We found ourselves in downtown Norfolk and opted for dinner at Gershwin's on Granby Street…read more Gershwin's continues to deliver a polished dining experience, pairing New Orleans-inspired cuisine with attentive, professional service. It's the kind of establishment that understands both execution and consistency--two qualities that are increasingly rare and always appreciated. The shrimp and grits remains a signature highlight. The Creole sauce offers a restrained heat, balanced by a layered depth of flavor that speaks to careful preparation rather than excess. The shrimp are properly cooked, retaining a delicate snap, while the stone-ground grits provide a well-seasoned, creamy foundation. Each component is thoughtfully prepared, and together they form a cohesive dish that feels both composed and satisfying--an authentic nod to Cajun tradition without unnecessary embellishment. Gershwin's stands as a reliable fixture in the downtown dining scene. For those seeking a refined take on Southern and New Orleans classics, it is well worth the visit--and a strong example of the quality found within Norfolk's local restaurant community.

It would be zero stars if possible. And I can honestly say that I've eaten in restaurants across…read morethe world and the US, at many different price points and this was hands down the worst culinary experience of my life. If this restaurant was in an area that was even moderately competitive they would have been put out of business. The bar seems adequate but it was almost like they stopped serving food and forgot to tell anyone. I swear I'm not making this up, this actually happened: 1) it took over 2.5 hours for the entrees to come out. One came out so early that by the time the second set came out they were already done. 2) The only appetizer that was ordered that actually came out, arrived after the entree was done. 3) One person's order had to be changed 5x because the waiter kept coming back to say they're out. When his pork chop finally arrived, it was undercooked and not eatable. 4) Nothing was offered in any way as a comp, nor any real apology If you go, be wary. There is no way they were this thoroughly incompetent in every single aspect of the food services industry without practice.

So, if you look upon the menu and see the words "smash burger" be warned. Not smash burger. It's a…read moreburger burger. Very much like inch thick burger. I expected smash, I definitely got burger. But hey, we can't all be winners. Meat is meat. I'm glad to be fed. You will be left looking at the meat wondering what went wrong. Did a baby smash the burger? A hamster perhaps? When one asks for a SMASH burger, they expect a milli-inch of meat. Does this look like smash borger? No. I am not crazy. I wanted a SMASH. This s a BURGER. God bless. Thank you for reading my review.

I came to Torch Bistro on a weekday night around 8 p.m. and decided to sit outside. Overall, it was…read morean okay experience. Nothing particularly bad, but nothing that really stood out either. I ordered the Frisco Melt with sweet potato fries and a Torch Runner, which is basically their version of a rum runner. The Frisco Melt was good enough. I believe it's the only smash burger on the menu, although it was quite a bit thicker than most smash burgers I've had, so I wouldn't necessarily describe it as super "smashed." Either way, it tasted fine. The sweet potato fries were actually the highlight of the meal for me. They were really good. The Torch Runner was also fine. The outdoor space itself is nice and has a relaxed atmosphere. There were some kids playing with the jumbo Jenga blocks while I was there, which added a little life to the patio. They also have two bar-height fire pits that I've sat around on previous visits, and those are always a nice touch. It was a little too warm for me to enjoy them this particular night, but I can definitely see the appeal when the weather cools down. The biggest downside to sitting outside was the bugs. I eventually had to break out the Off bug spray because they were pretty persistent. Obviously, that's not necessarily the restaurant's fault, but it's something to keep in mind if you're planning to sit outside during warmer weather. All in all, Torch Bistro was just okay for me this time around. The outdoor space is nice, the sweet potato fries were great, and everything else was perfectly fine. Not a bad experience, but not one that particularly wowed me either.

The family and I are still finding our "Go To" spots for lunch & dinner. This is one of them!…read more Why drive all the way to the Oceanfront when you can get the same top-notch quality seafood in the heart of Chesapeake? Fried Chickaronees and fried oysters are well prepared and cooked to perfection. The hot sauce that comes with it, is perfect. Provides the perfect amount of heat. Soft-shell crab platter was good as well! I wish I could have gotten more because my son kept taking all of it. Ahi sesame seared tuna tasted fresh and well prepared as well. Customer service was top-notch as well. Everyone in my party of 10+ was impressed and satisfied with the food and exceptional customer service. Looking forward to the next time! Great seafood, food quality and customer service is top notch. If you are in the heart of Great Bridge, don't hesitate and check this place out it's one of the best in the business.

We stopped in for lunch at Bad Habits Wing and Oyster Bar in the heart of Great Bridge and, with…read morethe room pleasantly unhurried, secured seats at the bar--our preferred vantage point. We began with a garden salad, a straightforward but well-executed mix of fresh greens, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and croutons, finished with a balsamic vinaigrette. Crisp, balanced, and properly dressed, it set a solid foundation for the meal. For the main course, we opted for chicken wings and a side of onion rings. The wings arrived piping hot, juicy, and well-prepared. While we ordered them on the spicier side, the heat level was more restrained than expected--flavorful, but lacking the assertive kick that true heat seekers might be looking for. The onion rings, by contrast, delivered exactly as hoped: crisp, golden, and satisfying, with a clean bite and no excess grease. Overall, the experience was an enjoyable one--uncomplicated, well-executed, and comfortable. It's a place we'll gladly return to, especially for a relaxed meal at the bar.

I came here for the first time and salmon and if I could give 10 stars I everything about the…read morefood was phenomenal. The service was incredible and I can't wait to come back. I am satisfied with the and the service. And I definitely recommended.

Open Mic Night on Wednesdays, so fun. Service was attentive and friendly…read more Adult Beverage selection was impressive. Food was good. Owner was very friendly and welcoming as well.

Fin and Tonic was great. They had a special dinner that featured tequila. It was delicious and the…read moreservice was great.The dinner was held in the Speakeasy and the ambiance was amazing. I definitely recommend it.

Spent just shy of $400 on 2 people in their "speak easy"…read more They add an 18% gratuity, on every check; and won't serve you until they make this clear. That alone: is a turnoff to me. I tip above 20% 95% of the time. The food was average at best. Temperature was off on both entries. Taste was nothing special. We only had 2 mixed drinks, and 2 glasses of wine. The 1st dirty martini was made with vermouth after I specifically said no vermouth. I was billed for both. Neither martini was topped off. Both were 1-1.5 inches from the top. Wine was fine. The service was ok. Not great. The table settings are bland, and could be found in a Dennys restaurant. After a below average dining experience; I was a bit surprised with a $375 bill. Suppose I should have paid more attention to the prices for side dishes and deserts. Adding insult to injury: I somehow left my Amex behind at the table. First time in my life. Then the fun began. My wife and I called the restaurant and had to leave messages 5 times between us, to confirm they had the card and to arrange a pickup. Not one call back: in 5 calls!!! Finally ordered a new card. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Stay away from these lazy people.

Had a going away here for one of my coworkers on a random Wednesday for lunch. Plenty of seating,…read moreservice was great. The food was pretty good, they definitely have a creative menu. The jalapeno poppers were unlike any I've had before but they were awesome. Lots of beers on tap! Pulled pork was ok, house made Reubens were great. Food 3.5/5 Definitely a clean place that leans towards a local dive.

I love and hate that this place has live music. It's nice because it's always nice listening to…read morelive music. But for goodness sake, take a break from time to time. It's loud enough that you can't hear yourself think in here, but a bit of a break would be nice. The service is good but the late night food takes forever. And here comes the music after a very anorexic break. Damn!!! Back to not hearing myself think. But as others reviews have said, their feedback comes across as rude and unprofessional. But hey, that's just my opinion.

I stopped by Chef's Kitchen & Cocktails on a Saturday around 6:30 p.m. and was surprised it wasn't…read morevery busy. I was dining solo and was seated immediately. First things first: the entire front-of-house staff was stunning. Everyone looked polished, well put together, and genuinely welcoming. For drinks, I ordered the Berry Bliss Mojito and the Blackberry Mule. The mojito was excellent, refreshing, balanced, and easily my favorite of the two. The Blackberry Mule leaned a little too sweet for my taste. One thing I really appreciated, though, is that they appear to take their cocktail program seriously. Their margarita is made the way I like to see it: tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime, with any additional flavors complementing the drink instead of masking it with a bunch of cheap mixers. For food, I had the Chef's Bisque and the Oxtail Lasagna. Everything was outstanding. The lasagna isn't what you might expect. It isn't layered in the traditional way. Instead, it's made into pinwheel-style rolls, which was a nice presentation. The sauce absolutely stole the show. It was rich, flavorful, and tasted like someone in the kitchen genuinely cares about what they're serving. Joy was my server, and she truly lived up to her name. She was attentive, friendly, polite, and had a genuine smile the entire time. Empty dishes disappeared quickly without interrupting the meal, and the service felt effortless. A couple of things to know before you go: there's an automatic 20% gratuity added to every check, not just large parties. There's also a dress code, so I'd skip the sweatpants and distressed jeans. Lastly, this is an adults-only establishment, which I thought was a nice touch for anyone looking for a quieter dining experience. Overall, this was a fantastic experience. Between the thoughtful cocktails, excellent food, and warm service, I'd happily return.

I had a very nice dining experience here. The service was great! He took the time to explain the…read moremenu and any specials. He end made sure I could eat the meal prior to placing my order. They have a very cool atmosphere. The salmon bites were a great starter. The crab fried rice was yummy! The drinks were good too. I had a very nice dining experience here. The service was great! He took the time to explain the menu and any specials. He end made sure I could eat the meal prior to placing my order. They have a very cool atmosphere. The salmon bites were a great starter. The crab fried rice was yummy! The drinks were good too.

This place is amazing! The service was wonderful & perfectly timed. Everyone was so nice. The…read moreambience calm with the perfect lighting; not bright and not too dark. The food was beyond fantastic! Ordered: -Wagyu New York strip (cooked perfectly) with Mac & 6 Cheeses (pictured) -New York strip with asparagus topped with a Béarnaise sauce -Dessert special Lemon Blueberry cake (pictured) was glorious because it was perfectly balanced & chocolate cake with a raspberry sauce they dubbed "The Matilda" cake which we took to-go home (pictured). *insert Janice's "Oh .. My .. God!"* Highly recommend!! Update: since we took "The Matilda" cake to go and I tried it this morning. *insert Janice's "Oh .. My .. God!"* It is to die for! While the decadence of it is there is every facet. Decadence isn't enough to describe it. Sweet but not too sweet, moist cake that also perfectly crumbles when you need it to crumble. It's dense but airy; I didn't know the was possible for cake and their pastry chef didn't for both cakes and we had. Creamy and perfectly bitter in all the right moments of chocolate. Rich but palatable....addictive.

Always a special time here by all. I thoroughly enjoy the steak, medium rare. The service almost…read morereads your mind. I love the high quality ingredients and lovely environment! Thank you for making another special memory for my family at your restaurant. You Rock!!!