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The Lakeview Restaurant at Douthat Makes the List!

By Shellie AnnePosted April 02, 2014

A Hampton Roads newspaper has put The Lakeview Restaurant at Douthat State Park on a list of "The 30 places to eat in Virginia before you die."

Enjoy dining outside on the deck overlooking the lake at Douthat Lakeview Restaurant

Enjoy dining outside on the deck overlooking the lake at Douthat Lakeview Restaurant

Article excerpt from Jim Haag and Lorraine Eaton The Virginian-Pilot March 31, 2014:

Never eat anything bigger than your head. Or so the adage goes.

We ignored that advice.

We ate the state.

A year ago, with pens poised over the contract to write the "Food Lovers' Guide to Virginia," we winced at the vastness of the task. (Fun fact: Stand at the western tip of Virginia, and you are standing west of Cleveland.) We also sensed inherent peril - consuming so many calories might lead to a certain physical vastness.

But in 16 weeks flat, while holding down day jobs, we finished the manuscript on time: 283 pages, nearly 200 restaurants reviewed, plus critiques of about 100 ice cream, gourmet, wine and butcher shops and carefully culled lists of wineries and food festivals. (Who knew that there's a maple syrup festival in Virginia? A ramp festival? A Hanover tomato festival?)...

Read the rest of the article here, and to see the list of "The 30 places to eat in Virginia before you die."

Last but not least, not for some of us anyway who adore Douthat State Park is:

30. LAKE VIEW RESTAURANT

In Douthat State Park, 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, 540-862-8100, $-$$

This restaurant overlooks Lake Douthat, the centerpiece of a state park that opened in 1936. Take a seat in the enclosed porch or open-air deck and enjoy the tree-covered Allegheny Mountains, which blaze with reds, bronzes and golds in autumn. The food is standard - burgers and sandwiches for lunch, and trout, quail and fried chicken for dinner - but you won't mind. You come here for the view. After eating, walk off some of those calories with a relatively level hike around the lake. For those staying at the park, the restaurant is one of the few places with reliable Wi-Fi, though we're not sure why you'd want to connect to the outside world in such a breathtaking spot.

The Lakeview Restaurant at Douthat Opens the first Saturday in April each year!

Enjoy dining outside on the new deck overlooking the lake at Douthat Lakeview Restaurant

You can rent this facility year-round to host your special events at Douthat State Park

From Virginia State Parks website:

Douthat Lakeview Restaurant, an original CCC facility, is a full-service restaurant that overlooks the lake and has recently been renovated. It features a glass enclosed porch overlooking the lake, and central heat and air. A deck at the restaurant seats up to 32 people and can be rented for private parties.

From the first Saturday in April through Memorial Day, the restaurant is open only on weekends; on Friday from 4 p.m to 8 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The restaurant hours are the same from Labor Day through Oct. 31 as well.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the restaurant is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The restaurant is available year-round for special catering needs, you can call the park office for details: 540-862-8100.

Douthat State Park has 35 rustic cabins, lodges and a very popular campground with 87 campsites if you wish to stay overnight, for reservation information click here or call 1-800-933-PARK. This park is just 1 hour from Roanoke and less than 15 minutes from Clifton-Forge Virginia! Click here for a map and directions.

Now is your chance to come out and enjoy Douthat Lakeview Restaurant, one of "The 30 places to eat in Virginia before you die!"

PARKS

Douthat State Park