Half-Way House Restaurant — Restaurant in Chester

So for a Mother's day meal, it was an interesting experience, and not for good. To start, watching the food being brought in from the outside kitchen, a straight 20 feet away, OUTSIDE, with the main courses covered, but not the desert...yummy, bugs anyone? Also, if you get the bread, be wary of the bugs that could fly into the basket on the way into the building. Also, isn't there a health code that all cooks are to wear hair nets? One of the guys with the dreadlocks had his hair bouncing the whole way across the walkway from the kitchen to the main entrance! The building, yes, it was built in 1770, but if you are over 6 foot, duck.

For the meals, considering it's mothers day, I wanted to have a nice treat for my wife. Once we had the menu, a few minutes later the manager came by to take our order. We started ordering our meals, and asked about drinks... the manager stated, Oh, you haven't got the drink menu yet? That should have been a sign to leave. We ordered the appetizers and when the one of 3 arrived--we ate that one. Twenty minutes later the main meals arrived from the manager, we asked where are the other two appetizers? Her statement? "Oh, she forgot those, well, what does it matter, we'll take the 2 appetizers off of the bill". Hah. That was a wonderful expression for a screwed up placement of appetizer to the main meal. We'd had a similar experience at a local steakhouse very recently... and no offense to those who love this place, but when the owner tells you the '6 hours' the staff had been working may have made them tired, Wow!... OK, so you've never gone to a fast food place where people work 8-10 hrs with as many mistakes? Granted they're not a "5 star" place, and you don't expect 5 star service, but this was off to a really bad meal experience.

The meals... the steak was tasteless with no seasoning, my 12 yr old could have cooked it better. The twice cooked potatoes had the cheese hard melted onto the surface, that when you finally got to the mashed potatoes, they were just as bland as the steak. My poor wife, trying not to laugh at this place attempting to be a '5 star", gave me some of her seafood... the poor shrimp could have been bounced off the floor and could have landed right up onto the table. Yes, they were that tough.

Granted the manager gave us 1/2 our meal off, but when you go to a 5 star restaurant, you expect a 5 star service. If you truly want a 5 star restaurant experience in Richmond, I suggest you go to Texas Roadhouse in Colonial Heights. And no, i don't work there, i just expect great service from a place that's been around for a long time. Sometimes you expect too much, but when you come...

The space itself is very nice - the dining room is cozy and I liked the fireplace. This seems to be the whole justification of this being a “nice” restaurant, because no other aspect seemed to be up to par.

The food was WILDLY overpriced. Like I cannot fathom what justified the cost. I got the $54 short ribs, which were 2 small, quite dry cube, and came with mashed potatoes (good), and collard greens (gritty and way too salty). The bread was good, and getting cinnamon rolls was fun, but odd as a dinner bread course. The wine list was what I would expect to see at a Red Robin - it did not match the ambiance and price point. The cocktails were similarly underwhelming - an old fashioned came full of ice and with a bright red cherry. There was no formal cocktail list (that I saw), which perhaps was a hint that it was not what should be ordered here.

The service was good, but again did not match the price of the restaurant. We were asked the same thing by multiple servers back to back. I was asked if I wanted a box when I had eaten maybe 1/4 of my food. They didn’t box our food for us, but then did want to bag it for us. Again, nothing wrong with any of this if this place didn’t come with fine dining prices, but when the cheapest entree is $50, I have high expectations and they just weren’t met.

I don’t mind spending money on nice dinners, but the quality just was not there and I left feeling a little cheated. Richmond is full of amazing restaurants; drive a little further up the road and you will get a better experience in every way for about...

One of my absolute favorite romantic spots for dining at home is nestled in a stunning 18th-century manor-style house that radiates both charm and elegance. As you step inside, you are immediately enveloped by an ambiance rich in history, with every corner telling a story of the past. The vintage decor, featuring intricate woodwork, antique furnishings, and exquisite artwork, creates a warm and inviting space that feels both luxurious and cozy.

The soft, warm lighting enhances the intimacy of the setting, casting a gentle glow that makes every meal feel special. Candles flicker on the tables, their light dancing across the carefully arranged table settings. Imagine sharing a bottle of wine while soft music plays in the background, allowing for quiet conversations and romantic moments.

From the moment you enter this enchanting space, it’s clear that it’s the perfect backdrop for creating unforgettable memories, making every dining experience feel like a special occasion. a romantic meal. a place not really for younger kids in my opinion Its very tiny with candle light dinner feel.

It has been frequented by many notable figures throughout history. Among its illustrious guests are George Washington, the Marquis de LaFayette, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Robert E. Lee, U.S. Grant, and the celebrated poet James Whitcomb Riley, along with countless others. This remarkable location is truly one of Richmond's best-kept secrets, a hidden gem that you absolutely don't want...