In a small beach town that’s well known for excellent cuisine, Aqua has firmly established itself as an equal to all of the town’s best choices. From it’s delicious culinary creations, astoundingly great service, interior design, and of course, the ability to dine inside or out while viewing an “exquisite” sunset, Aqua is a must go-to for locals or tourists alike.

 

Aqua also is known for its popular spa that’s located on the second floor of this soundside establishment. So, a quick note to any husband who happens to be currently dwelling in the proverbial doghouse: treat your wife to dining downstairs and a spa session upstairs at Aqua. You should at least graduate to the living room couch, if not firmly reestablished once again in her heart. Yes, you’re welcome.

 

Not only are the dining choices superb, but the variety will transcend practically anyone’s taste for seafood. But yes, they also have other items to choose from such as grilled Filet Mignon with all the exotic trimmings, Shrimp and Grits in an elegant form, pan seared crab cakes, Shrimp and Black Truffle Pasta, and since Aqua is in Duck, there’s even an “exquisite”Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast selection. The desserts are not just “exquisite,” but epic as well.

 

As we all know, a fine restaurant experience is far more than just food. It takes so many other aspects to elevate a simply elegant meal to an even higher level of culinary adventure.

 

One of the most noticeably examples is Aqua’s location right on the waterfront. Along one exterior wall, there’s romantic tables for two that literally have their own windows overlooking miles of water where the Currituck and Albermarle sound meet. Yes, that’s looking due west which means, if you and Mother Nature time things right, you will be rewarded with one of those “exquisite” Outer Banks sunsets.

 

Another great aspect of Aqua is their attentive, knowledgeable, and hard working staff. From their cool bar on the north side of the building to the kitchen on the south side and all in between, Aqua has obviously built up a dependable staff of culinary professionals who genuinely strive for you to have that unforgettable dining experience.

 

As the son of an architect, I was groomed in the importance of a building’s design, and this one is simply perfect for a restaurant and bar. (Yes, a spa as well.) I love the long narrow seating section on its southern side, which somehow makes each table seem relatively intimate in nature.

 

One side of the dining floor has windows overlooking the sound and the opposite wall contains three captivating Modern Impressionist paintings of Duck actually painted by one of their servers, Aerin. She is a classic OBX surfer/sailing/artist young lady who paints eye popping images of the Outer Banks everywhere from exterior murals to restaurant walls to surfboards. And, of course, she is just as talented in the field of restaurant hospitality.

 

While I enjoy using words like “exquisite” when they’re richly deserved, I often hark back to old cliches I learned from the rural town where I grew up. When I think of Aqua, one that comes to my mind is, “That place is running on all cylinders!” What a treasure to the Outer Banks!”