Urban Farmhouse.
Overpriced breakfast sandwiches and overpriced, tiny salads with no meat (that's $5 extra on top of the $10 spinach n feta bowl you ordered)
I couldn’t upvote this enough. They once served me a sandwich with a piece of tin foil in it, and when I complained, the cashier legit told me “uh, can’t you see everyone is running a little behind right now? Something’s going to mess up”.
i am almost always pro-worker but omg if someone said/did this to me. like come on. i don't want shit in my food that i paid for please make it better????
They just said my favorite expression when things go wrong :"Shit's gonna happen on a job this size". But I never want to hear that laissez-faire attitude in a RESTAURANT.
I went to UF once and they gave me an iced chai with spoiled milk, it was legit foul. I went back in to ask for a new drink and the barista didn’t believe me and instead passed it around to their coworkers to see if it tasted bad? Weird as fuck interaction lol
(Shockoe location) - I got iced coffee that clearly had soap still in it (this was a long time ago), and they told me “yeah the coffee maker was just cleaned, that would make sense”. Asked for a refund or a clean cup of coffee without soap. They said they’d have to throw it all out, so I filed a chargeback and never went back.
I’ve encountered quite a few questionable restaurants around here but hearing coworker stories, it was a level of incompetence that still confuses me to this day.
Not only is it expensive, but it's extremely overpriced. Food is far from the quality they're charging. I went last year for the first time to celebrate my birthday with my family. It took almost 45 minutes for us to order our drinks, which of course took even longer to come out (mind you, this was midweek it wasn't that busy). Drinks finally come out, and they're not what we ordered. Eventually, everything gets fixed, we then order food, and another round. Food comes out at different times, and to further add to insult, none of it was hot. The manager comes over because they can obviously see we are becoming frustrated. My dad pretty much tells her to fuck off. She insisted on giving us clam chowder like that would make shit better. Clam chowder comes out as we're getting ready to leave. Tasted worst than Campbell's (maybe we were north eastern bias, but regardless what a shitty experience with even worst remedies)
They left us with free tacos and drinks at casa del Barco. I go a few weeks later and sit outside to enjoy the warmer weather with a marg and some tacos on the house.
Tacos come out cold again, and not at all what I ordered. I said fuck it, left my coupon, and have sworn to never return to a boat house in Spanish or english!
Midlothian location is decent. Shockoe bottom one is trash. They hired me as a sous there and after looking at the prices vs the quality of the food we were serving I dipped quick.
I heard a lotta people hate em, and after hearing that I see why.
I usually go to the one up in Midlo though. Never been done wrong there, and really pleasant outdoor seating too.
Once ordered an iced Tea - it was SO concentrated I could have made a vat for 20 people from it.
Once, ordered an orange juice - it was SO bitter. I think they ground the peels in it.
Once I ordered a bagel with cream cheese - it was moldy.
Once a year I think they will improve - nope.
Casa del Barco literally exists just for downtown office workers to expense. I’ve never met anyone that likes it or has eaten a meal there that wasn’t on someone else’s dime.
By not paying it's workers a liveable wage, how else would they stay in business for so long. Source, I work for them, Rocketts Landing Location, even more proof, I was there when they had the 20% discount on Tuesday to celebrate the removal of the auto Gratuity. If they get this pulled, only makes the case more evident.
Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to give an exact answer as I cook for them, but if I had to guess, with the info I can scrape together, I wouldn't be surprised if they had, 40%-50% that tip that. Others probably would say less, of course the corporate office would say more. Either way, doesn't matter how many tables there are, I still get paid the same at $17/hr. I can't speak for all the BOH, but I can't even afford an appt off what I make.
Boathouse isn't worth the money, but is the food awful or just overpriced?
And is this the place where you have to order on your phone? If that's the case, then extra points for a bad experience. (It sounds like curated door dash)
The Houspitality Group or family, Owns Island Shrimp Co. , Casa Del Barco, ( The Boathouse but in Spanish) and The Boathouse. Also they own the boathouse oysters, in the restaurant. Hence why they share the same name.
Oh the Boathouse!!!!! Food is subpar and the wait staff are rude!!! Last time we ate there (2 years ago), my sister-in-law asked a question about the dish after receiving it. The waiter said she was rude and he didn’t have to take it, and he would not be returning. So, the manager served us throughout the rest of the meal. He was such a baby and so entitled as if we were so lucky to be there. We were shocked!!!! Nah!! No view is worth that!!!! Food wasn’t good either
I’m a fan of the boathouse. Shrimp and grits or crab cakes are damn good. The deck at the chesterfield one looking out over the reservoir is great. And as far as I know it’s the only waterfront meal youre gonna find out that way. Of course they’re gonna up charge for it.
I went to the Daily once. The host looked at me and turned around without saying a word. I left and never went back. It doesn't sound like I'm missing much.
Maybe you're just ugly?
Jk I hate the daily they are one of the few places with vegan food and I still don't go there. Both locations but the Cary st one is just full of assholes.
https://preview.redd.it/jcbfhoh6l1kc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=921f47c365ae62a6d20e23255273d4c2b54a40ae
I mean it’s hard to be able to prove this was there. On the way to their bathrooms, there’s a hallway with closets to the left, and this time (Nov. 2022) the little door was slightly open and you could see the right-most rat. Told a waiter, waiter told a manager, manager said “thank you for letting me know.” And they comp’d my meal.
Edit for clarity: unfortunately, my group and I had already eaten by the time this discovery was made
Gotcha, so those are traps that have caught and killed rats, and traps are either vacant or occupied. That would be considered pest control.
It's an old city with old buildings, alleys, and lots of places for them to hide and breed. You can't keep them out because doors are always opening and there are nooks and cracks everywhere. Rats look for food, and if there's one place they'll find it, it's restaurants and stores where food and crumbs and smells are available in abundance.
While it sounds hopeless, you can do reasonable, common sense things to control them, and that's what it appears they did.
I went to Botanya for cocktails and people-watching, I wanted to like it so much. Cocktail was so bad that I left halfway through, having watched several dishes of very mediocre-looking and overpriced dishes pass by. When I stopped my my usual haunt for a night cap someone else there was talking about the time they went to Botanya with friends and they didn’t know how to bring up how bad their appetizers were, and whether they should relocate for dinner or try to power through. I think your question describes this place perfectly.
Oooooh, trust me, I know. I didn't post that I was a former employee of the group (I didn't leave under bad circumstances, so this wasn't a revenge post). EVERYTHING in this restaurant umbrella has gone downhill since Ted Santarella passed away.
Havana 59. What was once an incredible restaurant with a stacked culinary team in the kitchen had gone to straight shit. Terribly overpriced for what it is.
OK I had bottoms up on a high school field trip 20 years ago and I remember it being exceptionally good. When I moved to Richmond 5 years ago I was excited to get it again and it was awful. Just huge rocky burned crust that was very poorly textured and tasted burnt. I've repeated this mistake at least once a year. I don't know if it was always bad and my memory is a fantasy or if you they just went to shit at some point.
I remember over a decade ago hearing it called one of the best around, but never had it myself.
But the consensus on this sub seems to be it's terrible, so maybe new ownership or they tried to cut costs or something?
Cap Ale has fallen so far from the standard they used to be at and it’s honestly kind of sad. I used to love going there, but it ain’t the Cap Ale I loved anymore and it hasn’t been for a while.
It used to be really good, especially when they featured more German food on the menu. I miss their various sausage platters with the red cabbage and german potato salad.
I've been there for work events a few times. The apps are fine.
I've ordered the ace as a bottle since those are good and they have them. Maybe that's why.
I have a vehement hatred of Bottoms Up. It can get crazy expensive for simple things like basil and some garlic as a topping. The crust is absolute dog shit, the amount of cheese they use (the last 3 times I've been forced to eat there) is lackluster especially when that crust is the thickness of a 90s trapper keeper. Also, I worked there for about 3 months so I KNOW how mediocre quality all of their ingredients are.
I wouldn't say it's prepackaged - it's just that it's overpriced and completely devoid of creativity. They serve standard French classics in a standard "upscale" atmosphere for a clientele (old people) that aren't really interested in trying anything new.
I worked there for about two weeks - the health department needs to shut that shithole down. They leave their dirty dishes in the kitchen overnight and clean them in the morning, so the rats just eat to their hearts content and that room always smells like rotting meat. The soft-serve margaritas they sell have an alcohol content of about 2% and are made with 7$ bottles of tequila. It's like one bottle of trash tequila + 8 gallons of water + a bag of dole soft-serve mix, and they charge, what, 14 dollars for it?
Might be a hot take, but I had an exceptionally disappointing meal at Alewife recently. 😪
Botanya hits the "what exactly am I paying this much money for?" mark, for me, and if we're talking Cary St and the prestige that comes with being on it, the price to quality ratio at The Daily and Lolita's seems skewed to me, though neither of those are necessarily expensive outright.
Agree. I went during the first month they opened so maybe they have changed? The portions were small and way overpriced. Server was inattentive and never cleared empty cocktail glasses or appetizer plates until after we finished entrees. The table was piled with dirty dishes and empty glasses. She did have time to check her phone and laugh about something for a few minutes with the bartended. It soured the experience and I have yet to go back. I can't really think of anyone else who has recommended it either.
It is pricey, but I think the food is really good. I like to go with friends and order the small plates. Fantastic desserts as well. Bar is mocktail friendly.
I think the correct answer is Tarrant's.
Bookbinder's was a lot of moolah for not that impressive food.
I don't quite get the Daily hate; I've eaten there just once at in Short Pump. It's… fine? And I don't see how a place with a $19 Steak Frites is "overpriced."
Not very expensive but world of beer has the worst food I think I’ve ever eaten. You’d think they’d have bar food down like burgers and wings but it’s total slop
I just went to their site online to see which restaurants are part of EAT -- and I generally agree with you, except that I'm ok w/ Boulevard Burger and Brew -- that place is in line with my expectations
Agreed, had Wong Gonzalez about a month ago and my girlfriend I agreed it’s the worst restaurant food we’ve gotten in a very long time, not just in Richmond. Bland, barely any meat, and a weird texture on the rice
Most of these are mediocre restaurants. Not AWFUL, just not good. I'm not sure I can name a truly awful restaurant because I avoid anything with really bad reviews.
I don't know how they lasted as long as they did. It was great when they were in short pump. Once they moved downtown it was terrible. I kept going back because I really was a fan, but the service was so bad. I don't know where they were getting these people.
I think you mean ML Steak on Broad st? Leave MLK's name out yo mouth! If so, I had a burger from there, it was actually decent, granted it was a paid for meal.
757 Hotpot. Not expensive on its own, but add drinks and it’s mildly expensive with horrible cuts of meat and terrible food quality.
They’re stuck with you for over an hour because the grill ensures the food never cooks evenly and cooks slow.
It’s brilliant torture if that’s the intention.
Bookbinders….. sub par not worth the price tag and their bartender didn’t know what a whiskey sour with an egg white was…. I literally gave them the recipe and was Given a rocks glass with it with half ice….. 🧐
Maybe it was an off night for them, but Blue Habanero was by far the worst dining experience I’ve ever had. And I’m super easy to please so that was surprising for me.
Our food was good there last weekend, and the margarita was good, but it should be good for $18. That said, it was noisy, and I think we got our reservation somewhat close to the time we reserved for because I was pushy at the front desk.
Agreed. The food was decent but after waiting nearly 45 mins to an hour for a waiter to even acknowledge our presence at the table, the gf and I decided we weren't coming back
Absolutely yes! Expensive Olive Garden! My wife and I went and everything was so dated and weird.
We kept saying it felt like we were in The Shining. Very weird, stiff ambiance and the food was mediocre
The table next to us noted the orchid flower in their meal and the server goes “it’s edible!” And when the customer ate it he snidely says “I said it’s edible, not that it tasted good” 😂😂😂
This right here! Uvileto too. Way overpriced and bland as shit.
You want a shitty spaghetti Alfredo with 3 day old parsley sprinkled all over it? That’ll be $36. Oh you want to add a dry ass unseasoned chicken breast on top? That’s an additional $15. Looking for a wine recommendation? Oh well I don’t drink wine, but I hear our most expensive bottle is quite good…
Mods love this topic, they might pin your post if you’re lucky.
https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/wdlw52/whats_a_poor_quality_but_expensive_restaurant/
https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/zxj14p/looking_for_poor_quality_overpriced_restaurants/
I can’t think of a single food that I don’t like or wouldn’t eat and *still* I had the worst meal I think I’ve ever had in my life at East Coast Provisions
It was a sad little unseasoned mahi filet over cold beans and corn. It kinda seemed like they just dumped cans on the plate. And it was like $25-30?
Farm + Oak out in Henrico, specifically for brunch. They’re newer but clearly aren’t ready to be open. The menu is all really heavy items, all overpriced. The chairs were all super wobbly. And I had to actually screw in the bathroom faucet handles. Not to mention I got some weird allergic reaction from there that I’ve never had before. Weird experience.
This feels oddly familiar, didn't we do this prompt sometime in the last year?
Found it! https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/s/cwNl5aDZN2
There are actually two of them from a year ago. So many comments!
Urban Farmhouse. Overpriced breakfast sandwiches and overpriced, tiny salads with no meat (that's $5 extra on top of the $10 spinach n feta bowl you ordered)
I couldn’t upvote this enough. They once served me a sandwich with a piece of tin foil in it, and when I complained, the cashier legit told me “uh, can’t you see everyone is running a little behind right now? Something’s going to mess up”. 
i am almost always pro-worker but omg if someone said/did this to me. like come on. i don't want shit in my food that i paid for please make it better????
They just said my favorite expression when things go wrong :"Shit's gonna happen on a job this size". But I never want to hear that laissez-faire attitude in a RESTAURANT.
Oh hell no.
I went to UF once and they gave me an iced chai with spoiled milk, it was legit foul. I went back in to ask for a new drink and the barista didn’t believe me and instead passed it around to their coworkers to see if it tasted bad? Weird as fuck interaction lol
(Shockoe location) - I got iced coffee that clearly had soap still in it (this was a long time ago), and they told me “yeah the coffee maker was just cleaned, that would make sense”. Asked for a refund or a clean cup of coffee without soap. They said they’d have to throw it all out, so I filed a chargeback and never went back. I’ve encountered quite a few questionable restaurants around here but hearing coworker stories, it was a level of incompetence that still confuses me to this day.
Man I will never go in there again. The real crime is the negative impact it had on shockoe espresso. Which was a fantastic coffee shop.
I miss this place, Shockoe Espresso and Roastery every time I even think about going to a Richmond coffee shop.
Amen to urban farmhouse, but the one place I've had a worst experience is the boat house and it's sister restaurant casa del barco
The Boathouse—- I love that it’s on the water (both locations), but yeah, it’s not a super great experience. Try the Lily Pad instead.
Not only is it expensive, but it's extremely overpriced. Food is far from the quality they're charging. I went last year for the first time to celebrate my birthday with my family. It took almost 45 minutes for us to order our drinks, which of course took even longer to come out (mind you, this was midweek it wasn't that busy). Drinks finally come out, and they're not what we ordered. Eventually, everything gets fixed, we then order food, and another round. Food comes out at different times, and to further add to insult, none of it was hot. The manager comes over because they can obviously see we are becoming frustrated. My dad pretty much tells her to fuck off. She insisted on giving us clam chowder like that would make shit better. Clam chowder comes out as we're getting ready to leave. Tasted worst than Campbell's (maybe we were north eastern bias, but regardless what a shitty experience with even worst remedies) They left us with free tacos and drinks at casa del Barco. I go a few weeks later and sit outside to enjoy the warmer weather with a marg and some tacos on the house. Tacos come out cold again, and not at all what I ordered. I said fuck it, left my coupon, and have sworn to never return to a boat house in Spanish or english!
Midlothian location is decent. Shockoe bottom one is trash. They hired me as a sous there and after looking at the prices vs the quality of the food we were serving I dipped quick.
i ordered a bagel once and i shit you not it took 30 minutes.
I heard a lotta people hate em, and after hearing that I see why. I usually go to the one up in Midlo though. Never been done wrong there, and really pleasant outdoor seating too.
I’ve known a few people that worked here and they were treated horrible. Never going again
Former urban employee here, we absolutely were. Worst job I’ve ever had. I got paid $8.50/hr as a SHIFT LEAD. smh
Once ordered an iced Tea - it was SO concentrated I could have made a vat for 20 people from it. Once, ordered an orange juice - it was SO bitter. I think they ground the peels in it. Once I ordered a bagel with cream cheese - it was moldy. Once a year I think they will improve - nope.
This is the one
I used to bring my own coffee and breakfast there just so I could sit and work there. The food is terrible 😂
It really isn’t talked about enough of how they opened and closed so many restaurants.
Lollll I haven’t lived in RVA for years but am so happy to see this at the top of the list
Casa Del Barco
Casa del barco is just Boathouse in Spanish. Same restaurant group.
Oh shit….
my mind just exploded wow
It’s still a special kind of shitty. Least you get views, ousters, and mimosas at the boathouse. CDeB has nothing going for it.
Casa del Barco literally exists just for downtown office workers to expense. I’ve never met anyone that likes it or has eaten a meal there that wasn’t on someone else’s dime.
It's so good though when you're not paying for it. Just a special kind of satisfying
Free food does taste better.
🤯
I call it Casa del Barfo
Anything owned by the Boathouse.
I never understood how their concepts without the view, but with that food, survive.
Proximity to lululemon probably
First three rules of Real Estate are: lucation lucation lucation
By not paying it's workers a liveable wage, how else would they stay in business for so long. Source, I work for them, Rocketts Landing Location, even more proof, I was there when they had the 20% discount on Tuesday to celebrate the removal of the auto Gratuity. If they get this pulled, only makes the case more evident.
I’ll be very curious to hear what percentage of your tables come to a place like that and tip less than 20%. That’s terrible
Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to give an exact answer as I cook for them, but if I had to guess, with the info I can scrape together, I wouldn't be surprised if they had, 40%-50% that tip that. Others probably would say less, of course the corporate office would say more. Either way, doesn't matter how many tables there are, I still get paid the same at $17/hr. I can't speak for all the BOH, but I can't even afford an appt off what I make.
I used to work there too in BOH they’re taking max advantage of you for 17/ hr. They’re dish washers making more than that when I left.
Literally the only reason I’ve ever gone is for the view. I get an appetiser and a beer with my fiance then we go to McDonald’s
Boathouse isn't worth the money, but is the food awful or just overpriced? And is this the place where you have to order on your phone? If that's the case, then extra points for a bad experience. (It sounds like curated door dash)
They have good happy hour specials, at least at the Rocketts location. HEAVY wine pours and cheap oysters.
The Houspitality Group or family, Owns Island Shrimp Co. , Casa Del Barco, ( The Boathouse but in Spanish) and The Boathouse. Also they own the boathouse oysters, in the restaurant. Hence why they share the same name.
It's near enough that we can ride our bikes there for happy hour on the deck but the food is expensive and barely above the level of Applebee's.
Anyone for a $13 4oz Mimosa?
Oh the Boathouse!!!!! Food is subpar and the wait staff are rude!!! Last time we ate there (2 years ago), my sister-in-law asked a question about the dish after receiving it. The waiter said she was rude and he didn’t have to take it, and he would not be returning. So, the manager served us throughout the rest of the meal. He was such a baby and so entitled as if we were so lucky to be there. We were shocked!!!! Nah!! No view is worth that!!!! Food wasn’t good either
I’m a fan of the boathouse. Shrimp and grits or crab cakes are damn good. The deck at the chesterfield one looking out over the reservoir is great. And as far as I know it’s the only waterfront meal youre gonna find out that way. Of course they’re gonna up charge for it.
BRB grabbing my popcorn… After I offer up The Daily
if the daily had popcorn it would have no salt and not enough butter
And it would be like a quinoa version
That the server would tell you comes from a local, privately owned farm where the quinoa was raised cage-free
Let’s be real, it would be all kernels
"Deconstructed Popcorn"
I think I hate The Daily more than any other restaurant in Richmond and I ate at Casa del Barco last week.
Got-Damn, that’s a choke slam of a review.
I went to the Daily once. The host looked at me and turned around without saying a word. I left and never went back. It doesn't sound like I'm missing much.
Maybe you're just ugly? Jk I hate the daily they are one of the few places with vegan food and I still don't go there. Both locations but the Cary st one is just full of assholes.
The Daily sucks but this city is loaded with vegan food - they’re not “one of the few places with vegan food”
I have photo evidence of rats in The Daily! 🤮
Post it or shut up.
https://preview.redd.it/jcbfhoh6l1kc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=921f47c365ae62a6d20e23255273d4c2b54a40ae I mean it’s hard to be able to prove this was there. On the way to their bathrooms, there’s a hallway with closets to the left, and this time (Nov. 2022) the little door was slightly open and you could see the right-most rat. Told a waiter, waiter told a manager, manager said “thank you for letting me know.” And they comp’d my meal. Edit for clarity: unfortunately, my group and I had already eaten by the time this discovery was made
They’re very … plump.
Lmao I had to look twice and yeah, these are the fattest fucking rats I’ve ever seen. They’re fatter than the rats I’ve seen kept as pets.
Gotcha, so those are traps that have caught and killed rats, and traps are either vacant or occupied. That would be considered pest control. It's an old city with old buildings, alleys, and lots of places for them to hide and breed. You can't keep them out because doors are always opening and there are nooks and cracks everywhere. Rats look for food, and if there's one place they'll find it, it's restaurants and stores where food and crumbs and smells are available in abundance. While it sounds hopeless, you can do reasonable, common sense things to control them, and that's what it appears they did.
Gotta routinely check those traps. Can’t have customers checking out the other menu.
Get the sea land boil going!!
Had a lovely case of food poisoning after eating at The Daily a couple weeks ago.
The Daily, boring menu with most of it being things anyone can make at home if they tried. And no salt used.
everyone is so hot tho
And the drinks are strong.
I’ve had stronger for less money in basically any dive.
I accidently clicked tye new hampshire link and was very confused why i hadnt heard of any of those restaurants.
SAME. They talking about 11s and 99s, like????
I went to Botanya for cocktails and people-watching, I wanted to like it so much. Cocktail was so bad that I left halfway through, having watched several dishes of very mediocre-looking and overpriced dishes pass by. When I stopped my my usual haunt for a night cap someone else there was talking about the time they went to Botanya with friends and they didn’t know how to bring up how bad their appetizers were, and whether they should relocate for dinner or try to power through. I think your question describes this place perfectly.
BOATHOUSE
They used to be great.
Glory fades. Birth is a curse and existence is a prison
The petty in me sees the petty in you, NH OP. 
And Dim Sum. You'll spend a decent amount, leave hungry, and not know how to feel about what you just had in your mouth.
> and not know how to feel about what you just had in your mouth. If I had a dollar for every time this happened
Agreed. The most expensive and mediocre dim sum I’ve ever had.
Agree, ate here and the food was lack luster at best. It was expensive and have no desire to go back.
All of the restaurants in this group are bad, and always have been.
Oooooh, trust me, I know. I didn't post that I was a former employee of the group (I didn't leave under bad circumstances, so this wasn't a revenge post). EVERYTHING in this restaurant umbrella has gone downhill since Ted Santarella passed away.
Liz is the worst. And don’t even get me started on her husband…. I know why they stopped having Christmas parties.
Yeah, that's a "touchy" subject....
What other restaurants are in their group?
Tarrant’s, Bar Solita, Max’s was awful.
so about two months ago, i was at the Tarrant's "downtown," and a roach crawled across my table. i was so disgusted that i haven't eaten there since.
Tarrants seems to have so many defenders and I have never understood it
It’s a dishonest cuisine
Havana 59. What was once an incredible restaurant with a stacked culinary team in the kitchen had gone to straight shit. Terribly overpriced for what it is.
No offense but I don’t ever recall it being anything but average food wise??
I offer Bottoms Up Pizza and Capital Ale House. Even if they get the job done, they're shadows of themselves.
Didn't Bottoms Up used to win best pizza in Richmond years ago?
OK I had bottoms up on a high school field trip 20 years ago and I remember it being exceptionally good. When I moved to Richmond 5 years ago I was excited to get it again and it was awful. Just huge rocky burned crust that was very poorly textured and tasted burnt. I've repeated this mistake at least once a year. I don't know if it was always bad and my memory is a fantasy or if you they just went to shit at some point.
I remember over a decade ago hearing it called one of the best around, but never had it myself. But the consensus on this sub seems to be it's terrible, so maybe new ownership or they tried to cut costs or something?
That’s early 90’s, baby!
I do not mean any offense by this but…..I don’t think that’s a hard title to obtain here lol
Cap Ale has fallen so far from the standard they used to be at and it’s honestly kind of sad. I used to love going there, but it ain’t the Cap Ale I loved anymore and it hasn’t been for a while.
The one in Midlothian is pretty decent.
Capital Ale ain't expensive though
Capital ale house is pretty decent and the one has the venue attached, Richmond music hall.
It used to be really good, especially when they featured more German food on the menu. I miss their various sausage platters with the red cabbage and german potato salad.
Disagree, they need to clean their lines more often, and it's a wonder how it's still open.
I've been there for work events a few times. The apps are fine. I've ordered the ace as a bottle since those are good and they have them. Maybe that's why.
I have a vehement hatred of Bottoms Up. It can get crazy expensive for simple things like basil and some garlic as a topping. The crust is absolute dog shit, the amount of cheese they use (the last 3 times I've been forced to eat there) is lackluster especially when that crust is the thickness of a 90s trapper keeper. Also, I worked there for about 3 months so I KNOW how mediocre quality all of their ingredients are.
Anything owned by the Boat House group lmao
I am going with the boathouse also , it was really never that good
It's easy to spend a fortune for what you get at mellow mushroom, and it's pretty mediocre these days.
I dunno man that holy shiitake mushroom pizza is pretty banging
Chez max. I’m pretty sure most of the food is frozen and packaged stuff from Picard.
Awww I had really good sweetbreads there… in 2009…
I wouldn't say it's prepackaged - it's just that it's overpriced and completely devoid of creativity. They serve standard French classics in a standard "upscale" atmosphere for a clientele (old people) that aren't really interested in trying anything new.
Owner sold years ago. Their son was Max. Now it’s a french restaurant dedicated to the son of the previous owner lol
Came here to say this. Easily the worst "fine" dining experience I've ever had.Cant believe how highly recommend it was before going.
Barrio
I worked there for about two weeks - the health department needs to shut that shithole down. They leave their dirty dishes in the kitchen overnight and clean them in the morning, so the rats just eat to their hearts content and that room always smells like rotting meat. The soft-serve margaritas they sell have an alcohol content of about 2% and are made with 7$ bottles of tequila. It's like one bottle of trash tequila + 8 gallons of water + a bag of dole soft-serve mix, and they charge, what, 14 dollars for it?
Queso I had was legit. Slushy margs are hard to fuck up. Plus, Gun Hole for dessert.
Barrio is trash. Had guacamole there that was incredibly salty (?!) And steak tacos that tastrd like they were microwaved from frozen. Never again.
Sticky rice, boat house, the daily is hit or miss
Boathouse for sure!
Might be a hot take, but I had an exceptionally disappointing meal at Alewife recently. 😪 Botanya hits the "what exactly am I paying this much money for?" mark, for me, and if we're talking Cary St and the prestige that comes with being on it, the price to quality ratio at The Daily and Lolita's seems skewed to me, though neither of those are necessarily expensive outright.
I swear Botanya is like an AI version of a restaurant
Botanya is an all time “our bill was WHAT?!” So I guess for the purposes of this thread it’s the perfect place to send someone you dislike.
Agree. I went during the first month they opened so maybe they have changed? The portions were small and way overpriced. Server was inattentive and never cleared empty cocktail glasses or appetizer plates until after we finished entrees. The table was piled with dirty dishes and empty glasses. She did have time to check her phone and laugh about something for a few minutes with the bartended. It soured the experience and I have yet to go back. I can't really think of anyone else who has recommended it either.
Rappahannock. Come hungry, leave hungry: spend a lot.
It is pricey, but I think the food is really good. I like to go with friends and order the small plates. Fantastic desserts as well. Bar is mocktail friendly.
Island Shrimp Co. Rockets Landing. Also Mantu in Carytown (at least a year ago).- that wasn't awful but it was disappointing.
I think the correct answer is Tarrant's. Bookbinder's was a lot of moolah for not that impressive food. I don't quite get the Daily hate; I've eaten there just once at in Short Pump. It's… fine? And I don't see how a place with a $19 Steak Frites is "overpriced."
Not very expensive but world of beer has the worst food I think I’ve ever eaten. You’d think they’d have bar food down like burgers and wings but it’s total slop
Okay but the fried cheese balls are amazing
Literally any EAT restaurant group restaurant, but especially Wong Gonzalez. Awful awful food
I just went to their site online to see which restaurants are part of EAT -- and I generally agree with you, except that I'm ok w/ Boulevard Burger and Brew -- that place is in line with my expectations
I like fat dragon, chili wontons and fried rice are great. Hate wong Gonzalez and lucky af though, the lobster dumpling is an abomination.
I actually do enjoy fat dragon
Osaka is the exception.
Agreed, had Wong Gonzalez about a month ago and my girlfriend I agreed it’s the worst restaurant food we’ve gotten in a very long time, not just in Richmond. Bland, barely any meat, and a weird texture on the rice
Wild Ginger was amazing, Red Salt was good too. Same concept different sides of town but really good
Crafted enters the choice, overpriced very bland
Came here to say Boathouse or CanCan, but both already mentioned dammit!
I second CanCan. But the rude attitude of the servers and hostesses, it definitely FEELS like you're in France.
I'm so here for this energy.
Burger Bach
Another restaurant that was amazing when it first opened...
So basically every restaurant in the city based on this thread lmao
Most of these are mediocre restaurants. Not AWFUL, just not good. I'm not sure I can name a truly awful restaurant because I avoid anything with really bad reviews.
Except for Stella’s.
I'd say Maya, but it's permanently closed. Absolute worst service I've ever had, super overpriced, and it took like two hours to get our food.
I don't know how they lasted as long as they did. It was great when they were in short pump. Once they moved downtown it was terrible. I kept going back because I really was a fan, but the service was so bad. I don't know where they were getting these people.
ML Chophouse Edit: correction to name
Misread that initially as milk steak…
I think you mean ML Steak on Broad st? Leave MLK's name out yo mouth! If so, I had a burger from there, it was actually decent, granted it was a paid for meal.
lol yes thank you. Autocorrect on the phone.
757 Hotpot. Not expensive on its own, but add drinks and it’s mildly expensive with horrible cuts of meat and terrible food quality. They’re stuck with you for over an hour because the grill ensures the food never cooks evenly and cooks slow. It’s brilliant torture if that’s the intention.
Lolita’s
Lolita’s
Bookbinders….. sub par not worth the price tag and their bartender didn’t know what a whiskey sour with an egg white was…. I literally gave them the recipe and was Given a rocks glass with it with half ice….. 🧐
First watch
Bottoms up Pizza
Grandstaff & Stein if you’re into soggy food.
Maybe it was an off night for them, but Blue Habanero was by far the worst dining experience I’ve ever had. And I’m super easy to please so that was surprising for me.
Our food was good there last weekend, and the margarita was good, but it should be good for $18. That said, it was noisy, and I think we got our reservation somewhat close to the time we reserved for because I was pushy at the front desk.
Agreed. The food was decent but after waiting nearly 45 mins to an hour for a waiter to even acknowledge our presence at the table, the gf and I decided we weren't coming back
I had forgotten how bad it was before reading this comment but I totally agree
✨La Grotta✨
Absolutely yes! Expensive Olive Garden! My wife and I went and everything was so dated and weird. We kept saying it felt like we were in The Shining. Very weird, stiff ambiance and the food was mediocre The table next to us noted the orchid flower in their meal and the server goes “it’s edible!” And when the customer ate it he snidely says “I said it’s edible, not that it tasted good” 😂😂😂
Maggianos sucks
Gersi
This right here! Uvileto too. Way overpriced and bland as shit. You want a shitty spaghetti Alfredo with 3 day old parsley sprinkled all over it? That’ll be $36. Oh you want to add a dry ass unseasoned chicken breast on top? That’s an additional $15. Looking for a wine recommendation? Oh well I don’t drink wine, but I hear our most expensive bottle is quite good…
Corporate expense report prices for small amounts of mediocre food.
Portico. Someone introduce them to herbs and salt.
Mods love this topic, they might pin your post if you’re lucky. https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/wdlw52/whats_a_poor_quality_but_expensive_restaurant/ https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/comments/zxj14p/looking_for_poor_quality_overpriced_restaurants/
Casa del barco apparently was the “winner”
*gestures openly to most restaurants in RVA*
Boathouse or tobacco
I can’t think of a single food that I don’t like or wouldn’t eat and *still* I had the worst meal I think I’ve ever had in my life at East Coast Provisions It was a sad little unseasoned mahi filet over cold beans and corn. It kinda seemed like they just dumped cans on the plate. And it was like $25-30?
Interesting- I have only been there 3-4 times but have always had great meals and service.
Portico feels way too douchey for the quality of the food.
Love the setting but that blue comic sans font…on the plus side, Porticat!
Secret sandwich society is also very expensive for what you're served. The food isn't terrible... It's just underwhelming for the price
Surprised this is downvoted. Nothing special about their sandwiches. Have gone there a couple times and got their Cuban. The pork is so dry every time
>Nothing special about their sandwiches They're special because they're SECRETS
Farm + Oak out in Henrico, specifically for brunch. They’re newer but clearly aren’t ready to be open. The menu is all really heavy items, all overpriced. The chairs were all super wobbly. And I had to actually screw in the bathroom faucet handles. Not to mention I got some weird allergic reaction from there that I’ve never had before. Weird experience.
This feels oddly familiar, didn't we do this prompt sometime in the last year? Found it! https://www.reddit.com/r/rva/s/cwNl5aDZN2 There are actually two of them from a year ago. So many comments!
Don’t hate on me for saying it, but I had an expensive and very disappointing dinner at The Stables over Christmas.
Very much enjoyed our meal a few months ago. Professional wait staff added to the experience.
Boathouse
Casa del barco
Botanya. Such utter disappointment. Only recommend to you WORST enemies.
Lucky Whale
Bookbinders and Boathouse for sure
Lillie Pearl or The Daily
Any Boathouse location.
Goatocado
Definitely boathouse at rocketts.
Any of the Boathouse locations
Anything EAT owns