Getting Fat at the Fat Canary in Williamsburg

While most of America was watching beasts of men tackle each other on astroturf Saturday evening, my quest to tackle Hampton Road’s Magazines top 10 restaurants continued in Williamsburg. The Fat Canary sits at number six on the list leaving me with Blue Talon, also in Williamsburg, and the Swan Terrace at Founders Inn in Virginia Beach as the two establishments in which I have not dined.

In all my dining adventures, Fat Canary may win for the hands down best waitress ever, Tink (you know like Tinkerbelle). Not your stereotypical server but an absolute pleasure who knew what she was talking about. I took her lead for the entire meal and not once did she steer me wrong.

We started with a bottle of Pinot Noir, a 2009 Road 31, a tasty bottle that sent zingers to the jowls of my jaw. I loved the logo of the ’66 green Ford pickup which Tink told us was the truck that the wine maker took to his senior prom. The website shares even more stories about the green truck.

Our first and probably favorite was the appetizer of Fricassee of Rabbit, wild mushrooms, leeks, sage with a buttermilk biscuit. Since my man-love and I were sharing, they were kind enough to split the plate in the back. This was a good thing because if we had to split that mini biscuit there may have been a flag thrown for interference. I’m not usually a lover of mushrooms but these were so tasty. Proof that you should always try things even you think that you won’t like it.

For our salad we split the Arugula and Frisee with pears, gorgonzola, toasted walnuts and aged balsamic. Delish, especially the pears and walnuts.

For my entrée I went with the pork chop after seeing the twinkle in Tinks eye when she mentioned it. Of course, I was the smallest person at the table and when the meal came I had the biggest entrée. Part of why I think my man-love really loves me is that he generally gets to eat half of my meals. So together we enjoyed Heritage breed pork chop with toasted walnut and gruyere bread pudding, Swiss chard, apples and bacon. 

Finally for dessert I had been told about the profiteroles, which are a signature well-known item for Fat Canary. Here again, Tink took me under her little fairy wing saying that the profiteroles were not up to standard for the evening and requested that I come back another night to try them. I ensured her I would. Instead I had the ginger crystalized strawberry short cake. It was the second time my short cake was more of a cookie than cake and the style is really starting to win me over from the traditional soft cake I was raised on.

My only complaint for the evening was the drive home. My belly was full and the hour-long drive back to Virginia Beach wasn’t fun at all. Next time I think I will make a weekend of it and stay in Williamsburg to enjoy a little history and shopping.