This was the least positive dining experience that we had in historic Williamsburg. Our waitress was not helpful, she seemed distracted and she never came back after delivering our food unless we flagged her down after our water glasses were already empty.

The food was interesting and we had mixed reviews. We both ordered the colonial sampler platter which included five foods typical to colonial Williamsburg. The samplings included an extremely spicy, thick gumbo (we were glad it was only a sample), two carrot fritters, which were crispy on the outside and moist and sweet with carrots on the inside, two fried oysters that were succulent and served with just a dab of a remoulade sauce, a biscuit with county ham pate (very salty!), and a very small amount of mushroom fricassee served in a bowl of roll (tasty but almost not there). By now, we were discovering that colonial dining is not Atkins friendly!

On the menu at Shield's were rolls with butter, crab and pumpkin soup, tossed salad, venison stew, sweet potatoes, haricots verts, seafood paella, sweet and sour braised beef, pork chops, turkey with chestnut stuffing, Christmas pudding, and lemon bars. All of the food was served 18th-century family style (right down to the iron pot that the costumed waiter ladled our soup from) with unlimited seconds of everything, just for the asking. Most of the food was of high quality, although the turkey and stuffing did leave a bit to be desired. However, the ambience of the restaurant was what made our experience so memorable. As we were finishing our salad, a fully costumed bard strolled in singing Christmas carols. Mr. Shields himself paid us a visit as we finished our dessert. Since this was our last day in Williamsburg, spending Christmas in such a unique way created a lasting memory for us all.