(smithfieldstation.com/dining) – Smithfield, Virginia

How I heard of this place: Our friends were getting married locally, and this was their spot of choice for a comfort-infused, southern style rehearsal dinner.

Type of cuisine: “We are renowned for an extensive menu of fresh seafood, Smithfield ham, and ever popular Sunday Breakfast Buffet.

Nightly, our talented chefs prepare mouth-watering specials from some of the areas freshest offerings of pork, fish or Smithfield Ham. Sample one of our specialty dishes, the Station’s own “Sweet Potato Encrusted Rockfish,” prepared with honey, stuffed with Smithfield Ham and fresh jumbo lump backfin crabmeat, rolled in sweet potato, pan seared and topped with pearl onions, honey cream sauce served with crispy sweet potato straws.”

“The Restaurant at Smithfield Station is open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner and offers a variety of cuisine. The restaurant places an emphasis on fresh local seafood while combining the flair of legendary Smithfield Ham into many of their dishes.”

Ambiance: “Enjoy a quiet romantic dinner by candlelight overlooking the marina and marshes beyond, have dinner on the deck,

or reserve our Private Dining Room for a special occasion or business dinner.”

What I ordered: After sharing nearly every item on the appetizer menu family-style, we selected our main entrees. Appetizers, a prelude to the fried, southern goodness that is Smithfield Station, included:

Station Puppies ($6.95): hushpuppies stuffed with cheddar, shrimp and chopped jalapeños, served with honey butter,

Darden’s Store Pimento Cheese ($9.95): fresh local pimento cheese from Darden Farm, pimento, cream, a hint of jalapeño, cheddar and jack cheeses served with bread crisps, grapes and celery, Fried Green Beans ($6.95): spicy breaded green beans served with a chipotle aioli ranch, Boom Boom Shrimp ($10.95) – a table favorite! – lightly breaded shrimp tossed in a house-signature sweet and spicy sauce,

Fried Pickles ($6.95): slice dill pickles lightly breaded in cornmeal and deep fried, served with ranch dressing for dipping,

Pork Puffs ($5.95): light and fluffy, and coated with seasonings, “pork rinds are known to help with  sleep and join pain! So eat away.”

Thai Curry Samosa ($7.95): vegetables with curry spices wrapped in a triangle shaped pastry and fried until golden. Served with soy sauce for dipping.

Most everyone at our table elected to dine on the juicy Station Burger ($12.95 each), eight ounces of juicy Angus beef over genuine Smithfield ham topped with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, genuine Smithfield bacon and jumbo lump crab meat served atop a toasted, home-baked roll.

Two of us enjoyed the Five Cheese Mac and Cheese ($10.95 each), macaroni blended with white cheddar, fontina,  Swiss, Parmesan, bleu cheese and crispy bacon, one topped with chicken, the other with grilled shrimp.

My husband, ever the can’t-get-what-anyone-else-is-getting orderer immensely enjoyed the bacon-and-mushroom-wrapped-drizzled-in-bleu-cheese-and-cheddar-and-baked sirloin steak with a side of fries.

What I loved: The steak was amazing. The mac and cheese creamy and bleu. The appetizers filling enough to have taken the rest of our entree home for breakfast!

Why I loved it: Heavy, weigh-you-down southern-style comfort food for the friends and family of the bride and bride!

Cost: Low to average ($10-$16 per late-afternoon entree)

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