Kincaid's and the Virginia Stage Company

Topher & I (okay, mainly me) are already looking ahead to fall and planning our calendar. Along with a few weekend getaways, we want to go to the Virginia Opera Company's production of Mozart's "Cosi fan Tutte" in November, and I'd like to see the Virginia Stage Company's "The Diary of Anne Frank" in September. (I already have in mind where I'd like to eat on our evenings out, too!)

Our first experience with VSC was last fall, when my aunt and uncle invited us to join them for a Sunday afternoon matinee at the historic Wells Theatre in downtown Norfolk.

We saw "Alive and Well," a romantic comedy about a heartbroken Civil War re-enactor and an emotionally desperate New York journalist searching for the legendary "lonesome soldier" Civil War veteran in rural central Virginia. The play itself was a little strange, but the theater was gorgeous! (The photo above is from HamptonRoads.com.)

Afterwards we walked to Kincaid's for dinner. Yes, Kincaid's is a chain restaurant, and yes, this location is in a mall. But don't be fooled! It's still a great restaurant with a solid menu and excellent service. The four of us sat and talked for almost three hours and never felt like we were being rushed out.

What I Ate:

• steak with crab-stuffed shrimp, steamed broccoli and mashed potatoes - it doesn't get much more basic than steak, potatoes, & broccoli, but man, was this good!
• a few bites each of pear bread pudding and crème bruleè cheesecake with strawberries

The Scoop:

Kincaid's Fish, Chop and Steak House is located on the first floor of the MacArthur Center at 300 Monticello Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23510. They're open for dinner M-Sat 5-10pm and Sun 4-8pm. They also serve a "first seating" three-course prix-fixe ($25) meal daily 5-6pm. Check their website for hours for lunch, Sunday brunch, and the lounge. You can reach them at (757)622-8000.