Under its spell
Voodoo Brewing brings something magical to Virginia Beach Town Center area
VIRGINIA BEACH – I visited Voodoo Brewing the day after the NFL Conference Champion games; I decided to drown my sorrows in football party foods since the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions let me down.
The brewpub opened in mid-January near Virginia Beach Town Center. It offers 23 beers, seltzers and ciders, one cold brew coffee on tap and 10 handcrafted cocktails. Its extensive food menu includes appetizers, wings, burgers and other tasty grub, but it’s not overwhelming. Some items have playful names such as Char-voodoorie (charcuterie), Voo-dill Pickle pizza and Chicky Chicky Bang Bang (tikka masala marinated chicken sandwich).
The ceiling, with its hanging, full-size front doors scattered here and there, is also smile-inducing. As well as the vibe behind the franchise name:
“The name is ‘Voodoo’ because the beer is magical,” said Max Gutierrez, the general manager. “We keep doors on the ceiling because that’s where all our secrets go.”
The spot is owned by Alex and Chrissy Bergren, who always wanted to own a bar but didn’t want to learn how to brew, Gutierrez said. The couple purchased a Voodoo Brewing franchise instead — the only one in Virginia. Williamsburg is supposed to get a location at the end of the year, according to Gutierrez.
I found a spot in the middle of a room where I could survey the entire restaurant. Laminated menus were on most of the handmade pallet tables. The brewpub had two options for ordering: A QR code posted on the table or the bar to place an order with a human. I opted for electronic ordering. The app requires a credit card, and customers can start a tab or pay for the meal and tip in advance.
The server brought my Virginia Crush cocktail, a fruity beauty with vodka, orange juice and mango. The dragon fruit floater added a mystical touch with its purple color. A sweet sensation danced on my tongue, and the alcohol dropped like it was hot. There was a party in my mouth. Slurp-licious.
I took in the rest of the lively decor while I waited. Most of the walls were black,
but a few popped with green, hot pink, blue and yellow. The wall near the bar was purple with a hand-painted mural of skeletal fingers holding a beer and a wine glass.
The coolest thing, besides the doors hanging from the ceiling, was the barrel tables wrapped with different beer labels.
A mound of Voodoo nachos soon arrived at my table. No chicken, pork or steak for me.
I shoved a few fried tortilla chips with “good vibes” beer cheese and creole barbecue salsa into my mouth. Crunchy. Gooey. Nutty.
The general manager assured me that there were no nuts in the dish, though. My taste buds were playing tricks on me. The salsa had an identity crisis. Was it salsa or was it barbecue? One thing I knew for sure: It was sweet, smoky and delicious.
I wouldn’t have put it on nachos though. Wings perhaps. (Insert thinking emoji here.)
My five-piece wings with voodoo rub were delivered shortly. They weren’t cooked too hard and the skin was a little crispy — my favorite way. The rub had a nice blend of seasoning such as pepper, paprika and salt from what I could gather. Thumbs up to the chef.
My pizza came out next in a 12-inch round pan. It was one of three to choose from or diners could “voodoo-it-yourself.”
The Cape Henry Caprese pizza had me contemplating my previous pizza decisions. It must have been the house-made roasted garlic pesto that took me over. Fresh basil and tomato slices. Snap. Wiggle. Twirl. I would’ve ended with the splits if I could do them.
The Witchduck white chicken chili warmed me up on this chilly Monday. I scooped the broth from the top. I had to dive deep for the ground chicken, hatch chiles and white beans.
I discovered melty cheese at one point. That was a surprise and it made the dish interesting. The chili was light and flavorful. I would get it again. I didn’t see the crispy onion straws as mentioned on the menu, though.
I tried a sample of the Lacto-Kooler, a sour beer, before leaving. I loved the green apple taste; it made me pucker like a reluctant child kissing a relative. It reminded me of Now and Later candy with fizz. I could see myself sipping a glass on the patio during the summer. Refreshing.
I felt better. Up next, the Super Bowl.
Rekaya Gibson, rekaya. gibson@virginiamedia.com, 757-295-8809
IF YOU GO
Where: 300 Constitution Drive, Virginia Beach
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday
Prices: Appetizers $13 to $18, burgers and sandwiches $14 to $18, pizza and wings $8 to $16
Details: 757-904-3901; bit.ly/VoodooVB