VAFoodie’s Seven Sinfully Delicious Delights for Valentine’s Day
Where’s the joy in life without the occasional bout of debauchery? Local foodies in search of extraordinary edibles this Valentine’s Day will fall in love with our round-up of the region’s seven most sinfully delicious delights to help you Treat yourself or the foodie you love.
We all know that Virginia is for lovers, but it’s also for foodies — which is what makes the region such a decadent destination for everything from sweet to savory delicacies this February 14th. Lovers of food and lovers of love alike will find common ground — and plenty of devilishly good things to eat — in and around Virginia this Valentine’s Day.
Gluttony 80/20 Burger Bar – Norfolk,VA
They say that moderation is key, but there’s nothing moderate about “The Nanny” at Norfolk’s 80/20 burger bar. The cult favorite “PB&J burger” features house-made bacon peanut butter, pepper jelly, and more bacon. Fancy a burger topped with lump crabmeat, duck confit, mac-n-cheese or braised pork belly for the most carnal of appetites? They’ve got those too. Because if you’re going to do it, why not do it right? Grab a beer and burger, enjoy some great music and indulge.
Greed Piety– Roanoke, VA
Piety may not be among the seven deadly sins, but this popular Roanoke restaurant lets you have your cupcakes and eat them too. Where else can you get a Charcuterie-themed pizza loaded with bacon, salami, pepperoni, sausage and prosciutto followed by a Gigantic Cookie — seriously, that’s its name — or a chocolate bombe or cronut. And if you’re really embracing the whole greed theme, why limit yourself to just one?
Sloth Society Fair– Alexandria, VA
Sure you can go out on the town on Valentine’s Day, but you could also give in to the allures of staying in — particularly when you can enjoy a complete meal in the comfort of your own home. Society Fair offers a Valentine’s Day Dinner To-Go special with Coq au Vin, heart-shape Coeur de Bray Cheese, frisee and baby greens salad, sparkling wine, and more. Sweatpants optional.
Wrath Olli Salumeria – Mechanicsville, VA
Fans go positively mad for Mechanicsville’s Olli Salumeria. Our V-Day pick? The fiery Hot Chorizo, which gets an extra kick thanks to the addition of spicy paprika — an in-your-face complement to the rich, smokiness of this Spanish salami. Check out their website to find this delicious treat.
Envy Caromont Farm – Charlottesville, VA
Cheese. Just the mere mention of it is enough to induce cravings. But why covet your neighbor’s cheese – when you can have some of your own? Located just south of Charlottesville, Caromont Farm has been producing cheese on its farm since 2007, including the impossibly rich and creamy Farmstead Chevre. One word of advice? You may not want to share.
Pride Afton Mountain Vineyard – Afton, VA
With a catchphrase like “grapes don’t grow in ugly places,” Afton Mountain Vineyards has plenty to be proud of with its sprawling landscape views and award-winning wines. The perfect V-Day varietal? The Bollicine. (“Tiny bubbles,” in Italian.) This Brut sparkling wine is crisp, dry and well worthy of a side of boasting with your toasting. For an extra special treat they are offering up a wine and chocolate pairing on Valentine’s Day.
Lust Cao Artisan Chocolates – Lynchburg, VA
Valentine’s Day and chocolate go together like Cupid and his infamous arrows. Lynchburg’s Cao Artisan Chocolates, a “bean-to-bar” chocolate lounge, serves up orgasmic artisan chocolates handcrafted from scratch and free of artificial flavors and preservatives. With ingredients like whole fruits, real nuts, hand-scraped vanilla beans, herbs, petals, and pure extracts, these bites of bliss are sensually scrumptious. And did we mention the divine drinking chocolates?