Sonja Barisic

Poke bowls meet Mexican cuisine at Guads in Olde Towne Portsmouth

Guads Mexican Restaurant is on the ground floor of Pythian Castle, a late-19th century, three-story building in Olde Towne Portsmouth that used to be a lodge for the Knights of Pithias secret, fraternal organization. My husband and I were treated…

Poke bowls meet Mexican cuisine at Guads in Olde Towne Portsmouth

Guads Mexican Restaurant is on the ground floor of Pythian Castle, a late-19th century, three-story building in Olde Towne Portsmouth that used to be a lodge for the Knights of Pithias secret, fraternal organization. My husband and I were treated…

When in downtown Suffolk, check out Rennee’s for chops with a kick

When it comes to spicy foods, I am, to my great dismay, a wimp. So when the server at Rennee’s Restaurant & Lounge highly recommended the spicy honey garlic chops ($15) for lunch, I was intrigued yet worried about bursting into heat-induced tears at…

When in downtown Suffolk, check out Rennee’s for chops with a kick

When it comes to spicy foods, I am, to my great dismay, a wimp. So when the server at Rennee’s Restaurant & Lounge highly recommended the spicy honey garlic chops ($15) for lunch, I was intrigued yet worried about bursting into heat-induced tears at…

Detroit-style pizza in Olde Towne Portsmouth: Welcome to High Street Pizza

There’s Neapolitan pizza, Greek pizza, New York-style pizza, Chicago deep-dish pizza … but Detroit-style pizza? I’d never heard of that, even though I grew up in the Midwest. So I headed to Olde Towne Portsmouth to get a taste at High Street Pizza…

Haven & Hull in Suffolk offers beer, wine and a ‘snackle’ box charcuterie

Dining out doesn’t always have to mean a big meal. Sometimes, a charcuterie assortment, a glass of good wine or beer and a cozy table for two on a sidewalk patio are the only ingredients needed for a pleasant fall afternoon. Haven & Hull, which…

Haven & Hull in Suffolk offers beer, wine and a ‘snackle’ box charcuterie

Dining out doesn’t always have to mean a big meal. Sometimes, a charcuterie assortment, a glass of good wine or beer and a cozy table for two on a sidewalk patio are the only ingredients needed for a pleasant fall afternoon. Haven & Hull, which…

No frills Ricky & Roy’s Catering offers up flawless fried chicken

Before committing to a half-hour drive from our home, we called Ricky & Roy’s Catering to make sure it was open for lunch. It was, replied the friendly woman who answered the phone, but, she added, they were sold out of fried chicken. Disappointed…

No frills Ricky & Roy’s Catering offers up flawless fried chicken

Before committing to a half-hour drive from our home, we called Ricky & Roy’s Catering to make sure it was open for lunch. It was, replied the friendly woman who answered the phone, but, she added, they were sold out of fried chicken. Disappointed…

In Portsmouth, District serves homestyle Southern food — and sumptuous meatloaf

Growing up as children of Croatian immigrants, my younger sister and I missed out on the pleasures of some American mealtime staples like meatloaf. As adults, we both gravitate toward this out-of-the-ordinary-to-us comfort food when spotted on a…

Nutrition Ignition smoothie bar serves light and healthy options in downtown Suffolk

SUFFOLK — After being out of town on vacation for a week and indulging in too many rich foods, I was craving something light and healthy. Breakfast at the Nutrition Ignition smoothie and juice bar was the perfect prescription — delicious rather than…

Traditional Mexican fare satisfies at La Parrilla

SUFFOLK — Shortly after my husband I slid into our comfortable, high-backed booth at La Parrilla Mexican Grill, a basket of tortilla chips arrived. The chips were warm, crunchy and salty, perfect for dipping into the salsa and white sauce, both…

Amedeo’s Bakery in Suffolk has the air of an Italian bake shop

Gazing at all the pretty muffins, cookies, pastries and other delectables in the glass display cases at Amedeo’s Bakery, I heard myself loudly declare, “I’ll take one of each.” Too polite to roll his eyes at a “joke” he must have heard too many times…

Generous portions and all the fixings at Country Boy’s Barbecue in Suffolk

SUFFOLK — The menu at the counter at Country Boy’s Barbecue promised the combo would feed one person. I’m no dainty eater, but watching a server heap two piles of meat plus baked beans plus banana pudding into a large to-go container, I knew my…

A ‘Cure’ in Portsmouth with generous sandwiches and glorious coffee

PORTSMOUTH — The third time continues the charm for Cure Coffeehouse. Cure had a ribbon-cutting in April for its third location, in a brick building in Olde Towne. Cure also has spots in Norfolk’s historic Freemason District and in downtown…

A ‘Cure’ in Portsmouth with generous sandwiches and glorious coffee

PORTSMOUTH — The third time continues the charm for Cure Coffeehouse. Cure had a ribbon-cutting in April for its third location, in a brick building in Olde Towne. Cure also has spots in Norfolk’s historic Freemason District and in downtown…

Try the crab cake and flounder at Fish & Slips

PORTSMOUTH — After parking in a narrow, nearly full lot, getting to Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grill on the Elizabeth River still required a bit of a hike among the docked boats and then up the stairs to a building’s second floor. The summer-like…

Kickback Jack’s creates sweet and salty notes in Suffolk

SUFFOLK — Business was so brisk at the new Kickback Jack’s sports bar on a weekday afternoon that it took two spins around the lot to find a space to park. Kickback Jack’s is a chain with locations across North Carolina and Virginia serving…

Kickback Jack’s creates sweet and salty notes in Suffolk

SUFFOLK — Business was so brisk at the new Kickback Jack’s sports bar on a weekday afternoon that it took two spins around the lot to find a space to park. Kickback Jack’s is a chain with locations across North Carolina and Virginia serving…

Gardner Willz Cafe in Churchland delivers savory breakfast

PORTSMOUTH — I had every intention of having lunch when my husband and I arrived just past noon on a Sunday at Gardner Willz Cafe in Churchland. The breakfast platter ($7.99) turned out to be a satisfying, economical way to enjoy a smattering of…