Few restaurants have the variety of post-dining activity options that Meridian Restaurant does.
But that’s not the point. Meridian, the new restaurant adjacent to the Compass Entertainment Complex wants you to come to eat, whether or not you stay afterwards for fun.
Sitting at a table inside the light-filled restaurant with music piped in at a volume that allows for easy conversation, there’s no way to know that a short distance away are movies, arcade games and attractions such as batting cages and mini-golf. The ambiance is relaxed, comfortable and inviting.
Meridian is a good-size restaurant, able to seat 100 people between the restaurant and bar area, each with its own vibe. Three of the restaurant’s high-ceilinged walls are all glass and the one that isn’t, is covered in greenery, providing a connection to the outside and a sense of spaciousness.
Sera Petras Photography
Zachary Vanover, General Manager of Meridian Restaurant in Irvington, VA.
Banquettes and tables of various sizes allow for comfortable seating for groups of varying sizes. There’s live music once a month, not just in the summer, but year-round. Deals abound, with $1 chicken wings on Mondays, $5 tacos on Tuesday, burger night on Wednesdays and on Thursdays, kids get to eat free. “We’re a hidden gem,” says Zachary Vanover, Meridian’s general manager. “You can come in and get quality food while enjoying the dining experience we offer.”
While the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula have much to offer in terms of quality of life and natural beauty, there aren’t a lot of places to celebrate special occasions or hold events. Meridian offers catering for parties, meetings and events, providing a range of catering menus, all of which can be customized to accommodate a personal budget. “We can create everything from large parties and banquets to intimate family celebrations, plated or as a buffet,” Vanover says. “The Meridian Restaurant can hold 78 guests seated or up to 86 with a buffet.”
Groups aside, those who are simply looking for a good meal have a choice of two menus: the main menu and a $10 or less Small Bites menu, both posted online and available from noon to 9 pm daily. On Sundays from 11 am to 2 pm, there’s a separate brunch menu, and holidays such as Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day rate a special brunch buffet. “I love breakfast and not enough places around here do brunch,” says Vanover, sharing a menu that features omelets, French toast, chicken and waffles and even a dessert sampler with three kinds of cheesecake. “To make it even better, we have a jazz musician at every Sunday brunch over the summer.”
As Meridian settles into its role as a daily restaurant, locals and people with second homes are still discovering it. Last Thanksgiving, they offered a full turkey dinner and for residents of Hills Quarter, where Meridian sits, delivery service. “We heard from Hills Quarters residents that they’d seen the building go up but had no idea there was a restaurant,” Vanover says, laughing and shaking his head. “They didn’t see this for what it is.”
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And what that is covers a lot of ground. Those attending a movie can order a meal at Meridian, have it boxed up and enjoy it while watching a film. Come Monday through Friday, a generous happy hour starts at 3:30 and goes to 6 pm, with a lively vibe and $2 off beer, wine and top-shelf spirits.
Anyone sitting at home craving a restaurant meal but not eager to put out any effort can keep things simple by ordering through Truffle, a third-party online ordering service. For those willing to drive to Compass, it’s as easy as calling in an order. “We have curbside pickup, so you just text us when you arrive and we’ll bring your food out,” Vanover says. “We’ve figured out how to take away all the reasons not to enjoy our food.”
Beef lovers should know that Meridian cuts all their steaks in-house. The trimmings are then marinated and used for their beef tacos. “Our 16-ounce Black Angus ribeye is an inch to an inch-and-a-half thick and we cook it to order,” he says. “We offer a high-quality meal at a great price, and I’d put our steak up against any around here.”
For that matter, Vanover, a veteran of the food industry, would put the entire Meridian experience up against the competition and not just because the new bacon cheeseburger dip with sweet relish and fresh chicharrones is making fans of everyone who tastes it. “Meridian has top-notch food, great atmosphere and
attention to customer service,” he says. “We’re doing everything we can to build a strong relationship with the community. We want to make our neighbors regulars here.”
Meridian Restaurant | 100 Entertainment Drive, Irvington I 804-884-4FUN | compassentertainmentcomplex.com
