Lillie Pearl was pretty good, but not good enough for me to rush back. I think they may have been…read morehaving an off night. Their famous short rib egg rolls were a bit burned on the outside so a bit dry on the inside. They did have a very good sauce served with them that pretty well covered the flaws. We also got the sweet potato corn bread. It was tasty, but fell apart just a little too easily. I had to eat it with a fork. The risotto that came with my duck leaned a little too far to the mushy side. The duck itself was really good. My niece had the salmon, and she had no complaints. She said she had the leftover last night as a sandwich and that it was delicious. Service was excellent. No notes.

Went here when I was in Richmond. Our waitress was amazing. I wish I could remember her name…read more She answered a lot of questions and was very knowledgeable. The chef even made adaptations in my meal to make it vegan. The cauliflower steaks with rice were amazing. The spices were just right and had a good amount of heat. It was very busy but service was fast and friendly. There is upstairs and downstairs seating and the historical pictures on the walls are so interesting and look at.

7 out of 5 stars. Yes, I said 7…read more So I went to Mama J's after scoping it out on Yelp, and let me tell you something: Richmond, we may have a problem. I have found the food. I initially walked into the market next door, which is actually great because there aren't a lot of grocery stores nearby. Then I headed over to Mama J's on a Monday afternoon. The place was teeming with associates doing all kinds of things, which I actually loved. I was seated quickly and started looking around. It was comfortable and familiar, even though it was my first time there. Then my server greeted me, called me "baby," and suddenly I felt like I had walked into my auntie's house. Okay. We were off to a good start. I ordered an Arnold Palmer and some catfish nuggets. Now, I knew I was in the right place when my server brought me TWO glasses of the most perfectly made Arnold Palmer. Two. Glasses. Start the happy dance. While I waited for my food, I looked around at the old photographs and magazine covers featuring Mama J's. It all made sense. The restaurant felt familiar because it felt like somebody's dining room. A place that has history. A place where people have been eating, talking, laughing and coming back for years. Then my catfish nuggets arrived. HOT. Golden. Crispy. When I tell you I did a happy dance... I ate those catfish nuggets with a knife and fork, humming to myself and saying, "This is the best catfish I have eaten in my life." And mind you, I eat out at least twice a week. So I ordered the crab cake sandwich with a side of macaroni and cheese. We were not particularly focused on vegetables because my server could not promise me the collards and cabbage weren't cooked with chicken broth. It's fine. I didn't really want my vegetables anyway. Then my plate arrived. HOT. I ate that macaroni and cheese and literally had to rock, hum and say to myself, "Woo. This food is good." The crab cake sandwich and fries were so good that I immediately knew some of them were coming home with me for lunch tomorrow. Because I may love food, but I also believe in planning ahead. Now let's talk about this crab cake. First, the brioche bun was EXACTLY the right bread. I am not a sliced-white-bread kind of woman. I need a brioche bun sturdy enough for the remoulade to hold onto. And then there was the crab cake. Enunciate that K. Fresh crabmeat. Maryland could NEVER. I know, I know. Maryland swears they have the best crab cakes. No ma'am. No sir. The best crab cake is sitting on Clay Street, about a mile from the James River, in Jackson Ward, the Harlem of the South. And the fries? HOT. You know that perfect fry: crispy on the outside, soft in the center? Yeah. Those. At this point, I was full and getting sleepy at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. But apparently that wasn't enough because I ordered some potato salad to go so I could top off tomorrow's lunch. Because priorities. I left Mama J's full as a tick. Came home. And promptly took a several-hour nap. That is how good this meal was. Mama J's, you have officially set the bar. 7 out of 5 stars. I am going back. And, quite frankly, they are going to get sick of seeing me. Richmond, if you haven't been to Mama J's, what are you waiting for?

As a DMV Native, Mama J's is one of Richmond's best most premiere restaurant spots in a city where…read moreI had some underwhelming experiences. Mama J is the Carolina Kitchen from the DMV meets Richmond. I remember the manager and staff being accommodating, welcoming and it remains the highlight of my trip to Richmond earlier this year. The side dishes are great, however the baked chicken breasts was undercooked and should had been cooked more. I won't hold it against them to that level, as the rest of the food and beverages were excellent. The customer service and down home vibe from management really stood out in a great way to me. The portion sizes were great; however it can be pricey for a mid-size city. Carolina Kitchen has just as good food up North in the DMV and is actually cheaper and mor affordable. Fortunately, I am a great cook like a homemade chef, however when it comes to treating yourself, I think this spot in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood is a highlight here. This is way better than Lillie Pearl which is pretentious and does not have the soul, grounded, and kindred spirt of MJs. I loved the atmosphere, interior design/decorum, and vibe of the joint cool bar section and tables with seats. It would be nice if they had booths that were more comfortable, but again I won't hold it against them.

We had a great meal here! The Garden Sampler Board was a fun twist on a traditional charcuterie…read moreboard, and we really enjoyed getting to try a variety of everything. Our entrees were equally as tasty. I ordered the salmon and it was done well! My only personal preference would be to swap the green beans for the collards next time--the green beans just weren't cooked quite the way I prefer. That said, everything else was really enjoyable. Overall, a great meal at an equally great price. We were pleasantly surprised to walk out for under $65 without ordering drinks. Definitely felt like a great value, and we'd happily come back!

We ended up at Lunch Supper for brunch and I can see why people like it. The space is nice and…read moreclean, they have a great outdoor area, service was good and timely, and everything came out pretty fresh and hot. Food-wise, I'm a little torn. I got the Shorti Bowl, which is eggs and meat over cheese grits. It was good but I just wanted the cheese grits to commit a little harder to the cheese. The meat itself was good too, although it did feel a bit like a piece of meat had been plopped in the middle rather than everything really coming together as a dish. My husband got the sandwich with basically the same kind of meat, and somehow it was both a LOT of sandwich and not a lot of sandwich at the same time. It looked impressive as a Katz's-esque pile of meat, but once you actually got into it, it was mostly meat, bread and pickles. I kept expecting some sauce or another topping to show up and it just...didn't. Also a little unwieldy to eat, although I guess that's part of the territory when your sandwich is 70% meat. I think Lunch Supper sits in a funny middle ground between classic diner/brunch food and a more modern version of it. Nothing we had was bad, but for some of their more popular dishes I guess I expected a little more oomph if that makes sense (and yes I tried adding hot sauce). I'd still happily come back with friends, especially to sit outside. I just think I'd be coming back more for the vibes vs the food.

I'm coming back to up my review.... We came here on Monday simply bc of the butter cake. However,…read moreended up getting a burger and fries and the short ribs and potatoes. We also got the hush puppies which were really salted do I didn't like them as much. If you are looking for McDonald's French fries from when they were real... run here. We didn't even order them and ended up getting them and I ate them all. Hot, fresh and crispy... I couldn't believe it myself. Not to mention everything else was superb but the fries... Management... please do not do anything different with them. I promise you they are a hit. I completely forgot about my ribs.

As first timers, we were excited, and it sure lived up to everything!…read more It is inside a hotel; and a very cool setup, it can be a little loud so those with sensory issues may want to keep that in mind. The decor is classy, chiq and low lighting. The hostess, and our waitress was absolutely amazing! Our waitress Jada or Jayla? Did not get her name and hear that well but she was fantastic! Started off with the crab hush puppies, with a line lime mayo sauce! The flavors were amazingly paired together, they were like mini crab cakes and very filling for appetizer. Main course, my boyfriend got the shrimp and grits which the shrimp were huge and cooked perfectly! It was cheesy and rich and a great flavor. I got the braised beef short ribs which were flavorful, juicy, with mashed potatoes and carrots and mushrooms. It was super good and comforting and filling. We got the butter butter cake, which was amazing! We shared it, as it was plenty. It melted in your mouth and had a scoop of gelato. Presentation on everything was beautiful. Everything we had was amazing, service was fast and friendly and they were on top of everything. We had to pay 12$ for parking and walk, but I think the hotel has something set up. We will be back to try new things!

Very nice atmosphere! Wasn't to crowded! The host led us to seat promptly…read more The server was very nice! No complaints. I order the Southern Roll and Turkey wings. It was goof - very nice portions. I had leftovers!

Southern Kitchen is one of those places I go to primarily for the espresso martinis. I actually go…read morepretty often, but I'm not a big eater (and extremely picky), so it's rare that I order a full meal. I recently decided to try the meatloaf, and while it was still good, it was a little dry for my taste. I would order again despite that. The cabbage wasn't really for me either because it had a sweetness to it that I didn't love. The yams, however, were good. The catfish bites were also really good--crispy, hot, and flavorful. The Mac and cheese was *chefs kiss* delicious. Mashed potatoes were decent. I also tried the Soul Food Roll, and I really enjoyed it. The outside was perfectly crispy, and the duck sauce was really good. My only thought? Add some mac and cheese to that thing and you'd really have something. My biggest hesitation with eating here regularly is the portions. The plates are BIG, and when you look at the ingredients all piled together, it gives "that's easily 3,000 calories" energy. I'm not saying it actually is, but that's definitely how it looks. As someone who likes a small waist, I don't feel like I need all that every time I go. Now, the ambiance? EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Southern Kitchen is absolutely beautiful inside. It's one of those restaurants where you could easily dress up and have a really nice date night, celebrate something, or bring a group. Even the bathrooms are fancy, so they clearly understood the assignment. The food is good, but for me, the atmosphere and drinks are what really make this place stand out. I'd absolutely bring a group here or come for a date night. Service was also great. Our waitress checked on us often even though that place was jumping when I was there. I would highly recommend giving them a try.

We had the pleasure of visiting Croaker's Spot while in town from Northern Virginia and stopped in…read morefor an early dinner. From the moment we arrived, we had an amazing experience. We were warmly greeted by a lovely hostess who ended up being our server, Jamila, I hope I spelled her name correctly. She was truly one of the best servers we have had in a long time: attentive, friendly, knowledgeable, and full of great suggestions. She checked on us often without being intrusive, and her customer service was exceptional. When I mentioned that I did not care for the mac and cheese, Jamila immediately offered recommendations for another side. To our surprise, the chef even came out personally to apologize and brought me a fresh serving of mac and cheese. The replacement was much better! That is what I call going above and beyond to make customers happy. The food was delicious. I ordered the catfish dinner with collard greens and candied yams. The catfish was moist, fried to perfection, and seasoned just right. The collard greens were flavorful and well seasoned, while the candied yams reminded me of my grandmother's homemade yams sweet, comforting, and absolutely delicious. The portions are huge, so you definitely will not leave hungry. Between the wonderful hospitality, outstanding service from Jamila, and amazing food, Croaker's Spot gave us a memorable dining experience. We will definitely be back!

Corn bread = great Chips / fries = great…read moreFish = nasty, oily, dried out, chewy. In a word, garbage. I gave it to the stray cats. And over priced I got some cake there also, another mistake. Lord knows how long it had been sitting, drying out. Cat food also Save your money, don't eat here

I've been wanting to dine at The Roosevelt for quite some time, so I was thrilled when I happened…read moreto call right after 5 PM and the hostess told me they had two tables available. I let her know my husband and I would be there within 10 minutes, and I'm so glad we made it! We started with the chicken wing appetizer and two cocktails, and everything was absolutely delicious. For our entrées, we decided to share the cheeseburger and catfish, and both were superb. The cheeseburger was cooked perfectly medium and loaded with all the yummy additions, paired with crispy, delicious fries. But the catfish was the true standout! Served with buttery rice and tomato gravy, it was hands down one of the best entrées I've ever had at a restaurant. The flavors were incredible, and every bite was delicious. Our server, Cat, was amazing! She was attentive, friendly, and provided wonderful service throughout our entire meal. From the food to the cocktails and exceptional service, our first experience at The Roosevelt was fantastic. We will definitely be back!

I've been wanting to go here for the longest time and finally did. Now I understand why it's always…read morebooked! It's a historic place that used to be a boarding house that became a drug store then restaurants. Ambiance was casual. Service was very good. Our server Louise took good care of us. Food was delicious! I love the grilled Albemarle peaches. Perfect for this weather. Mix of sweetness and saltiness from cheese with some spice from chili oil. It was so good. The crispy pig tail was also wonderful. For the entrees, we got grilled pork belly and butter braised half chicken. The chicken was creamy, tender and very flavorful. The pork belly was soft, flavorful and really went well with the grits and collards. Our desserts were also heavenly. The miso banana panna cotta was light and very good. My favorite was the chocolate cloud semifreddo. The cold semifreddo and the warm strawberry preserves definitely complemented each other. I love this place. Will definitely be back!

Our sever "Josh" was wonderful so funny and helpful. The meatballs and wine were soooo good and the…read moreprice was wonderful. The vibes were so fancy.

This is a sweet average brunch place. Our server was really kind. Food leaves a little to be…read moredesired. Will still fulfill a brunch craving.

Just can't wait to return to the bountiful and delicious food at this fun outdoor venue. We're…read moredriving from Florida to PA instead of flying, in part so we can come back and have some amazingly well-prepared fish!

Today my wife wanted to get some fish and I was already down with the plan. We went to our spot…read moreSugar's and we were the first in line and had a short wait no more than 20 minutes since they started serving people. I ordered the just fish that comes with ten (10) pieces. Yes count them 1, 2,3,...10. Just like the Count on Sesame Street. Everyone is locked on right. I paid the money and the guy at the counter charged me for how many? Ten (10) fish pieces. After my short wait, my order was ready. The guy at the window showed me the fish looking golden brown and delicious. Hot piping hot. I said they looked good and ready for liftoff. Got to the car and my wife and I were happy at the time. After several hours and other stops we made it home. We live in Baltimore Md. A short 4 hour ride away. When my wife had unpacked the food and she asked me did I eat any fish? I said No? If I had she would have killed me before the plate got cold. She said that then they (Sugar's) did not give us piece number 10. The Boss was not happy and neither was I. Now I don't mind paying for delicious food and will do again. What I do mind is paying for fish that does not appear on my plate. I felt RIPPED OFF! If someone in the back of the house can't count to ten (10) and your employing someone who doesn't know how to count to 10, I am wondering what else is going on in the back of the house. Advise 1) Moving forward I will ask them to count them before accepting the finished product 2) Don't buy the Onion Rings. My wife does not care for them and she is an Onion ring person. Let's do this again but I'm bring the Count with me and the number 10 JUST TO MAKE SURE WERE CLEAR!

This is a great spot that we found while traveling through downtown Richmond. It's a short walk…read morefrom the Hilton, and right in the middle of other shops, restaurants and a church across the street. We were seated at a wonderful spot right at the front window facing Grace Street, ideal for people watching and a nice setting overall. Our server, Jennifer was quick to approach and offer drinks and menu suggestions. I had the scallops accompanied by a very tasty potato rosti, fennel/apple salad and fried pork belly bits. It was absolutely delicious - one of the best meals I've had in a while. I was drinking iced tea, which came with a little mint kick to it - I no longer drink alcohol with meals, but they appear to have quite a few creative cocktails as well. While this is likely a higher end restaurant for the area, I found the price averaging about $70 per person all in, including drinks, tip and tax to be quite a reasonable value overall. With wonderful service, incredible food, reasonable prices, and a beautiful dining room, this is certainly a place that I'd revisit again when traveling through or to Richmond.

We were spending the night at the Hilton Hotel across the street on our drive from Florida to New…read moreJersey. We picked this place for dinner based on its proximity to the hotel and we are so glad we did because it was fantastic! One of the best meals we have had in a while. The ambiance was also very nice with soft music and candles. The menu offers a handful of appetizers and a handful of entrees. They all sounded good but I decided to go with the petite filet mignon. It also came with smoked cheddar scallop potatoes, honey glazed baby carrots, and a port wine demi. All of it was delicious. My husband had the sumac dusted scallops with potato rosti, smoked pork belly, and an apple fennel salad. It looked and tasted great. We also received a complimentary corn muffin that tasted great. Service was fairly quick and professional.