THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 18, 1995 TAG: 9508160040
SECTION: FLAVOR PAGE: F3 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: A LA CARTE
SOURCE: DONNA REISS
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines
CORY BEISEL and Mike Atkinson are a couple of childhood buddies who like the restaurant business.
Partners in Virginia Beach for almost a decade, the Cox High School graduates have gained a loyal clientele. Diners have watched their style mature from the barlike atmosphere of South Beach Tavern through the lively Bogie's, the upscale-casual Oceanfront Big Tomato, and the urbane Five-01 City Grill, which opened in September 1992 to immediate acclaim.
Because Beisel and Atkinson enjoy cooking and chatting with customers, they're enlarging the Five-01 kitchen and have created space for more guests.
They removed a wall where their offices used to be and added several tables. The four-seat elevated booths against the front wall have been replaced with oak six-seaters. Colorful new carpets have a plant motif to complement the bright vineyard mural along the back.
But the star of the renovation is a temperature-controlled wine cabinet with 1,200 bottles. Atkinson says he is excited about offering hard-to-get and highly ranked vintages; as examples, he displays a 1983 Chateau Latour, a 1988 Chateau Haut Brion, and a 1985 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon. Moderately priced options will still be offered, he says, and chalkboard listings will invite tastings of a variety of wines.
On the menu, all the old favorites remain: Michelob shrimp, tuna sashimi, tuna tacos, and baked goat cheese with garlic and peppers. Fresh seafood, contemporary Southwestern dishes, and T-bone steak are still mainstays.
Beisel, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, offers a few evening specials. The restaurant is at 501 N. Birdneck Road in Virginia Beach. Call 425-7195. PHIL OPENS WIDE
Philip Haushalter, former owner of Phil's Grill in Virginia Beach, has taken his casual contemporary diner food to downtown Norfolk.
Open Wide is at 122-124 Granby St., in a couple of renovated storefronts that were once home to old-time taverns.
The new lounge, near the intersection of Granby and Plume streets, is a casual clubby space with red brick walls, exposed beams and two curved bars. The adjacent dining room is decorated with green-and-black houndstooth-check table covers, and a wall covered with prints and posters.
Along with sandwiches and salads, weekday lunches include all-American favorites like meatloaf and mashed potatoes, chicken pot pie and pot roast, from $3.50 to $6.50.
Dinner features raw-bar items, ribs and roast chicken, most under $10. Call 623-8512.
Haushalter sold Phil's Grill, by the way, to brothers Paul and Steve Spivak at the beginning of the year. The Spivaks have added parking spaces, several tables and a bigger stove to shorten waits for seating. They've kept the pastas, burritos, meatloaf and low prices for which the restaurant is known. SWEET 17
Seventeen years ago, Elliot and Gail Juren opted out of advertising careers and bought a hot-dog stand on Norfolk's Colley Avenue.
These days Elliot's seats up to 150 patrons and is known for its patio dining and collection of memorabilia.
Recent additions include a big kitchen with skylights, and more vegetarian dishes, salads and pastas on the menu.
Juren says he's so proud of the new kitchen, he might offer tastings and special events.
To celebrate its anniversary, Elliot's offers a frequent-diner card to regular customers, making them eligible to win discounts and gifts. TURNING BACK TIME
The 18th century comes to life at Shields Tavern, 417 E. Duke of Gloucester St. in Colonial Williamsburg.
Storytellers, musicians, fiddlers, jugglers and dancers entertain during dinner, from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
Tickets: $16. Pick them up at the Colonial Williamsburg visitors' center through 5 p.m. daily. Call (804) 220-7645 for more information. by CNB