Byrd & Baldwin Bros Steakhouse — Restaurant in Norfolk

Most experiences here have been great. From the food to the exceptional waitstaff, it's almost always a top-notch dinner whenever I come here. However, I've had one poor experience that hasn't been resolved in the months despite multiple attempts at contact with management.

If a resolution is found, and the manager stops putting this issue aside, I will happily edit this review to reflect that resolution and speak more on the positive experiences I've had. Until then, I can't recommend this restaurant to anyone.

-The issue-

While most dinners I've had here were great, with the staff being the primary reason for such, there is a poor experience that I had for my 22nd birthday in December of 2023 that is worth noting due to the fact that a resolution has STILL not been found, and it is now mid-April.

In this experience, I had ordered an Australian Wagyu steak (I believe it was A8, and I can't remember the cut) rare+/medium rare. I asked the waiter if I could have it pan-seared, since the steaks here are typically grilled. The waiter went to the back, discussed it with the kitchen staff, then said it could be done.

I received the steak, and it was cooked to blue-rare, at which point I had it sent back. Of course, this is a $300 steak, I'd like it to be cooked to perfection. I took a bite, and while the flavor was good, it tasted charred; this is odd because it was supposed to be pan-seared. After consulting the waiter, who consulted the kitchen staff, I was told that they accidentally gave me the wrong steak, so they took it back. The manager then comes back with the same steak, saying that they accidentally brought it to temperature on the grill. I still have no clue what to believe, I couldn't get a straight answer from anyone regarding what was going on with the food.

By this point, the steak was getting cold. The manager asked if I would like to have it warmed up, to which I said would be great. It then came back close to well-done, having a flavor comparable to a hamburger steak. I didn't eat it. I consulted with the manager, and in short, I was told that that is just what happens when it's warmed up.

After lots of back and forth between myself and the manager, I was offered a free dessert for my troubles...but about an hour before that the waiter already told me that my dessert was complimentary for my birthday. I was told that the steak couldn't be replaced since it was their last steak of that kind, and I didn't receive a discount on the bill.

There were other issues including the scented towel smelling dirty, the custard being cooked, and few others, but I'm really not too about those.

A resolution was not found that night, so I called the next week, and the host left a message for Francesco, the manager, to get back. No response. I called again, another message was left, still no response. I called again last month, booked another dinner there, then asked the host to leave yet another message for the previous issue. No response. I then ate there a week after that call, and everything was great...except he wasn't there, and I didn't get a response. On my way out from that dinner, I talked the host, who wrote another message for the manager; it's been weeks since that, and you guessed it, I still haven't received a response.

I've spent thousands at this place in the past couple years, with great experiences in that time, but it baffles me that a problem so simple can't...

My family and I visited the Byrd and Baldwin Bros restaurant in Downtown Norfolk. We were very excited about eating at this restaurant for the first time, especially after reading some reviews and reviewing the online menu. Our excitement dwindled down suddenly when we drove up for Valet parking. Before we could get out of the car, we were approached by a young man that represented the business via Valet parking , saying "we should know that this is a very expensive restaurant!" We were appalled, but kept our composure. Ummm, would he have said that to any other customer that didnt look like us? 🤔 He then begins to share the dress code policy with us, but we took a chance to go in anyways, understanding that we were in compliance, other than my husband not having on a "collared" shirt. To say the least, we (husband/daughter and myself) were turned away and it felt like a slap in the face! While we understand dress code and policy, the entire approach, from outside to inside, left a BAD taste in our mouths! There was no compassion or sensitivity expressed at all, which was very disappointing. To be honest, we felt racially profiled.

When I called the restaurant the next business day, I spoke with both, the assistant and restaurant manager, and was told they would investigate and for me to call the 3rd party company (that they chose to represent their business) and file my complaint! At no time did they offer a second chance to make it right by inviting us back with some sort of complimentary discount etc. It's companies like these (in my opinion) that feel like it doesn't bother them to lose customers because that'll gain others - I'm ok with that, because my family and I went to Aberdeen Barn and spent $400 for steak dinners and went home very happy with the service we received! It's all about integrity if you want to remain prosperous, I think Byrd/Baldwin missed that part!

I'm not the one that would usually give a bad review unless I really feel unappreciated or down right disrespected - this should not happen to anyone. You don't tell anyone about how much anything costs as if they can't afford it. It's not for you to judge! We were very clear about where we were going and money was no issue! However, we were not aware of the dress code.

Byrd and Baldwin Bros. did NOT step up to the plate to take responsibility and we walked away very unhappy with the...

I'm going to say this was a 2.5. 4th visit. first time I was impressed they had foie gras so that kept me coming. I will rank tonight's food below per item. foie gras - 5.0 superb warm spinach and bacon salad - 4.5 - excellent and delicious charred corn and lobster side - 2.0 lame and flavor less with the worst possible and tiny bits of lobster. lobster flavor didn't exist.....AT ALL. needed seasoning and some fat to make it edible. ribeye....1.0 steak knife to cook the toughest piece meat (let alone steak) I've ever been served. it was done perfectly, was flavorless and needed seasoning but a monster chew with sinew that stuck between my teeth. Unfortunately, this is literally the 4th visit where the meat fell short. I would call this choice....at best. a steakhouse should serve only prime. pathetic it was and I'll never order meat there again. 65% or more was left on the plate. hopefully some dog benefitted.

during my first visit, the place was packed....including the bar, which is where the wife and I always sit. tonight we were there alone until about an hour in. then superiorly large humans waddled down the steps in sweats with a 4" spare tire draping over the elastic waist band of their sweats.....by fully another 3-4 inches overhang. Not to mention a perfume designed to cover up body odor. we're fortunate they sat far enough away to not interfere with our food...... save for their passing behind us. some sort of dress code would be nice. it was an appalling view to accidentally expose myself to. I'd hate to think they're that desperate for clientele.

the building has a lot of history and character and would love to see the place make the changes necessary to bring us back. but if a steakhouse has all the regular offerings as subpar meat quality, why bother. I have to add that on the second trip there, they have a "daily premium cut" type offering. they sold me on it's superior marbling and flavor and yada yada. again, tough and unremarkable.

for perspective, I'm 60 years a cook and currently have 3 types of A5 Japanese wagyu in cue for this weeks' meals. (fillet, ribeye and strip). worst $250 meal I've ever eaten and don't plan on returning. just gonna buy my own foie from now...