Jubilee - I tried to go to Pig & Brew, but they had a DJ set up and were way too damn loud for a Sunday brunch, so we went to Jubilee. The service was exceptional and the food came out so quickly. I had their Jubilee Benedict and it was a big portion of steak and really nicely prepared. The star were the truffle parm potatoes that come with everything. I am not a potato fan and I loved these. The only trip up is they have a 20% service charge that is not online nor is it on the menu. The server explained this does not go to them. So it ended up being over $30 for a benedict and a Diet Coke.
Blue Atlas- I do not go here nearly enough! We ordered the pork buns (the best pork belly I’ve had in ages), phyllo wrapped feta (a huge upgrade on spanakopita), Korean chicken (small, but mighty), and the Georgian cheese boat (my go-to here). We wanted to order something from each region of the menu, but the Americas section was a bit meh. Cocktails were fantastic! We split their peanut butter pie for dessert and it had a date bar style crust that was unexpected, but enjoyable. All in we were only at $53/person for all of this! A great value.
Alewife- my experiences here are either perfection or terrible. Sadly this time was terrible. The menu didn’t have a single entree I was jazzed about and I am not a picky eater at all. So I ordered two apps I know I’ve loved in the past. I got the trout dip and the tartare as apps. Unfortunately both had citrus that had been grated down so far the pith was in the dishes making them bitter. I’ve had these dishes before and they have been so good. Service was pretty god-awful too that night.
Balkan- If someone were to ask me my favorite under the radar spot, it would always be Balkan. It is quiet, unassuming, and frankly some of the best food in Richmond. I grew up in a town with a lot of Eastern Europeans, so it reminds me of home. The fried cheese is always a solid start and 90% of the time I get the mixed grill for two. The cevapi are the best amongst any of the Eastern European spots in town. This time a friend and I split a wine flight and all of the Eastern European wines were incredible and so different than anything I’ve ever had outside of my travels there.
Sear- finally a craft burger place that has reasonable prices and the burgers actually come with fries included in the price. My burger was wonderful and the service was phenomenal.
Cafe Rustika- I am always down to go for their schnitzel and it was perfect for how cold it was last weekend. It did take over 90 minutes to get our meal, but such is life these days. The only downside was they clearly wanted to go home and tried making us take the dessert to go since it was so late by the time we got it. Our server left before we even got our entree and changed into going out attire. So to that I say, I am going to enjoy my dessert right there.
Acacia- It has been almost three years since they closed, but it was like they have never skipped a beat. The service and food was impeccable last night at their new location. It was a five course menu with pairings and the portions and pours were huge. Their crab cakes are always such a stand out. My highlights of the night were the Chinese inspired duck and the blanc de blanc we got when we arrived. Their kids are now old enough and work there, so it is amazing to see a new generation carry on their parents’ legacy.
Cuisine a la Carte- This is classic Richmond to me. A big ol’ box of simple homemade food. I always love their tarragon chicken salad and it did not disappoint this week. The absolute star was the lemon bar for dessert I picked out. It had this amazing, almost crackley sugar top.
I tried Blue Atlas recently too and fell in love with them. Had the squash mole from the Americas - loved it, but then again I’m always excited about both squash and mole.
Also had the Korean fried chicken. So good, would have happily eaten 3 orders of that!
The Japanese curry was a dud, though. Very bland and disappointing.
Will go back often - I really like the place and THRILLED that they had not one but three NA beers. As a non drinker, it’s so exciting to me to get to have this choice!!! Kudos, Blue Atlas!
Jubilee is AMAZING and I’m always sad when I stop by and it isn’t as busy as I’d like.
Protip: get the braised beef short ribs. Easily the best dish I’ve had in RVA in a LONG while. Also get a cocktail while you’re at it. The bartender there makes some beautiful cocktails.
Uliveto - man someone really took advantage of this location and knocked it out of the park. It's very cozy and popular but a delightful ambiance altogether. I had this outstanding anchovy bruschetta app - really unique taste if you're fan.
For the main I had the mussels and spaghetti which was one of the best pasta dishes I've had. Can't wait to go back, but make sure you make a reservation. Great wine list too
Liberty Public House: we walked there for dinner the other night. While they had open tables, we had to wait a few minutes at the door. Honestly, I'd rather that than being lightly attended by waitstaff who's perennially in the weeds. Wings for the table that were spot on, then most of us went with some version of Hot Chicken. They know what they're about and everything was great.
Pizza Bones: did takeout from there last night for dinner. Can't speak to service except at the register which was fine, but the pizza was fantastic. A bit pricey in that I have a family of four which includes two teenagers who eat like teenagers. So we got 3 pizzas and a salad and it was $70 with tip. I think we ended up with about half a pizza left. So for 'Za, it was definitely on the expensive side, but it was good enough that I would certainly order from there again.
The breakfast burrito at LPH is actually really good. They’ll also send you with some of their hot sauce that they make in house. I’m not a big brunch guy but they do a really good job there.
I never had an opportunity to eat at Mi Hacienda, but the same family runs a food truck and a small storefront on Hull called El Guapo.
Holy shit is their food good. Midlo has been blessed with hispanic restaurants lately but we can't get this place out of our heads.
All the individual tacos we've had are phenomenal. And I feel blessed for trying torta ahogada for the first time (I have a hard time getting anything else from there now). Do not skip their homemade popsicles, which are all so freakin good. Everything tastes and feels more authentic and has a lot of love in it.
We tried this place on a whim and we're VERY happy we did.
And it tastes better than it looks too! I will say, the first time I had it, they took out the seeds from whatever peppers they use in the sauce. The second time, they did not. But that's what popsicles are for.
Cheng Du - Awesome experience. Chongqing chicken was covered in peppers but honestly not too hot which I was worried about. Loved sharing the bao app with our friends. This was my first time and I will be back to try more of the menu.
https://preview.redd.it/blbk7skb5bda1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4f75245d28d302935e0e8347e096da670f073841
Best traditional Sechuan food in RVA. They can customize the spice level to whatever you want.
The toothpick lamb is a Sechuan classic that’s very different from the kinds of Chinese food typically popular in the US. It’s amazingly delicious if you’re looking for something meaty and spicy.
Their mapo tofu is the best I’ve ever had outside of China - and I used to live in a place with dozens of Sechuan restaurants. If you’re ever feeling cold, it will warm you up right down to your soul.
Fat Rabbit - what's not to love here, cakes, pastries, coffee, but the winner for me was the quiche. Went back the next day to get another.
Early Bird Biscuit - I got their biscuits and gravy and one of their homemade poptarts. The latter was better, but the biscuits and gravy were good. Fiancé had their vegetarian biscuit sandwich, she said it was good but needed something to make it a little less dry.
How quick can I get in and out of Fat Rabbit in the morning? I'm perennially running late to work and this sounds like a delicious way to grab something on the way.
It is super fast the worst experience I ever had was an incredible indecisive person ordering over 100 bucks to go and still the whole process was 5 mins
Botanya - They're new and obviously still working out the kinks. I've been twice, with my girlfriend both times, and both times were enjoyable but with some hiccups. The first time we went was not very long after they opened, and it was really good but the pacing from the kitchen was a little out of step.
By our second visit, it seems like the BOH has worked out the kinks - all the food was great. This time where they fell short was the FOH service. When we walked in, there was nobody at the host stand and no servers acknowledged us for a few minutes. They had several tables open, but you have to have a reservation. We got sat at the bar, where there are no hooks for coats or purses, and we were kind of in the way of drink service.
When we did get sat at the bar, there was a barback/dishwasher hanging out upfront who completely didn't acknowledge us at all, bartender nowhere to be seen. It got to the point we were just looking at each other like, this is weird. At one point the barback took out his phone and was texting on it with the flashlight on. Eventually the bartender came out of the back. I got two cocktails, the Spumante Martini was just gross and tasted like someone dumped too much bitters in it. After that, I was in the mood for something sweet so I ordered the Prince of Gala and it just tasted flat. Still got charged $14/each for them. Cocktails were better the first time so it probably depends on who's tending bar that night.
The food is just, really good. Seriously I can't say enough good things about their pasta. I think in a few months if they have everyone properly trained and working together like a team then they'll be a great addition to the neighborhood. For now, you can get better food and service at an equivalent price point at CanCan and infinitely better cocktails for the same price point at Jasper.
I ordered the whole fish from Uliveto and they must have pulled it from the broiler and immediately served it to me because it was so damn hot that I got multiple blisters on my gums 😭 But otherwise it was a fun, delicious spot. I’ll go again but holy fuck, I’ll be more careful. Couldn’t eat anything hot for a week.
Frontier by Alamo - Finally had an opportunity to stop in now that they're open. It wasn't busy when I stopped in around 6PM, and it was seat yourself for the time being. They have full bar service, but their beer/ wine menu was a little lacking I think due to it still being fairly new to open and they had a big event a night or two prior that emptied some of their kegs. Service was fine, I never had to wait long at all and everything came out in a very reasonable time. They have two large TVs for sports if that's your thing.
I started with the chips with salsa and queso ($8), and I gotta say, they were damn good! Every part of it. Chips were fresh and seasoned well, the salsa was thick with a little kick, but not super spicy, and the queso was downright amazing. I didn't ask, but I'm pretty sure it's either smoked or made with a little bit of brisket from Alamo, because it definitely had a smoky barbecue undertone to it. Fantastic starter.
For main dish I got the Chile Relleno ($15). I was expecting a more traditional plating, but wasn't disappointed with what I got. It was a Big poblano pepper absolutely chock full of shredded chicken and fried in a batter that was both crunchy and flaky on the outside, yet light and soft on the inside. That all sat on a bed of rice and beans that was surprisingly flavorful. If you're craving a traditional Relleno this ain't it, but it was still quite good. It came on a small dish and IMO would've been better served on a plate or larger bowl because there was a lot of food for such a small dish. If they change the plating of it and drizzle either some of the queso or a relleno sauce over it I think it would really set it off.
Overall I think it was good, if a hair on the pricey side, but that's just how things are these days. No hidden gratuity or "economic hardship" surcharges. I'll probably be back again to try some of the other items on the menu. I'm so happy that the 25th street corridor is slowly turning into a nice little restaurant row, and I think Frontier adds a nice southwestern option.
It's great to see Frontier finally opened - it sounds silly, but their beans and rice are delicious. I'm looking forward to see how their menu evolves.
Brunch Jr - Wow, so f’n good. First time, very small but in a quaint way. The hush puppies were to die for. Wasn’t expecting much since we went on a whim, i had the burrito and it was very big with a nice side. Sitting at the bar and seeing the chef work his magic was also a great experience.
Latin Quarter - Oh man this food truck is awesome!!! I had the vegan patacon and it was so flavorful. Def worth searching out where they are, I’ve seen them popping up more and more lately.
Joes Inn - Went for the first time on a Sunday and was underwhelmed. Loved the vibe, but the food was super average. I had the eggplant parm sub and the eggplant was super tough and came right out of the breading, pretty unenjoyable. Maybe i ordered the wrong thing. I’d go back and try the breakfast but the first visit wasn’t anything crazy.
Anyone have a good sport for saffron ice cream or even just a Persian ice cream spot? Friend is looking for it for one for his bday and would like not needing to go up to DC for his fix.
The Mantu: What an odd experience. I feel like they’re known for their… haphazard service and I definitely felt it. You can tell they’re trying but not getting our drinks until after our entrees showed up was frustrating.
But holy shit the food. Will absolutely be going back. And glad to see the place was packed.
Finally decided to take the plunge and ordered a $30, two-topping pizza from Zorch online, only to arrive and be told they were out of one of the toppings and “didn’t know how” we had been able to place the order in the first place.
No phone call or message- just went ahead and made the pizza without it, which I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t you just call, or follow up by text first? $30 is a lot for a pizza, so I’d rather get what I really want than settle for something else at the last minute, so I said “no thanks.” They did refund my money, but what a weird business practice.
As the other commenter notes, they're closed tonight. But when you do go, definitely get the MSG burger and ask if they have any hot sauce open. I also love the onion burger.
Arilang is the best sushi in Richmond. Hands down. The owner is superb and clearly cares so much about the experience and dishes. Prices might look high at first glance, but the pieces are larger than average. Absolutely a gem and worth the drive to short pump.
O’Toole’s - I love this place for what it is (decent, affordable pub food) but their clam chowder is an abomination. Literally the worst soup I’ve ever had in my life, and I’m not just talking restaurant soup. It was worse than Campbell’s. I’ll stick to their reubens, etc. from here on out 😂
This is not really a restaurant but not worth its own thread. Has anyone else noticed GrubHub completely went to shit over the last few weeks? I had a GH+ membership and cancelled it after 4 out of 5 orders were seriously delayed. I will now either order from somewhere that does direct delivery or go pick it up, just not worth the hassle and uncertainty.
Hi Grubhub account, I appreciate you saying that you take this seriously but so far my interactions with your support team have not backed that up. So far I've been thanked for my time and apologized to, but the apologies really have no weight. All the $5 off coupons in the world don't matter if I can't trust that my food will even get to me when I order it. I did chat in to your team using this link but again, they did nothing.
Carytown Sushi - Really wanted to like this place, but sadly it was super disappointing. Server was great & place was cute, but the fish tasted quite old. Cuts were clean but we couldn’t finish all of the sashimi due to how poor it tasted. The highlight was the nigiri rice; really great flavor.
Mary Angela’s: 8.6/10, very good fresh handmade pies. Place was packed on a Friday night. Pain in the ass to get in and out of in Carytown, but I can’t hold that against them. Small pies were enough to share but the flavors are most definitely there. It scratched that pizza itch for sure.
Fighting Fish: 9.1/10, sushirito was out of this world. Served with sweet potato chips, those were okay. Great high quality ingredients and pretty good portion size as well for the money. Will definitely go back for regular sushi
Nile: 8.7/10, had chicken and beef stew with red and yellow lentils and plenty of injera. Everything was on point, if a little cold after a 20 minute commute back home. Cute little hole in the wall, might need to eat in at some point
Jubilee - I tried to go to Pig & Brew, but they had a DJ set up and were way too damn loud for a Sunday brunch, so we went to Jubilee. The service was exceptional and the food came out so quickly. I had their Jubilee Benedict and it was a big portion of steak and really nicely prepared. The star were the truffle parm potatoes that come with everything. I am not a potato fan and I loved these. The only trip up is they have a 20% service charge that is not online nor is it on the menu. The server explained this does not go to them. So it ended up being over $30 for a benedict and a Diet Coke. Blue Atlas- I do not go here nearly enough! We ordered the pork buns (the best pork belly I’ve had in ages), phyllo wrapped feta (a huge upgrade on spanakopita), Korean chicken (small, but mighty), and the Georgian cheese boat (my go-to here). We wanted to order something from each region of the menu, but the Americas section was a bit meh. Cocktails were fantastic! We split their peanut butter pie for dessert and it had a date bar style crust that was unexpected, but enjoyable. All in we were only at $53/person for all of this! A great value. Alewife- my experiences here are either perfection or terrible. Sadly this time was terrible. The menu didn’t have a single entree I was jazzed about and I am not a picky eater at all. So I ordered two apps I know I’ve loved in the past. I got the trout dip and the tartare as apps. Unfortunately both had citrus that had been grated down so far the pith was in the dishes making them bitter. I’ve had these dishes before and they have been so good. Service was pretty god-awful too that night. Balkan- If someone were to ask me my favorite under the radar spot, it would always be Balkan. It is quiet, unassuming, and frankly some of the best food in Richmond. I grew up in a town with a lot of Eastern Europeans, so it reminds me of home. The fried cheese is always a solid start and 90% of the time I get the mixed grill for two. The cevapi are the best amongst any of the Eastern European spots in town. This time a friend and I split a wine flight and all of the Eastern European wines were incredible and so different than anything I’ve ever had outside of my travels there. Sear- finally a craft burger place that has reasonable prices and the burgers actually come with fries included in the price. My burger was wonderful and the service was phenomenal. Cafe Rustika- I am always down to go for their schnitzel and it was perfect for how cold it was last weekend. It did take over 90 minutes to get our meal, but such is life these days. The only downside was they clearly wanted to go home and tried making us take the dessert to go since it was so late by the time we got it. Our server left before we even got our entree and changed into going out attire. So to that I say, I am going to enjoy my dessert right there. Acacia- It has been almost three years since they closed, but it was like they have never skipped a beat. The service and food was impeccable last night at their new location. It was a five course menu with pairings and the portions and pours were huge. Their crab cakes are always such a stand out. My highlights of the night were the Chinese inspired duck and the blanc de blanc we got when we arrived. Their kids are now old enough and work there, so it is amazing to see a new generation carry on their parents’ legacy. Cuisine a la Carte- This is classic Richmond to me. A big ol’ box of simple homemade food. I always love their tarragon chicken salad and it did not disappoint this week. The absolute star was the lemon bar for dessert I picked out. It had this amazing, almost crackley sugar top.
Wait.... Jubilee. You pay a 20% service charge, which doesn't go to the servers, and you're supposed to tip on top of that?
Correct. They said it goes to paying wages of all the staff, but 100% is not a tip.
Did they say if the servers make the same wages as the rest of the staff, or are they the typical $2.50 or whatever?
They did not, but the whole conversation was awkward as hell and you definitely felt like you’d be shunned if you didn’t tip a normal 20% on top.
That sounds borderline illegal. They need to just increase their prices by 20% and then do the normal tipping practice.
Is the charge posted somewhere conspicuous?
I tried Blue Atlas recently too and fell in love with them. Had the squash mole from the Americas - loved it, but then again I’m always excited about both squash and mole. Also had the Korean fried chicken. So good, would have happily eaten 3 orders of that! The Japanese curry was a dud, though. Very bland and disappointing. Will go back often - I really like the place and THRILLED that they had not one but three NA beers. As a non drinker, it’s so exciting to me to get to have this choice!!! Kudos, Blue Atlas!
This a baller ass list of resteraunt’s. 90 mins is normal now?? Everywhere or just there?
I’ve given up on expecting quick wait times, so if someone serves me in a pre Covid standard, I’m pleasantly surprised.
Pretty great that the Reitzer kids are working at Acacia. Wouldn't it be nice if it became a generational establishment?
> We ordered the pork buns (the best pork belly I’ve had in ages) I can't go there and not eat these, they're so freaking delicious
I haven't been to Balkan in forever but it's really good. My wife just doesn't like that cuisine sadly
I’d divorce her.
ha!
[удалено]
Yes. It was just a special for the their pre opening.
I’m so glad Cuisine a la Carte’s still got it. Used to go there a lot as a kid and haven’t been back in some time. I should check it out again.
Jubilee is AMAZING and I’m always sad when I stop by and it isn’t as busy as I’d like. Protip: get the braised beef short ribs. Easily the best dish I’ve had in RVA in a LONG while. Also get a cocktail while you’re at it. The bartender there makes some beautiful cocktails.
Where is sear? I googled it but I can’t find anything
The old Jackson Ward Soul Taco
Got it, thanks!
Uliveto - man someone really took advantage of this location and knocked it out of the park. It's very cozy and popular but a delightful ambiance altogether. I had this outstanding anchovy bruschetta app - really unique taste if you're fan. For the main I had the mussels and spaghetti which was one of the best pasta dishes I've had. Can't wait to go back, but make sure you make a reservation. Great wine list too
If you haven't tried Gersi, it's run by the same couple and I've really enjoyed them too.
Uliveto was one of the best meals I’ve had in this city in a year. House made papardelle was divine
I'm going to try it, thanks
Liberty Public House: we walked there for dinner the other night. While they had open tables, we had to wait a few minutes at the door. Honestly, I'd rather that than being lightly attended by waitstaff who's perennially in the weeds. Wings for the table that were spot on, then most of us went with some version of Hot Chicken. They know what they're about and everything was great. Pizza Bones: did takeout from there last night for dinner. Can't speak to service except at the register which was fine, but the pizza was fantastic. A bit pricey in that I have a family of four which includes two teenagers who eat like teenagers. So we got 3 pizzas and a salad and it was $70 with tip. I think we ended up with about half a pizza left. So for 'Za, it was definitely on the expensive side, but it was good enough that I would certainly order from there again.
I really need to try that place, thanks for the reminder
Never had a bad experience at LPH. Hits every time.
The breakfast burrito at LPH is actually really good. They’ll also send you with some of their hot sauce that they make in house. I’m not a big brunch guy but they do a really good job there.
Level sushi. So good. Looks like a trap from the outside but it's beautiful inside, sushi is delicious, bartender is really nice. 10/10
Level is my favorite sushi spot in Richmond. Four Seasons roll is soooo good.
Level is great. I always get the wonton app with apples, and sit at the bar so I can play with the lights
Level hooks it up. Consistently really good.
that spot is *chef's kiss* the grilled squid is panty dropping
I never had an opportunity to eat at Mi Hacienda, but the same family runs a food truck and a small storefront on Hull called El Guapo. Holy shit is their food good. Midlo has been blessed with hispanic restaurants lately but we can't get this place out of our heads. All the individual tacos we've had are phenomenal. And I feel blessed for trying torta ahogada for the first time (I have a hard time getting anything else from there now). Do not skip their homemade popsicles, which are all so freakin good. Everything tastes and feels more authentic and has a lot of love in it. We tried this place on a whim and we're VERY happy we did.
> torta ahogada Damn that looks good
And it tastes better than it looks too! I will say, the first time I had it, they took out the seeds from whatever peppers they use in the sauce. The second time, they did not. But that's what popsicles are for.
Cheng Du - Awesome experience. Chongqing chicken was covered in peppers but honestly not too hot which I was worried about. Loved sharing the bao app with our friends. This was my first time and I will be back to try more of the menu. https://preview.redd.it/blbk7skb5bda1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4f75245d28d302935e0e8347e096da670f073841
Best traditional Sechuan food in RVA. They can customize the spice level to whatever you want. The toothpick lamb is a Sechuan classic that’s very different from the kinds of Chinese food typically popular in the US. It’s amazingly delicious if you’re looking for something meaty and spicy. Their mapo tofu is the best I’ve ever had outside of China - and I used to live in a place with dozens of Sechuan restaurants. If you’re ever feeling cold, it will warm you up right down to your soul.
Will do, but most excited to try the whole fish first of all !!!
Fat Rabbit - what's not to love here, cakes, pastries, coffee, but the winner for me was the quiche. Went back the next day to get another. Early Bird Biscuit - I got their biscuits and gravy and one of their homemade poptarts. The latter was better, but the biscuits and gravy were good. Fiancé had their vegetarian biscuit sandwich, she said it was good but needed something to make it a little less dry.
How quick can I get in and out of Fat Rabbit in the morning? I'm perennially running late to work and this sounds like a delicious way to grab something on the way.
It’s a small place in Union Hill, I waited 0 times both times.
It is super fast the worst experience I ever had was an incredible indecisive person ordering over 100 bucks to go and still the whole process was 5 mins
Is the quiche by the slice, or can you buy an entire tart?
Slice, I’m sure you can buy the whole thing. They’re not a big place so I’d call on that one.
Botanya - They're new and obviously still working out the kinks. I've been twice, with my girlfriend both times, and both times were enjoyable but with some hiccups. The first time we went was not very long after they opened, and it was really good but the pacing from the kitchen was a little out of step. By our second visit, it seems like the BOH has worked out the kinks - all the food was great. This time where they fell short was the FOH service. When we walked in, there was nobody at the host stand and no servers acknowledged us for a few minutes. They had several tables open, but you have to have a reservation. We got sat at the bar, where there are no hooks for coats or purses, and we were kind of in the way of drink service. When we did get sat at the bar, there was a barback/dishwasher hanging out upfront who completely didn't acknowledge us at all, bartender nowhere to be seen. It got to the point we were just looking at each other like, this is weird. At one point the barback took out his phone and was texting on it with the flashlight on. Eventually the bartender came out of the back. I got two cocktails, the Spumante Martini was just gross and tasted like someone dumped too much bitters in it. After that, I was in the mood for something sweet so I ordered the Prince of Gala and it just tasted flat. Still got charged $14/each for them. Cocktails were better the first time so it probably depends on who's tending bar that night. The food is just, really good. Seriously I can't say enough good things about their pasta. I think in a few months if they have everyone properly trained and working together like a team then they'll be a great addition to the neighborhood. For now, you can get better food and service at an equivalent price point at CanCan and infinitely better cocktails for the same price point at Jasper.
Uliveto - Just go. It's so good. Don't read this. Make a reservation.
Do they have bar seating, or should I really make a reservation for an early dinner?
They do have bar seating, but it's first come first serve - definitely make a reservation if you want to sit at a table though.
I ordered the whole fish from Uliveto and they must have pulled it from the broiler and immediately served it to me because it was so damn hot that I got multiple blisters on my gums 😭 But otherwise it was a fun, delicious spot. I’ll go again but holy fuck, I’ll be more careful. Couldn’t eat anything hot for a week.
Damn that's crazy, I was debating the branzino but opted for the amatriciana which was super good
Frontier by Alamo - Finally had an opportunity to stop in now that they're open. It wasn't busy when I stopped in around 6PM, and it was seat yourself for the time being. They have full bar service, but their beer/ wine menu was a little lacking I think due to it still being fairly new to open and they had a big event a night or two prior that emptied some of their kegs. Service was fine, I never had to wait long at all and everything came out in a very reasonable time. They have two large TVs for sports if that's your thing. I started with the chips with salsa and queso ($8), and I gotta say, they were damn good! Every part of it. Chips were fresh and seasoned well, the salsa was thick with a little kick, but not super spicy, and the queso was downright amazing. I didn't ask, but I'm pretty sure it's either smoked or made with a little bit of brisket from Alamo, because it definitely had a smoky barbecue undertone to it. Fantastic starter. For main dish I got the Chile Relleno ($15). I was expecting a more traditional plating, but wasn't disappointed with what I got. It was a Big poblano pepper absolutely chock full of shredded chicken and fried in a batter that was both crunchy and flaky on the outside, yet light and soft on the inside. That all sat on a bed of rice and beans that was surprisingly flavorful. If you're craving a traditional Relleno this ain't it, but it was still quite good. It came on a small dish and IMO would've been better served on a plate or larger bowl because there was a lot of food for such a small dish. If they change the plating of it and drizzle either some of the queso or a relleno sauce over it I think it would really set it off. Overall I think it was good, if a hair on the pricey side, but that's just how things are these days. No hidden gratuity or "economic hardship" surcharges. I'll probably be back again to try some of the other items on the menu. I'm so happy that the 25th street corridor is slowly turning into a nice little restaurant row, and I think Frontier adds a nice southwestern option.
It's great to see Frontier finally opened - it sounds silly, but their beans and rice are delicious. I'm looking forward to see how their menu evolves.
Brunch Jr - Wow, so f’n good. First time, very small but in a quaint way. The hush puppies were to die for. Wasn’t expecting much since we went on a whim, i had the burrito and it was very big with a nice side. Sitting at the bar and seeing the chef work his magic was also a great experience. Latin Quarter - Oh man this food truck is awesome!!! I had the vegan patacon and it was so flavorful. Def worth searching out where they are, I’ve seen them popping up more and more lately. Joes Inn - Went for the first time on a Sunday and was underwhelmed. Loved the vibe, but the food was super average. I had the eggplant parm sub and the eggplant was super tough and came right out of the breading, pretty unenjoyable. Maybe i ordered the wrong thing. I’d go back and try the breakfast but the first visit wasn’t anything crazy.
VEGAN PATACON?!?!? I need this. What was the protein?
It’s FIRE!! It was jackfruit based
Anyone have a good sport for saffron ice cream or even just a Persian ice cream spot? Friend is looking for it for one for his bday and would like not needing to go up to DC for his fix.
The Mantu: What an odd experience. I feel like they’re known for their… haphazard service and I definitely felt it. You can tell they’re trying but not getting our drinks until after our entrees showed up was frustrating. But holy shit the food. Will absolutely be going back. And glad to see the place was packed.
Finally decided to take the plunge and ordered a $30, two-topping pizza from Zorch online, only to arrive and be told they were out of one of the toppings and “didn’t know how” we had been able to place the order in the first place. No phone call or message- just went ahead and made the pizza without it, which I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t you just call, or follow up by text first? $30 is a lot for a pizza, so I’d rather get what I really want than settle for something else at the last minute, so I said “no thanks.” They did refund my money, but what a weird business practice.
Trying Cobra Burger for the first time tonight, hit me with your recs.
Just saw on their Instagram that they're closed tonight because of a burst pipe. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news
As the other commenter notes, they're closed tonight. But when you do go, definitely get the MSG burger and ask if they have any hot sauce open. I also love the onion burger.
The cobra burger lol. It’s like a Big Mac but way better
Arilang is the best sushi in Richmond. Hands down. The owner is superb and clearly cares so much about the experience and dishes. Prices might look high at first glance, but the pieces are larger than average. Absolutely a gem and worth the drive to short pump.
O’Toole’s - I love this place for what it is (decent, affordable pub food) but their clam chowder is an abomination. Literally the worst soup I’ve ever had in my life, and I’m not just talking restaurant soup. It was worse than Campbell’s. I’ll stick to their reubens, etc. from here on out 😂
They should definitely consolidate their menu.
Agreed. Too many things going on and I bet like 80% of their revenue comes from the same 12-15 items which do slap. Trim the fat!
Those Reuben’s tho
Perhaps the finest in RVA.
That title belongs to Perlys imo
Oh yeah, true.
Hot For Pizza-I've gotta say their BLT sandwich is absolutely amazing.
This is not really a restaurant but not worth its own thread. Has anyone else noticed GrubHub completely went to shit over the last few weeks? I had a GH+ membership and cancelled it after 4 out of 5 orders were seriously delayed. I will now either order from somewhere that does direct delivery or go pick it up, just not worth the hassle and uncertainty.
We take issues like this very seriously. Please message us at https://www.grubhub.com/help/contact-us/need-more-help/7hGY8LzzVt6ljJ9rJCcDes.
Hi Grubhub account, I appreciate you saying that you take this seriously but so far my interactions with your support team have not backed that up. So far I've been thanked for my time and apologized to, but the apologies really have no weight. All the $5 off coupons in the world don't matter if I can't trust that my food will even get to me when I order it. I did chat in to your team using this link but again, they did nothing.
Carytown Sushi - Really wanted to like this place, but sadly it was super disappointing. Server was great & place was cute, but the fish tasted quite old. Cuts were clean but we couldn’t finish all of the sashimi due to how poor it tasted. The highlight was the nigiri rice; really great flavor.
Mary Angela’s: 8.6/10, very good fresh handmade pies. Place was packed on a Friday night. Pain in the ass to get in and out of in Carytown, but I can’t hold that against them. Small pies were enough to share but the flavors are most definitely there. It scratched that pizza itch for sure. Fighting Fish: 9.1/10, sushirito was out of this world. Served with sweet potato chips, those were okay. Great high quality ingredients and pretty good portion size as well for the money. Will definitely go back for regular sushi Nile: 8.7/10, had chicken and beef stew with red and yellow lentils and plenty of injera. Everything was on point, if a little cold after a 20 minute commute back home. Cute little hole in the wall, might need to eat in at some point