Cove Tavern — Restaurant in Virginia

I was super excited to visit cove for the first time, as the reviews and website present it as a very laidback but fancy restaurant. Upon arriving, it wasn’t very busy. It took five minutes for someone to acknowledge us, and when the hostess approached us we had to speak first. There was no greeting and it was not friendly off the bat. However, we got seated outside upon our request.

Once seated outside a nice young lady named Jordan came, and served us accordingly. It took us about 20 minutes to receive our cocktails, as we watched the tables around us (who arrived after us) get their drinks before us. Once the drinks arrived we placed our entree order and another server interrupted our order to disclose to Jordan that the kitchen was closing. At this point we had been waiting well over thirty minutes for her to return to our table and take our order.

After ordering our additional food, we still had not received the two appetizers we ordered so we reminded her. She had stated the kitchen was behind due to an influx of customers arriving at the same time. (There were like 8 people who came in STAGGERED after us…smh). Anyways, the first appetizer came out almost instantly after we asked about it, along with my partners side for his entree, the honey hot Brussels sprouts… once that got there he asked why he received that and not the crab dip, and Jordan stated “the crab dip is coming, we are working on the bread” the crab dip and his entree came about 10 minutes later, and my food which was the chicken and broccoli Alfredo had still not arrived. We noticed that the bread was just sliced, not toasted, however the crab dip was super warm! It was delicious, but were we really waiting on the bread?….Probably not.

Once my pasta got to the table we chowed down, but to my surprise the pasta was bland and the chicken had zero flavor. Neither of us were able to finish our food. We waited an extended period of time for food that came out half cold // half hot and had zero flavor. My partner and I got done up nice and had really looked forward to experiencing Cove Tavern and making it a frequent date night area, but after tonight, I can’t say...

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The Cove restaurant in Newport News is an absolute gem and has quickly become our go-to spot for an unforgettable date night. From the moment we walked in, we were enchanted by the inviting ambiance and warm atmosphere that set the perfect tone for a romantic evening.

The Cove's unique charm is only heightened by its live music offerings. We were treated to an enchanting musical performance that added a touch of magic to our dining experience. The live music provided the ideal backdrop to our meal, enhancing the already wonderful atmosphere and making our date night feel truly special.

Speaking of the meal, the culinary delights at The Cove are nothing short of remarkable. The menu is thoughtfully crafted, offering a delightful array of dishes that cater to a variety of tastes. We were particularly impressed by the exquisite presentation and impeccable flavors of each dish we tried. It's clear that the chefs at The Cove are passionate about their craft and dedicated to delivering an exceptional dining experience.

Of course, no date night is complete without a selection of great frosty adult drinks, and The Cove certainly delivered in this aspect as well. Their drink menu boasts an impressive array of handcrafted cocktails that are as creative as they are delicious. Whether you're a fan of classic concoctions or enjoy trying something new, The Cove's drink offerings are sure to impress even the most discerning palate.

From the attentive and friendly staff to the stunning waterfront views, The Cove restaurant has truly captured our hearts. It's the best new place in town for a romantic and memorable date night. If you're seeking a restaurant that seamlessly blends live music, delectable cuisine, and a fantastic drinks menu, look no further than The Cove. We can't wait to return and create more wonderful memories in this hidden culinary oasis.

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By all...

Absolutely delicious food, great service and a want for coming back.

For starters I tried the jumbo lump crab dip, although it was delicious and not too heavy, there was nothing jumbo lump about it. The grilled bread points where just a flattened burger bun that was slightly pan fried so not good for dipping as they were too soft.

I also had the smoked gouda mac & cheese, this was absolutely packed full of cheese and delicious, but the flavor is mainly a cheesy garlic bread, as it seemed that they heavily seasoned it with garlic salt. I personally liked it.

As for the entrees I tried the half roasted chicken and the braised short rib.

The half roasted chicken was moist and flavorful, I absolutely loved it. The jasmine rice was cooked perfectly.

The braised short rib was fatty and delicious, it came with a jus of some sort that tasted more like a smokey BBQ type sauce, I didn't end up using that as the short rib was delicious on it's own.

The sweet potato fries are actually waffle fries and they were good as well and not too sweet.

As for the drinks I tried the oaxacan old fashioned and wow was I surprised with the creativity of this drink.

Overall I would definitely come here again and try more of the food. I do think that some of the menu item names and descriptions should be changed to better suit what the dishes are, such as garlic gouda mac & cheese and...