The Hard Shell
1411 E. Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804-643-2333
We arrived at The Hard Shell restaurant on a Saturday at approximately 5:00 PM. We were immediately greeted by a friendly host and seated promptly. We were quite pleased visually with the cozy, warm and inviting space.
We started with a basket of bread which was served with a very tasty butter. Soon our salads were delivered. We really enjoyed them. They consisted of a very fresh and lively collection of mixed greens etc. What made them really awesome was the superb Wasabi Ginger dressing. It was so good I had to ask for another portion!
Rhonda had the barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes and asparagus. They said “everything tasted great!” I had the lobster, potatoes with skin, and we also added a side of fries. And we were really glad once we tasted them. They were seasoned very well and came with a very tasty dipping sauce which had a bit of a kick to it as well. I liked the lobster but really prefer to dip my lobster in drawn butter so I can control the amount etc. This lobster was infused with butter during the cooking process. It was a bit over powering for me. It was good but not the best I’ve had in Richmond. Over all we really enjoyed our meal. We topped it off with a chocolate brownie with strawberry sauce and ice cream. It was really good!
This is a very cozy spot. It’s perfect for romantic dinners and even entertaining special friends or relatives etc. Our bill was $97.62 and out we rate this restaurant 4 out of 5 stars. We also put this one on our favorites list for sure. Give it a try and let us know how you liked it.
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Copper Grill Lobster & Steak House
11800 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23233
804-364-9408
We arrived at Copper Grill on 6/12/09 at 5:45pm. We were promptly greeted by the hostess and kindly asked to wait for a couple minutes to be seated. While waiting we admired the very large lobsters in the tank which sits just inside the entrance.
Upon being seated we were given a menu and warmly greeted by the wait staff. At Copper Grill you often have more then one person taking care of your needs. It’s a nice touch. Service was excellent and it’s been consistent every time we’ve been there. We started with the Jumbo Shrimp appetizer. It was verrrrrrry good. The shrimp are HUGE and the cocktail sauce ties it together in a remarkable way. We really love it!
Entrees included steamed lobster and fillet respectively. Ala Carte sides included creamed corn, fries, and asparagus. The lobster is really good at this establishment. The actually have a HUGE lobster option large enough to feed an entire family for around $300. Imagine that! The fillet was quite tasty. The sides were good but not as good as they usually are. Perhaps they’re breaking in a new chef or something.
This is a great romantic spot to take someone for a nice meal in a cozy spot. It’s quiet. The lights are slightly dimmed. And the booths offer semi privacy. It is a bit pricey. Our bill was $175.82. Out of 5 stars we rate Copper Grill & Steak House 3.5. It’s also on our favorites list.
The North Pole
1558 River Road West
Crozier, VA 23039
804-784-4222
We arrived at 5:00 pm on 8/1/09. We were immediately greeted by a very warm and friendly hostess and promptly seated. Our waitress appeared within a minute or so and cheerfully took our drink order. It seemed like only a moment or so had passed before our drinks were on the table. The menu selection was a bit on the small side. However, the choices would suit just about everyone. Beef, chicken, fish, seafood etc.
We started with the Jumbo Shrimp appetizer. Again, it seemed like no time had passed before it was on the table. We were very pleased with the fast service. We loved this appetizer. The shrimp were large and they were very fresh. They were extremely tasty when combined with the homemade cocktail sauce. It sure packed a bite that was very tasty if you enjoy spicy stuff!
Next our salads arrived, They were pretty basic as this establishment doesn’t offer tomatoes on their salads. We thought it was weird in today’s times but we rolled with it. The salads were simply greens, carrots, and red onion. The thing that really jumped out at us about the salads were the homemade dressings. We had blue cheese and Parmesan peppercorn. Both were absolutely fantastic, and then some! They had a sharp bold flavor you just have to taste to really appreciate.
They didn’t have bottled water so I settled for cranberry juice. They served it in a very small glass. So I had to have several to accompany my meal. I would have liked a larger glass. In fairness I didn’t request one. However, if I had (since they charge for each small glass) I’m sure it would have evened out to be the same in the end.
Our entree selections were Surf N Turf (Lobster & Fillet) with baked potato. And Lobster with baked potato and onion rings. While I prefer steamed lobster for its texture, I have to admit the broiled lobster was quite tasty. It was cooked just right and wasn’t chewy or tough. Rhonda really liked the fillet and ate it without any sauce which is rare. It was a clear sign of how tasty she found her steak. The baked potatoes were large and lots of extra butter and sour cream was given. We especially liked the onion rings as well.
The North Pole is a very small, cozy, romantic spot tucked away in a rural section of Crozier, VA. It’s worth the ride to get to it. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting. It’s decorated well and the restaurant looks and smells fresh and clean. The staff was very accommodating and made us feel very welcomed and appreciated. We certainly will add this restaurant to our favorites list.
Our bill was $138.60 which was obviously a bit pricey. The food was really good. We enjoyed this establishment and rate it 3.75 out of 5 stars. We highly recommend it for special occasions.
Bottega Bistro
11400-123 West Huguenot Road
Midlothian, VA 23113
804-379-9899
At 12:43pm on 4/26/09 we entered Bottega’s for brunch. We were warmly greeted and promptly seated. Our waiter Chad was very attentive and explained the brunch layout and gladly answered questions.
We opted for the brunch bar which consisted of eggs, bacon, potatoes, biscuits, gravy, French toast, fruit, soups, pasta, sausage, and many desert options. The layout was simple yet well presented. Everything looked fresh and was well maintained.
We started with the Tomato Asiago soup which was absolutely delicious. Next we had Bruschetta which was very fresh and had a delightful taste. For our main meal we had eggs, bacon, sausage bacon gravy, biscuits, French toast, potatoes, and pasta. Everything was great. The eggs were especially good with their light and fluffy texture. They weren’t watery or greasy. They were prepared perfectly.
We finished with a variety of the bite sized deserts. They were awesome. The key lime offering was superb. We especially liked the bite sized portions which allowed us to sample many without loading up our plate.
The restaurant was clean. The atmosphere was friendly, quiet, and inviting. It was semi casual and nice.The tea was great and service was perfect. We never had to wait for anything. We were made to feel as if we were appreciated and valued as customers. Many other local restaurant owners would do well to visit and take some cues. Our bill was $38.84 and we rate Bottega’s Bistro 4 out of 5 stars.
Taella’s Bistro
13561 Midlothian Turnpike
Midlothian, VA 23113
804-378-4680
On March 21, 2009 we entered Taella’s Bistro at 9:00pm. We were immediately greeted with a warm friendly smile, seated, and given a menu. Our drink order was taken and drinks were on our table in what seemed like less than a minute. Our waitress was really on point. Service with a smile and attentiveness go a very long way with us. We do appreciate great service!
We opened up with very nicely presented salads which were a mix of field greens, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, onion etc. The homemade dressing just took our palates to another level of excitement. The dressing is so goooooood! Our entrees included a Smoked Barbecue Turkey sandwich which consists of pulled turkey marinated in the chefs secret recipe BBQ sauce with homemade slaw on a bun with a side of fries and asparagus. I can’t even begin to tell you how awesome this thing is. It’s truly a thing of culinary beauty. It tastes better than any sandwich I have ever had anywhere to date. And then some! It was really awesome. We also had the Peach Chipotle BBG Pork Chop served with mash potatoes and asparagus. To say this dish is tasty simply doesn’t do it appropriate justice. It’s that good!
The atmosphere of Taella’s Bistro is warm, cozy, friendly, and intimate. It’s the perfect place for a quiet lunch or romantic dinner. Because the chef has many culinary influences, the menu is diverse with lots of items you may not expect from a small restaurant located in a shopping center. This is one of those tucked away special places to eat you will remember. The slogan says it best… “Great food from our family to yours.”
Our bill was $39.05 and well worth it. We very highly recommend this restaurant and enthusiastically rate it 4.25 out of 5 stars. We’ve eaten here several times and have never been disappointed. The food is consistent and so is the service. This is one to tell your family and friends about. They will thank you.
Strawberry Street Cafe
421 Strawberry Street
Richmond, VA 23220
804-353-6860
We arrived at the cafe on 3/21/09 at 3:00pm. We were warmly greeted and seated. A short time later our waitress took our drink, appetizer, and entree order.
We ordered the Sun-Dried Tomato Bisque soup. It was good but a bit on the strong side. We also had the salad bar which was presented very well and contained a great variety of fresh fruits, pasta, soup, and other items. The salad bar is what many say put Strawberry Street Cafe on the map as far as national notoriety goes. They were featured on the TV show Jeopardy due to their bathtub salad bar.
Our entrees included the Crab Quiche and the Panino Al Pollo chicken sandwich which was marinated in Italian dressing, grilled, topped with provolone cheese, with lettuce, tomatoes, and dressed with pesto mayonnaise between slices of sun dried tomato focaccia bread. The sandwich was really tasty. The quiche was really really strong.
The atmosphere was busy with light jovial conversation. There was a good crowd which is usually the case any time we’ve been there in the past. It’s important to note out of fairness that on all of the other occasions the food and service have been great. Today however our waitress wasn’t very attentive. She seemed more interested in a couple tables with more people than us, despite the fact that we were seated first. One of the tines of my form was bent and despite my asking her for a replacement I never received one. We had to wait for beverage refills and for ketchup etc. She had a very cavalier attitude.
We do recommend this restaurant despite today’s bad service. Everyone has an off day now and again and we believe it just happened to be there’s this day. This is one of Richmond’s hot spots in terms of great food and usually great service. They have a wonderful menu and of course the salad bar is great too. They also offer several specials through the week and weekend brunch which is always packed. The salad bar is turned in to a breakfast brunch bar during brunch and they offer all sorts of really tasty items for everyone. If you’ve never been to Strawberry Street Cafe you should go.
Our meal was $36.60 and we rate it 2.5 out of 5 stars.
The Tobacco Company
1201 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219
804-782-9555
We arrived at The Tobacco Company restaurant on April 13, 2009 at 2:23pm. We entered to find a hostess that simply stared at us instead of greeting us and asking how many were in our party. It’s pretty clear when a couple walks in to a restaurant during operating hours they are most likely there to eat a meal. This was a turn off and a very poor representation of the overall establishment. Perhaps she was having a bad day.
We were seated upstairs at a nice table overlooking the many plants and tables that combined to make for a really nice eye pleasing mixture of decor and functionality. Our waiter promptly took our drink and food order and brought us a surprise basket of great tasting cinnamon buns! They were really sticky but also really good. They brought these after we had ordered so had we known this would be the case we would not have ordered the French Toast which was even more tasty! For our main course we had the Southern Breakfast Platter which consisted of city ham, three scrambled eggs, grits, and potatoes. Our second plate was an omelet, potatoes, fruit, and grits. The waiter nor the kitchen seemed to know the difference between city ham and country ham. However we did and although the ham was okay, it wasn’t in the same league of good country ham. The eggs were tasty. The grits and the potatoes each had an acquired taste to them.
Overall the meal was very nice. It was tasty. The biscuits did taste like they were from a mix and a bit on the bland side. The service was prompt and the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful. It was the perfect setting for a nice meal with great conversation and relaxed feelings. We really liked the way this place was laid out and presented. It was warm, friendly, and inviting. We also noticed that aside from the downstairs bar, they also have an upstairs one as well. Back downstairs there are several semi private booths and tables tucked away to allow families and groups to dine with more privacy.
The brunch menu was small however included something for everyone. The selections were diverse and appealing. Our meal was $40.79 which we felt was fair for the food and the experience. We rate Tobacco Company 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it very favorably.
The Boathouse at Sunday Park
4602 Millridge Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23112
804-744-2545
We arrived at the Boathouse restaurant on 3/15/09 at 1:35pm. We were greeted by a friendly host who escorted us upstairs to a great table overlooking the lake. There was a small mini bar and a wall mounted flat screen TV just above it. We were then greeted by our waiter who delivered menus and took our drink order.
After we received our drinks we placed our order for Brunch. We had a tough time deciding on what to order due to a great selection on both the brunch and regular menu. The brunch menu includes Omelette’s, French Toast, Strata, Waffles, Eggs Benedict, Pizza, and Sausage Gravy & Biscuits. The regular menu is diverse. Appetizers include Lobster Bisque, Oysters, Chicken & Avocado Egg Rolls, Ahi Tuna and more! The Hot & Cold section includes Maki Sushi Rolls, Salmon, a Seafood Tower plus other items. Tree salads are also available. The menu is mostly seafood with items such as Oysters, Mussels, Shrimp, Tilapia, Crab Cake, Tuna, Lobster, Scallops, Flounder, Mahi Mahi, and Swordfish. Selections also include 11 Pizza choices, Roasted Vegetables, Mashed Potatoes, Calzones, Italian Sausage, Creamed Spinach, Parmigiano Asparagus, and more. Steaks include Sirloin, Fillet, and Strip. And they also offer Grilled Chicken Asiago. Four great sounding deserts round out the menu.
We had a salad for openers. The salad was fresh and looked great. It was tasty. Next we had the Maki Rolls which were awesome. They are sushi rolls with rice, nori, cucumber, scallion, red pepper, ginger, and wasabi with a sweet soy dipping sauce. We opted for the Crunchy Shrimp rolls which also included avocado, macadamia, cilantro, and jalapeno! These were so goooooood! Our entrees included Crab & Asparagus Benedict which consists of buttermilk biscuits topped with poached eggs layered with Hollandaise sauce and fresh crab meat and potatoes on the side. This was a really good dish. The interesting twist of the biscuit versus the traditional English muffin commonly found in a dish of this type worked very well. I have to say the Hollandaise sauce did taste like a quick sauce mix. It was good but not as good as the Hollandaise sauce from Magnolia’s Wine Bar & Bistro. Our other entree was Sausage Gravy & Biscuits which was served with two scrambled eggs and a side of potatoes.
The atmosphere of this place is really great. The first thing you notice when approaching is the great lake views. In nice weather you can sit out on the patio and enjoy the water, the sun, and the great view. It’s really a neat way to dine. Inside is packed with lots of cozy spots to sit as well. We sat upstairs which had a great view of the lake. We enjoyed out meal to a live singer walking around with a guitar downstairs entertaining the crowd. There were plenty of people on hand but despite the numbers the overall loudness was minimal. They do have a full bar downstairs as well. The place was very clean and well maintained. The staff was very attentive and friendly.
This is one of those pleasant Richmond discoveries to take a first date. Married couples will love the cozy romantic lure. Our impression was this is a place we would love to take our out of town family and friends. This one is certainly going on our favorites list. And we think it will be on yours soon as well. Our bill was $46.34. We rate it four out of five stars.
Magnolia’s Wine Bar & Bistro
7201 Three Chopt Road
Richmond, VA 23226
804-673-WINE
We arrived at Magnolia’s Wine Bar & Bistro on 3/8/09 at 12:50pm. We were warmly greeted by a very friendly host as we entered the wine selection room which doubles as the main entrance to the bar and restaurant. Upon entering we were drawn to the relaxed layout. It offered clean lines with a touch of casual elegance. We were promptly seated, given menus, and placed our drink orders. Our waiter was very attentive and an all around nice guy who answered our questions and offered great recommendations.
Drinks were served really fast and it seemed like no time before complimentary blueberry muffins were on the table. They were good and an especially nice touch to get our meal started. We ordered a salad which came with a wonderful presentation in a very timely manner as well. It was very fresh and contained homemade dressing and an edible orchid flower. The dressing was simply marvelous. It was really really good!
The menu is limited. Soups include Crab & Red Pepper Bisque and Truffled Butternut Squash. Salads include Cobb, Classic Casear, and Manolia’s Garden. Main entrees include Belgian Waffle, Monte Cristo (ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese with a Pomegranate Aioli sandwiched between French Toast) Grilled Duck Breast, Fruits de la Mer in Foil (Seasonal fish stuffed with peppers, onions, garlic, squash, and zucchini grilled in foil and seasoned with fresh herbs and butter) Dr. B’s Burger and a couple more selections.
We had the Aged Center Cut Beef Tenderloin with mashed potatoes, sugar snap green beans, and a light brown sauce. It was very tasty and refreshing. We also had the Chesapeake Benedict consisting of two pouched eggs atop a couple of crab cakes with hollandaise sauce. This was a very familiar dish which stood out among many forms of it eaten elsewhere. This one was prepared perfectly. The crab cakes were fresh as was the sauce. This was a very well prepared dish offering incredible taste and satisfaction. This is a great choice.
The atmosphere is cozy, quiet, and a perfect brunch spot on Sunday. We especially liked the open area extending on to the outdoor patio with patio seating. It’s right off the bar / eating area and extends brings a nice breeze in to the room. The place is very clean and well kept. The staff is very friendly and seem very genuine. They offer a full bar and a very large wine selection. Although the menu is small, they do the few items offered extremely well. Our bill was $55.94 and we rate it 3.5 out of five stars.
Cafe Caturra
5811 Grove Avenue
Richmond, VA 23236
804-285-0690
We arrived at Cafe Caturra at 3:56pm on 2/28/09. Our first impression was how inviting the place looked from the street. As we approached we noticed a great patio area complete with lots of seating and a warm glowing outdoor fireplace. We were disappointed it was raining because we would have loved to have sat outside. It’s a very cozy, comfortable looking spot. As we entered we saw this same inviting design inside. There were several people gathered around tables, sitting on the sofa, and enjoying themselves. We saw people connected on laptops and even a couple business meetings taking place. The decor was simple yet classy. Everything was very clean. The floor plan is open and flows well.
We were cheerfully greeted with friendly smiles. We noticed a good wine selection and lots of coffee and beverage choices. The menu is listed above the counter and everyone orders prior to seating. There were several specials and also great looking cookies and other deserts displayed.
This cafe offers something for everyone from 7:00am – 9:00pm. Menu items include eggs prepared in a variety of ways, several great Paninis, soups, egg salad, tuna, salads, and a varying selection of artisan cheeses, meats & pates. We were surprised at the selection and found ourselves debating on what to get because everything looked so good!
We opted for Tomato Basil soup and also Thai Chicken Noodle soup. Both were very tasty and I especially liked the Thai soup. Our sandwiches included the Cuban Pork Panini and the Caturra Club. Both were really good. The club was very thick. It was tough to mass it down to be able to take a bite! They certainly didn’t skimp on it at all. We finished up with a Apple Turnover and coffee. Both were good.
This is a great spot to drop by for a good meal and catch up with friends, hang out and network with others, or even cozy up romantically. From the warm, friendly atmosphere, to the WiFi, to the great selections, it’s all a winning combination. There are two locations however this one is the best in terms of space, seating, layout, and selection. The food was really good. The service was great. The place was really clean. Our bill was $33.47 and well worth it. We rate Cafe Caturra four out of five stars.
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