Electric Palm Restaurant — Restaurant in Virginia

The Electric Palm (the Palm, as the locals call it), is a staple of the Hoffmaster's Marina scene. If you haven't heard of it, you're out of the loop.

I often come down to this marina and often hear peals of laughter and live music flowing out of the neon glow that surround the Electric Palm. That, coupled with the near constant stream of cigarette smoke and motorcycle traffic made this a place that I knew I needed to visit.

On venturing inside one day, I realized that it's almost exactly what you would imagine it to be. The bottom floor is basically a giant, open-air bar. On the weekends (maybe more often), they'll bring in local bands to play all your favorite hits almost as good as you remember them. This is where the majority of people spend their time and I'll admit, it probably would be a lot of fun. I will say, the music is loud; like really loud. I'm not a ear plug kind of guy, but if you were this would be the place to pull them out.

For this trip, I decided to skip the bar and go the restaurant area upstairs. Here the Palm gives a nod to the fine dining experience with a nice marble floor and some chandeliers that I have to assume are supposed to look like clams...or mermaids...or maybe a boat. Either way, it's nice. They have indoor seating options and an elevated porch area that overlooks the marina.

We were quickly helped by a super nice waiter who grabbed our drink orders and food options pretty quickly. There have been whispers that some of the waiters here are similar to your aunt who lives in the midwest, smokes and calls everyone "honey". That did not prove true for us on this visit.

We honestly found it kind of hard to talk because the music and general revelry happening below us was so loud, but you can't be too upset when your ears are being barraged by songs from Queen, Earth Wind and Fire, Celine Dione and more.

The food itself was honestly great. We had a pretty large group so we ordered drinks and appetizers and there was nothing that I didn't enjoy. The calamari was delicious, the fried catfish was a little flavorless, but that's catfish am I right? Haha. The prices are reasonable.

All in all, I really enjoyed it here. It's not a fine dining experience by any means, but it is FUN dining and you will almost certainly walk away with an experience or two. If not, just talk to a few of the salty dogs in the bar and steal some of their fishing tales....

Nestled in the heart of Virginia, the Electric Palm Restaurant is truly a culinary gem that has captured my heart and taste buds. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm and friendly service that set the tone for a remarkable dining experience.

The ambiance of the restaurant is inviting, with its sleek and modern decor, which creates a chic and sophisticated atmosphere. The dimly lit interior, adorned with artistic lighting fixtures, exudes an intimate vibe that is perfect for a romantic date night or a special celebration.

Now let's talk about the food! The menu at Electric Palm is a delight for food enthusiasts. As a lover of seafood, I was blown away by the fresh and diverse offerings. The raw bar, featuring an array of oysters, clams, and shrimp, was a true seafood lover's paradise. The flavors were clean, the seafood was incredibly fresh, and the presentation was top-notch.

The main courses were equally impressive. From succulent grilled steaks to perfectly seared scallops, each dish was cooked to perfection and bursting with flavor. The attention to detail in the preparation and presentation was evident, and it was clear that the chefs at Electric Palm take great pride in their craft.

The service at Electric Palm was exceptional. The staff was knowledgeable and attentive, providing helpful recommendations and ensuring that every detail of our dining experience was taken care of. The sommelier was particularly impressive, guiding us through an extensive wine list and helping us find the perfect pairing for our meal.

In addition to the outstanding food and service, the Electric Palm also offers a vibrant bar scene. The cocktail menu was creative and innovative, with a wide range of unique concoctions that were expertly crafted. The bartenders were skilled and friendly, creating a welcoming environment that made us feel right at home.

Overall, my experience at the Electric Palm Restaurant was nothing short of exceptional. The combination of outstanding food, impeccable service, and a chic ambiance made for a truly memorable dining experience. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a top-notch culinary experience in Virginia. I can't wait to return and explore more of their...

As a Restaurant Manager for over 5 years, I cannot recommend this restaurant, solely for customer service. Last night we came for dinner. Our server had a lack of attention to detail, initially bringing us more soft drinks than ordered, and then missing an entire meal for our guest (the reason we were out). As a previous manager, I know how stressful the business can be, so went along with it until enough was enough.

As soon as I had ordered a beer, it was spilled in my lap, and asked if we could get another one. We were told No. OK, not a big deal. Then we ordered our entrees, 4 of the 5 came back. My wife's broccoli was also cold, but we chose not to complain (mistake). We had to reorder the 5th meal (Oysters). The bar tender (with the orange shirt) then brought us a glass with (1/3 of it filled) with beer and was told "Sorry, I cannot replace your beer. The owner is very cheap, he counts his pennies". At this point, the server could see our frustration and overheard that we would be tipping less than we normally would have.

Upon leaving, we had to walk into the restaurant and ask for our bill (the final straw). The server came back saying "You don't need to tip me, the tip is the service charge" which was 22% aka $38.00 for TERRIBLE customer service. The cited reasons that we were 6 diners. We were 5 "diners" and 1 infant that sat and did not eat. The finalized bill was 5 entrees (not 6) and 2 appetizers with 1 soft drink and 1 beer.

Interestingly, our server (in the blue shirt) also specifically said that service fees ARE his tips (1st hand information). Our next call is to the IRS to make sure they are also aware that this restaurant utilizes that gratuity option, something disadvantageous to restaurants because of VA tax laws. Based on the cheapness of the owner expressed by the bar tender, I can't help but come to the conclusion this restaurant is likely cheap all around.

This is my first, and hopefully last, negative review of a company. Unfortunately, this place...