We sat down with Executive Chef Matthew Bugarin of Freemason Abbey Restaurant in Norfolk, Virginia. Housed in a 150 year-old renovated church, Freemason Abbey Restaurant has been a local’s favorite in the heart of downtown Norfolk for 35 years. The menu at Freemason Abbey Restaurant features fresh seafood, steaks, pasta dishes, and their award-winning She Crab Soup.

One of the top reasons to visit Norfolk, Virginia is the Norfolk Botanical Garden, where you can explore 175 acres of landscaped gardens and trails, making it perfect for nature lovers. Additionally, the city is home to the USS Wisconsin, a retired battleship that provides a fascinating glimpse into naval history, alongside the Nauticus maritime museum, which showcases an aquarium.