Portsmouth, Virginia

This month's southeastern Virginia city blog is all about Portsmouth. It sits on the Elizabeth River directly across for Norfolk. The historic section called Olde Towne is a quaint and beautiful section of the city filled with colonial homes, great restaurants, and fun, unique shops, all within a short walk.

Some of my favorite places to eat in southeast Virginia are in Portsmouth. You have Cafe Europa, chef-owned by Mike Simko and his wife Veronique, who is also the pastry chef. It is like you have been transported to Europe with the old-world interior and cuisine, but be sure to leave room for dessert; I have never been there when there are less than eight made-from-scratch selections. For an elegant cocktail and tapas, you step over to Still, a fun atmosphere that should not be missed. If you are looking for more pub style, you can go to Gosport Tavern, their large bar is gorgeous, and the gastropub food is perfect with a beer. There are many other great places to try, the list is extensive, and you can satisfy any palate. 

For shopping, two shops stand out for me the most. The Kitchen Koop is a kitchen supply store where you can find everything you need for your kitchen, and they teach cooking classes. A unique place is Anderson Wright Rooms and Gardens. You can get lost in this store and all its treasures. People rent the courtyard for weddings; it is so beautiful. 

Portsmouth also takes advantage of its location on the Elizabeth River; the Freedom Boat Club is on the historic waterfront. The two biggest industries over there are the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and the Port of Virginia, and the port is one of the most advanced ports in the country with automation. 

Whether in the Hampton Roads area or just visiting, it's worth the trip to check out Portsmouth. You don't have to get there just with a car, you can take the HRT Ferry from Norfolk and enjoy the views from the Elizabeth River.