Guests who visit are in for delicious dishes in an elegant atmosphere.
NORFOLK, Va. — On the second floor of Hilton Norfolk The Main, Varia is sometimes overlooked by visitors heading to more well-known spots like Grain or Saltine.
“Being on the second floor of the hotel, Varia doesn’t see as much foot traffic, but the local following we do have is strong,” said Hilton Norfolk The Main Executive Chef Matthias Maihoefer.
Varia offers a menu of handmade pasta, pizza, and classic Italian fare that sets it apart from the hotel’s other eateries. Guests who visit are in for delicious dishes in an elegant atmosphere.
“Varia’s a beautiful, beautiful space,” Maihoefer explained. “It seems like it’s a special occasion restaurant. That’s what a lot of people come here for. We also have really approachable food, that’s just really well done.”
Varia prides itself on its fresh, from-scratch dishes. Diners can watch parts of the preparation process, as chefs hand-make pasta and pizza in the open kitchen. During a recent visit, we tried the tuna Tonnato, made with capers and egg yolk jam, and the rigatoni Bolognese.
Maihoefer described the pasta dish, saying, “It’s your traditional ground pork, veal, and beef. With a base of sofrito, celery, onions, and carrots. That’s then cooked down.”
We were also treated to the “pera e cipolla” pizza. It’s topped with caramelized pear and gorgonzola. It did not disappoint.
For groups looking for a more private dining experience, Varia offers a hidden dining room tucked behind bookshelves in the restaurant. Ten or more people are needed to book the intimate space.
The restaurant’s other special features include a wine studio. Customers can purchase a wine card that allows them to try three pour sizes of 28 bottles.
Whether you’re stopping in for breakfast, dinner, or drinks, Maihoefer said the menu strikes a balance between branching out and comfort.
“It’s a little bit more adventurous up here, but still very easy to grasp,” he said.
Varia serves breakfast daily and dinner five days a week. More information on their specials, including weekly “ladies’ night,” can be found here. It’s located at 100 E Main Street.
This piece is part of 13News Now’s weekly Friday Flavor segment. If you have an idea of where Marta Berglund should visit next, send her an email at mberglund@13newsnow.com or message her on social media.
Dining and Cooking