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The Restaurant
Guide for Nelson County & Wintergreen Resort
Kim Chappell is a graduate from
the Realtor Institute and is an agent with Wintergreen
Resort Premier Properties, the official real estate
office of Wintergreen Resort. Kim also lists and sells
property in beautiful Nelson County. Contact Kim
Chappell at
kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com or 434-238-2430. The
Free Daily Blog is posted on both
www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com and
www.ExperienceWintergreen.com
Dining in Nelson County
Nelson County has a wide variety of dining options.
Everything from Mexican to Thai to BBQ to Southern
comfort food. Welcome to my Nelson County Dining Guide
for 2009. The below restaurants are in alphabetical
order. The descriptions of the menu are personal
observations.
Ambrosia Bakery & Deli
2192 Rockfish Valley Hwy Nellysford, VA 22958 (434)
361-9661
Sandwiches, amazing desserts, hot entrees. Also
serving breakfast with coffee. A few tables but most
business is to-go. Call ahead to order cakes & pies and
for catering.
Basic Necessities
2226 Rockfish Valley Hwy Nellysford, VA 22958 (434)
361-1766
European gourmet menu and a large wine & cheese
selection. Special Sunday brunch menu. Our favorite is
the Basic Necessities salad.
Blue Ridge Pig
2198 Rockfish Valley Hwy Nellysford, VA 22958 (434)
361-1170
Voted one of Virginia’s best stops for BBQ. Look for
the pink pig on Rt. 151. The beans and potato salad are
also great.
Chen’s
73 Calohill Dr., Lovingston, VA 22949 (434) 263-8865
Chinese food to-go with fast service. They have all
your favorites.
Chirios Pizza
Highway 151 Nellysford, VA 22920 (434) 361-9188
Unique pizza, sandwiches and ice cream to dine-in or
take-out. If you are a vegetarian, you need to try
their veggie pizza. We enjoy the hot sub sandwiches.
Copper Mine
Wintergreen Resort (434) 325-8090
Located behind the Mountain Inn on Wintergreen
mountain. Open for breakfast seven days a week, serving
popular holiday brunches. Dinner includes a high-end
steak and seafood menu.
D’Ambola Restaurant
9278 Rockfish Valley Hwy Afton, VA 22920 (540) 456-4556
Italian menu of pasta and Northern dishes, plus prime
rib and weekly specials. Seasonal outdoor dining.
Devils Grill
Wintergreen Resort (434) 325-8100
Located at the Devil’s Knob Golf Course on
Wintergreen mountain. Outdoor seasonal dining. Lunch
including sandwiches and entrée salads. Dinner includes
many seafood entrees.
Devil’s Backbone Brewery
Beech Grove (434) 361-1001
Not just a micro-brewery. Devil’s Backbone is open
for lunch and dinner daily with a menu with everything
from hot wings to a Cowboy Steak.
The Dogwood
2461 Rockfish Valley Hwy, Nellysford, VA (434) 361-1700
Southern comfort food plus sandwiches, steaks and
salads. Seasonal outdoor dining.
The Edge
Wintergreen Resort (434) 325-8080
Behind the Mountain Inn on Wintergreen mountain. The
place to get a burger on the mountain. Also, nachos,
entrée salads and interesting entrees. Open for lunch
and dinner daily.
The Fountain Room at The Mark Addy Inn
56 Rodes Farm Dr., Nellysford, VA 22958 (434) 361-1101
Varied menu in a beautiful atmosphere. Often with
live music. You do not have to stay at the Inn to dine
here. Give them a call for details.
Lovingston Cafe
165 Front St Lovingston, VA 22949 (434) 263-8000
The place to get a burger in Lovingston. Also, a
wide menu of sandwiches, entrée salads, pasta and
entrees. Seasonal outdoor dining on their large patio.
Rapunzel’s Coffee & Books
924 Front St., Lovingston, VA 22949 (434) 263-6660
Gourmet coffee drinks, snacks and desserts. Often
have live music at night. WiFi available.
Stoney Creek Bar & Grill
1354 Stoney Crk W Nellysford, VA 22958 (434) 361-0054
Located at the Stoney Creek Golf Course. Seasonal
outdoor dining with great views. Salads, sandwiches and
special entrees for dinner including steak. The Cobb
Salad is very popular.
Thai Saim Restaurant
4137 Tye Brook Hwy Arrington, VA 22922 (434) 263-7938
Thai food to-go. Fans drive for miles to visit this
take-out restaurant. They have all of your Thai
favorites. One of our favorite “to-go” restaurants in
Nelson.
Thai Mex 2
2815 Rockfish Valley Hwy Nellysford, VA 22958 (434)
361-1400
Two restaurants in one place. Half the menu is
Mexican and half is Thai. They have all of your
favorites on both menus. One of the only places in
Nelson to get tacos.
Vineyard Coffee House
27 Chapel Hollow Rd, Afton, VA 22920 (434) 361-1692
Gourmet sandwiches and salads in a cozy atmosphere.
On Friday, pair the menu with Flying Fox wines.
Seasonal outdoor dining with great view of mountains.
Vito’s Italian Restaurant
8181 Thomas Nelson Hwy Lovingston, VA 22949 (434)
263-8688
Also now in Nellysford, near Wintergreen Resort.
Wintergreen Restaurants Win
National Award
Congratulations to the Copper Mine
& Devil’s Grill in Wintergreen Resort. Each year the
Wine Spectator magazine presents Awards of
Excellence to restaurants who offer extraordinary wine
programs. Wintergreen is proud to have been recognized
for the wine lists at both The Copper Mine and Devil’s
Grill.
The Copper Mine matches the
steakhouse menu with big cabernets, burgundies and
Bordeaux. Devil’s Grill offers a more eclectic
selection using boutique wineries.
The other star at the Copper Mine
is the steakhouse menu. The restaurant serves USDA
Prime Aged Beef. Less than 2% of the beef produced in
the US meets this standard.
We love dining outside on the patio
at the Devil’s Grill. There is still time this season
to dine on the patio.
Now is the time to make a
reservation for dinner at either the Copper Mine or
Devil’s Grill. When you visit, look for the Wine
Spectator award. Congratulations!
The Restaurant Guide Part 1
For
dinner in Wintergreen Resort, be sure to make
reservations. Did you know that you can make
reservations a few weeks in advance? So, if you know
you are coming to the resort, go ahead and book some
dinner reservations.
The
Copper Mine: Wintergreen’s steak house. 434-325-8090
Devil’s
Grill: Open on Friday and Saturday Nights:
434-325-8100
Stoney
Creek: See Description Below: 434-325-8110
Yes!
Stoney Creek Bar & Grill (located in Nellysford and
Stoney Creek at Wintergreen) IS OPEN on Friday and
Saturday nights. There is a special menu available and
a great salad bar. Call them for more info. (This
restaurant will be open with additional hours as the
weather warms. I will post those hours as things
change)
The
Edge: This restaurant is always great for a burger,
salad, nachos and full-entrees. But, they don’t take
reservations
Outside of the Resort
Black
Rock Market: Don’t
forget that they have sandwiches and pizza to go. (also
a nice wine and beer selection) This market is actually
in the resort, next to the Laurelwood condos, but is not
managed by the resort.
NEW:
The Dogwood Restaurant has opened in Nellysford! We
have been dining in the original Dogwood in Amherst
County for years and are excited that the Dogwood II has
opened in Nellysford. Currently, the restaurant is only
open for lunch and dinner. This is a home-cooking
restaurant that will be popular and fits a needed niche
in the community.
BBQ To
Go: The Blue Ridge
Pig in Nellysford has been written up in The Washington
Post and many magazines as some of the best BBQ in
Virginia. Stop by and pick up some and dine at home.
Call ahead and place an order: 434-361-1170
Basic
Necessities in Nellysford:
Open for lunch and dinner, but I suggest making
reservations for dinner. They also have a great
international wine and cheese selection. Reservations:
434-361-1766.
Ambrosia in Nellysford:
Is OPEN with the new owners. Great sandwiches, salads
and desserts to go for lunch. Order a whole cheesecake
or pie for the weekend. Place an Order: 434-361-9661
Great
Local Pizza: If
you are interested in a great local pizza, call
Chirios Pizza in Nellysford at 434-361-9188. They
even have a limited delivery area. Our favorite is the
vegetarian pizza. If you have a vegetarian in your
family, this makes a great treat.
Worth
The Drive: The
locals take a short drive to enhance the dining
selection.
-
The new, hot restaurant is the Blue Mountain
Brewery in Afton. It’s a lot more than just a
micro-brewery with a wood-fired pizza oven,
sandwiches and salads. The beer selection is great
and the atmosphere fun. Call 540-456-8400 for
details.
-
Lovingston, VA:
Check out The Lovingston Café (434-263-8000)
for interesting entrees and some great burgers and
our favorite, Vitos Italian Restaurant.
(434-263-8688) They have great pizza and pasta that
are value-priced.
-
Thai Food in Piney River:
If you love Thai food, then this is the best we have
ever eaten. Thai Siam Take-Out is a little
hard to find. Email Kim Chappell for details on
finding this great spot for Thai food.
-
Waynesboro:
Locals go to Waysnesboro to dine in chain
restaurants. Everything is there from fast food to
unique restaurants such as South River Grill.
Groceries: Where
do the locals go for groceries? Many of you may have
stopped by the IBA in Nellysford in past years and were
disappointed. They are under new management and the
shelves are now stocked. I will say that this is a
store to just pick up the basics. Most locals to
Wintergreen go to Waynesboro for their shopping.
Waynesboro now has some "metro shopping", even with a
new Target. The grocery store of choice is Martins.
(almost like Ukrops out of Richmond) Let us know if you
need directions to Waynesboro
Dining Outdoors in Nelson
County
New Options: We are always looking
for new dining options in rural Nelson County. 2008 has
provided a few new options that are exciting.
The Blue Mountain Brewery:
We dropped by a few days ago and their outdoor patio was
bustling with guests. Their menu includes sandwiches,
salads and a great cheese and meat board. And, of
course, their great micro-brew. There are large tables
available for dining with friends and a traditional bar
inside. Nice views from the outdoor patio. The Blue
Mountain Brewery is located in Afton on Rt. 151.
The Dogwood Restaurant:
This restaurant opened in Nellysford this past Winter,
but has added many outdoor tables. Enjoy the
wrap-around porch or tables near their large koi pond.
Currently, the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner
with a menu that includes sandwiches, salads and
entrees. There are also some Southern- comfort food
items such as pinto beans with corn bread. Rumors say
that this restaurant will soon open for breakfast. We
will let you know when it does offer a breakfast menu.
Nelson County Traditions: There
are some great restaurants in Nelson County that have
been a tradition for years.
The Blue Ridge Pig: Often
mentioned in the Washington Post travel section and the
Washingtonian Magazine as a place to stop for some of
the best Bar-B-Q in Virginia, and we agree. The Blue
Ridge Pig is also in Nellysford and offers a few outdoor
tables. In addition to the Q, make sure to try the
potatoes.
The Lovingston Café: This
restaurant is located in the heart of Nelson County in
Lovingston. It has the largest outdoor patio in the
county and is a great place to meet family and friends
or to plan a group dinner. Our favorites on the menu
include a great hamburger and some entrée salads.
(There are also several hot entrees and daily specials)
Outside Dining in Wintergreen
Resort
One of our favorite places to dine
outdoors is the Stoney Creek Bar & Grill. Their
deck boasts some of the best views in the valley. Plus,
they have both a sunny deck and a covered porch.
Currently the Stoney Creek Bar & Grill is open every day
for lunch and dinner is served on Friday and Saturday
nights. Extended hours will start in May.
While on Wintergreen Mountain, the
Devil’s Grill is our favorite place to dine
outside. Their patio is a great place to sit with
friends for a relaxing lunch or dinner. The patio is
shaded and offers great views of the Devil’s Knob Golf
Course. We also enjoy the menu and cant wait to see
this year’s late Spring and Summer menu.
The Copper Mine deck is a
great place to enjoy the weekend brunch buffet.
Reservations are still available for their famous
Mother’s Day Brunch.
On weekends and on holidays, the
resort grills hamburgers and hotdogs on the Blue
Ridge Terrace Grill. Nothing is better than a
grilled hamburger for Memorial Day or July 4th.
Monocan Lake will open over
Memorial Weekend and everyone enjoys grilling and eating
outside at the many picnic tables.
Another favorite is eating outside
on the many condo and home decks with amazing views. If
you would like to rent a condo with a view, be sure to
ask for a “view condo” while renting through Wintergreen
Resort.
A Picnic Basket from Ambrosia
Bakery & Deli
Recently, I have been writing
stories about “Shop Local” and Nelson County Wine
Tours. I have been receiving many questions about
winery tours, and one question that I receive often is
about wine tours and food. Many of our wineries promote
the idea of bringing your own picnic to pair with their
wine. Well, Ambrosia Bakery & Deli is one place to stop
in Nelson County before you start your winery tour.
Ambrosia Bakery and Deli is located
in Nellysford, VA at 2192 Rockfish Valley Highway and
can be reached at 434-361-9661. The menu has business
hours from 8AM-5PM, Wednesday-Sunday. Sherry mentioned
that the doors usually open at 7AM for those getting an
early start. I also want to point out that Ambrosia is
open on Sundays. You can even stop by early Sunday
morning to pick up pastries and hot breakfast
sandwiches. Also coffee from Greenberry. (This answers
another question that I often get…”where can I eat on
Sundays”) Most of the Ambrosia business is take-out,
but there are two tables inside for dining. Look for
the signs and the dark purple shop in the shopping area.
Bring your own picnic basket,
and Sherry can quickly fill it with a variety of items:
Gourmet cheese and a selection of
crackers and fresh bread for your winery tour
Salads to include Caesar, Greek,
Spinach and Salmon Salad
Dips and Spreads to include Roasted
Red Pepper Hummus, Spinach-Artichoke, Sun-dried Tomato
Dip and several others
Mediterranean Pasta Salad and
Tabouli
A large selection of custom
sandwiches like The Nelson, The Neptune, The Apollo and
the Ambrosia. The Nelson has roast beef, smoked turkey,
honey ham, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion
w/horseradish mustard on a sub roll. There are also
vegetarian sandwiches.
Home-made soups and Quiche
Ambrosia is now serving a wider
selection of hot entrée items such as homemade meatloaf,
mac & cheese and lasagna. All of these items can be
packed for easy carry-out.
Ambrosia is far more than beautiful
desserts. I have to mention the desserts and sweets
though. They are amazing. Here’s just a brief list of
items: French pastry, scones, croissants, brownies,
baklava, cookie bars, cannoli, cheesecake by the slice
or whole, tarts, cookies, cakes and pies by the slice
or whole.
If you are hosting a celebration or
special event, talk with Sherry about catering options.
I have purchased party trays from Ambrosia for my real
estate business. It is a fast solution to your party
needs and everyone loves to see a party tray from
Ambrosia Bakery & Deli.
Fried Chicken for a Crowd in
Nelson County
If you are planning a large picnic
or event in Nelson County, and you need to feed a
crowd…order some local-made fried chicken. Southerners
have always enjoyed fried chicken for summer picnics.
Nelson County has a few places to pick up enough
southern fried chicken to feed that crowd. You do need
to order in advance though. Our family has fed up to
sixty people from these local establishments.
In Lovingston, stop by and order
your chicken from the Chicken Coop. They are located at
40 Front Street in Lovingston. (434-263-7818) Yes,
there is also a gas station at the same location, but
the Chicken Coop does have a pick-up window and a few
tables inside. If you don’t need to plan a large event
or party, stop by the Chicken Coop for breakfast or
lunch. They serve a hot breakfast and their chicken for
lunch with many side dishes.
Over in Nellysford, stop by Graves
Grocery. Yes, they also have a gas station which is a
theme. Graves Grocery is located at 1779 Rockfish
Valley Highway (Rt. 151), 434-361-2504. Graves Grocery
can also fix enough fried chicken to feed a crowd. I
also want to mention that we think that they have some
of the best biscuits in the county. Crowds line up for
the breakfast biscuits. You need to try their sausage
biscuit. They also have good coffee and a breakfast
platter. Of course, you can order the fried chicken
with lots of biscuits.
I think that Nelson County Gas
Station Food could be a story…
Also in Nellysford is the Blue
Ridge Grocery. You can also pre-order fried chicken for
a crowd from the grocery. Recently, a fellow real
estate agent served their chicken at a real estate open
house with rave reviews.
Brunch Scene
Yes, there is a very active
Sunday Brunch Scene in Nelson County. Here are just
a few of the choices available in Wintergreen Resort and
in Nelson County.
The Copper Mine in Wintergreen
Resort has a breakfast buffet on both Saturday and
Sunday mornings. The buffet has many options from eggs
to pancakes or French toast. There is always fresh
fruit, pastries and a selection of juices. For special
occasions, the Copper Mine hosts a large buffet with
carving stations, an omelet station and a waffle
station. The holiday buffets have become very popular,
especially the Mother’s Day brunch. Keep an eye on the
web site at
www.WintergreenResort.com for updates on the Copper
Mine and special menus.
Also in Wintergreen Resort, the
Stoney Creek Bar & Grill has a special Sunday Brunch
menu. This is a seasonal restaurant in the resort, so
check the web site when making plans. During the Summer
and Fall, you can even dine outside on the covered porch
or on the sun deck. The views are wonderful as you look
out over the Stoney Creek golf course and towards the
mountains.
Another popular Sunday Brunch is at
Basic Necessities in Nellysford. We went last Sunday,
and had a great time. There is a special menu that also
includes a wonderful mimosa, with a re-fill. There was
live harp music. I even found a gluten free option.
Basic Necessities is located between the Blue Ridge Pig
and the hardware store on Rt. 151 in Nellysford. They
have a great wine selection including international
wines. There are some gourmet grocery items including a
cheese selection. After brunch, pick up a free items
to-go.
The Mark Addy in Nelson County
often hosts a Sunday Brunch. Call 434-361-1101 for
details. The Mark Addy is a Bed & Breakfast that often
has special menus and even live music.
Nelson County wineries often have
special Sunday brunch menus for holiday weekends. Pick
up a Nelson County Life (free) Magazine for details on a
monthly basis.
Vitos Italian Restaurant
Opens in Nellysford
It has been a long wait for locals
who love Vitos Italian Restaurant in Lovingston, VA.
Many of us have been driving to the other side of the
county for a long time to visit that location of Vitos.
We have been watching construction on the new location
in Nellysford in anticipation of the opening. (Nellysford
is about 8 miles from the entrance to Wintergreen’s
mountain resort and is on Rt. 151)
Get ready for some great pizza,
calzones, salads and pasta. Plus, the new Nellysford
location will have an expanded wine selection. Our
family favorite is the pepperoni pizza and all the pasta
dishes. You can dine in or get your order to-go.
The new restaurant will also have
an expanded menu of pizza options including Sicilian
Crust Pizza and lots of gourmet pizza toppings. Yum!
There will be 10 types of beer on
tap, including some local brews. |
