Where do you like to eat dinner out?

As a family of five, eating dinner out is a big treat for us. Sometimes the whole family goes, but most of the time it is just my handsome hubby and I. We always struggle with, "Do we want to go somewhere new or do we want to go to one of our favorite places?" If we are under time-restraints (i.e. have to get home because we're paying for a sitter), then we usually go to one of our tried-and-true restaurants. If we have more time, then we opt for a restaurant we haven't been to before.

First and foremost for pizza is Lil' Cucci's Pizzeria in Daleville. My second favorite pizza place is Good Fellaz www.goodfellazpizza.com having two locations: Brambleton and Peters Creek Rd. in Roanoke. Coming in third, is New York Pizza in Vinton.

If we're celebrating and it's my turn to pick a restaurant, my choice is Montano's www.montanos.net on Franklin Road in Roanoke. The menu is pages long with something for everyone. The children's meals are arranged on sushi trays and the presentation is a sight to see. Carrabba's www.carrabbas.com/ at Valley View Mall in Roanoke is a new favorite. Szechuan Restaurant, with locations in North Roanoke, South Roanoke, and in Salem (www.szechuans.com) has wonderful Oriental food.

Other restaurants that we like that are close to home include: Mac N Bob's in Salem, Fuddrucker's www.fuddruckers.com/, again in Salem, and Jimmy V's on Brandon in Roanoke.

For an evening on the town, we like to go to Martin's Downtown Bar and Grill, Trio Bistro Bar Bottle, or the Green Dolphin Grill. All three are located in downtown Roanoke. Martin's www.martinsdowntown.com is located at the corner of First and Luck, Trio www.triowinebar.com is at the corner of Market and Church, and the Green Dolphin is on Campbell close to Williamson Road.

Several new restaurants have opened up while others have been remodeled and are on the list of 'new' places we would like to check out: Tony Pope's Bistro and Wine Bar, 202 Market www.202market.net/ , Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy www.abuelos.com/default.asp, Nicos Restaurant & Cafe, plus I remember reading about a new barbecue place opening (opened?) in downtown Roanoke.

Where do you like to go eat dinner? If you have been to some of the new/remodeled restaurants, please tell me where you went and how your experience was. Which places should we be checking out?

Suzanne

Suzanne K. Ashley, REALTOR

www.stoverdavis.com/agent.asp?id=103
Office 540.777.3333 X 365

Cell 540.355.6029
sashley@stoverdavis.com

Hokie Hope

I hope y'all will join me in this endeavor.
My heart goes out to each and every one of you.
You will get through this; you will stand tall;
and you will again smile and chant the Hokie slogan.

Go Hokies!

Suzanne

Suzanne K. Ashley, REALTOR

www.stoverdavis.com/agent.asp?id=103
Office 540.777.3333 X 365

Cell 540.355.6029
sashley@stoverdavis.com

Roanoke's Urban Core

newvaconnects held a Professional Development luncheon last week, where I had the pleasure of listening to Dr. Sabine U. O’Hara (President of Roanoke College) present her findings regarding a study she conducted with Dr. Jose Vazquez on the quality of life in the Roanoke Valley. Although her findings were interesting, they were not surprising, especially to adults in their 20’s or 30’s who are single or DINKs (Dual-income, no-kids).

The Roanoke Area, based on the findings, is in need of three things. One, an Urban Core including high-end retail, music venues, and diversification. Two, our suburbs need playgrounds, sidewalks, and childcare facilities close to home. Third, recreation is deemed desirable if we can hike, bike, and have water access within 15 minutes of where we live. It was also mentioned that we are in need of more alternative health care providers such as chiropractors, acupuncturists, herbalists and the like.

Dr. O’Hara’s paper can be read at the following address: http://web.roanoke.edu/Documents/Roanoke%20Economic%20Development%202006.pdf.

I encourage you to read it and share your thoughts, questions, concerns, and compliments. How can we go about bringing change to the area and obtaining what is needed? Are you willing to invest some of your time into promoting changes here in Roanoke? Why or why not?

Suzanne

Suzanne K. Ashley, REALTOR

www.stoverdavis.com/agent.asp?id=103
Office 540.777.3333 X 365

Cell 540.355.6029
sashley@stoverdavis.com