Farmasea — Restaurant in Virginia

We were excited and curious to try this new upscale restaurant in Gloucester. The atmosphere was good, not too loud and the wait staff was very attentive. Now about the food and kitchen staff, we ordered the Southern Caprese salad which is fried green tomatoes with house made mozzarella delivered by kitchen staff. I cut a slice including the cheese and put it in my mouth and experienced a cold wet flavorless slab on top of a lukewarm fried green tomato. Husband ate the cheese and I ate the tomato with the red sauce which was good. Before we were done our food arrived. It took me a minute before I realized that was not the fish I ordered. I ordered blackened swordfish but I got Swordfish Schnitzel. I know sometimes a mistake can be an adventure to a new taste so instead of sending it back and waiting for my original order I chose to eat this dish so I could eat with my husband. The fish was delicious but the purple cabbage with anise was not for us. The potatoes were slightly undercooked and lacked seasoning. The Jambalaya was ok, the base was thin and it had heat but desperately needed some herbs and seasoning. This restaurant has the potential to be a good place to eat if the chef and kitchen staff focus on the food flavor and presentation. If you are going to put something cold on top of a fried green tomato then get it to the table fast. Taste the food you are making and season it. Pay attention and make sure the dish goes to the person...

Probably the best restaurant in the area for a romantic, low-stress, classy but non-pretentious meal. Most people there were dressed very casually, but the atmosphere was a little upscale. Don't pass it by because you think you're not dressed for it - you'll be fine!

We stopped in after a day at the State Park for a nice light snack - an appetizer and a couple of desserts with a glass of wine. We had the 'escargo style lobster' - The most wonderful little creations. Chunks of lobster meat in butter topped by a very thin, light crust and real parmesan baked to perfection, then sprinkled with some sprouts for color.

The desserts were a flourless chocolate torte - very dark and rich, but not overpoweringly rich. The lemon pie (I forget the name) was light, tart, and delicious. They were served with real homemade whipped cream and an edible flower garnish. The Pinot Grigot wine was a really nice pairing, just slightly sweet and nicely tart (not dry).

Quiet music was replaced soon after we entered by a skilled lady playing the piano live. This induced people to keep their voices down, which just added to the incredibly pleasant atmosphere and romantic feel of the place.

Being farm-to-table and definitely fancy with properly fresh and complex dishes, it's definitely on the pricier side. Well worth it!

We will be back for a proper dinner...

Well this was our first visit and probably the last. Imagine my disappointment when I called at the beginning of the week to get a table for Saturday night and to find out when we arrived that we were sitting in the bar up against the wall instead in the restaurant. I went into the restaurant and there were several two seaters empty. Why wouldn't you give the last minute planners the tables in the bar. The management needs to retrain the staff from the bartender to the wait staff, that it is important for the customer to know your name. No one , the entire evening, not even the manager ever said, hello I'm_________ . They said if you have a problem let me know. Who is me? The Poke Bowl is was so disappointing, a Poke Bowl needs vegetables! How about trying to add avocado, carrots and cucumbers next time? The wait staff never came to fill our water glasses. Everyone had said you have to go there, well I was...