Viceroy

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  Very noisy.  Coupled with a new waitress that is very soft spoken made it a challenge to enjoy my company. Very much a neighborhood place.
  
  Pass on the bread. Butter was okay but the bread was cold and tasteless.
  
  Mozzarella wrapped app was very tasty. Tuna app special was okay. Cooked perfectly but very slight fishy taste.
  
  Reservations were for 7:30. When we ordered at 8p, they were out of 3 of the four fish dishes. Gotta love Richmond, better get there by 5.
  
  Szechuan shrimp salad got favorable review. Revised grouper special with crab was tasty. Beef short ribs were a little fatty but had a great taste and sauce. Fried green tomato BLT was very good. Toasted bread would have been better.
  
  Overall, food gets a 4. Service and atmosphere get a 2.  
  
  Not sure if I will try it again.

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  Posted on 10.12.13 Rick L.

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  This definitely isn't the old Cafe Diem refurbished... this place is TITS!
  
  Went here for lunch and, even though the waitress was new and we screwed with her a bit, she held her own.  
  
  Wild Boar Pastrami?  Umm, yes.  It wasn't like deli pastrami, but chunky and satisfying on a big, sloppy sandwich that made my facial hair all messy.  Even thin-sliced apples and slaw squeezed in there to make it very tasty.
  
  I have to reserve that fifth star cause I don't give it out unless I'm totally enthused.  I'd have to try some dinner over there first, and maybe nibble on the whiskey selection a bit (but I don't do this at lunch unless I'm having a bad or really good day).  If it's as well thought out as the sandwich I had, or the nice-looking sandwiches my friends had, I have no doubt that dinner will kick some tail!

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  Posted on 10.08.13 Josh R.

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  Really great! The food was creative and tasty, the staff was friendly, and the drinks were good. The place is loud, but it's not a romantic restaurant, more of a fun one. Also, that tin ceiling just bounces the sound back on you. At least other people can't overhear your conversation!

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  Posted on 09.28.13 Emmy A.

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  Recently in here for lunch, what a beautiful place. The large windows were open so it seemed as if I was dining al fresco. Really enjoyed it.
  Very friendly and attentive staff, excellent beer and wine selection. Had the crispy chicken thigh sandwich and fries which was great. Defiantly going back for dinner.

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  Posted on 09.25.13 Bob B.

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  Ah.may.zing!  Ok here we go..the draft selection - mostly local brews.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that they did NOT have the usual Hardywood Singel on tap. Now, don't get me wrong...I LOVE Singel, but most restaurants around here have Singel on tap and Hardywood has many delicious options to chose from. Most places don't have the balls to think outside the box.  My partner had the Hardywood DIPA served in a fluted glass...just the way it should be treated. I went out on a limb and chose the Williamsburg Alewerks White Ale which was yummy!  I'm filing that one away in my "must remember when I go to Once Upon A Vine" file.
  Now the food...MUST order the smoked house made mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto with baby arugula and figs appetizer...as the server put it - "it's what dreams are made of".
  Mains:
  My partner ordered the prime rib special with bleu cheese mashed potatoes and roasted brussels sprouts.  This was seriously one of the best prime ribs I have ever eaten..perfectly roasted with herbs and just the right amount of seasoning. The potatoes were creamy and delicious.  
  I ordered the crispy prawns special with grilled asparagus and local peppers stuffed with local goat cheese. Oh man was that tasty!  I hope they put this dish on the regular menu. I could eat this at least twice a week easy.
  This spot has a cool sophisticated yet fun "I could go here for happy hour too" vibe. We will be back SOON :)

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  Posted on 09.20.13 Shannon H.

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  Loved the atmosphere, decor, and bar.  Great wine and beer selection.  Services was great and was sat at our reservation time.  
   As with most new restaurants, I think this place is still struggling with its identity.  It needs to have a few more months to be a solid 5 star place. I am an adventurous eater, so the menu was appealing.  It was a bit lengthy.  I prefer 4-5 solid choices per category.
   We had the house made mozzarella. Delicious. My favorite of the night.  I had the french onion soup.  It was good, but needed more salt and something to make it unique! We split the special- a white fish with embellishments. It was good as well.  
   Overall, would definitely return. Owners/managers need to focus on why patrons are saying it is 3-4 stars and not a 5. I think it is a great spot with a solid foundation.  The consensus seems to be the menu is what is holding you back.  You cant charge prices like that, in the fan, if you aren't serving the best!

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  Posted on 08.30.13 Jordan C.

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  One of the most interesting and inventive menus in Richmond. It took me and my dining companion 20 minutes to narrow down our order- everything sounded so delicious!
  
  We started with the grilled artisan lettuce salad, it was excellent. Then came the rockfish special and the angus filet. Both really great, especially the grilled nectarine salad that came with the angus- inventive and delicious!
  
  Service was really good, too.  Especially for a new restaurant. Ambiance was nice, I really like the look of the bar.  Classy but relaxed.

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  Posted on 08.27.13 Jane S.

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  The space is very classed up from the former Cafe Diem.  It's a little loud, but has a very nice bar area.
  
  The thing that attracted us to this restaurant were a couple of options on the Snacks Menu on the website.  Unfortunately, those weren't offered for dinner, so that was a bit of a bummer.  Perhaps the website could specify if there is a certain time when those are offered.
  
  The beer selection is solid and we just missed their happy hour, when draft beers are $2 off (lasts until 7pm).  
  
  My general view of the menu is that everything seems to be one ingredient too complex.  There is a long list of competing flavors (for example our app was seared scallops with watercress, clams, radichio, bacon, shallots, white balsamic foam and grilled peaches).  While it was good, I really think it would have been better if it was a little more simple.  I had the Lemon Ricotta Gnocchi with crab, which was solid but a little bland.  My wife had the Filet of Angus Shoulder Chimichurri, which I thought was good but too salty.  She thought it was perfect, so I guess it just depends on your tastes.
  
  The service was very solid and mostly attentive, but I would hope for a slightly better experience for the price.

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  Posted on 08.18.13 Matt M.

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  Don't know what was up Jeff T's butt, the atmosphere and artwork is great. Food was amazing and unique. I had the wrapped mozzarella as an app and the deep fried chicken breast sandwich. Both were incredible, the chef is great and original. I highly recommend this place.

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  Posted on 07.29.13 Nico D.

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  Fantastic transformation of the old Cafe Diem. Great atmosphere, too. Four of us on a Saturday night around 8, and I have to say it wasn't as crowded as I feared. We got a bar table pretty quickly and the service was great. To start, we had the watermelon salad with goat cheese and it was very good, presented beautifully. Seriously had to look back at the menu to figure out the strange crunchy things in there, though (fried capers). The grilled summer squash "snack" stuffed with fresh mozzarella was delicious, though small (I guess that's what makes it a snack! :) ) Not really enough to share, but yummy. Companions had the rockfish special and the RC Cola shortribs. Both got thumbs up, but not a huge "wow"- I didn't taste, though, as I'm a vegetarian.
  As a number of people have noted, they have too many menus with too many LENGTHY descriptions, but the food was solid. We didn't have dessert. Will definitely be back, but not losing sleep wondering when I can get there again.

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  Posted on 07.28.13 Cindy B.

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  We went to the Viceroy the Sunday after they opened.  Four of us--all with extremely diverse dining tastes, including a pescatarian --had a fantastic experience.  We started with craft cocktails, which were all delicious.  We tried lots of items from each of the menu categories (snacks, appetizers, entrees and desserts and loved everything.  The chicken skin beignets were awesome, as was the grilled summer squash.  The watermelon salad with goat cheese and fried capers was a perfect, light and flavorful dish on a hot summer night.  One of our favorite dishes of the night was the crab and cucumber soup, served table side from a bar shaker.  Very cool!
  
  The short ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender, with the sweetness of the cola braise offset nicely with the tangy bleu cheese polenta.  The quail was succulent and full of flavor and cooked perfectly.  The scallops were plump, sweet and nicely seared.  The prime rib french dip proved to be an delicious up-scale version of a tried and true favorite.  The avocado cheesecake popsicles were a light, sweet treat--perfect after such a large meal.
  
  The service was great, especially considering how busy they were and that it was only their third night of service.  Yes, there was a lot of "paperwork" in terms of menus, but nothing that detracted from our overall experience.  We understand that as a brand new operation, the Viceroy is a work in progress and expect they will refine things as they settle in.  
  
  We eat out a lot in Richmond, often at many of the more upscale "it" restaurants.  Our experience at Viceroy blew anything we've had in recent memory away.  The chef obviously has a talent for making familiar items new and interesting, with creative twists and presentations that take dining to a new level.  
  
  I've also had a number of friends try the VIceroy in the last couple weeks since we visited and their gushing feedback corroborates our experience.

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  Posted on 07.28.13 James M.

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  I'm so glad to see the old Café Diem transformed into Viceroy.  It doesn't look at all like Café Diem, doesn't feel like it either.  And that's a good thing.  Kudos to whoever did the construction and design.
  
  Our table of six had a blast last night.  Good food.  Good drinks.  Good service.  Good atmosphere.  
  
  A few nit-picky things that keep me from giving Viceroy 5-stars.  They're not on OpenTable.  And when I called to make a reservation, they didn't pick up.  When I left a message, they didn't call back.  So, I had to call again to make a reservation.
  
  It's expensive.  I don't mind spending money on a good meal, and it's still expensive.  Entrees are expensive.  Salads are extra.  Sides are extra.  It's that kind of menu.  Don't even get me started about the "snacks" and "pre" menu sections.  Plus, someone went overboard WRITING the menu.  Descriptions are too lengthy, and there are too many obscure ingredients that make you ask, "What the heck is that?" (unless you're a chef... even foodies will ask) which means the waitress better be prepared to answer (she was).  I will say, everyone enjoyed their meals, though.  I got the grouper, one of my friends got the gnocchi and we split.  Both were excellent.  (I still don't think gnocchi should be an entree, though.)  Two other friends got the lamb.  I didn't taste it, but it looked beautiful.  
  
  The desserts.  Nothing on the dessert menu sounded appealing.  Again.  Overdone.  Sometimes people just want cake, pie and ice cream.  Avocado Key Lime Cheesecake Popsicles.  What the heck?  No thanks.  And I'm an adventurous eater!  That just didn't make me want to sacrifice my calorie count.  Nor did the Beer Battered PBnJ.  Pass.  I really think the dessert menu needs a total overhaul.  No one of our six ordered dessert.  That's a sign.  I was really going to go to Cheesecake Factory and get a slice of strawberry cheesecake, but by the time I got there, they'd be closed.  
  
  Good beer list.  Excellent dry martini.
  
  I will definitely go again.  Best spot in the Devil's Triangle.

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  Posted on 07.26.13 Lisa G.

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  We've had two awesome visits to Viceroy. This menu is so interesting -- flavor combinations I'd never have imagined putting together in a million years, and they totally work. I was actually really surprised to see a few negative reviews below, because we left raving about how delicious and creative the food was.
  
  For appetizers, we tried the watermelon/goat cheese/basil salad, smoked baby back ribs, and the grilled pesto squash. We loved all except the ribs, which were fine but were too sweet for our tastes.
  
  For entrees, on my first visit I had the Lemongrass Scallops -- very creative, interesting flavors, nice meaty scallops, large portions. On my second visit I got the ricotta gnocchi with crab - holy crap. SO good. So. Good.
  
  Others at our table had the Glazed Quail with wheatberries (this may have been the hit of the night. Everyone loved it and was fighting over bites), the RC Cola Ribs (unlike the appetizer ribs, these were a total win), and the Shaved Prime Rib French Dip (loved and it would order again).
  
  For dessert, we had the Key Lime Cheesecake Popscicles - just 4 tiny bites for each of us, and that's all we had room for. Very tasty, but not enough for sharing if you're hungry. We were about to explode, so this was about all we could handle. There were lots of appealing dessert options, so I'm looking forward to saving room next time.
  
  Cocktails were also delicious. I can't remember everything we got, but we enjoyed all of them. Something that had ginger beer in it was the favorite.
  
  I recommend. It's pricey, yes. But it felt worth it. Glad to have it in the neighborhood.

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  Posted on 07.25.13 L.B. S.

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  Had dinner and drinks with friends recently. We all had at least moderate expectations with the quality of food and beverage. These expectations were not met. This was possibly the worst meal I've had in Richmond in some time. The decor is decent, the drink menu fair at best, the food was cold and underwhelming. The only positive I could find was the wait staff was attentive. I would not recommend this spot to anyone, outside of a quick draft beer bar stop-off.

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  Posted on 07.24.13 John B.

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  Our waitress is extremely helpful and knowledgable of the menu. She made a great recommendation for an appetizer and is very attentive. Food is presented very well with large portions. It is definitely worth a first or fourth try.  Oh and a wine and beer list the length of your arm!  Noise level can be loud but worth it.

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  Posted on 07.24.13 RP M.

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  Went for dinner and drinks with friends. Hostess unironically called my party "kids" while seating us. The table was cluttered by an unnecessary amount of menus. One friend ordered a greyhound (vodka and grapefruit) and it was delivered with pineapple juice instead.
  
  Cocktail menu is uninspiring and cocktails ordered were cloyingly sweet, one vodka soda was very weak. Good beer list however. After the first-round of drinks debacle the waitress informed is that they were out of or substituting proteins for at least three entrees (this was 7:30 pm). We decided to try the black bean fritters and tuna carpaccio from the "snacks" and "pre" menus to give us a feeling about whether we would continue ordering dinner. These are on separate pieces of paper, seriously the menu is 4 pages but not bound if you count the cocktail and wine menu it is very cluttering on the table.
  
  The fritters were dry and fairly bland while the tuna carpaccio was cool and fresh with a sort of sloppy fennel and cucumber salad next to it that screamed for a squeeze of lemon. After our first bites we unanimously decided to cut our losses and  order a pizza from 8 1/2.
  
  The space is well put together and the bar is very nice. The service was good, not great. It was too bad the drinks were inconsistent and the food was so run-of-the-mill. I will definitely be trying again because I have high hopes for this space. With so many restaurants at this price point I hope they can step up their game.
  
  Side note: there is an old advertisement for a "raspberry douche" in the men's room which normally I would have found hilarious but in this context it was almost inappropriate.

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  Posted on 07.24.13 Jeff T.

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  Nice decor, interesting menu - definitely promising.  Major upgrade from Cafe Diem.  I can see this place being a new favorite of mine.

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  Posted on 07.17.13 Matt C.

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