Hampton Roads, VAFrench

VEER Magazine's Jeff Maisey reviewed ILO Bistro, the Norfolk room from chef Zack Close, who cooked at New York's Cafe Boulud. The menu blends French technique with local seafood, and Maisey singled out the pappardelle with lamb ragu and a dish of puppy drum, a Virginia fish. Come for the pasta and whatever local catch is on that night. Downtown Norfolk's serious French-leaning table.

The Virginian-Pilot's Rekaya Gibson reviewed Bisou Bar and Bistro in Newport News' Hilton Village, run by Michele Smith and her son Greg Gipson. Gibson worked through the OG wagyu burger, moule a la Provencale, and herbed salmon, then finished on creme brulee and a Paris-Brest. It is a French bistro with a comfortable neighborhood streak. Save room for the Paris-Brest.

Lamia's Crepes on Granby Street was the French pick to survive Coastal Virginia Magazine's Global Eats survey after several older rooms closed. The kitchen builds both savory and sweet crepes to order in downtown Norfolk. That crepe focus is the whole appeal. Come for a savory buckwheat crepe and follow it with a sweet one. A straightforward, long-running French option in the city center.