This is the Four Points by Sheraton's hotel restaurant. I don't usually eat in hotels, but I was severely tired after a long couple days of travel and it was right downstairs. But I have to say: The hotel also has an Applebee's within walking distance -- in the same lot -- and I feel like I would have had a better meal there.
After checking in, I headed downstairs for a semi-late dinner. There were a couple tables occupied and just one guy sitting at the bar. I sat on the other end of the bar and was greeted by the bartender kind of apprehensively. I asked for a menu and she gave me one for food only.
After I looked at it for a bit, I scanned the prices and decided the $10 tidewater wrap sounded decent. It came with ham, turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and a mustard-based dressing. Oddly, no cheese, but I wasn't being picky. When she returned, I ordered it without tomatoes and then asked about their draft beer offerings. In the elevators and elsewhere in the hotel, they advertise that they serve local brews, so I was excited about that.
In actuality, they have three taps. Three. One is a Hardywood IPA, which is the RVA equivalent of having Yards in Philly, or Ballast Point in San Diego, or Deschutes in Portland. I like all those breweries enough, but they're easily accessible in their local markets. Bottled beer options are much worse: If you'd like some domestic water, they have several varieties available. Nada on the local bottle front.
So, of course, I asked about the other two draft options and explained I'm not the biggest hop head. She told me the other two were brown ales, except that one was clearly labeled as a red ale. Nonetheless, she offered samples of both, set them down, then remembered to ID me. One sip of the red was enough, so I chose Legend's brown ale, which is a Richmond classic.
I just feel like if you're advertising ~great local brews~ you should probably get with the times and offer a larger selection of styles and area breweries. But that's just my suggestion.
After I ordered the beer, the bartender asked if I had wanted food also, so I repeated my order. It didn't take long for the wrap to come out, but the thing was totally mediocre and bland. The fries tasted reheated, and the sandwich was on par with something from a convenience store. I'm not even sure it was worth the $10.
I asked for a box after eating half of it. The vibe at the time wasn't all that inviting for a solo female traveler (the guy was doted on) so I felt out of place.
I'd say the experience was a lesson in avoiding pure laziness in the future. There is almost always somewhere better to eat than the hotel restaurant, especially in a city as great as Richmond. read more