Best Restaurants? (Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake: university, moving to, food)

[energy101]

I am moving to Hampton in one week and my husband and I are coming from a base in a small town with little variety in restaurants. I've really missed having decent Chinese food and Indian food in particular and I am really looking forward to all of the restaurants in the area (read: 45 min or less in travel). Does anyone have any suggestions for some great places to try? Particularly Chinese or Indian restaurants? Also, I have been deprived of a decent bakery for almost three years, any gems I should know about?? I am SO ready for some variety again! Thanks!!!

[John Cady]

Say no more. There are a good bit of Chinese and other Asian restaurants in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. It's been a couple years since I was last down there, but the Asian cuisine was pretty good. There are also some good seafood places, especially out near Chesapeake; the crab cakes are delicious!

[RMELIFER]

There's definitely plenty of restaurants around the area. Mostly the regular chain places on Mercury blvd in Hampton. In Newport News there's the "Newab" Indian restaurant - I've heard the Williamsburg Newab is better, but I haven't been to any of them. Website below:
Nawab Indian Cuisine
There's also plenty of the regular chinese buffet type restaurants around the area. Also some Japanese restaurants if you're interested.

Right now I'm trying to plan a Monday night business dinner event somewhere within Hampton. I'm trying not to use a chain restaurant so I'm thinking of using one of non-chain seafood places. Maybe the James river Crabshack at the far end of Mercury blvd (not to be confused with the Joe's crabshack chain):
The Crabshack Seafood Restaurant: On the James River, Newport News, VA

I'm also considering Harpoon Larry's which might be too noisy on a Monday night:
harpoon larry's seafood resturant and oyster bar
If all else fails, I might try one of the smaller places down by the Virginia Air and Space museum.

[Mr Williamsburg]

If you are looking for good local seafood try the Surf Rider restaurant in Hampton in the Blue Water Marina. Great Food and atmosphere.. Surf Rider Restaurant- Family owner seafood restaurant located in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton

[RMELIFER]

I was just at Surf Rider's yesterday to test the place during lunch! It's a great place, but the Hampton location isn't that easy to find for our visitors.
I think I'm stuck with using a non-sea food location now.
I tried Marker 20 and the Taphouse restaurants in Downtown Hampton. Both are great little restaurants, with a mix of customers from the the marina, the university, and the nearby bases (I was surprised there was more AF than Army there). I really like Marker 20 with several flatscreen TVs and NFL package.
I'll probably use Mama Rosa's Italian restaurant since all the other nearby restaurants won't let you have separate checks for groups larger than nine people (Surf Rider's also doesn't allow group reservations).

[Erma]

Aberdeen Barn...OMG is my favorite birthday dinner place. We had a fabulous dinner last night and our waiter...20 something years old, was very attentive!