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(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

A.W. Shucks is really good and parking is easy.

(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

You plan to walk to AW Schucks from Downtown Norfolk?
You'll be walking through some rough areas, and it's a pretty good hike. Have her pick you up if you're gonna make that trip.

LeGrand is pretty good, parking available in the rear and it's not too far from campus.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/legrand-kitchen-norfolk

Thanks guys.

To me Freemason Abbey has gotten expensive, and they seemed to have fallen off a bit. The atmosphere is great and they use to have a lobster special that was a killer deal. AW Shucks is always good fresh seafood at a fair price. Not as fancy, but much smaller. You'll need to drive to AW Shucks, both have free parking right next to the restaurant.

(09-11-2016 03:43 PM)DaBigBlue Wrote:  To me Freemason Abbey has gotten expensive, and they seemed to have fallen off a bit. The atmosphere is great and they use to have a lobster special that was a killer deal. AW Shucks is always good fresh seafood at a fair price. Not as fancy, but much smaller. You'll need to drive to AW Shucks, both have free parking right next to the restaurant.

Agree about Freemason Abbey. Haven't been in years due to the exact reasons you said.

(09-11-2016 03:16 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

You plan to walk to AW Schucks from Downtown Norfolk?
You'll be walking through some rough areas, and it's a pretty good hike. Have her pick you up if you're gonna make that trip.

LeGrand is pretty good, parking available in the rear and it's not too far from campus.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/legrand-kitchen-norfolk

What rough area is between Downtown and Ghent? Ill second your recommendation for Legrand. But your comment on the walk from downtown to Ghent is just wrong. You walk to Freemason, cross from Freemason to the Hague, go up Colonial from there. Its a hike, but not a single rough part of town on that route.

(09-11-2016 05:13 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  What rough area is between Downtown and Ghent? Ill second your recommendation for Legrand. But your comment on the walk from downtown to Ghent is just wrong. You walk to Freemason, cross from Freemason to the Hague, go up Colonial from there. Its a hike, but not a single rough part of town on that route.

You are forgetting about the Montessori School at the corner of Olney and Colonial.

Those kids can be vicious.

(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

Free on street parking at meters after 6pm downtown. Other great spots for dinner downtown are Luce, The Big Easy Oyster Bar, Bodega, and Grace O'Malley's.

There is also the First Friday event on Oct 7th 5-8:30pm in the Arts District (several blocks from your hotel).
https://www.downtownnorfolk.org/explore/...et-party11

(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

Both are good but very different. Parking is free and easy at both. Both have their own lots.


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(09-11-2016 05:13 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 03:16 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

You plan to walk to AW Schucks from Downtown Norfolk?
You'll be walking through some rough areas, and it's a pretty good hike. Have her pick you up if you're gonna make that trip.

LeGrand is pretty good, parking available in the rear and it's not too far from campus.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/legrand-kitchen-norfolk

What rough area is between Downtown and Ghent? Ill second your recommendation for Legrand. But your comment on the walk from downtown to Ghent is just wrong. You walk to Freemason, cross from Freemason to the Hague, go up Colonial from there. Its a hike, but not a single rough part of town on that route.

I lived at Hague Towers for 5 years 03 to 08. I had my truck broke in to 3 times and my Jeep stolen. Was robbed by a thug near Onley and Botetourt.

(09-11-2016 06:20 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 05:13 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 03:16 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

You plan to walk to AW Schucks from Downtown Norfolk?
You'll be walking through some rough areas, and it's a pretty good hike. Have her pick you up if you're gonna make that trip.

LeGrand is pretty good, parking available in the rear and it's not too far from campus.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/legrand-kitchen-norfolk

What rough area is between Downtown and Ghent? Ill second your recommendation for Legrand. But your comment on the walk from downtown to Ghent is just wrong. You walk to Freemason, cross from Freemason to the Hague, go up Colonial from there. Its a hike, but not a single rough part of town on that route.

I lived at Hague Towers for 5 years 03 to 08. I had my truck broke in to 3 times and my Jeep stolen. Was robbed by a thug near Onley and Botetourt.

I used to live in Freemason and rode my bike to Ghent by the route you suggested all the time with no problem. This issue for a visitor is that they won't know the footbridge is there, and by looking at a map would likely go up Monticello by HRT/Dumars. I wouldn't advise walking that route at night. Take Uber.

(09-11-2016 05:19 PM)AdoptedMonarch Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 05:13 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  What rough area is between Downtown and Ghent? Ill second your recommendation for Legrand. But your comment on the walk from downtown to Ghent is just wrong. You walk to Freemason, cross from Freemason to the Hague, go up Colonial from there. Its a hike, but not a single rough part of town on that route.

You are forgetting about the Montessori School at the corner of Olney and Colonial.

Those kids can be vicious.

Yep they will attack you only if they feel like it.

Light Rail from downtown to Ghent is another option.

(09-11-2016 06:20 PM)AimHigh Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 05:13 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 03:16 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

You plan to walk to AW Schucks from Downtown Norfolk?
You'll be walking through some rough areas, and it's a pretty good hike. Have her pick you up if you're gonna make that trip.

LeGrand is pretty good, parking available in the rear and it's not too far from campus.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/legrand-kitchen-norfolk

What rough area is between Downtown and Ghent? Ill second your recommendation for Legrand. But your comment on the walk from downtown to Ghent is just wrong. You walk to Freemason, cross from Freemason to the Hague, go up Colonial from there. Its a hike, but not a single rough part of town on that route.

I lived at Hague Towers for 5 years 03 to 08. I had my truck broke in to 3 times and my Jeep stolen. Was robbed by a thug near Onley and Botetourt.

Larchmont has had a string of cars being broken into and stolen. Does that make it a rough area? No. It means there is value to be taken. A rough area is somewhere you shouldn't walk alone. Park Place and Huntersville are rough. Ghent, rough? Come on, man. Either way, it doesn't matter as Steve should be taking uber. It's too long of a walk for anyone with a time crunch at dinner time.

(09-11-2016 05:13 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 03:16 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

You plan to walk to AW Schucks from Downtown Norfolk?
You'll be walking through some rough areas, and it's a pretty good hike. Have her pick you up if you're gonna make that trip.

LeGrand is pretty good, parking available in the rear and it's not too far from campus.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/legrand-kitchen-norfolk

What rough area is between Downtown and Ghent? Ill second your recommendation for Legrand. But your comment on the walk from downtown to Ghent is just wrong. You walk to Freemason, cross from Freemason to the Hague, go up Colonial from there. Its a hike, but not a single rough part of town on that route.

You're right. I was thinking the route along Church St. North of Brambleton. Didn't think of Boush/Llewellyn or Colonial Ave.

Shucks > Freemason.

Freemason is one of those places a local would take an out-of-town guest but would rarely go themselves (The Tobacco Company in Richmond is like that too). It's not bad, it's just overpriced for what it is and underwhelming.

Shucks has good seafood and par excellence jalapeno poppers, which are stuffed with shrimp, crab and mozzarella. One of my 10 favorite things to eat in Norfolk.

(09-12-2016 02:44 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  Shucks > Freemason.

Freemason is one of those places a local would take an out-of-town guest but would rarely go themselves (The Tobacco Company in Richmond is like that too). It's not bad, it's just overpriced for what it is and underwhelming.

Shucks has good seafood and par excellence jalapeno poppers, which are stuffed with shrimp, crab and mozzarella. One of my 10 favorite things to eat in Norfolk.

My favorite place to eat in Norfolk is

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cilantro-bangla...5yoyzSuhtA

Not the best location but I LOVE their food.

(09-12-2016 01:36 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 05:13 PM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 03:16 PM)GhentFan Wrote:  

(09-11-2016 02:52 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Have a question more on ease of getting to and parking, then food quality for an early Friday dinner. My aunt lives in Virginia Beach and will be meeting me for dinner. The first place that I thought of was The Freemason Abby, which I can walk to from the Residence Inn. Then saw A.W. Shuck's and thought that may be easier for her to get to and park. I could walk but not knowing the surroundings would probably drive as well.

What do you guys think about parking at the two places. I figured the closer to the heart of downtown the more difficult and pricey for parking.

You plan to walk to AW Schucks from Downtown Norfolk?
You'll be walking through some rough areas, and it's a pretty good hike. Have her pick you up if you're gonna make that trip.

LeGrand is pretty good, parking available in the rear and it's not too far from campus.
https://www.yelp.com/biz/legrand-kitchen-norfolk

What rough area is between Downtown and Ghent? Ill second your recommendation for Legrand. But your comment on the walk from downtown to Ghent is just wrong. You walk to Freemason, cross from Freemason to the Hague, go up Colonial from there. Its a hike, but not a single rough part of town on that route.

You're right. I was thinking the route along Church St. North of Brambleton. Didn't think of Boush/Llewellyn or Colonial Ave.

That is a rough route on foot. I've biked it at night but wouldn't walk it in a group, let alone by myself.

Steve from LeGrand is opening another restaurant called Shiptown Seafood soon. It's right across from Cogans North, where Eva's/Lou's was. Considering the quality dishes he's putting out at LeGrand, it will be a great spot.

The replacement for O'Sullivans, Mac's Barge, owned by the same guy who owns Macs in Ocean View, should open late September/early October. No clue how good it will be. But it should be much nicer inside. They're putting a ton of work into it.

When I went to ODU, the old Mack's Barge where O'Sullivans was had the best deals on seafood and beer. $5 buck got a bucket of clams, Bud draft and tip.