Was fortunate enough to get in for brunch! The shrimp and grits with a biscuit and coffee was just what needed to start the day! Ron and his staff were extra attentive and made our brunch so enjoyable. The hint of traditional Jazz playing in the background was a wonderful touch to set the mood for a nice dining experience! And a very special thanks to Meghan! She and the entire crew were so special and accommodating today and at our celebration the night before at the Hippodrome. read more

See all

Food: chicken and waffles - THE BEST IVE HAD IN RVA so far. That don't allow substitutes so I had to pay extra for the grits which were worth it. The pineapple mimosa was just right and refreshing. Ambiance: a hidden gem in the Jackson Ward so there was no crowd and we were seated in a timely manner. Street parking fyi! Service: not perfect but good enough. Waiter was forgetful but she made for it with free mimosas. The check automatically includes 18% tip which is disappointing for crowds who originally going to put in 20%. I overheard a table who was going to tip more until they learned about the automated tip. I wish restaurants didn't do that but it is what it is. read more

See all

I had my birthday brunch at the Hippodrome/Speakeasy Grille on 12/20/2020 and it was nothing less than amazing. The food exceeded my expectations and all of my guests were satisfied. The chicken and waffles is soooo soo good! I visited again on 1/29/21 again, because me and my friend really wanted their brunch! Service and food were both good! read more

See all

Beautiful venue. Attended a Quinceañera party for a friend's' daughter. Absolutely top notch employees, food, music. Elegant but not stuffy. A good time was had by all! read more

See all

My cousins rented out the venue for a rehearsal dinner. They did the absolute bare minimum. The bar didn't accept cash. The food plating was off. The chicken and waffles was also plated with potatoes and veggies?? I got the fried fish, it didn't come with any type of sauce . They didn't even bring ketchup or hot sauce to the table unless u asked. Overall the food was ok. We had a great time read more

I had the pleasure of working a wedding (as the DJ) in the back area of the building this past Friday night. The decorating skills and ambience created by The Speakeasy staff took me back to the days of REAL speakeasies and the decadent opulence and grandeur of the roaring 20's and jazz era. It was truly impressive and breathtaking to a veteran DJ who is difficult to impress after performing at over 1,500 events spanning a career of 35 years, I had met the owner, Ron Stallings, several years ago after having helped at another event at The Hippodrome, and I was very impressed by both his professionalism and friendly manner, so I started off with high expectations. They did not disappoint. The site coordinator, Liz, was one of the most helpful, pleasant individuals I ever had the pleasure to work with, and I later discovered the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, as she was Ron's daughter. After a hugely successful night, due partly to Liz and her incredible staff, I ended up back home much later that evening and gushed to my better half about this gorgeous venue and success of the event. I also mentioned that the restaurant was only open for brunch, as they now concentrate on private events now (and do them VERY well). Guess where we ended up for brunch on Sunday? From the moment we arrived until we left, it was pure heaven. The music was perfect, the wait staff was on point, and the entire feeling was that of being on vacation in New York City or Savannah. Oh, and the food was, well, so absolutely delicious, any description wouldn't do it justice. I ordered the chicken and biscuits with gravy and potatoes. My better half ordered the crab omelet. Huge, decadent and perfect is the best way to describe it. I was sure I would be taking home leftovers, but it was just so good, I couldn't resist inhaling the entire meal. And to round off a perfect day, I was fortunate enough to see and chat with Liz again - she manages the restaurant and even helps serve the clientele. Talk about a win-win! Living in the suburbs of Goochland, this was a bit of a hike for us just to enjoy brunch, but be assured we will be taking this hike again. In these post-covid days, mediocrity seems to be the prevailing atmosphere in the service industry, but not here. They got it down, and got it down right. Visit, enjoy, stuff yourself silly, and say hi to Liz for me when you travel down to Jackson Ward. The Speakeasy left us both with a peaceful, easy feeling. read more

I really didn't wanna do this and honestly it's really sad ... I'm so unimpressed, some adjustments and this restaurant would actually be GREAT . I go to restaurants all the time in Richmond and this one just ain't it ! We woulda ben better off goin to Golden Corral !! I'm HIGHLY disappointed in their brunch menu which I was not even informed that would be the menu ! We came for dinner ... Here's why ..... First it's the lack of communication with the reservations , I hear one thing from somebody else and something else from the manager that was never from their staff Informed , I just didn't want anyone to be late and make sure we all were on time , I'm so happy I called back !!! Said they would cancel my reservation even when I JUST called and made it for 2:30 ridiculous when we got their it wasn't busy no one was barely even there Second , the waiter never smiled to us not ONE time , super rude and weird at the same time Third the food was just not that great , we ask the waiter how big the entrees are he tells us their big portion it was so small !! I ordered the shrimp and grits it was gross ! I can make better at home ! Forth the fact that they don't let anybody know gratuity is included in the check is just ridiculous First & LAST time here , maybe in the future for DINNER I MIGHT give them another try but their brunch is definitely overrated , you gotta have a really big taste for chicken and even the chicken and waffles their chicken looks like oysters and small ! read more

I had a Terrifc dinner here. Highly recommended. Personal service. The owner even came out to make sure we were well satisfied. Nice craft bar as well. I give it a very high 4 1/2 star and recommend highly. I had the shrimp and grits. Excellent. Tasted chicken and waffles and they were amazing. read more

I usually do not write reviews and strive to solve any concerns with the management...If I could give it a 0, I would. The owner was rude and did not fulfill his contract obligations. Many guests In our wedding party did not receive food...and the manager refused to give a refund No soap in the bathroom Poor communication Unprofessional and overpriced for poor quality Also, Multiple people had diahrea throughout the night after eating the chicken and waffles. Salad was overpriced, and it did not taste good! The leaves were dull (not fresh). They did not have enough to go boxes, and could not accommodate. The sight was pretty though. But customer service needs improvement! read more

Came in on a Friday at a quarter to 1:00. There weren't too many patrons at that time but service was as attentive as it should be. I mention that first because I've been to many places where a down time in the day can equal lacking service. I found the menu and it's Art Deco typescript to be be a great touch. I am all about Art Deco elements. After placing my order and receiving my drink I went all the way upstairs to visit the restroom. Going upstairs I really got a feel if the place and I loved it. The restaurant is in a huge, renovated mansion I would say. I believe the restaurant is a great use of the space and and an awesome tribute to Historic Jackson Ward. The bathroom was the reason I was upstairs and I gave my visit 5 Stars off that! Many good restaurant have iffy restrooms but I could definitely slide off to the water closet here and take an important phone call and be at ease. I was going to get the Yardbird and Waffle but I went for a simple thing like Tenders and Fries. I wasn't expecting exceptionalism nor did it give me that. They were solid but the BBQ Mustard that came with was bum! I would pay for that bottled and I don't even eat mustard. The presentation was grade A+! Garnish for Tenders and Fries--as god as it gets! read more

The Speakeasy Grill - Impeccable bathroom. Every restaurant ain't rockin this well. - Speakeasies Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

See all

I am not sure if I set my expectations "too" high but from hearing so many rave reviews from my Yelp buddies to my co-workers, I was really hoping that my experience would be equally amazingly.. The outside looks like a normal downtown rustic/colonial type of building and I am pretty sure that this place used to be someone's house?? The downstairs is for dining in and the upstairs are the bathrooms and possibly a lounge/speak easy of some sort. This place probably had seating for maybe 40 or 50 people max and the wait staff/hostess was pretty attentive. We had a party of 15 and we made reservations before hand. Upon arrival, they already reserved/set aside our one long table. Before our last few guests arrived the hostess informed us the table was "too long" and was obstructing the waiters access to the near by tables so we had so split the last four guests from our main table.. BAD MOVE. You guys should have thought about this BEFORE we arrived or at least told us that we would not be able to all sit together because of our large party. We had one waitress who was really nice, accommodating and very attentive; she stopped by multiple times to check up on us and never seemed overwhelmed. There's a special on tues/weds nights where it's BOGO half off on all the Main entrees which was a really good deal. I got the "large" bowl and I say "large" b/c it was just a normal serving size.. of the Gumbo with a side of dirty rice. The Gumbo itself was alright. It wasn't really packed with flavor and there was no heat to it. It had chicken, shrimp and celery were cooked nicely, but it could have used more seasoning for sure. The rice was under par for me and there were some parts where the rice was a bit crunchy/undercooked... I also got a very citric/lemon-y arnold palmer. Tasted more like a lemonade to me. I also got the peach cobbler which was also kinda of meh... crust was gooey and falling apart and it didn't scream peach cobbler flavor at all. I like the ice-cream more.. I really wanted to like this place, but i couldn't. No one really verbally expressed that they really enjoyed their meal but I definitely want to come back and give this place another try. read more

Really nice space, great decor, friendly staff and good food! Maybe one day I can do a birthday party there! 1st time going there yester, and was very impressed! read more

Went to the Speakeasy last night (Tuesday) to catch a staged reading that friends directed and appeared in. What a beautiful space, which is accessed through the side door! Cozy and warm. And yes, the show was great, too! Bar service was a little slow, and the kitchen closed pretty early. We got there at 8, and I think around 9 tried to get some nibbles but were told nothing was available. Kind of a bummer. And anything other than shots or beers were too tricky for the bartender. No mixed drink action happening. Lots of potential. Can't rate the food since I didn't have any, but the space is great for small, live performances. 3.5 stars read more

Tried this restaurant for the first time during Richmond Black Restaurant Week. Service was a little slow, but this may have been due to more people coming in than usual, not sure. Had to ask for a drink menu and then after friends were ordering things I didn't see on the menu, realized my food menu didn't have a back page. So felt slightly cheated in my choices. But, ordered app size shrimp and grits and a side salad. It was good, not the best I've had, but still okay. I'd return to try other menu items and perhaps during a less busy time to try and support. Friends I dined with all said their food was good too. read more

The Speakeasy Grill - Side salad - Speakeasies Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

See all

Fantastic food and excellent service! Terri was wonderful and very attentive to our needs. My husband got the chicken burger (Yardbird Burger) with Macon County Fries I got the house salad with salmon. We shared an order of wings to start and the Mansion sauce was exquisite. All the food was fresh and delicious. Definitely going back!! read more

See all

Incredible!! The server, Cameron, was wonderful! Quick, polite, witty and charming! Then he brought perfect mimosas and the most incredible cornbread muffins!! We started with the gumbo and I wanted to lick the bowl!! Then we shared "the little nasty"!! Fabulous cannot describe this enough! Two light flaky homemade buttermilk biscuits with perfectly prepared chicken and a gravy that is a party in your mouth! The eggs were perfectly scrambled with a hint of cheese! The atmosphere is wonderful! The music is phenomenal!! waiting for my Al Capone Cake now! Just had the cake and it was better than delicious!! Light, subtle lemony flavor with a raspberry coulis! Not heavy but huge on flavor!! Will definitely return for a dinner!! read more

See all

I came to the Speakeasy Grill to see Legacy Band in action and I must say: This was one of the most amazing nights I've had in a while. Spoken word, rhythmic melodies, and a relaxing vibe. The food was fine, but I loved the experience. I can't wait to visit again this month! read more

The Speakeasy Grill - Watching the show from the seating area upstairs. - Speakeasies Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I attended a brunch event at this restaurant on Sunday 4/25/2021. The restaurant was beautiful. And the staff was great! The food was sinfully great, so much I ordered a full second meal to try a different dish I shared it with a friend. We had the Shrimp and Grits, Fish and Waffles, and also the Chicken and Waffles.. The portions were perfect. I will be visiting again! read more

Yep, you're going to need to eat here. I could leave the review at that, but I'll elaborate if I must... Atmosphere is great. The place is obviously in an old mansion so I was expecting the decor to be very traditional. Instead it is very modern, chic, and cool enough to dress up to go if you want. Cocktail menu is fun - certainly plays on the Hippodrome connection with drinks named after artists who have played there. Points for creativity! And then there is the food. The delicious food. They have a few appetizer or tapas options and then some larger main courses, so you can go a few ways with how you dine. We tried a few different tapas and then the meatloaf. Ham biscuits and the meatloaf get the best reviews out of everything we ordered. So. So. Good. I've eaten a good deal of Southern food in my life and this really did rank up there. We will be returning for sure! read more

Beautiful venue, but not recommended. Some of the management practices are a little questionable. I hosted a rehearsal dinner for my son at this venue. As requested, a spreadsheet with meal choices was provided to the venue and paid in full in advance. Upon our arrival, we were asked to identify each guest's meal selection and those who were there were served at 7:45. Six of our guests arrived at 8:20 and were denied the meals that were already paid for and ordered on the provided spreadsheet because, according to the owner, the kitchen was closed. When asked if anything could be done to accommodate our guests I was given conflicting information. I was first offered a partial credit and then I was told no refunds and then I was told that they would reopen the kitchen for $500 to get meals that were already paid for!! I declined the $500 offer because the meals were already paid for. The dinner was for less than 40 people at a cost of $2395, why would I pay $500 more?!? I dropped the matter on the evening of the event so as not to mess up the night for my son and his soon-to-be bride, but the whole matter was handled in a very unprofessional and embarrassing manner. I host catered events on a regular basis and if the kitchen is closed before the event is over with, I am always informed by management and asked if there is anything else needed before the kitchen closes. Additionally, I've always been provided with the meals paid for, even if guests are late. Also, there was no soap in the ladies bathroom. Lastly, at the wedding the next day, 8 members of the wedding party who had the chicken and waffles reported having diarrhea after the meal. As I said, beautiful venue but not recommended read more

Yum. I wanted to take some business partners from NoVA somewhere with a Southern flair. Mansion Five 26 is the spot! The ambience is trendy, we weren't able to have a drink in the "speak easy" as it was closed for a private party. I ordered the "Bojangles" martini..... I basically drank my dessert. A little sweet but original. We ordered the ham biscuits... Highly recommend, along with the shrimp and grits. Chicken and waffles are definitely a must..... Took a picture and posted in Facebook..... My West Coast pal wanted to know "do you actually eat the chicken WITH the waffles?" Uh.... Yes.... And they were delicious. My colleague ordered the special "three pounds of catfish" and it was literally three pounds of catfish fried lightly and flavorful. My other colleague ordered the salmon and was impressed with the flavor. Service was average, the waiter wasn't knowledgeable with the wine list, unable to answer our simple question of "what's your Sauvignon Blanc?" Probably had a chance to upsell us on a bottle but missed our bait. I loved the history of the neighborhood - food was excellent - ambience was hip. I will definitely be on the lookout for a show next door at the Hippodrome to take my husband to! read more

I booked the place for a retirement celebration for my wife. 40 - 50 family, friends, and work colleagues. EVERYONE absolutely loved the event. The atmosphere was wonderful, the food was delicious, and the staff jumped thru hoops to be accommodating and attentive. Sara Evans and the staff helped make the celebration special and I would recommend them in less than a heartbeat. read more

I paid a visit to Mansion Five 26 while in the area for my cousin's graduation from VCU. Even before I walked in, I knew I would like the vibe. The live soul music coming from the Speakeasy & the historic charm of the restaurant let me know that I was definitely in the right place. As a thirty year old dining with my 80-something grandparents, I was nervous that THEY would not like the vibe as they tend to frequent chain restaurants and the like (gotta love those sr. citizen discounts!!), but to my surprise, they too, loved it. The food was great; me and grams ordered shrimp po boys (she had fries, I had cucumber salad), while gramps ordered fried oysters & gumbo. I washed my dinner down with the Duke Ellington cocktail. Everything was superb!! The decor inside was fantastic and definitely made me feel like I was in the South. I left the restaurant wanting to stay longer and jam to the music but alas, had to return the grandparents to the hotel before their curfew. Should I find myself in Richmond again, I'll definitely seek out Mansion Five 26. read more

Upon arrival the doors were locked, but a very nice man came to the door and apologized to us for that. The atmosphere was delightful, very chic and modern, very inviting. Our server was funny and kind. He was very familiar with the menu and told us about the different event that they have and also about the past her story of the establishment. The food was very delicious, seasoned to perfection. I had the fried oysters for my starter, and the yard bird and waffle for my entre with green beans and risotto. The chicken was very tender. I look forward to going back and trying other things on the menu! read more

See all

As I was on my quest to step outside of my comfort zone and try out new restaurants, I stumbled across Mansion Five 26. From the outside, you would not have guessed that this place was a restaurant, but indeed it was. How did my experience turn out? Here is my review. The Good: Taste- I arrived at the restaurant today around 11:20am. Brunch was being served and I had a taste for an omelet. So I ordered the Meat Lovers Omelet which came with bacon, sausage, onions, peppers and cheese. After one bite, I could tell that all of the ingredients were fresh and the processed taste that you might find at one of your lower tier restaurants was absent. The omelet came with two biscuits and potatoes. The biscuits were also fresh tasting and light while the potatoes were ok. The Bad: Service- Upon entering the restaurant, there was no hostess to greet customers. My party waited a minute or two before a server spotted us and ran to do other tasks before seating us 3-4 minutes later. Keep in mind that up until this point, there were only four other guests in the restaurant. Once seated, the server who sat my party also served my table. She did not appear to be too enthusiastic or personable during her serving experience. There were also long periods of time where she would disappear while my party waited on her. The food came out longer than expected and while the ingredients were fresh, my dish was lukewarm at best. It wasnt until 10 minutes after the food was served that my server brings butter and jelly to the table for the biscuits that came with my partys meal. At this point, there was only one biscuit left between all of us, so bringing out a container of butter and jelly only made her look worse. Price- The Meat Lovers Omelet cost $11.95 before taxes, which is somewhat expensive for an omelet that served such little portions. In retrospect, I could have went to IHOP, ordered a Create Your Own Omelet with the same ingredients and gotten an omelet twice the size with three buttermilk pancakes for the same price. The Brickouse Diner also offers the same portion of food for $3 less. Overall- The menu may be upscale and the food may be tasty, but the service was far from good and the lack of portion size did not seem to justify the price. Often times I give restaurants a pass of the food was a miss but the service was great. But in this case, the food was good but the service was a miss. At the end of the day, I hesitate to support a business that does not appear to want me there. TWO STARS. read more

The Speakeasy Grill - Meatlovers Omelet with Potatoes and Biscuits. - Speakeasies Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This place is lovely and food is delicious ! A must try. It's in the Jackson Ward. The restaurant setting is unique and cute. The owner was nice with speaking with our organization and giving the history and people behind the restaurant and the ward. Just lovely. read more

My buddy and I went to check this place out and it happened to be VCU graduation weekend, so it was packed. It had a very diverse crowd, which I appreciated. The menu is southern food, which I enjoy, but I don't like to pay a premium for it. I felt the menu was over priced for the food and mixed drinks, which is why I'm giving 3 instead of 4 stars. I will say the portions are large, and we left stuffed. I am just biased because I can get good southern food at home. My friend got the chicken and waffles ($16) and I got the pork shoulder ($18). The pork shoulder was just ok, it didn't appear to seasoned at all but it was cooked well. The peas were actually the best thing on the plate (also comes with mashed potatoes). My friend enjoyed his chicken and waffles, stating that the waffles were really good. The 2 sides that came with it (mac 'n cheese and beans I think) were decent, but nothing to write home about. Our server was friendly and helpful. That being said, we overheard a lot of conversation between the staff and there appeared to be confusion on various topics, one being how to serve a martini. We also saw one drink and one dish get sent back, but we don't know why. I would try this place again, as the atmosphere was great and the food was tasty and filling, but at this point I'm only going with 3 stars. read more

loved it! Cool vibe, nice speakeasy area with band and dj.. very retro urban food was geat also.. its and old refurbished mansion.. all original floors and decor.. beautiful inside :0.. will return again read more

VIsited Mansion Five26 again. Food was really good with just one exception - the burger was way overcooked for such good meat (angus and pork belly combined) - the flavor was there, but it would have been fabulous if cooked with a little pink left inside. The 2 Street Shrimp was great as usual and the chicken and waffles and shrimp poboy never disappoint! We had the attention of two waiters who were knowledgeable and extremely courteous and well-mannered. Another successful meal at Mansion. read more

Visiting Richmond with a craving for authentic Chicken & Waffles, I visited a few places and didn't get satisfaction. Until the SpeakEasy Grill. The place is sort of imposing -- looks almost like a private club that you're not invited to, but they're actually friendly and welcoming. In mid-afternoon, I was actually the only patron, making me a little uncomfortable until the Chicken & Waffles arrived. Boneless filets of spicy breaded top-quality chicken goodness on a fresh hot waffle -- really hit the spot! Can't wait to get back for more. read more

The Speakeasy Grill - Perhaps the boneless filets aren't traditional, but this was hands-down the best Chicken & Waffles I found in all of Richmond - Speakeasies Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

See all

What a treat! Stopped in for the first time for a late brunch on a Sunday afternoon. Very laid back atmosphere but still has an upscale flair. The decor is gorgeous and the drink specials are named after just a few of the worlds best African American musicians and actors alike. (Male/female). The Charleston shrimp and grits was too die for. Oh! & please do yourself a favor and order their wings as an appetizer. The wingets are fried to a crispy perfection and drizzled in a sweet sauce that has just enough kick. Don't get 5 get 10! You'll thank me later . This place is great for couples young or old. Our waitress was very kind and attentive. So glad we stopped in here and I can't wait for our next visit so that I can try the gumbo. read more

See all

Ordered the chicken and waffles based on a local recommendation and it exceeded expectations. They have a new cornbread waffle that is phenomenal. The service was great. Definitely a restaurant to visit when you come to Richmond. read more

The Speakeasy Grill - Amazing chicken and waffles and our host was the best. Definitely a must when coming to Richmond. - Speakeasies Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Upon arrival the door was locked but a nice gentleman opened the door and. Sincerely apologized My first impression of the atmosphere was warm and inviting . the decor is beautiful a nice mixture of modern, Royal and cheek; Every tables had fresh flower arrangements. Our server was extremely polite, he was knowledgeable of the menu options and appeared to enjoy his job. I ordered the grilled Salmon and my friend ordered the yardbird with waffles. Both were really tasty. The server also told us about the pass history of the speak easy during Prohibition. He told us about the venues events that are hosted at that location. I look forward to attending some of the upscale events soon. read more

See all

We came here on a Saturday evening for my son's birthday. I made a reservation online through Yelp - I had never used that feature so I was nervous but when we showed up they had a table prepared for us. We had a party of 9. The good : mixed drinks were amazingly good! Our service was good also. I was talking about my son's birthday with my sister and I guess our waitress heard because she brought over a piece of cheesecake with a candle after our food was done - I thought that was very nice of her to do! Our food was good also. The bad : the only bad I have to say about this place is the price of the food compared to the portion of the food. Very small portions and very high prices. So be prepared! My favorites - the fries and crab dip! read more

Looking to host a private event? Look elsewhere The venue coordinator Ron Stallings is a poor example of how to conduct business. Cell phone (804) 307-6503. 1. When I initially received the contract and the security fee "increased" from a different price in which he quoted me initially when I came to visit (I understand fees fluctuate and I overlooked this) however he failed to communicate. I had to notice this myself. 2. When we (the event coordinator and myself) visit to began decoration ideas. The contract reflected the August 10 date and I signed and I was prepared to pay the deposit. I was then told the August 10 date was on "hold" he will look into it "send me an email" to address it first thing in the morning. 3. Contract is signed and deposit is taken out of my account to be told "oops the date is no longer available" again 4. The deposit is placed back on my account again without being informed I emailed him and eventually had to follow up with a phone call to see why. He said he was going to be in at 2:00 to draft a new contract referring to the new date. Again, no communication. He had the audacity not to take ownership for his piss poor business etiquette but instead to say he doesn't think he should host my event. This was all in an email too much of a coward to follow up with a phone call. As a business owner and a man he's horrible and has a ways to go in order to learn the business of customer service. read more

I'm not sure 3 stars is entirely fair. I went here for Paint-Nite so I only tried a cocktail and fry basket. The fries were the super thick steak fries and that's just not my thing. The service was great and martinis on point. The atmosphere is so cute and unique. I think they are going for a Cajun southern charm and they nailed it. I want to go back and try some of the food soon! read more

So let me start by saying this - the decor in The Speakeasy is fantastic!! It gives you all things Speakeasy/Harlem Renaissance/Jackson Ward. The drinks are all named after figures in the 1920s so you'll be pleased with the decorum. The food was also rather tasty. Nice-sized portions and I didn't find the price to be any higher than a typical brunch spot. So here's why only 3.5 stars..... The service!! This is my third time at the Speakeasy and I've had three servers and all have the same challenge - they don't seem to want to be at work! It's a Sunday and it's brunch in Jackson Ward. I could hear the chef (I'm assuming) in the back complaining that people had complaints about the food. I shouldn't hear that but oh well. This place should be packed. Unfortunately only about 50% of the dining room was occupied and it still took about 20 minutes to bring out mimosas. Now for a place that charges by the glass, it would be smart to serve as quickly as possible. My tip is if service is going to remain slow and the chef is going to be stubborn, just turn this into an unlimited small plates and bottomless mimosa brunch and charge a flat rate. That way it can build up the reputation of what should be a staple in RVA. read more

I went to mansion on a Thursday hoping to catch the hippodrome happy hour right after. Unfortunately, they were booked for an event so we just did dinner at mansion. I got the steak and it was very fatty. The small meaty portion was seasoned and cooked well but I felt with the amount of fat it wasn't worth $26. My friends ordered the shrimp po boy and the chicken and waffles. They enjoyed the poboy but said the chicken and waffles were just ok. The sides were good (greens and mashed potatoes). The hippodrometini was excellent. We did get to look around the adjoining Speakeasy and upstairs in the Hippodrome and were very impressed. We will definitely go back for those and probably skip mansion next time. read more

We had read reviews from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Style Weekly and Richmond.com about how great this restaurant is - we could not have been more disappointed. Their wine list is overpriced and a poor selection. It was obvious that both of our main courses had been frozen and the meat wasn't fresh. My boyfriend ordered the pork shoulder - which had not been properly thawed and tasted like it had obviously been frozen and had a hard center. The pork came with peas and mashed potatoes. Both were great but it's hard to mess up frozen peas. I ordered the chicken and waffles - the chicken was tough and over cooked. This came with macaroni and cheese and beans. The beans were great. The mac n cheese tasted like macaroni noodles and a little cheddar was mixed together and broiled. We were so disappointed. We really wanted this place to be good and have it be a new favorite, but it just did not live up to the hype at all. read more

I came here a few years ago and loved it so I wanted to come back. I was VERY disappointed today. I like to start with the good, the waiter and service was excellent. The live band was great treat as well. Sadly, the food was the worst. It's was a party of 6 and we all felt that our food failed in flavor. I had a veggie omelet and it was flat like a pancake, lacked mushrooms and peppers. My friend had the seafood omelet and her food was flat as well and no seasonings (seafood normally has a kick). So disappointing!!! read more