Enjoyed: Friday, October 28, 2022.

Listed on the menu: Yes, as “Wanna Get Chai?”

Ingredients: Four Roses select bourbon, chai tea syrup, Crude “Attawanhood” bitters, orange oil

The occasion: Although we were a few days late, Husband and I decided to celebrate our anniversary in Virginia Beach. We hadn’t seen the Atlantic Ocean in about a year and a half, so the water was calling. We booked a hotel room overlooking the Boardwalk and the ocean beyond, and waded in the (cold) waves and even got up early enough to watch 2 sunrises. The seafood is always incredible at the beach, so we enjoyed several lovely meals, but the fanciest was our supper at Heirloom.

My rating: *** out of 5. Our waiter called this drink “a riff on an Old Fashioned” so I had to order it! I also am a big fan of all the bitters produced by Crude (based in Raleigh). The “Attawanhood” was described as having a cherry-clove-cinnamon flavor with a dark spice bite, and the simple syrup was chai-infused. I was expecting a much more unique flavor-party on my tongue, but I didn’t get that. The Four Roses never disappoints, however, so the drink was delicious, and could have passed for a conventional, traditional Old Fashioned. Was the Chai even there?

Final thoughts: Our meal was outstanding–I had the grilled yellow-fin tuna with pumpkin risotto, garlic spinach, cranberry, and creme fraiche. The vibe in the restaurant was trendy, very “barn chic”. The website described Heirloom as “elevated creative cuisine” and I get that…I have been hearing the word “elevated” quite frequently lately to describe food. What was wrong with simply saying “fine dining”?