came for RRW and the food was great! ambiance was cozy and staff was fairly attentive. read more

Rowland - steak - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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We enjoyed our dinner at Rowland for Richmond Restaurant Week. They only had two staff in the front - a server and bartender. Both seemed to do a great job and really hustled. The restaurant wasn't that crowded so it wasn't too bad. The server did a great job. We tried three different appetizers and the winner was the meatballs with the soup second and the shrimp manicotti coming in second and third. Two of our group had the blackened rockfish with crawfish etouffee which was excellent. Two of us had the flat iron steak and one was great and the second one was a poor cut of meat that the knife couldn't get through. They were great at replacing the inedible steak. Very reasonably priced cocktails which was nice. For dessert the apple dessert was prefered over the bread pudding. It was a nice evening with a lovely restaurant week menu. read more

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It pains me to write a bad review of a local neighborhood spot, but it was a horrible inedible meal a few nights back at Rowland. First there was only one server for the entire restaurant. For the bar too. We felt bad for her but it took 45 minutes to get our appetizers. They were absolutely disgusting. They were clearly pre frozen and nuked to serve. We had the Lima bean cake, the calamari and an absolute disaster of a carnita roll. The carnita roll was still frozen in the middle. My stepson found hair in the bean cake. We didn't eat the apps, didn't order anything else and left. My stepson is at VCU getting his masters. We gave him cash to get dinner at Kroger. The server was nice and felt bad. We paid and tipped her but will never go back. read more

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Wonderful. Come. Sit. Stay. Cocktails are spot on. And any place that has a paper plane as a staple is always A-okay on my list. This is cozy dining and then some. A seasonal menu with thoughtful entrees. And a nice wine list. Not too overwhelming but certainly expansive enough and wide ranging price wise. The menu is priced just right and the wait staff are attentive but not fawning. And the vibe is relaxing with good music at just a perfect volume. Great date spot or for a casual out of town guest you want to impress. Beautiful interior too with Tim ceilings, and sexy lighting. Love this place. read more

Every time we go here it is phenomenal. The service staff year after year is top notch: attentive but not overbearing. The food though is why you go. What a fun little whole in the wall with a great chef with all attention to detail - both presentation and taste. It's always packed but never overflowing. A gem of Richmond. read more

Went for the first time last neigh before the Richmond Forum... will 100% go again! All three of us raved about our meals... and shared. The rockfish and osso buco specials were fantastic, but the pork chop stole the show. Excellent service and wonderful atmosphere... Will certainly be back! read more

We went for restaurant week and we were so excited to go but we left feeling very disappointed. The food we got was delicious and the home made bread was a good start to the night but the portion sizes were so small and my husband and I both left feeling pretty hungry. We had to make some snacks for ourselves when we got home. The wait staff was kind and the ambiance of the room was cozy and warm which I enjoyed. I'd be interested in seeing non-restaurant week portions to see if it's worth the money but I doubt we'll be back. My husband and I shouldn't spend $122 on our food and cocktails and leave feeling like I had snacks rather than a filling meal. read more

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Love this restaurant and their amazing specials. This dish was amazing along with the roasted red pepper bisque for a starter. Macadamia crusted Halibut for the win! read more

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Rowland is a small, intimate restaurant located in the Fan. I would highly recommend making a reservation on Resy as a walk-in would likely take awhile to accommodate. The service and most of the food was great. The carbonara definitely could have been better. It was surprisingly a little bland and the presentation wasn't up to par with the other dishes, which doesn't bother me but they do consider themselves a "fine dining" restaurant. The risotto was my favorite and I would have ordered it as an entree if I could. It was pretty dark inside and somewhat loud but I think it'd make a nice date night for a special occasion. read more

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I'm not sure it's fair to review a restaurant during restaurant week. I have to say I walked away a little hungry because the portions were small but that might've been because it was restaurant week. Our drinks were lovely and very strong and the soup with short ribs was incredible, my entrée of cinnamon pork was lacking in taste the flavor and the bread pudding did nothing for me. read more

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Diamond in the rough! Packs of punch above its weight class! You need to get to know this place!

Great food, great drinks, and great service. The rockfish was fantastic. We will definitely be back!

We're from Iowa pork country and we come HERE for one of the best pork dishes--The Joe Chop. It's a perfect combination of coated moist pork, with adult Mac and cheese and a great veggie mix. I got to steal a bite of my wife's, while I opted for the nightly special-a delightful Char on a bed of root vegetables. Now we DON'T get much food fish where we live now, but this was every bit as good as I remember from our time living in RVA. Two servers were covering the entire house, as well as tending bar on a busy Wednesday night, and doing all they could to keep up. We weren't in a hurry, and both servers were friendly, fun, and zipping around sharing duties at all the tables. We tipped off dinner with a White Chocolate Bread Pudding. Pretty good, but room temperature-hot would be better, but it was still tasty. We used to live a few blocks away and this was one of our favorite places, and is a must-stop when we're in town. read more

Our group of 4 had a fantastic meal at Rowland. Every dish on the menu sounded delicious, we had a hard time choosing just one each. Then the server shared the specials which changed some of our choices. We all absolutely loved each of our meals (pork chop, bison burger and 2 rockfish specials). The meal started with a complementary bread basket, with a truly delicious bread with dipping oil and garlic. Our drinks were fast and tasty - great Manhattans. All their desserts are home made and delectable. We will definitely go back. Owners Bruce (also the Head Chef) and wife Virginia have a little gem with this restaurant. You won't be disappointed. read more

It wasn't even busy. (3 tables). They forgot a drink and an appetizer in our group of 4. It was very expensive. Desserts were unimpressive. read more

I always want to give restaurants (especially family owned restaurants) second chances but I absolutely cannot recommend this place I truly dislike writing bad reviews so I'll try to keep this short and sweet - We felt unwelcome here and rushed the entire time. Our server was honestly just rude, dismissive, had an condescending attitude. The entire experience was a downward spiral. From having our plates taken from us without being asked even though we weren't done eating. To our check being brought to us before we even got our dessert (which took us by surprise because we weren't prepared to close out and we wanted to order another drink). And the tipping point - Not even halfway through dessert, another employee interrupts to let us know we have 5 minutes left. We were never given any prior notice that there was a time limit and we were again completely caught off guard. (Note: There were 2 other tables open, no line or people waiting outside) At this point, I confronted our server about this as well as feeling rushed throughout our meal and he walked away mid-sentence and seemed like he could not care less. I couldn't even finish my dessert because I lost my appetite. The food was good but with that kind of service, it's not anything special. There really isn't anything unique about the decor in there either. It was giving behind the times. If you're looking for a locally owned restaurant experience, do yourself a favor and try literally ANYWHERE ELSE but here. read more

Really loved the food and service at Rowland, in Richmond. They also had a great selection of wines at VERY REASONABLE bottle prices. Super place, and when we're back in Richmond we'll eat at Rowland again. read more

Overall, the food was not very impressive to me. However, the mushroom ravioli with duck confit is to die for. I would come back just for that dish. I wish I got more of that. The lamb sliders and lamb chop were both very pink/red, almost bleeding. That's not how I prefer my meat, so that might just be a personal preference. The pork chop did fall right off the bone. The server was really nice. The restaurant is really smoky because the kitchen ceiling is not enclosed. I would definitely come back to try different items on their menu and 100% come back any time mushroom ravioli was on the menu. read more

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We had a wonderful dinner at Rowland last Friday night. We showed up ridiculously early for our reservation and had four instead of three but Derrick was able to accommodate us. He provided wonderful service throughout the evening. We started out with butter bean cake and calamari. The calamari was really tender and not chewy like some other places we've been. I love the butter bean cake, it has delicious flavors that combine to make the perfect bite. For dinner we had the NY strip, pork chop and bison burger. Our guests loved their bison burgers, I had the NY strip and it was cooked and seasoned perfectly and really tender. My boyfriend had the pork chop, if you read my reviews you know I'm not a huge fan of pork but they must marinate it for hours because it had a delicate flavor which complimented the side dishes. One little complaint, it was loud. We're old and can't handle all the noise. read more

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Went with family to this neighborhood restaurant on Valentine's Day. It has a large bar and relatively few tables. Reservations recommended. It looks like a place that would serve bar food, but the excellent cuisine was a surprise. Dishes are presented beautifully and the atmosphere is dark and intimate. Outdoor seating is available in good weather. Street parking can be tricky, so allocate additional time for that. Our service was outstanding, as were the choices on their special menu. Everyone enjoyed their meal. read more

Atmosphere is always pleasing and meals memorable. Great restaurant experience when you're looking for good food, wine and conversation with the entire table. I kept it simple and had the arugula vinaigrette salad and fresh caught rockfish w/ bouillabaisse sauce and saffron fingerling potatoes .....delicious. Everyone at the table enjoyed the night. Roland is definitely going to stay in the rotation. It's always a bonus to have a classically trained CIA chef prepare your meal. read more

This had been on my list for years and it just happened to be restaurant week when we went. It was all very delicious but such small portions so I'll have to try it again with the full menu. I love the RRW concept but I was hungry when I left. read more

Rowland - Arctic Char - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Simply Great food We don't here as often as we should, always a great experience, small intimate setting, chef-centric restaurant Always have the specials, never disappointed read more

We had a terrific dinner at Rowland. The space is beautiful inside, cozy and decorated with interesting art. The service was very nice and friendly. Don't miss the cauliflower hummus and butter bean cakes. Everything was just right! read more

My family and I arrived at 5:15 and were the only table in the restaurant. With that in mind, how is it possible that: - Our food was cold - The waitress messed up multiple orders and then charged us for it - My wife was served undercooked meat that poisoned her for Christmas If you want a haphazard dining experience that jeopardizes your physical health, by all means, dine at Rowland. read more

Service was fantastic. Food was amazing. We ordered the oyster starter and for our entrees the bronzini and the bison burger. Highly recommended. read more

The Bison Burger is a go-to, always brilliant. The menu overall is fairly diverse & the servers are always really great to deal with. Only ever have positive experiences in Rowland. read more

Rowland - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We ate dinner there last night, key takeaways... - My sister got food poisoning after eating a very undercooked bison burger. Now she isn't able to attend Christmas dinner. - Multiple items on the menu and drink list were unavailable. - Waitress messed up multiple orders. At least she received an automatic 20% gratuity. One positive is that restrooms were clean (prior to my sister getting food poisoning). read more

We made a reservation for a weekend night on Resy and were seated promptly. The decor is a bit generic but the seating was comfortable. The waiter was enthusiastic and nice but seemed very green and didn't know the menu by heart. Cocktails were just OK. Marg was a bit weak and somehow the Negroni was room temp despite a large ice cube. There were no flaws to the food just generic. Overall we felt this place lacked any coherent point of view. Maybe it's just a solid neighborhood joint. On the other hand it is priced quite a bit above your burger and beer joint so for me I won't be back. It doesn't have the passion or vision of a place like l'opposum or the execution of a Lemaire or even Shagbark and lacks the fun, casual vibe of the best neighborhood spots like toast or continental. read more

Delicious, very prompt service, and great drink selection. We had a great dinner here with friends and will be back. The complimentary bread and olive oil is delicious. read more

This was a great experience. The bartender James was just what Wednesday night mid week needed. He was knowledgeable about the menu with some good jokes. I had an old fashioned cocktail to start which was an A. The special for food was flounder with risotto. One of the best meals I've ever had. Licked the plate. The atmosphere is dark and cozy with lively music. Loved this place and would recommend for anyone who is feeling like a night on on the town. read more

My parents took me here for my birthday dinner and I'm glad they did :) Cute atmosphere and the friendliest service. We ate so much-I think my favorites were the homemade bread, salad with ginger dressing, and hazelnut creme brûlée. We tried the bean cake as an appetizer and we agreed it was good but not amazing. I got the Mahi mahi special and it was again good, but a bit salty/cooked longer than I would have preferred. What bumped this dinner up to a 5 star experience was the service! Our server seemed to run the whole restaurant and somehow managed to be so kind, helpful, and attentive to our table. Come check Rowland out read more

Rowland - Mahi Mahi special! - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I was very excited to finally eat at Rowland's, as it has been such a well-regarded staple in RVA for years. We got reservations for Restaurant Week, which may have been my first mistake. This very small restaurant was packed to the gills with tables and customers -- and not helped at all by the tin ceiling, which just amplified all the noise of everyone talking. The prie fixe menu was very appealing, but I couldn't have been more disappointed in my choices. While the pea bisque with smoked salmon was sophisticated and very tasty, my serving was only maybe half a cup. Then came my Beef Bourguignon with Creamy Polenta entree, which was essentially terrible: All I got were lukewarm shreds of beef, no larger pieces of stew meat at all, while the polenta was runny and tasteless. When our waitperson checked in, I told her I was unhappy ... but the only solution she was able to offer was to remove the dish from the menu week pricing -- which would charge me an additional $10! Unbelievable. Finally, even the dessert -- billed as a Dutch Chocolate Cheesecake -- was merely OK. Absolutely NOTHING was "fine dining" about my experience, and me with $60 bucks down the drain to show for it. Basically, an incredibly overrated restaurant which I will never visit again. read more

Small bites and drinks were excellent. Service was top notch considering they were able to accommodate us as we didn't have a reservation. Dimmed lights really gives you a warm feeling. read more

Portions have gotten way to small. I mean way too small. My entree of ravioli was two small ravioli. We went for pizza after eating dinner there. Come on to be hungry after a dinner there ?? And my appetite is average. Everything was so so small. What happened ? read more

Chef-owners Bruce and Virginia Rowland's Restaurant also named "Rowland" Feels Like a Dinner Party You Want to Attend. It's the simplest and most difficult question to answer: "Which restaurant should I check out in Richmond?" The type of cuisine, price point, outdoor dining options, the neighborhood, and occasion are just few factors to consider. Rowland is a relaxed place in a charming little space with an outdoor patio and tables with red umbrellas. Upon entering, one wonders what the restaurant wants to be. Is it a casual neighborhood spot, evidenced by the happy people dining at the bar and the laid-back vibe? Or is it a serious dining destination indicated by the Downtown and Westend folk absorbing the menu descriptions voraciously? The answer is that it's a little of both. The burnt orange painted dining room walls, tables with white tablecloths, artwork and the lighting is all simple and inviting. Servers are warm and friendly and the Contempory American food is exemplary. The menu is original American Contemporary cuisine moderately priced combing the traditions of 3 different continents North America,  South America, and Europe. With the bread and deserts baked on site by Chef Virginia Rowland. Our pre dinner specialty cocktails were excellently prepaired by the mixologist followed by appetizers, entrees with a house salid, and dessert which where prepared with care and presented expertly by the Chefs. If you are looking for a wonderful dinning experience, you need to place Rowland at the top of your list. read more

We dined at Rowland last night with friends. It was such a wonderful experience. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming on a cold night, the service was professional and a little quirky, which we loved. But, the real star was the food. I had the seared duck breast special with roasted butternut squash and asparagus. It was cooked perfectly. The skin was crispy, the fat well-rendered and it was seasoned beautifully. The honey mustard sauce was used sparingly to elevate the dish while letting the duck shine. Others at the table enjoyed a hearty beef Bolognese over tagliatelle pasta and the pork chop. Rave reviews all around. We also took advantage of the thoughtful cocktail list which consists mainly of Rowland's version of classic drinks. The wine list is small, but very approachable with options to meet satisfy almost any palate and budget. We had enjoyed charcuterie at home, so we didn't order starters, but many caught our eye. The salads that accompany each entree were just perfect for us. The bread pudding and chocolate creme brûlée were the perfect bites on which to end our meal. Dinner was remarkably affordable for the quality and service. I think dinner for six, with cocktails, a bottle of wine, entrees and two shared desserts including tax and 30 percent gratuity was about $325. We had to double check the bill to be sure there wasn't a mistake! All COVID protocols were strictly in place and enforced. We never came within 10 feet of another person other than our sever. Kudos to Virginia and Bruce Rowland for providing such a wonderful experience! read more

Leaves morph and descend with the hues of Autumn. Old memories make way for the new. I take it all in as I stroll the sidewalks of Main St. to arrive at my next culinary quest. Perfectly placed on the corner of Main and Shields, in the heart of Richmond's modish Fan District, lies a neighborhood staple of over a decade. Oil canvas created by Stephen Clark @stephenclarkart occupied the walls, as Bob Marley sang about One Love and People Getting Ready! Owner/Chef Bruce & Co-Owner/Pastry Chef Virginia, were in the kitchen creating delectable masterpieces with influences from Asia, the Mediterranean, Provence, & of course, Southern living. With an individual who worked as chef for Malcom Forbes private yacht and another whose clay art adorned the walls; I knew I was in for a top notch experience. Ladies and Gentlemen of Discovering RVA, tonight, Mr. RVA will be Rollin' with Rowland. @rowlandrestaurant . Appetizer- Pork Carnitas Spring Rolls~ Fresh, crispy, handmade Spring Rolls filled with juicy Pork Carnitas accented by warm Problano Crema & Queso Blanco. . Heads Up Family: They're going to ask you what dressing you would like on your side salad. Don't worry...it comes with the entree. Lol! . Entree- Lamb Chops~ Two generous, tender, mouthwatering Lamb Chops, resting atop flavorful Okinawa Sweet Potatoes, and lighted by their zesty Mango Chimichurri. . Wine Pairing- a glass of Caberbet Sauvignon, Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas, Maipo Valley, Chile . Alex - I truly thank you for your service, hospitality, patience, and care Brother. So many great recommendations and tips! BTW...smooth shirt as well Partner! . Chef Bruce Rowland- Just...WOW! The meal was amazing Good Sir. Thank you so much for taking the time and coming out to meet me after working so diligently in the kitchen. . #discoveringrva . #804 #va #virginia #rva #richmond #richmondva #rvadine #rvaeats #Rvafood #food #foodies #lifestyle #foodstagram #foodiesofinstagram #yummy #foodblog #foodblogger #foodlover #foodpost #foodography #delicious #delish #foodpic #eating #foodandwine #eeeeeats #foodiegram #igfood #forkyeah read more

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Came here with my roommate and her friend for Restaurant Week. Although the restaurant is small, it feels spacious. While it definitely is a place for fine dining (as the name implies), Rowland also showed its playful side as there were orange lights and fake bats hanging from the ceiling light/fan cords for Halloween. Lighting was kept on the darker side, as many fine-dining establishments tend toward. Our server for the night was friendly, but he was a bit forgetful. While we were still perusing our menu, he said he would bring over some bread, but he forgot. We ended up having to request bread after we had finished eating our appetizers. The bread was cold and a little sweet for my tastes anyway, although it did come with this great olive oil dip with rosemary and roasted garlic. My soup also came without a spoon, and one of my dining companions kept leaving his utensils on his plates, so when his dishes were cleared, he kept losing his utensils and was unable to eat the next course. An astute waiter would have noticed these small things instead of having to be prompted multiple times. However, I don't completely fault our server, because he might have been very busy; nonetheless, it stood out because this rarely happens. All of the dishes were great. I ordered a soup to start, followed by a cod and clam dish as main entree, and dulce de leche roulade for dessert. The soup was a curry eggplant soup with smoked trout. The soup was greener (in color) than I anticipated (but it may have been the lighting), and the trout was extremely salty; I was definitely vying for bread during that course. The main entree was very tasty, but again, a bit salty. Finally, the dessert was bite-sized, and a bit sweet, but not bad. It was hard for me to judge prices since Restaurant Week utilizes prix-fixe dining, so I don't know much about Rowland's regular menu. Overall, a pleasant Restaurant Week experience. read more

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Who knew Butter Bean Cakes were going to be so darn amazing??!! I sure didn't know, but am glad I know now! We made a reservation, but if you are an early diner you may not need one. By 7:15/7:30pm the place had filled up, but at 6:30pm there was only one table. That said, we were kind of bemused at how slow the service was right from the start considering the lack of patrons upon arrival. The food is quite good. We started with the aforementioned bean cake appetizer - AMAZING! Our various entrees were all excellent. Entrees come with salads, the house dressing is wonderful! I also can't speak highly enough of the desserts. Unique creations with distinct flavours, be sure to save room! If they can get their service a bit tighter, this will go higher on my regular dining list. read more

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