had dinner here last night with a group of friends and it was one of the best meals I've…read moreexperienced in the 757. Service was impeccable The food was diverse and delicious. Between the five of us, we probably ordered about half the menu and every single plate they brought out was delicious. On more than one occasion in the head, chef came out to the table to drop a plate or introduce a dish for us. Which is so incredibly rare in this area. The cocktail menu had something for everyone and all of the ones I sampled were excellent. Parking was easy the atmosphere was great. would absolutely recommend and be back.

We stopped in to see this place after the First Friday Sip & Stroll in downtown Portsmouth. We…read moreheard this was a cool little hidden gem, in a building that's been around for a couple hundred years and is partially underground and very "speakeasy like". Super glad we stopped in, the vibe is incredibly comfortable and cool and envelops your soul. Ambience: super cool, comfortable, a little dark, exposed brick walls with plaster patches, hardwood floors, heavy wood and leather furniture, incredible bar that is more like two bars in an L-shape with an unbelievable selection of anything you could ever want. This place is very solid feeling, you just feel safe and tucked in. Service: was fantastic, we met the executive chef named Ty who greeted us before we even sat down, just saw us sitting in the foyer bar and came over to say hello, very cool. We were greeted and seated by an absolute sweetheart upfront named Jackson and our server couldn't have been nicer, her name was Casey. Food: the food is all served tapas style, smaller plates, but well curated with interesting and innovative ingredients with beautiful presentation. Unfortunately, they were out-of four things that my wife wanted, she didn't want all of them simultaneously, she wanted one and they were out, and that happened three more times. Apparently, they often order in smaller batches and buy locally so sometimes they don't have as much as someplace buying in bulk, that's as much a positive as a negative, not a bad thing, just a bit of a bummer that she didn't get her first few choices. She ended up with the duck tacos which were good. We started with the brussels sprouts, which were also good and had nice presentation. We also started with bacon wrapped tots, the dish came with four of them and chili ketchup, beautifully presented, and rich, creamy, crunchy and yummy. I ordered the braised beef and fry bread and it was my favorite thing, very beefy flavored, warm and rich on soft pillowy fry bread with some cool crunch and crispy, thin plantain slices, very good. We started with a Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned that was delicious. Overall the food was very good and the value was decent at around $12-$16 per plate. Overall: this was a really good experience and I'd go back to try some of the things they were out of and enjoy the incredible bar and stellar, considerate, thoughtful service. Definitely recommend!

Great place in the Speak Easy! Be ready to transform into a different world. Service amazing great…read morefood highly recommend.

Spent just shy of $400 on 2 people in their "speak easy"…read more They add an 18% gratuity, on every check; and won't serve you until they make this clear. That alone: is a turnoff to me. I tip above 20% 95% of the time. The food was average at best. Temperature was off on both entries. Taste was nothing special. We only had 2 mixed drinks, and 2 glasses of wine. The 1st dirty martini was made with vermouth after I specifically said no vermouth. I was billed for both. Neither martini was topped off. Both were 1-1.5 inches from the top. Wine was fine. The service was ok. Not great. The table settings are bland, and could be found in a Dennys restaurant. After a below average dining experience; I was a bit surprised with a $375 bill. Suppose I should have paid more attention to the prices for side dishes and deserts. Adding insult to injury: I somehow left my Amex behind at the table. First time in my life. Then the fun began. My wife and I called the restaurant and had to leave messages 5 times between us, to confirm they had the card and to arrange a pickup. Not one call back: in 5 calls!!! Finally ordered a new card. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Stay away from these lazy people.

This was an awesome experience: I me too great servers and the food was certainly in the top…read morescoring realm. My phone was about to die and believe it or Not Anna and Madison went above and beyond to at least find a charger for me. My review for restaurants and servers are now on a different platform in Italy. But for those who remember me do know that I don't hesitate to be blunt. Well this place is ligit. And thanks to these 2 angels. I was very satisfied all around

Came to Freemason abbey for the first time for lunch and absolutely enjoyed…read more Inside, it looks like an older building, full of history, but still nice. We had a reservation, so we were seated immediately upon arrival. It was fairly empty in there as it was lunch time. Once seated, the waiter took our drink orders and bought out complimentary bread and butter which was so good! I wasn't super hungry so i got the soup and salad combo. I was told they are known for their she crab soup, and now, i see why! It was so good. There was plenty of crab meat in the soup as well. I wasn't a fan of the bread/cracker in the soup, but the soup itself was a 10/10.

This was my first visit to the establishment with my mother. We were seated promptly, and our…read moredrinks and meal orders were taken efficiently. However, the food took longer to arrive than I have experienced at other venues. While I am generally patient, the extended wait began to cause some frustration. When the food finally arrived, I was somewhat disappointed, as several dishes, such as the macaroni and cheese and green beans, were overly seasoned. My mother found the macaroni and cheese to be okay , but I found it excessively salty. Overall, I would rate the food a 5 out of 10. After some time, we were ready for our check, but our server was unavailable and took an extended period to return, even to check on how we were doing or to bring the bill. She did check on us after the food arrived, but during the wait, my mother and I grew increasingly annoyed and were ready to leave. Instead, we continued to wait. I later realized that she may have been assisting another group with a large event, which I understand is not her fault but likely a decision made by management. Ideally, she should not have been attending to multiple tables simultaneously, especially during a busy period involving a large party. As a result of the service experience, I did not feel inclined to leave a tip. We were aware that increased patience might have been necessary due to the larger party being served. Based on this experience, I do not plan to return to this establishment.

My friend was craving soul food so we decided to come check out District. We came in the wrong way…read morebut found our way to the hostess area and was seated quickly. We were surprised by how large the restaurant is. There is plenty of seating. The waitress came and brought us menus. Since it was holy hour I tried 5of the fried shrimp for a starter. I lap got a bahama mama and my friend got a tropical margarita. The shrimp were big and full of flavor, a little on the salty side but the cocktail sauce balanced them out For entrees I got the fried pork chops menu friend got turkey wings. We both got rice & gravy and collards for our sides. While we waited for our food there was a DJ playing music that kept the vibe going. Even with the amount of people it did not take a really long time for our food to come. I hadn't had fried pork chops in a while and they were really good. Crunchy but not too crunchy. The rice and gravy was pretty good and the collards weren't bad, a little overcooked for my liking. The cornbread was light and super sweet. It went well with the collards. Defiantly a great place for good food and good music on a Friday!!

kyle was amazing and the food was outstanding, I will tell everyone! I had cesar salad and salmon…read more The cesar was amazing and the Salmon..........outstanding. I will be back! The ambiance was wonderful. Kyle i will be back. vianetta

Kyle was amazing. Very engaging and knowledgeable about everything on the menu. Loved having him as…read moreour server the food and wine was divine. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Thank you so much.

Food is very good. Enjoy the cafe and their coffee is great! Casual ambiance. Very good at the…read moreservice they provide.

The only saving grace for this 3 star review is Cassidy. She tried. The kitchen? Botched it -…read moretwice. We had a very long day after a hospital discharge. Finally got a chance to eat dinner. I researched locations. Not our first time eating in this area at all. I have been wanting a good burger. This place fit the bill or so I thought. Bae ordered his smash burger pink. I ordered no pink. Both of us got double patties. Full transparency, I have cooked smash burgers myself. They are thin and cook quickly. Pink? I didn't want to take my chances on an undercooked burger. The menu only provides two options: pink and no pink. Simple! First the meatballs were delicious and not because we were starving. Cassidy was very patient and gave us plenty of time to make a decision. My first burger - looks can be deceiving. Zoom in. You'll see the burned edge of the bun and black onions. When I opened the burger to add mayo I discovered almost al the onions were black and there was no bacon to be found. Cassidy agrees that my onions were crissspy and not in a good way. She refires my burger. Bae's burger must have been fine. He made short work of it. The one time I did peek over his patty looked more no pink than pink so they didn't get that right either. My second burger? Cassidy and I agreed it was a marked improvement. I was impressed at how fast the second burger landed on the table. I'd already eaten the Brussel sprouts. Let's say the garlic butter didn't really taste like garlic or butter more like cheese. They did have a crispness to them like Cassidy said they would. An acceptable side. I had fries last night and didn't want more again tonight. Back to this second burger - after Cassidy left the table I cut it on two. Look at the pic. One chunk was raw. Pink pink. I was not with that. Not to mention no crispy edges. That ended my night. My long awaited dinner was a side dish. I told Cassidy that the message was received from the kitchen. They don't want me as a customer and that I was fine not to order anything else or return again. The music was a bit too loud for me. Playlist or channel was going me MTV of the late 80s early 90s. Awesome but just a bit too loud. They started getting a crowd as we were leaving. So this spot must get cranking as the night progresses. Thank you Cassidy for good service. Sorry the kitchen lost a customer.

FANTASTIC! Vibes? Yes!…read moreFood? Yes! Wine? Yes! Thank you to John who welcomed us and recommended good wine for our food We came here with our son, who recently moved to Norfolk. He came here for his first meal in town and John treated him to a glass of wine with his gourmet grilled cheese He brought us to the experience : Brussels sprouts -- delicious with sweet and spicy and hazelnut Goat cheese and beet salad: good dressing, nice mix, exactly what I wanted for dinner Truffle tots: yeah, tots are good, but with truffle and Parmesan? Wow!! The vibes here are great. There's music on but you can still talk to people. Seating at the bar or tables or, if the weather is nice, on the front porch. It has an elegant but relaxed feel that would make this place great for a date or friends ( or family!) We will be back And yep, we are back for tapas Tuesday where all small plates are $2 off Hummus -- ok Duck egg rolls good Lamb meatballs : GREAT flavor!! Roasted Carrot beet with labneh and dukkah : delicious Dumplings-- good but spicy for me Miso butter gnocchi with mushrooms-- delicious Roasted salmon-- folks were split on this between "solid" and good Salad of farro and spinach with beets and goat cheese and pear -- this was amazing. The dressing had awesome spices in it that made the whole thing complex. 3 new wonderful wines ! Thanks to all at this restaurant for another amazing meal. You are our favorite Norfolk spot!!

From the moment we walked in, the ambience was warm and inviting. The service was truly…read moreexceptional--every team member was incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely seemed to care about making our visit perfect. The food was fantastic across the board, and the presentations were exceptionally creative, making each dish feel special. Everything came out beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious. A wonderful dining experience from start to finish. Highly recommended!

We found ourselves in downtown Norfolk and opted for dinner at Gershwin's on Granby Street…read more Gershwin's continues to deliver a polished dining experience, pairing New Orleans-inspired cuisine with attentive, professional service. It's the kind of establishment that understands both execution and consistency--two qualities that are increasingly rare and always appreciated. The shrimp and grits remains a signature highlight. The Creole sauce offers a restrained heat, balanced by a layered depth of flavor that speaks to careful preparation rather than excess. The shrimp are properly cooked, retaining a delicate snap, while the stone-ground grits provide a well-seasoned, creamy foundation. Each component is thoughtfully prepared, and together they form a cohesive dish that feels both composed and satisfying--an authentic nod to Cajun tradition without unnecessary embellishment. Gershwin's stands as a reliable fixture in the downtown dining scene. For those seeking a refined take on Southern and New Orleans classics, it is well worth the visit--and a strong example of the quality found within Norfolk's local restaurant community.

It would be zero stars if possible. And I can honestly say that I've eaten in restaurants across…read morethe world and the US, at many different price points and this was hands down the worst culinary experience of my life. If this restaurant was in an area that was even moderately competitive they would have been put out of business. The bar seems adequate but it was almost like they stopped serving food and forgot to tell anyone. I swear I'm not making this up, this actually happened: 1) it took over 2.5 hours for the entrees to come out. One came out so early that by the time the second set came out they were already done. 2) The only appetizer that was ordered that actually came out, arrived after the entree was done. 3) One person's order had to be changed 5x because the waiter kept coming back to say they're out. When his pork chop finally arrived, it was undercooked and not eatable. 4) Nothing was offered in any way as a comp, nor any real apology If you go, be wary. There is no way they were this thoroughly incompetent in every single aspect of the food services industry without practice.

Came in for a business dinner on a weeknight and as soon as I came in, I realized that it was good…read morethat I made a reservation because they were packed. Just for your awareness, there's a dresscode here, and rightly so, it's definitely an upscale restaurant. We sat at a hi-top in the bar area, which is a nice, cellar-looking area in the lower level of the restaurant. Our server was excellent! She explained that she's one of the sommeliers there and provided some pretty good feedback on their wine selection. Their menu is fairly typical of upper-end, prime steakhouses. There were many appetizing items to choose from, I had a tough time deciding. I was leaning towards their fried shrimp entrée, especially after seeing other people's pictures of it on social media. I would never normally get this, but their shrimp pics looked amazing. I started with their Greek salad - This was a HUGE salad, big enough for an entrée, especially if you add a protein to it. It was fabulous! Lots of fresh veggies in it, the dressing was excellent, and the flavors were so very good! This is definitely worthy of splitting, which I'll do next time I return. Next up was my entrée and I chose their smaller filet with an add-on of fried shrimp. I really wanted to try this shrimp and this was a way that I could try their beef and the shrimp and this was an absolutely AMAZING entrée selection!! The shrimp were HUGE! They were perfectly and beautifully battered and fried and looked stunning! The steak was spot-on! I ordered medium rare plus and if I had to guess from looking at it, it was probably 134-135 degrees! The flavor was great too! Their steak is definitely worthy of eating without any add-on or sauce. For sides we tried their Mashed Potatoes and their Haricot Verts and both were outstanding! The nice thing about this place is they actually list half portions of sides in their menu! Many places offer it, but you have to ask and if it's just two people dining, half portions are the perfect size. Save room for dessert, they offer many options! In my case, I was so full, I simply opted for a scoop of their blood orange sorbet and it was the best finish for a great dinner. Definitely will return and would recommend Byrd & Baldwin Bros for a nice evening and great dinner experience!

Visited for our 11th years anniversary…read more Five stars for service. Four stars for food. Ambiance is nice and appears to be well maintained. The food quality tasted very premium and lux, but it lack some favors. It wasn't until the end of eating my dish that I realized it was supposed to be lemon pepper chicken. I truly like the taste of chicken so I did enjoy my dish however I really didn't taste a lemon or a pepper. My husband order the porterhouse medium. It was cooked to perfection and tender on both sides of the meat however I didn't taste an herb, seasoning, or pinch of salt. A little underwhelming for the price.

Came on St. Patrick's Day. The Open Faced Corned Beef and Cabbage Sandwich I had was truly…read morephenomenal and should be a permanent addition to the menu. Our servers Nick and Kevin were extremely knowledgeable and helpful with our orders. This is one of the absolutely best places to go in Norfolk.

Great vibes and well-poured drinks, but the service was extremely disappointing. One bartender in…read moreparticular was very unprofessional. I asked to close my tab twice, and on the second request she used profanity toward me and refused to return my card. Another staff member stepped in and was excellent--he helped me get my card back--but I was never charged for the drinks. When I later asked the original bartender whether my tab had been closed or paid, her response was, "I don't f****** know." Aside from that one individual, the atmosphere was good and the other staff member provided great service. Unfortunately, that experience seriously took away from what could have been a great spot.