For this event to be the first ever, they hit a major league homerun!…read more We arrived about 645pm and the event kicked off at 7 p.m. Free parking was offered right next to the Courtyard...within walking distance so this was a plus! We walked in the building and immediately was greeted by the PTA President of W.H. Taylor. She seemed very excited about the event and stressed to us that it's their first event as they are trying to work out kinks in order to make this night successful. Of course it was no issue to us and we understood and waited patiently to be checked in. They ran out of owl paddles to be used for bidding. But one of the helpers quickly transformed one for me. Downstairs featured a live auction as well as their setup for the mystery cooking competition that was taking place later on that evening. It was setup like something that you would see on TV. There were 3 stations for the chefs to do their thing and seating for the live audience. There was also a photographer downstairs that was available to take your still shots behind a beautiful gold backdrop. But the main attractions were upstairs...the tastings!! The room not even larger than a standard hotel conference room featured at least 10 vendors. Vendors included: Jessy's Taco Bistro, La Bella Ghent, Pendulum, Supper and others. Beer tasting samples from O'Connor were in the lobby alongside cash bars. In another conference room of some sort was the silent bid auction. The second floor were the action was taking place was pretty much standing room only. The temperature was super hot and borderline uncomfortable. But luckily someone saw a need to open all the Windows on the floor...what a relief! Overall, everyone seemed super excited for the night. We even met some of the parents, administrators and employees of W.H. Taylor. And we were well received and complimented by them all. It seemed as though they didn't expect "outsiders" of the school to attend. When I mentioned we were apart of the Yelp community they were in total shock like in a great way. Not only was this event sold out but the vendors featured some great eats. My favs Pendulum and Jessy's! I'd say this event was a huge success!! It started off with 100% in attendance and then the live auction...insane bids all for a great cause!! I don't know if a 100% percent of the proceeds go back to the school but if so I'm sure this fundraiser will return next year and years to come. I'm glad I was a part of their first event and so looking forward to next year. I'm looking forward to more of a variety of tastings and perhaps a larger room/venue. Have fun | enjoy life

Loved visiting this location! Borjo coffee was so good! I got a hot hazelnut latte…read moreIt was very clean and people were so nice, kind, and super friendly! Wish I live close to here!

My first Yelp Elite outing and it didn't disappoint! Thanks for awarding me a ticket Xerxes…read more This annual adults-only networking event raises funds for the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast through business support and community awareness. Assembled at the Waterside Sheraton, it featured a silent auction, games, raffle, live band, photo spot, wine pull, full bar and a one of a kind tasting experience; local chefs offered celebrity judges and event-goers small plates of unique desserts and savory hors d'oeuvres using Girl Scout cookies as key ingredients. Competing for this year's judges and attendees choice awards were Cyprus Grille, The Dirty Buffalo, Handsome Biscuit, Hilton Norfolk The Main, Il Giardino Ristorante, Kroc Center, Mixxer's Kitchen, RJ's Cafe and Catering, Salvatore's Pizzeria, Sheraton Norfolk, The Skinny Dip Frozen Yogurt Bar, Spirit Cruises, Sysco Hampton Roads and Waterside. Check-in was fabulous, especially when they said "he's a Yelp VIP." I don't get that kind of respect, even in my own house. I proceeded to the silent auction; ~60 items on tables in a sequestered partitioned area. Before I browsed, I wanted a drink. The complimentary selection of beer, wine, hard seltzer, and cocktails/mocktails was diverse and of good quality but I waited in line for 20+ min to get it. The more time bidders spend waiting in line, the less they're bidding, especially when they're not buzzed! I'd suggest giving every attendee a drink at check-in (next year). At 630p, the partition was removed to reveal a live band ("NoiD") playing on-stage. While some thought they may be a tad loud, they were tight musically and vocally, playing songs in a variety of genres and decades in front of a spacious ballroom with lots of seating and cocktail rounds adorned with centerpieces made from GS cookie boxes, what else? The center seating area was strategically surrounded by tasting tables full of sweet and savory delights in addition to a corner turkey carving station with cornbread, rolls and mashed potato bar. My favorite tastings: thin mint panna cotta by Handsome Biscuit (*judge's award: best dessert); do-si-do Mediterranean lamb with dumplings by the Cyprus grille (*people's choice best savory); Smores Macaron and Samoa Spicy Shrimp with fruit salsa by Hilton Main; Frankenstein brownie by Sysco (*judge's award best in show) Other winners: Savannah Smiles Crab bale by Mixer's Kitchen (judge's award best savory); Mini Samoa Pudding Cake by Dirty Buffalo (people's choice best dessert) Perhaps the best part of the evening was seeing some familiar faces while also meeting and hanging out with new Yelp friends; when in Rome with Yelpers, you discuss the food!!! The entire event experience satisfied my tastebuds and nourished my soul. What's more? It was a good time for a great cause. Dilly dilly!!!

Why didn't I book this venue when I got married?! The half moon cruise terminal is an absolute…read moreperfect choice to host an event! I was lucky enough to win tickets to this event. I've heard great things about this soiree from people who have gone previously. When you first walk in ...you checked in and helped yourself to some starters. Cheese, grapes, beef lumping, etc. They had an open bar of wine and simple beverages. There were different tables set up for the silent auctions. The reception area was nicely put. Around the reception area was where different chefs from different restaurants sat up their tables. Each one represented their restaurant in their own unique way. They had singers with a band to set the tone of the party. My favorite part was trying the food. Each chef had to make a dish using girl scout cookies. Out of all the restaurants FARM FRESH caught my taste buds. It completely threw me off. Their dish had crispy bacon with mint and sweet potatoes, pork, gravy, and crispy onions. It def was my favorite dish. The other food was mediocre, besides Cyprus Grille. Their dish was delicious as well. I enjoyed this event and hope to go again next year.

Just walk That's all the advice I have…read more Next time you visit anywhere near the oceanfront just take a walk You will find some of the most beautiful artwork on almost every block Whether it's a giant mural on the side of a building or the painted parking spots near the convention center or even the whole wooded walkway of art on the fences or something as simple as the electric boxes being decorated You will find art and love everywhere I just adore it and I tend to find something new every visit

Fun area to explore! Check it out while in town! Parking was a little difficult.. pay attention…read moreto where you park.

Corduroy is an absolute gem, especially if you're already in a fall mood and looking for something…read moredelicious and family-friendly. My friends and I swung by on our way to go pumpkin picking, and I was beyond excited to try their seasonal specials. First up: the pumpkin roll coffee. If you're a pumpkin lover (or even if you're just "pumpkin curious"), you've got to try this. It's made with real pumpkin and topped with a creamy, slightly tangy cream cheese cold foam. The result is like drinking a pumpkin roll in a cup. incredible, perfectly spiced, and not too sweet. For breakfast, I had the sausage, egg, and cheese on ciabatta, which was so satisfying. The ciabatta was fresh, with a nice chewy bite, and the sausage was flavorful and well seasoned. One friend did the OJ Burrito as a bowl, which is a great option if you want something a bit lighter or gluten-free. It came packed with fluffy scrambled eggs, sharp VA cheddar, their house-made pimento cheese, bits of smoky bacon, pico, avocado, and a bold cilantro-lime-chipotle combo, all finished with a sprinkle of tajín for a kick. She raved about how everything tasted fresh and worked so well together. The cherry on top for parents? The playground in the back! It's such a thoughtful touch for families! My friend's daughter ended up running around and playing while we chatted and finished our coffees in peace. Bottom line: whether you're stopping in for a cozy fall treat, a hearty breakfast, or you've got kids in tow, Corduroy covers all the bases. We left happy, caffeinated, and ready for our pumpkin patch adventure. Highly recommend!

I was originally super excited to check out this coffee shop that so many of my yelp friends…read moreenjoyed. The parking situation is a gravel road with a good bit of parking spots. In the backyard of the house, there's a playground and picnic tables, making this a cute spot to bring the little ones while you enjoy a treat outside too. Of course, I ordered a Lavender Honey Latte because that's just my go to. It was beautifully and perfectly crafted! It was so delicious. At the end of the cup, I was debating ordering another because it was that good! I also order the breakfast bowl, but wish I hadn't. I knocked off one star due to the poor food experience. I waited maybe 15 mins or so for my food to be ready (no biggy as I wasn't in a rush). But when I bit into my food, it was cold. The eggs were inedible. The bacon was chilled and I guess served in syrup. The avocado was perfectly ripe. Overall, I wouldn't recommend the breakfast bowl, especially not this for $15+ dollars. If I visit again, I'll stick with the lattes and skip the food!

General Douglas MacArthur was America's war hero for over 52 years and a Norfork, Va hometown…read morefavorite. This memorial is a stunning lifetime tribute as well as a final resting place to an individual (and his 2nd wife) who fought and succeeded in four(4) major wars. A 5-star rating for one of our own 5-star generals well-earned especially since the entire site has FREE Admission for 1. The history/tribute museum 2. A 34 minute biographical movie 3. Memorial/crypts 4. The research library Don't miss this site and it is a worthwhile side trip if ever visiting Virginia Beach too. Plan to spend at least 2 hours which includes the 34 minute movie.......However, be aware: 1. Its closed Sunday and Monday 2. You will need to pay for parking which runs around $4 per hour.

This is an in-depth museum on General MacArthur and the wars of his time. For a history buff,…read moreit's a great visit with lots of text exhibits and a few artifacts. The final resting place of him and his wife is solemn and appropriate. A lot of this museum is paid for by Norfolk taxpayers, so you can decide if that's appropriate. It's in need of an update to be a more modern museum. It's also odd that the exhibits in the two buildings seem to be different versions of the same thing.

I know I am so unbelievably late on this, but I want to tell everyone how freaking awesome this…read morewas. First, Yelp got my fiancee and I in for free. Second, it came with a card that had like 8 different restaurants who would give you 2 sliders total. That's about 4 burgers worth of food!!! My fiancee and I couldnt even fill one whole card between the both of us and we EACH got a card! Third, the drink cards were awesome. We got one card that would get stamped for 3 to give you a full beer or 1 stamp for a taste of it. Sly Clyde's choice of cider took all my share of stamps. What great guys! What a fun, chill event. Parking was easy to find across the street in the free lot and the music was good. The sun kept peeking in and out, but it was alright, we had fun nonetheless. Even if we didnt get in for free, I would've paid to go. So worth it!

An awesome event, I had the absolute best time! The sliders were amazing, and the amount you were…read moregiven was more than enough! I couldn't even finish punching my ticket on both sides. The band was amazing, and there were so many good burgers I almost couldn't pick! Almost!!! Lol it was truly a good time, with so much talent! I hope to go next time. It's definitely worth it! Totally a feel good time, and the salsa stand was so awesome! I for sure have so many places to go to now to eat some of those amazing burgers again! The cider stands that were there were to die for also! I mean cherry tart cider? Cmonnnn.

When you think "Norfolk" I hope you also think "Mermaids." Norfolk has dozens of Mermaids all…read morearound the city. They have some in neighborhoods and some inside of stores. I'm confident I haven't seen them all, but if you want to guarantee to see a large handful starting at Town Point Park is a great place to start. Each mermaid is reflected to represent the sponsoring company's brand or the artist's vision. They create fun little landmarks hidden throughout the city. "Mermaid Trail" is not a marked trail. To start on this adventure, you will need to go to the official City of Norfolk Mermaids website and check out the spotting map. You can create your own best route to see as many mermaids as you would like to see. I was told that somewhere there are actually three defined trails for the "Parade of Mermaids." I've looked, but haven't seen them. This is from MyActiveChild "Beginning at Nauticus, three separate trails take you along the Elizabeth River past Waterside, to the heart of downtown or to the Chrysler Museum while telling local history from the perspective of the 26 Mermaid statues along the trail." Happy mermaid hunting!

This is a beautiful & long standing monument for the Native Americans. It has withstood all of the…read moreupdates and changes to the park. It's the perfect spot for a picnic as there are plenty of tables and shade. It's much less crowded than other parts of the park.

This is a sculpture by Peter "Wolf" Toth, who was adopted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians…read morein 1989. He made the piece in 1976 and donated it to Virginia Beach as a present for the city's 1976 bicentennial. It is now on display in a wooded and shady area in the corner of the great Mount Trashmore Park. This is not an original piece as there are dozens of similar pieces across North America and is part of a collection by the artist titled the Trail of the Whispering Giants. The 74 Whispering Giants range from 15 to 40 feet and depicts a long Native American face. This sculpture is made of cypress wood and stands about 24 feet. Toth has said that "The statue honors the struggles of all humankind against tyranny, racism and injustice," Being made of wood, the sculpture is not very durable. A few of the sculptures have been lost to the elements and vandalism. Toth returned to Virginia in 2004, almost 30 years after its initial placement, to restore this one. It was not your typical face lift though. He said that he was not going to smooth away the wrinkles. If anything, he added a few more to give the sculpture's face a little more wisdom and understanding. Additionally, the city has installed a steel spine in the statue for support. This statue looks great and I was very impressed. It has a bronze plaque that gives it name and tells a bit about the bicentennial gift. It is not in a very prominent spot in the park though. It is off in a corner by the large playground's parking lot. There are some picnic tables in that area to sit at and it is well shaded. There are no signs directing you though. Bing located in Mount Trashmore Park, there is more than enough parking spots available to park in and check this sculpture out. I understand that this is probably not a destination piece and would be better use of your time as a secondary stop during your visit to the park. The park is awesome in itself and you could make a half to full day of it,