L'Opossum is still in a league of its own. The Beef Swellington is ridiculously good and somehow manages to be consistently perfect every single time. I bring every out-of-town guest here because I know it will never disappoint. The seasonal menus and specials are always creative and never a letdown. Service 10/10. Ambiance 10/10 no matter when you are dining. More and more restaurants in Richmond are trying to meet the standard L'Opossum has set, but no one has come close. LYSM L'Opposum read more

L'Opossum - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The fact that this restaurant doesn't have a star from the folks over at Michelin is a discredit to their entire guide. My last meal here was better than my last two Michelin meals combined. It's incredibly difficult to reduce a flawless experience at this restaurant into words that even come close to providing a fair account of this experience without the assistance of a professional author. Give it a try yourself, you won't have any regrets - so long as you remember to make a reservation. read more

One of the best & most unique spots I've been to lately and ever. Everything from service, atmosphere, and the food was outstanding. I would gladly order that filet or the lobster Mac again and again. The escargot was the best I have ever had - anywhere. Unreal. The bread and butter even blew my mind. The cocktail coming with a jockstrap. Genius & have yet to see that anywhere else. Will 100 percent be back if I am able. read more

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Came here for the first time last night, and it was an exceptional dining experience. The service was above and beyond, and our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and attentive to dietary restrictions and allergies. The drinks were spot on, and the food came out fairly quickly, the ambience is really impressive and eclectic. read more

L'Opossum - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We will always come back to that place. One of the BEST experiences ever! Food is DELICIOUS! Service is OUTSTANDING!!! Ambiance is the best!!! read more

L'Opossum - Filet - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I first visited this restaurant quite a few years ago and had what were, without question, the best crab cakes I've ever eaten. They were large, full of lump crab meat, and had a slightly creamy texture that made them unforgettable. Based on that experience, I returned last night and ordered the crab cakes again. Unfortunately, they were a huge disappointment. They were much smaller than I remembered, overcooked, and very dry. The sides didn't make up for it either--the steamed spinach with garlic lacked flavor, and the fingerling potatoes were bland and tasteless. I understand that restaurants can change over time, but this meal was nothing like the one that made me want to come back. I hope the restaurant returns to the quality it once offered. read more

EAT HERE!!! Wow. I have eaten at some amazing establishments in the world but this has to be one of my favorite dining experiences! The atmosphere is so vibrant and truly something you must experience for yourself. I could try to describe it to you, but no words could really portray it properly. In the most positive sense, you feel like you're in a Parisian Funhouse fever dream and it is so freaking awesome. The staff were amazing and so kind I was solo traveling for work and they got me a seat right up at the bar. The bartender was great and gave many suggestions for cocktails and even let me have a sample of a cocktail that I was considering I ended up getting the Italian porn star cocktail(holy *** you need to get this!) For food I got the daily special croquets for an appetizer , the coq au Morocco for my main, and the daily special flan with lemon curd for dessert. Everything was so flavorful and delicious. Savory and acidity, sweet, and crunchy and creamy. All dishes were so well balanced I only wish I lived in Richmond so I could come back again and again! Also bonus points the dish ware was all STUNNING and so unique. read more

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Highlight of my trip to Richmond! If you love fantastic food and Oscar Wilde-esque flair, this restaurant will tick all your boxes! The cocktails were delicious and the wine selection was very nice. Our waitress did a lovely job walking us through the menu and recommending drink pairings. I ordered the Prise de la Mer and thought it was a perfectly composed dish - highly recommend! read more

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Genuinely an all around pleasant experience. Was a bit of a wait to get me seated, but I didn't have a reservation - fortunately they did have one open seat at the bar. I do wish I had a bit more bread, but the bread that I did get was fantastic! Though the butter was the real star. This butter must be where the expression "smooth as butter" comes from. While enjoying unique ambiance that is on full force at L'Opossum, possums on the wall, statues, plates painted with various film scenes, and a lava lamp, I had my appetizer delivered which was escargot with a ham biscuit. Both very good! The ham was so soft I could cut through it with the fork, and the garlic beurre blanc sauce paired amazingly with it! Once I finished the appetizer I shortly received the entree, the Coq au Morocco. Wow. It came out smelling absolutely wonderful. Couldn't put down the fork once it came. It was served over a bed of cuscus with carrots and olives mixed in. The broth was a bit salty, however. But the chicken itself was so juicy I could barely believe I was eating chicken. Cooked to absolute perfection. Lastly, for dessert, I ordered the Limoncello Crème Brulet. Nothing spectacular to be said about it, it was a crème brulet. I also ordered a cup of hot tea, it was nice they had such a wide selection! Overall it was a wonderful experience at L'Opossum, I will undoubtedly be back! read more

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Amazing food and drinks everything was so damn good. Truly a hidden gem!! We will absolutely return.

A masterful blend of French elegance + American creativity. Its dark and moody decor set the tone for your dining experience. There are seasonal dishes and staples that remain. We ordered two cocktails, not on the menu. The escargot (in a sweet garlic sauce) and fabergé egg (bedazzled with caviar, lobster and cured salmon) was a must to start. I can't remember the name of the soup du jour but it was creamy and finished with pine nuts. Coq Au Morocco was a tender cut of chicken seasoned with cinnamon and Moroccan herbs. The fish entrée was salmon + trout and lovely ribbons of beet in between. Susan was attentive and knowledgeable about each of the dishes. read more

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L'Opossum was a mixed experience. Some of the cooking was genuinely tasty and technically competent, but a strong current of kitsch and self-conscious quirkiness ran through the night and, at several points, detracted from the meal. The concept reads French with a distinct Richmond twist. The room leans into camp: walls crowded with odd paintings and diner-style bric-a-brac, including clown imagery that made the space feel more distracting than cozy for me. The cocktail list shares the same theatrical impulse. A "Laura Palmer" arrived wrapped in cling film, a clever visual gag, but the drink itself lacked complexity and didn't evolve as you sipped. That became a theme. Dishes often reached for big gestures where quieter refinement would have served them better. On the plus side, the kitchen shows real skill. The escargot were perfectly tender and thoughtfully plated rather than baked to death in the usual ceramic wells. The burger with foie gras came out lush and immediately appealing. Both plates, however, suffered from aggressive salting that overwhelmed what would otherwise have been balanced, satisfying preparations. It felt like the seasoning dial was a click or two past where the ingredients could sing. Service also had a few glitches. I was dealing with allergies, and the restroom was scented with a very strong, smoky candle; the incense-like smell stung my eyes and set off my sinuses. It felt like an odd choice for a French dining room that otherwise aims for finesse. Early in the meal my wife's dental filling came loose, not the restaurant's fault, so we decided to skip dessert and head home despite noting at the start that we were celebrating a special occasion. Instead of a simple acknowledgment, our server gave us a puzzled look as if we were committing a faux pas, then presented an empty plate with a lit candle for my wife along with the check. Perhaps it was meant as humor. It landed as awkward and a little humiliating at the end of an already uneven night. So the verdict is split. There is a capable chef here and flashes of well-executed, rustic French comfort, but the house aesthetic skews toward novelty and a heavy hand with seasoning. If you enjoy irreverent décor and loud flavors, you might find the scene delightful. For my palate, the meal was salty, and the service left a bit to be desired. I do not regret the visit, though I am not sure I would return. read more

We visited for our anniversary. The hostess was very welcoming and wished us happy anniversary right away. We thankfully were seated at a booth which was lovely and we really preferred it rather than the row of tables down the middle. Our server was great and gave us a rose prosecco to celebrate. We started with the grilled Caesar which was excellent. I would love to try to recreate this at home because it was so good! For our main dish, my husband had the Morrocan chicken dish which had layers of flavor and was delicious. I had the fillet which was one of the best I have ever had. From the ambiance to the drinks to the food this was my favorite meal I have had in Richmond. It is worth the hype! read more

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What a way to kick off a vacation week! We dined with friends recently and it was incredible. Parking is a bit tight as it's all neighborhood parking but we were able to grab a spot on a Saturday night without too much issue. You may just want to drop most of your party off at the door if possible. The service was great - attentive and high level without being overbearing or annoying. They answered our questions and provided recommendations when needed. The steak and tomato tartar and escargot were favorite apps. The filet was one of the best I've had in a long time. The quail was delicious as were the crab cakes. read more

I finally went here for the first time for my birthday! (I had to make reservations 3 months out and the earliest was 8pm). My BF ordered wine and I got a smokey tequila cocktail that was delicious. For appetizers we got the steak & tomato tartare. That was my favorite of the night! They also give you one slice of free bread and butter but they come around frequently asking if you want more. For entrees, we both ordered the beef swellington medium rare. The temperature came out perfect. The dish was good but it was REALLY salty. My BF's dish was overly salty as well. Other than that everything was great. It's also a very dark restaurant, so if you're not a fan of those don't come here. The ambiance is really eclectic too, random pictures and statues. Overall I want to come back to try the other appetizers and possibly another entree. read more

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We came here for our 10th anniversary...we had the escargot--which was fabulous--a bottle of wine, and ordered the Quail and Lamb Belly for entrees. For dessert we had some chocolate thing recommende that was excellent and something like an elevated apple pie which was also excellent. The vibe was cool w the music playing, and such an eclectic atmosphere. Service was outstanding at the bar. It's hard to get a reservation so plan more than a month in advance. 5 stars! read more

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L'Opossum is one of the best restaurants in Richmond, if not the best. The service is always fantastic and our waitress, Anja, was lovely :-). She made great recommendations! We had the venison carpaccio (special), beef swellington (this is a MUST and always on the menu), the Moroccan chicken (special), and two desserts (one of them was a coffee flan with lemon curd and the other a kouign-amann that was sooooooo heavenly. Everything was seasoned well, came out hot (besides carpaccio & flan, of course), and full of flavor. I can always count on an amazing experience and it's always consistently mind-blowing. I also just love the eclectic and Wes Anderson-eqsue vibes of the restaurant. The complexity of flavors, the nuances, etc. is an experience in itself. If you haven't been, make your reservation ASAP! read more

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It took me far too long to eat at L'Opossum, but glad I finally made it! My husband and I had taken the day off to go sailing, but the weather was a washout so we had to pivot to a new plan. I had watched L'Opossum but getting a reservation is nearly impossible, but lo and behold, I found one on a Wednesday night and snagged it. We decided to have dinner here then visit the Virginia History Museum to see the Julia Child exhibit the next day. Turns out David Shannon was featured in the exhibit...guess it was meant to be. We were on our way for our reservation and received a text that our seats were ready. We had 2 bar seats, which I loved. Our bartender Jonathan was wonderful, helped us make good decisions and made great cocktails to boot. For drinks we got the Inner Saboteur (I might have the name wrong)...it was a tequila-based drink with peppers and cilantro infused. So good. My husband got their version of an old fashioned and he really enjoyed it. For appetizers they had a cucumber and almond gazpacho (I'm a super fan of gazpacho so I had to try it), the venison carpaccio and the beef tartare. The gazpacho was amazing! The other appetizers were awesome too, but that gazpacho...mmmmmm. For entrees we got the filet and lamb belly. They had some really tasty sounding specials and I was thinking about fish, but Jonathan said since it was my first time I should try a classic. Glad I did! It was wonderful. I ended up bringing some home and it was awesome heated up the next day. We didn't make it to dessert, but I love devils food cake and regret not getting it...Next time. The irony is that the next day as we were visiting the Julia Child exhibit we saw David Shannon featured in a section about Virginia chefs. He deserves the recognition. He's created a quirky, unique, fun and delectable restaurant that I will most definitely visit again soon. read more

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Without a doubt, one of the greatest restaurants in Richmond. The ambience./decor is next level it will inspire and entice your dining experience by far. Excellent service from the staff with information and suggestions about the menu. The food is visually and exceptionally well crafted unlike I've ever seen. I finish my review of L'Opossum with the words L'Awesome!!!! read more

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Where to start? Lovely and charming small restaurant, where everything was done so well. Service, music, lighting, decor, FOOD; everything was perfect! I had the Rock fish special and it was perfectly seasoned; I love a restaurant that brings me fish with a delectable, crispy skin. My hubbies filet was cooked to perfection as well. Our wait person gave excellent suggestions. I think the cocktail I had was the most inventive and delicious one I've ever had. We both had apps, him the dips and me the Faberge eggs. Lovely flavor profiles and, again, inventive combinations. I love soups but decided on the eggs instead. May have to go back soon just for a soup try. Our desserts were a delight as well but I think I chose the winner with the frangelico (flan? Cream brûlée without brûlée?) topped with a dollop of lemon curd!Husband is not a foodie and hates to spend big bucks but I warned him several times that it wasn't inexpensive and that he had to suck it up. A truly lovely dining experience! read more

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If you've never been to L'Opposum you really need to make the trip, all of us were saying this place is definitely one of the best in RVA as far as variety of dishes and deliciousness. I can tell you that everything in the pictures were eaten with zero crumbs left by any of us. It was an amazing meal... from Leek Soup, Caesar Salad, Escargots with Ham biscuit, Halibut, Beef Swellington, Stuffed Quail Cajun style, Lamb Roulade with Choux Dumplings w/ truffle service, that is a first for me, and OMG this Mint Ice Cream pie with a coffee chocolate crust, amazing! Make a visit you won't be disappointed! read more

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This restaurant is colorful and quirky, the definition of a classic Richmond restaurant. The French cuisine was a bit expensive, but was delicious and plated beautifully. Our hostess and server were very nice and timely, and the restroom was clean which is much appreciated. I will say proceed with caution to smaller places like this if you get overstimulated easily. It is dark in there, and it can get quite loud. But generally the atmosphere is nice. It's also highly recommended to make a reservation months in advance, as it fills up quickly on reasonable times. read more

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Absolutely incredible experience! The drinks, the food, the atmosphere are all some of the best in Richmond! I definitely will be back read more

L'Opossum - Filet mignon of beef swellington - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Recon: Don't bother. Was not made to feel welcome. Staff set the mood, which is especially important at dining establishments. Tables very close together, nothing intimate about this at all. Food very tasty, service indifferent. Had an appetizer and a drink and left. I wanted to like it; I didn't. read more

We had an incredible dinner here for our anniversary. First, the bartender made an excellent aviation cocktail (this is rare to find). The food was delicious and met an important fine dining requirement for me: the truffle in the lobster Mac and cheese was perfect and NOT overly strong. The ambience is sexy and fun. Maximalist, lush, everything about this place is decadence. Love it and can't wait to go back. The music was a little loud for my taste but I'm old. read more

L'Opossum - Herb chips - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Okay, I get the hype. L'Opossum is probably now one of my top restaurants in Richmond now. The restaurant is in the middle of Oregon Hill. Seems small on the outside but when you walk in, you are surrounded by the creative decor and ambiance. I had to make a reservation two months in advance as this is a very popular restaurant and it was pretty busy inside (I went around 8PM). I had the market fish dish (halibut) which was paired really well with the saffron cream sauce. My partner had the filet mignon deconstructed beef Wellington which he loved a lot. The meat was perfectly tender and juicy. Service is very attentive and answered all of our questions. The menu changes seasonally but this winter menu was wonderful. Hopefully I can come back to try a different menu ! read more

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Killer meal, excellent service. Plain & simple. Menu has great selection for most any taste. Considered 4 stars simply because the prices are frankly a bit absurd, but just couldn't bring myself to do so given the quality of the food and service staff. I'll gladly pay for a wonderful meal and a fantastic experience, but we're not in Manhattan. That said, I'll return at some point. read more

L'opossum is a quirky and moody place. The location is very unassuming but as soon as you passed the velvet curtain you are transported to a different world. We were only able to get a bar seating booking 3 weeks out. Being in the far end of the restaurant next to the kitchen prob killed the vibe a little. And perhaps being in the corner the bar tender couldn't notice us out of the 3 parties of 2. We eventually had to call his name to get his attention. The menus are cheeky with funny descriptions. The food was very nice, French country fairs. I had catch of the day and the fish was cooked to perfection with crusty skin and flaky tender fish meat. The accompanied wild rice and vegetables were a nice addition but after a couple of bites it became a salty soggy nuisance. Perhaps reducing the volume would've been better. My dining partner had the quail and she throughly enjoyed it. We also shared a limoncello crème bulee. It was nice but I didn't get the limoncello from it. Overall it was a very pleasant dining experience but I am not sure the $43 main course plus 3 weeks wait paid off the hype. read more

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We sat at the bar and had a delightful time. The food ranged from good to great. We especially enjoyed the tuna crudo and the escargot. The vibes at the restaurant are fantastic. Really fun kitschy decor and excellent playlist. Our bartender/server Johnathan was super nice and fun. Our one request is that you add him to the many drawings of staff you have on the menus and business cards. It's simply not fair that Jonathan doesn't get his own trading card. read more

My partner and I decided to try L'Opossum for a date night on Saturday - we had heard good things and it did not disappoint! Reservations fill up fast, so I had to book a couple months in advance in order to secure a table (rather than bar seating) on a weekend. Our reservation was at 5pm, and the restaurant was not overly crowded when we got there, which was nice. We were seated right away, and our server was very helpful in explaining the specials and menu items. I ordered the lamb with the "Throwing Shade" cocktail, and my partner ordered the lobster Mac and cheese with wine. Both of our entrees were so flavorful and well-prepared. The flavors in my lamb dish all worked so well together. I also greatly enjoyed the cocktail, the orange flavor was very refreshing. For dessert, we shared a lemon lavender creme brûlée and chocolate cake a la mode. Both desserts hit the spot; the white chocolate ice cream was especially good. The restaurant itself if very quirky and fun - a lot of interesting pictures fill the walls, and the lighting is dark and moody. All of the servers were friendly and helpful. It is centrally located in Oregon Hill, close to downtown, and we easily found street parking within a block or two. Overall a fun night out, I'd love to come back again. read more

L'Opossum - Dining area - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I have been wanting to try this spot for several months, but I have heard it's hard to get a table. My husband I went after work on a Thursday at 5:30pm and were seated at the bar without wait. We actually really enjoy bar seating. It's fun to watch the bartenders work. We had great service from both bar staff and servers. I tried the appetizer special, the lobster bisque, which came with a large piece of lobster ravioli I the middle. It was really good. I got the crab cakes for the main. I was a bit worried because usually when you order crab cake it's typically small. That was not the case for this dish. It came with two appropriately sized crab cakes, spinach, and potatoes, all of which were delicious and blended perfectly. My husband got the hamachi for a starter and he said it was fantastic. The presentation on that one was also very appealing. For his main he tried the soft shell crab, which he had never had before. He liked it and said he'd get it again. I think this is a great spot for dinner, especially a date night. Quiet and darker vibes. We will definitely be back. read more

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This was as much of an experience as it was a meal. We did not have reservations so we took a chance and showed up right at five on a Friday night and were able to get a table! Because it was our anniversary dinner we went all in. Cocktails were amazing, appetizers a work of art, entrees were surprising filling, and we had some wonderful Cabernet with the main course as well. Desserts were next level! read more

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Had a very memorable dining experience at L'Opossum. We were seated immediately when we arrived. The restaurant was almost full even on a Thursday evening. Our server was friendly, but they had an issue making an old fashioned at the bar. We asked for a bourbon list, but she had to see what they had. A restaurant of this caliber should definitely have an alcohol menu. They were out of the bourbon we wanted so just made it with some odd tasting liquor, and didn't even mention. It obviously didn't taste right...guess they thought we wouldn't notice. I didn't really appreciate that. They did comp our drink, which was nice. We started with the crab cake. It was delicious. They also brought some fresh bread. We ordered the beef swellington. It was amazing!! I don't really love steak, but loved. It. Best steak I've ever had. We also had the fish entree, which was yummy, as well. I ordered the truffle service. It was cool but not worth the money. For dessert, we tried the flan and the chocolate cake dessert. The flan was underwhelming, but the chocolate dessert was great! We ordered another drink, and our server seemed irritated. About halfway through the drink, she informed us we needed to finish so they could use our table. I get turning tables and all, but she could have been nicer about it, especially when you're paying $600 for dinner. It was a cool atmosphere but wouldn't dine there again. read more

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Well, it has been seven years but we finally decided to give this place another try. I got there and was immediately greeted and seated, which was nice. The restaurant is very quirky and eclectic and you do feel a little squashed in, but everyone from service was kind and attentive, and things moved along quickly. My friend has pretty severe allergies so we appreciated the time the server took to identify safe foods and double check with the chef for a few alterations. We ordered the onion dip and the Beef Swellington. We also ordered some cocktails as well. Everything was delicious! The onion dip was great though we lamented that there wasn't enough of it. Our swellingtons were cooked perfectly and I wish we had more sauce because I would have gotten in a glass to drink. We split some desserts and those too were to die for. It's a very expensive place, but well worth it for a special celebration. Definitely a gem. read more

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The mark of a top-notch 5 restaurant isn't when things work without a hitch, but when things go unexpectedly and how the restaurant handles its business. TRUST that you are in the hands of 5 star dining when you land in this quirky, exquisite spot. Story-telling meets fine-dining in this wide open, celebration of all sides of life. read more

Phenomenal from start to finish. One of the best dining experiences we've had in Richmond so far. The service was great, we sat at the bar and the bartender was super attentive and answered questions that we didn't even ask him directly. The drinks were good but the food was spectacular. The lobster mac n cheese was soooo good! Oysters were some of the best we've had. Steak tartare was awesome and the rum dessert was really good. We'll definitely be back! read more

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This is one of Richmond's Crown Jewels for dining! It is tucked away in such an unassuming little brick building, but the moment you step through the believer curtains at the entrance you are transported so to a restaurant in France! The dark moody atmosphere make it the perfect spot for an intimate, celebratory meal! The staff is so kind and accommodating; they will bend over backwards to make sure you have the best experience you can have. They were prompt and friendly, and made sure there was never an empty glass on the table! The food was exquisite and it rotates from season to season! When I went I got the quail and it was melt in your mouth delicious! We also got the lobster Mac and cheese to share and it was the richest, most delicious Mac and cheese I have ever had! You would think you were in Maine with how much lobster they put on it! I am for sure returning for more! read more

L'Opossum - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Best restaurant in Richmond, hands down. No debate. Every time I come here, I am absolutely blown away. Every single dish is fantastic. The drinks are fantastic. The staff is super kind and knowledgeable. The decorations are everything. The theming is so cheeky and funny. Make sure to book a reservation in advance. This place is worth every penny. read more

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TRYING 2 HARD TO BE DIFFERENT Had super high hopes for this place. Drove all the way from Raleigh to take a relative for a significant birthday. My first impression was that the homoerotic/clown motif was a bit over the top. Music was pleasantly eclectic and not blared. It was darker inside than I prefer. Dark enough in fact, that I was forced to de-bone my quail by braille. Crab cakes had actual lump crab meat. The Swellington entree was cooked perfectly and quite tasty. Overall, the food was very good but just seemed overly busy - too much going on. Our server was awesome, super friendly and attentive. No complaints there. read more

One of my favorite restaurants ever. The ambiance, the music, the service and the food are all impeccable. I had the Ceasar salad, crab cakes and Bundt cake. They were all amazing. The grilled Ceasar salad was perfectly charred and flavorful, the crab cakes were all lump and the pirate cake was perfect in moisture and sweetness, it is a hidden gem in Richmond! Go if you haven't already! read more