Circa 1918 lives up to the hype. It's a tiny, charming joint nestled in the row of boutiques and restaurants in Historic Hilton Village. This has been high on my "want to try" for a long time and finally saw an opportunity with an available reservation, went for it and am so happy I did. I dined solo, which I rarely do, but this was the perfect place for it. It was apparent that most people dining were regulars. The owner was chatting with just about everyone and diners were popping over to other tables to say hello, as well. Felt like a very small town. Service was perfect - not overbearing, but perfectly timed for a good flow throughout dinner. Their menu changes often, so some of the items I loved, may not be available - but it does seem like their fried oysters are a mainstay and holy moly, they were delicious. I had one cocktail - I believe it was called Watermelon Sugar. It had vodka, aperol and fresh watermelon. Refreshing and smooth. I tried two apps: the fried oysters and the bao buns. Both were fantastic. Perfectly prepared, so much flavor. I think that next time, I would stick to the appetizer section and try many rather than getting an entree. I got the scallops, which were delicious, but the apps wow-ed me more. Prices aren't low, but you get what you pay for - really high quality dishes with lots of thought and execution embedded. I don't say this lightly - this has been added to my top 10 list in all of Hampton Roads! read more

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Circa 1918 Review We had an amazing experience at Circa 1918 last night! From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, intimate, and full of charm. It's a small, quaint space that gives you that perfect blend of cozy neighborhood vibes with an upscale, refined feel. The food was absolutely outstanding--every dish had unique, well-balanced flavors that clearly showcased the talent of the chef. You can truly tell that a lot of care and creativity goes into the menu. The service made the experience even better. The bartenders were fantastic (James especially stood out!), and the waitstaff were incredibly personable, attentive, and welcoming. Circa 1918 is one of those rare places that feels both like a hidden neighborhood gem and a fine dining experience all in one. We will definitely be back! read more

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Located on Warwick Blvd. along a strip of stores. I arrived on a Saturday and was seated at the bar. The establishment is really small. James was my server, and he recommended the Bison Meatloaf. It took awhile for the meal to arrive but that meatloaf paired with spinach and potatoes was delicious! I wish it was more potatoes though. James was okay but did not check on me like he did the regulars. read more

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Circa 1918 is a throw-back vintage small but elegant style restaurant with excellent and I mean EXCELLENT service and great food. Their apps are the best in the area. Our most recent visit I was a little under whelmed with the main courses we chose but traditionally that's not the case. The fried oysters were excellent as was the Octopus and Boa Buns. They serve excellent drinks and have some wonderful choices on their wine list. Ask for Joey as your server and he is an expert and won't steer you wrong. read more

What an adorable hidden gem in Newport News! The food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the ambiance is cozy and intimate. The Bison meatloaf is an absolute must-try! read more

The food and the service were excellent! We went for restaurant week and had a great experience. This intimate restaurant is located in the quaint Hilton area and has a great ambience. We were a party of 4 girlfriends and had such a wonderful time. I had the meatloaf and chocolate moose cake . Loved them both . We shall Definitely return! read more

Circa 1918 - Fun times - New American Near Me - Newport News, Virginia

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My husband and I had a wonderful dining expereince at Circa 1918. The resturant is small and cozy, giving it extra charm and allows for attentive service. The staff was welcoming, knowledgeable of the menu and dinner specials, and made sure all our needs were met. Would highly recommend and will definitely be back! read more

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I can only say great things about Circa 1918! Had a wonderful experience for dinner on a Wednesday evening. I made a reservation in advance for four of us at 6:30pm. We arrived a couple minutes past and I was seated right away despite the rest of my party not being present as they were parking the cars. Pro tip: arrive a bit early so that you have plenty of time to park as street parking can be a bit limited. I was surprised that the restaurant was a little bigger than I thought it would be, but still small, and it was completely packed - I think we were sat at the last open table. I am confident that had we not had a reservation, we likely would have either had to find a seat at the bar or go elsewhere. I am glad that was not the case. Kip, our server, greeted me promptly although very up close and personal (the restaurant is a bit narrow and on the smaller side). I was immediately offered still or sparkling water while I waited for the rest of my guests to arrive. Upon the arrival of the rest of my party, Kip asked us if we would like anything else to drink besides water. I ordered the Pinkkaso. I have to say, I love Campari, Aperol, unsweet tea, all things bitter - but this drink was not my cup of tea. It quite honestly just wasn't well balanced. The ingredients didn't really feel congealed like they should have been, it was too much going on in the wrong way. The rest of my party ordered wine and they seemed to enjoy it. Kip informed us of the specials for the evening, a soup, starter, and an entree that I recall. We opted for a few starters while foregoing the one on special. We enjoyed the Bao Buns, Octopus, Grilled Asiago Bread, and Fried Oysters. Although my favorite was the Bao Buns and the Octopus was a close second. The Fried Oysters had an interesting, slightly overpowering tartness and the Grilled Asiago Bread was just okay - nothing special in my opinion. Our main course was the best part of the meal. My husband and I opted to share the entree special, which was a delicious Pork Tenderloin cooked medium (chef's recommendation) over a bed of polenta puree with veggies including cauliflower and some others. It was delicious and they even took the liberty of splitting the dish for us on two separate plates! My brother had the Baked Halibut from the menu and my sister in law had the steak. I tried both and they were also so delicious! Overall we had a great experience and I am glad I was able to try so many of their different offerings. I look forward to returning to enjoy my favorites and try other options that I have not yet. Cheers to Circa 1918! Highly recommend. read more

Circa 1918 - Octopus appetizer (yes, we already took one bite before this photo was taken) - New American Near Me - Newport News, Virginia

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This was our first time here and all I can say is that we will definitely be back! Every single dish we tried was great. It's a small quaint place with great food and great customer service! read more

Circa 1918 - Chocolate bomb dessert! - New American Near Me - Newport News, Virginia

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This is the best restaurant in Newport News. It's on the smaller side so it is not great for a larger group (most are tables for 2), street parking, intimate setting for foodies. They gave us an amuse bouche to start! Wasn't expecting it. The waiters are also bartenders so they give good drink suggestions. We got a variety of plates to share. Everything was amazing. Tuna tacos, bao buns, octopus, fettuccine with lamb ragu, etc. Would return anytime I am in the area. read more

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First is that you have to make reservations, as there is limited seating. The outside of the restaurant is so enviting and when you go in its very narrow, but the ambiance takes you bwck to "France" . Very romantic and intimate. It's definitely a local favorite. With that being said I couldn't wait to try the dishes. For starters I had "Pan seared Foie Gras" OOH My! It's tender and juicy it jist melts in your mouth. I could eat like 3 more of those! Lol All the flavors went perfectly! I couldn't wait to try my main dish. The main course I ordered was the "Pan Seared Duck Breast" Yes, no complaints! Nice light crisp on the outside and tender juicy on the inside. The black garlic butter poached cauliflower and mixed spices was excellent! I was savoring every bite... And the wine I ordered went perfect with my meal! What do they say the night and experience was "Cest Magnifique" Definitely a place to take someone on special occasions! Will be back for sure! read more

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Circa 1918 is pure perfection and I can't believe I was honored enough to get a reservation there on a Saturday night! This restaurant is located on a little cute strip, filled with vintage looking shops. It's cozy on the outside and in the inside. The ambiance at night is giving romantic date night. It's a pretty tight space but it gives an intimate feel. I personally love that. I went here because one of my friends said that it is his favorite restaurant. He explained how their menu frequently changes and is chef-curated. He really hyped it up. And the experience I had here with friends really lived up to the hype!! Immediately waking up, the hostess greeted us with upbeat and high energy and she quickly seated us as well. The hostess also ended up being our waitress. She was very well-informed and knew the food and drinks like the back of her hand. I'm always impressed when waitstaff know what they're talking about because I've been in their shoes before. So I know the work it takes to get like that. We started with a house appetizer. I don't remember what it was exactly but it was all beautifully topped on a slice of naan. It really started off the night on a great note. Our appetizers were the charred octopus, beef gyoza, and the fried oysters. Our drinks were excellent craft cocktails that I don't remember the names of. But each one was gorgeous and delicious! Next up, we had the grilled asiago bread, bison meatloaf, pan seared duck breast, and the seared jumbo sea scallops. Goodness. Not a single disappointment in any of these dishes that I listed. Maybe one disappointment is that I couldn't have unlimited charred octopus and duck breast... LOL. I often get lost in thinking about the charred octopus here. It was crispy on the outside with the perfect amount of char, but yet it was soft and tender in the inside. I got my duck cooked at medium rare. The duck breast melted in my mouth. I didn't want the experience to end. Overall, this place is absolutely worth the hype and is all the rage. I'm 1000000% coming back here when I'm back in town again. read more

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I went during restaurant week. The menu items were pre fix. The food was delicious and well presented.

My family and I have been coming here for years. The restaurant itself is small which makes it homey and intimate. The staff is friendly and in a way, treat you like family. I like that the menu selection changes periodically which gives you the opportunity to try new things. Overall, the food is delicious and well presented. Portions are just right and there is a good selection of wine to pair with your food. read more

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This is a late review but much needed. I visited with my wife a year ago. I was craving this place again and realized I never posted my first dining experience. The old fashioned made me never want it any other way, and it literally became the standard of what I expect any other old fashioned to taste like. The pork belly appetizer was so good. I barely wanted to share. The toasted bread and butter basket was ok. Wouldn't get it again, maybe there was too much of a char on the bread which made it taste bitter. The brown butter New York Strip entree was perfection. There's nothing bad to say about this restaurant. It's small, artsy, packed with so much flavor and character. Must check it out! read more

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Everything about this place is a yes! You definitely want to make reservations because it's a popular but tiny establishment in Hilton Village of Newport News. Parking on the Main Street can be tough but I was lucky to find a spot. It's small, warm, and inviting. The staff is personable and excellent. They have a variety of specials and the menu is small but everything that comes out of the kitchen looks amazing. They have a nice wine list and cocktail menu. We shared a delicious charcuterie board... ask for extra little biscuits and they'd be happy to give them to you. We also had the lobster dumplings. For dinner I had the salmon - probably the best prepared salmon I ever had. We also finished with an 2 amazing desserts to share. James was our server and he was fantastic. We had a wonderful ladies dinner out and will be back again! read more

Circa 1918 - Crème brûlée cheesecake - New American Near Me - Newport News, Virginia

I have no idea what witchcraft they use, but each bite is better than the bite before! It MUST be magic! My friend and I recently had dinner here before an event. We mentioned our plans to our server James, who made sure every timing detail was worked through for us. The first course was a sample of an appetizer from the chef. I immediately asked if the chef was married! Then we ordered a few appetizers so we could sample a good variety of options. The portions were generous, the presentation was flawless, and the layers of flavors were nearly orgasmic! We finished off with dessert. The cheesecake with bananas foster on top was unparalleled. It was the best cheesecake I have ever eaten, bar none. Both my friend and I got goosebumps, our eyes closed, and we couldn't speak because we were overcome by the incredible flavor sensations! The place is tiny - as in miniscule. I made reservations 4 days ahead and the only option was bar seating, so do yourself a favor and plan accordingly. Make your reservation well in advance. The food, service, and atmosphere, are perfect in this well-hidden jewel. I wish the restaurant was 4x larger than it is. They could fill it every night. The prices are a little high but you get what you pay for and I am more than willing to pay for this kind of gastric fantasy. Congratulations to Circa 1918! You've set the bar for fine dining in Newport News! read more

Kip, who may be the manager was AAAAHHHMAZING! He also was our server. You can tell he loves what he does, knowledgeable and let him just feed you. If he suggests it, just do it. You won't be sorry. Make a reservation, it's a small intimate place. The bar is super cool. All the drinks we ordered were perfect parings. So the meatloaf. Almost killed me! It was incredible and I could of eaten the whole loaf, drank the glaze and bathed it. Don't be crazy and not order this. It was perfect. I hate meatloaf, Kip ordered it for me. So yeah, it almost killed me and it will blow you away! Go here! Enjoy an intimate dinner or a double date. Not sure what took us so long! read more

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This place is amazing! Small place with a great vibe and amazing staff. Plus the food is next level. read more

Circa 1918 - New American Near Me - Newport News, Virginia

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This is about the 5th time I've dined here and if there were 10 stars, that would be my rating. We were greeted almost immediately and seated at our request, the bar. James, is a welcoming bartender who not only makes great drinks, he's quite knowledgeable about the menu. Where do the scrumptious sauce recipes originate?! The food is so delicious, the kitchen staff should come out for a standing ovation! The prices were always on the high side here, and like many things, have increased. ($79 for a steak?!) Reservations are strongly recommended, and if you call the same day, you may be disappointed. My experience, however, has never been. read more

This place is a gem. It has never disappointed in all the times we've been here. They are passionate about the experience of their guests - from being greeted with a warm smile to the prompt and friendly service, to the amazing bites of food. Ambiance (5/5): this restaurant is on the smaller side, so reservations are highly encouraged (2 couples who tried to walk in tonight were turned away due to no availability). The decor is perfectly classic yet modern. They have tables that seat 2-4, and also seating st the bar. There is street parking right in front, but also a little parking lot down the road that you have to enter into from the back road. Service (5/5): Regina was bubbly and attentive - it felt like we were being taken care of by a friend. Kip was moving between guests and taking care of everyone, especially the regulars. We love that the entire team seems genuinely eager to connect with patrons, new or regulars! Food (5/5): hands down an amazing experience every time. The amuse bouche they surprise us with is always something creative we would never try on our own, which starts the dining experience off with interest and delight. We had their pork belly bao buns tonight and it was my favorite bite of the night - perfectly balanced and deliciously savory. Their asiago bread with garlic honey whipped butter is *chef's kiss*. Their bison meatloaf is a classic staple that never disappoints - elevated and with a little spice. As always, it was an absolute delight. We hope to be back sooner than later! read more

Circa 1918 is one of my favorite upscale restaurants in the area. The staff are consistently friendly and provide prompt service. The interior is cozy (albeit a bit loud during wine dinners!), so reservations are highly recommended. The menu is always being updated, but the quality of food is consistently delicious and creative. Cocktails are also consistently unique and well-made. On a recent visit, I enjoyed the Domo Orgeato cocktail which was lightly sweet between the orgeat and hibiscus, topped with a jewel-like candied hibiscus flower. The tuna tartare taco special appetizer was light and fresh with a good mix of flavors and textures from the crisp taco shell, to the lightly seasoned tuna topped with pickled vegetables. The seared duck breast was perfectly cooked with swirls of different sauces to accent the flavors, and the baked halibut was light and moist served with a delicious curried rice. The chocolate bombe dessert featured a dark chocolate ganache covered with a chocolate shell served in a crème anglaise sprinkled with pistachios. The whole meal was spectacular, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit! read more

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Dining at Circa 1918 Kitchen + Bar was delightful, from enjoying my first bison meatloaf to watching my family smile after trying their own interesting choices, like roast Pekin duck (not a misspelling!), lamb burger, and crab hushpuppies. We gathered at the restaurant to celebrate my mother-in-law's 90th birthday and the General Manager treated her like visiting royalty, bringing us special appetizers and being warmly attentive, though never hovering or interrupting. One of the most memorable restaurant experiences of my life! read more

Absolutely amazing service and great date night spot, just make sure to get a reservation in advance!

I would come back again! Every dish my sister and I had here was extremely delicious! I normally take photos of all meals but this time I didn't - maybe I was starving, maybe my sister and I were having a fun time, but one thing's for sure - there were no crumbs left! We licked those plates clean! Service was pleasant and staff was always attentive. read more

Best restaurant in the area. I've been here 8 times and they do not disappoint. The food is exquisite and expertly prepared, the wine list is well curated and reasonably priced, the service is top notch. The place is both small and intimate - great for dinner, and definitely make a reservation in advance. It is usually busy, deservedly so. read more

Circa 1918 - Amazing grilled swordfish. I couldn't resist taking a bite before taking the pic - New American Near Me - Newport News, Virginia

Superlatives abound for the gracious hospitality generously poured out by the staff; this high mark was only surpassed by the wonderful meal, every course of which was thoughtfully created and prepared with exceptional attention to the smallest of detail. read more

Absolutely wonderful dinner at Circa 1918. Kip was helpful and warm throughout our experience. I booked a reservation a week or so ahead and I would strongly recommend it! The place is small, upscale but still cozy. Everything from the decor to the plating is ornate and adds to the experience. Not a rushed service but also felt the staff was attentive. Kip was great with helping us identify a wine. My mom had the watermelon sugar cocktail which was refreshing and not overly sweet. For our meal, we ordered the wage croquette specials (they offered to give us four so we all could have our own), the artisan cheese bread, the grouper, the scallops, the beef tenderloin and the tuna special. Not a single thing would we not recommend. For dessert, we had the dark chocolate truffles and the Lemon berry galette. Their ice creams are incredible... in my opinion they made both dishes, This is a must try in the area for a nice night out. Thanks to the staff and chefs! Sent from my iPad read more

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My wife and I enjoyed our anniversary dinner on July 3rd at Circa 1918. Our server was James, a very pleasant young man who attended us with expert skills in serving our dinner and also as the head bartender. Indeed, the entire staff were very efficient and pleasant. The complimentary glass of champagne was a very thoughtful start to our master chef quality courses of eye-popping 5-star delicious plates. The restaurant is intimately small in its neighborhood friendly setting, and that only enhances the warmth and charm we experienced there. Circa 1918 is a gem in the rough of the many other restaurants in Newport News! read more

My husband and I visited for our anniversary dinner. I can say with confidence that this is the best food I've ever had. It comes with a hefty price tag, If you're a foodie like us and want to try everything . But it's so worth it! It's a nice, small place. We didn't have reservations, but there was room at the bar for us. But I would recommend doing reservations because that was on a Wednesday! I can imagine how busy they are during the weekends. The service was immaculate and everyone was so friendly. It seems their menu changes because I was looking for pictures of food and didn't see it on yelp, so that's pretty cool. Def go visit!! read more

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One of the best hidden gems in Newport News! I'm a foodie and this place hits the mark..it's alittle on the pricey side but soooo worth it!! The service, the ambience, and cocktails are outstanding! read more

What a find! We went based on Yelp ratings and it completely justified the scores. Well crafted cocktails, amazing appetizer of duck tacos, equally amazing entrees: one of perfectly cooked lamb and the other of scallops sautéed just right; solid wine list. We'll be back. read more

I've been coming here for years... some things never change. Delicious meal, nice ambiance, great customer service. I always wind up here for flavorful food. read more

Circa 1918 - New American Near Me - Newport News, Virginia

My favorite restaurant. Always an exceptional meal and impeccable service. I've been dining here for years and have never left disappointed. Great food and wine! read more

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First off I'm big on first impressions, for the manager to take the time to return my call for a reservation was big! Now on to the gritty, we arrived a few minutes late and we were greeted and immediately seated we chose to sit outside it was nice evening so that was cool! Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu, he updated us on changes that were made and the specials. The General Manager Kip was outstanding as well, normally when you dine outside you have the tendency to feel left out but not here. James and Kip made us and the other outside diners feel welcomed and included. So let's get to the vittles, we started with the Wild Mushrooms on a Crostata which was delicious, then we moved on to a cheese tray( That Bacon jam was something special! There was a treat that was brought out, sorry I can't remember but it was on a cracker and had a Lima bean in it anyway it was delicious! Main course we both went for the Pork Chop which was perfectly cooked served with mashed potatoes and a apple/parsnip purée also combined with spaghetti squash! We devoured that, my wife had 2 "Hazy Sunrise or Sunset can't remember but she enjoyed it. I had a Pineapple Cider, so we finished up with desert she got the Pumpkin donuts and I got the German Chocolate cake....Bruh! Hell even the water was good lol! Also instead of just dumping the water out, they use it to water the plants, another check in my book! So please do yourself a favor and pay Circa 1918 a visit, but please call ahead for reservations. This is not a paid advertisement lol!! read more

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My husband and I went last night for our 25th Anniversary. It's a small space, but still gives you a sense of intimacy. The service was top notch and extremely accommodating. They have a large wine and cocktail list, but were able to make delicious mock tails for us two non drinkers. The food was a celebration in itself, inventing, inspiring and made our occasion memorable. Thank you for making our evening perfect. read more

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I visited this place a couple of weeks ago and it was so good, I went right back a week later! Let me start with the service. Great customer service for sure!! I called ahead to see if I could make a reservation and since they were booked, they did offer us seating at the bar. It was great timing and I'm so glad it worked out. The staff had a warm welcome once we arrived. The space is very tight but it's still a nice ambience. From the outside street view it does not seem like such a special place would be found here. The parking wasn't bad as there were open spots along the street. Once seated, the bartender, James, was personable and ready to get us drinks. He knew the menu and the specials. That's always a big deal when the people working there actually know the food! It was great for us bc it was the first time visiting. We were served a complimentary tasting of some deliciousness that I can't even remember but it was something the Chef created. Those small bites were so good and wasted no time enjoying it- I didn't even get a pic! The salmon my daughter ordered was cooked perfectly. The cauliflower purée was smooth in texture and had delicious flavors. The steak was tender and juicy. Every thing served was full of flavor and was really balanced with textures. Let me talk about this smoked mozzarella caprese appetizer!! It was absolutely delicious. The basil that you would expect to be as a garnish is instead infused in the olive oil. The thick meaty tomato was seasoned just right and went with every bite of the mozzarella! The breading on the mozzarella wasn't overly done either- again, the textures here made my mouth want more. I tried the barramundi fish the next time I went back- (literally a week later) and it held the seasonings so well. This fish is similar to Mahi Mahi in texture but still such a delicious piece of fish that it truly stands on its own. The chef knows what she or he is doing here. The dish had Asian inspired flavors and even tho I was afraid the Kimchi would be too much- it absolutely was not. It was a perfect amount of spice. Every bite was truly amazing. I'm a fan of Sauvignon Blanc and ordering the bottle was a great choice to compliment my dish. The service was still spot on with the staff knowing the menu and just being very timely with their customer service. It wasn't where they hurry and rush you out but it also wasn't where they left and forgot about you. There aren't many places in Hampton I would go back to back but this is certainly one at the top of my list. It's great for a date night, girls night or coworkers catching up on a long week. The only thing I would change is the size of the place. The decor is very nice but the space can be uncomfortably tight for some people. Other than that, this place deserves every bit of 5 stars! Can't wait to go back again. read more

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A long time favorite of my wife and I's, excellent food and good service (at least in the past). Afraid that pricing has been getting out of hand however, seems like every time we come costs 5 dollars more for everything, most menu items 40-50 dollars now! I am not sure this is justified. Major fly problem outdoors, ruined our recent visit. I was pushed to book outdoors because I had a baby in my party and there was no attempt to warn me about the problem ahead of time. Don't book outside! It will ruin your nice dinner! **There was no attempt to rectify the fly problem either, no offer to discount or bring us inside, I would qualify this as bad service. This wasn't just a few flies... Between the price problems and flies , I don't think we will be coming back, which saddens me. read more

Bottom Line Up Front: A MUST TRY! A great dining experience from beginning to end thanks to bold and delicious flavors Peaks: -Really friendly and quick service. Our food came out before we could finish our appetizers -The flavor combinations for each dish was divine. I can't recall the name of the entree I got but it was a pork chop special with a really great succotash blend they had on that particular evening. We started off with beef tartar, the herb bread (that herb butter was great) and a little something from the chef- a small spoonful of tuna with a spicy blend. -You will definitely have leftovers for the next day, and they'll taste just as great! Pits: -The restaurant itself is really small so this might be something to keep in mind for those that would prefer to dine at a distance. -The tables are tiny. Our table for two got really crowded at a particular point -Parking can be really tricky! read more

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This is a lovely hole-in-the-wall restaurant with food that will knock your socks off. The cozy ambiance and food make this probably the most coveted "date night" restaurant in the area. It's small, so reservations are a must unless you are prepared to wait for hours for a possible opening. read more