I haven't been to CW in several years, and when we visit our daughter at Fort Eustis next month, we'll spend a day at CW. Any recommendations, hints, clues? Where to eat while at CW? We do not want to go to the taverns, just want a decent lunch. Should we spend some time in Yorktown or Jamestown? Anyone know anything about a place that looks like fun called Retro's?

I had a great lunch a few weeks ago at Blue Talon Bistro. Barrets Seafood's is also a favorite of mine for lunch. Both are on the edge of the Colonial area.

Williamsburg is one of my favorite places to visit.

I second the Blue Talon Bistro - we had dinner there and thought it was wonderful.

Just a block or two off the Historical area.

Retro's is on Prince George Street (across the street from the Blue Talon). It's hot dogs & french fries in a retro diner setting. Not surprisingly it's very popular with families. I think the food is nothing special. Well, the fries are very good. (Best hot dog in Wmbg is found at the Queen Anne Dairy Snak)

The Blue Talon is excellent.

On the same street as Retro's is Aroma's (good sandwiches and pastries) and Lenny's Gourmet (sandwiches, a little more casual).

Two college hangouts are nearby on Scotland Street: The Green Leafe Cafe and Paul's Deli.

Finally, a Wmbg institution, sandwiches from the Cheese Shop (on Merchant Square). Mostly outdoor seating. Very popular and almost always busy. If you go, walk in to look at the menu, then go back outside and call your order in.

Finally, if you haven't been to Jamestown in a few years, it's definitely worth a look. JT celebrated its 400th anniversary last year so there are lots of updates and new exhibitions at both JT Island and JT Settlement.

My son and I stopped in Season's Restaurant in Merchant's Square at the end of CW last month for lunch before his tour of William and Mary. We were very pleased by the food and the service there. He had an excellent cheesesteak sandwich and I had a delicious chicken salad and fresh fruit combo with a slice of banana bread. It was so yummy and something you don't often find in similarly-styled restuarants.
(BTW, the next day we visited the Transportation Museum at Ft. Eustis--excellent! The Virginia War Museum in Newport News is also very good.)

Hey, Postal. I'm glad you're able to come back to the area. I hope things are going well for your daughter. I'm sorry I missed your post until now.

If the weather is nice, you may want to consider eating outside. I would go to the Golden Horseshoe golf course across from The Lodge and eat out on the patio overlooking the golf course. They have a good range of menu items from burgers to salads to interesting sandwiches and, with all due respect to Obxgirl, the best hotdog in Williamsburg IMHO. Other nice outdoor spots are: the Green Course restaurant up the road from the Golden Horseshoe and the patio at The Trellis.

It will be hard to fit CW, Yorktown, and Jamestown into one day. At the very least I would take the parkway from Yorktown to CW and then continue on to Jamestown before returning via the parkway or 199/64 to Ft. Eustis.

Hi, Birdie! Yes, we're coming back (were there for Thanksgiving) for another go at the area. We did Thanksgiving at Kingsmill Resort and it was very good.

We'll try Blue Talon if we can get past the fact that they serve goat -our two goats are the most personable barnyard pets we've ever had so it's hard to go to a place with goat on the menu! (Goat cheese is a different matter, of course!)

The weather will be great because I'll bring it with me from Florida!
I'm really looking forward to the trip and hopefully may daughter will be at Eustis for at least another year since they've settled into Poquoson very well.

By the way, has anyone had Retro's frozen custard? That's the real reason I'm interested in it - my daughter loves frozen custard!