Also Voted In This Issue

• Best Place for a Romantic Meal
• Best International Cuisine
• Best Steaks
• Best Deserts

Vieira's Restaurant has long had a name in lake-area fine dining as one of the best. Offering an international cuisine, with a unique culinary vision focused on excellence of ingredients and the individual customer's taste, Vieira's was originally established in 1997 in Burnt Chimney and was well-received from the start. But in recent years, as the lake area has changed from a vacation hot-spot into a year-round way of life, Antonio Vieira decided it was time for something he has long relied on as his recipe for success a fresh approach. The decision was made to move to the Indian Point Marina in order to bring Vieira's unique vision of culinary excellence closer to the homes of his most loyal patrons year-round lake-area residents.

The move has brought out the best in Vieira's. After working with developers and contractors every step of the way through a complete, wall to wall, ceiling to floor renovation of the facilities, the restaurant finally reached its current condition, which is a state of well-planned excellence. A beautifully-tiled foyer area opens into an all-wood bar featuring wooden floors, a beautifully-finished wooden bar and high-backed wooden chairs. The foyer also leads into a sparkling white dining room which overlooks the waters of Smith Mountain Lake. Though Antonio Vieira has shaped his restaurant into the most unique on the lake, he isn't finished yet. He plans to renovate the outside of the building and the parking lot, adding lighting.

The real appeal behind Vieira's is, of course, the food. Offering a menu unparalleled in the area for its unique culinary vision and interpretation of many international influences, including French, Italian, Brazilian, Hispanic, and American, Antonio Vieira, a classically-trained chef, couples the menu with the freshest ingredients to bring a taste to the lake like no other. Though the menu is sure to satisfy, the chef behind the menu goes to the guests to insure his clientele's happiness. Encouraging special requests, Mr. Vieira is even glad to prepare any dish you like with just a few days notice. That's right you call to make the request, allowing a few days for acquiring any necessary ingredients, and Mr. Vieira will prepare the dish exactly to your liking. Sometimes in the summer, if the timing is right and the call is made quickly, he will even clean and cook your own catch-of- the-day, preparing it in a number of different ways, charging a simple, fair, per-head price.

The extensive menu, carefully planned and prepared, is coupled with a wine list just as broad. Offering something for every taste, from the sophisticated to the simplistic, even the novice wine-drinker is sure to find something that pleases the palate.

A fresh approach a simple concept with a sophisticated application executed masterfully by Antonio Vieira. If the past is any indication of the future, you can depend on Mr. Vieira to apply his fresh approach daily, continuing to satisfy his guests at every turn.

Vieira's Restaurant is located at the end of Moorewood Road off of VA Rte. 122. You can take a virtual visit on the web at their well-planned and easy to navigate website: www.vieirasrestaurant.com, or reach them by phone at (540) 721-2058.

"Freshly caught" is just not menu hyperbole a the award-winning Vieira's Restaurant at Smith Mountain Lake.  Captain Fred Price of To Fish On Striper Guide Charters, has teamed up with noted chef, Antonio Vieira, to offer a special "Catch & Cook" treat for fishermen and their families.

Price not only assist his clients in reeling in the biggest and best stripers on Smith Mountain Lake, but also filets and takes the catch to Vieira who closely inspects the aquatic vertebrates for contamination.  The fact that Smith Mountain Lake is one of the East's cleanest Lakes makes this a simple task, but not one to be overlooked.

"This is a real treat for people on vacation, especially the wives who shouldn't have to cook on their getaway," say Price, a former insurance agent who's been fishing for more than 30 years.  His record? A 38 lb striper, "banquet size," he chuckles.

In the gleaming kitchen, with its stainless steel and giant cauldrons, Vieira's job is to prepare the catch to the customers' specifications.  "The flavor of the fish is what should stand out," he explains, "not the accompaniment.

Blackened, baked, baked, fried, grilled - just let Vieira know or better yet, leave the award-winning chef to his own devices and be prepared for a treat!  "What this man can do with striper is astounding," says Price, "it's the lure of the Lake."  In addition to the catch of the day, Vieira's, which is open for lunch and dinner, offers Italian dishes, steaks, veal, ostrich and Brazilian specialties.

Price makes all arrangement from dinner reservations to delivering the fish to Vieira.  One thing's for sure, Price's customers are sure to find themselves hooked...on Vieira's.  For more information call Fred Price at 540-721-4442 or Vieira's at 540-721-2058.

You can visit Captain Fred's Website at:  www.tofishon.com

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