Came here a few weeks ago with some girl friends, and we enjoyed! All 3 of us got the wine flight…read moreand chose our own flavors. The flight was more than enough for me. We ate prior to coming here so we didn't get any food, but i did end up getting a skillet cookie which was sooooo good. Thankfully we came on a warm day, so we were able to sit outside on the patio. The inside was super cute as well, but slightly cold. Which i understand because the weather has been super back and fourth. Our waiter was super nice and helpful. Next time i go back i would like to try their food to see how it is.

Mermaid Winery in Norfolk has been a good experience for me. It doesn't feel like a loud bar or a…read morepressure-to-drink environment. It reads much more like a cozy restaurant with wine, not a wine tasting room where everyone is hovering around flights. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the space itself is interesting and comfortable. It's an easy place to sit, talk, and actually enjoy the people you're with without feeling out of place because you're not drinking. No one makes it weird, no one questions your choice, and you're not the odd one out. The food is the real anchor for me. I go for the meal, the setting, and the conversation, and that's more than enough. It feels like a legitimate dinner spot, not somewhere you're just tagging along while others drink. If you're sober or choose not to drink but still like going out, being social, and enjoying good food in a relaxed environment, this place works. I'm comfortable here, I enjoy the experience, and I'd go again without hesitation.

Amazing food and cozy vibe- a must-visit downtown spot! We…read morewere at Luce on Friday and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The space is intimate and cozy with side-by-side counter seating right in front of the open kitchen -- perfect for watching the chefs at work and adds to the whole experience. We started with the ensalata di Luce and it was fresh and flavorful, a great balance to the rich mains. The pollo con strati was perfectly cooked and the lobster gnocchi was phenomenal -- rich, indulgent, and definitely worth ordering a side of sourdough bread for dipping in the sauce! To finish, the cheesecake with berries was a delightful end to the meal -- creamy and just sweet enough without being heavy. Service was attentive without being intrusive and the ambiance complemented the food beautifully. This place is small and fills up fast, so reservations are a very good idea, but snagging a seat at the counter made our night feel special and lively. Overall -- truly one of the best Italian meals in Norfolk if you're looking for great food, a cozy atmosphere, and a memorable dinner. Always my fave & we will definitely be back!

This was kind of a meh dining experience. I called the restaurant to make a reservation for 3…read morepeople on a Tuesday evening. I was told that there was no availability for the evening and I should try to walk in for bar seats. Upon arrival, the bar was not busy so we took three seats and noticed that the table behind us never got sat the entire time we were there. To me, this is a pretentious restaurant that falls below the bar in every way. Second time dining here and would not return because service from Branice C. was a C- in her caring that she was even at work, to the upcharges for extra marinara sauce to go with the greasy overbreaded calamari appetizer. The oil saturated flavor was almost nauseating. Please change the oil in your fryer! Prices were not excessive but the upcharge for using a credit card was. Who really walks around with $300 cash in pocket to pay for dinner without a credit card fee. JUST ADD IT IN YOUR MENU PRICES!!!! The Boar Ragu was truly not boar but probably run of the mill ground beef and the four tiny slices of steak on the Caesar salad was a joke. There are so many other lovely restaurants along this block that this is a skip right past for the future.

FANTASTIC! Vibes? Yes!…read moreFood? Yes! Wine? Yes! Thank you to John who welcomed us and recommended good wine for our food We came here with our son, who recently moved to Norfolk. He came here for his first meal in town and John treated him to a glass of wine with his gourmet grilled cheese He brought us to the experience : Brussels sprouts -- delicious with sweet and spicy and hazelnut Goat cheese and beet salad: good dressing, nice mix, exactly what I wanted for dinner Truffle tots: yeah, tots are good, but with truffle and Parmesan? Wow!! The vibes here are great. There's music on but you can still talk to people. Seating at the bar or tables or, if the weather is nice, on the front porch. It has an elegant but relaxed feel that would make this place great for a date or friends ( or family!) We will be back And yep, we are back for tapas Tuesday where all small plates are $2 off Hummus -- ok Duck egg rolls good Lamb meatballs : GREAT flavor!! Roasted Carrot beet with labneh and dukkah : delicious Dumplings-- good but spicy for me Miso butter gnocchi with mushrooms-- delicious Roasted salmon-- folks were split on this between "solid" and good Salad of farro and spinach with beets and goat cheese and pear -- this was amazing. The dressing had awesome spices in it that made the whole thing complex. 3 new wonderful wines ! Thanks to all at this restaurant for another amazing meal. You are our favorite Norfolk spot!!

From the moment we walked in, the ambience was warm and inviting. The service was truly…read moreexceptional--every team member was incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to care about making our visit perfect. The food was fantastic across the board, and the presentations were exceptionally creative, making each dish feel special. Everything came out beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious. A wonderful dining experience from start to finish. Highly recommended!

It's so easy to see why a lot of the customers are enamored by the ambiance. It's like shabby chic…read morewith velour chairs. Possibly an old Victorian home transformed to a dining area with patio seating. Then there are stairs going up to their "inns" which one of the reviews indicated are available via Airbnb. Table setting is cute with tiny dinosaur figurines. Live plants on window sill. I came at around 5 minutes after opening time. The staff clearly wasn't expecting the "just opened" order. I ordered their Greek kessiri cheese served with crackers and rose jelly. It was great, cheese was just right firm. The tofu came out piping hot. It's spiced with good mix of spices, definitely not bland and healthy (baked not fried). The owner Erin (her husband is co-owner) indicated they've been open for 5 years (how come there's not been a lot of publicity that this place deserves???) It's definitely much serene and my type of place for solo dining! Come patronize this gem before they sell the business off!

Such a cute spot! It's inside a beautiful home and all the decorations served its purpose! Just had…read morea glass of wine and it was perfect.

We had tickets to a show nearby and we were a little pressed for time but the staff was able to…read moreaccommodate us very well. We started out with the Cesar Salad and an order of the Meatballs as an appetizer. They were kind enough to split the salad for us and without having to ask, always a nice touch. The Cesar Salad was delicious, the ingredients were fresh and the croutons were clearly made in house. The meatballs were flavorful and tender. They were served with a dollop of whipped Ricotta and a generous amount of marinara, the basil sprig was also a welcome addition. Everything worked well together and we enjoyed the dish. We also split the Rigatoni Bolognese and again they split the order for us. It was served piped hot and it was delicious. The service was excellent and we were able to get in and most importantly, out in plenty of time to catch our show...

We came in for dinner one weeknight and the hotel was really busy, as there was a conference being…read morehosted, but this restaurant was steady, but not busy. The décor is really interesting, as it has a secret dining room behind a bookcase and all of it is beautifully assembled. Menu is decent, with many typical Italian favorites. Starting with their arancini, it was decent. The temperature was warm, but not as hot as it should've been considering we expected it to be freshly fried, plated, and served. The jam under it was a little too sweet as well, but the texture and flavors were decent. Next up was their Cesar salad. This was my starter salad and it was quite substantial. The lettuce was great - very fresh and crunchy! The dressing was excellent, clearly made in-house and it was so very tasty. The combo of both was excellent! Lastly, I chose their chicken marsala for my entrée. It was plated quite nicely, looking very tasty. The chicken was breaded and appeared lightly fried, as the batter flaked off. The sauce was a little too sweet compared to my liking... I realized that marsala wine is sweet, but this might have been reduced or sweetened a little too much. The greens were inedible - they were way too vinegary. I took one bite and choked trying to swallow it down. Their crispy smashed potatoes were very nicely done. Overall, this entrée was just 'ok' but nothing special, which I found disappointing, as I could have ordered a pasta instead. Service for our dinner was nice and friendly. Prices are on the high end for the quality of the food preparation, which is also disappointing. So, over the past couple of months I've been to Norfolk twice and last time ate at Saltine downstairs in this Hilton and this time ate upstairs at Varia and both menus are amazing, service was adequate, and execution was lackluster - This tells me their food program is poorly managed. I left out the review of my dinner guest's pizzas... They eat got a pizza and each was completely over-cooked!!! I like char'd crust on brickoven pizza, what I saw (and what they explained) wasn't a simple char, it consisted of hard, over-cooked cheese and toppings and frankly if I got either of those pizzas, I would've sent it back. Given the absolute beauty of these eateries and amazing menus, they need to work on the management component and they'll have truly amazing joints, but not until then.

I saw the words Book Club and I stopped to see what this location was all about…read more Yay! To my surprise and glee, it is a real book store in downtown Portsmouth. Yes, this city is changing. The bookstore is so inviting and the staff is so welcoming. The mood is calm and relaxing. There are many types of seating arranged for sitting and reading. Other sitting for talking quietly about what you are reading with a friend. I enjoyed a great Americano coffee and purchased a new bestseller during this vist. Okay, now this is an example of how nice the owner is to customers. I was in there sitting. reading, and drinking coffee. I found out as I am leaving that the club was closed when I arrived but she welcomed me with a smile anyway! Awesome coffee, great environment, comfy seating and alcoholic beverages. I am coming back when The Book Club is actually open with my girlfriends. Smiling as I type. Enjoy!

1st visit...following the Chicago Steppers Group from fB…read moreSooo Glad we came out!! This Place is Sooo what we have been waiting for!! Wine, coffee, beer and activities to boot: Candle pouring, book club Can we Say Book Club!! Ohh And Wine Club soon to start as well. Follow on Fb calendar of events!!! I Am Here For ALLL OF IT!!!

A novelty place. There's room for counter seating up to 13 people. Decor includes sneakers and toy…read moreGrogu and contemporary paintings. Music over PA system is loud. I came around 40 mi it's before 7pm closing on a Wednesday early evening. They have 2 kiosks for you to order to go or dine in. The place is empty, hoping it's not telling of the food! I ordered shrimp po boy to go. It was ready in what felt like 7 minutes. Self-serve to bag your order. Will see how this will hold up until I get home! The shrimp only was good solid 4 out of 5 for sure!

Don't blink because you can miss the spot out Ghent and if you do, you'll miss out on some good…read morefood! Right across the street from TCC Roper center, you can find this gem. It's somewhat a take out spot as it's not a whole lot of seatings. When you walk in, you go to the kids to place your order. There's a staff visible so you can ask for help with the menu if you have any questions. I ordered the oxtails taco and it was so yummmy!!! The meat was flavorful and soft. They had crunchy onions and it took this dish to the top! I also tried the seafood combo with shrimp, catfish and whiting. It was all seasoned well, not too salty. Get their mambo sauce straight from DC and the homemade cocktail sauce. It compliments any of the dish very well. Staff super friendly and this will be my new spot whenever I'm on Granby Street!

My family and I were visiting Norfolk looking for a steakhouse and found this place. Overall it is…read moredefinitely worth trying if you are looking for a more upscale and slightly pricey night out. The food tasted amazing and came out quick. The crab cakes were cooked perfectly had a lot of crab meat. Most of the tables got steak and they were all cooked to each persons desired level. The salmon was also very flavorful an and cooked well. Both the sides of Mac and cheese and the seafood Mac were amazing. Definitely our favorite sides. Broccolini was good but a very small amount. Service was amazing our server was very sweet and accommodating. The restaurant was not too crowded on Saturday night. The restaurant is connected to the mall but there is no entrance through the mall. You have to walk outside. They say where to park on their website but I think you're better off parking in the street.

Well we finally made it to Brothers, on the cusp of what is the beginning of the closing to the…read morerestaurant. This evening my party of 6 arrived at 5pm for our reservation. Our extremely gracious waitress Roshaunda was really a darling young lady and why I added a star to total 3. Only for the service, Since the restaurant is closing they are no longer stocking basic things even like tarter sauce. Cocktail sauce , ginger ale. We were dining before a 8pm show at Chrysler Hall so did not have options and make our play on time. The food did come out hot and delicious. Lambchops had way too much glaze,almost to hide something.... Brothers announced the closure sometime about 2 weeks ago which makes me wonder if it is a long time coming.

We were lucky to get seats quickly. The location is small so it's quick to fill up. We were greeted…read morequickly and ordered our drinks. I got a bottle of ginger ale. We were at "the bar" so we were in bar stools. Definitely not my preferred seat, I squirmed a lot trying to get comfortable without kicking my neighbor. It was a pretty long wait for our food, as we salivated looking into the kitchen. I will say once we got our food, it was really yummy. My favorite part was the tomato bisque, tasted freshly made. So if you plan on going, definitely plan on waiting but totally worth it or just think ahead and do takeout.

Such a big taste from a small place. Another DDD for us and this one did not disappoint. It's small…read moreso you may have to wait for a seat. We sat at the bar and were greeted immediately. They told us the specials and we ordered our drinks. Once we ordered our food the fries and fried pickles came out so quick. Everything was delicious and hot. You can watch into the kitchen as they cook. Great experience and we will be back.

It's been a long time since my last visit to Cooper's Hawk. I went with my Niece and Great Niece…read morefor a tasting yesterday (Saturday) and we also had dinner reservations. All 3 of us chose sweet for our wine tasting. Our server was a lot of fun and very knowledgeable about the wine. You get to taste one wine on each category listed on your menu. The samples of each wine are a generous pour. Some Wineries I've visited, do not provide big enough samples to determine if you like them enough to buy a bottle or not. Sweet Red was my favorite. Sweet Red is currently known as Romance Red. It changes names Seasonally. Dinner was outstanding. I had Gnocchi with Roasted Butternut Squash, Wild mushrooms, Sweet onion cream, Spinach, Feta and Crispy onions. It was a very tasty meal. My Great Niece chose the Pork chop and said it was the best she had ever had. My Niece had a Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad which she said was delicious. I had a very enjoyable afternoon with my Nieces. We will definitely return to Cooper's Hawk soon.

Great for Wine, Not for Dinner (Unfortunately) I don't know…read morewhy my Bestie and I keep doing this to ourselves -- we love Cooper's Hawk for the wine tastings, but every time we try to give dinner another chance... it ends the same way. After our tasting, we decided to sit down and order one of our longtime favorites: the short rib with mashed potatoes and vegetables. We hadn't had it in a few months because the last time was an epic fail, but we figured we'd give it another shot. As always, the pretzel bread and butter were a highlight -- that part never misses. The entrée, however, was another disappointment. The vegetables were noticeably undercooked -- still hard and crunchy -- and the dish came out with barely any sauce, even though I specifically asked for extra. For a short rib dish, you expect that rich, flavorful gravy to tie everything together... and it just wasn't there. A manager did come over after I pointed it out, and she genuinely tried to make it right, which I appreciated. We were offered another meal to take home, but at that point we were honestly just over it. To end on a positive note, I tried the Banoffee Pie for the first time (recommended by the manager), and it was actually really good -- rich, sweet, and worth trying. I also ordered their chocolate cake to go (which I usually love), but when I got home, it wasn't in the bag. I had to call for a refund, which they did handle -- but it just added to the overall frustration. At this point, it's become a pattern. When I first started coming here over a year ago, everything was consistently great. Lately, though, the dinner experience has been more miss than hit. We'll absolutely continue coming back for the wine tastings -- those are still top-tier. But for dinner? We're done trying.