A holiday in Virginia Beach, Virginia is all about fun in the sun, blue ocean waves, sand castles with the kids and strolling along the boardwalk. But if it’s the weekend, take a break from the heat and hustle of 31st Street and head over to the Chesapeake Bay area of town for a shabby chic brunch treat at Bay Local Eatery!
Location: Bay Local Eatery, 2917 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Menu: As the name suggests, Bay Local Eatery showcases farm-to-table “Coastal Southern” dishes that change with the season. These seasonal fresh specials that they call “fresh-ials” are all on display on a giant chalkboard by the bar. Everything is made from scratch, in-house using locally sourced produce and seafood when available.
Thoughts: With cool blue tones like the water and sky in the furniture and washed beige booths like the sand, the dining environment reminds you of the comfort and casualness of the beach. The decor features pressed tin ceiling, rough hewn wood and reclaimed barn board that gives a very relaxed, warm and friendly vibe. Shabby chic furnishing, handmade light fixtures, antiques and salvaged goods complete the charming look that goes perfectly with the casual vibe.
The “Served All Day” Brunch menu may sound like regular fare with classic breakfast items omelettes, pancakes, char-grilled burgers, BLTs, sandwiches, lettuce wraps and salads. The Bay Local Eatery twist makes these items anything but ordinary by creatively adding smoked salmon to the BLT, oysters in the omelette or depending on the season; a soft-shell crab on top of the burger.
Service was great and the staff is friendly and very accommodating if making menu substitutions due to food allergies. They offer gluten free options.
A Few Bay Local Eatery House Favourites to Try
- Big Al – This signature dish from Bay Local Eatery’s brunch menu features two sweet potato biscuits stuffed with cheddar cheese, bacon and sausage, baked to perfection and smothered with house made sausage gravy. Top that with two eggs cooked to your preference and home fries. The biscuits are unique in that they are thin and flat, but they still have that traditional light and fluffy texture. The Big Al is delicious and satisfying but be warned; the portion size is large. $11.99
- Fried Chicken & Waffles – Fresh pan-fried chicken on top of a house made Belgian waffle and two eggs any style. Served with butter, syrup and a side of home fries or tots. The crunchy chicken is well seasoned, and the waffle is crisp on the outside and tender on the inside making this combination classic Southern dish sweet and savoury delicious! $13.99
- Buttermilk Pancakes – Three scratch-made buttermilk pancakes stacked high with your choice of Oreo cookies, chocolate chips, bananas, granola or coconut. Served with your choice of bacon, smokey sausage link or fresh fruit. $10.99
- Garden Bennie – For the vegetarian, this eggs benedict features baby spinach, arugula, onions, green peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms served with poached eggs on a toasted English muffin, drizzled with fresh hollandaise and served with home fries or Parmesan tots. $9.99
- The Hangover – I had never heard of a brunch item that had an age limit before until seeing this on the menu! This for the adults-only 9 oz. top sirloin steak includes two eggs cooked to order, home fries or tots, toast and a short stack of pancakes. Hmm… why the “21 years or older”? You get to wash your steak down with a can of Budweiser served in a brown paper bag! $15.99
Hey, but don’t stop at breakfast! Bay Local Eatery also offers dinner specials, Happy Hour on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Live Music Thursdays, and Friday All You Can Eat Ribs.
Bay Local Eatery is the perfect spot for brunch in a chic environment with very affordable fresh house-made selections. For more reviews of Bay Local Eatery go here.
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Photo credit: ©Mary Chong; used with permission.
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