Fat Canary....been there? [Moved from DC/Baltimore Area board]

[xena1441]

Has anyone been to The Fat Canary in Williamsburg? I plan on going down there this weekend for a wine tasting and wanted a good place for dinner. Many people suggested this but I have no idea what their menu looks like/ how expensive it is because they do not have a website.

Any other suggestions would be helpful as well. We are looking to spend probably $50/person.

[juicyhannah]

I went to Fat Canary for my anniversary, and I just remember that their ginger bbq ribs were AMAZING (appetizers)! We also ordered a rack of lamb, chicken, and beef carpacchio, but they were all just 'okay/medicore.'

I would go there in a heartbeat just to order a ton of their ribs!

The service and the ambience were great.

[xena1441]

Thank you all for your suggestions. We went on Saturday night and it was delicious! We started with the beef carpaccio appetizer with a duck egg which was very good. But my beef tenderloin was absolutely amazing. Everyone in Williamsburg was so much nicer than in the city too!

[joschus]

We just visited and ate there a couple weeks ago and it was terrific. Very nice menu and the food was done perfectly. I'd go back in a flash!

[Meg]

Yep, can't go wrong with the Fat Canary. Though if you want something less upscale feeling but still terrific ambiance and great food, I'll second the Blue Talon Bistro rec (just across the street from the Canary), and add Whitehall. It's not in Merchant's square but has delicious European cuisine and the best bar/lounge around.

[hopkid]

Another positive vote here for the Fat Canary. I went late last year and it was superb.

Also another negative vote for The Trellis. I just don't get what all the hoohaw is about with that place.

[BigEats]

I have not been there, but heard it was good.

However, I feel compelled, whenever I see a Williamsburg thread, to caution you to AVOID the Williamsburg Inn. You'll eat better food at Applebee's for a fraction of the cost.

[JRinDC]

This is true. Avoid. And I will also note that for haute cuisine -- The Dining Room at Ford's Colony is one of Virginia's best.

[JRinDC]

It's excellent. At least it was last time I went, which was about two years ago.

[xena1441]

Do you by any chance remember what their' menu was like or what you had? I have absolutely no clue as they do not have a website.

[JRinDC]

You can view a sample menu here -- http://merchantssquare.org/shops/

Also there's a link there to the Blue Talon Bistro, which is quite good. Avoid the Trellis, which is overrated in my opinion.

The menu changes at the Fat Canary, and it was a couple of years ago, but my law school friends and profs claim it is as good as ever. I believe I had a perfectly cooked beef tenderloin. The menu is American, which some regional southern influences. You find roast chicken, duck, shrimp, catfish, steak, lamb, etc. Classic stuff, but very well prepared.

[xena1441]

Thank you so much! It looks real tasty I think we may just stick to The Fat Canary! Will let you know how it goes!

[DC Taco]

I agree completely. My Wife and I ate at the Fat Canary and had one of our best meals in Williamsburg. I recall a terrific risotto, among other items. Classic stuff, but with a flip to contemporary tastes. It is significantly beyond the Trellis and blows away the Williamsburg Inn.