The weekend I had been waiting for finally came: Parents’ Weekend at Hampton University. I finally got to head back down, spend some time with my daughter, and enjoy a little bit of college-mom life from the visitor side.
Her father and I drove down, hi g out for a few, made the necessary Walmart run to restock her on everything she absolutely did not need, and eventually started talking about where we should eat. That’s when she mentioned Milk and Honey, a Southern-inspired restaurant right behind campus that she had been wanting to try.
By the time we left, the three of us had each walked away with a slightly different experience. Here’s our Milk and Honey Hampton VA review.
Getting There, Parking and Reservations
Milk and Honey sits in a shopping plaza right behind Hampton University, which makes it especially convenient if you’re visiting campus. Students can easily walk over, and if you’re driving, there’s a shared parking lot with the surrounding businesses. We had no trouble finding a spot.
When we first arrived, the hostess let us know that we may need to make a reservation or sit outside. Since it wasn’t especially warm that day, sitting outside wasn’t really an option for us. Fortunately, she was able to accommodate us inside almost immediately.
Even though everything worked out for us, I’d still recommend making a reservation if you already know you want to go, especially during busier weekends or campus events.
The Atmosphere at Milk and Honey Hampton VA
The restaurant has has a cozy, modern atmosphere with a strong Black cultural influence throughout the space.
Deep blue and burnt-orange walls, dark wood accents, greenery, warm lighting, and large hand-painted portraits of Black musicians and cultural figures give the restaurant plenty of personality. There was also background music playing while we ate, but it stayed subtle enough that we could easily talk across the table.
The dining room is intimate, with tables sitting fairly close together. Families are welcome, and I noticed high chairs available for toddlers, but personally, I’d probably save bringing my toddler for a day when we could sit outside. The patio has several tables, umbrellas, and planters and gives you a little more room during warmer weather.
And need to dress up. Neat, casual street wear fits the space perfectly. It’s relaxed enough for an everyday meal but still polished enough for brunch, a casual date, or dinner with friends.
The Service
The service was excellent from the moment we walked in.
Our waitress accommodated every request we made, got our order exactly right, and checked on us often enough that we never felt forgotten without hovering over the table. She was friendly, well spoken, always smiling, and made us feel comfortable throughout the meal.
What I appreciated most was that the friendliness didn’t seem limited to our table. I noticed other servers interacting with their guests, and everyone seemed equally warm and attentive.
Jamil and Jordyn agreed that the service was great too, so this was one part of the experience we were all completely on the same page about.
Service gets a 10 out of 10 from us.
Milk and Honey Hampton VA Review: What We Ordered
Appetizers for the Table
We started with two orders of crispy calamari and the hot honey crispy wings.
The calamari was good, especially with the green goddess sauce that came with it. I liked the sauce enough that I started dipping my wings in it too.
My only real issue was the portion. The calamari pieces were smaller than what I’m used to getting at other restaurants, and they were mixed throughout the greens instead of sitting as a larger pile on top. Because of that, the plate looked fuller than the actual amount of calamari you were getting.
For $16, I would have preferred either slightly larger pieces or a little more of it. The flavor was good, though, and I still finished mine.
The hot honey wings were excellent. They were crispy, flavorful, and something I would absolutely order again.
What I Ordered
I ordered the 12-ounce ribeye medium rare with a side of macaroni and cheese and the Cherry Blossom Lychee Martini.
The steak came out exactly the way I like it. It was flavorful, cooked correctly, and still had plenty of pink in the center. The asparagus still had a little crunch instead of being soft or soggy, and the potatoes were good as well.
The mac and cheese was the weakest part of my plate. I still ate mine, but it was much milder than I expected and could have used more seasoning.
The Cherry Blossom Lychee Martini was the drink I’d order again without hesitation. It’s made with Roku gin, lychee liqueur, yuzu syrup, lemon juice, and an edible cherry blossom flower. I had never seen that combination on a cocktail menu before, and I loved it.
Since it was listed on the specials menu during our visit, I wouldn’t necessarily assume it will always be available.
What Jordyn Ordered
Jordyn had the Chicken & Biscoff Waffle with lemon pepper wings, a side of fries, and a Lavender Lemonade.
She liked everything she ordered. The wings were crispy and flavorful, the waffle had enough sweetness without being too sweet, and the fries were lightly seasoned and good, even if they were more of a standard side.
Her Lavender Lemonade was another win.
Jordyn gave the food a 9.5 out of 10.
What Jamil Ordered
Jamil ordered the Caribbean Jerk Lamb Chops, substituted the asparagus for macaroni and cheese, and had the Spicy Guava Margarita.
He thought the lamb chops were seasoned well, but for him they were more “good” than memorable. He wouldn’t order them again.
He also thought the portion was small. We knew they were lollipop lamb chops, so before he ordered, we specifically asked how many came with the entrée and were initially told six. When the plate arrived, there were three. We didn’t make a big deal out of it because it seemed like an honest mistake, but hearing six definitely helped influence his decision to order them in the first place.
The mac and cheese was the biggest miss for him. In his words, it was under-seasoned and “mushy.”
He did enjoy the Spicy Guava Margarita.
Jamil gave the food a 6 out of 10. He’s also the pickiest eater at the table, so take that for what it’s worth.
As far as portion sizes went, we were satisfied. Jordyn and I both ended up taking most of our entrées home after filling up on the appetizers, so the portions felt substantial without being excessive.
How Much Does Milk and Honey Hampton VA Cost?
Our bill came to $236.09 before tip for three people, but I don’t think that number alone gives a fair picture of what it costs to eat here.
If we had ordered only our three entrées and three drinks, our subtotal would have been about $142, or roughly $47 per person before tax.
The rest came from the extra appetizers, added sides, and substitutions we chose, which pushed our subtotal up to $208 before tax.
* Menu and prices shown are from our visit and may change.
What I’d Try Next Time
If I went back for brunch, I’d probably order Chef Sammy’s Award-Winning Shrimp & Grits. That’s the dish I keep thinking about after the fact.
I also wouldn’t mind having the Smothered Chicken & Biscuits, and trying some of the more traditional Southern sides, especially the collard greens.
I was way too full to even think about dessert this time, but the Banana Cheesecake and Sweet Potato Bread Pudding both sounded really good. Those would definitely be on my radar for a future visit.
Would I Go Back to Milk and Honey?
Yes, I would go back.
I enjoyed my food, the service was excellent, and there are still several things on the menu I want to try.
I’d, for sure, visit again the next time I’m in town, assuming it fits into the budget that weekend, because apparently I can’t be trusted around a menu with this many things I want to try.
And if you ever find yourself in New Jersey, you can check out my recent Wu’s Fish House review too.
At this rate, visiting your college student may need its own dining budget.
Thanks for doing life with me.
— Lexi
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