For more than 50 years — and with three generations of ownership — Orapax has provided delicious Greek food in an intimate environment.

Orapax, in Norfolk’s Chelsea district, offers traditional dishes such as spanakopita, chicken souvlaki, gyros and moussaka. The menu has wing, pasta, pizza and sandwich sections and plant-based alternatives for most of the regular options.

The rustic dining room is dimly lit while oversized windows let heaps of natural light in. The dark ceiling beams and tile floors give a slightly upscale look, but the wait staff in its “Everything’s betta with fetta” and “There’s Greece on my shirt” T-shirts provide a casual dining experience.  Black and white photos of the building and its patrons highlight the restaurant’s deep family roots.

I started with the lavender lemonade cocktail and saganaki appetizer — both presented exquisitely. My drink, topped with lemon, blackberry and a sprig of rosemary, was light and refreshing without being too sweet; but the appetizer was the star.

The saganaki — kevalotyri (or kefalotyri) cheese battered and fried — was brought out in a mini black cast iron serving bowl, lit on fire, then put out by a squeeze of lemon.

The cheese reminded me of mozzarella with a stronger taste and it paired nicely with the tangy lemon juice. It was warm and gooey, still bubbling in the bowl.

I opted for the gyro pita and a Greek side salad for my main course — how could I not at a Greek place?  I’ve eaten gyros from street stands in Athens and Orapax’s did not disappoint. The tzatziki to meat ratio was perfect and the grilled lamb and beef were flavorful. The vegetables were crisp and fresh. The pita was my favorite part. It was covered in creamy tzatziki sauce, crisp and a perfect golden brown on the outside, and soft on the inside. I was pleasantly surprised with the sizable portion of meat in my gyro, especially because it seemed to be almost all lamb.

The Greek salad was piled high with a mountain of shredded feta cheese — just the way I like it. (Though it could be overkill for those who aren’t feta fanatics.)  It came with a large pepperoncini, cucumbers, red onions, tomatoes and bell peppers. The Greek dressing tasted house-made with its oil, vinegar and mix of spices. It was a bit more sour than other Greek dressings I’ve had but it paired excellently with the veggies and saltiness of the feta. I was surprised by the generous size of the salad, considering it was only a side salad.

I can’t wait to try Orapax’s other signature dishes and be transported to the ancient city of Athens.

Reach Avery Goodstine at averygoodstine@gmail.com

IF YOU GO

Where: 1300 Redgate Ave., Norfolk

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday; 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday

Details: 757-627-8041; orapaxrestaurant.com

On Wednesday, July 31, customers can get as many doughnuts as they like for $1 each, while supplies last, the North Carolina-based chain said in a news release.

The offer is only available in-store and no additional purchase is necessary.

Rewards members can get $1 original glazed doughnuts starting Thursday, Aug. 1, for a limited time, according to Krispy Kreme.

The doughnut and coffee chain is also rolling out a few limited-time treats to celebrate the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The new “Go USA” dozen features three fan-favorite doughnuts:

• Go USA doughnut
• Chocolate iced glazed with sprinkles doughnut
• Original glazed doughnut

Find your nearest Krispy Kreme here.

Watch the docuseries, “Finding Edna Lewis,” available on VPM Culture YouTube and social media channels. Host and award-winning food writer and podcaster Deb Freeman explores the life and legacy of Virginia chef Edna Lewis, the “Queen of Southern Cooking.”

A seven-minute episode drops the third Friday of each month until February, leading to a one-hour television broadcast sometime that month. There will be an in-person premiere event in Richmond, which will include some never-before-seen footage. Dates and times for the event will be announced. 

The first installment was released on July 19 and featured chef Leah Branch of The Roosevelt in Richmond. Freeman and Branch prepared Lewis’ pan-fried quail with country ham while discussing Branch’s plans to have an Edna Lewis dinner at the restaurant.

Lewis was born in 1916 in Freetown, about 85 miles northwest of Richmond in a village co-founded by her grandfather who was born enslaved. In 1948, she became a cook at Café Nicholson in Manhattan, New York, which was frequented by big names such as Gloria Vanderbilt and Eleanor Roosevelt. John Nicholson, the owner, offered her a job after attending a dinner party in her home. She was one of few Black female chefs at that time. Lewis worked there for five years. At some point, she opened and closed her restaurant. She gained acclaim for her books; “The Edna Lewis Cookbook,” which was published in 1972 and four years later “The Taste of Country Cooking,” which became a bestseller and was reprinted 23 times. It took 12 more years before fans read her next release, “In Pursuit of Flavor.” Before retiring in 1995, she cooked at the historic Gage and Tollner in Brooklyn, New York.  Lewis’ final book, “The Gift of Southern Cooking,” was co-authored with Scott Peacock in 2003. Lewis is credited with changing the way people perceived Southern cooking and became one of the first pioneers of the farm-to-table movement.

Each episode of the docuseries will reveal more about Lewis through conversations and cooking with guests such as historian and cookbook author Jessica Harris and chef Adrienne Cheatham, author of “Sunday Best: Cooking Up the Weekend Spirit Everyday.”

Freeman hopes the documentary makes people proud of Virginia food, helps them understand the variety of Black foodways and encourages people to open a cookbook and cook.

“Eating something at its peak of flavor and being intentional with ingredients can create something special,” she said. “That’s what Edna Lewis did with her cookbooks and legacy.”

Lewis died in 2006.

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on X, @gibsonrekaya

“We are dedicated to brewing exceptional craft beers that cater to all tastes while creating a community hub in the heart of Gloucester Main Street,” Mike Brewer, owner of Gloucester Brewing Co., said in a news release. “This support will allow us to continue making facility improvements and serving our community with high-quality, locally brewed craft beers.”

The Backing Small Businesses grant program by the National Main Street Center in partnership with American Express provides support to businesses that are integral to the economic and social fabric of their communities, particularly those in historic commercial districts. The program awarded grants to 500 recipients across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico this year. Grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses.

The grant will help Gloucester Brewing, founded in 2018, expand its marketing efforts and enhance customer comfort as it commits to fostering a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere, the business announced.

Brian Niccol, the chain’s top executive, said there was no “directive” to serve smaller portions, but the company was taking steps to fix it.

“Generous portion is a core brand equity of Chipotle. It always has been, and it always will be, he said, adding: “With that said, getting the feedback caused us to relook at our execution across our entire system with the intention to always serve our guests delicious, fresh, custom burritos, and bowls with generous portions.”

Niccol had previously said he was disappointed to learn about the “Chipotle Camera Trick Challenge,” a viral TikTok trend where customers film — or pretend to film — their server in order to get a bigger portion.

The restaurant has been anecdotally accused of skimping; on the call to investors, Niccol confirmed about 10% of its 3,500 locations had “outlier portion scores.”

“We’ll invest in it, and we’ll figure out how to make sure we consistently do it every time,” he said.

It’s unclear if the chain will raise prices while offering larger portions.

Jack Hartung, Chipotle’s chief financial officer, previously said it would cost the company about $50 million to put two large scoops of rice and four ounces of meat in every burrito or burrito bowl. The company had $3 billion in revenue in the last financial quarter, Niccol told investors.

“Shrinkflation” has become a common complaint among consumers, who have accused companies of raising prices on items — while turning out smaller sizes for items like potato chips and cereal.

Dance moves such as the head spin, windmill, worm or the moonwalk will be on display at downtown Norfolk’s Selden Market, which is hosting a breakdancing competition on Friday during its “Summer Games” themed event.

The market wanted to mark the inauguration of breakdancing in the Olympics during an after-hours game night and vendor market, said Careyann Weinberg, director of economic vitality of Downtown Norfolk Council, which operates Selden Market.

The best breakdancer will receive a cash prize, and the winner will be chosen based on audience reaction. The dance-off starts at 7 p.m.

“The Selden Market shops have created a fun summer series around social gaming and healthy competition,” said Sarah Spence Ting, Selden Market manager. “It’s a nod to the ultimate competition — the international Olympic Games.”

Selden Market shops will host games such as ax-throwing and cornhole. Cooking with Greens, a store selling healthy spice blends and kitchen ware, plans to host an archery competition.

Derak Green, owner of Cooking with Greens, said the “Summer Games” event is all about showcasing Selden Market while giving customers something fun to do.

Many of the shops have planned creative games that won’t be found in the Olympics such as a coffee cup race by S’mores Amore, a “guess the tea” game by Potted and a “Golden Girls” trivia game hosted by Norfolk Candle.

All the storefronts will participate in a market-wide scavenger hunt, and pop-up vendors will join in on the games and offer themed products and crafts. A Summer Games photo booth, music by DJs and themed food and beverages will be available at the free event from 6-9 p.m. Friday.

In Town Center of Virginia Beach, Keagan’s Irish Pub and Three Notch’d Brewery & Craft Kitchen will co-host a “Summer Bar Olympics” at noon Sunday. The free event invites teams to compete in bar-themed games such as a tic-tac-toe flip cup game, oversized Jenga, yard pong, hopscotch and relay races. Customers can enjoy free beer tastings and swag, too.

Smartmouth Brewing is getting in the Olympic spirit by releasing a special beer named Screaming Eagle Pale Ale that features an Olympic-themed label designed by local artist Dwight Easter. The release party is 7 p.m. Friday at Smartmouth’s Norfolk location. Easter will sign copies of the label and sell art that reflects Olympic athletes.

Also, Smartmouth will be hosting an Olympics-themed competition Tuesdays through Aug. 6 that includes games such as beer pong, cornhole and Kan Jam. A $10 entry fee per team goes toward a donation to the Elizabeth River Trail.

The Old Beach Farmers Market in the ViBe Creative District is celebrating the Summer Games with a French-American market day. Bakers and vendors have created Olympic-themed items such as tartes aux abricots (glazed French apricot tarts) by Lexi Berlin, French-inspired sourdough baguettes and brioche breads by Krid’s Crumbs and gougères (cheese puffs) by the Virginia Pie Shop. Shop the market 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 620 19th St.

“Dogtopia Games,” hosted by doggy daycare Dogtopia in Town Center, featured four-legged athletes for its Olympic-style activities this week. The week started with opening ceremonies featuring bubble torches and activities including agility exercises and water sports in a kiddie pool. The weeklong event for clients wraps up Friday with a closing ceremony for the pups. Just like the real Olympics, dogs will pose with medals and trophies that will be captured during a photo shoot.

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net

Put on some tropical attire, meet “Surfin’ Santa,” groove to beach and Christmas tunes and take tours of the brewery during the holiday party.

Bring donations of nonperishable food items or toys for a chance to win some gifts from Santa. The collected donations will provide meals for over 90 families through the American Legion Post 37’s food pantry on Aug. 1.

I discovered this little gem the first year I moved to the area while I was looking for kid-friendly places. And kid-friendly it is, with a dedicated play area featuring dolls, toy cars, a pretend kitchen and a ton of books. It kept our kids — and everyone else’s — busy till the food arrived.

I ordered the veggie breakfast bowl, which included an egg frittata, sauteed breakfast potatoes, avocado slices, grape tomatoes and green peppers, drizzled with a delicious garlic sauce. It was perfectly seasoned and filling. I got mine without meat, but there is an option to add bacon, sausage or turkey kielbasa.

My husband indulged his sweet tooth and ordered the French toast. The fluffy order was topped with a hazelnut chocolate spread and tempered with banana slices. The syrup was served on the side.

At its heart, Persnickety Crane is a coffee shop. Though my husband and I rounded out our meals with a regular medium roast, the cafe serves a variety of coffee creations. I’ve previously enjoyed its cappuccino and a Persnickety Mocha. They also serve tea, including a London Fog, which is a classic Earl Grey black tea with lavender or vanilla syrup and steamed milk.

My children ordered kids’ hot chocolates, which came out first in smaller versions of the grown-up mugs. The drinks were the perfect temperature — there were no tears because of burned tongues. The whipped cream on top was a hit, as always.

My 8-year-old enjoyed her Custom Grazer off the kids’ menu. The order lets you choose two items and she picked French toast dippers and fruit. She finished her plate. I chose a mini charcuterie board for my picky 4-year-old. Fruit, crackers and cheese slices came out on a cute round board. The cafe has several other items, including bagels and breakfast burritos. It also serves salads and sandwiches for lunch. Fresh pastries are always available. Service is fast and friendly.

The atmosphere at Persnickety Crane is laid back. No one will look twice if your toddler has a small tantrum, but at the same time, you’ll be able to have a conversation with adults without having to raise your voice.

It’s also a great place for parents who need to get some work done — the play area can keep a child busy for 20 minutes of uninterrupted focus time. I saw a couple of moms with laptops that Saturday morning, who were working while easily keeping an eye on their kids, thanks to the seating arrangement.

Plenty of non-parents also enjoy the cafe. A young couple at a nearby table played chess while waiting on their food, checking the set out from the cafe’s large stock of board games.

The store, in a small strip mall, also hosts numerous events. “Sip and Plant” and “Birdhouse Building” workshops were advertised for early August.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

___

If you go

Where: 209 Village Ave C, Yorktown

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day

Prices: Coffee/tea $3 to $7. Food $5 to $15.

Details: 757-975-7001; persnicketycranecafe.com

Thirty breweries will be on hand offering more than 60 samples to festival-goers. There will also be live music, food trucks and the unveiling of a limited edition brewery collaboration honoring the Neptune Festival’s 50th anniversary this September.

Several restaurants near 31st Park will also be offering discounts to festival ticket holders after the event.

Tickets to the beer festival include a commemorative tasting glass and unlimited tastings of beer, cider and seltzer. Advance tickets are available until July 31 for $45. Tickets are then $50 until sold out.

For tickets and more information, see NeptuneFestival.com/events/annual-coastal-craft-beer-festival.

Regulations from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority stipulate that a minimum 45% of the total gross sales must be from food and nonalcoholic beverages, while liquor sales should comprise no more than 55%, for eateries with a mixed beverage license.

“This is an antiquated rule that does not work in today’s society,” said Bill Stanley, a state senator and attorney involved in the litigation. “We can’t use an antiquated philosophy or policy and apply it to a modern day business. It’s not right.”

The plaintiff is Fish and Slips, a bar and grill within Tidewater Yacht Marina. The lawsuit, filed in the Portsmouth Circuit Court, names Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Dale Farino, the chief executive officer of beverage control authority, as defendants, as well as the Virginia Alcohol Control Board.

The governor did not respond to a request for comment. A Virginia ABC spokesperson explained Thursday the agency was aware of the litigation but had not yet been served, and subsequently declined to comment further.

The lawsuit states the historical framework of the food-to-alcohol ratio requirements harken to the days of Prohibition.

“Today, the (Mixed Beverage Annual Review) law does not achieve the rationale of prohibiting saloons but rather it is effectively adversely impacting the ability and freedom of restaurant entrepreneurs to freely price the food and meals that they serve to their customers,” the lawsuit reads. “… For any restaurant that is maintaining the 45/55 ratio, if the ABC raises prices (for liquor), the restaurant, to maintain the required ratio and to keep its license to sell mixed beverages, has no choice but to raise its food prices.”

The Mixed Beverage Annual Review (MBAR) is the name of a report that documents the food and beverage sales of mixed-beverage licensees.

The lawsuit further asserts that it creates an unlevel playing field because exemptions have been granted to other types of businesses, such as amphitheaters and gaming facilities.

“A law passed by the General Assembly in 2022 allowed Virginia to exempt casino and gaming parlors from MBAR, enabling them to operate (24 hours a day) without the same food-to-beverage ratio requirements imposed upon Virginia restaurants, thereby giving those establishments that have a bar and restaurant facility within them a competitive advantage over restaurants that operate in the same region as the gaming establishment,” it states.

Fish and Slips is about 4 miles from Rivers Casino Portsmouth, which opened in January 2023.

The lawsuit argues the regulations are subsequently in violation of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to due process and equal protection under the law, and the state constitution, which says that no man or set of men are entitled to exclusive or separate privileges from the community.

Fish and Slips is asking the court to declare MBAR statues, ABC regulations and exemptions granted by the General Assembly as unconstitutional, and to grant temporary and permanent injunctive relief, and any other relief the court finds just.

Stanley said he believes the current rules go against “everything we believe in Virginia.”

“This comes from the belief that the MBAR structure that we have in Virginia is unconstitutional and adversely effects small businesses and small restaurant owners who are competing in a world where we are giving special advantages to things like the casinos,” he said.

Legislation that would have eased the rules around how much food Virginia bars and restaurants serving liquor must sell died in the House of Delegates this year.

Several Hampton Roads restaurant operators voiced support for the bill. But the measure faced opposition from a Richmond-based lobbying group called the Virginia Restaurant Association, made up of owners of restaurants such as The Tobacco Company Restaurant in Richmond and Northern Virginia’s Great American Restaurants group.

Similar legislation was put forth in 2019. Former state Sen. Dick Saslaw, who was among those that opposed that attempt, argued that “if you can’t meet (the current) ratio, you ain’t running a restaurant; you are flat running a bar.”

Stanley said the failed attempts at legislative reform signaled it was time to try a different route.

“When the legislature fails to act to protect its citizens,” Stanley said,” then that’s what our courts are for.”

Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com