The Babcock House

There aren't many choices for a decent place to eat around here, but this is probably the best.

The atmosphere is classy and comfortable. We love eating here for lunch during the week (but not on Mondays). The menu is nothing special, but nicer than what you would expect for this area. I like the steak and cheese subs and crab cake sandwich. Not the best I have ever had, but good. The peanut butter pie is one of the best I have had though.

The service can be slow, but we like to sit on the deck and enjoy the time anyway. The view from the deck is not the greatest (overlooking the middle school), but the building itself is very nice. The lunch prices are also very reasonable, around $8 a person.

I give it four stars compared to the other restaurants that are available in Appomattox... I wouldn't drive all the way out here just for dinner here, but am glad it is available for lunch.

Butter, butter, and more butter. And not in a good way.

The Babcock House is the finest dining establishment in Appomattox. Hell, I'm pretty sure it's the finest dining establishment in south central Virginia.

That being said, we rolled up for our 7:30 reservation and were greeted by two screaming toddlers rolling their hot wheels across the table. Lovely.

The restaurant is housed in a charming little bed and breakfast, and the menu is pretty typical with not much imagination. NY Strip, crabcakes, a chicken dish, salmon, etc. The only thing that really stood out to me was a pork osso bucco, which I chose for my dinner. Included in the meal was a cup of soup (spinach and crab: fair), a salad (all iceberg, cucumbers, and oversized watery tomatoes... blech), and everyone received the same sides with their meal. That night's accompaniments were mashed potatoes with a hole filled with butter and green beans, also covered in butter. And again, not in a good way. In a.... greasy way.

My dad and I agreed that the osso bucco was the standout: tender, flavorful, and a large portion. My mom couldn't stomach to finish the crabcakes: she said they were mostly filler and tasted fishy. We decided to make an attempt to save the meal with some dessert. The bread pudding was served as three weird little mushy balls, although the flavor was alright. My brother inhaled the praline cheesecake, but he doesn't complain about much.

Cocktails were a mere $4.75, and there's a reason why. My dad's vodka on the rocks was less than an ounce and served with some seriously measly olives. After receiving a gin and tonic sans lime, I asked the waiter and later received one teeny tiny piece of sad little lime on a plate. The wine wasn't much better.

But all in all, you get what you pay for. 5 entrees, each with a soup and salad, two cocktails, two bottles of wine, and two desserts.

For $200.

Including a generous tip.

Appomattox, Virginia: we may be mediocre, but at least we're cheap!