Bamboo Cafe — Restaurant in Richmond

My wife and I are new to the fan and we’re methodically checking out all the restaurants within walking distance of our home. Bamboo came up and as an option so we gave it a try. Extremely neighborhood oriented spot and, as newcomers, the staff couldn’t be bothered to tear away themselves from the more familiar. We were greeted however by a mouse scurrying across the floor by our booth. He was clearly not a visitor and seemed very comfortable and at home. Clearly, the mouse was a part of the neighborhood. When I pointed out to the waitress that they had a mouse, she seemed unsurprised and nonchalant, as if he was, indeed, a regular. Perhaps he had a name - let’s go with Frank. Frank was a part of the usual crowd - like Norm. Anyways, we had already ordered by the time Frank appeared so we ate. Burger was benign and uninspiring. My wife had chili which she said was good and a side salad which had stale greens but fresh tomatoes. So, atmosphere - not welcoming, food - ok and service - perhaps you...

The Neighborhood Joint.

The Bamboo Cafe was a pleasant surprise, and it kept that up all night. When I first arrived, I thought it was a crowded busy place with a bar up one side and small tables and booths up the other. So your basic bar with food. And at 7pm on Saturday it was very busy. But getting a table after sitting at the bar for 10 minutes or so helped a lot, and the menu was surprising and amazing! Of course you can have a burger, sandwich, or even pizza. But you can have some pretty excellent food as well. Check out the specials, I thought it was too hot for lobster bisque but it sounded great... I ended up with the filet mignon from the regular menu, my friend with the filet from the specials. And the sides are better than "uh, broccoli?" which I hear way too often elsewhere. The bar staff was extremely friendly! Apparently as far sports barsim go, this is a baseball bar. I took one star off for noise, but I might put it on again if I go on another night and it is...

Drinks and a Burger with Jason & Amy #ExactChange - January 6th, 2018.

The Bamboo Cafe is my favorite bar in Richmond. It's as close as you can get to a dive bar in the RVA. They also serve brunch everyday of the week and have a great seasonal menu.

I used to come here a lot before I got sober. I would come in for breakfast in the afternoons and have a Two Hearted Ale or two. I haven't been there during the day in the last 4 years, but I do meet friends there sometimes and it's still a cool place to hang even as a non-drinker. My club soda & lime (The Lennie Briscoe) is always kept full and I never get that "that's all you're drinking" attitude that I sometimes run into in town.

They have a fantastic burger and chill bar and wait staff. If you have a hankering for chilling in a fantastic dive bar, the Bamboo Cafe is the hole in the wall you've been waiting for.

Sasha picked up the check but I paid the tip in...