by Audrina Kingston

Created on: June 23, 2009   Last Updated: August 13, 2009

After a day of sightseeing in Virginia Beach, finding a restaurant that serves great food gives families a chance to wind down and enjoy a meal together. Although Virginia Beach isn't a food capital, local restaurants serves the most spectacular seafood dishes south of the Mason-Dixon line. Traditional, southern-inspired, comfort foods for serious eaters are easy to find and are most sought after. And, an increasing number of chic nouveau eateries and international restaurants are also attracting customers.

ROCKAFELLER'S RESTAURANT

308 Mediterranean Avenue

Rudee Inlet, Virginia Beach, VA

757-422-5654

On Rudee Inlet, Rockafeller's has the feel of a family oriented, diner-style restaurant where the ambiance is ultra-casual yet lively. Hoodies, tank tops, and shorts are appropriate attire and management is totally cool with flip-flops.

Fixed-priced menus features southern-style meal options. Among them: Crab and Cheese Omelettes, Crispy Fried Calamari, and Golden Fried Cheese Sticks. At dinner, seafoods like scallops, crab, and shrimp, caught by local fisherman, make up the Ultimate Seafood Platter. Customers applaud old favorites like Mr. B's Babyback Ribs, so tender that the meat just falls off the bone.

Newer choices include Grilled Chicken Wraps - grilled chicken mixed with cheese, veggies, and fried onions all rolled in a sun-dried tomato tortilla wrap. Generously sized meals can easily be shared between one adult and a child.

Rockafeller's also provides a simple children's menu: cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets, both served with French fries.

MANNINO'S ITALIAN BISTRO

4402 Princess Anne Rd., Suite 107

Virginia Beach, VA 23462

757-474-4446

An old-world Italian restaurant, Mannino's specializes in meals created with a little taste of Italy. Specialties include Fettuccine Con Pollo Alfredo - a combination of chicken, spicy sausages, and thick chunks of tomatoes simmered in a garlicky Alfredo sauce, poured atop stylishly arranged fettuccine. The wine list, while not very extensive, offers the usual red, whites, along with Reisling, Pinot Noir, and Merlot, at moderate prices.

With near-perfect service and delectable foods, it's impossible to be seated without making reservations. To accommodate many patrons, tables are placed uncomfortably close together. Portion sizes are enormous, and you'll be full after the entrees but well before dessert. Doggy bags are recommended. Side orders come in smaller portions and are perfect for kids.

ZEST

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