When you're in the mood for a nicely crafted cocktail, Twisted Liquid has that panache that you're…read morelooking for in a cocktail bar. They have the smoke and the foam and the cool-looking, Instagram-worthy drinks. Don't get it twisted, though: Twisted Liquid ain't cheap! But you're paying for professional bartenders creating creative beverages. You want to come here to impress a date, not get buzzed on Michelob Ultras. I visited strictly for a drink, so I didn't check out their food menu. But apparently, they do serve food here, mostly starters, snacks and small plates, but also a few mains. My love for gin is never-ending, much like my love for Lewis Carroll and Alice in Wonderland, so when I saw a drink called Painting the Roses Red, you know that's the one that I got. It is a white tea-infused gin with elderflower liqueur, Pinot Gris, lemon juice and rose water. A little ice rose came floating in the drink. It was so pretty, and pretty potent! I like when my adult drinks actually have alcohol in them, and mine certainly did. Our bartender was lovely and knew how to make a lot of drinks with a little flair for each one. I came with a group, and we all sat at the bar and had a wonderful time.

I wanted to share feedback regarding our recent dining experience to celebrate my son's graduation…read morewith family and friends as it was unfortunately very disappointing -- especially considering the price point and expectations presented for your restaurant and event reservations. First, the menu was extremely limited for both food and drinks. While the cocktails were enjoyable, the food quality and portions did not come close to justifying the $300+ we spent. We ordered the shrimp and wagyu skewers expecting thoughtfully prepared dishes. Instead, the shrimp appeared comparable to pre-made shrimp cocktail shrimp placed on a stick rather than freshly grilled seafood. The wagyu skewer lacked the quality and presentation expected from a fine dining establishment and honestly tasted more like beef stroganoff without noodles. I also ordered the lobster bisque, which was served lukewarm and tasted as though it came from a can. The Caesar salad with smoked trout was acceptable, but the trout resembled salmon more than smoked trout, and the dressing tasted bottled rather than house-made. What made the experience more frustrating was the lack of transparency regarding the menu prior to the event reservation. For a restaurant that strictly enforces reservations and cancellation fees, customers reasonably expect a much higher level of quality, preparation, and overall dining experience. Our server was kind, attentive, and did their best throughout the evening, so I truly appreciate their effort. However, much of the remaining staff appeared stressed, overwhelmed, and unwelcoming, which added to the uncomfortable atmosphere. Overall, the experience felt far from the fine dining experience being advertised. The drinks were honestly the only standout part of the evening. I also have to mention that the food we received looked nothing like the photos posted online and in Google reviews. It genuinely made us wonder if there was an issue in the kitchen this evening, because the quality and execution were nowhere near what was being represented publicly. I sincerely hope this feedback is taken constructively because there is a significant disconnect between the pricing, expectations, and actual dining experience being delivered.

Had the Gobbler bowl and it was delicious. Biscuit equally as good. Blueberry pie with vanilla ice…read morecream was the perfect ending. Delightful staff. Will be returning.

If you're into Southern Home Cooking then The Blacksburg Tavern In Blacksburg, Virginia is sure to…read moreknock your socks off. They offer a nationally acclaimed menu that's been featured on NPR, Southern Living Magazine and even the ACC Network. They offer their own parking lot in the rear A huge rarity in a college area. It was clean and maintained. It was a treat to meet the owner in front of the tavern tending to landscaping needs. The historic homes facade presents beautifully. There is also outdoor seating. Our party of seven enjoyed a Sunday brunch while knowing little about the establishment. We were promptly greeted with a smile and menus and seated on the front room. Each of the four interior rooms has a fireplace and nostalgic photos adorn the walls. They also have a small bar with a focus on bourbon. The menu had one hit after another with authentic Southern cooking. The description calls it a "Traditional Regional Farmers Menu."No question the fried chicken is the hero. Five out of seven got the fried chicken. Others the chili and meatloaf. A plate of biscuits and cornbread were placed on the table after drinks placed. The history of the tavern on the menu is worthy of your time. The owner, originally from Blacksburg moved from California to restore for his own home. Later opening the restaurant. His goal to keep the structure original and true to purpose as a tavern. The owner himself comes from a family of tavern proprietors. I digress too long! The FOOD ALREADY!!! Well as you have probably already guessed it was impressive and exceeded my expectations. Every main, every side was a home run. From the mash potatoes & gravy to the macaroni & cheese, backed apples and green beans, to the rarely found succotash. All fabulous! Only starter was ham biscuits which were good. Mains of chili and meatloaf strong. But it was the fried chicken that brings local and tourist alike in the door. The chicken was cooked up to perfection and deliciously moist The breading was exceptional as well with no dripping grease and a medium crispy finish. The only desert ordered was the brownie & ice-cream. So yummy! The owner Daniel checked in on us before departing which made our experience even more special. The Blacksburg Tavern is a Southwestern Virginia gem that's a must to dine at. Checkout was efficient and prices affordable for large quality dishes. I will return later this year and hope to catch live music. Highly recommend.

So good and such a calm environment! Waitress was so friendly. The food came out so quickly, even…read morethough we got sushi and it was freshly made. The red bean (fried cake) desert shaped like a fish was yummy as well!

The price here is an amazing value for what we thought was a really good Japanese meal…read more The sashimi Deluxe was a work of art, and really good variety of sushi. The fried rice that came with the chicken katsu don was great, smokey and flavorful from the hibachi. The unagi don comes in a nice wooden box with a lot of fish and tamago. The chicken katsu was even better than the typical katsu found at Japanese restaurants. Overall I would highly recommend Ocean Samurai, it was a great value and really great food.

It is said that valuable things come in small boxes, but never in my wildest imagination did I…read moreconceive of a place like Stellina. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Stellina, in Downtown Roanoke, is a perfect example. Stellina (which means "Little Star" in Italian) is a secretly hidden little bar within the very popular Italian Restaurant Fortunato, but with its own entrance through a door on the right of the restaurant. Its only indication of its name is a small letter board behind one of its front windows, stating its name and hours of operation. This bar was constructed with reclaimed wood from the Old Crow distillery and opened in December of 2016. Since then its gain a reputation as the ideal spot for hand-crafted cocktails in a cozy and intimate atmosphere. It seats only about 20 people, with 7 at the bar. Not that long ago it gained recognition by being featured in the New York Post as one of the world's best small bars. All that I can tell you about this place doesn't do justice to the experience of visiting the place for the very first time. After stepping inside, I was mesmerized by the simple yet effective, elegance of the establishment, complimented by the beautifully dressed young lady, server/bartender. Her elegant style and mysterious personality contributed to the character and ambiance of this one-of-a-kind relaxing place. The very hospitable young lady welcomed me and handed me the drink menu, while asking me if I also planned to dine there. I answered in the affirmative and asked her if they had any Mocktails. To my surprise, she pointed out that one side of the Drinks Menu were all non-alcoholic drinks, including mocktails, bottled mocktails, wine by the glass, and beers. I ordered one of the mocktails and by the end of my meal, I think I must have tried a few. She then brought me Fortunato's menu, and I ordered the Fritto Misto as appetizer and the Pork Milanese as my main entrée. I enjoyed both course immensely. A lady employee brought me the food from Fortunato's Restaurant through a door that led to the restroom area of Fortunato's Restaurant, pass the kitchen. For dessert, that Which I consider the "Grand Finale" of a wonderful fine dining experience, I ordered their Tiramisu and Hot Chocolate. They were absolutely mouthwatering. I highly recommend this place and can't wait to return in the near future.

Tried to get reservations at Fortuna, but could not. Stellina offers their menu and is right beside…read morethem. Stellina is small and on a Friday they were packed in. Scored at the bar which worked fine for me. Service was lukewarm, but still ok. Service started out slow and improved. However, no check-ins were performed at all. I was given a cocktail and food menu. I knew I wanted an Old Fashioned and dropped an order for their lamb meatballs. Shortly after I decided on the eggplant Parmesan main. My drink with Rittenhouse Rye bourbon was tasty, just not much of it price at $17 steep too! I also ordered a specialty hot rum drink with pumpkin spice at $10 that was amazing! The meatballs hit quickly and were devoured! So yummy! About 15 minutes later the main dropped and was huge! Really quality and flavorful for a vegetarian dish. Overall the food was better than the service and prices were stretched. 3.5 rounding down due to service.

This location opened this past June and I hadn't had a chance to check it out. They've got some…read moregreat cocktails! I went with the vadka mule, which was very well-made. Vibes are different than most similar establishments around the area. Mostly older folks here. There's plenty of seating, and the ambiance is quite modern. Service was good, except one of the bartenders was a bit sassy with one of my friends. One great aspect is that they allow you to eat food here from outside, as they don't serve food here. As a result, you're only allowed to order two drinks per day according to VA law. Overall, still a good spot and I definitely would come back.

Great whiskey bar in Blacksburg A little of the eaten path so don't miss this wonderful place…read more They have been making some very good bourbons and a terrific atmosphere Highly recommend for any bourbon lover visiting Vt

First time trying Lucky and I'd give it a 4.5 rounded up to a 5. The menu is local farm based so it…read morechanges seasonally and is a bit limited. I was disappointed because I was hoping to try a soup or scallops I'd seen in Yelp pics but they weren't in the menu this time. Which is the roll of the dice you pay for fresh creative menus. Dining area and bar have a nice vibe with attractive art work. Dim lighting and smaller tables make it cute for a date or a solo business diner like myself. The lucky cube drink was creative and tasty. Brussel sprouts were also unique with a tahini sauce on top and perfectly crispy chickpeas. I'd seen "Smoke in Chimneys Trout" on a few menus in Roanoke this trip but never heard of that before. Looked it up and learned something new. They are trout that are local and prized for living in a lime stone aquifer rather than a river. Giving them a clean light slightly sweet taste, no essence of mud that can come with other river fish. I've never ordered trout in a restaurant, But when in Rome... Lol. The fish itself and the portion was really good. Wish I could remember my waitress' name. She was knowledgeable and just had a really warm, friendly energy.

I came in for the fried chicken because other reviews were very positive .. the coating was v…read morecrunchy , plus , however it was really burnt ! Ir was really over cooked ; plus had little flavor . Needs a little salt and pepper .... Better chicken at Popeyes or Bojangles .. Mashed potatoes were excellent . I wa not impressed with the Kale and still think there may be fatback in it ... even though the server swore there was no pork on the dish .. anyway you can try for yourself .. maybe I just came on an off night . My server was very nice ( Alyssa ) BTW.

This place is wonderful and unexpected in this small town. The food is delicious and the staff goes…read moreout of there way to make sure you enjoy your time with them. We've been there several times and enjoyed every one. You've got to try the Catfish. It was unbelievable!! Can't say enough about this place. Love it!! Go and enjoy!!

Today I happened to have taken the road less traveled and it led me to a whole new world in dining…read moreexperiences. One which I can only describe with one word: Extraordinary! After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And 1772 Rooftop on Main, a very unique restaurant and bar, located in the historic town of Fincastle, Virginia is a perfect example. From the moment I heard about this place I couldn't help stop thinking about going there one day and having a memorable dining experience. One like none other ever before. The owners of this restaurant had that rare creative imagination of coming up with the concept of a restaurant and bar located in a historic building with lots of character and charm. Starting from its quaint handcrafted bar and dining room located next to its semi-open kitchen on the first floor, to the rooftop open dining patio with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the historic Fincastle Courthouse, originally designed by Thomas Jefferson. This together with the uniqueness of the rooftop patio having a bar made out of an old Beechcraft V Tail Bonanza plane that was purchased from Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke, Virginia. Once a fully functional aircraft is now the center of attention of the 1772 rooftop dining patio. After making a six o'clock reservation for a Friday evening to this family-owned restaurant and bar, I checked on my cellphone and driving on the alternative route of 220 it would only take me 31 minutes to get there from Roanoke, Virginia. I enjoyed the ride in my pearl white Lexus Luxury Edition listening to music on its powerful radio. When I arrived it didn't take long for me to find a huge parking lot conveniently located about a block away from the restaurant. Once inside, a friendly young lady greeted me at the Host's station and confirmed my reservation. I asked to be seated at the indoor dining room where I could see their kitchen and observe their operation, and then I would visit the rooftop on my way out. She leadi me pass an area of beautiful wooden shelves with item for sale, and through a hallway into the indoor dining room and bar, where she handed me the menu. It didn't take long for my server, another young lady, to welcome me, answer some questions about the menu, and take my order. The menu was not large but full of very desirable items that would want to make me return to try them all. I ordered a Pepsi to drink. A House Salad to start off with Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. And an 8oz tender top cut Sirloin, their Baseball Sirloin as my main entrée. It was served with whipped potatoes and sautéed zucchini & squash. The salad was simply amazing. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. The main entrée was also exquisite. They had a wonderful team of chefs who knew how to bring out the best in every dish they prepared. For dessert I had a slice of their Peanut Butter pie. It was delicious but brought frozen and thus hard to eat. I would suggest they do something to thaw the pie a little like they do in other restaurants for the customers to better enjoy the dessert dining experience. When finished eating, I paid with my credit card and went upstairs to the rooftop. It was wonderful. A full-house of customers enjoying a good time together, with good food and good drinks. All the servers were very friendly and welcoming, creating the ideal ambiance for an extraordinary dining experience and night out.

I must admit...I was afraid to dine here with the prices and prior reviews. It seemed as if this…read moreplace was living on by its golden days of past. I was in town for the Winter Commencement for VA Tech. I was pleasantly surprised. The staff was more than accommodating for our large party. They were so nice and professional. I tried the shrimp appetizer and a Caesar salad just to play it safe. I would def return. The food for the party looked pretty good. The ambiance was nice and the staff was so amazing. Thank you for everything.

Pasta excellent Fish overcooked…read moreSaw great reviewsso tried it Debating if i will go back, probably not

After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last…read moreyear, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Kabuki Japanese Steak House & Sushi located in Christianberg, Virginia is the perfect example. My friend and I arrived at the restaurant on a beautiful Tuesday early evening at around 5:30pm. The architectural design of the building itself was very impressive. The light blue tiles of the roof stand out as we're not used to seeing blue tiles on a building but mostly red. The majestic entrance to the building anticipated something special inside. After passing by several display cases with Japanese items inside we reached the Host's station where a young lady host warmly greeted us and guided us to the dining area. There we found several teppanyaki tables. These tables are designed with a built-in flat iron griddle where food is cooked in front of the diners. The term "teppanyaki" itself comes from the Japanese words "teppan" (iron plate) and "yaki" (grilled).  The first table was already complete, so we were the first party to be seated at the second table. I sat at the corner so had a perfect view of the chefs of both tables. First our server, another young lady came and took the order of everyone on the table. She then brought us our soup and salad which was a good size and very tasteful. Then the Chef came out and repeated the order in front.of us to make sure who wanted what and how did they wanted cooked. Both my friend and I ordered the Filet Mignon & Scallops. He ordered the steak medium and I medium rare. Then the Chef started doing a show with his cooking instruments and with fire. I invite you to view my photographs and video clips accompanying this review for a better idea of the set-up and food. Even though the food was a bit expensive, I appreciated the fact that it was plentiful. They serve us a good size Filet Mignon and three large size quality Scallops. I've been at cheaper restaurants of this type that the amount of food left us with much to be desired and a bit hungry at the end. But not here. We felt totally satisfied at the end. Our Chef had a warm and welcoming personality and made the dining experience a total pleasure. As the evening went on several other tables were filled, and this was good for it being a Tuesday. In conclusion, I highly recommend this restaurant for its cleanliness and the beauty of its exterior and interior design, creating a suitable environment appropriate to enjoying a wonderful presentation and Japanese meal, provided by a very friendly and talented staff.

What an amazing experience for my daughter's 5th birthday dinner!…read more Firstly, the food was absolutely delicious. I ordered the filet and chicken hibachi and my steak was tender, juicy and perfectly medium rare. The chicken was tender and well seasoned! The veggies were cooked to perfection and rice was scrumptious. The choice of 3 dipping sauces were continually offered for refill as well. I ordered a Bikini martini and it was strong and good! Other orders with my table were children's steak and chicken and the portions were large for a kids portion! My sister got the miso soup and hokie roll which she said were both excellent. Our service was EXCELLENT. Chef andrew was personable and made my birthday girl daughter feel so special! He threw the shrimp for us to catch which was a huge hit. His cooking was phenomenal and the show he put on while making the food was superb. Would definitely request him when we visit again! Ambiance was classic hibachi type restaurant, a little loud but to be expected with a hibachi style restaurant! Clean and spacious.