 There are five crucial questions a journalist must ask (and answer) when researching and developing a story: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. These Five W's, along with a bonus "How" for further clarity, will preclude each blog post to provide proper insight into this weird, wild nomadic journey. The Five W's + H: Who: My fiancé, yours truly, and Sophie the cat What: Top 5 places to drink up Where: Eastern Shore, Virginia When: August 2017 - November 2017 Why: After living in the Central Time Zone (Dallas, Texas) and Pacific Time Zone (Santa Monica, Ca; Yakima, Washington) we decided, "Oh why not, Derek's driving" let's travel all the way across the country and live on the East coast, too. This, much like Yakima, was also in the middle of nowhere but at least we had a beach. (And last but certainly not least) How: 🎶From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with fooooooam🎶 We drove all the way from Yakima, through Utah, across Colorado, and finally back home to Dallas. A week-and-a-half in the Lone Star State and a proposal later, our engaged asses kept on trekking through Arkansas, east across the entire state of Tennessee, up through Virginia and allllll the way to one of the eastern-most points in the United States: The Eastern Shore of Virginia. Eastern Shore: Five Places to Drink UpThe Shanty (33 Marina Rd Cape Charles, VA 23310)The Shanty is a hidden gem located on the south side of the Eastern Shore. With friendly service, tasty food, and great views from just about anywhere inside or outside the restaurant; The Shanty is perfect for post-beach munching. Don't take my word for it. Just read this expert testimonial from my good (and totally real) friend, Pirate Petey: "Ahoy, Matey! Avaste ye, hobble up to your crow's nest, and gaze ye eyes on The Shanty—located on the peninsula of Cape Charles Harbor, just a stone's throw from the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Claim your booty with the Buffalo Chicken Nachos. Me favourite starter's portion size may require a helping heave ho from your mateys, but it's well worth it with spicy buffalo sauce and tangy blue cheese topped on melted cheddar jack ye scallywag. Stuffed to the gills already? Scupper that! Ye must try the Lobstah Roll, packed with fresh New England lobster on a buttery toasted roll. Blow me down, that's good! Ready to get three sheets to the wind? Grab ye the Southern Mule and refresh ye self with pillaged Tito's, ginger beer and lime. Shiver me timbers! Petey's ready to take a caulk. This scurvy dog best make me way back to the poop deck." The Oyster Farm (500 Marina Village Circle Cape Charles, VA 23310)Situated scantily and scintillatingly close to the Cape Charles Bay, this fresh fish farm prides itself on being a "water to table" establishment. The Oyster Farm is known for, you guessed it, their fresh oysters which are caught (mostly) in the bay just a few short steps from the restaurant. These slimy slurps of scrumptiousness are the obvious choice to get the party started at Oyster Farm, but don't sleep on the Thai Fried Shrimp. Thai chili sauce along with a fresh bell pepper, cilantro and scallion mix set the tone for these spicy, crispy crustaceans. Pair with a Cape Charles Manhattan made with local Cape Charles Distillery bourbon or rye, or really go bold with a fresh Oyster Shooter vodka shot. For the main entree, my personal favorites are simple yet succulent. The Lobster Mac and Cheese with massive chunks of lobster and cheddar sauce has a crunchy panko topping that's second to none. The Grilled or Blackened Mahi Tacos (go blackened you won't go back) are also a keen choice, with spicy cilantro and pepper jack cheese combined with a crisp house slaw to pickle your palette. Baja Cantina (206 23rd St Virginia Beach, VA 23451)Located roughly 40 minutes south of Cape Charles via a 23 mile trek across the longest underwater tunnel in the state is the city of Virginia Beach, VA. Along with a beautiful oceanfront view, Virginia Beach features some excellent food options and, since Cape Charles is about the size of a thimble, I decided to branch out with some other dining choices in the Eastern Shore area. Judging by the outside decor, Baja Cantina probably isn't somewhere you'd want to try at first glance but looks can be deceiving you shallow, judgmental bastard. Seriously, how about try not to judge a book by its cover for once in your life and give this little taco place a try. Why should you give Baja Cantina a try? Let's not get into that right now. How about this bridge/tunnel though. Did you know the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is one of the 10 longest in the country? It even goes underwater! Who's stalling? I'm not stalling! Just check out a picture of this amazing bridge:  Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is the fastest/only way to get from the mainland of Virginia to the Eastern Shore. Wow! What an awesome way to get from point A to point B! Ok so maybe I don't remember exactly what was great about Baja Cantina, per say. But I do remember that I went there. They even had their own homemade hot sauces and salsas that were pretty good, and memorable! Just go to this place, order a margarita and the blackened lobster tacos if they still have them on the menu and you (most likely) won't be disappointed. Repeal Bourbons and Burgers (202 22nd St Virginia Beach, VA 23451)Also located in sunny Virginia Beach, this booze and burgers bar sets the bar ... for booze and burgers. My fiancé is a vegetarian, which pretty much makes me a vegetarian, but I do enjoy a tasty burger (If you get that reference we just became best friends. No, it's official and binding. You have no say in the matter). Twice a month (roughly) I indulge my primal instincts and eat part of a poor cow—so when I do, it better be good. At Repeal Burgers and Bourbon, it was well worth the moral dilemma. While the fiancé was enjoying the Where's the Beef—a black bean and corn veggie burger with avocado and a delightful garlic roasted aioli—I was chowing down in cow town. Featuring a blackened beef patty topped with blue cheese and blessed with the same toasty garlic roasted aioli, The Pugilist isn't just a burger. No, it's a Virginia Beach bastion of hope. Vegetarians or non-red meat eaters can also switch out any burger with a Beyond beef or turkey patty. As for the adult beverages, bourbon isn't in the name of this place for nothing. Repeal features more than 50 different straight bourbon whiskeys. Use the build your own Old Fashioned or Manhattan menu to select your preferred whiskey, bitters, garnish or vermouth to create your own classic. Combine your concoction with the Bourbon Beer Cheese (made with Basil Harden Bourbon and apparently whatever local IPA is lying around) and some tasty toasted pretzel bread and you've got yourself a Happy Hour power snack. Deadrise Pies (425 Mason Ave Cape Charles, VA 23310)You can't have a list about Cape Charles cuisine without including this pizza haven ... Actually, if I'm being honest with you, dear reader, this place is pretty hit or miss. You try finding five excellent places in a very small town. Go on. I'll wait. I'm sorry we had to have a blowup like that, but you must admit this argument has been brewing since I mailed it in on the Baja Cantina section. Can we just move on and talk about this pretty average pizza place? First things first: the Kale & Romaine Caesar salad is certainly edible. The breadsticks, topped with pecorino cheese and splattered with garlic oil, are toasted sticks of bread that can be eaten for nourishment. That is a fact. Ready for some slightly below average to slightly above average pizza based solely on pure luck? The Deadrise Margherita pie has a buttery garlic crust, mozzarella, shaved pecorino, cracked pepper and more of that weird garlic oil from the breadsticks. That's it, that's the place. Hope you enjoyed my blog. Bonus: Sophie Being Walked on the BeachThere aren't a whole lot of great options for eateries so let's just close this out with a video of our cat pussy footing around on Cape Charles beach.
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