Zoes Steak & Seafood — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

So, we arrived at the restaurant at 845pm. I knew seating closed at 9pm and even checked Open Table to make sure there were available tables. Upon arrival, the woman valet stopped us as we were walking in and said "Do you have a reservation?" When I said no, she said "Well they close at 900" When we walked in, there wasn't anyone at the hostess station - when a waiter walked over, I said "Did we come in the wrong way?" And he said "No, but you know we close at 9, right?" The hostess came over and I told her about it and said that "there's still a reservation available for 9pm on Open Table, should I just claim it??" She told me it wasn't necessary and I told her I really didn't even feel like staying at that point. I'm glad we did. Judy, our waitress and the bartender was AMAZING.. super friendly and very apologetic for everyone else that was lacking. As a matter of fact, it is only because of Judy and another waiter named Brian that we gave the 3 stars we did and really, they're the only reason we would even consider coming back here. I think team work here could be a little better as well - my husband ordered a bourbon drink and Judy needed another bottle. She asked someone to get it and they just didn't, lol. They said they got "side tracked". Judy had to leave and get the bottle that was needed for my husband's drink. I know that Covid has everyone a little off.. but any business should be welcomed. You shouldn't make someone feel like leaving as soon as they arrive. This restaurant is NOT cheap.. they should be happy and appreciative that people would come there and spend over $200 on dinner.

**Edit, as a response to the owner:

Yes, my steak was comped because it was cooked improperly. I asked for "as rare as you can get it" and received a steak that was medium, at best. My husband ordered his steak the same way, and received a rare steak. I did not mention the dessert, because I thought that came from Judy herself and did not wish to get her in trouble, since there seemed to be some tension that night already. We also left a very healthy tip, because we were so fond of Judy. Thank you for your response, you've ensured that we will not be back. We've changed our score to reflect...

We were in for the first time on Friday night and had an awesome experience! Even before we reached the front door, the valet was very friendly and talking up the food and it did not disappoint. Love the little personal touch of cards on the table for special occasions. Our server Regina went above and beyond for us and has mastered the art of telepathy. Not many servers have the 6th sense to know exactly when you need something and appear out of thin air at the perfect time, without being overbearing or making you feel rushed. She was super friendly and had a great sense of humor but hit every step of service perfectly. Regina made us feel at home and cared about without making the experience stuffy (which can be a hard line to balance in fine dining) and she’s an absolute pro!

Now onto the food. Yes, the price tag is a little hefty, but you don’t go to Zoe’s expecting to pay McDonald’s prices. Every bite was worth every dollar we paid. We started with the sweet corn and lump crab bisque on special and it was perfect. Sweet but not too sweet, hot but not too hot to dig in immediately, and the perfect portion size to get you excited for more without filling you up. For mains I got the lobster and scallop duo and my boyfriend got the NY Strip. The lobster was perfect without being rubbery, and the scallops were cooked to melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The tortellini was a little sweet for my taste, but balanced out the saltiness of the seafood really well. Boyfriend said the steak was “fantastic” and as a man of few words, I know that’s high praise. Finished off the night as any respectable basic white woman does with an espresso martini, and about fell in love with the bartender.

As a local, I’m always a little hesitant to journey down to the oceanfront during the summer, but this place is absolutely worth the trip. My only nit pick is that there was no music playing in the dining room area and we could hear other people’s conversations very easily, but overall 10/10 experience and we can’t wait...

Zoe's Restaurant is a fine dining restaurant that specializes in steak and seafood dishes. I had a fantastic experience dining there with my partner. The staff was courteous and professional, and the wine list was impressive. The restaurant has a cozy and elegant atmosphere, perfect for a romantic dinner.

We started with the lobster sausage pops, which were amazing. They were made with lobster, shrimp, bacon, black garlic, jalapeno, and lemon sorghum glaze. They were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and the glaze was sweet and tangy. We also had the house charcuterie board, which had a variety of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, and breads. It was a generous portion and very tasty.

For the main course, I had the steak frites, which was a 16oz prime ribeye with pomme frites, foie gras butter, and ruffled bearnaise. The steak was cooked to perfection, tender and flavorful. The fries were crispy and the sauces were rich and creamy. My partner had the seared scallops, which were served with truffled cauliflower puree, tasso ham, kale, roasted tomato, and dashi oil. The scallops were seared to a golden brown and melted in the mouth. The puree was smooth and the ham added a nice saltiness. The kale and tomato added some freshness and color to the dish.

For dessert, we shared the strawberry napoleon, which was a layered pastry with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and chocolate sauce. It was light and airy, and the strawberries were sweet and juicy. The chocolate sauce added a decadent touch. It was a perfect way to end our meal.

I would give Zoe's restaurant a rating of 5 out of 5. I think it is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal and a fine wine, especially for a special occasion. I would recommend making a reservation in advance, as it can get busy during peak hours. I would also suggest dressing up a bit, as the restaurant has a dress code. I hope you find this review helpful and enjoy your visit to Zoe's...