Still Worldly Eclectic Tapas — Restaurant in Portsmouth

Quaint, kitschy joint. Atmosphere was great. Lots of interesting food on the menu. Extremely expensive for the 3 bites you get, but it is tapas style after all so we weren't expecting much. Blows my mind that as we were seated they mentioned the food is designed to be shared though. 🤔🤣 By what!? Mice?!? I'm not a large gal, nor do I eat a large amount of food. I'd venture a bet that I eat less food in an entire day than your avg American eats in one meal, but... this was ridiculous.

The selection of dishes was great, as was the fact that most everything is gluten free, or can be made that way. The portions practically non existent for an exorbitant price.

The experience was completely soured by the fact that our waitress, Brandy, is of the erroneous impression that if she doesn't write the order down it makes her a great waitress. It's actually the exact opposite. Not only are you telling us you have no respect for how we would like our food cooked, but it increases the potential for error threefold. Shock of all shocks our food came out wrong. Not that she would know since she neither brought it out, checked on us after it was, nor asked how it was after we were done. She never once offered to refresh our drinks. As a matter of fact, the ONLY thing she did was "take our order", then bring us the bill. Seeing my cut open pork medallion that I specifically asked to have well done "no pink whatsoever", it didn't phase her. Didn't phase her that I hadn't taken a bite. Didn't phase her when appalled by her lack of concern over my inedible meal, I said "Could I have a box, I guess I'll take this home and cook it". She didn't miss a beat in trying to up her income by asking "Will there be anything else?" 🤨🤨🤨 I couldn't eat the pork that was brought to me still red in the center (🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱🪱) and you think I want something else?!?! Thanks, but the $70 we are spending on THREE BITES OF BUTTERNUT SQUASH, and a well done steak (NOT how it was ordered) is enough. I have to go somewhere else to eat now, thanks. 🙄

My recommendation - if you are going for a drink, I think it's a cute little speakeasy. If you just want a snack and can afford to pay $8-$20 for a couple of bites, then give the place a try. But, I will NEVER be back.

Note how my hand covers my entire $16 undercooked pork tenderloin. Steak was ordered medium rare, pork was ordered well done (not a hint of pink). Came out the exact opposite. Dark in there, part of the atmosphere, so I didn't bother taking a picture of how pink my pork was inside. But, it was perfectly cooked for medium rare. Fault was not on the kitchen. Fault is on an arrogant "waitress".

Picture of my pork medallion is after the half hour drive. This meat has had time to oxygenate and is STILL pink. The chef should know better than to service this even if they think the customer ordered it this way. The owner needs to educate his staff.

If you like honest, detailed reviews, follow...

I decided to go here upon a recommendation from another restaurant owner. First off I would like the say the food is fabulous, absolutely zero complaints on quality, flavor, atmosphere..etc, staff was very kind and friendly.

I was looking for a nice place to take my son upon his graduation from ODU. It would be tough to say anything negative except that the portions (for tapas, and this is the only place I have had them other than in Spain around 15 years ago) were extremely small and the impression from our server it seemed like you could share family style (this may be possible with two people, definitely not with 5 people); for example: I have no idea how we shared between 5 people the Lobster Mac and Cheese, we had the impression it was a sharable item and each person got about a maybe a teaspoon to taste it, so the portion size to price is high, $9 dollars doesn't seem like a lot , but if you really wanted to have only this item as a starter you would probably have to order at least 3.

Another item we got by recommendation was the Mixed Game Sausage Trilogy, again the way it was described as a good sized three half sausage links, but when it came to the table there were three small quarter cut links about the size of a hot dog cut in half then then cut in half down the middle (so with all 3 pieces it was about the size smaller than an average hot dog), I feel with larger groups that have never been here the server should make mention that the portions are not enough for more than 2 people to share and then it is only enough to get a a taste, other than giving us the impression they were decent sized portions to share (especially with a group our size).

Even when she mentioned the soup, which was amazing and flavorful, I was thinking for the price it would be a nice bowl, nope was very small, smaller the a regular cup of soup.

After the meal I had the impression this was more of a place to go and have drinks with friends or a date and taste some unique, flavorful and different foods, not a place for an actual dinner meal, not saying you couldn't but for me it would be way out of my budget.

The price on the google search has two dollar signs ($$) out of 4, making you think it is reasonably priced. I think this is a little deceiving in regards to portion size and price, I would say if you were really going to rate the price on this it is a lot closer to 4 dollar signs ($$$$) for the amount of food your getting for the price.

Again, don't get me wrong, the flavors and selection are outstanding it's just a lot more than I think that someone who has never had tapas here before would expect, and the servers should be a little more direct on portion size. After $200 without any alcoholic drinks we were still hungry...

Service: no complaints. Tapas typically have no order to how they come out even if you ordered first so be prepared for that. Typically can take 10-20 to get an order out. So while you are waiting order a drink. Waiters were very attentive and always asked if we wanted anything else.

Drinks: if you enjoy whiskey you won’t ever want to leave. Drinks are fairly priced and great quality. Since I enjoy whiskey I didn’t check what else they had but there was a large menu for beer and wine.

Bathrooms. Very clean and the location is away from tables so you don’t ever have to worry about sitting next to one.

Decor and vibe: it’s a speakeasy. They offer a chill medium lighting vibe. You can feel enclosed but they make the space work excellently. The colors all make you feel cozy why you enjoy the food and drinks. Bar area can be cramped if you got more than 5 people with you all tying to talk because of the wall near the bar in one section. The other half had some table near so for larger groups I’d say show up early which it like 6pm. Have a table reserved and enjoy yourself.

Food: this has never happened to me at a restaurant. Everything I had tasted divine. So basically on a scale of 1-10 10 being the best meal I have ever had, nothing fell below an 8. I don’t know what the chef is doing back there but culinary magic. Also being a tapas place, portion sizes are small but you don’t feel cheated when you get your meal. They are all the right size and again how it all tastes. The duck tacos are literally filled with duck, the vindaloo was amazing. I will say I am used to vindaloo being one of the most spicy items on the menu but in this case it wasn’t spicy at all. I would like to see how they do a traditional one. That is beside the point, the vindaloo makes you not want to share anything. Mac a cheese.........................I almost slapped somebody it was so dang gum good. I almost took my wife’s as well but she wasn’t having that. Everyone else at the table loved it as well.

Price: as you can imagine with drinks and food being so delicious by the end of the night you can rack up a tab very quickly. Also the toll can be annoying but instead of thinking of this as just another restaurant, it’s an experience. Portsmouth has a lot to offer. On the weekend park the car in Norfolk walk through waterside take to the ferry to Portsmouth (cash only), walk h street and maybe see a movie at the commodore. After your movie go to Still and you won’t be...