Tonight we headed out on one final big date night. I’m sure there will be small date nights here on out, but not quite as adventuresome!
We went over the mountains to Staunton to shop around and go out to dinner at Zynodoa, an establishment that has been on my bucket list for ages. Just had to work up the courage to drive 40 miles away! [And I have to say I was a wee bit nervous to be so far from our hospital should labor have dramatically started…]
Staunton was charming and full of antique shops.
We found one we liked a lot – a cross between a hardware store and an antique shop.
At 38 weeks, I had a hard time fitting through the aisles!
But scored one fine vintage wooden box for $10!
We walked around for over an hour – luckily our heat wave is gone and 80* was the perfect temp!
Our dinner reservations weren’t until 7:30, so we settled into a beer garden for a drink to kill some time and discuss the usual: babies, bread, beer.
His + Hers
Time flew by and soon enough it was dinnertime!
Both The Diner of Cville and Bella Eats have absolutely raved about Zynodoa, so we were so excited to try it! Its farm-to-table concept is my favorite kind of restaurant.
The buttery biscuits that came out first set the expectations high – this was delicious!
As a starter, we shared the Artisan Cheese Plate, two Swiss-like cheeses and a parmesan with an array of dried fruit and candied nuts. We couldn’t choose a favorite cheese, as we kept changing favorites depending on what we tasted before and after!
For my entrée, I had to get the crabcake – one of my favorite foods of all time! It was awesome: crispy-fried, Old Bayed and just crab inside. The dilled + chilled summer squash underneath were also fabulous
And the mac and cheese boat on the side – rich, thick and everything you’d expect out of the classic dish.
Matt had trout with pork and green beans, which was good but not as good as mine : )
We finished our cheese plate for dessert! No room for Maple Pecan Cheese Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream – what I would have gotten!
Was it worth the drive? Yes. Will we be doing it again anytime soon – probably not 
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
That black dress is just gorgeous!
KathEats says
Thanks : )
Mom says
Love the dress! Glad you found a box.
Alison says
What a lovely night! The weather has definitely been amazing on the east coast 🙂 Your crab cakes and mac n cheese look sooooo darn delicious!!
[email protected] says
Can’t believe you passed up on the pecan cheesecake!! Depriving the baby of pecan-y goodness 🙂
Monica says
You look great Kath! I think I would have ordered the cheesecake to nibble on on the way home. Looks like you had a great date night.
Amy in Canada says
You look beautiful!!! Did you ever consider that babies, bread and beer are all fermented…well in their own way. 🙂
KathEats says
Haha… Beer and bread, yes. Baby is cookin!
Sarah says
You look absolutely stunning, that dress is perfect!
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear says
Aww Kath, you look too cute in that little black dress with your big belly. Seriously. Just too cute!
emily says
That dress is gorgeous on you! Is it weird that I practically want to go buy the exact one and squirrel it away in the back of my closet until I get knocked up? 🙂
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
What a fun night and you wear that L.B.D. so well! In the opening pic that’s straight-on, you look like you’re about 4 mos preg, max! And glad your dinner was perfect!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
That’s so nice that you all got a final date night before you all become a family of 3!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
You look gorgeous, Kath 🙂
I love quaint towns with antique stores. So nostalgic!
Amanda M says
Ah! Can’t believe any day now you are going to post it’s baby time! Everytime you are “late” with a post my first thought is you must be hospital bound. I get all excited for you!
Emily says
I think the same thing! 🙂
Jeanine says
Squeezing in a pre-baby date night was a great idea! My husband and I did the same thing the Saturday before my due date and had such a good time that we actually made reservations the following Saturday because, based upon what everyone was telling us, I was sure to go beyond my due date. Alas, those reservations had to be canceled because our baby boy arrived on my exact due date! Meeting our son that follwing Saturday was even more exciting than a date night. Perhaps your story will be similar. Best of luck in these final days of pregnancy! 🙂
KathEats says
I will cross my fingers for the same!
Jessica says
So weird to open this post and see my hometown! I was just there this morning, at Newtown Baking. We love Grandmas Bait and just last week we browsed that antique store but the only thing we walked out with, was a $2 china doll that my five year old just “had to have!” Looks like you had a great night!
KathEats says
Fun! It was very cute!
j3nn says
You rocked that dress! You looked pregnant pretties. 🙂
And your dinner is right on! I would have gotten the same thing. Love the mac ‘n cheese boat. Drool!!
Cristin says
Is that “Armour” as in “Armour Hot Dogs?”
I had a year of college at Mary Baldwin, so I’m very aquatinted with those streets. Beautiful area!
KathEats says
Probably! I wouldn’t have known it was hot dogs, thanks!
daphna says
You look so cute! Where did you get those shoes?
KathEats says
They are my favorite… I got them from Loehmanns and would love a new pair but the brand has rubbed off!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
You are adorable!!
Such a great date night. I adore traveling to find new restaurants, it becomes an excuse to splurge haha.
Simply Life says
agree with the above comments- that dress is so cute and you look absolutely gorgeous in it!
Sarah (The Simple Dietitian) says
What a fun date!! You look so lovely! 😀
bri says
I wish I had known you were going to Staunton, I would have definitely told you to save room for the homemade gelato!!!! We stopped there overnight to break up a 16 hour road trip with our 6 month old twins so grabbing something quick was the plan…we decided to have food delivered to our hotel, but ventured out for something sweet and stumbled upon an ice cream shop. The flavors were so unique and really, really tasty. As weird as it sounds, my absolute favorite was the Guinness Gelato! Glad you had a good time though and enjoyed the town 🙂
KathEats says
We saw that place! Just too full : (
Kristen @ The Balanced Bowl says
What a great date night!! That little town looks so cute. I love to read the excitement in your posts about becoming a family of three. I am so excited for you both. Best of luck!
Amanda @flecksofgreen says
1. Your dress is beautiful! 2. That sign is so cute–I want it! and 3. Your food looks amazing–the cheese plate looks so delicious!
Karen says
You looked so pretty last night and that dress is adorable, Kath!
Susan says
Love your dress, love your box. The tri-pic with the license plates/old soda bottles – is that inside of Grandma’s Bait?
KathEats says
No one down the street
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
What a wonderful date night! 🙂 Glad it was worth the trip- that vintage box is cute!
….I already live 1.5 hours away from my hospital (with NO hospitals on the way) my poor husband is so scared that my labor will be short and he’ll have to deliver the baby!
That dress is so super cute! You just look beautiful!!
Jenica says
I love your dress! Looks like you two had a great time.
Kori says
You look absolutely beautiful, Kath! Your date night sounds like it was perfect, and I am getting so excited for you to be officially meeting your baby boy very soon!! 🙂 Hope you were able to get a good night’s sleep.
Fancy says
Love your dress, you look so beautiful!
Emily says
Kath! That dress is to DIE for! Have you done maternity pictures? You should take a few shots in that dress, it’s so darn cute! And the belt? Love! Glad you were able to go out on a date, you can still go on dates after the babe arrives – but it’s not the same 😉
KathEats says
We took a few extras last night 🙂 Saving up for newborn photos
Emily @ Life on Food says
You squeezing through the aisles reminds me when I have a big bag on my shoulders or back. You have to be careful! Super cute!
Kim says
I love your dress! Where did you get it?
KathEats says
Motherhood
KathEats says
(And thanks!)
Tracy says
You guys are doing such a great job of getting in those last date nights! I don’t think my husband and I did a very good job of that. Here we are 16+ years later and our date nights are still relegated to home as we drive our 4 young teens here and there or stay home because they have friends over….someday we’ll get back in the habit… We actually did better at going on dates when we hired babysitters when they were toddlers.
Spice Chicken says
Your EARRINGS are lovely! Of course the dress is great too, and you look amazing in it.
How was the bourbon barrel porter? I tried bourbon barrel stout at Bluegrass Brewing Company in Louisville and found it quite tasty, but then again I like bourbon anything.
Matt says
They are pretty similar. I feel the stout is a little more robust in every way – roastiness, alcohol flavor (although it’s lower in alcohol), rich malty flavor, and its body. The porter leaned a little more towards chocolate and vanilla. Both are excellent. I’ve liked pretty much everything I’ve had from Williamsburg Aleworks.
Spice Chicken says
Thanks, Matt! I will have to hunt down some Williamsburg Aleworks. My spouse and I really enjoy visiting breweries, tasting, and touring together (sound familiar?). I get to travel more than he does, and I always bring home beer and chocolate. This is especially exciting when I go to Europe. I really wish BBC sold singles!
Angel7 says
It seems like you had a great time out for date night!
You looked pretty in your black dress!
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Jeanie says
Your dinner is exactly what I’d order. It looks absolutely scrumptious!
Aimee says
Wow. What a darling dress! Believe it or not, my favorite LBD was maternity and I still miss it 7 years later :(. Best of luck to you in the next few weeks.
Gina @HealthLoveandChocolate says
The restaurant looks great! Farm-to-table is definitely my favorite type of place as well.
Pam says
What a lovely date night! You are simply glowing Kath!
Crab cakes looks awesome 🙂
chris says
I love Zynodoa so much. I’m from Staunton and live in Richmond now but everytime I go back to Staunton I try to eat there. Service is always right on point and the food is always the same way. My favorite restaurant!!
Kayla says
you look so pretty in that classy black dress kath!
jenna says
next time you are in staunton you should try the Bistro. Really good and super affordable.