Visit The Trellis Restaurant in Colonial Williamsburg

Whether visiting Colonial Williamsburg (CW) for the day, or as a far away visitor staying several days, one place to enjoy a wonderful meal is The Trellis restaurant on Duke of Gloucester Street, Merchant's Square. In the heart of Colonial Williamsburg The Trellis has a charming southern feel to the restaurant and delicious food. One can decide to eat outside on the terrace under the big trees, or indoors in a garden café setting. There are two different hostess stations according to where you would like to dine. The outdoor patio area has a hostess station positioned appropriately by the terrace. Inside the paned double French doors is the indoor hostess station. You may make reservations but it not required.

On my visit to The Trellis I lunched with a friend who was doing a book signing at the Barnes & Noble across the street in Merchant's Square (Mischief and Miseries author). While waiting for our table we sat chatting on the brick walkway under the trellis covered with vines and watched the visitors.

Our name was called and we were escorted indoors to our table. Promptly the server was at our side and with such charm and warmth greeted us, "Ladies, how are you today? May I bring you a beverage to enjoy while you look at the menu?" My smile widens to my friend as we order our drinks. I mention this simply because it was so busy this day, as the visitors to Colonial Williamsburg start to increase greatly with summer approaching, that the server could have been short with us and I would've understood. However, the server was never rude, short tempered, or in any way flustered. He had the grace and charm of a southern gentleman.

The lunch menu is not difficult to read and there are only sixteen items to choose from. The larger menu was accompanied by a smaller menu listing the day's specials. I won't mention every item because I have linked the restaurant website which lists the menus.

The lunch menu prices range from $7.95 to $13.95 depending on the entrée. A soup and salad selection is $7.95 with a choice of soup or chowder and a green salad. The day of our visit the chowder was tomato and black-eyed pea, and the soup was chilled sweet potato and orange. Other menu items are a fresh fish entrée, a cheesecake (quiche style) of smoked salmon and sorrel, sandwiches, and burgers.

My friend orders the Nutty Chicken Salad in the Zone ($8.95) which can be a choice of Chicken or Tuna. According to the server this is a popular dish that comes with salad greens and seasoned vegetables. This is not to be confused with grilled, sliced, chicken breasts over salad though, this appears exactly like a tuna salad sandwich would look. I order the pan-grilled cheddar cheese and country ham sandwich ($8.75). This dish has sliced cheddar cheese, thinly sliced country ham, oven-roasted plum tomatoes, on whole wheat bread and pan seared. Normally this dish is accompanied by a white bean and red bliss potato salad, which I am certain is wonderful, however I ask for a garden style salad as a substitute for the potato salad. I know some restaurants are picky about having substitutions done, therefore I ask my friend if it would be acceptable to ask for the green salad instead of the potato salad. She responds that the staff at The Trellis is very accommodating and would not balk at the question. This is absolutely accurate. There was no hesitation in the reply from the server, "Absolutely, we can do that."

The meals arrive and they look splendid. My pan-grilled sandwich is crisp and delicious with the cheddar cheese dripping down the side of one of the halves. The green side salad that replaced the potato salad is a delight to the eye and I can't wait to take a bite. Spiral sliced beets sits on top of baby greens, marinated tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, with a lemon vinaigrette dressing. Add to this a tall glass of ice tea for a delightful meal that would make Rachel Ray oh-so pleased. My friend's entrée looks just as inviting with a generous portion of chicken salad amongst asparagus, corn, black-eyed peas, Boston lettuce, and a peanut vinaigrette dressing-no bad carbs here! Being that we were having a midday fare, and had our fill, we did not order dessert.

Though I did not see many families eating at The Trellis, nor did I see a child's menu in person or on the website, it is not unfathomable to bring children to dine here. I would recommend the terrace seating for younger children, so that they may get down and play while the adults continue to dine without disturbing other guests. It would not be unreasonable for younger children to split the hamburger or cheeseburger entrée, though keep in mind there are no chicken fingers and fries at this restaurant. My children rarely eat from the children's menu and are use to a more adult fare, therefore would be able to decide upon a menu choice here. I understand this may not be the case for many families. If this is the situation with your children then perhaps it would be better to grab a sandwich from the Cheese Shop across the street, or even one from the Barnes & Noble café (2^nd floor) and picnic at one of the many benches throughout CW.

My dining experience at The Trellis on Duke of Gloucester Street, Colonial Williamsburg, is one that will have me returning time and again for a most pleasurable meal. It reminded me of being on a southern plantation in the Carolinas. Great hospitality with charm and delicious food all rolled into fine dining at Merchant's Square.

Chef: Michael Holdsworth. Assistant Chefs: Sarah Masters, Michelle Holdsworth, and Christina Mouliet. Pastry Chefs: Heather Lenhardt and Johanna Hamlin.