As you enter thru the double wooden swinging doors, you are greeted with a very quaint restaurant.  The dark wood throughout makes you feel that you have entered a NYC restaurant.  We were taken to the room next to the one we entered, which was very cute as well and gave you a homey feel. Our server greeted us with a smile and promptly filled our water.  Being that it was restaurant week, we were given those menus to peruse, as we ordered the recommended Hungarian Wine - Bull's Blood.  I was pleasantly surprised that the menu was so vast for restaurant week and everything looked so amazing.  I ultimately ordered the Goulash soup, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and the crepes for dessert. We were served bread and cheese right away and this was a perfect start to the meal to come.  Once the Goulash arrived, the aroma of the amazing spices hits your nose and makes your mouth water.  The first bite was HEAVEN!  I have nothing bad to say about this dish.  The paprika was smoky and gave such great flavor.  The meat and potatoes were perfectly tender and just melted away in your mouth.  I used my bread to soak up all juices and seriously contemplated licking the bowl! 2nd course was Chicken Cordon Bleu with Lyonnaise pommes and steamed broccoli.  When it arrived, I was a little shocked that it was fried, I was not expecting that.  The chicken was very moist and the ham inside was crispy and salty, so great.  The Lyonnais pommes were slightly pan fried and so delicious. Dessert!  The crepes arrived and they were a bit on the burnt side, so I was a bit disappointed, as there were only parts that could be eaten.  Unfortunately, when you cut into it, they gave the impression that they had been premade and had sat under a heat lamp for too long.  My mama got the apple strudel and she ate that faster than I've ever seen her eat dessert!  I will order that one next time! I can't wait to come back and try more of this amazing menu!  Next - Serbian Goulash! read more

Monastery Restaurant - So beautiful and quaint! - Modern European Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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My husband and I wanted to bring in the New Years with bratwurst and sauerkraut. As soon as we entered Monastery, we were immediately greeted and seated. Our server was very attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the ambiance which was cozy, comfortable, and romantic. For our main courses, we had the 1/2 duck and the Serbian goulash. We then finished with a fresh fruit raspberry dumpling. The food was delectable! It was rich and full of flavor. We'll definitely be returning. read more

Went here with my husband for restaurant week and it was AMAZING. Service was brilliant, food was brilliant, decor was beyond brilliant. I would also come here during non-events because the pricing is manageable for 5 star quality food. I highly recommend the Montebeliaro read more

This restaurant comes highly recommended! Having traveled abroad I can honestly say the food is authentic and delicious! The decor takes you to Eastern Europe and the ambiance is comforting and wraps you like a German forest in the winter. Anna and Adolph, the owners, are from the Czech Republic and are great hosts and chefs. They make everything homemade and put their souls into every facet of their restaurant. Adolph came out and even cut up the dumplings for my youngest daughter and offered to bring more sauce and dumplings to the table. John our server, was really knowledgeable and helpful with the menu! All of the dishes we ordered were great! We'll be back on our next trip in town! read more

Monastery Restaurant - Goulash Bratislava - Modern European Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Disappointing. It was my 2nd time there and probably won't make it back. I am if Eastern European descent and enjoy that type of food. I had goulash that tasted fine - but there were maybe 8 little chunks of stew meat in a dish of sauce - and two pieces of bread that they labeled as dumplings. No noodles or carrots or anything. My wife had stuffed cabbage that was also unaccompanied- just two medium sized stuffed cabbages and two "dumplings". I didn't like the flavor of her dish - but that's just personal preference. Maybe if we ordered differently we would have liked the place better. Convenient location for Scope, servers were nice. Fool tasted OK - just not much off it. read more

Just went as a party of three for my sister's birthday and it was INCREDIBLE! They were participating in Downtown Norfolk Restaurant week and we found their menu online via the restaurant week website and were intrigued by the variety of European dishes from French to Hungarian to Serbian, etc. The atmosphere feels authentic and welcoming. Our server was wonderful offering knowledgeable suggestions and answering questions about food that was largely unfamiliar to our group without sounding intimidating. She was very sweet and funny; we thoroughly enjoyed her. We also met (presumably) the owner who was so delightfully kind and humble. She looked genuinely proud and touched when we told her how much we were enjoying the food. The food! We started with complementary hot homemade bread that was served with an apple and a plate of two cheeses. As a complimentary starter. Like, what?! It was soooo good. We also got escargot for the table and each of us decided to order from the three-course Restaurant Week menu. The starters were Hungarian Goulash Soup, a garden salad and shrimp cocktail. All were delicious. Our entrees were Montebeliaro, Serbian Goulash and Schnitzel ala Holstein. We all sampled each other's dishes and they just knocked it out of the park. All of the food was sooooo tasty! Desserts were up next and we ordered a Black Forest Cake, hot apple strudel with vanilla sauce, and a dumpling filled with apricot. Again, our server offered helpful tips on the best way to eat an unfamiliar dish. We also had a bottle of wine with dinner. They had a pretty decent wine list with very reasonable prices. If it was unclear at all, we enjoyed every moment and every bite at Monastery. 10/10 recommend. read more

Nothing quite like it. Mom and pop fine dining. The only eastern European food in town which translates to rich sauces with wonderful spices. The perfect combination of simplicity in the ingredients with complex textures and taste. This place has something for every pallet from extremely adventurous to plebeian in taste. They dont lose there quality for any reason and do what ever it takes to make you happy. read more

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This was our first time coming here and the food was so wonderful. A must eat place to put your your list to try. My husband got the Duck and I got the Chicken Cordon Blue. They were both delicious. Very hot and fresh!!We even sampled the Wiener Schnitzel and OMG that was by far the best Schnitzel here in Virginia!!I've even had it in Germany and it was better than there too!! The owners and our waitress were so friendly and nice. By far the best dinning out experience in a long time. We will definitely be back!! read more

Monastery Restaurant - Roast Duckling - Modern European Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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We brought some friends had a wonderful time at dinner. The food was excellent, the waitress was the best we have had anywhere, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We'll definitely be back. read more

I don't understand the poor reviews? This place is literally the best restaurant in Norfolk. It's not fusion cuisine, it's not modern, and it's not based on the whims of some pretentious chef. It is classic European food prepared exactly how it should be. The entire menu is excellent, and I have never had anything less than an amazing meal at Monastery. Also, they have the best scotch prices in town! read more

We had the most amazing experience here. We were in town deciding whether to move to Norfolk or not and this place made decision. Not only is the food amazing but the warmth emanating from the owners and staff is outstanding. This truly warmed my heart and filled my belly. I cannot wait to make this place a regular spot. read more

Monastery Restaurant - Bar - Modern European Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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After reading so many positive reviews I tried Monastery. Service was warm and efficient. Atmosphere was fabulous. Old World Elegance! But the food... meh. I had the Chicken Cordon Bleu and it was ok. Also tried the raclette and it was very pungent! Point is, know you're in for Eastern European food. Is what it is. If you like that you'll like this place. If you don't.... read more

Ordered Chardonnay wine and server brought out a red wine. She said she showed us the bottle, and it was what we ordered. The worst was we were sitting by the kitchen. The owner smokes cigarettes and drops the butts to the floor while cooking. Disgusting! Won't be back! read more

A gentlemen I only know by the nickname "His Majesty" recommended this place while standing outside of the restaurant. Everything was great! From service, through atmosphere, and most importantly the food itself. I grew up in Poland, and spent a decent time in Eastern and Southern Europe - their dishes are very authentic and delicious. One other thing I liked seeing is the warm and friendly interactions between the owners and the staff. Oh, and let's not forget the complimentary bread, cheese, and apple that came with dinner. I'm really not surprised this place has been operating for 37 years! I'm looking forward to returning! read more

Wanted treat my bf to a romantic dinner because he always treats me, glad I choose this place. We were sat right away and our server was courteous. The only reason why I am giving a 4 star is due to the wait time we had for our appetizer. We were told later that it a bit to bake the cheese. I hope they warn people ahead of time about the waits. Then they will know what to expect. read more

Make sure you make reservations. It is packed at dinner time! There is a seating area in the main restaurant as well as to the side. Request seating to the side if you would like more privacy. Monastery is a nice, cozy restaurant. The waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and friendly. My friend and I ordered the roasted duckling and bratwurst aux pommes lyonnaise. We were in for a surprise. Portions were filling and delicious. I definitely want to return to try more dishes!!! read more

Monastery is a charming little restaurant in downtown Norfolk. It's quite a different option than most other "hipster" locations around the area as it is a more romantic and intimate setting. I loved walking into the restaurant through the wooden doors into a beautiful, dimly lit dining room! It gave such a great ambience. The service here is outstanding--they know exactly how to properly serve guests. I'm not familiar with authentic European food, but I was impressed with what I received from monastery. For dinner, I ordered the serbian goulash. It was very tasty, but oddly it tasted exactly like a filipino dish called caldereta (for you fellow filipinas out there!). My boyfriend got the special which was veal in a cream sauce, and also very tasty. It is very pricey-- about $25-$30 per plate so pick wisely! I think for that price, the portions could be a bit bigger. Both dishes come with dumplings (which I found out are actually bread rolls), and can be replenished as often as you want. One thing I would suggest is that there are descriptions under each menu item. I swear we asked our waiter what half of the menu items consisted of! read more

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Romantic atmosphere with dim lights and low music. Waitress new her menu and provided exceptional service. Very personable staff including the owners who periodically came out to interact and insure dishes were to your liking. Warm soft bread, cheese, and an apple to start. Food was AMAZING! Best Salomon I've ever had and the steak was perfect too. Almost 5 stars. 4 because the three occupied tables were all filled next to each other so you feel you have to speak really low. Also because staff interacted so much they interrupted the dinner conversation and the eating. Definitely would go back! read more

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This place is a hidden gem of Norfolk! From the start to finish this whole meal turned into an experience. We went here for my birthday, plus my buddy has not had much exposure to European food. It was a slow night, we were one of two tables with people. But that was perfect. Our server was Sophia, who just happened to be night her 1st night there. She was joined by Lauren who was server/bartender. They both were an absolute fun, interactive and friendly team. Before we could start our meal the owners Anna and Adolf came out and they were just lovely, and instantly felt like mom and dad in the kitchen. They escaped from communist Czechoslovakia in 1967, and started their first restaurant in New York. After they took the time to talk about the menu and life. We were hooked! We started with their fresh made daily bread and cheese plate, which alone was so good. We then had the escargot which had garlic, butter, and seasons. Put on top of the fresh bread and it was money. For the main, we just told them to pick, we where that excited. My buddy had the steak goulash and I had the pepper and paprika goulash. Both dishes came with dumplings, and both were so tasty. Dessert was this raspberry filled dumpling, which was warm. Topped with cottage cheese, honey and powered sugar. It was beyond amazing with flavor! To Adolph, Anna, Lauren, Sophia.... Thank you for an amazing birthday gift experience. read more

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This has to be one of the most unique restaurants in the region. This is old school Central Europe encased in a small dining room on lower Granby. It comes complete with a temperamental, gray-haired chef named Adolf and his aproned wife who is constantly moving between the kitchen and dining room, throwing bear hugs around (I assume) regular customers. Also, as far as I could tell all of the wait staff spoke with slight accents so I am guessing that this is an entirely family run affair. That appeals to me, especially when you look at the website and read the family history that involves escaping from the Commie bastard Soviet Army as it invaded Czechoslovakia in 1967, making their way to America and successfully building a restaurant business first in NYC and for the last 30 years in Norfolk. I am always a sucker for immigrant stories like this one. Anyway, the first thing that jumps out at you is this is not a place for vegetarians. PETA-puffers should just stay away. Just about every menu item emphasizes meat, meat and meat. The starters were classic escargot and the best damn cabbage roll I have ever had. You may think a cabbage roll to be too pedestrian to excite your palate but this thing is superb. Everything from the filling to the soft cabbage leaf to the delicious tomato sauce covering it. Only the memory of my father threatening to backhand me as a child if I ever licked a plate at the table kept me from doing so. I so, so wanted to... My wife rolled her eyes as I ordered the steak tartare. I rolled them right back at her when she ordered the venison goulash special (You are eating Bambi!!). Both were delicious. The tartare was sublimely spiced and loaded with onion and capers. I first decided to order it to put that check in the block on my bucket list but was glad I did so. The texture would probably put most people off but that tends not to bother me. I was just glad to find a place that will put a dish like that on a menu in this day and age. Carbo-kid went for the roast duckling, which is her favorite protein when she isn't munching away on pasta, potatoes, rice or mac and cheese. The flavor was off the charts. That duck would have been proud if it knew how good it tasted. My martini at the start of the meal was pretty good but failed to tempt me into ordering a second one. We also found the service, while pleasant from the moment we sat down, to be a bit on the slow side. It did get very crowded since it was a Saturday night so we stayed patient. The timing was just a minor downcheck in an otherwise enjoyable evening and we would gladly eat here again. I can hear the Cassoulet calling my name. read more

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We ate here soon after they opened and it was good but not great. This last visit was fantastic, good service and the food was fantastic. A great selection of whiskeys and beers. We had Mac and cheese, fish and chips and a steak we a found the wonderful. I don't get to the area often but I will be back when I am. read more

This is one of best dining experience I've had in Virginia. Dinner started out with fresh bread, house made cheeses and an apple which they refilled. (so much food) Next we had Steak Tartare for an appetizer which was so good. I had the chef's special broiled beef in tomato sauce with Czech dumplings. Which the chef bought me extra sauce and dumplings. (so much food) My fiance's had the duck with Czech sauerkraut and dumplings. OMG! ! The best duck we have ever had, hands down. And the chef topped off his kraut and dumplings too. (so much food) I really wanted to try dessert but wasn't able to eat anything else. :) The service was spectacular, our waiter Ian was awesome and so nice. The chef and owner came out and talk to us and other tables which really sweet. This might have to become a monthly tradition. read more

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My coworker stumbled upon this restaurant online and read about the owners and wanted to go. I am so glad we did! Our server was phenomenal, she went over the menu with us, told us the history of the place, answered any and all questions without hesitation, shared her favorite dishes, etc. she was truly a delight that added to the experience. The food was fantastic and we all loved our meals. The server was so knowledgeable about the food because she said they all eat together after the restaurant closes and discuss what's going on in everyone's lives and basically have a "family dinner", I love that idea, how could you not want to support this business! read more

This was our favorite restaurant during our Norfolk visit. The restaurant was sophisticated, quiet and romantic. There were a lot of unfamiliar items on the menu and the waitresses were quick to offer explanations and recommendations. Service was friendly and prompt. My husband had shrimp cocktail and I had the potato leek soup for appetizers, both excellent. He had Weiner schnitzel and I had Chicken Gypsy and we shared the delicious tomato/feta side. We shared the hot apple strudel for dessert. Everything was so good and the evening was perfect. The owner came and greeted us at the end and relayed some of the history of the restaurant and showed us another room with a bar that looked very inviting. We will definitely come back to The Monastery restaurant next time we are in the Norfolk area and we recommend it highly. read more

We loved this place. First do not believe the naysayers....if you like to try something way out different Hungarian and just a cozy place to dine this is it. Tuna Tartare - fantastic Escargot - with a big splash of butter Montebelario - smoked pork sausage that melts in your mouth Stuffed Cabbage - beats any I've had We met the owners Anna, Adolph and the exceptional waiter Ian and chatted with them all night Well worth the couple of extra bucks for a great dining experience!! read more

Visited monastery last night w my husband for the first time. It was a little confusing walking in thru the double doors, I thought I went thru the back door. So don't be confuse, you are at the right entrance :) The place was very small, but very nice. They bring you bread, cheese and butter and an Apple I thought it was a weird combination but Omg it was so good! For appetizer we got the escargot, a little salty but not bad. The Hungarian goulash is delicious!!! Everything we got was amazing! The service also great, Vindy was our waitress and she was amazing, very attentive. We will def be coming back to the Monastery! Ps. I am not a sweet lover, but after reading about their dumplings dessert we had to try it; a dumpling fill with strawberries or blueberries , topped with cottage cheese and powder sugar! Hmmmm I wish there was space in my stomach for more :)) just amazing! read more

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Honestly, I don't know why this place only has 4 stars -- it deserves every bit of 5!!! My spouse and I tried this place on a whim after seeing the pics on yelp and it was even better in person - wow! I cannot recommend this place enough. The environment is amazing, beautiful, has the homey-feel of Europe. The chef came out (and I believe his wife) so people could pay compliments and spoke to people for a while - very friendly and the food was amazing. We really enjoyed it. And when I got the bill, I was surprised it was not double what it was for similar European restaurants in the area! Worth every penny. I noticed some complaints about hours not being accurate but when we went they were. It seems to be family owned to keep in mind that sometimes things just happen with people - they seemed very good & professional & skilled people. Highly recommend. read more

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I wish my experience had been five stars like so many of the other reviewers. Had been wanting to try this place for years, having heard of its European charm and tasty dishes. Bit of a shock, really. It doesn't take a food critic to know that this place isn't up to snuff. Food was a complete letdown: Cracker Barrel-like fare for triple the price, but at CB, at least you'll only pay 10 bucks for similar to what they're serving here. A $30 plate has zero presentation, the food is just slopped on cafeteria style. That said, presentation wouldn't have mattered if the food had been any good, or if the filet mignon had actually been filet mignon. As for ambiance, I walked in expecting Old World European. This place doesn't even come close. The two stars are for great service. Server was so sweet, great personality and great at his job. We won't be back, but good luck to those of you who decide to throw caution to the winds and try this place despite reading this review. ;) read more

Color is what i needed more of. Service is top notch. This place is old school and I really liked having the opportunity to eat that way. Really liked meeting the owner, she made the whole night special. read more

The food is nothing but spectacular. Service is impeccable, atmosphere is relaxed & friendly. Just visiting in Norfolk but if I lived here I would be here at least once a month. I highly recommend this restaurant if you're looking for something different but delicious. read more

We love this restaurant. We went before a show at Chrysler Hall and as usual, it did not disappoint. We had the duck and the goulash Bratislava. Both were delicious. Tried the blueberry dumpling with cottage cheese, butter, etc on the top for dessert. It was something I had never tried before and it was delicious. The owners and the staff are always friendly and happy to answer any questions you have about the menu. read more

One of the best restaurants I've ever been too. The atmosphere when you reach the door is immediately old European. My husband who's from England felt like he was back in his beloved Europe. The complimentary cheese and bread came with a delicious apple. Both of the cheeses they offered were very tasty, and the bread went very well with the potato leek soup we order as an appetizer. Personally I dislike leeks, but this soup was delicious without being too heavy. My husband is a vegetarian, so he ordered the Pasta Florentine and I ordered the filet. You pay for what you're getting. I had a bite of my husbands dish and it was amazing. My filet was the best i've ever had, and came with a delectable gravy for the meat and the vegetables. It's the first time in a long time i've finished a full plate of food at a restaurant. Not because there wasn't enough, but because i wouldn't do myself the disservice of depriving myself from any remaining bites. Our waiter, Sean, was the sweetest. He was prompt and attentive the entire time. When our dessert took a bit longer than anticipated, he offered us both complimentary glasses of champagne. It was an unforgettable evening. One of our favorite parts was listening to the piano music over the speakers and trying to guess the song and musical it came from. Really fun for musical theatre lovers. Highly recommended. read more

It was our first time here and the food was great. The only thing that made the experience underwhelming and quite honestly offensive was one of the waitress' comments about the protest going on outside. There was a BLM protest happening outside and we maybe heard them for 3 minutes collectively. They came and went pretty quickly. The waitress kept making comments about it and then decided to announce to the restaurant that she thought all lives mattered. Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinion but I suggest you educate yourself and keep those kind of comments to yourself when working especially in a place where people of all walks of life may come in. I'm not saying everyone at the restaurant shares her views but it will make me think twice about coming again. When I go to a restaurant I want to enjoy my time out not hear your thoughts about how you don't think black lives matter. read more

Different and good. Venison, goose, duck were among dinner choices. Eastern Europe theme. Authentic.

We visited The Monastery this weekend for an anniversary dinner with friends and we weren't disappointed. I can't remember what everyone ordered, but I ordered a house made sausage that came with saurkraut and sliced potatoes that was outstanding!!! The staff even brought out a sampler plate of the saurkraut while we waited. The wait staff knew everything about the menu. For dessert, we were treated to a fruit-filled dumpling topped with cottage cheese that melted in your mouth. They even sold me a to go bag of the sausages I had for dinner. Awesome!! U will not regret it. read more

It's just ok the quality of beef is subpar. They drenched everything in some gravy. The sides are all the same bland slices of potatoes.The bread is excellent though. read more

My family and I went here while hosting a Czech exchange student who found this restaurant while homesick. The owners were also from the Czech Republic, lovely people who came out to talk to her and recommend dishes. We also got a heaping basket of homemade bread with an apple and cheese as a complimentary appetizer which was so yummy! I have never been a fan of sauerkraut but the type they make here is so good! The owner brought some out for us to try to make sure we were happy with our decision to get some as a side. We got between us: the roast duck, a roast pork special, 2 types of goulash, and the breaded pork. Every plate was practically licked clean, I cannot stress enough how good the food was. Overall, the service was incredible and everything we ordered was delicious. The prices were very reasonable for the portion sizes, especially considering the bread that comes out. I would recommend anyone and everyone to go here, it was well a as worth the visit. read more

We celebrated my Mom's 50th birthday here and couldn't have asked for a better experience. They were able to accommodate our large party of 9 and had something for everyone on the menu. This family owned restaurant welcomed our family as guests as if we were their own. They even baked us a whole Black Forest cake for my mom's special day and sang Happy Birthday with us .... without us requesting any special birthday dessert. The service was exceptional. The restaurant was very intimate.... the perfect spot for any celebration. Prices here are high, compares to fine dining prices in NYC, however because we had such a great experience here, Price isn't a deal breaker and we would definitely return. read more

I came here with high hopes, and left making a new Yelp account (as I had forgotten my old login) just for the intent of writing this review. Unfortunately, I don't mean this a good way. The decor is very nice. I don't need to go on about the historical European design because this point has been detailed extensively already by others. The service was good-- a little slow, but nothing to legitimately complain about. The reason I can only give two stars comes down mostly to health concerns. Upon entry, there was a smell of cigarette smoke inside. When asked if the restaurant was non-smoking, the waitress said it was. When inquired about the matter further, she explained the smell by stating that it used to be a smoking area twenty-five years ago. And then came the loud, violent hacking sounds from the kitchen. It sounded like someone suffering from tuberculosis, and wasn't a one-off thing: the coughing was consistent the entire time we were there. After leaving, I read some reviews on here, with more than one mentioning the smell and further detailing that the owners openly smoke in the kitchen and inside the dining area itself, confirming my suspicions. It's only non-smoking for the patrons. Either way, it was incredibly off-putting to me. As for the food itself, it wasn't bad by means, but not impressive either. The roast duckling was a very generous portion, but completely flavourless. The black forest cake was a bit better, and wasn't cloyingly sweet as it's often made to be in America. Had it not been for the awful smoke smell and constant violent coughing, I'd be more inclined to come back a second time and try another dish I may find I prefer. Honestly, I'd like to-- this place has a wonderful assortment of Central/Eastern European food that you rarely see served anywhere else, let alone in the area. Unfortunately, though, that lack of competition is probably a large part of the reason they're able to stay in business. As wonderful as the Serbian goulash sounds, I won't be back to try it. Tl;dr: If heavy smoke doesn't bother you, you may find you enjoy the food, depending on what you order. read more

First things first. I so badly want to like this restaurant. In fact, I want to like this restaurant so much that I put off writing this review for quite some time. But, honestly, my experience here is one that should be shared. So, I came here for the previous Norfolk Restaurant Week with my cousin. This was one of our grandmother's favorite restaurants to eat of all time, so when we found out they were participating in Restaurant Week we jumped on it and booked a table at 9pm. This restaurant is unbelievably beautiful inside. So romantic, well lit --all-in-all, the ambiance is divine. Just sitting there made me wish that someday I'd be proposed to in that exact dining room (a shiksa can dream, eh?). They had a set menu for restaurant week and the menus were already waiting for us on a beautifully dressed table. They greeted us with chalices of water and a basket full of cheese, bread, and apples. It was too die for. I could already tell that this was going to be my favorite spot for a future date with an unfortunate soul. For dinner, I ordered the beef tartar and my cousin ordered the Chicken Cordon Bleu. It was way too good --all of it. The chicken put my homemade version to shame. AND THEN, the "thing" happened. The "thing" that totally ruined my night. The "thing" that has caused this review. And the "thing" that makes me never want to return here ever again. Halfway through chowing down on my plate of pure ecstasy, the chef walked out of the kitchen smoking a cigarette. In the middle of the restaurant. While I'm eating. At a table. Right next to the kitchen. He ashed his cigarette on the floor and then another woman (whom I later found out to be an owner), lit a cigarette and started ashing it on the carpeted floor. Smoke filled the dining room, while they acted as if we weren't even there. I was mortified. That earned them "three stars" --simply because the food was just that good. However, after that, the man walked back into the kitchen and swung the door. While the swinging door was still in motion (back and forth and back and forth), I caught a glimpse of him prepping/cutting meat with a cigarette in his mouth. Once again, ashing on the floor. That was it. I was done. One star all day long. Even though I only stomached half of my food, I immediately felt ill and could not finish or "box up" my food. I knew I could never come back here. I pondered calling the health department, honestly. What stopped me was that I could not bear the idea of calling the HD on an establishment that is a staple in the Ghent community. And my granny's favorite spot. I know a lot of folks swear by the restaurant --hell, I would too if the "thing" had never happened. I would daydream about this place, talk it up, and attempt to take the Dukedom with massive check-ins/visits. But, honestly, I am so mortified by the cleanliness that I cannot even stomach the idea of coming back. Clean it up, Monastery; I'll come back if you do. read more