers and raving fans!!! So come on up this weekend and enjoy one more great dinner before we’re gone! We will miss you all!!"

They had one of the best seafood menus in all of Hampton Roads, always fresh and new.  We looked forward to hearing the specials and keeping up with them on Facebook.  The waitstaff was even better then the menu, always friendly and helpful.  Every meal you savored in their dinning room had a visit from the owner or manager and you could tell they were genuine when they asked "How was everything?".  

Please stop by this weekend if your get a chance and tell them they will be missed.  Tell them "Two Mike's" sent you.  

There is one less restaurant in the area and someone will try and fill the spot, but I  am sure they will not come close to Outerbanks Seafood Company.


YOU WILL BE MISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


"The Two Mikes"
 Mike Jr & Mike Sr.

Outer Banks Seafood Company

Outer Banks Seafood Company

1080 Nimmo Parkway (Red Mills Common area)

Virginia Beach, Va 23454

TEL: 757-427-6272
Fri-Sat 4-10PM, Sun-Thurs 4-9PM

11400 W Huguenot Rd.
Midlothian, VA 23113
TEL: 804-464-1835
Fri-Sat 4-10PM, Sun-Thurs 4-9PM

www.outerbanksseafoodcompany.com

Food: 8 out of 10 Mikes

Service: 7.5 out of 10 Mikes

Outer Banks Seafood Company was highly recommended by a colleague of mine. He was right on the money with this one.  We visited the Virginia Beach location. You walk in an the first thing you notice is the atmosphere, quiet and welcoming (great spot for a couple on a date night). We settled in at our table and were greeted by a smiling waitress, she was very informative and helped us with questions we had about the menu.  We ordered an appetizer of "Cut Bait" (their term for fried calamari) and a cup of the "Crab and Corn Bisque".  The calamari was cooked to perfection with a nice zesty marinara dipping sauce.  The bisque was packed full of flavor and a ton of crab meat in every spoonful (will defiantly order the larger bowl next time).  On to the entrees,  Mike Sr. chose the "Nags Header", a combination of shrimp, scallops, a crab cake and a flounder fillet.  It was way more than enough for one person.  He really enjoyed the platter.  I went for the "Seafood Mixed Grill", which was a generous portion of Mahi Mahi, deep sea scallops and shrimp.  It comes flatiron grilled with a honey citrus butter.  I had a special order for no shrimp (I'm allergic to them) and they were happy to take care of it for me.  My dish was very enjoyable, fish was juicy and delectable, as were the scallops.  Both dishes were accompanied by fresh vegetables and "Redneck Risotto" (it was more of a polenta then a risotto). All in all the food was magnificent, I look forward to going back and exploring the menu some more.  They have a wide range of choices from seafood to steaks (for the ocean impaired).  I am sure you will be pleased and want to come back again and again.

Mike Jr.

The restaurant is kid friendly providing high chairs and a kids menu. 
Entree prices range between $15 - $25  

Virginia Diner

Virginia Diner
408 County Drive North
Wakefield, VA 23888
TEL: 757-899-3106

http://vadinerrestaurant.com

Food: 7 out of 10 Mikes
Service: 7 out of 10 Mikes

This is a place that my parents introduced me to in my teen years. We usually stopped during trips to and from my Alma Mater - Hargrave Military Academy.  It is located off 460 in Wakefield and is a great place to visit while on a Sunday drive. Directions are available on the above web site. Their menu is good country cooking with fried chicken (some of the best I have ever tasted), country fried steak, Country Cured Virginia ham, sandwiches and many more items. All of their side items are country fresh. On Saturdays and Sundays they have a buffet which includes country favorites. They also serve breakfast (6 am to 11 am) and have catering available. Be sure to save room for dessert, like their World Famous Peanut Pie, Diner's Favorite Apple Pie, Chocolate Chess Pie, Peanut Butter Silk Pie, Banana pudding and Peach Cobbler. I am sure you can find what you want for a very tasty meal just like Grandma used to make.  They are very family oriented and kid friendly.  Enjoy.....

Mike Sr.

The diner is open 364 days a year from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm in the summer and until 8:00 pm in the winter.
Friday offers a Seafood Buffet  - 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday offers Diner's Favorites Country Buffet - 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Their lunch and dinner prices range from $3.50 to $15.00 and include choice of two vegetables and either fresh baked biscuits or Virginia style spoon bread.