Oh mannnn... RVA restaurants are 3 for 3 this trip, rounded out by this James Beard Award semi finalist. I've been dying to come here since it first opened and every time thereafter whenever any friend raves about it. Finally we had our chance snagging a last minute cancellation. Food is a solid 5/5 even if priced similar to New York City. Portions were generous without being too much to handle. A friend suggested I order the Faberge Egg which was essentially their creative spin on a deviled egg topped with salmon roe and black caviar, served on a bed of bitter greens and wrapped in smoke salmon. For my main, I chose the pork belly on a bed of fava beans and other vegetables with a red tomato reduction (I think?) - melts in your mouth kind of goodness, yet the outside was slightly crispy. My husband ordered the market Filet Mignon topped with foie gras. The most perfect reddish- pink center you could imagine. Next time I'm ordering that. Overall fantastic dining experience that lives up their reputation, from the food to the over-the-top decoration and ambiance. read more

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I heard nothing but great things and this restaurant did not disappoint. I loved the ambiance - dim, intimate lighting with interesting and unique decor. The music was just the right volume and it was not particularly loud even being a full house, which made it a pleasant experience for someone like myself with sensory sensitivities. The menu had a variety of options. We got the faberge egg, the lobster Mac and cheese, filet, and a seasonal lavender crème brûlée which were all absolutely delicious. The service was prompt and we were well taken care of. read more

L'Opossum - Lobster Mac and Cheese - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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TRYING 2 HARD TO BE DIFFERENT Had super high hopes for this place. Drove all the way from Raleigh to take a relative for a significant birthday. My first impression was that the homoerotic/clown motif was a bit over the top. Music was pleasantly eclectic and not blared. It was darker inside than I prefer. Dark enough in fact, that I was forced to de-bone my quail by braille. Crab cakes had actual lump crab meat. The Swellington entree was cooked perfectly and quite tasty. Overall, the food was very good but just seemed overly busy - too much going on. Our server was awesome, super friendly and attentive. No complaints there. read more

One of my favorite restaurants ever. The ambiance, the music, the service and the food are all impeccable. I had the Ceasar salad, crab cakes and Bundt cake. They were all amazing. The grilled Ceasar salad was perfectly charred and flavorful, the crab cakes were all lump and the pirate cake was perfect in moisture and sweetness, it is a hidden gem in Richmond! Go if you haven't already! read more

Looked forward for some time to experiencing L'opposum, but very disappointed. Bartender was fantastic, ambiance was original, food was solid...and I've never been so persistently rushed at a restaurant and then asked 3 times by the owner if I "was following him" on why the 2 hour limit was important when we'd been there 80 minutes and $250 in. We never asked to see the owner or anyone else. We tipped 10% and departed. We were going to let it go. But then the owner cancelled our Resy reservation 10 minutes after we left. Only reason we can think of - he anticipated a bad review and you can't leave reviews if res is cancelled. Feels petty so we feel it valuable to share our experience. Resy was clear that there was a 2 hour window for the reservation we had at 5. We were there before 5, but they didn't open the front door until 5 min after and after knocking on the door twice. Place was empty so we asked if we could shift our reservation from bar to table. Answer was no, tables were full. Ok, fair. Drinks and apps came quick. Finishing apps, staff quite literally asked if they could clear our plate while I was holding my fork after eating the last bite, and then stood there. We were asked 3 times for our entree order while still eating the apps. It's 530ish now. We order, food comes quickly and was solid not spectacular. Again, food on my plate and asked twice if they could clear plate. We were asked about desert at about 615, while another staff member was clearing plates. We asked the bartender half joking if he was trying to get rid of us. He laughed, then owner shows up. He said they weren't rushing us but wanted to make sure we had time for dessert because there was a 2 hour limit. At 620p. He then proceeded to confirm if I saw the 2 hour limit, how important the window was for them and said "are you following me?" 3 times. It's 625p. Been sitting for 80 of our 120 minutes and now the owner is saying how important it is for them to hold to 2 hours and "are you following me?" We asked if he was following us and answer was yes. We declined dessert. 5 min later he brought a dessert out on the house. It's 630p. Was a nice gesture I guess but drinks were empty, we had the check in front of us and spent 5 minutes confirming we were "following him." We left and noted 6 tables had not been seated yet We won't be heading back. If you go, I recommend you familiarize yourself with the menu before you head there so you're prepared. read more

Have been to L Opossum many times and every experience has lived up to the hype. All food and cocktails are created with great thought to flavor and presentation. This go round we had reserved bar dining (only option). The service had a slow start. We sat for over 10 mins before the bartender asked for our drink order.. I get it, one person making drinks for the entire restaurant takes some time. But after that point he was very attentive. I ordered the Inner Saboteur, my guy had Throwing Shade. I absolutely loved the jalapeño and bell pepper infused tequila. It was such a uniquely flavored cocktail. For our meal, we started with the crab and corn bisque and French onion dip. Then dinner we shared the beef swellington and Capt Jared's daily catch - Arctic Char. Who doesn't love a little surf and turf. The guest beside us at the bar had the crab cakes and the meal looked so wonderful I initially doubted the fish selection but the Char was rich and flavorful and the muscles were a nice accompaniment. After dinner we had to throw in the towel as there was absolutely no room left for dessert. Suggestion to diners: Don't sit at the bar if you can help it. You get a better dining experience at a table for the same cost. Plus you won't have people constantly walking past you running food and dirty dishes. Bring cash as there's a 4% feefor cards and be mindful of the bill as the 4% is added to the cost of each item so if you're paying cash, you have to calculate the cost minus the 4% to ensure proper tipping. The music can get loud, maybe bc the restaurant was clearing out as we had a later reservation. So less people chatting means louder volume of music? Also, the music doesn't create a more relaxed vibe as you would hope for at a high end restaurant. read more

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I really liked the curtains at the door when you first came through the door. It Made it feel like you were entering a different world. The decor also helped with that, very eclectic random pieces, which were all very interesting. Quirky to say the least. We ordered 2 cocktails (throwing shade, and the spicy tequila cocktail). My cocktail was a little on the sweet side, but still enjoyable. We started with the soup of the day (lobster bisque with a beet drizzle). Very delicious, I think the drizzle was for aesthetic, because I didn't taste the beet at all. Our entrees were, the catch of the day (Artic Char) and the quail stuffed with waygu. Quail was delicious, served over a very flavorful ca jun rice with shrimp, and the sauce was delightful. My friend said her fish was cooked to perfection with crusty skin, and flaky tender meat. We ordered the limoncello creme brulee for dessert. I am not big on desserts, so I can't speak to how good it was. My friend said it was nice. We were only able to get a bar seating booking that was 3 weeks out. We were seated at the end of the bar right by the chef's pass. Not the most desirable seating, but it was fine. Our server was also our bartender. Nice guy over all, however it was strange he didn't notice us for an extended amount of time, and we had to call him over. There were only 2 other parties seated at the bar. He was nice, and explained everything thoroughly, but I just felt like he could have been a pinch more attentive. Overall, I do recommend L'Opossum. Looking for a delicious meal in a fun place, go here. This take on modern french fair, is CERTAINLY delicious and unexpected. I loved the funny word play of the cocktails on the menu. Anything different, and eclectic you can count me in. The price of their entree's, I thought was a little steep, however, I'm not gonna knock their hustle! read more

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Everyone is raging about this place wanted to give it a try, the food really didn't disappoint. The oyster app is really good, oven baked with spinach and bacon really brings out a good flavor. The filet mignon was cooked to perfection. No sauce needed. It topped with a wonton pocket of foie gras. So adding some creamy taste to it, and the truffle oil just makes it smell extra delicious. My partner had the pork belly, it's really the tender. The decor in this place is like a old gay bar turned into a restaurant. A lot of queer art and male nudity display. A lot of "David" in every corner where you lay eyes to. Really funky and exotic Make sure to make reservation WAY ahead of time, or frequently check the last minute cancellation. I was able to grab a late 8:30pm seating only a day in advance. read more

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It's been six years since my first 5 star review of L'Opossum, so I figured it was time for an update, and... they haven't missed a beat. They're still my favorite restaurant in Richmond. Every single dish is amazing. I got the Faberge Egg appetizer. Fun and delicious. A bit salty, but so what. I forgot what my friend got, but his was also salty. Hmmm. For the main course, I got the crabcakes, which were delicious and plentiful. I ate every bite and damned near licked the plate! My friend got the lamb, and it was oh so delicious. The lamb was so tender, and the spaetzle was what took it over the top. Such a comfort food! Makes you feel loved and safe! And a very generous portion. He took most of it home. For dessert, I got the devil's in the details. Definitely for the chocolate lover, and the perfect sized portion. My friend got the lavender-limoncello creme brulee. He liked it. The decor is so weird to me. Dark. The menu is still over-written without telling you what you need to know about what you're ordering. That said, our server was very good with describing what we asked about. L'Opossum is a special experience, with a special price! But something you MUST experience. read more

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Ambiance was destroyed by the extremely loud music. Twice we asked for the volume to be lowered to no avail. As result all the patrons had to speak loudly to hear each other giving the restuarant the sound of a sports bar. Our waitress had to bend down and cover one ear to take our order. We were dining with friends who had recently moved to Richmond and they were very disappointed. They will probably never dine here again. The food is outstanding as are the drinks. It was just too loud to enjoy the evening, which was an unusual experience. read more

My husband and I ate here last night and were sadly very disappointed by the food, especially for the crazy high prices. We live in DC and go out for French food constantly, and couldn't believe that the food here was more expensive than anything in downtown dc. Our server was very sweet and did a great job explaining everything, but the food didn't live up to the explanation. We started with the squash soup and the escargots per her recommendation. The soup was so sour, someone went crazy with the vinegar to the point where it was hard to eat. The escargots were fine, nothing special. For entrees my husband got the beef swellington and I got the stuffed quail. We were given the option of adding table side truffle service which he said yes to, and the guy who did it must've never seen a truffle shaved before. He used a micro plane that produced dust instead of the beautiful round shavings of truffle most places do. Not worth the money at all. Once again, the sauces on both plates were so sour, it left a bizarre taste in our mouth. I will say the quail was very good on its own, I just wish the greens and sauce didn't have so much acid I was excited by their dessert menu but after the first two rounds of food we felt like we had seen enough. Service was great but the food was very disappointing and I wish we spent our one night in Richmond at a place like Stella's where we knew what we would have gotten. read more

L'Opposum feels like a secret in Richmond, because I had literally never heard of this place until my partner found it and decided to book a spot. We had to make the reservation over a month in advance, because dinner spots fill up very fast. It is located on the intersection of two residential streets with very lackluster signage and a single door. We expected service to be attentive and a little more timely, but it was just fine and nothing to write home about. As vegetarians we asked about options and were told about a couple menu choices - to start, we got the French Onion Dip and Vegan Orgy, both of which were pretty good. I really like caramelized onions and so enjoyed the French Onion Dip, although some of the onions were a bit burnt. The vegan dips with poppadoms were pretty good, we liked the red pepper hummus and the pesto dips the best. For mains we got the Mon Petit Chou and Swank Bank mac & cheese without lobster (which I appreciated they said they charge the same as the Mon Petit Chou since the expensive lobster is removed from the dish). The braised cabbage, savory oniony broth and homemade ricotta in the Mon Petit Chou was delicious, and we liked that dish more than the Swank Bank, which tasted a little weird and not super creamy. Tbh one of the best parts of the meal was probably the complimentary bread and creaaaaamy housemade butter - like eating a fluffy cloud! Would recommend L'O for a special date night but tbh you aren't missing much if you don't come / aren't able to get a reservation. read more

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Ah, L'Opossum, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Actually, in order to not make this an absolute novel, because having been more than once the list just sort of goes on forever, please accept that the ever-changing menu, the delicious cocktails, the ingenious appetizers and entrees, and the incredibly eccentric décor are just an experience you have to have to understand. The singular downside (excepting the number of dishes that have foie gras, which I do not eat, But which most people do not exactly see as a negative) is that it's extremely difficult to get a table. The place is usually booked a month or more in advance, which requires either a great deal of prior planning or, if you are lucky, calling the restaurant directly to see if they might have spot open. Out of the seven or eight entrees and appetizers and considerably-more-than-that drinks I have sampled, literally everything is a hit. The names are cheeky, the flavors are exquisitely well balanced, the ingredients are seasonal and often local if they can manage, and my dessert is occasionally on fire which really, what more could a girl want? read more

I am so sad as we waited 3 months to get in with a reservation. Trust me when I say it really is "hype." I am so sad as it was a special day and the food did not live up to the price or my expectation. It all looked good, but it was all salty .. what a freaking shame! I am going to stick with Rappahannock's when I am paying more. The drinks were good and the service was good. read more

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My partner and I wanted to find a more upscale place in Richmond to celebrate a special occasion. All of his friends had recommended this place, so we were really excited to try it. We booked it about a month in advance for a Saturday night. Even before we stepped foot in the restaurant, you could tell this place cares about their patrons. My partner received *three* calls before the night: first returning our call, then letting us know our reservation time was slightly moved up, and then our server reminding us again + asking what we were celebrating. A little much, but I appreciated it- especially for the expense of the meal! Their menu changes, but some of the foods I got to try: -Faberge Egg with Caviar and Salmon: I'm Ukrainian, so this absolutely reminded me of the food I grew up eating. Beet-juice soaked deviled egg. Plenty of dill. Roe. Champagne jelly was interesting, but exactly how think it would taste. -Seared scallops and Pork Belly: this dish was amazing! from the grits, to the perfectly caramelized pork belly. My first time having scallops- perfect crispiness on the outside and smooth like butter once you bite into it. -Jumbo crab cakes: again- amazing! We licked our plates clean. Cocktails were okay- I tried two. Not too memorable, and definitely not on the same level of the food. read more

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The atmosphere,staff and food were amazing. The decor and menu definitely stand out as a little risqué, but not over the top

Everything was on point! Food was made to perfection and i cannot wait to go back. Very friendly and professional service and def one of the best in all of Rva. read more

L'Opossum is my very favorite restaurant in Richmond! Chef David Shannon is an absolute genius when it comes to food. He puts a fun twist on modern French cuisine, and takes food to another level. The house cocktails are worth trying--so fun and really tasty. The foie gras preparation varies seasonally, but my husband always enjoys it. As far as entrées, my husband and I both love their classics, the Beef "Swellington" and the "Swank Bank." Their seasonal rotating entrées are also a solid choice and never disappoint. For dessert, try the "Devil's in the Details" (formerly "Hot Black Bottom á la mode") if you love chocolate. The Swashbuckling Bundt Pirate is also one of our favorite desserts. Yo-ho-ho to Hot Buttered Rum!!! Take a closer look at the wall hangings and decor, because the food isn't the only whimsical and attention grabbing showstopper you'll find! L'Opossum has a great, fun vibe and the best music! We've discovered many a great cover song thanks to our L'opossum dining experiences. The service is always exceptional and our experiences have been perfectly executed. Whenever I have menu questions or am on the fence between options, our server takes my questions and preferences into consideration and provides perfect recommendations. I can't recommend L'Opossum enough! read more

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We went to l'opossum for my birthday. I made a reservation 2 months in advance just because prime dinner time is so hard to get at this place. I have heard so many good things about l'opposum & was really excited. As someone who lived in Paris for a long time, I really wanted to love this place. However, 1) this is not classical french fine dining, it's more casual on the modern side, but the price is pretty steep for casual dining, it is kind of confusing where it stands as a high-end or a trendy restaurant 2) the menu was not descriptive at all (They have a dish called texas nude beach or something like that), I think whoever wrote the menu wanted to be witty, but ended up just being confusing. 3) the appetizers are amazing, and the entree was fine. What was very strange is you cannot place an appetizer order without also placing your entree order, so we ended up getting drinks on an empty stomach because we couldn't decide what entree we want so we couldn't order apps 4) The waiter told us he has another table in 30 minutes coming in so if we want dessert we needed to decide (while we are still half way through our entree) otherwise there's no time, and that was a mood killer & we feel like we are being rushed to finish eating fast so they can turn around the table for the next group. I was really sad at the end. Overall, I don't think I can recommend L'Opposum, simply because you can get better food and services with the same price, or visit other french restaurants for a romantic dinner in the area. Really wish we loved it :// If you have plenty of cash to spare, this may be a good place for you. read more

L'Opossum - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Yes, there's so much I could say, but what you need to hear is make the reservation and go read more

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Delicious, quirky, & fancy!!! Having a vegan friendly appetizer and entree is so appreciated!! The Laura Palmer cocktail was perfect and not too sweet. The Vegan Orgy on Texas Beach appetizer of vegan dips was fresh and delicious. Loved the cabbage & veggie dish they had on the menu (just removed ricotta to make vegan). Service is so friendly and attentive. Perfect for date night or fancy night out for any occasion! read more

L'Opossum - Vegan orgy on Texas beach appetizer - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Absolutely fantastic, they have a great system here, food is great portions and full of flavor read more

L'Opossum - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Anyone who visits L'Opossum is in for quite a ride. This stalwart of the Richmond restaurant scene has its tongue firmly in cheek for every component of the dining experience. The decor comprises attention grabbing antique brick-a-brack, bizarre surrealist paintings, and Star Wars memorabilia among many other eclectic items. Flowery, comedic prose features heavily in the menu descriptions, and dishes are presented with over the top elegance. The cocktails even come with souvenirs, specifically the "Jock Snifter" cocktail which offers a tropical, fresh palette yet arrives crowned with a plastic toy jock strap. The restaurant effuses character and none could characterize it as "boring." As arguably the most interesting place to dine in Richmond, reservations can be elusive. My wife luckily snagged a Saturday night table for my birthday dinner, and we eagerly visited. While French food isn't our favorite, the dishes we sampled at L'Opposum leaned more Creole than classic in flavor and, subsequently, satisfied our palates immensely. To start, we split the "Faberge egg" amongst ourselves which comprised a gaudily (in the best possible way) presented deviled egg topped with caviar, cured salmon, and dill. The dill tasted a little overpowering, but the presentation and other flavors within the appetizer made it successful. The restaurant also offers an excellent, complimentary bread service which helped fill our bellies with quality carbs and rich butter. For the main course, I opted for the stuffed quail and received a tender little bird stuffed generously with pork cheek and served atop Cajun rice and vegetables. The flavors appropriately evoked New Orleans cuisine and individual ingredients were cooked with skill. My brother in law went with the famous "Swank Bank" (i.e. truffled lobster mac and cheese), and the dish lived up to its promise of indulgence with a luxurious cheese sauce and ample chunks of buttery crustacean. We rarely select chicken while dining out, but my wife's decision to go for a chicken special proved successful as the bird offered juicy meat and crisp skin and, again, the seasoning and accompaniments looked to Creole food and resulted in a flavorful bite. Despite how wacky the food and ambiance can be, the service here is consummately professional and warm. Our server took great care of us during our meal and we noticed similarly attentive behavior towards other tables. The prices run high for food and drink, but we ultimately left the meal full and with plenty to talk about. L'Opposum thus is well suited for a special occasion meal or for just a unique dining experience full of character. read more

I have not had the pleasure of eating here, but it's not for lack of trying. Can't ever get reservations and when you call, the front staff are rude and don't point you in the right direction. Also they are listed in both open table and on resy but don't accept resy reservations. I'm sure the food is excellent but likely will never get the opportunity. Also who only accepts cash?!?!? read more

Oh, L'Opossum, you have my heart . This is one special place. From the moment you walk in through the thick velvety curtains at the door, you have entered a maximalist, eclectic den of luxury and decadence best enjoyed through a lens of nostalgia and humor. An array of whimsical ‍, colorful light fixtures are flanked by walls painted thickly with a rich red paint, upon which are hung a smattering of memorabilia and art . The lighting is dim, the quirk of the decor is endearing, and the food is pure magic . I've had the pleasure of eating here a few times and every time I'm more blown away. I started the meal with a delightfully cocktail called 'The Jock Snifter', composed of Tom of Finland Vodka, Guava Jelly, Grapefruit & Aquavit. After drinks, we followed it up with Les Escargots a la ham biscuit . Snails will always be a divisive ingredient, but they're a personal favorite. Served with a garlic beurre blanc , I was sorry when it was gone. Luckily, I had the Filet Mignon of Beef "Swellington", which is basically (although the word basic has no place here) a deconstructed beef wellington . Beef wellington is my all time favorite meal, so I was hesitant to order a version that would dare to deconstruct it. However, I'm SO glad that I took the risk, because it was a show stopper . The absolutely perfect filet is topped with a jaunty little "fascinator" hat of truffled duxelles aux Champignons et Cognac wrapped up in puff pastry, and drizzled with pink peppercorn and port reduction. Find an occasion to get yourself here- it is worth the splurge! And, if you can't find one, don't sleep on making that reservation and come Ċëḷëḅṛäẗë the fact we have a restaurant this good in Richmond. read more

I'll be so for real I hated this place Confusing atmosphere Food was mid Way overpriced Waitress spilled wine all over myself and my partner Staff acted bizarre the whole time And for a place with gender neutral bathrooms it was an oddly unwelcoming space read more

Service was friendly and prompt, ambience was nice, music not too loud so we could converse. The rest of our party seemed to enjoy the food, but I was really not impressed. It's trying a bit too hard to be quirky I think, and it's really not French cuisine at all. I had crab cakes, two tiny 1.25 inch things which tasted decent but were really an appetizer at best. This on a bed of spinach which somehow tasted like it had vinegar on it? Quite unpleasant. The two tiny potates were well cooked. I've eaten at similarly priced restaurants in London, Paris, Prague and in a number of other large US cities. This place isn't even close. Honestly the worst thing is the menu which tells you almost nothing about the food, and is just trying to be clever. read more

Absolutely amazing. Might even be the best food I've had in Richmond higher end wise. Worth every penny!!! FOOD: The lobster Mac was ridiculous. It was the best lobster Mac I've had anywhere!!! Mac and cheese cooked perfectly with the crisps on top, mixed with cuts of asparagus. So much umami and salt and savory goodness. And the lobster was just phenomenal. HUGE portion so my partner ended up eating some of mine. My partner got the crab cakes and it was equally delicious and I don't even like crab cakes usually! It's of course legit crab so maybe that's why. We stayed for dessert and the devils one was so good and aesthetic with the ice cream and brownie ahhh!!! SERVICE: Service was also fantastic. They are so on top of everything from water to drinks to boxing our door. My partner left his jacket and the gentleman at the bar ran outside to look for us. AMBIANCE: Definitely romantic and fancier vibe but not where you'd need to dress up. Love the art and hipster vibe!! OVERALL: Such a great experience!! I'd recommend reservations though because there is always a wait and even with reservations ours was later around 8:30. They do seat you on time though which is awesome. read more

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As Lady Gaga once said "talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before." My husband and I went to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary - this dinner was well worth staying up past our normal bedtime of 8 pm (we have an infant, to be fair). The staff were lovely & welcoming, but not pushy or exaggerated. We had a fantastic time and will definitely be back. read more

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Such a delicious spot. Perfect for date night. We sat at the bar (reserved our spot 3 months in advance), and everything was impeccable. From our escargot appetizer to our many fantastic cocktails, this spot is special. The decor is quirky and memorable. This is definitely an experience. For an entree, I had the lamb with rosemary and spaetzle, which I'm pretty sure is a seasonal dish. The remoulade was tomato based with lemon notes and was so bright and fresh. My husband had the swank bank, a menu standard, with lobster mac and cheese. Delectable. Our cocktails were fantastic - I had a yoo hoo based cocktail with sea salt. Perfectly sweet and salty. My husband had a version of the old fashioned, and loved it so much he didn't want to try another. Dessert was dramatic (flambe!) and delicious. This spot is a restaurant experience. Worth the wait. Every bite is well planned and executed. Recommend wholeheartedly. read more

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L'Opossum has been on my list since I arrived to Richmond almost a month ago. I called last week and asked if it was easy to get a seat at the bar if I arrive early and I'm solo and the hostess said I should be able to get a seat with no problem. Some locals said it might be tough to get in but I arrived a little after 5 PM on Wednesday and was able to get a bar seat with ease. I got a parking spot right out front which I was thrilled by since parking in some areas of the city can be a hassle. I was greeted by two nice hostesses and seated at the bar right away. I was actually the first one at the bar, but just know, that some of the bar seats are reservation only so I'm sure it can be a challenge some nights as a walk in. The bar service was great and the atmosphere is very dark, which I thought was pretty cool even though I'm more into well light atmospheres like Pinky's. The Beef Swellington was amazing. It's their take on Beef Wellington, obviously. I'm not a fan of Carrots or Pearl Onions but I thought both were a nice compliment to this dish. I was very impressed with the whole experience here and I'd love to return. read more

L'Opossum - Beef Swellington - New American Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I can't believe it's taken me this long to write a review for my favorite Richmond restaurant. I'd like to start by saying that Chef David Shannon is one of the most talented artists I've ever known, and it's a blessing to have his food. The restaurant is incredible. It resembles a 70s sexy Art Deco opium den (haha). The walls are dark, the art is all over, the music is gloomy and awesome. I can't describe the experience of the atmosphere, but there is nothing like it. I didn't want to leave. My boyfriend and I ordered a myriad of dishes. For apps we got the oysters Rockefeller, chef's Shannon's okay on a deviled egg, and the foie gras. I couldn't have been without any of these dishes. They were presented like art, and the flavors married so incredibly. My boyfriend had never had foie and he lost his mind. For entrees, I had the lobster Mac and cheese with black truffles, and Vincent had the filet also topped with black truffles. Nobody wanted to share. Each dish was masterpiece. I felt like I was LUCKY to be able to eat it. For dessert we had 3 items and I can't recall them but they were all to die for. My favorite was a rendition of a rum cake. The wine list is also perfection. I would 100% recommend going to Lo'possum and I also recommend making a reservation as it books up (understandably). What a Richmond gem! read more

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I was hopeful for dining here. The online reviews were promising. A James Beard nominee is high praise. There were a number of people waiting outside before the restaurant opened, a good sign.  There was a amazon delivery person that was in front of me in line to get in. I thought this was strange as most restaurant deliveries are received in the back. I was seated right away after I waited for the delivery to be signed for. At first the decor was a bit off putting. Later I appreciated it as there were star wars plates on the wall. I am a big nerd and I loved this.  The server was great. She knew the menu and offered great wine pairings. I had a cocktail to start. It wad DELICIOUS! HEAVEN IN A GLASS! The water was said to be infused with mint. I love mint! There was no mint in this water that I could taste. My soup was good. The potato was difficult to chop though and difficult to add to the broth, but very good. My reccomended wine pairing was very good. I'm glad it was very good because I was served a full glass. I would have preferred a small taste before a full glass is served because had I not liked it a full glass would have been wasted.  I had scallops for an entre. I was excited because I was presented a spoon first. I thought, spoon means delicious broth! I was also presented a steak knife. Why a sharp knife for scallops? While waiting for my entre another full glass of wine was served. The server asked if I was ready for another. I said no, as I was still nursing my first glass and was in no hurry. The glass was removed. Again, I'm glad I liked the first glass because I was in no means ready for another. It would be a waste to present a fully poured glass to have the guest say no thanks. The glass was not served, OK. My entre appeared quickly thereafter. It was presented well and looked delicious. I tried the broth first, it was very good. I removed the meat from my mussels and dug in. The mussels were cold. I could not cut through the scallops with my fork. Thus the previous presentation of the steak knife. Parts of the scallop were overcooked and parts were under-cooked. I see now why a steak knife was presented. The vegetables and greens in the dish were not cooked and raw. Exception being the peas. The peas were cooked perfectly. The carrots were of high quality, but not cooked. The consistency tasted like the raw baby carrots I give my child. The greens on the entre were still on the stem and seemed thrown onto the entre, not cooked into the entre. The onions tasted delicious, but were raw and undercooked. Imagine an under-done saute. The FLAVOR was EXCELLENT, the COOK, was RAW.  My wine paring for the entre arrived after I was well into the dish. I thought, was the previously offered full glass of wine the glass for my entre? A completely different vintage?  It was. Again, it's good that I liked it, otherwise a full glass would have gone to waste. The paring that the server recommended for the entre was spot on. It is a shame the food was not cooked to the same standard as the wine paring recommendation. I kept trying different bite combinations to see if the problem was me. Did I misunderstand the menu? Was I eating the dish incorrectly? Were the vegetables crispy and not undercooked? The flavor was DELICIOUS, but the cook was POOR.  The server and host were most accommodating. I told them exactly what I wrote above. They were genuinely apologetic and I was not charged for the entre. I would have gladly paid for everything. I told them so as I know the displeasure is most likely a me problem. They did not charge me. This was 100% a CLASS ACT. I tipped based on what the full amount should have been, not what it was. The desert menu seemed fair, but after my disappointment in the meal, I was reluctant, and did not try. I decided to have another cocktail for my desert and it was DELICIOUS! I was given the bill and told there was no rush. An all to brief moment later I was asked if this was ready to be taken care of? NO was the answer, but I promptly presented my card. I went to the bathroom, it was very clean and pleasant, and left.  My very poor rating, and DO NOT RECCOMEND, stance comes from disappointment. The online reviews were good, BUT. It says James Beard, BUT. The service was excellent, BUT. The flavors were delicious, BUT. At the price point, and James Beard nominee listed on the restaurant's website, I expected more, and was severely disappointed. I DO NOT RECOMMEND. read more

It was worth the hype!! Finally got to go as a birthday present. Got braised pork belly with shrimp and beans with an amazing marsala mushroom sauce ( I would have liked to lick the plate if I didn't think that I would have embarrassed my fiancé.) For the caliber of restaurant it is. It's reasonably priced and I would highly recommend anybody go in there but good luck trying to get a reservation read more

Made a reservation here for our anniversary. Service was good and the place was crowded. This place is a French-ish or inspired restaurant. I would not call it classically French in any way and I felt their "twists" didn't add anything or in fact detracted from the meals they were presenting. The escargot had an overpowering glaze, instead of something more subdued as did some entrees. I did find the faberge egg interesting but couldn't identify all the ingredients listed on the menu in it. In the end it came out tasting like an expensive deviled egg. Not pictured in my photos was the chicken dish we got which was essentially a cumin roasted chicken, nothing special compared to other great places to get that and over seasoned, besides. The beef Wellington was a standout as one of the better dishes we got, but the whole place has a strange vibe and for me was overpriced for what you get. read more

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We travel to Richmond every fall for our anniversary, this year we discovered L'Opossum a must for anyone looking for excellent service and a great dinning experience. Everything from cocktails, to appetizers, to main course, to dessert was fabulous and unique. Top notch service in a non up tight surroundings. Escargot was extremely good and the duck confit was one of the best we have ever had. Halibut was stellar and the Moroccan spiced chicken were must haves. The custard dessert hit the spot. Also cannot forget very good wine list. If you have the opportunity do not miss. You will need reservations. read more

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Ugh L'Opossum, how I love you so... been coming here since the beginning and it's just my favorite place in RVA. So fabulous, so fun, so fancy - and they make me feel like a rock star the minute I walk in the door. It's just my happy place - perfect vibes every time! read more

Had dinner last night and overall it was a nice experience. The decor was great and the music even better. It is definitely eclectic with its art and ambience. Service was outstanding. The food- the French onion dip as a starter was good but a little small for price. Entrees were the crab cakes, were good not epic but solid, the beef Wellington, delicious and the Moroccan chicken also delicious. Desserts were solid. The price- pretty steep so although food was good not so sure it aligns with the very expensive pricing. read more

Delicious food! First time trying escargot - not bad taste, lots of garlic and bit rubbery. Filet was great, perfectly cooked. Branzino was melting in mouth good. Their desserts disappointed though - La Petite Mort chocolate dessert looks better than it tastes for me - very rich chocolate and boozy fruits! Lavender limoncello Creme brûlée my friend comment was that she never had more shallow/thin Creme brûlée but taste was yummy. Their decor is very eclectic, fun, different. Lots of things to look at. Tables are a bit cramped, and lighting is very dark/dimmed. Our server was okay kinda reserved, could have been a bit more friendly and open. If you want to eat here you need to make reservation months in advance!!! Especially on weekends! read more

L'OPOSSUM is fantastic. The atmosphere,food, drinks! We had to siti in the bar because there was no table available (we made the reservation 5 days prior). Next time I'll make sure we make plans with a bit more time in advance. Food is exceptional and the service is great! If you visiting Downtown Richmond this is a must! Thank you for the service :) read more

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