Growing up in a humble household, the idea of fine dining was as foreign and far-fetched as a fairy tale.
Photo Above: THE JEFFERSON RESTAURANT
Our parents worked tirelessly to put food on the table and keep a roof over our heads. Eating out was a treat, and when we did, it was usually at the local diner or a fast-food joint where we could stretch our dollars further. However, once or twice a year my dad might get a little overtime pay or do some side work fixing a combine for a farmer and there was a little extra money, he liked to do something really special for the family. Every once in a while there was the rare magical evening that stands out in my memory—an evening when the world of fine dining opened up to us, offering a glimpse of a life we could only dream about.
When the evening finally arrived, we piled into our old car and made our way to the Gold Buffet, a renowned 1970s Las Vegas style smorgasbord that was a symbol of elegance and luxury for the working man in the Midwest. With its ornate chandeliers and uniformed waitstaff, I felt a surge of nervous excitement. This was a world I had only seen in movies and magazines, a world that seemed out of reach for a kid like me.
As we stepped inside, the ambiance was overwhelming. The soft glow of candlelight, the tinkling of crystal glasses, the hum of polite conversation—it was all so different from the noisy, bustling diners we were used to. We were greeted warmly by the hosts and shown to our table, which was adorned with pristine white linens and polished silverware. The buffet was a revelation in itself, filled with dozens of dishes whose names I could barely pronounce, let alone imagine tasting. A giant steamship round of roast beef was waiting at the end of the line where a chef would delicately carve a slice as thick or thin as you wanted. This surely was the land of milk and honey. As the evening drew to a close, a beautiful lady with a dessert cart would stop at each table and ask what we wanted, which would require a look to my parents to make sure it was ok, and the response was always the same from my mom or dad with a warm smile. “You can have whatever you want.”
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and gratitude. For a brief moment, we had been part of a world that was usually beyond our reach. The experience left a lasting impression on me, not just because of the exquisite food and elegant surroundings, but because it showed me that bridging the gap between the haves and the have nots can be more than just a dream. Looking back, those nights at the Gold Buffet were more than just an extraordinary experience; it was my parents’ way of reminding themselves of how far they had come from their own humble origins and the possibilities that lay beyond our immediate circumstances. They taught us that with hard work, determination and a bit of luck, it was possible to transcend our limitations. It also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the finer things in life and a desire to one day share such experiences with my own family if I should be so fortunate.
I have been fortunate enough to achieve a level of success that allows me to enjoy fine dining experiences with my family a bit more often than when I was a kid, but that first taste of luxury remains unparalleled in its significance. I hope and highly recommend that you and your vacationing family enjoy the hard earned fruits of your labor and a rare glimpse into a world of elegance and sophistication.
Here are a few of my Williamsburg fine dining favorites.
Waypoint Seafood & Grill
VisitWilliamsburg CEO Ed Harris joined me for dinner. The ambiance is very welcoming and the table by the fireplace was particularly nice on a cold day. The rack of lamb with red wine demi-glace, ground grits, asparagus and sundried fire roasted tomato goat cheese was our favorite. For dessert the warm Nutella inside the bombolini with apricot jam and a cup of coffee was heavenly.
The Whaling Company
Fresh, fresh, fresh was the most common adjective that VisitWilliamsburg Sales Manager Morgan Cordle and I kept repeating. We tried a wide range of seafood dishes that included raw oysters, crab dip, clam chowder, salmon salad, blackened tuna, and shrimp and scallops pasta. Same result with every bite. Tasty and fresh, which is exactly how we all want our seafood!
Aberdeen Barn
My ole reliable Visitor Guide friend Eileen joined in on the fun. We started out with the ridiculously tasty Black and Blue Bites and an Old-Fashioned, then opted for the very affordable Restaurant Week Special. Crackers and cheese, fire roasted corn chowder, garden salad with house made Bleu Cheese, prime rib mmmm, Canadian lobster claws and finished it off with chocolate overload cake. Fantastic!
The Jefferson Restaurant
I invited Tourism Council Chair Ruth Larson and VisitWilliamsburg Chief Marketing Officer Jen Case to join me. There aren’t many places where you can mix traditional southern favorites such as peanut soup, fried chicken and Smithfield Ham with a ribeye, lobster tail and pecan pie. Mark’s family has been serving it up in Williamsburg since 1956. Fortunately for us, they know how to do it right!
Fireside Chophouse Bar & Grill
Ed had so much fun on our first date that he agreed to a second. The crab cakes, porterhouse, fresh sangria and coconut crème pie were all delicious, but the best part of an old-school steakhouse for me is the service. The kindly “older” gentleman serving us is an absolute mind-reader. If you even think you need fresh ground pepper or a little extra butter, before you can turn around, bam, there he is with a pepper mill or saucer with butter. Just outstanding service from George and his team.
Opus 9 Steakhouse
After 23 years I was surprised when my wife scoffed at my fashion choice when we met for dinner. Fortunately, I knew the way to soften her heart was with a refreshing Midori Mojito, Caramel Pecan Brie appetizer and the Oscar 9 filet with her favorite grilled and marinated portabella mushroom. By the time they brought out the spectacular flaming Banana Foster Cheesecake, she had forgotten all about what I was wearing.
This article: A Night on the Town with Ron has been curated from our friends at Go Williamsburg and the original in it's entirety can be found here: https://gowilliamsburg.com/a-night-on-the-town-with-ron/
