99
Main Restaurant is an independently owned, 75 seat restaurant
in the historic neighborhood of Hilton Village
in Newport News, Virginia. Originally conceived by Jimmy
and Christine Ferguson as they reminisced about the comfort of
living in Hilton, 99 Main was the first fine dining eatery
in Newport News. Gleaming treasures from Christine’s
years in the antiques business create an elegant yet, casual
atmosphere. World traveler and CIA graduate Jimmy completes
the picture with a cuisine anchored in French classics
and technique, but always accented by his flair for individuality.
The Ferguson’s vision for refining Newport News cuisine
has been supported by virtually the same chef and kitchen staff
for the past six years. Chef Angus Channon credits the Ferguson’s
flexibility and truly family like environment with keeping
his group together. “Jimmy and Christine encourage us
to change the menu to suit the seasons, use local products,
experiment with new foods, find new ways to make it fun and
that’s exactly what we want to do. Shared vision makes
a team. It doesn’t hurt that we all live in Hilton, too.” Chef
Angus asserts.
Jimmy’s quest to do the best for his kitchen has led
to many improvements. He began the restaurant with a brick
oven, surplus cooking equipment, and old soda coolers. Over
the years a new stove and ovens came, then an overhaul of the
grill and finally to everyone’s joy a walk in refrigerator
was built. Now the restaurant can even cure its own fish
and bacon.
The front of the house staff has a true commitment to excellence.
Original bartender Fred Rich and floor manager Jason Mingee
guide daily operations with smoothness that takes the intimidation
out of fine dining and leaves only the pleasure.
99 Main has established itself as a fixture in both the
Hilton neighborhood and the good life in Newport News.
It all started
with a few cocktails and talk of a brighter future for
the city. That’s usually the way the evening ends
here too.
