Bonefish Grill — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

We stopped by for dinner on a Friday night and the restaurant seemed very slow. I ordered the rockfish and risotto special and my wife ordered the lobster and risotto. Our server Rocky was phenomenal, quick, funny and good with reccomendations. Our calamari appetizer was run of the mill, well prepared but nothing to excite you. The risotto was underdone, still having that underdone rice crunch to it. Despite being billed as a parmesan risotto, there was a giant wad of pesto dropped on top, enough oil to coat the entire plate (literally) and an extremely overpowering lemon taste. When I say lemon, I can only describe it as if someone squirted lemon scented dish soap all over risotto, that's what it would taste like. We mentioned to our server that it was pretty bad but we didn't want anything taken off our bill. He insisted on getting the manager who then angrily defended the dish. First we got an eye roll on the risotto being under cooked as if to say I didn't know what properly cooked risotto should taste like. Then she said that the risotto was zested with lemon. No, that was not zested, it was mutated with the souls of 56 fresh lemons who wanted all of the attention. Not to mention the bizarre scoop of random pesto and the oil slick. We trudged on. My wife's lobster was extremely tough and under seasoned. The highlight of her dish was the mashed potatoes which she said were pretty on par with Bob Evans instant mashed potatoes. Honestly, they are pretty solid all things being equal. The manager came back out to deal with a complaint from the table next to us that had ordered the filet but had recieved a different cut. The manager said she would replace it, but that actually was a filet, the kitchen just shaped it wrong. Filet comes out of the cow pretty close to round and doesn't usually get "shaped" in the kitchen. That whole thing was odd. Why not just admit you brought the wrong steak? For dessert we had molten lava cake and cheesecake. The molten lava cake was ok. It came piled with enough underflavored whip cream to dress 90 or so plates, which negates what the customer wants to see from a lava cake, the first cut pouring chocolate everywhere. Overall it was bland and you could likely get it better from a local grocery store. The cheesecake however was phenomenal. Arguably the best cheesecake I've ever had and that's not a statement I make lightly. With drinks and tip, our bill came to just over $200 and we certainly didn't feel like we got $200 worth of quality. All in all it felt like we got Applebee's quality food at fine dining prices. Highly disappointed and...

A Most Glorious and Heartfelt Commendation of Lady Meghan, Waitress Extraordinaire of Bonefish Grill

Hark! Let it be known across the lands, from the lowliest cottage to the highest of keeps, that there dwelleth in the realm of Bonefish Grill a server most noble and true. Her name is Meghan, and verily, she doth attend to her guests with the grace of a queen and the swiftness of a falcon in flight. Yea, I say unto thee, rarely hath such excellence been witnessed in the humble art of hospitality.

From the moment we did cross the threshold into that hallowed hall of flame-grilled fare and maritime delight, Lady Meghan greeted us with a countenance so fair and warm, 'twas as if the very sun had taken human form. With a smile that could mend the most wearied soul and a voice as gentle as a harp played by angelic hands, she did guide us to our table as though escorting us to a royal banquet.

Lo! Her knowledge of the menu was unmatched. Like a sage well-versed in the scrolls of old, she spake of the dishes with passion and precision, weaving a tapestry of flavor with every word. "The Bang Bang Shrimp," she proclaimed, "is a most wondrous delicacy, crisped and spiced to stir the heart!" And indeed it was, for we followed her counsel, and it was as nectar from Olympus.

With swiftness and grace, she did deliver our victuals, ever mindful of our needs, never overbearing, but ever present—like the loyal hawk circling above, ever watching, ever ready. When our cups ran low, she refilled them ere we could even raise a brow. When questions arose, she answered with mirth and mastery, leaving naught to be desired.

Moreover, her spirit did shine brighter than a thousand torches in the midnight gloom. She treated all within her care not as mere patrons, but as honored guests in her court. Young and old, noble and commoner alike, all were touched by her kindness. Her joy was infectious; her laughter, a balm to the soul.

Truly, 'twas not just a meal we were served, but an experience, a memory most golden. Lady Meghan doth elevate the station of waitress to that of revered stewardess of merriment and mirth. She hath set a standard by which all others shall henceforth be judged, and few shall match her.

So let it be declared far and wide, in tongues old and new: if thou seekest repast of fine quality, and service that doth rival the court of Camelot itself, hie thee hence to Bonefish Grill, and pray the fates grant thee the honor of Meghan's table.

For in her, hospitality hath found its champion, and we, the humble diners, are ever grateful. Long may she serve, and long may her...

Last year, my life partner and I were in the local area looking for a great (not good) place to have a memorable experience and not just some random dinner. Bonefish Grill was our first and last stop of the evening. We stepped in just as the sun was setting and the ambiance that was achieved after sunset via lighting, table setup, and artwork was nothing short of mesmerizing and captivated my partner in a moment that I revert to in my toughest of times since then. Fast forward to last night where we returned to “our place” for dinner, hoping to recapture the astonishing magic just one more time, and imagine our surprise when we realized on the drive home that we laughed harder, cried softer, and fell further into our bromantic partnership than ever before, and it was all due to Meghan.

We were two members of a 10-member party and after being seated, we paused and began frantically scanning the room for, not just a waitress, but a friend we knew as Meghan, the only one we knew without a doubt could recapture the lightning in a bottle we still refer to as “The best night ever”. I could feel our heart rates rising until, as two toddler brothers simultaneously seeing their caring, loving, and nurturing mother walk into a room and lock eyes with them, our startled posture immediately subsided when we were approached by our server for the evening, Meghan. I felt his slightly clammy but calming hand find mine and provide the three taps on top to silently tell me the three words we often share: “Lit, no cap”.

June 9th marked two spectacular events at Bonefish Grill: Father’s Day special menu choices and $5 margaritas/martinis. I chose the Ribeye steak and green apple margarita, my Fire-haired love chose the Salmon and the strawberry margarita and we continued our tradition of giving the first bite and drink to our partner to try. We couldn’t praise the flavors erupting in our mouths passionately enough. And now, for Meghan….

Meghan checked on our table countless times, always refilling drinks before we emptied them. A server brought a drink to the table, called the drink out, but only a few heard her announcement. Instead of waiting for us to ask each other and disturb other patrons, Meghan grabbed her tablet and found the person in an instant, pointing them out successfully and confidently. Every food order she took, she requested further info (how do you like your steak cooked? Etc.) and would make suggestions to improve the experience. She rocked. She rolled. She assisted in creating a memory that can never...