Awesome little place tucked away in Jackson Ward! Great atmosphere (gotta love the menus made out of old books) and a great selection of drinks, as their name would imply. I happened to visit with a friend on $2 tamale night and they were delicious! We also both tried the burger, which is one of the better ones I've had in recent memory! If you are a fan of goat cheese and cilantro, this burger is for you! We had an amazing dessert too: banana nut bread with vanilla ice cream. If you get nothing else, get that! Can't wait to visit again!
Review Source:Me and my girlfriend were hungry late night and wanted to go somewhere we've never been to get food. After looking at Saison, I say we should go there and off we go.
Walking in, I was immediately impressed by the atmosphere, with the low-lighting and homely feeling it's very relaxed but also intimate. When we sat down we were given menus that were inside hardcover books, picture books I might add. Totally cool sitting there talking about different pictures of the Soviet Union with my girlfriend while we waited for food and drinks.
We ordered the fried corn, the burger with goat cheese and bacon, and the banana bread with ice cream for dessert. Though I wanted to try a cocktail, I elected for one of their draft beers instead. Long story short: delicious. I loved my hamburger compared to other similarly priced burgers in the area, and the fried corn was delicious as well. The real treat however, was dessert. Banana bread with caramelized bananas coated with banana ice-cream and granola, and the bananas were still a little crispy even underneath the ice-cream. My girlfriend declared that it was the best dessert she had ever had.
Our waiter was fantastic and also the owner. Joe was great with his recommendations and attention to service. He's succeeding with Saison. I highly recommend this place.
Cute artsy and eclectic restaurant with wonderful service. Excellent execution of dessert and interesting combos for dinner entrees. Had a lovely time with a large group. My fav was the cocktails!! The list was endless and far from ordinary. Prepare to spend some time however and you'll have a great experience!
Review Source:Ok. Some tough and some favorable reviews in Yelp, but follow the stars (4 avg as of today). Eclectic drinks and shareable plates - the tastes are great. We had pâté, sopes, ribs, and the burger (add the bacon, you are already eating meat). We are waiting for dessert. We ran the menu. It's Sunday and packed at 8:30 pm. I don't know what else to tell you.
Review Source:A friend's birthday dinner at Saison last night reminded me why I don't enjoy going out to new restaurants much any more. Â To me, this place epitomizes the sad current trend of make the place look cute and then everything else will fall into place. Â I marvel at how people have the money and initiative to open a restaurant and have obviously no idea how to run a restaurant. Â Richmond is chock full of these sort of places. Â I digress. Â The menu is tucked inside a random hardcover textbook. Â Why? Â I have no idea. Â They have a drink menu of about 4000 offerings. Â Obviously drinks are the focus, the food is at best an afterthought. Â If you can locate the food menu amongst the voluminous drink offerings, you'll see that it's quite limited. Â They offered no specials. Â Much as I was hankering for the pate of biodynamic duck liver and heart, they were out. Â I settled on a burger. Â It was juicy, it was decent, it was $13. Â Five Guy's is better and only $6. Â So, $21 for an OK burger and a draft beer. Â Oh, did I mention that it's loud in there? Â It's really goddamn loud in there.
Review Source:If 3.5 stars were an option,  I would have given that. Went here for dinner Saturday  & all in all it was a positive experience with yummy food. Parking was a bit of a nightmare & we didn't know about the lot.
We arrived late (9:30) and were able to chose our table. I loved that the place was still bustling with diners at this hour, but wasn't crowded like a Fan bar. It has a great neighborhood feel. I can see how it might be noisy at times but even with an almost full dining room, we found it intimate.
Drinks: The cocktails were delicious - can't remember exactly what we had - something with grapefruit & tequila and their version of a rum punch. I tried the Basque cider and was surprised by the very small serving for $7 but it was different and tasty. Our server recommended a lovely red wine to go with my hangar steak  & my husband was very happy with the beer selection. The owner(?) delivered one of his beers and chatted with us about the Champion brewery in Charlottesville. I found the definition for the pinot noir on the menu pretty pretentious.
Food: Oysters were AMAZING, but we didn't love the accompanying sauce. Â Can't recall the name but my husband had a seafood dish - mussels, squid, crawfish etc in a delicious habanero/coconut milk broth. The dish had a ton of great flavor - was listed as a large plate but could have passed as an appetizer in another restaurant. We requested more pita to sop up the sauce. I had the hangar steak which was awesome, I ordered medium rare but it was definitely rare which was fine with me. This was a hearty serving and the corn/pickled red onion combo that it was served on was delicious and there was just enough to have some with each bite of steak.
Our server was attentive, patient and friendly
Decent food but a poor value. Â Parking was miserable, and while they advertise having a parking lot, they don't know exactly where it is (it's a few unmarked spots in a nearby lot). Â Menus are pasted inside books, which were disgusting, and generally just too hipster for me. Â Relatively limited menu with no clear theme. Â Most of these dishes can be found at other restaurants around town, where they are likely done at comparable quality for less money. Â All around not a bad meal, but certainly not a repeat.
Review Source:***Drinks Only Review***
I had two delicious drinks with friends here last night and wanted to share this with fellow Yelpers. Â Based on the drinks, I can't wait to try the food!
Overall - this is a great bar/restaurant in the ever emerging Jackson Ward. Â I'm going to be bitter I don't live there in a few years given all they have going on (see also Mama J's, Gallery5, etc.). Â It has a we-care-about-food-and-drink vibe, but not a pretentious vibe...very comfortable. Â They have vinyl records playing that the bar tender changes out - good music that I hadn't heard before. Â The windows offer plenty of light. Â Really, a great place for day drinking or, as we did, a summer happy hour.
I had the Honey Badger - "a spicy summer punch that don't care." Â It's dry rum, apple brandy, lime, passionfruit, jalapeno, and honey. Â It was delicious with a hell of a jalapeno bite. Â The ice cube (so glad for this) was made to fit the rocks glass. Â Very thoughtful cocktail.
I followed this up with The Last Rickey - "a tart & dry long drink version of The Last Word" with gin, chartreuse, maraschino, lime and soda. Â Again with an ice cube to perfectly fit the Tom Collins glass. Â This one I wouldn't have again, but it was surely another very thoughtful cocktail. Â There are at least a dozen more I wanted to try...
The bartender knows his stuff. Â We asked a few questions and got a load of good info back from him. Â I also like the fact that he was dressed pretty casually - I think he had on a soccer jersey. Â
Finally of note is the menus are put in old books like a photo album (with the seasonal offering listing serving as the photo - no actual photos...this isn't Cheesecake Factory). Â It's a nice twist, but now you can act like you've been there before by not looking as surprised as I did about this quirk. Â
Can't wait to try the food and bring more friends here! Â For other great cocktail locations see 525 at the Berry Burk, Heritage, The Roosevelt, and (I hear) Dutch & Company. Â
Glad Saison is in RVA!
I had been to Saison several times for a late night drink with a friend. The interior is very welcoming in the up and coming neighborhood of Jackson Ward and the bartender (owner?) is extremely friendly and helpful with drink selections.
I went last Saturday with friends in town from Russia for dinner. They had lots of questions and trouble deciding on drinks, but the server kept his cool with us and even asked the bartender for assistance. The appetizers took a little while to come out, but we were behind several tables and a large one so that was to be expected. The guys devoured the poutine while I ate the entire plate of pea shoot salad. The scallops were perfectly seared and the oxtail was seasoned well. After ordering our entrees, we were surprised how quickly they were presented at our table. My friends ate every bite of their pork, duck and seafood soup while I took some of my duck and waffles home later for a perfect late night snack.
I will never understand why people complain about small places. The restaurant did get a little loud at one point, but that is the excitement of going out and enjoying yourself. Having lived in Europe for years, I am accustomed to tables being close together and enjoy the experience of maybe actually meeting someone sitting next to me. Saison made a perfect combo of food and drinks for a rare Saturday night out with friends. I look forward to what else is in store for them.
Although it can be described as 'intimate', this place just felt cramped to me. The dining area is small, and in the same vicinity as the bar. Thus, it quickly went from a quiet, dinner-level noise level to very loud.
I had the poutine which I heard much about. I've had poutine in New York before, and I absolutely adored it. Frites (french fried potatoes) topped with gravy sauce and cheese? How could you go wrong? However, I did not enjoy the poutine at Saison. The cheese (queso oaxaqueño) just didn't seem to be the right type to top the fries with. It lay stringy and limp on top of the soggy frites. The sauce didn't taste like anything. The flavors are supposed to complement each other and meld together, but this just wasn't the case.
I also ordered the ox tail which was shredded and served on 3 sopes, which are small tortilla rounds made from ground maize. This, I did enjoy. It was a very well-seasoned plate. I also tried the fried duck and sweet potato waffles that my friend had ordered. Good flavors paired together with that dish. She thought the waffle was odd, but I thought it was creative and delicious.
1 star lost because the waitress and people working didn't seem to be very attentive to us, despite the size of the restaurant. It just didn't feel welcoming, or like they wanted us to be dining there.
I like the idea of Saison, I do. They use local products (according to their website) and have an interesting and refreshing menu. Unfortunately, the idea of Saison is all I like in reality. My experience at this restaurant wasn't up-to-par with the other reviews I read before dining there.
If I had the time and money, perhaps I'd give it another try.
Not your traditional Richmond bar or restaurant.  Small but quaint.  Great cocktail menu.  Many things you won't find outside of the big trendy bars in NY, Los Angeles, etc.  Menu is limited but this is where quality over quantity matters.  They prefer to specialize in a few things and do them very well rather than offer dozens of entrees.  The menu is a little adventurous so don't go there looking for a traditional NY Strip, Catch of the Day and Soup of the Day.  You won't find it.  Try the fried duck with sweet potato waffle.  Prices are what you would expect for a trendy bar/restaurant with this small capacity.  I don't think it is unreasonable.  Nice location.  Good part of Jackson Ward where all the redevelopment is taking place.  Great mixed crowd.  Two lovely European couples sat at the table across from us speaking Italian for most of the evening.  We saw parents with their young married children.  Several groups of 30 somethings in everything from jeans and a t-shirt to an Armani jacket.  Clearly, the owners want everyone who dines to be comfortable.  You do get a sense of relaxation and comfort while dining here.  Casual dinner with drinks will take at least 60 minutes and more like 90 so don't be in a rush.  Everything is made to order and nothing is prepared ahead of time. You can tell from the quality of the presentation to the taste of the food.  It was a very tasty meal in just the right portions.  I am going to creviche about one thing though.  No chocolate on the dessert menu.  <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.golisbon.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F06%2F17%2Flisbons-other-famous-pastry-goes-global-the-worlds-best-chocolate-cake-now-also-in-new-york%2F&s=7147184c7cd8d195440fe07150acfd50e5dc9c6f1b3af9d8f6f044052c5ee21c" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.golisbon.com/…</a>  Other than that, keep up the great work and I look forward to your next restaurant venture.
Review Source:I love the attention to detail on the drink menu. Â There was a variety of retro drinks, bottles of bitters on the bar, and homemade ingredients listed on the menu. Â For what you get, the cocktails are reasonably priced. Â I love the concept of this place: southern - global, with an emphasis on Latin flavors. Â I tried the fries with trotter gravy and oaxacan cheese. Â The fries were hand cut and the gravy was a rich porky sauce. Â I would have preferred the crumbly/salty cojitia cheese to the Oaxacan cheese shredded on top, but that is purely personal preference. Â I also had the pozole, which was certainly good, but not particularly memorable. Â You can tell this is a place with a lot of passionate people behind the scenes. Â I can't wait to come back and try some more!
Review Source:The gf and I went for dinner with friends on a Saturday night. Â On walking in, you are welcomed by a very nice bar with helpful bartenders. Â We got there a bit early and had a drink at the bar (I got the Epic Oaked and Smoked, which was vary tasty) and then were led to our table within about 5 minutes of our reservation. Â I like the decor and layout. Â As others have noted, it is a bit small, but we had a late dinner and it wasn't noisy or overly crowded. Â Also as others have noted, the menus are really like pieces of art. Â The old books are a nice touch and could be fun to look through if you had to wait for a long time. Â We tried the peanuts and fried corn appetizers. Â Both were different and very good. Â These would be perfect to snack on while sitting at the bar. Â I ordered the burger, which was good, but the fries that accompanied it were killer. Â
My one major complaint about this place is the lack of diversity on the menu. Â Our group had a pescatarian and a person with a gluten allergy. Â There are lots of gluten free options, but only one vegetarian option and no seafood options. Â On this night, they were all out of the vegetarian option. Â After an awkward exchange with our server, the chef did his/her best to be accommodating by whipping up a vegetable medley with what was on hand. Â I really think multiple vegetarian options and/or a seafood option should be considered, but the menu is online so we knew what we were getting into. Â
By far my favorite part of my experience here was the change in music at 11 PM (like I said, we had a late dinner). Â We went from something totally unremarkable to Gangstarr followed immediately by Notorious BIG Â and other old-school rap. Â I'm not sure why, but that really made my night. Â It didn't turn into a dance club or anything (although the gf might have tried to change that if the right song came on), but it was just a fun way to end our meal.
Very cool atmosphere! I only came in here for drinks/snacks so I can't really speak for the food. The menus are pasted on vintage book pages and the drinks are creative! We had the fried corn, which was just like corn pops but a little spicy. I definitely want to come back here soon to try out their dinner menu.
Review Source:Quick little synopsis: great food, great service, great atmosphere. Was surprisingly impressed by a lot of the decor, and the little things- for example, the menus are all in old books. Once you read and determine your meal and beverage you can flip through the book. If you get the USA one there are lots of awesome color photos (this definitely occupied some of my time). Food was outstanding and portions were good. My date said she loved it as well. It was pretty busy when we got there on a Saturday night and silly me I assumed we wouldn't need reservations, but the place was packed and we had to wait by the bar. The staff was super courteous and very communicative, we also got seated as soon as a table opened...note to self: make reservation next time to save some time. The place is a bit small, but I was expecting that and it works.
Review Source:I was majorly stoked to try Saison based off it's name alone, and I was not disappointed!
With a name like that, I (rightfully so) expected a stellar beer menu and they delivered. Â They have a great selection of beers on tap at the top and bottom of the price spectrum. Â The bottle list was also impressive. Â I think they're the only restaurant in RVA that carries Maine Beer Co's Peeper Ale. Â That earned them 2 stars alone! Â My only suggestion is to make the beer menu (draft and bottle) a little more user friendly., I can definitely see the way it is currently set up intimidating the average beer drinker with little knowledge of craft varieties.
The food was awesome! Â I went on a really busy night but the service was excellent. Â The server and bartender both exhibited a real passion for the menu and bev selections, that is so hugely important, especially in a new restaurant! Â I ordered the poutine small plate (although I think it was called something else on the menu) that included the standard brown gravy and cheese curds but added pancetta maybe? Â Delish. Â My date ordered the chicken which was also great. Â The chicken was really tender and flavorful. Â The collards? Â Psh. Â Nothing short of awesome! Â
The dining area is small and can get a little crowded, but I think that is part of what adds to the charm of this little neighborhood gem. Â Loved the menus, I really can't say that enough! Â Not just the culinary offerings, but the presentations in the old books, so creative and cool! Â The decor in the dining area and bar are very interesting and a nod to the Latin influences in the menu. Â The bathroom is 100% Fan hipster and totally charming.
This will definitely be put into regular rotation. Â Great for dates (maybe not first dates since it can get a little loud) or just drinks and apps with friends.
A great new restaurant and bar in Jackson Ward! Â The owners have done a great job of avoiding the ordinary and making everything unique (and delicious!). Â They have a great beer menu and some incredibly tasty cocktails, and the wine menu is not extensive but offers a nice variety. Â For my meal I had the oxtail sopas which were incredibly good and the black bean cassoulet with very tender and flavorful pork in it. Â I have also had the burger, which is very flavorful without condiments and the frites which are super yummy.
I am always a big fan of chefs and bartenders who combine great flavors to make a truly exceptional dining experience that you can't find somewhere else, and these guys have done just that...the atmosphere is warm and comfortable and I am looking forward to saturday brunch with the EPL on the TV!
Hosted a dozen friends for a holiday celebration at this Jackson Ward restaurant -- and was very impressed by the knowledgeable staff and the hands-on treatment by the management/owners. Â The food was a delight to the palate-- a clever blend of southern tradition and Latin American flavors. Â We started with cocktails and ordered all of the small plates as appetizers (having to order additional ones they were so tasty). Â The main entree's (large plates) rival anything I've had at top rated restaurants in Boston or Philadelphia, with the subtle nuances being clever, surprising and delicious. Â
The design of the restaurant is comfortable, inviting and feels inclusive. Â The chalkboard bathroom is kitschy and fun. Â Do yourself a favor and have a discussion with one of the owners about the repurposed local fixtures that enhance the decor.
This restaurant is a home run and I look forward to the evolving seasonal menu and will definitely recommend Saison to everyone I know.
I have to say that this bar has an awesome beer selection, broth pricy and inexpensive (draft), AND the food was great (we order many small plates) but the ourstanding dish was the beet and carrot cold plate. DELICIOUS. The beets and carrots were perfectly tender without being mushy and there was a sweet glaze over them, just divine.
The decor is killer in the dining room but the bathroom really stands out. With its green toilet and pink sink, decoupage floor and chalkboard walls, its really steals the show.
Now for the bad parts: The menu offers a great selecton of food for a semi-fine dining spot but the actual space in the restaurant is way too small and has too many tables. I hate having to rub up to other patrons in a semi-fine dining restaurant, if you want me to pay 20+ dollars for an entree (or for a beer for that matter), please don't also expect me to rub up on the hipster kid standing at the bar or make me squeeze through a sea of chairs and diners to get to the bathroom- minus one star. The reason for just 3 stars is that eventhough there are less expensive options in terms of beer, the place overall seemed very expensive, which will exclude a vast majority of neighbors from frequenting the place. I feel that is a restuant is going to be located in a neighborhood, it should include its residents (or at least take them into account- I mean, thats why the fan is so charming), this one obviously aims to cater to a different class of people. I don't blame the owners, if they can get a higher income cliente base, I probally would too, but as a property owner and resident in the neighborhood, this place will do little to unify the community, and will probally do the opposite.
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