Novatos Bar and Grill — Restaurant in Norfolk

We went here on a recommendation from a friend who kept telling us to try it. So we went on a Saturday for dinner, we were told by said friend to get there before 5pm or there will be a wait. We arrived a little before 5pm and were seated right away. Upon looking at the menu, I noticed there was no option for a side salad, only a small or large salad at a whopping $8 for a small and $12 for a large. I mentioned to the waitress that this wad our first visit there and was there a smaller salad other than the $8 small to have before our meal and she replied that yes there's a half size. So we said we would both have one with extra dressing on the side. We both ordered the steak tips as well. Salad was very disappointing for me. Steak tips were very good, could have been a little warmer. Mashed potatoes and vegetables were tasty but again could have been warmer. After we finished, the bill comes and we get charged $16 for 2 salads, and $2 for extra dressing, which we really didn't need because they give alot of dressing to begin with, which we obviously didn't know being our first time there (you think she would have mentioned that) I said to the waitress, I asked you if there was a small side salad we could get before the meal other than the $8 small, and you said there was a half size we could get (I assumed the half size would be $4). She just said, "Oh no, there not, and we charge for extra dressing and walked away. So we will not be rushing back here. There are 2 similar places to go to that are a bit cheaper and food is...

I love Novatos food, interesting and varied choices and very well prepared. It's a gem of a place in a location that you would not expect to have such a selection but in a pub setting. Today I ordered grilled shrimp and scallops. The veggies are perfectly cooked and seasoned and the shrimp was lovely. I was taken aback to find the scallops to be well cooked and tender but they were very "ripe", as in, past the fresh stage. I ate one, tried a bit of another, yup, same and just wisely stopped. When the server came, I told her to make sure she let the kitchen know that they should not serve any more scallops. She said sure. OK, I admit I have trouble standing up for myself, and I never complain about food, but I did expect some gesture, a break, a coupon, since it was spoiled seafood, not just something I didn't like. I paid and left. No question I will continue to enjoy Novatos again and again. I really hope she told the kitchen because I know they would never want to serve that if they knew. I kind of wish I had asked to speak with the kitchen crew, because then I am sure that it would definitely be handled. My issue is mainly with the service. It was too late to ask for something else to eat so I ate my excellent...

Love this place! Ive been going here for years and just recently took my girlfriend to check it out. Though it was absolutely packed on this Saturday evening, we were seated immediately and our waitress took our drinks within two minutes. It was extremely busy so we prepared to wait a while for the food but lo and behold it came out before we even finished the chips! As always it was absolutely delicious and by the end our waitress had come over to ask how our meal was. She was such a sweet young lady, very friendly and amazing service. She told us it was only her second shift, and both my girlfriend and I having worked in food service, were blown away by Ashley’s accuracy, promptness, and all around amazing service. Anyone in the area looking for a delicious meal in a comfortable setting (and with live music sometimes) I would...