Love the security! However, this is my 3rd time in a row coming here and the bartenders display racist behavior. Tonight (on my birthday by the way) the bartender got angry and told me "not to wave at him" to get his attention. He also REFUSED to service me because I waved at him, (politely by the way). WONT be back. What a nasty way to be treated. And again. this is the 3rd time experiencing this here! They say third times a charm huh? POC be mindful coming here! Saying this with concern and love! Thanks for reading! -1 as a review. Ringo was the bartender! Shame on you. read more

Terrible food, maybe it was OK at some point but it sat in the window for a long time despite how slow it was. Tried to return it, couldn't find a server, went to the bar, the bartender finally came out of the back, and by that point we were so mad we didn't even argue that food was room temp when we got it, just paid the check and left. And left untouched apps on the table. At least they didn't charge us for the mains we never got, which considering the attitude was a blessing. read more

Coleman and Michelle are so awesome!! Very sweet and quick with service!! We are just coming through town on our way to Florida and plan to make a trip back this way asap! read more

Helen's - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Limited, appetizer heavy menu in a cozy house-like establishment. We had a relatively good time at Helen's, ordering in a group of 5. 4 of us decided to eat tapas-style while 1 friend ordered a burger. To me this menu is limited because there are 4 entrees but about 12 apps. It kind of forces you to order apps for dinner when the cheapest entree is $18 and then the next cheapest entree is like $32. The decor was very cute, all decked out for Christmas. We did love the kitsch. We had a little problem in that we sat in the back room and sometimes it can take a while to get service because you are out of sight, out of mind. Also, not sure if this was our error or not, but when we ordered we asked our hostess to bring everything out as it was ready. Somehow allllll the apps were brought out in multiple rounds and 4 out of 5 of us were eating while our poor friend was still waiting for her hamburger. I've never worked in restaurant service but it did seem unlikely to me that the burger would take 20+ minutes and all the apps would be ready, of course it probably speaks to some buffet style practices with the apps (you aren't cooking a small plate of crispy Brussels and artichokes fresh, you probably have a big old tray of them in the back that you've already cooked up that you just reheat). we just didnt get great service last night. if putting everythingn jn at once meant the one entree was going to come last, i wish our server would have told us. we wouldve changed our order. food was good but you basically are forced into tapas style eating ambiance was very cute my friend did enjoy her burger when it was finally delivered (after everyone else had already finished eating...) honestly a 3.5 star experience! read more

Helen's continues to be a Richmond staple for any/every occasion. As a smooth-brained college kid in the early 2000's, I used to come here for cheap/good drinks and alt/punk vibes. Now, as an adult with a few extra bucks in my bank account, I come here for brunch with friends from out of town, for anniversary date nights and special occasions, and after hours, it's still a great place for a drink or two! Went here last night for an anniversary dinner with my boyfriend and it DID NOT disappoint. The cocktails were interesting and balanced and delicious (and reasonably priced!), the food was comforting but classy and complex enough that you wouldn't try to make it at home or be able to get it at just any old restaurant, and the holiday decor was top notch (I'm a sucker for some twinkly lights, and in this case, about 8,000 of them). Helen's is low key one of the best restaurants in Richmond - we wanted to order everything on the menu so picking just a few items was tough, and for those items we ended up with, we truly debated/joked about licking the plates....it's that good. Also, staff were really sweet and made us feel right at home, even bringing our desert (an amazing vanilla crème brulee) out with a candle and a "happy anniversary!" message. It was tender, memorable, and delicious. Love love love everything about Helen's. read more

The cutest outdoor space!! We came for brunch on a Sunday, and they were handling Covid very well. They only offer outdoor seating, and they have a condensed (but still DELICIOUS) menu. We ordered our food from a server/hostess at the front window and then they brought it out to our table when it was ready. The service was delightful and everything tasted great. Between the 3 of us, we ordered 2 veggie scrambles, a side of billy toast, and the avocado toast with an egg!! Highly recommend for a good brunch! read more

Helen's - Avocado toast + fried egg - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Went here because it was open on Thanksgiving. Glad I did, so much fun! Drinks were reasonably priced and I like they also have an outdoor section read more

Food was great but somehow with more staff than customers a table with 8 people that came I right before us crushed the staff. Bad training or bad management... either way it is unacceptable. read more

Awesome brunch Sunday morning. Lovely staff and great vibe. Music was groovin'. Best pancakes I've had.

We stopped here for nightcaps two nights in a row during a recent visit to Richmond. Terrific cocktails and friendly service.

Those pancakes, AMAZING The corned beef hash, AMAZING The curry potatoes, AMAZING Local good eats for sure. Thinking about going back today and I was just there last Sunday read more

I have loved Helen's brunch for years, but somehow we had never gone for dinner until last night. We were seated immediately, and given drinks quickly Overall the feeling I had here was one of feeling very healthy and eating interesting flavor combinations. I got the Hanger Steak on a bed of Hash potatoes with rainbow carrots bleu cheese and truffle butter. It was impressive. My husband has the scallop special and loved it. We also started the meal with the Calamari. It was roasted in bell peppers and had some sprouts on it. I really didn't like this. I also don't really like Calamari that looks like tentacles and this one had plenty. I was tempted into trying the chocolate mousse for dessert. It was amazing! The only reason that it received 4 stars is because they are slightly overpriced. I felt like my meal shouldn't have been more than $17. We went with a groupon, and I still feel like we paid too much. read more

Helen's - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Small bites for the win. Very good broccolini and mushroom risotto proved worth the trip while the cauliflower and romesco sauce blew us away. Hostess Nicole made a celebratory meal even better and the chocolate mousse made for a sweet ending. read more

Happened about Helen's because Brunch was over an hour's wait on a Saturday morning. I was a little reluctant because the store facade looked a little dated and dingy but the inside did not disappoint. We were greeted w the sound of lively conversations and inviting aromas. What we loved: Seated immediately, lots of tables The beautiful bar counter The menu selections Friendly welcoming service Braised corned beef hash Pineapple juice w lime wedge (tasted fresh?) Biscuits and gravy Fruit compote on French toast What we didn't like: The French toast I had been craving the Brunch's French toast so was pleased that it was on this menu. However, the toast was a baguette halved with no evidence that it had ever touched egg. The bread was fluffy white throughout and slathered with lots of cinnamon sugar. But not French toast We will definitely return again and will ALWAYs order a side of hash read more

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It's a bar local bar the crowd is younger. I would take cash. The music is good. Did I say take cash? I'm leave it there.

This is a charming cozy place and I recommend you make a reservation since it is popular on the weekend. I have enjoyed everything I got there the three times I have been. My dinner date really enjoyed the pork dish with mashed potatoes. I like the salad. My friend had a very bad glass of red wine that tasted like vinegar but they replaced it with something good. I will go back for sure. I feel very comfortable in Helen's. If you are single, you can sit at the bar and feel perfectly at home. read more

Can't believe it's taken me so long to get into this Richmond classic. Had dinner here with a buddy last week, which included a bangin' duck breast. Vibe in this place is terrific, service is professional and friendly, the kitchen is right-there, so the aromas of all of the goodies being prepared perfumes the air. My duck breast was perfection. Accompaniments were roasted cauliflower, quinoa, some lovely sliced (I think?) beets that were slightly pickled, a few slivers of fingerling, and a rich, dark compote-ish sauce (on the side) that was the perfect foil for the duck. Perfect martini craft, too. And a good selection of wines by the glass. Languedoc pinot noir that I had with my duck was a perfect match.. Definitely putting this on the go-to list. read more

Helen's - Duck breast! - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Good food . Service very nice and attentive. Colorful ambiance! It is a place to go many many more times!

Coffee stained menus, old tainted coffee cups... first impression my nose was turned up. Welp, yelp...We didn't walk out. Don't judge the food by the look of the plastic table cloths and the dirty menus. The food was very good. The curry potatoes at brunch were absolutely delicious. The braised corned beef with over easy eggs, were everything! Shrimp and grits were Louisiana styled, and quite tasty too. Our guest with the eggs Benedict had received them luke warm, but they enjoyed the flavor. A go back! read more

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Everything about this place was awesome!!! The vibe, the cocktails, the service and the food!!!!! My husband has a tree nut allergy and a some of the dishes have tree nuts .... The waitress and the chef took the time to get clarity on the parameters of the allergy, if something was iffy they offered us an alternative option and were just so incredibly kind! Our apps were amazing, the cocktails were boozy but w purpose and flavor and my espresso martini had gold flakes!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to go back!!!! Thank you Helen's!!!!! read more

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I love this local restaurant and it is one of my go-to favorites. New menu recently with some great offerings. We opted for the cauliflower appetizer- it was roasted, seasoned to perfection and served with pecorino (and some other seasonings I can't remember- oops!). For entrees we got the NY strip, medium rare, served with Yukon gold mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts and mushrooms. Perfection! I chose the special chicken thigh with crispy skin. It was served over a roasted tomato risotto and garlic spinach, topped with a grape, olive topping. Sounds strange but the flavor profile was amazing. My only criticism is that the chicken skin was not crispy as it could have been because they put the wet sauce over the top of the chicken. Our server was great, but had to work the whole restaurant and make drinks. Too much for one person but she did the best she could. I highly recommend Helens! I would be remiss if I didn't suggest the Helens burger and fries- one of my favs. YUMMMM! read more

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(****) -- Helen's is one of Richmond's gems. It fits so beautifully in my philosophy that visiting a restaurant must be an all-around and total experience, and when it comes to Helen's, it most definitely is. The building itself started as a 1910's pharmacy. The interior still shows it with original wood and copper, including the gorgeous bar top which was the pharmacy's counter. It is my favorite place to sit. To add to your fun, go search for the original phone booth! The pharmacy became a restaurant in 1927, turning into Helen's in 1935. The current owner John immigrated from Ireland in the 1960's and is a true joy as a host. Please take a minute to say hello and pick up on his Irish roots. And yes, they have food too. Chef Kevin is skilled, talented, curious, daring even. As you eat at Helen's a few times, you will notice how he's continuously developing, trying, creating new flavor combinations and doing it passionately. That passion not only comes true on your plate and in your mouth; Helen's is an open kitchen so you can see them at work, especially when you're seated at the bar. I have a weakness for open kitchens. Why would you hide your craft? Brunch is my favorite and especially the offering of Benedicts and the Irish Breakfast when you've had a few too many goodness glasses the night before. Chef's Hollandaise sauce is very fine, consistent, with good fluency and density. Some classics are perfect and shouldn't be bothered with and Chef Kevin understands that. His sauces are "the sauce", period. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I must warn however about one house staple: curry and peppered potato cubes. I came from a potato country myself so King Potato is near-god to me. The curry-flavored potatoes at Helen's are sometimes right on with the dish and with other dishes too overwhelming, to my taste. For others, they are always de-lish and I don't know what I'm talking about. They may have a point there too. My fave dinner dishes are the halibut, with parsi sauce. So much fun! My other fave is the duck breast. There's nothing innovating to adding pistachio to a duck breast dish -- that was already done in the 80's but at Helen's there's a base of -- listen to this -- rhubarb red pepper jelly! And it's finger licking friggin' fantastic! The Bucatini Pasta is honesty itself, tried and simple, can't go wrong, even when your crazy aunt making it was Chianti-drunk off her and did I tell you yet about the swing music? Some people claim to hear paranormal sounds of swing music from long-gone days Helen's still had a jukebox in the 1940's. And more, employees there will tell you that spirits still roam the place. The staff is fun, funky and eclectic, adding to the place's uniqueness. Go discover them and tell them Remy sent you! PS: why 4 stars? 3-3.5 for the food, rounding up to 4 for the experience. So you know. RSB-Remy read more

Helen's - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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All my years in Richmond and just now getting around to trying Helen's. The service was slower than some places, but the waitress was extremely kind and personal. I had a mocktail, which was pretty good, but not $7 worth of good considering I've had much better at other restaurants in the city for a fraction of the price. We started with the sautéed calamari, which set a high bar for the remainder of the meal. It was packed full of flavor and it was plenty to split between two people. I would go back for that alone. I had the NY strip, which was cooked to perfection temperature-wise. However, it lacked any sort of flavor, so that was disappointing. The accoutrements were delicious though! My partner had the halibut and had the same evaluation of the protein when compared to the rest of the dish. All in all, would return and recommend to others. We left happy, full, and smelling like the kitchen. Don't be afraid to use a flashlight to read the menu, it is quite dark inside. read more

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Just home from a fantastic dinner at Helen's. First, the place is awesomely decorated for Christmas. It's like a whacky fantasyland! I met two friends for dinner. I had one of their specialty cocktails to start which, honestly, I didn't love. But, that was the only downside to dinner. I had the roasted carrot starter which was delicious. Perfectly roasted carrots with whipped feta, sunflower seeds and radishes. Sooooo good! I had the pork chop for my entree. It was perfectly cooked and serviced with roasted Brussels sprouts and broccoli with a butternut squash purée. It was amazing. I had a Cote du Roussion with it. Service here is casual but friendly. I didn't pay, so I don't know how much the total bill was. I'd guess it was around $160 including tax and gratuity for two martinis, a specialty cocktail, three starters and entrees. I can't wait to go back. read more

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At the bar had some shrimp and grits. As with the every dish I gave had there, excellent. A little different with the bacon and very good twist. Limited but outside seating has been added, so something for regulars to think about. Very attentive staff will win you over. read more

Been waiting to try this place for a while now. Went here on a Saturday morning for brunch. They have decent sized menu that gives options for all. Some vegan options, but not the place to really bring your vegan friends for lots of options. I enjoyed the Florentine benny with curry potatoes. Everything was cooked to perfection. It's a small corner restaurant with not a ton of seating and dim lighting. Good for an intimate date or just a small gathering with friends. Service was ok, nothing stood out, but they did take good care of us. I'll go back and try their dinner menu soon! read more

Helen's - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Permit me to paint the canvas. It was a dark and stormy night. I walked through the entrance of a deserted edifice. The creaky door slammed shut behind me. Turning around startled, I stared at my reflection as a hand appeared grasping my shoulder...AAAAHHHHHH! JK Fam! With a restaurant that was dubbed @foodnetwork "Most Haunted Restaurants in VA," I had to start this one off like that however; it was no where near empty. IT'S RVA's Restaurant Week! This quaint, neighborhood spot had it's origins in 1912 as a pharmacy called Fletchers. Later, it was brought by Humbert and Marie Donati and morphed into a fine dining establishment. In 1935, they gifted their extremely business savvy daughter the locale on her 21st birthday, hence the name. The gothic appeal and contemporary twist on southern cuisine, are the staples that I experienced on last night's dining adventure. Nestled in the heart of Richmond's Fan District, on the corner of W Main St. And Robinson, Ladies and Gentlemen of Discovering RVA, allow me to pull back the curtains from the eerily eclectic, Helen's. @helensrva . Appetizer- CRISPY PORK BELLY~ Crispy and savory Pork Belly accompanied by pickled fennel, apple, radish, pepitas, resting atop a sweet potato puree. . Entree- Duck Breast- Delectable Duck Breast escorted by fresh baby carrots, red cabbage, roasted cauliflower, celery root puree, pistachios, highlighted with an amazing plum sauce. . Wine Pairing- a glass of 2018 Les Terrasses, Côtes du Roussillon, Régis Boucabeille, France. . Dessert- Chocolate & Plum Trio~smooth Chocolate Sousse, refreshing Plum Sorbet, & Mascarpone laying on cocoa soil, pistachio praline, and chocolate gel, garnished by thin slices of fresh apples. . Frankie- Thank you so much for your service and hospitality. . Chef Clay- My Brother! Look, I see you were ripping and running for Restaurant Week. Thank you for checking on me before I arrived, holding me down, and the photo opt with the Squad! Cheers to you and a successful week! . #discoveringrva . #804 #va #virginia #rva #richmond #richmondva #rvadine #rvaeats #Rvafood #food #foodies #foodshare #foodstagram #foodiesofinstagram #yummy #foodblog #lifestyle read more

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Great Sunday brunch today! We had biscuits and gravy and shrimp and grits. Chef Clay and his staff never disappoint for brunch or dinner. Our favorite place in Richmond. If you haven't been, check it out!! read more

Oh. My. God. This was honestly the best meal I've had in the last year. I can't remember the waitress' name, but she had cool tattoos and jewels in her teeth and funky, sparkly fingernails and she was super friendly and awesome. read more

Helen's - Braised Corned Beef Hash - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Always a great meal! The place is small, but cozy and welcoming. great experience and service.

The portly, bearded doorman working on New Year's Eve was on an unwarranted power trip, and the experience was unattractive enough to ensure I'll hit any bar before I go back to Helen's. For whatever reason, he decided to split our party because the building had reached occupancy, which seems reasonable, however; people that had apparently previously entered or knew this man somehow were allowed entry despite "max occupancy". When I asked if he could just inform the rest of or party that we would have to wait outside, he adopted an ugly attitude that quickly degenerated our conversation into him being, for lack of better words, an ass to me specifically. I was sober and coherent and I'm sure this guy could have spent all night dealing with various levels of intoxication and manners, but he really cashed in on whatever chip was on his shoulder. Total ass, for no discernible reason. Skip Helen's, if only to avoid the stuff they deem as adequate door people... and hit any of the other bars in area. There are tons! read more

Visited for the first time for restaurant week. I find it's a good time to try out new places, and Helen's did not disappoint! The restaurant is small with lots of copper and dark wood, so it's an intimate space. There is an open kitchen here too, so the smells of cooking food permeate the space. The service was attentive, but not hovering. The cocktail menu is eclectic, but a bit heavy on gin and mezcal options. (I ordered a Ruby Sparks, and it was delicious.) On to the food.... Amazing. Everything was amazing. My friend and I didn't even eat much of our entrees as the appetizers were rich and filling, and we knew dessert was coming. I had cumin roasted carrots with whipped feta, she had the lump crab mac & cheese. For entrees, I had a hanger steak with a well spiced squah puree, and she had a cider braised pork shank with brussel sprouts that was incredible. (According to the server, the pork shank is a regular item on their fall menu and I will be back for that.) Desserts were yummy too - a hazelnut torte and an apple fritter. Both were served with a tangy buttermilk ice cream. The torte was sitting on a smear of rich chocolate ganache. The fritter was lighter than I expected, in a good way, and served over a citrusy caramel sauce. All in all, excellent meal, and I will be back. I would really like to try brunch, and some of the other dinner items on their menu! read more

Amazing food!!! My boyfriend got the Eggs benny Florentine. Eggs were perfect, hollandaise wasn't too lemony. I got the veggie hash which was very flavorful. There was a lovely splash of fresh lime on top too. Both came with these curry potatoes that were perfectly crispy. Soo good and not overpowering. The coffee is local and we really enjoyed that too. A couple things about service.. We've both have been servers for 3+ years so we know how the business works. It wasn't that busy and when our food was ready, initiated by a *ding* right in front of us, a couple servers passed it 3-4 times and did not deliver it to us for about 3 minutes. Our server did check on us once but we waited with empty plates for 15 minutes until we asked for our bill. Its a shame because I feel like they would get more customers if the service was better. Maybe BRUNCH across the street? read more

Thank you clay!!! Great place Mimosa pitchers Wonderful menu selections We will return read more

Helen's - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Small place but their food is pretty good! Love coming here on Sunday's for brunch. Their chicken biscuit is a must have along with a coffee or mimosa. There isn't a large waiting area, so be sure to dress seasonally appropriately as you will be waiting for your table in their outside waiting area. read more

Here I go dishing out a 5 star review to another RVA restaurant. Helen's was firing on all cylinders at brunch yesterday and this is a justifiable perfect rating. From the moment we walked in, mom and I were met with genuine smiles from the staff. Love the cozy charm of this place. Tin ceiling, quirky light fixtures, bright colors. Small space but doesn't feel cramped at all. So much looked good on the brunch menu, I had a pretty tough time deciding what to order. Since the menu featured an entire section dedicated to bennies, I decided to order from it. I went with the pork belly BBQ benny and boy was it packed with rich flavors and textures. I had to force myself to slow down! Hash browns were also perfect, and I could tell they were made fresh. Mom loved the corned beef hash that was topped with an egg. They kept our coffee cups full. And the coffee is locally roasted and very good. When we left multiple servers thanked us and wished us a nice day. read more

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One of my favorite places. Wanted to share with my dad - we just lost my mom. Had a reservation for last night through Open Table. Showed up to a dark and locked restaurant on a Friday night. No sign no nothing. read more

I would give them a 4.0 for the food, but a 2.0 for honoring prices on their menu (see below). Curry potatoes are great. Chocolate chip pancakes are fluffy and crispy on the edges. Crab cake eggs benedict was quite good too. Menu says the coffee is $3 but it'll come out on your bill as $6. It's because they switched to Lamplighter coffee beans. They literally (physically) shrugged it off when we asked about it and admitted they KNEW of the mistake but still didn't honor the price on their menu. $6 for just an iced coffee, even at a nice coffee shop, is a lot... Please change your menu or just use a pen to write in the right prices. If you plan to charge 2x the amount for your coffee then make sure you let your patrons know before they order, don't let them find out when you give them the bill. You know the price is wrong on the menu and upcharge your customers hoping they don't notice it on bill. read more

Brunch review: We had to wait 45 mins for a table which says this must be a good place. Once seated I ordered the biscuits and gravy. It was delicious. My table also ordered a side of banana pancakes as one friend swore by them. Initially, I was skeptical, but easily became a believer at first bite. I was surprised by my meal in the best way. Now, it did take about an hour to get our food. I'm not sure if this is normal or not as this was my first visit. Honestly, it wasn't horrible. I got to catch up in conversation with friends. Great time. read more

Note: This review is solely based on Helen's Sunday Brunch. My other half and I absolutely love Helen's for Sunday brunch. The mimosas, the breakfast potatoes, but most of all their amazing strawberry pancakes. They are the best in Richmond and are only rivaled in my opinion by one other restaurant in Southern North Carolina that actually has the word "pancake" in it's name. The pancake itself is soft and fluffy but uniquely flavorful with the warmth of cinnamon. The the strawberries are actually caramelized. I know. Mind-blowing. They are sticky and with a sugary syrup but not overly sweet. We used to try to mask our pancake addiction by ordering other things (which are all delicious) now we only order pancakes until we can eat no more. Get here early or wait for the crowd to subside and enjoy. read more