Upon arrival, I was pleased with the efficiency and sophistication of the free valet service. My sister, mother, and I were immediately directed to our stopping point, and kindly greeted by the valet attendant. When we walked inside the location, I was immediately unsure of the atmosphere, only because it seemed like it might be a bit noisy and chaotic for my younger sister's baptism celebration dinner. As we were seated, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my first impression was incorrect! As we were ushered to our table by the lovely hostess, I noticed that this restaurant has immaculate seating efficiency. Their floor plan utilizes the dining area to be able to fit guests to capacity, yet the tables are arranged in such a way that each table has their own privacy and legroom. Our experience was quickly elevated as Ivy cheerfully approached us to introduce herself and take our drink orders. The food was impeccable!! Aside from that, we were most impressed by the service. As a group of well-traveled individuals with experience in the restaurant business, we recognize that service can make or break a dining experience, no matter how delectable the meal is. By the end of the night, my family and I were in agreement that Ivy is truly the BEST server we have ever experienced. She's amazingly preemptive, yet not bothersome. She took care of the table as if we were guests in her own home. She kept open-ended questions to a minimum, and instead, tailored her questions to our specific needs; i.e. Instead of "Is everything tasting alright?" or "Do you need anything else?" She said things like "You have hollandaise sauce with your flounder, is there another sauce you would like?" or "I know you requested medium-rare, is the burger cooked to your liking?" This stood out because it minimized the panic of being put on the spot, or feeling like a bother... while maximizing her productivity as a waitress, and therefore the entire section as a whole! She never let our drinks run out, never let us run out of napkins, and never let our empty dishes pile up on the table. She was very mindful to not completely interrupt us just to solely pick up dirty dishes, gathering them with such a swiftness, that I barely noticed! She even kept us updated on our drinks and order every time she came by the table. This is the type of service that makes establishments like this...
Read moreLast night I went to Chicks Oyster Bar with my sister, boyfriend and her friend. All was going well until a man came and followed us upstairs when you were sitting down having a drink and told us that he needed to check her IDs. We all gave him our ids and he walked away with them . I did learn today that in the state of Virginia it is illegal to take someone’s ID and walk away with it. He was gone for about 10 minutes and when he came back, he had a sheriff with him and he told us that we had to leave because somebody had a fake ID.. he gave everyone their IDs and then he looked at me and said “you need to leave because your ID is fake.” Mind you I am 25 , with a registered drivers license from the DMV in the state of Virginia . My ID was not fake . When I told him it wasn’t , his response was “well it just feels like it.” after going back-and-forth telling him that my ID was real. He grabbed my drink out of my hand and threw it in the trash trashcan. I was already embarrassed and humiliated and it felt like he was discriminating me based off my looks . I understand I look young , but that is not a valid reason to send somebody out of a bar. This happening was mentally distressing for me . Because this restaurant is private property, I did have to leave. I did contact the police and I called the restaurant this morning and their response was.” we are so sorry that happened to you. There’s not really much we can do, but we will definitely look more into it and we hope it doesn’t happen again.” The sheriff even agreed with me that he was discriminating me based off my looks . They also were serving us alcoholic drinks before even checking our IDs . The thing that was most frustrating was that they let my identical twin sister stay . Im posting this to hopefully get some answers or guidance on how to move forward with this . Being a private restaurant, I can’t contact corporate, but will be looking into the BBB. The way their staff handled this was unprofessional and I don’t want this situation to happen to anyone else or go unnoticed. The night this happened...
Read moreChick's Oyster Bar on Shore Drive is a Virginia Beach institution, a true local favorite that embodies the relaxed, fun-loving spirit of the Lynnhaven Inlet. It's the kind of place where you can kick back, enjoy fresh seafood, and soak in the vibrant waterfront atmosphere. The location is a huge part of Chick's appeal. Situated right on the water, you get fantastic views of the inlet, often with boats cruising by and lively activity. The expansive outdoor seating, complete with a large bar area and often live music, is particularly fantastic when the weather is good. It creates a lively, social buzz that's perfect for happy hour, a casual dinner with friends, or a family outing. It's a great spot to enjoy a beautiful Virginia Beach evening. As for the food, the seafood is reliably fresh and well-prepared, as you'd expect from a place called "Oyster Bar." Their steamed shrimp, fried oysters, and various fish dishes are popular choices, and their raw bar offerings are usually excellent. They do a solid job with classic American pub fare too, so there's something for everyone. The portions are generally generous, and the drinks flow freely, complementing the casual dining experience. What keeps Chick's from a perfect five stars is primarily the sheer popularity and the potential for a very busy, sometimes hectic, environment. During peak times, especially on weekends, waits can be long, and the noise level can be quite high. While the service is generally friendly and efficient, it can feel a bit rushed when they're slammed. Also, while the food is consistently good and fresh, it leans more towards reliable beach casual than innovative culinary artistry. Despite these minor points, Chick's Oyster Bar consistently delivers a fun, flavorful, and memorable waterfront dining experience. It's a must-visit for anyone looking for a lively atmosphere, fresh seafood, and that quintessential Virginia Beach vibe. Highly recommended for a good time...
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