Chefs & Bartenders Tell Us About Their Favorite Mid-Atlantic Food & Drink Road Trips

As much as websites like Thrillist can facilitate with locomotion plans , the best resources are usually back in the kitchen or the right way behind the bar . Let ’s face it : restaurant owners , chef , and bartenders are the experts when it comes to finding the best nether region stops for food and drink because , well , it ’s their Clarence Day line ( and warmth ) . Want a good tall mallow store ? You should probably ask a sommelier . The unspoilt pastry ? require a bread maker . If it ’s manus - crafted cocktails you seek , a bar manager is your best bet . So we ’ve done the prep for you and asked six experts in the industry about their pet Mid - Atlantic road trips … and where they blockade to run through and fuddle along the way .

Experience true Southern cuisine in Richmond, VA

" Before my chef day , Richmond used to be the best urban center to play when I was in my stria . I remember playing almost every iteration of Twisters and Nancy Raygun from 1998 - 2007 . We used to corrode at so many awing place there that unfortunately are n’t all open any longer , but I know all the new places kill up . “– Erik Bruner - Yang , Chef , Maketto

Bruner - Yang also recommends Rappahannock Oyster Co. ’s new marketRapp Sessionfor sensitive Virginia oyster and cocktail , and suggests drink Commonwealth gin straight from the rootage atJames River Distillery . Go for cocktail at theRogue Gentleman , and locally sourced Southern cuisine atSaison … and if you make it an nightlong trip , start off your 2d daylight with coffee and pastry atSub Rosa Bakery , then pick up supplies at theStock Provisionsbutcher shop class , and seize a phenomenal , Sichuan - enliven lunch made by James Beard - honor winnerPeter Chang .

Taste everything from barbecue to lobster chowder in Frederick, MD

" Being a Frederick , Maryland aborigine , I love the elbow room my hometown solid food and drink fit has arise over the yr . The spot that comes to idea first isThe Tasting Room , which offers up welcome dish antenna like a delicious lobster chowder and classics like tuna tartare and Colorado rack of lamb with fingerling potatoes … and do n’t miss the taproom with house creations and classic cocktails . Next , my dad and I would both fit in to go toBlack Hog BBQ and Barfor some tasty barbecue and a local pint of Flying Dog beer . My favorites on their menu let in the smoke brisket and the Carolina chopped pork with just the good amount of tangy sauce . For a relaxing drink , I head to theWine Kitchen on the Creekfor a flight of vino while savour the views of Carroll Creek . There ’s a kind of wine flights to opt from and , if you go during their happy 60 minutes , bar bite are half off . “– Brendan Dorr , Bar Manager , B&O American Brasserie

Go for simple, beautiful seafood in Rehoboth, Delaware

" A coastal town , Rehoboth has several eatery within a mile of the beach that grow fun and interesting dining experiences . Plus , it ’s not summertime without a trip to the beach , and I want to go somewhere that has tasty dining option ( and a fantastical hebdomadal farmers market) … Touch of Italymight be worth the drive alone : they have great sandwiches , pile richly with Italian meats and cheese , marinated veg , and peppers . But it ’s their chilled seafood salad that I ’ve had literal dream of eating . Pulpo , calamari , peewee , and clams … at the beach .

" A lot of care also goes into the entire menu preparation atGreen Man , and it designate through their focus on fresh , local ingredient . Their vegan and vegetarian options are amazing , and make it a gravid place to grab a light luncheon before point to the boardwalk and ruining your dieting with Fisher ’s popcorn and meth cream . For dinner , Salt Airis an excellent spot for great seafood machinate but , which is surprisingly hard to find on the coast these solar day . Their consistently fresh oysters , fish , and seafood keep me coming back time of year after season . “– Ben Lefenfeld , Chef , La Cuchara

Head to Charlottesville, VA for pastries and cocktails

" I love Charlottesville . It ’s far enough from Washington , DC to sense like you ’re really ‘ getting away , ’ and yet it ’s just a hops , omission and a jump from the metropolis . I ought to know – I make it down there quite a bit to deliver wedding cake to clients , and have some very good friends that live in the arena . Charlottesville is teeming with severally possess lowly business enterprise with impudent , originative designs . I loved every sting of food I had atThe Alley Light … they even made great mocktails for a meaning friend of mine when we went ( and the cocktail are well - known ) . Plus , the husband - and - husband team behindMarieBette Cafe & Bakerydoes French - inspired pastry super well . And if you need to drink margaritas on a patio , Guadalajarais a keen stake . “– Tiffany MacIsaac , Owner / Chef , Buttercream Bakeshop

Go on an all-Virginia, all-food road trip (and bring home some amazing cheeses)

" I am always ride from DC through Virginia , and there are so many outstanding , small towns that I care to hold back through . Most times on my means out , my first period will beThe Italian Storein Arlington for a slice of pizza and an Illy bottled coffee , which usually gets me going . Along the way , there are a few spots that I love to hit . Effee’son route 29 in Warrenton does some reasonably unbelievable custard … and if I ’m stopping early enough , that townsfolk also has a keen spot calledFrost dining compartment : the biscuit and boom are insubstantial . After that , I love hitting Culpeper , my preferent country Ithiel Town . The Culpeper Cheese Shopis sick ; they ’ve got great beer and vino – and high mallow , of course . I always try and hitDeli - iciouswhen I ’m there ; they ’re sandwich are wonderful . The town of Orange has some gems too : Wise Guys Burgers and Moreis unbelievable and The Light Wellhas very good food , uncanny live euphony , and a keen beer list . “– Sebastian Zutant , Sommelier , The Red Hen

Enjoy local wine at a beautiful vineyard in Manassas, VA

" My parents live in the Manassas , VA area , so I often do trip-up out there to see them . This is my favorite trajectory : I start by eat atKaterina ’s Greek American Cuisine , where the chef ’s traditional Avgolemono soup is perfectly savoury and comforting … it ’s the dish I go there for , although they often have special , and whenever octopus is call for , you know it ’s going to be sound . Pop byThe Winery at La Grangeany day for local wine and periodic alive music – the landscape painting is beautiful , and the base is a historical house that I ’ve wandered through many times . My absolute best-loved berth to visit isPearmund Cellars : I come here with a cover and a well - stocked picnic basket , toast wine with my kinsperson , and watch my three little niece ramble around the vines . I recommend the cab franc or petit manseng – buy the bottle because you will land up it , nap in the grass , and question why you do n’t own a vinery . Before you give , break off into theRed Truck Bakery , which is housed in an old 1921 Esso serve post ! I come here for a slice of pie and cupful of coffee , which prepares me for my drive back to Baltimore . “– Lane Harlan , Owner , ClavelandW.C. Harlan

Saison