Nomarama Takes Us to the 757 for the Best Local Eats in Hampton Roads
Virginia’s Hampton Roads has a lot to offer food-wise. It goes beyond the stereotypical ‘boardwalk’ foods that might come to mind when you think of the beach, offering eclectic farm-to-table cuisine around every corner.
We asked Jarrell Williams, a devoted local food-lover (or as you may know him, _Nomarama_ on Instagram) in the 757 area to show us around some of his favorite spots. He hit the town running, providing foodies everywhere with a local’s lowdown on the good eats in Virginia Beach and surrounding areas – from food trucks to fine dining, there’s a little something for every taste. This guy gets around, ya’ll.
Here’s an inside look, straight from the man himself.
NOMARAMA’s LOCAL LOWDOWN:
My name is Jarrell! My kids call me “daddy”, some people call me “Mr. Local” but most know me as Nomarama… Here is a run down of my personal favorite places doing amazing things here in the beautiful 757.
Clementine’s
Big homie Rick Freely, aka Rick Flair, is no stranger to the restaurant game. He also owns Ten Top (off of Colley Ave), an OG favorite of mine. To this day, I am convinced he opened Clementine’s in the Riverview area of Norfolk because he knew those four walls couldn’t hold his kitchen prowess! When you stop in, look the server dead in the eyes and whisper, “Sausage Biscuits and Gravy.” They’ll know what you want.
Get Stuffed
With 20+ years of culinary experience, Chef Eric Aymer is a force to be reckoned with. From his modest taco cart located at The Shack – a local outdoor watering hole in Virginia Beach – you wouldn’t know he’s crafting tacos, burritos, and signature sauces with locally sourced and organic ingredients.
Get Stuffed will do just that… get you stuffed, fat, and happy!
May’s Parlor
A Virginia Beach hidden gem in plain sight! Just one street off of the main VB drag sits a quaint little bakery bursting at the seams with creativity. Led by Rachel Browning, May’s Parlor has my jaw dropping every time a new Cronut flavor comes out – so much so that my wife and I both follow May’s Parlor’s Instagram account just to make sure we don’t miss a beat.
Nouvelle
Rina, a chef trained in classical French cuisine, brings bold flavors ready to dominate your taste buds. Fusion dishes with influence from her Filipino heritage, like miso ginger and soy braised pork belly, leave you wanting more. Pair that with her husband, Luke, who just happens to be a classically trained baker, and you get nothing short of an incredible dining experience.
Pendulum/Codex
Located just off Colley Ave in Norfolk, Pendulum is a gem all its own. With their awesome menu of sustainable farm-fresh meats, you know your meal is going to be proper. But what gives this Norfolk favorite an extra cool factor is the pop-up restaurants you can find from time to time. They’re currently hosting Codex, a Modern-American experience by talented Chef Ian Hock, who has extreme attention to detail.
Legrand
Originally run by Chef Stephan Marsh, Legrand was the first “Finer Diner” in the 757 food scene. Named after a Norfolk Record Company, the farm-to-table concept is alive and well here. But even with all that clout, they don’t shy away from the staples like burgers. Legrand’s “The Burger” – a double stack smash patty burger inspired by Marsh’s travels, is a crowd pleaser from its Big Marty Bun all the way down to the pickled shredded lettuce. IMAGE: @iheartfoodvb
Mr. Shawarma
What can I say about Mr. Shawarma that isn’t already said about the name? To take a sandwich, give it a surname, and then name a restaurant after it is proof enough that these guys know what’s up. While the shawarma is deeelicious, you MUST try the falafel [all the way with chips]. That is my personal favorite item on the menu, by far!
The Coop
I am a huge fan of breakfast foods and an even bigger fan of breakfast burritos – but breakfast burritos from The Coop food truck are the best. The Coop’s chef, Lily, provides options like “Chorizo,” “Green Chili Chicken,” and even “Vegan Heaven” so there is something for everyone!
Honorably DELICIOUS Mentions:
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Esoteric
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Commune
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1608 Crafthouse
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My Mama’s Kitchen
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Wicker’s Crab Pot
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Stoley’s
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Zeke’s
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Cutting Edge
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RedWood Smoke Truck
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La Yaroa Tropical
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Cilantro
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Capt Crabby
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El Coqui
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Eat Mangan
THE DOWN LOW on Nomarama:
Nomarama is a grass roots organization created by Jarrell Williams that has an emphasis on local love. Their goal is to share their passion for small business with friends, family, and just about everyone they have the pleasure of speaking with. To help spread their message they created a traveling web series titled, “This Is Nomarama: The Series.” In the show, they travel throughout the Hampton Roads area showcasing the hard work of individuals putting on for their cities. Engaging in honest conversation with the shop owners, artists, and chefs, they learn about their backgrounds and find out what inspires them. (Show him some love!)
