Clinton C.
Yelp
Come and gather 'round, o children, and I will share with you a tale of deliciousness, expert preparation and flawless service. I went to Coastal Grill this evening and ordered a dozen oysters and a duck entree, with a complimentary side of bread. The oysters were so fresh and delicious that I felt like I was convening with the sea, revering its history and taking in its deepest culinary secrets. They were served with a side of cocktail sauce, red wine mignonette, lemon wedges and cilantro.
The duck entree was the best, and most inspired, duck preparation that I have ever tasted. The duck was cooked to a flawless medium and served with a cherry and red wine sauce that complemented the flavor of the meat without overshadowing it. I choose to believe that any duck would be grateful to be a part of this entree. The entree included a side of roasted potatoes, prepared to a perfect crispness without being burned, and a side of corn.
Ah, the corn. I spent my childhood on a farm, and we harvested our own corn each year, so I am very discerning about the corn I choose to eat as an adult. I am not exaggerating when I say that the corn at Coastal Grill is the best corn I have ever eaten at a restaurant. I've eaten at the finest steakhouses in New York City, at the high-end star-studded restaurants of Capitol Hill, and at the cutting-edge gastronomical powerhouses of San Francisco and the Napa Valley, and none of them had corn as good as Coastal Grill. The Coastal Grill corn is sliced fresh off the cob, as confirmed by my server, and it's deliciously firm and sweet. I don't think I've ever been so pleased with a side dish before.
My server, whose name I can only presume was Liz because the receipt says "Server: Liz," was polite, swift, helpful, and just the right level of attentive. I never had to wait for refills of my water, because--as if she were telepathic--Liz would always arrive at precisely the moment that my water needed refilling. Liz took great care to ensure that I was enjoying my meal and my experience.
I was so pleased with my experience at Coastal Grill. The restaurant was nice and quiet, decorated with class and maintained with care. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about the food, the decor or the service that I was provided. If Gordon Ramsay visited the restaurant, then even he would struggle to find anything to criticize. In fact, the restaurant's quiet simplicity and excellently prepared food might cause him to reexamine his harsh demeanor and become a kinder celebrity chef in the future.
I'm not often in Virginia Beach, but the next time I'm in town, I am quite certain that I will visit this restaurant again.