DH and I just returned from our first trip to VB and WOW did we love it! We had a perfect vacation and are already itching to go back.
Thanks to tips I learned here, we tried the Ocean Grill and Captain Hiram's, and we loved them both. The Ocean Grill was a fabulous meal with tremendous service. I didn't catch our waiter's name, but he bore a striking resemblance to the actor Ed Harris, and he was personable and professional. We loved the food, especially the bubbling crab dip appetizer. The Dis Boards did not steer us wrong!
Captain Hiram's was also good, though we liked the bar a lot better than the restaurant. We thought the food was good, but not spectacular, but really enjoyed our table for two right on the water. We went over to the bar after we had dinner, and that was the highlight for us. (You can bring kids in there...there were several little kids dancing, even. I saw something about not having little ones after 9:00, but that wouldn't be an issue with a 2 yr. old, I suppose.) The tables in the sand, the great server, and the music were all that I hoped for after reading about Captain Hiram's here. We decided that next time we will skip the restaurant and just hang out in the Sand Bar. One other tip here is that our server in the restaurant (accidentally???) gave us change for fifty dollars instead of the sixty dollars we gave her. Then she just "happened" to have the extra ten dollars right in the bill folder when we asked her about it. Count your change.
The cast member at check-in also suggested the Riverview Cafe, and it did not disappoint either. I had a great crabcake sandwich, though it was so large I ended up eating it with a fork and knife (not a complaint!). This place was a little hard to find, but worth the effort. All of the food appeared to be homemade, and the coleslaw was extra-good.
Finally, I have to recommend the Sunday brunch at the resort. It includes a mimosa, bloody mary, or glass of champagne, and the food is the best buffet brunch food I can ever remember having. It started with a delicious shrimp chowder and went all the way to wonderful desserts of peanut butter mousse in a chocolate shell, key lime pie, and turtle cake. YUM! We plan to include a Sunday on our next visit as well, just to go to this brunch. Delicious! And really not crazy-expensive when you consider what you get. With everything included, $25 is not out of line, especially when I compare it with what we spent elsewhere.
Have a great trip. I think you'll find lots of fun things to do with your two year-old. The pirate ship was keeping lots of toddlers busy, and just walking on the beach picking up the zillions of shells should keep one happy as well.
Ocean Grille is good but i suggest getting there a little early with the little ones because it does develop into an older crowd at night. Squid Lips is also a great family place in Sebastian (about 5 - 10 min drive) Squid Lips Tip - get an extra order of french fries and bring them out to the dock out back after dinner to feed the fish. There must me 100's of fish feeding off the french fries. You might also get lucky and see manatees and dolphins as we have in the past. Orchid island Pizza has good pizza and delivers to you Villa room and to the lobby of the Inn.
