Mayor Touts Elizabeth City’s Many Great Restaurants
Sometimes Steve Atkinson likes a thick rib-eye steak, and other times he’s in the mood for fresh scallops and jumbo shrimp. And he always tries to leave room for dessert.
The mayor of Elizabeth City says he enjoys the dining scene and is lucky to live in a community known for its culinary excellence. Whether he lunches on a club sandwich at Montero’s or sits down to a dinner of lemon and thyme encrusted red snapper at Cypress Creek Grill, he is pleased that Elizabeth City has a wide variety of delicious options to suit anyone’s tastes.
“From small, quaint places to the bigger establishments, I honestly like all of the restaurants in Elizabeth City,” Atkinson says. “I can’t mention them all, but here are four great ones to try.”
For starters, the mayor visits the scenic Elizabeth City waterfront often, so he is a frequent diner at Marina Restaurant located on the Pasquotank River.
“Their waterfront setting makes for a terrific ambiance, and the food at Marina is just as special,” he says. “I love seafood of all kinds and am especially fond of the Marina soft-shell crabs. They are great.”
Besides great food, Marina Restaurant has karaoke singing on Friday nights.
“I can’t say that I’ve ever sung karaoke at Marina, but it’s not out of the question for the future,” Atkinson says. “You never know where the mayor is going to show up, and the stage at Marina might be next.”
Another one of his favorite places is Colonial Restaurant, a local favorite that has been an Elizabeth City mainstay.
“Colonial serves three meals a day – good, old-fashioned, comfort food cooked Southern-style,” he says. “By the way, be sure to try the lemon pie when you’re there. It is excellent.”
Atkinson says he enjoys Asian food, and the city is home to a fine establishment that is also conveniently located near the waterfront. Toyama Japanese Restaurant serves everything from sashimi and shogayaki to tempura and teriyaki, and the mayor savors every meal when he’s there.
“The sushi bar at Toyama is outstanding, and their Okinawan rolls are incredible,” he says. “They have put together a superb menu.”
One of the city’s newest restaurants is Logan Raye’s Key West Grille on East Colonial Avenue. It features a casual atmosphere with live music two nights a week.
“I like anything seafood-related at Logan Raye’s, but the restaurant cooks a great steak, too,” Atkinson says. “Diners can’t go wrong at any of the dozens of restaurants located throughout Elizabeth City. So, give them all a try.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
