Elegant and Comfortable Dining at Hotel Petersburg

A new boutique hotel in Petersburg, Virginia, offers three distinctive dining and drinking options, worthwhile stops for locals and guests (and easy to get to, just off I-95). Given its historic setting, a peek at the context provides a richer appreciation of staying and dining at Hotel Petersburg, with deeper dives into Shirley’s restaurant, the Boiler Room bar, and Twenty West Rooftop Lounge.

Petersburg, Virginia, has a storied history and a blossoming future. I had the chance to check out the city’s newly opened Petersburg Hotel on my birthday, along with the cozy speakeasy-style bar and elegant dining at Shirley’s restaurant.

Histories in a nutshell

Petersburg

Petersburg began as many American colonial cities did – as a settlement on the rapids along a river that flowed to the ocean. In this case, the Appomattox River gave birth to Petersburg. A canal was built to bypass the rapid to enable inland trade, much of which involved the cash crop, tobacco, and railroads were established to support commerce and transportation.

Those railroads made Petersburg a strategic location during the Civil War. The town suffered through the nine-month Siege of Petersburg, which included the tragic Battle of the Crater. When Petersburg fell to the Union Army, the capital of the Confederacy in Richmond was not far behind. During the early years, through the Civil War, and beyond, African Americans have played important roles in the town’s story.

Many historic Petersburg structures still stand, adding aesthetic appeal to the history.

Hotel Petersburg

The six-story, 125-room Petersburg Hotel was constructed in 1915, on the site of the 30-room Shirley Hotel.  The hotel thrived, hosting visiting Shriners, formal society dances, benefit events, conferences. It also experienced a few colorful incidents, like the 1919 guest hiding illegal narcotics and the 1969 kidnappers who had checked in, and who, when they knew the jig was up, tossed money from the ransom payment out of the window into the alley. Over the years, it saw fires both accidental and intentional and the building of a bomb shelter. After 55 years, the city was struggling to find its footing in the historic downtown area and the hotel closed.

Today, as the city experiences its revival, the hotel has reopened. The boutique Hotel Petersburg maintains the beautiful structure and architectural highlights of the original while adding the comforts that modern guests expect. Guests can relax in king rooms, queen rooms, or suites, available with conveniences and amenities as well as hearing and mobility accessible features.

The grand lobby includes a grand marble staircase, wood-panel wainscotting, Corinthian-styled pilasters, gold trim, and an ornate, coffered ceiling.

Drinking and dining at Hotel Petersburg

Three distinct dining and drinking options make the hotel a worthwhile destination, from cellar to rooftop.

Boiler Room

We began our evening of dining at Hotel Petersburg downstairs, descending to the Boiler Room. In the speakeasy-style lounge, design contrasts set the stage: distressed brick walls and exposed ductwork mix with comfortable upholstered velvet seating and chandeliers for a casual vintage yet comfortable and upscale experience. The cellar space was, indeed, the hotel’s boiler room, but it now exudes a speakeasy vibe.

The craft cocktails and small plates take the experience to the next level. The Prohibition-era cocktails could have been served during the early days of the Hotel Petersburg, though some have modern-day twists. While the French 75 Circa 1915 and Bee’s Knees use classic recipes, The Aviation Circa 1916, begins with gin, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice and includes crème de violette (omitted in many later-day Aviation recipes). Cold Fashion includes the expected rye and bitters but adds coffee liqueur. The Basil Hayden Sidecar uses bourbon in place of cognac, plus orange liqueur and lemon juice.

While the bar bites don’t stick with the Prohibition theme, they make cozy sides for the drinks: cheddar cornbread with pimento cheese, shrimp cocktail shooter, chicken empanadas, lollipop lamb chops, mixed nuts, and more.

Shirley’s restaurant and bar

After drinks downstairs, we moved to the main dining room: Shirley’s. The spaces continues the grand design and high ceiling of the lobby, adding polished wooden floors and ceiling-high windows along with creamy-white marble columns and seating for a bright, airy feel.

The menu at Shirley’s highlights regional Southern fare and seasonal cuisine, such as fried green tomato and buratta, au gratin mac and cheese, braised short rib, and spicy shrimp and sausage. Diners can stray out of a strict Southern theme with a 12-ounce ribeye, smashed burger, pork chop, and oven roasted chicken.

Options thoughtfully consider dietary preferences, marked as vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan (or vegan option) as well as if a dish contains nuts. The Virginia Classic Farm Plate ensures that even vegetarian diners won’t feel left out.

My salmon entrée was nicely blackened and crispy, tender and perfectly done inside. The Brussels sprouts and apple chutney accompaniments provided both complements and contrasts to the rich salmon flavors.

For dessert, we shared a key lime pie and a seven-layer coconut cake with toasted coconut and vanilla crème anglaise. Both were worth saving room for!

Drinks include local craft beers and domestic, wine, and cocktails.

Shirley’s also offers grab ’n’ go breakfast, a convenience for hotel guests.

Twenty West Rooftop Lounge

Sadly, my cool-weather visit to the Hotel Petersburg came before the seasonal opening of the rooftop bar. Pre-opening information promises comfortable modern seating, a fire pit, and views of historic Olde Town Petersburg as well as views toward the Appomattox River. The menu includes handhelds, like andouille sausage on a crusty roll andgrilled vegetable ciabatta, alongside dips and desserts – and, of course, cocktails and other bar options.

While you’re at the Hotel Petersburg

Residents of Central Virginia could enjoy an overnight there after dining at Hotel Petersburg. Out-of-towners certainly would want to make a full trip of this.

While in town, enjoy a wide range of area activities: recreation along the Appomattox River, lots of history (from the mid-17th century to Civil War battlefields and memorials and beyond) art galleries, creative local retailers and studios. Visitors can find more information at VisitPetersburgVa.org.

Hotel Petersburg
20 W. Tabb St., Petersburg, Va.
TheHotelPetersburg.com