Enjoy Tommy’s on the Waterfront
by Joanna Marchetti
My husband and I recently had the pleasure of enjoying an evening out at Tommy’s, a charmingly rustic Reedville eatery. On our maiden voyage to the well known restaurant in historic downtown Reedville, we were lucky enough to be joined by friends of ours who frequent Tommy’s. They were able to help us expertly navigate the menu, as well as provide enjoyable company on the outing.
When walking up the steps, you’re immediately greeted by the spacious front porch full of inviting rocking chairs, which make for a comfortable waiting area on busy weekend nights. The parking lot appeared full upon our 7:30 p.m. arrival. However, when entering the restaurant we noticed that this particular Wednesday night crowd consisted mostly of early birds. Most of our fellow diners were nearing the end of their meals.
The restaurant’s decor is friendly and inviting with beadboard walls and subtle nautical accents. Much to our delight, we were seated on the enclosed back porch decorated with colorful metal fish and crabs, festive lights wrapped in gauzy fabric to cast a soft glow and most importantly, fantastic water views of lovely Cockrell’s Creek.
Known for its traditional steakhouse and fish house fare, Tommy’s menu offers an array of seafood entrees including crabcakes, several fish selections, soft shell crabs, scallops, shrimp and more, and offers several preparations for each. The steak offerings, just as impressive, are made up of selections such as filet, New York strip and prime rib. Tommy’s beef is Certified Angus beef prime, handcut and aged 28 days.
We began the meal with the evening’s appetizer special: fried green tomatoes (below). The locally grown tomatoes were lightly breaded and fried to crispy perfection, served with a New Orleans style remoulade and accompanied by four small lumps of backfin crabmeat. Consisting of two tomato slices, it wasn’t enough for a crowd, yet the small savory bites were incredibly tasty and had we been hungrier, would have been well worth placing another order. Our dining companions requested an order of the calamari, which was deliciously crunchy and served with a tangy cocktail sauce.
Having noticed that seafood has been dominating the summer dining reviews, I perused the tantalizing multitude of beef options. I opted to try the Delmonico, which is served with a house salad and side item of choice, I went with the baked potato. I appreciated the option of a smaller steak (10-12 ounces) versus the larger portion (16-20 ounces) and chose the smaller of the two. The steak was sprinkled with savory spices and cooked in what Tommy refers to as a very old fashioned cooking method of very hot pan to very hot oven. I thoroughly enjoyed the tender, juicy beef, which was a perfect medium rare. I enjoyed a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to complement the savory beef.
My husband ordered the baked rockfish with bacon, onions and potatoes (top). The rockfish, straight off the boat in Reedville, was lightly seasoned, wrapped in bacon and DELICIOUS! His meal also came with a house salad, and he chose the vegetable of the day, a fresh blend of steamed squash, zucchini, carrots and cauliflower. We both enjoyed the creamy homemade Parmesan peppercorn dressing with our salads.
Our friends ordered the large Delmonico and the broiled seafood platter, which was comprised of a mouthwatering variety of beautifully seasoned fish, crab cake, jumbo shrimp, scallops and a soft shell crab. WOW! It was a lot of seafood!
Believe it or not, after all that we STILL ordered dessert! The four of us shared a volcano (fresh baked chocolate cake with a warm fudge center served a la mode), and one of the famous house specialties, the bread pudding (a traditional Louisiana recipe with a bourbon and pecan caramel sauce, also served a la mode). The two “all but licked clean” plates said it all regarding our dessert recommendations.
It was an enjoyable evening with good friends, great views, impeccable service and delicious food.
Owned by Tommy and KK Crowther, Tommy’s is nearing its 10th anniversary. Crowther and executive chef Gabriel Gillette, a Johnson & Wales graduate, have New Orleans backgrounds and like to blend those techniques with local influences. Crowther attributes much of the restaurant’s success to keeping the food simple and good and praises the highly trained kitchen. He refers to it as “upscale food for everyone. We appeal to the governor and the governor’s chauffeur.”
He also stresses the importance of keeping his customers happy and addressing their needs. In an effort to maintain their business in this struggling economy, Tommy’s has made several adjustments to the menu including smaller portion options, “Stand Alones,” which are entrees without sides, and the Little Bites menu available during certain hours. Crowther, a diabetic himself, feels it’s important to be able to accommodate different needs and will cater to any special dietary restrictions of his customers without sacrificing flavor. “It’s our regular clientele that’s keeping us alive,” he says.
Reedville, VA 22539
453-4666
http://www.tommysrestaurant.net
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
for Dinner
Appetizers, Salads, Steaks, Seafood, Sandwiches, Desserts
“Little Bites” Appetizer Menu on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and
Fridays from
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Prices range from
$6 to $30
