Familiar Flavors.
Stories Worth Sharing.
Bold New Bites on the Way!
For the next 40 days, we’re celebrating everything that makes Second Street special — the familiar flavors guests have loved for years, bold new bites, the people behind every plate, and the memories made around our tables. Follow along as we share throwback photos, team stories, guest memories, signature dishes and a few new reasons to come back.
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Follow Along With 40 Days of Second Street…
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Williamsburg
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Newport News
Virtual Tour Williamsburg
Step Inside Our Williamsburg Location!
Take a virtual tour of our Williamsburg location exploring our restaurant’s lobby where you are greeted, the main dining room, the bar area, and our outdoor patio! It’s a great way to see the restaurant and decide where you want to sit and enjoy your next visit to our highly rated and “locals favorite” Williamsburg restaurant. We can’t wait to greet you in our lobby very soon!
Virtual Tour Newport News
Step Inside Our Newport News Location!
Take a virtual tour of our Newport News location exploring our restaurant’s lobby where you are greeted, the main dining room, the bar area, and our outdoor patio! It’s a great way to see the restaurant and decide where you want to sit and enjoy your next visit to our highly rated and “locals favorite” Newport News restaurant. We can’t wait to greet you in our lobby very soon!
Our Story
Second Street has been part of the Williamsburg community since 1985, when brothers John and Mickey Chohany — both born and raised in Williamsburg — took over the restaurant with a simple commitment: serve great food, take care of people and create a place where guests feel genuinely welcome.
More than four decades later, that philosophy remains at the heart of Second Street.
Over the years, Second Street has grown and evolved alongside the communities it serves. In 2007, the original Williamsburg restaurant underwent a major transformation, becoming the modern American bistro guests know today — an inviting, upscale-casual gathering place built around memorable food, warm hospitality and a comfortable atmosphere.
In 2013, Second Street expanded across the Peninsula with the opening of its Newport News location, bringing the same spirit, menu and commitment to hospitality to a new community.
Through every chapter, the people behind Second Street have been just as important as the food coming out of the kitchen. Many members of the team have spent years — and in some cases decades — growing alongside the restaurant and building relationships with generations of guests.
Among them is Chef Chris Long, who joined Second Street in 2006 and has spent more than 20 years helping shape its culinary direction, culture and guest experience. Today, Chris serves as Managing Partner, leading Second Street into its next chapter with the support of its deeply experienced team.
John and Mickey remain involved with the restaurant, continuing the relationship and mentorship that have helped shape Second Street for decades. Together, they and the team are carrying forward the values and traditions that have made Second Street a familiar part of life in Williamsburg and Newport News.
While menus evolve and new ideas find their way to the table, some things have never changed: our belief that the guest is the reason we are here, our commitment to genuine hospitality, and our love of bringing people together over great food and drink.
Today, both Second Street locations offer familiar favorites alongside new dishes, lively bars, thoughtfully selected wines, craft beers and cocktails, and plenty of reasons to gather with family, friends and colleagues.
After more than 40 years, we’re proud of where Second Street has been — and excited about where we’re going.
Same spirit. Same team. Still Second Street.
Our Philosophy
Delighting Our Guests
We will strive to understand our guests’ needs by listening to their requirements and responding in a competent, accurate and timely fashion. We will design and deliver our services and products to address their needs. In fact, we are committed to exceeding their expectations by surprising them with our ability to anticipate and fulfill their wishes.
Working Together
We will emphasize the sharing of responsibility, accountability and recognition through a climate of teamwork. By working together as a team and by treating each other with mutual respect and trust, we will all contribute to the Group’s overall success more productively than if we worked alone.
Promoting a Climate of Enthusiasm
We are committed to everyone at Second Street by providing a caring, motivating and rewarding environment. We are committed to bringing out the best in our staff through effective training and meaningful career and personnel development, and by encouraging individuality and initiative.
Being the Best
We will strive to be an innovative leader in the restaurant industry and will continually improve our products and services. We will seek from our suppliers the highest quality products and services at the best value.
Playing by the Rules
We will maintain integrity, fairness and honesty in both our internal and external relationships and will consistently live up to our commitments. After all, “INTEGRITY IS DOING WHAT’S RIGHT WHEN NO ONE IS LOOKING.”
Acting with Responsibility
We will actively participate in the Williamsburg community and will be a responsible member by supporting the local community, businesses and charities.
Our Award Winning Wine
Aratas – founded on decades of experience.
A premium collage of old world artisan oenology and new world viticulture, “Aratas” (pronounced Era-toss), is the Napa Valley’s producer committed to the cultivation of single vineyard designate Petite Sirah. A noble vitis vinifera born from Syrah and Peloursin, Petite is hearty with history (circa 1884) and perseverance. One of the founding noble Fathers in America’s wine history, Heritage Petite Sirah links the most historic land in America- our vineyards in Napa Valley and our home near the first permanent English settlement of Jamestown at Williamsburg Va.
The brand is a partnership founded on decades of experience in our country’s food and wine culture. Co-Proprietors, brothers John and Mickey Chohany, launched their first of many notable culinary endeavors; Second Street Restaurant an American Bistro in 1985 in the historic hamlet of Williamsburg, Virginia . Twenty five years later, led by Vintner Stephanie Douglas-Chohany the partners founded Aratas Wine and created the perfect pairing to complete their culinary vision. Aratas, by definition; a “harvest of gold” is named to honor the Chohany’s Hungarian heritage. The family is very selective and is devoted to producing exceptional vineyard designate wines uniting sustainable practices with state of the art vinification processes.
Come for a taste then order award winning, highly rated Aratas Wine at Second Street or online for direct to your cellar delivery at www.AratasWine.com
Notables:
“Top Rhones of California” Wine Spectator
“Best in the West” Sunset Magazine
“Napa’s Legacy Grape” Wine Enthusiast
Contact/Find Us
Find our locations, hours of operation, give us a ring or drop us a line anytime. A member of our management team will reply.
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