East Coast Provisions — Restaurant in Richmond

Stale bread and lies... lobster roll was a total rip off! I only ordered it because we were told it was a whole Maine lobster, not even close, but there was plenty of stale bread to go with it (not toasted, but stale). Then the waitress changed her attitude and story when I brought it to her attention not even attempting to resolve the issue. I told her it's only a tail meat (about 5 chunks) on stale bread, and NASTY, she did not offer a solution to the issue instead became rude and standoffish. The bean salad is tasteless, which meant it was wasted. The mac and cheese was flavorless, my child took one bite and said no way and he loves a good homemade version. Not worth the money and will never go back thanks to the lack of customer service. I'm not sure how this place rated so well and the owners picture of the lobster roll is not an adequate representation of what it actually looks like.

*UPDATED: It's amazing to me that every bad review you have received that you have an excuse, not even a good one, as to why the customer experience and expectations are the last thing on your priority. A live Maine lobster is not in any way only 5 chunks of meat, being from that area I know lobsta rolls and live Maine lobsters. I guess it could have been a really small lobster, but it was still missing the claw meat and the legs if you said it was picked fresh from a live lobster, not a whole lobster. That eludes me also, but you said it. Your tasteless over priced food was not even mentioned in your excuses only on how I was wrong and you didn't care to fix it only make excuses for it. Also I want to make note that not a single person apologized, they did exactly what you have done, made excuses for your inadequacy. The thing that is really sad is the stale bread in which your executive chef didn't notice, really I don't believe that for an instant. I slammed it on the table for the waitress, it was stale, completely and everyone at the table as well as your staff couldn't say otherwise because it was obvious. Here you are trying to make excuses and deny the obvious, which shows what kind of restaurant you are and your reply with all the restaurants you have owned or own, please spare us. The honest reviews are necessary so the population can get the facts. This place is clearly about making money off of overpriced, tasteless food and bad customer service. I think it was best stated by a previous reviewer, "elite dinning restaurant, I think not". Interesting that you are still having an issue with stale bread and poor service. I would really like to know how many of your reviews are from actual guests at your restaurant and...

Yesterday my wife and I decided to try East Coast Provisions. Boy are we happy we did! It seems there are so many restaurants that are lacking in service or quality these days that its a great thing to find a gem that delivers. East Coast Provisions is that gem. We sat in the front window not far from the cozy fireplace. The sever was friendly and attentive. She made my cranberry spritzer herself and it was visually beautiful, with a fresh wedge of lime on the rim. The food that we ordered was great and it's the little details that add up. We started with the grilled oysters appetizer (five to a plate was our only disappointment because it was the two of us) - they were perfectly cooked and delicious. I ordered the blackened chicken sandwich with french fries. ECP has some of the best french fries we've had in a long time - they came out hot and properly seasoned. The chicken breast was nicely seasoned (not too salty or spicy, but just right) and was cooked perfectly so that it was still moist and juicy. The arugula on the sandwich was extremely fresh without any brown ends as is so common with restaurant greens these days. Even the winter tomato slice wasn't bad. Brioche bun was very good. My wife had the Crunchy (Shrimp) Sushi Roll and absolutely loved it. She raved about it several times during the meal. She even liked the sliced, pickled ginger that came with it, which she rarely touches at most sushi places. All in all we loved our experience at ECP. I noticed that the hostess made it a point to visit with one of the regulars (an older gentleman) for a few minutes who was dining solo to see how he was doing and what he had been up to. I think her kindness...

Showing due deference to ECP..... It overall was pleasant. Our server this evening was Madeline. She was very good. Note: when it's a Sunday evening 10 days before Christmas, the last thing you let a guest know is that you're short staffed. Only faux pas I can think of. This evening we came in for a birthday dinner for my better half with her family. It was good but frankly not up to the par that we're used to from ECP. The kitchen got one of our apps wrong and though they came quickly, too quickly actually. (We were ordering our dinner when they came) It made the timing a bit off. The error in the app was corrected quickly. Of all of our main courses the lamb chops were quite thin and cooked medium well and the ribeye was medium. Also, the carryover cook on the ribeye made the temperature nearly cold. Acceptable but cool nonetheless. Our desserts were ok. I do have to say that the butterscotch pudding was not very good. I could separately taste the brown sugar and McCallan. Way to much whipped cream. Though I appreciate the Scotch pun on the butterscotch. There's no Scotch in butterscotch. It's my better halfs favorite and a surprise that it was on the menu. She was left flat for a birthday treat. All in all it was nice, good. Just off. Pamela and I had our first date and dinner there 2years ago. I guess we just expect better. Madeline was great. Some more attention to detail is what I suggest. For instance removing plates from the table before the table is finished. I expect that from quick service but not at this level of dining. That's amateur. You wait until everyone...