Culinary Loft - Nob

This hidden gem features an incredible chef who prepares fresh meals from scratch. I had the fish and chips, which were made with fresh flounder fillets, cornbread, coleslaw, and potato chips. It was absolutely delicious!

The venue is shared with the Whole-ly Rollers Bakery, which was closed during my visit. It boasts a spacious cooking area off to the side, making it ideal for a buffet and accommodating a large number of seated or standing guests. I truly admire what the Culinary Loft is contributing to the culinary scene in Norfolk, and I'm eager to see what the next event will be! I do have one small complaint about the venue: the bathroom situation. It's worth noting that it's a unisex bathroom, which is fine, but the only barrier between the two stalls is shower curtains. I'm not sure if this is a temporary arrangement, but proper stalls with locks would definitely make me feel more comfortable. During the event, I almost had an awkward encounter when someone nearly walked in on me! Overall, the space is still evolving, and I hope upgrading the bathroom stalls is a priority moving forward.

As attendees, we enjoyed a delicious array of offerings, including different types of cheesecakes, chicken adobo, loaded mashed potatoes, yakisoba, and Chef Dro's amazing shrimp and grits. Tickets could be purchased through Eventbrite. When I arrived, they were still setting everything up and had to arrange additional tables. Guests were encouraged to wander around and watch the three chefs tackle their challenges. It was impressive to see them maintain their composure while managing time constraints and creating high-quality dishes from unexpected ingredients. I anticipate more events like this throughout Hampton Roads. This venue also supports emerging business owners, providing a great opportunity to shop locally.