Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar — Restaurant in Richmond

Before I even get into this, I want to point out that there are several reviews reflecting the same thing I’m writing.

And that for context, I was a server for years and even with the worst service, a server gets benefit of the doubt and still gets a 20% tip as long as they’re positive. Ok…

——

I went here for my birthday Thursday night and it was an awful and disrespectful experience.

To be blunt, our server Shelby was clearly being different with us as a black couple vs her other tables - all the smiling, explaining the menu with them, etc. I made sure to pay attention to make sure it was in fact what was happening.

I went against my gut because after her demeanor with our first two interactions, I told my husband maybe we shouldn’t stay. But we did.

Her dismissiveness and condescending demeanor started right away. From a snarky comment while putting stoppers to stabilize the table all the way to the end.

We sat there with our menus waiting to order for a long my time. She passed by and was in the area several times. Still benefit of the doubt stage.

Once we got the order in we barely saw her again - someone else dropped off our appetizers. She never checked in while we had them. Next time we saw her she dropped off our entrees. Again, demeanor not satisfactory for me.

She never said anything “bad”. The disrespect was in her condescending manner the couple times she did interact. And the fact most of the night was just waiting for things while she was lollygaging with fellow staff.

And no. This isn’t a “she was busy so cut her some slack” situation. We asked for to-go boxes, she had them in her hand, and I watched her stop to chat for several minutes. It was almost like she was trolling us.

After waiting for our food to be boxed and getting our credit card back (I’d never say anything before getting my food served and money secured lol), I told her about my issues. I think it’s time for people to be held accountable in person instead of just reviews. I wanted to look her in the eye.

She acted flabbergasted of course and said she’s never had anyone say anything like that. Well guess what? I’m the first and probably not the first to feel it.

I also made sure to let her know she wasn’t getting a tip because of her attitude, not because we’re black - to make it clear that her likely automatic assumption wasn’t relevant to the situation. She asked if I want to speak to a manager and I said no. I honestly didn’t because I was through with the experience and…

That worked out because I watched her tell him her interpretation of the whole thing at the back of the restaurant and he never intervened or addressed it. He was at the front host stand on our way out. Gave a pathetic “sorry” apology (after I brought it up). I bet there were no consequences.

Like I said, I decided to look back at the reviews and see if this was a pattern or just our experience and lo and behold, SEVERAL other reviews from people of color saying they felt the same thing.

To make matters worse, their phony “this is a safe space” and “hate has no place here” signs on the wall don’t apply to everyone.

This is the first time in decades of eating out that I didn’t tip someone. And I was clearly pissed enough to write a whole essay.

On a positive note, the hostess and the server who dropped off our...

I want to be as fair here as possible, so this is going to be a long review. There were 4 of us dining. We ordered two appetizers, the dumplings and chicken rolls with apple and sweet chilli sauce. I have a garlic allergy so could not eat the appetizers. But the other three adults dining with me did not like them at all, and we were all quite hungry. The wonton soup was good, but in fact must have had garlic because within 20 minutes I was extremely sick. The waiter who took our order could only offer me fried rice or rice noodles to accommodate my garlic allergy. I felt this was extremely poor considering this restaurant is not a chain and should be able to at least add fresh vegetables and make a decent sauce with basic ingredients available in the kitchen to any reasonably skilled chef. I have managed to eat at many Chinese restaurants who have been able to make a good without garlic. Normally I would be very understanding due to the fact that they were apparently trying to be careful to not get garlic in my food. But in this case the waiter just kept explaining to me how Chinese restaurants in general had so much garlic and and would be unable to cook for me, this was made as a general statement and not something specific to this restaurant. They did give me the fried rice at no cost, and clearly wanted me to be happy about that. I found this attitude to be very annoying as the waiter kept on talking and talking about it, and I just wanted to get back to my group discussion, and I wanted to try to move on from the fact that I was going to get something from this restaurant that I could have made myself at home. The situation ended up being too focused on the difficulty the restaurant had accommodating my food allergy. Back to the other entrees, the other dishes were not good. We had two chicken and one shrimp entrees. We will not be returning to this restaurants for two reasons, the food is not very good according to all four adults in our party, and if a dish is not good the staff is very strange about it. I will end by restating I did appreciate that they did not charge me for the chicken fried rice. I do want to temper that by stating this was simply rice, egg, chicken, and a few frozen peas and carrots seasoned with soy sauce, a dish I could have made better...

A Gem in Richmond: A Must-Visit, and Re-visit Restaurant….

Having lived in the Richmond area for many years, I’ve had the pleasure of dining at numerous establishments, but none compare to this hidden gem. I’ve been a loyal patron of this restaurant for as long as I can remember, and I can confidently say it remains one of my all-time favorites, and my list is well thought out! 😁😌 From the moment you walk in, you are greeted with a warm, inviting atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home. The ambiance is a perfect blend of cozy and lively, making it an ideal spot for both a quiet family dinner and a fun night out with friends. The staff are consistently friendly and attentive, always going out of their way to ensure that every visit is as enjoyable as the last.

The food is simply outstanding. Each dish is crafted with care, bursting with flavor, and presented beautifully. It’s clear that the kitchen takes pride in using fresh, high-quality ingredients, and the consistency of their dishes is remarkable. No matter how many times I dine here, I’m always impressed by the quality and taste of the food. Whether it’s a simple meal with the kids or a more elaborate dining experience with friends, there’s something on the menu for everyone to enjoy, as well as the newest creations..

Whether you’re sitting at a table or perched at the bar, the vibe is always welcoming and friendly. The bartenders are skilled and personable, crafting some of the best drinks and cocktails in the area. The drink menu offers a wonderful variety, from classic cocktails to unique, handcrafted creations that pair perfectly with any meal. What truly sets this restaurant apart, however, is the experience as a whole.

The combination of exceptional food, a welcoming atmosphere, and top-notch service creates an unparalleled dining experience. It’s rare to find a place that gets everything right, but this restaurant does just that, time and time again.

I highly recommend this establishment to anyone looking for a place that feels like more than just a restaurant—it’s a second home. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Richmond, make sure to add this spot to your list. It’s a place that I not only recommend but genuinely love, and I look forward to my next visit every...