Norfolk VA Mini-Trip Report
- Aboard The Elizabeth River Ferry: Portsmouth To Norfolk
- Review: Hilton Norfolk The Main
- Review: Grain Rooftop Beer Garden
- On The Hunt For Norfolk Mermaids
- An Ode To The Hummingbird Macaron
- Review: Sheraton Norfolk VA
- Review: Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Norfolk
- Straight Off The Vin: Our Visit To Vin Wine Bar, Norfolk
Having checked in at the Hilton Norfolk The Main, Shae and I made our way down to the fifth floor to their rooftop beer garden – Grain. We were meeting her parents there, so wanted to grab an outdoor table before the rest of Norfolk showed up after work.
Grain is much larger than I was expecting. I’d assumed it was only an outdoor rooftop beer garden, but there’s also an even larger indoor seating area. They’ve done a great job including trees and shrubs which helps the rooftop garden theme flow through the inside too.
We were lucky enough to get there just in time to get the last available table outside.
The beer garden is on the front side of the Hilton, which means it overlooks the Elizabeth River. It’s only on the fifth floor, so the view isn’t as great as it was from our room on the 20th floor, but there are certainly worse views when having a drink.
Our server Vaughan introduced himself and brought over the beer and food menu. It was 5pm on a Friday, so we got there just as happy hour was starting.
Grain’s happy hour is only available on certain drinks and food items rather than the entire menu. I don’t remember which domestic beers are included, but only three craft beers are part of happy hour. They’re the first three local beers on tap – Back Bay False Cape, Back Bay Steel Pier and Devils Backbone Vienna Lager.
The menu also includes a guide to the different types of beer available.
I couldn’t decide which beer to go for, so I asked Vaughan what he’d suggest. He gave a few suggestions, one of which was the St Bernardus Abt 12. That one sounded the most intriguing (the brewmaster learned from Trappist monks in Belgium), so I ordered that and Shae got a glass of red wine.
When the drinks arrived I was… surprised. I’d been assuming I’d get a glass of beer. And to be fair, I did get a glass of beer. Unfortunately it was more like a shot glass.
It tasted great, but it was a tiny serving size given that it costs $10. Lesson learned, I ordered a Legend Brown Ale next – a much better size!
Shae’s parents had arrived by this point, so we ordered some food. Grain doesn’t have an extensive food menu, but it does have a lot of interesting options.
Edit: there was an image of the menu here, but a website issue means it’s no longer viewable.
During happy hour, the first three options are only $5 – BBQ pork wings, Irish nachos and Reuben quesadilla. The BBQ pork wings sounded interesting (because it means pigs do fly) but the Irish nachos sounded even better.
We ordered two servings – one with beer cheese and one without (I don’t like the taste of cheese.)
Edit: there were images of the Irish nachos here, but a website issue means they’re no longer viewable.
These were amazing – the perfect beer accompaniment. The giant tater tots were nice and crispy on the outside and paired well with the chili and green onions.
Shae’s stepdad ordered the Norfolk cheese steak. That comes with sliced ribeye steak, truffle cheese fondue, black garlic mayo and is served in a craft beer pub roll, with horseradish coleslaw on the side. This was apparently delicious too.
Edit: there was an image of the Norfolk cheese steak here, but a website issue means it’s no longer viewable.
Shae and her Mom also shared a pound of large juicy shrimp.
Edit: there was an image of the shrimp here, but a website issue means it’s no longer viewable.
Another great feature of Grain is that it has a free photo booth inside, so it’s a perfect way to remember your night out. Next to the photo booth is a large fireplace and a stage that’s sometimes used for live music.
They also have a side room with a pool table and shuffleboard.
Having used the photo booth, it was coming up towards the end of happy hour. I therefore ordered another serving of Irish nachos and one of each of the three happy hour beers.
Our server Vaughan did a great job throughout our time there. Even though Grain was packed the entire afternoon and evening, we didn’t have to wait long to order drinks and food and it didn’t take long for them to arrive either.
Summary
If you’re in Norfolk VA, you should definitely grab a drink at Grain – especially during happy hour. They have a good selection of beers, tasty food options and great service.
Combined with the decor, photo booth and river views, you have the makings for a fun night out.
Rating
Food = 4.25 / 5
Price = 3.75 / 5
Atmosphere = 4.25 / 5
Decor = 4.5 / 5
Service = 4.5 / 5
Total = 4.25 / 5
Address
Grain – Hilton Norfolk The Main, 5th Floor, 100 East Main St, Norfolk, VA 23510.
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