THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 4, 1995 TAG: 9505020086
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: On the Town
SOURCE: Sam Martinette
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
It's fun and food with an international flair as some Norfolk restaurants gear up for Cinco de Mayo - the celebration of Mexico's Independence Day - Friday, May 5.
Add the annual Greek festival, which begins today and runs through Sunday, and you have the makings of an international weekend.
The big outdoor Cinco de Mayo party at Town Point Park, from 5 to 10 p.m., will feature The Parrot Head Party Band, a Jimmy Buffett-style band, along with Afro-Caribbean music and a variety of Mexican foods and beverages. Produced by Sponsorships Unlimited and Festevents, the event benefits the d'Art Center, and is free and open to the public.
Those hombres at Carlos Murphy's (465 N. Military Highway, 461-0888) have been running a lunch and dinner taco special (five for $5.55) all week long, and promise that tomorrow's jalapeno-eating contest and jalapeno relay (eat a plate of peppers, followed by a scoop of ice cream, then see if you can blow up a balloon), is just part of the fun.
According to general manager Lori Maddux, there will be some unusual entertainment, specialty Mexican beers and a pinada full of goodies for customers to try to break. The big pepper-eating contest is scheduled for 10 p.m., but I'm told there may be some preliminary warm-ups throughout the evening.
Colley Cantina in Ghent (1316 Colley Ave., 622-0033) will host a free breakfast burrito giveaway, with radio station 96X broadcasting live from 6 to 9 a.m., according to the restaurant's controller, Al Barksdale.
``Last year people were drinking shots of tequila and margaritas at breakfast,'' he said. ``It was gruesome. We had everyone from naval officers and bankers to grunge.''
Barksdale said there will be a drawing for a trip to Mexico and other prizes as well. The 96X crew will return for live broadcast tomorrow night from 6 to 10 p.m. The regular menu will be available, as well as some seafood specials and Colley Cantina's wonderful vegetarian chili. You may want to stroll down to San Antonio Sam's (1501 Colley Ave., 623-0233) to see what's happening, as well.
John Morris tells me he has some special plans for the Smokehouse for Cinco de Mayo. ``We'll be doing five different Mexican food entrees for lunch and dinner such as quesadillas, taco salad and a nine-layer guacamole dip and featuring some specialty beers,'' he said. Senor Lewis McGehee will take the stage and sing from 5 to 9 p.m., while the celebration itself will go from 5 to 10 p.m., according to Morris. ``It's another chance to have a party,'' he said. El Rodeo (5834 Virginia Beach Blvd., 466-9077) will offer some dinner specials and Mexican beers, a spokesman said.
The 1995 Greek Festival gets underway today at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Granby Street, offering traditional Greek dancing from perennial favorites Levendia and the Annunciation Dancers, music from the Greek band Pegasus, and food that would tempt a Trojan horse.
It's one of the few times each year I don't mind standing in line, waiting to fill my tray with plates of Greek salad, souvlaki (chunks of charcoal-broiled marinated lamb - $4), chicken lathorigano (Greek-style, in olive oil, lemon juice and oregano sauce - $3), spanakopita (spinach and feta cheese wrapped in filo pastry leaves - $2.50), rice pilaf, and Yachni beans (prepared with onions, tomatoes and Greek spices - $1). A grilled lamb dinner ($8.95) will be offered Friday and Saturday from noon till 9 p.m. Greek desserts, including baklava, Easter cookies and loukomades (deep-fried honey sweet fritters served hot from the fryer) will also be offered.
The premier ethnic gathering of its kind in Norfolk, the event attracts those of Greek ancestry from all over the East Coast, not to mention thousands more who admire and enjoy Greek culture and food.
The 1995 Greek Festival will run from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. today, from 11 to 10 on Friday and Saturday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, rain or shine. For information, call the Annunciation Greek Orthodox church (7220 Granby St., 440-0500).
Look for The Big Easy to open soon on the Colley Avenue site of the Jewish Mother in Norfolk. General manager Trish Peters, formerly with the Mother, told me that the new owners now operate Cara's in Chesapeake, and plan to do seafood and Cajun food, with some live entertainment after the dinner hour on weekends. by CNB