Alewife

My husband and I shared the Siren's Song, and it was delicious! I loved that they used some of the parts that were not used in the menu items - like the Arctic Char tail. The best bite for me was the toast with the fish dip on it. We also got desserts. I got the blueberry fry pie with the buttermilk mousse. It was so good! I loved that it wasn't too sweet. My husband got the goat clafloutis, and that was, also, very good. We will definitely go back again!

this place has been on my radar for a long time. it really didnt disappoint. make sure to grab a reservation way in advance because this place is really popular and cant guarantee you can walk in . the menus is very innovated, it changes from time to time. but there are some items are always on the menu. the fish dip , beef tartare and oysters are all phenomenal. i had the whole fish for main , its very fresh. the duck dish is a little lack of flavor itself but i think their steak is the star of the meal, cooked perfectly and juicy. the desserts on the other hand is a little weak, i had the cheesecake , it doesnt look like cheese cake it doesnt taste like cheesecake, not sure what exactly what they are trying to go for. Our server is very friendly, the food came out pretty fast, not a lot of wait time between dishes. only the drinks take a little time.

Not your usual cocktails or dishes. The most original outstanding flavors I’ve experienced in a seafood dish!! My cocktail was so complex and delicious. Every sip took me on a journey. I had the fish dip and the scallops. Both were absolutely out of this world!

This is my friend’s favorite restaurant in Richmond and they’ve been very eager to be here! We ordered the chicken liver arancini, the VA Oysters, the duck breast, Grey Tilefish, arctic char so definitely got a good rate of everything! We enjoyed it all and had great service . The bill was about $250 for our group of 3 to try a lot!

Went here for a late Valentine's Day meal and was not disappointed. For starters, I had the crispy potatoes and the sesame BBQ ribs. Both were good, the ribs were tender and delicious. They were also sizeable portions. For my main, I had the pork chop with sweet potatoes and collards with sausage, which was excellent. All items were equally delicious. Since I was on a roll, decided to finish off with the panna cotta for dessert, which was a nice light end to a pretty heavy meal. Service was good. Our waiter gave us good recommendations. Atmosphere was ok. Only negative were the seats, which could have been more comfortable.

Really nice evening at Alewife. The two bartenders were great - personable, extremely knowledgeable of the menu, made good recommendations (on both food and beverage) and helped an out-of-towner better grasp the vibrant Richmond foodie scene. Enjoyed my rye & beet juice cocktail - very creative and well done (on a list of about 10 rotating craft cocktails that all sounded interesting). The Chablis was excellent. I started with the flounder crudo appetizer. Wanted to love it, but I found the flounder to be a bit tough and sinewy. Flavors were excellent, but the texture was average to below (on the crudo scale). Fortunately, the rockfish entree made up for it and then some. Perfectly cooked (with crispy skin) and seasoned. Loved the accompanying mussels and potatoes. Almost had a seafood stew vibe going on. Really delicious and memorable. Space is fairly large and modern. Fun to watch the kitchen staff and bartenders at work. In the category of strange observations - the music selection seemed a bit off for a venue competing in the James Beard realm - I get music is a personal selection, but normally it's not calling attention to itself. This time it did - was the playlist for the staff...or the patrons? Hmmm...

Alewife is singular. Incredible creative and done right. Everyone working there had a smile on their face. I highly recommend the oysters, anchovy toast, new potatoes, the rockfish, pork chop, and the horchata flan. Make a reservation or get there right at open because they were booked!

Took my partner to Alewife for our anniversary with the hopes that we would celebrate with some delectable morsels. The food came out both visually appealing, but more importantly, a pleasant assault on my taste buds. Absolutely loved the oyster mushrooms, and was so appreciative of the portions offered. Really, the only problems I had with this whole experience were the small table chair were a might tight on the bum. Also, I'm not sure if our server was new, but they seemed less confident in offering menu advice/information. Again, this restaurant dining experience was fabulous, and please take my advice that the food is worth trying.

this place has been on my radar for a long time. it really didnt disappoint. make sure to grab a reservation way in advance because this place is really popular and cant guarantee you can walk in . the menus is very innovated, it changes from time to time. but there are some items are always on the menu. the fish dip , beef tartare and oysters are all phenomenal. i had the whole fish for main , its very fresh. the duck dish is a little lack of flavor itself but i think their steak is the star of the meal, cooked perfectly and juicy. the desserts on the other hand is a little weak, i had the cheesecake , it doesnt look like cheese cake it doesnt taste like cheesecake, not sure what exactly what they are trying to go for. Our server is very friendly, the food came out pretty fast, not a lot of wait time between dishes. only the drinks take a little time.

Wow. Kudos to WaywardBlog for the heads up on this fabulous, unpretentious, local source restaurant! They feature a smartly curated, weekly changing (but small) menu packed with unique offerings. This is one of those places where you trust your server (thank you Mackenzie) and commit to something new and different. It started for us with their craft cocktails - I had the "Every Little Thing" that combined tequila AND mezcal for a slightly fruity cocktail with the best of both worlds. My wife went with a "coconut washed rum" concoction she loved. For our starter, we tried a Compressed Melon dish that managed to be light, fruity AND spicy! The seafood this night featured a fish we weren't familiar with: Skate Wing, a white ray-style fish with a taste familiarity to lobster served with a rice/okra/tomato/bacon side blend. An off menu special that night was an off the chart fried chicken with BBQ seasoning and kimchi coleslaw. Superb. A taste explosion. So we were pleasantly surprised and very happy to share this with anyone traveling to Richmond looking for something a little different with a home style feel. Thanks Alewife!

I have been wanting to try this place for so long, but as a non-fish lover, I always put other restaurants higher on the list, and boy I have been m-i-s-s-i-n-g out! @alewiferva could make a seafood lover out of the most hardened skeptic. They do tend to have a non-fish option on the menu for people that prefer meat, which I was tempted by, but I'm so glad I went outside my usual comfort zone. The portions are generous, the ambiance is warm and inviting, and the food is next level delicious. We first started with an order of the PEI Mussels, which were served in a tomato and coconut curry broth, drizzled with a cool rich yogurt, and served with grilled flat bread . The mussels were large and very fresh, and the tomato curry broth was a total - do NOT miss this one! A nice warm creamy ṡṗïċë, no one component of it overwhelmed the other. We couldn't stop ourselves from completely emptying the bowl . I opted for the mahi, which was served in a light citrus jous with florentino , brocolette , castveltrano olives , and pistachios . The flavors were so perfectly balanced and complimentary to not only each other but the thick, , and meaty-but-light flakiness of the mahi. My dining partner went for the puppy drum, another white and fish, accompanied by gumbo z'herbes, surry sausage, shrimp , and red corn grits. After tasting this dish I can assure you anything you eat here will be of equal deliciousness.

Walked to Alewife which is on the other side of town from where we were staying. We selected this spot because of the fish options on the menu. We were definitely not disappointed. I really liked that the menu constantly changes to show what is fresh. And when you walk in there is a chalkboard that shows the special dishes of the day and where the veggies were from (which farms). I am very much into farm fresh veggies, so I loved seeing this! Tonight's special were soft shell crabs! Hubby and I shared the market salad and I ordered the special and he ordered the skate fish. Our market salad was incredible! It had a large variety of salads plus herbs on whipped goat cheese. And my main i noted that the recipe said Tempura batter, so I asked for very light fried batter. And the chef was able to accommodate. My soft shell crab had a very light batter, which was definitely different from other dishes as I saw the tables next to me also got this and it was drenched in batter. So I am SO glad mine was not! And it was on top of a red curry sauce. Yum! Hubby loved his skate fish and the salad was amazing. I love fiddle heads, just wish I can cook them too. I kept eating the salad his dish came in. Overall excellent food and service!

This is my friend's favorite restaurant in Richmond and they've been very eager to be here! We ordered the chicken liver arancini, the VA Oysters, the duck breast, Grey Tilefish, arctic char so definitely got a good rate of everything! We enjoyed it all and had great service . The bill was about $250 for our group of 3 to try a lot!

If I had to sum this restaurant up in one sentence, it would be like the sharp painful needle of Heroin entering my body like back in my parent's basement in 2004. The restaurant sounded like I was in Iraq battling for my life but the food tasted so good I would go to war for it. The only thing I didn't like about the food is the cilantro. The cilantro made me want to die, knowing I would never taste anything better. The waiters were so nice and helpful that it felt like they were trying to lure me into getting abducted by an alien. But maybe that's just my millennial mind overthinking.

So, we've visited Alewife on different occasions. Each time, we've been quite satisfied! Love the cozy "neighborhood" feel. The food has always been delectable! Great pairings! Great flavors! Intriguing options! Each host and server is very personable and attentive. We appreciate that! We hit the right day, today! We ordered: Smoked fish dip, Mixed green salad, Stuffed French Toast, Crispy Perch, and an Arctic Char to go! Our only issue has been having our mouth set for something we enjoyed previously and finding it may not be on that menu when we arrive!

This was my second visit to Alewife. After visiting almost a year back and having a poor experience with food which was too salty for everyone who dined, I decided to give them another shot while family visited. Second time was the charm here - everything was prepared well and simply delicious. We started out with Fried Oyster Mushrooms, a Beet and Green Salad, and Beef Tartare. Everything was prepared well without any single flavor overpowering your other senses. I particularly liked the combination of potato chips and raw beef. The cost of appetizers ranged from $12 - $15. For my entree I had the Branzino (just north of $30) which was similarly seasoned and cooked well. My only critique is that I wish the skin was crispy as it slid around while cutting the fish. The interior of the restaurant is cute and the staff were friendly throughout the evening. After this visit, I'll certainly be back for a third visit some time in the future.

Dinner at Alewife was the highlight of our five-day visit to Richmond. First off, it was a relief to get out of downtown Richmond with its huge empty parking lots, boarded up storefronts and deserted streets. The historic Church Hill section, with its 19th century row and other houses and interesting looking restaurants and shops, was such a pleasant change. Parking near Alewife was a bit of a challenge, but we quickly found a spot just a block away. The restaurant itself has a fascinating vibe, part friendly neighborhood spot and part disarmingly upmarket dining room. You just knew the food would be interesting, and it was. We started with a gin and tonic and a non-alcoholic beer. The menu is fairly short and apparently changes nightly, or at least frequently. I would never in this world think that I would enjoy an appetizer of raw oysters, bright green pickle juice, creme fraiche and fresh dill. But it was an amazing flavor combination. My partner's appetizer was equally interesting -- lox on thick, toasted rustic bread. As mains, we had the arctic char, with grilled carrots, and the skate, both perfectly prepared and delicious. Service throughout the meal was just right -- friendly, attentive but not overly so. Our charge for two, including tip, was around $150, well worth the price. Thank you for a great meal experience!

My siblings made my birthday dinner reservation at Alewife this year, and we all had such a great time!There were a few things that stood out from our experience. Things we loved: 1. Although not explicitly stated, most of the menu is gluten free. The waiter was very responsive and willing to answer questions related to dietary restrictions, which we appreciated. 2. Some of our favorite dishes: -The fried oyster mushrooms are to die for (see image). Completely gluten free! -The lamb chops are so tender and juicy--we absolutely loved! 3. The restaurant was very cozy and welcoming. The staff was very attentive (asked whose birthday it was) and even offered to take pictures. Things that could improve: 1. The grilled branzino was very good, although we found that the red peas and rice were flavorless, so maybe not the best combination. 2. The beet salad wasn't impressive. The sliced apples paired nicely with the chicory, but excessive large chucks of mimollete (cheese) overpowered the other flavors. 3. The sparking vinho verde was a strange combination (it had a bitter after taste). We regretted not going for a different white wine. Overall, the restaurant offered a very intimate experience with my family and I would return to try other items on the menu!

There are times in my life that I've said to myself "why on earth have I not been to this restaurant before" and my first visit to Alewife last night was definitely one of them. I had heard such amazing things about this place, but with their dinner hours and no lunch options (...and having kids lol) it wasn't until yesterday that I FINALLY had the joyous pleasure of dining here. Okay, so the food. Everything was heavenly. I waited dish after dish to be disappointed or to feel like something was "just ok" but it never happened. Every flavor on the plates was perfectly executed, there was such a breadth to the dishes available AND their wine list was so unique and truly complemented the food. So here's what we got: - Beet salad: The beets were so sweet and earthy and the blue cheese they used for the salad wasn't overpowering and instead the perfect complement. Divine. - Heirloom tomato salad: I'm here for tomato season and these were exquisite. I loved the little crunchy breads they put into it also. Gave it a nice texture variation. - Scallops: I'm iffy on scallops usually, but these were executed to perfection and they laid atop a perfectly charred eggplant that was also egg-ceptional. Yes, I went there. - Skate: This one was recommended by our server and it was such a surprise. Super intense, bold flavor in a great way. Had chorizo and shrimp and a bed of delightful potato mash. - Corn pudding: I love a good dessert to finish up a meal and my goodness what a freaking treat. The berries + corn + creaminess of the whole thing. YAAAAS. I feel like if I lived closer to here, I'd alternate between eating at Alewife and Grisette every single day because what gems to have in the neighborhood.

This was the best meal I have had in a long time. The sea bass was amazing. The flavors were complex and delicious. The scallops were light and fresh. The fish spread on waffle may sound odd but the waffle is thin and just the right device for the spread. To wrap up the meal we had the black sesame cheesecake which was surprising and delightful. The service was excellent as well. Highly recommend

Enjoyed our time at Alewife. Service was great and it was a cool vibe. The Branzino was amazing, with the sauce being the highlight! The oysters had pineapple which was different, but great. Would definitely recommend for adventurous eaters.

Had a really nice meal here. Had the bean/sunchoke salad(which was my favorite dish, so subtle and interesting!), the arctic char(delish, could have used a little more romesco), and the local oysters with the pickled peach mignonette(super interesting). Dessert was the S'more pavlova which was very nice(though the meringue was a bit hard to break. The service was wonderful and personal, the atmosphere light and bright. Very much recommend.

Went for brunch and was super pleased. I got the miso nutella french toast which was amazing. Perfect balance between salty and sweet in the miso nutella and the banana jam the french toast was topped with was delicious as well. Great texture and flavor throughout this dish. I never order french toast (or pancakes) because I am always disappointed, but wow Alewife nailed it across the board with texture and flavor. Waiter was kind and helpful. Great interior here and I love that they use cloths in their bathroom for sustainability! Definitely want to return to try the fish dishes they're known for.

I was nervous about the restaurant based on the sample menu online but the menu changes weekly and my party came for Sunday brunch! We made reservations in advance which is highly recommended because the restaurant was packed. The dining room isn't large but there is also a full bar with seating. I think it'd be great for couples, groups, and there were even some families with little ones. Our server was great at answering my questions about the menu. We did have a hiccup with not being able to pay for own checks separately (there were 11 of us and we were told we could do an even split 11 ways or one check); after discussion we were able to list our orders to the server and pay for our indiv. bills. All of the food was delicious and my sparkler was refreshing! The potatoes were crisped perfectly and the cheddar dust and ranch was a great combo. The crab cake sandwich was fresh and cooked perfectly; I did ask for extra remoulade sauce because I love sauce. Overall I'd dine here again if I was in the area!

I've written about my love for this new American restaurant and have no problem doing it again. Never a bad experience here because of the great service, comfy atmosphere, and great food. We ordered the raw oysters, which had a grapefruit and crème fraiche. I wouldn't have ever thought to put those things together but it was super light and balanced. We also order the potatoes with smoked trout dip which was really good. A cool way to jazz up potatoes. Then for the entree we ordered the rainbow trout which was served in a tomato broth with butter beans, kale and chorizo. The broth had so much depth but the fish was the star. Beautifully crispy skin and fish was cooked perfectly. Highly recommend for a cozy dinner with friends and loved ones (or by yourself because why not!)

This is the best restaurant in Richmond. Eat here. Alewife is a restaurant that celebrates food from the Mid-Atlantic area, specifically, seafood. However, no matter what you order here, you will not be disappointed. Also, the vibe of the restaurant is very Richmond, which means, it's hip and cool. Make reservations. We made reservations on a Saturday night, and it was not an ideal time. However, we did not want to miss out on eating at Alewife while in Richmond for only two days. When we tried to book a reservation for three people for dinner, we had to either eat super early, like at 5:30PM or later, around 9PM. So, be prepared. I love the aesthetics here. Richmond has become my new favorite city. They say it's Brooklyn of the south and I can see why after visiting, and Alewife very much resonates that. Staff were super friendly and chill. The bar features craft cocktails. And the food is elevated yet approachable. It's not fine dining, but it's not a diner. It's the perfect medium. I ordered the artic char, which came with farro, roasted turnips and greens. It was the entire fish and you bet I gobbled it all up. I loved how light the fish was, and it was drizzled with a sauce that added some acidity to it. Underneath the fish were the turnips and greens, which added some crunch, for a perfect balance. I highly recommend trying this dish if you see it on the menu. Everything we ordered was fantastic. I could've easily ordered any of the dishes and would've been a happy camper, or diner in this instance. So I recommend working your way down the menu and trying it all. Come with a group or visit Richmond more often. Either way, it's a win-win. Alewife is definitely one of the best restaurants I've eaten at.

There is some nuance to this one. We came for dinner, based on a recommendation. The food is remarkable. We had a salad and a shrimp pate. The salad was fresh with romaine, cheese and dressing. The shrimp pate was very creative and creamy, served with rice crisps used for dipping. The taste was delicious and spicy-give it a try. The main courses we chose were rainbow trout and tilefish. The tilefish was bland and uninspiring, but it is very uncommon on menus so I had to try it. Contrast that with the rainbow trout my wife ordered. It is on lots of menus but this is the best I have ever tasted. Served with a richly spiced sauce, it is amazing. Dessert was a deconstructed Shoo Fly Pie. The food earns a 5 easily. Service was efficient. I loved the fishing art on the walls and references to fishing literature and movies. But the ambience was odd. The lighting is very bright--more like a sandwich shop at lunch. The furniture is stark--like a high school cafeteria. Turn the lights down and upgrade the furniture, and this review becomes a 5. Go for the food and temper ambience expectations.

Rustic and delicious dishes that excelled on basic points and sheer tastiness, and still managed to be surprising and mind-expanding in subtle but noticeable ways. The gnocchi was perfectly cooked, supple and pillowy on the inside, just a bit crispy and toasted on the outside. The combo of blue cheese and candied pecans was mind blowing a a sauce. Oysters were huge, fresh and clean tasting, adorned by understated but surprising flavors. Italian in spirit, but Virginia in its fine details. Truly excellent.

Not sure why the place gets such high ratings. Underwhelming atmosphere, it's a small place that looks like they put in some overhead lights and some tables and called it a day. Obvious electrical problems, the lights kept flickering. I sat at the bar, bartender was meh. Ordered a beer and it came in an Old Fashioned glass. It was warm, and about only half a beer because of the glass. I got the Arctic Char. Fish was good, but a really small portion. Veggies were good for the first couple of bites, then all I could taste was butter and salt. No bread or anything with it, just a bowl with the fish and veggies. For the price I expected a lot more, and I left hungry.

A great date night spot in Church Hill. All the dishes are thoughtfully crafted and plated. Their menu changes weekly. I got the pasta dish on their specials list. I've never had a curry pasta but it was delicious. My friends ordered the oysters and described them as creamy. The drinks were on the strong side. The service was perfect. Reservations can be made through Resy.

I've been to Alewife twice. The first time was in 2020 and the second time was for restaurant week, Oct 2022. The space is great for a date night. The vibe is really cool. When you first walk in you're greeted by delicious smells that leave you hungry and excited to eat. Back in 2020, we tried the curry shrimp, the fried mushrooms, and the scallops. We found that the scallops were cooked perfectly, but lacked flavor. The curry shrimp was not what we expected because it was unclear that it was fried instead of grilled, but still good. And the sauce on the mushrooms threw us a little off. Fast forward to 2022! I wanted to give Alewife another chance. Plus restaurant week is such a fun time! I ordered the marinated mussels, the crispy duck confit, and the grilled sweet potato. I'm obsessed with the marinated mussels! It came on house focaccia and with sweet drop peppers. It was a very simple dish, but tasty. I didn't care for my duck confit. It was a little greasy and I didn't enjoy the crunchy breading around it. It felt like mostly breading. It came with a potato pave which I wasn't a fan of either due to its lack of flavors. The grilled sweet potato dessert was a winner for me! It was cold outside and something about having a naturally sweet treat topped with toasted meringue was absolutely delightful. I savored each bite of the simple treat. Both times I've been here the service has been incredible. The waiters are attentive and personable. I love that you can laugh with them and have a small conversation if you want! Really wonderful service. It's funny because what I like most about Alewife and find that it can use improvement on is both its food's simplicity. Some things are simple in the perfect way and others just miss the mark for me. With all that being said, I think Alewife is one of those Richmond restaurants that everyone should try at least once.

Have wanted to try Alewife for a long time and it lived up to the expectations. The service was excellent, everyone was friendly, and we never had to ask for water refills. Great drinks, including the mocktails. We really enjoyed the Poke starter. Best we've had since Hawaii. Plenty of options if you love seafood. I had the crispy snapper and hubby had the arctic char. Quiet, laid back atmosphere, perfect for a Monday date night. Definitely recommend!

We have had two of the best Richmond meals here so far and I don't think we will ever be disappointed! Though the specials change, the quality never goes down at Alewife. For our first meal, we arrived early to grab one of the amazing cocktails we'd heard about and we decided to sit and enjoy dinner at the bar. The bartender was lovely and the food and service were top notch. Our second visit, we brought my in-laws and sat at a table. (It was the best idea because we got to share even more appetizers! Haha.) We are making Alewife a regular spot to impress our out-of-town guests and I'm pumped about it.

Located on the corner in an unassuming Richmond neighborhood. Parking options are within the residential area and I had no issue finding a place to park within walking distance. The neighboring eateries and residents share the parking but just respect the restricted areas. Reservations are recommended and help ensure you'll have a table when you visit. Small farm to table style concept menu and restaurant that has mixologists that know what they are doing when creating drinks. This is important to ensure the ratio of ingredients deliver a quality product. I enjoyed the appetizers and our host was very detailed in each of the options. This made it easy to decide what to order. They have a modified habanero (mild heat profile) pepper stuffed with squid that I enjoyed very much. Similar to a tapas style of dining, it's encouraged to share to experience more of the menu options. Since items are made to order, allow some patience and overall, the wait wasn't bad at all. The bathroom was so clean. This is a plus when dining out and I really appreciate the owners and management ensuring the cleanliness of the establishment is consistent throughout. There is some bar seating and tables that accommodate 2, 4 and larger parties. Larger gatherings should absolutely coordinate beforehand to ensure they're ready for you. There is a dynamic menu so when you're reviewing the photos online, it could be seasonal items or something the chef is doing for a limited time. My option was the fried chicken that came with dill potato salad. You can tell that the chicken had been brined. It was tender, flavorful and had a golden brown appearance. I chose right with this one and would recommend it to others. If you are celebrating any life events, the host is attentive in acknowledging these details. This goes a long way for customer service and contributes to the warm, inclusive environment for its employees and guests. I did not experience any hidden gratuities or surcharges like many places are doing as of late. However, the visit was so positive that tipping was warranted. A hidden gem that I hope you'll enjoy as much as I did.

Very bare-bones decor, clean, good food and good service. 1. Reservation: necessary 2. Ambience: hard tables and chairs, not the most comfortable but very intimate feeling 3. Food: great Whole fish: the sauce, the texture are so unique I have nothing I could compare it to Wagyu beef tartare: it doesn't even look like tartare and served with poppy seeded homemade rice chips! (never seen this elsewhere either) arugula salad with quinoa, grilled peach and lots of candies nuts, again, Never seen this combo and it's divine! 4. Drinks: strong and good 5. service: nice and attentive

This place is really cool. The atmosphere here is great and so was the service. I had the Oysters which come prepared with its own sauce on top of each and the Scallops were amazing. I like a place that doesn't give you huge portions, but just the right amount where you don't leave feeling ill and this place delivered. I had a 30 year old Port to end the evening and it was great. I definitely recommend coming here and I plan on returning.

My favorite neighborhood place. I was just here two todays ago. Different staff tonight so I did not have the Irish Coffee!! LOL. We have our favorites-don't we?

The food was delicious!! So fresh and flavorful. I absolutely loved the carrot hummus with toasted peanuts and cumin seeds on top, and pitta bread. I got the grilled fish with curry cream. It was out of this world! So flaky and full of flavor. I would absolutely go back to eat. The drinks/cocktail were interesting... I didn't like it. I tried to customize my drink but that was not an option. Next time I will stick with beer or wine. Still 5/5 because the food was delicious!

Did not disappoint! Such a delicious meal for restaurant week. Food was spectacular, service was great -can't wait to return!

The only positive thing about this restaurant that I can say is the fried Oysters. It feels like they are trying too hard to be out of the box Asian fusion with a small menu flare. Additionally, their cocktails were barely drinkable. The service was mediocre and the recommendations were basically hurried. There is no ambiance to speak of and basically a open kitchen design without the special features of watching your meal being prepared. This restaurant was highly recommended in the Visit Richmond magazine. To conclude, the dessert was weirdly unpalatable and spoke to the " trying to hard" to make something work that was dry, ugly to look at and tasted like baby food at Christmas. I have also had a stomach ache all day and regretfully can't enjoy the food culture of the city. Sorry , but not sorry.

**A strong 4.5 We always have a solid experience here. It's a beautiful space, service is excellent, food is creative and well plated. Not my first visit and certainly won't be my last.

***Food*** Great porkchops, the best fish. Everything is so so so creative, fresh. Masterful cooking technique and skills. Dessert is always good here. Menus change daily. Flawless. ***Service*** Super knowledgable, attentive without being fussy, everybody is dedicated to impeccable service without any pretense. Elegance. This is my second time here and I would come back in a heart beat. Would definitely recommend to my friends and family. A highly evolved experience. A true gem in Richmond, Virginia. This place makes me proud to live here.

Fabulous creative cocktails and menu. The food is excellent and the service, smooth. A great place for regulars and neighbors. Wonderful place for a date.

Cool restaurant with some very unique seafood selections. It felt like a mix of southern comfort food and coastal cuisine. The crispy potato appetizer was cheesy potato's that were great. I had the Monkfish Osso Bucco and it was great, but the blackened Halibut was the envy of our table. The crispy snapper looked amazing as well. It's a smaller space but the service was excellent and we enjoyed ourselves. Parking could be tricky, but we got lucky 2 houses away!

What a lovely place for Sunday brunch! I had the Crispy Pork Cutlet with Anson Mills Blue Corn Grits and t was delicious, especially the special grits! My wife had the Frittata and enjoyed it, but it was too large to finish. Our server was excellent, attentive and expert, yet not overbearing.

The appetizers were great. The entrees were seasoned well and generous. Wished they had bread for cleaning our plates with the delicious sauces. The deserts were excellent and the coffee was some of the best we have had out. The service was great and attentive. The space is played out well and the noise level was manageable. Definitely will return.

My husband and I had an amazing brunch experience here before starting a road trip back home. Parking was fairly easy to find on a Sunday morning and I was happy to see the place wasn't packed. There was no wait for a table and we were seated at a cozy table for two. We ordered coffee and the shisho soda and started with the cottage cheese biscuit to share. The biscuit was huge! Perfect for sharing. The tomato gravy was like an amazing extra savory tomato soup. The biscuit was warm and fluffy, and hit the spot. The soda was explained to me beforehand and it was perfect for recovering from a night of drinking. For our entrees, I ordered the soft shell crab sando and my husband ordered the braised pork cheeks. His dish was on the sweet side and the flavors worked really well together. My sandwich was perfectly fried and I couldn't get enough of the potato salad that came with it. We were extremely content with our meal and I've been raving about it since. I will definitely be sure to come back (hopefully to try out the dinner menu) when I pass through Richmond again!

WOOOOWWEEE is all I can say about this place. We made reservations to spend our friendsgiving here and we loved every second of our visit. Our server was fun and made our experience incredible! She was very knowledgeable of the menu and cocktails and answered all of our questions wholeheartedly. I have a lemon allergy and she made sure that everything was accommodated accordingly. Having a server like her when dining out are few and far between! The food was equally as wonderful - You can tell when food is made with love and this place proves it. We ordered a *secret item* on the menu as an appetizer which I'm gatekeeping because there are only 2 available per night, sorry not sorry. When I say the food was delicious - I mean we had no leftovers and ate everything! Alewife is the type of restaurant that speaks to a foodie's soul!! If you haven't been, make reservations immediately and experience this gem for yourself - You won't regret it.

Calling all seafood lovers. This quaint restaurant is just for you. Make sure to make a reservation or be okay with eating at the bar because there is limited seating, but it's worth it! Starting with a great cocktail and then enjoying a starter and main course. Staff is attentive and polite. Can't wait to go back!

My husband and I came here on a Wednesday evening for date night and found the restaurant quite empty at 6:45pm. Upon entering, we were left waiting at the door for about 5 minutes before anyone acknowledged us. They had the temerity to tell us "we had to check reservations for seating" while we examined a 25% occupancy rate in their dining room. We ordered the beef tartare, duck breast, southern fried chicken daily special and an old fashioned cocktail. I enjoyed the beef tartare and the duck breast; both were seasoned beautifully and generously portioned. Their special, the southern fried chicken ironically, was the worst thing I've ever tasted. This 1/2 chicken was excessively coated, fried and salted enough to embalm your guts. I had to peel back about 1/4lb of tree bark-esque coating just to get to the actual chicken which was under seasoned, overcooked, and dry, reminiscent of day old grocery store fried chicken. Absolutely dreadful. Appetizers range from $12-$15, entrees $25-$35 and cocktails being $11-$13 which is not bad given how the portions were. The restaurant itself is nothing special, cheaply decorated courtesy of Ikea and Wayfair. Service was rather impetuous and didn't refill our waters or really check-in on us outside of taking our order, delivering our food and taking payment. This was a poor experience but not a place I'd add to my burn book. +0 Vibe +0.5 Taste +1 Presentation +0 Service +0.5 Value

My friend and I just had the BEST brunch experience here! We arrived about 11am and sat at the bar, it was not crowded and our service was amazing. We both had a couple of cocktails from their drink menu and they were all excellent. I also ordered a classic gin and tonic and everything about it was perfect--they have Botanist gin, do a lime simple syrup that's just right, and serve with aromatic garnish. I judge a place by its g&t and Alewife crushed it. Now, the food. Omg. Everything was astoundingly good and I love their tiny open kitchen in the back of the restaurant. We had the cottage cheese biscuit with duck egg hollandaise, the broccoli salad with radish pods, and the Arctic char with faro and basil vinaigrette. The first two dishes were $6 and the second was $15. I'd venture to say this is one of the best bangs for your buck in RVA. I can't WAIT to return!

Fabulous meal! We had the siren song - waygu beef tartare, smoked fish dip, crispy potatoes, mussels in a delightful broth, oysters with ceviche instead the pepper, two different types of fish - artic char and rockfish and a fabulous beet salad. It's definitely a seafood paradise!! Highly recommend

We went for a restaurant week and it was very well organized. Please be aware you're in restaurant week you can only get the restaurant week menu. I liked everything except my entrée I found my entrée very salty but I like my boyfriends Entree it was very tasty. I had the duck! The muscle appetizer was scrumptious! We loved it the descriptions of the wines and of the cocktails and we enjoyed our choices!

This place is just too expensive. The ambiance is loud, cramped and BRIGHT. The first time I went here I was st*ned out of my mind and thought everything was awesome. The second time I was sober and... I felt like I just emptied my wallet for some congealed branzino meat and fried bread dessert. My cocktail was good. I just woke up thinking "dang, $90 for WHAT?!" Plus the menu was so small and I know everyone thinks that's bougie but lowkey having 4 entree options that are all white fish is just.... Boring!

Went for happy hour. Wasn't that much to choose from. The wine was just ok. The mussels were good and large.

I had one of the best meals I've ever had here. I got the Arctic char and I had a wonderful cocktail (Silas something can't remember the name). Everything was excellent, service was great. The only thing I'll say is that the ambience could have been easily been improved. I was there at about 6 pm on a Saturday. The music was a bit loud, and it was SO bright in there, they had all the lights on full force. Imagine going on a date there and your date is staring at your pores under the spotlights. As I was leaving around 7 I noticed they dimmed the lights and it looked perfect. Maybe it was an anomaly that it was so bright for the time I was there. The dimmed lights took the vibe from a 3 to 9. But even if you are under a spotlight I would still recommend it, the food and drink were that amazing

Lovely neighborhood restaurant featuring American seafood fare such as Branzino swordfish and traditional classics like duck breast and local free range chicken. Cocktail program is as unique as it is diverse. We loved the Virginia oysters with peach mignonette as well as the whole fried branzino on a bed of kohlrabi salad with nuoc Cham. Bird of Paradise (frozen cocktail with rums, botanicals, white wines, pineapple and red amaro blend). Silas' Knife (cedar mezcal, terramaro, dried citrus)

(4.5 stars) Loved our dinner here, staff was super friendly, menu was straightforward, and the food, especially the fish dishes, all hit the mark. It's hard to pick my favorite fish but I might have to give it to the swordfish. But the crispy skate and arctic char were close behind. Most of the fish do have bones though so just be prepared.