Brazen

We went early on Valentine's Day without a reservation and they were happy to squeeze us in better the reservations starting showing up. I had the special crusted mahi mahi and I thought it was really nice until i tried the braised shirt rib my wife ordered! It was fantastic! Seriously i didn't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. The service is great and the atmosphere is "modern cozy". Highly recommended!

My mother and I had an absolutely fantastic dinner at Brazen tonight. The food, service, and atmosphere were absolutely fantastic. They even made us custom cocktails and mocktails based on what we liked. Each food item was so delicious and full of flavor. We ordered the beets, braised short ribs, and scallops. Wouldn't change a thing. Can't wait to come back soon.

Brazen is like your annoying cousin who hasn’t grown up. It has a lot of potential but may be confused what they’re trying to be…a neighborhood bar? Fine dining? Family restaurant? Whatever it is, it missed the mark for us. First off, I had barely taken a seat and was told that I needed to leave by a certain time because they had another reservation. Bruh, I’m not planning on spending the night . . . I immediately felt unwelcome. When the food came, only two dishes were served, as the third dish was not what we ordered. Mistakes happen and yet we’re not talking about a high volume time - there were about 6 other tables seated, all of which had food. Then 2/3 of our party was highly disappointed with their food. The mockingbird, flavorless. The braised short ribs were also a miss. Thankfully, the salmon was delicious and one of us enjoyed our meal. Brazens prices are similar to other Richmond upscale restaurants (think Chez Foushee) and that’s where the comparison ends. I would hands down visit another Richmond institution who can figure out how to manage reservations and still make people feel welcome - bc this isn’t it.

Great neighborhood spot in the Fan. People are sleeping on this place. The main bartender—and bar manager—, Jackson, is awesome. It is very clear he is inspired, engaged, and creative. Also just very personable and fun/funny. Star of the show IMO. I only had two drinks, an entree and dessert, but I plan to return soon with my girlfriend (or friends) and try the other options on the menu. I had the duck entree which was very well prepared/served and presented. Duck is one of my favorite things to eat in a restaurant setting—don’t usually make or eat it at home so it is a barometer of sorts for me. Brazen’s dish was spectacular. I also had the vegan baklava which was great. I had the Lunar Princess (IIRC this was the name), and an experimental cocktail prepared by Jackson. Both were great. Also met Doug. Didn’t catch his position but pretty sure he was a manager and or more. Super cool and friendly. I was very impressed by their spirits selection for a relatively smaller place. I had to drive so couldn’t imbibe too much, but the spirits selection was impressive. There was a snow/ice storm about a week ago so street parking was kind of whack but not too bad. Found a spot maybe a block away. I’ll also commend Brazen for their lighting—and music that was not overtaking everything. Too many places mess that up. Great atmosphere. Cannot wait to come back. Thank you!

Had a really delicious meal here. The entrees looked great but I was drawn to their unique handhelds. The appetizer were ok. The handhelds are very big. The panna cotta is a winner. Service was great but only gave them a four because they only had one server and the restaurant got busy. The bartender ended up taking our order and waiting on tables. This resulted in drinks taking long for the entire restaurant. Overall it is a solid 5. Easy street parking.

Food was incredible, however service was disappointing and ruined the experience. We went to Brazen for our first time on Valentine's Day and it's a shame that I don't know if we'll be going back. I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt because it was a holiday that landed on a Saturday, but yikes. Hear me out... We had a 6PM reservation, but showed up at 5PM to see if it was possible to squeeze in. Our day activity ended earlier than expected and figured if a table wasn't ready then we will just sit at the bar and have a couple drinks while we wait, no problem right? It was a problem. The host told us to come back at 6PM because the bar is reserved for overflow when tables max out their 90 min reservation slot and need to finish their drinks at the bar. Umm, they have 8 seats at the bar, 2 of which were taken at this time, plus a handful of open tables assumed to be for later reservations. Literally no crazy rush or anything, it's 5PM and the night is barely starting. Fine, maybe an hour early was too early. We step out in the freezing cold to figure out a game plan. Mind you that this is not a location with a lot going on in the neighborhood around it. We found Skybox a few blocks away and had 3 drinks each totaling $95. That's $95 Brazen lost on drinks to Skybox. It's 5:55PM and we show back up at Brazen for our 6PM. 4/8 spots at the bar taken. 2 couples were ahead of us at the host stand, both of them greeted to the bar immediately to take the remaining spots. Well that's contradicting the story we were told an hour earlier, I thought those were reserved spots for tables finishing their last drinks? One of the couples brought to the bar did get seated quickly within a couple mins, while the other couple was seated at their table 30 mins after enjoying some drinks at the bar. Cool. However, we were taken directly to our table upon arrival at our exact 6PM reservation time. But the host had the audacity while seating us and handing over the menus to say, "As a reminder, there is another party here at 7:30." Awesome way to set the vibe for our Valentine's dinner, now I feel oddly rushed and I'm annoyed. Then our waitress comes over. No greeting, no welcome, no intro, just "What can I get you to drink?" Didn't even pour the massive pitcher of water on the table into our glasses. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! While ordering our entrees, we asked what was in the pasta salad because we were considering splitting that side dish. Our waitress gave us a brief description followed by "but there's already risotto on your entree (pointing at my husband) and cheddar grits on yours (pointing at me) so I want to make sure you want a pasta salad on top of that?" EXCUSE ME?? She was questioning our carb or calorie intake or something pretty offensive, I was baffled. I'm gonna pause here and say that the staff at Brazen does not know how to sell. Sell me on drinks at the bar, sell me on the extra side dishes, it's Valentine's day, I wanna splurge and enjoy myself! I just don't understand the logic behind any of this. Reserving the bar for overflow is a gamble and not guaranteed revenue. My husband and I wanting to buy drinks when your bar isn't even half full is guaranteed cash. Questioning our dinner choices is a turn off, so much to the point that we said screw the dessert. We went to Shyndigz a couple blocks away instead and spent more that was again not on Brazen. All this being said, the food was fantastic as I mentioned previously. It's a shame the service completely overshadowed the meals. We had the poutine to start, followed by the short rib and scallop entrees with a side of pasta salad. CHEFS KISS!! The pasta salad was fresh, the short rib melts in your mouth, the grits were creamy goodness, the poutine a tad salty but still on point. Even the bartender was making very consistent, fabulous drinks! And restroom was clean! Y'all can do this, but please get a hospitality consultant or new front of house (keep the bartender). I'm embarrassed for you at this price point.

So so so good!!! The poutine was eaten too quickly to even get a picture. It was so good!! The short rib entree was absolutely delicious, as well as the baklava. I especially appreciated the mocktail options!! The staff were kind and the vibes were great! I will definitely be back!

The flavor profile of every entree is like a five course experience on a single plate. The stay puff Michelin man needs to drive his rotund self to this establishment. From cocktails, to food, atmosphere, and service...this restaurant is on point.

This review is only for the Helle Ringer (since I only tried this). It was so good! I came during lunch and ordered this yummy fried chicken sandwich with veggies and an additional side of fries. The flavors in this sandwich were so good, with the perfect amount of kick. I do wish I had a bigger cut of chicken in my sandwich because it was so tasty. The veggies were cooked to perfection. The space is really pretty. I love what they've done with the inside. The bar is lovely and so are the plants. They have indoor and outdoor seating. We were seated immediately and our server was really sweet. They have single stall restrooms here. As well as free street parking out front. I'm excited to come back to enjoy their cocktails and more food items!

Brazen's got a lot going for it. Ended up sitting outside on their patio, great for a nice night out. It is right by the road, so you'll catch some traffic noise here and there, but honestly, it didn't take away from the experience. Felt laid-back and chill overall. I went with the helle ringer chicken sandwich, and I wanted to love it but it just didn't hit like I hoped. It lacked that crispy bite I was looking for and was a bit under-seasoned for my taste. Not a total miss, just one of those meals where you wish it had one more pass before sending it out. A few small tweaks and it could've been a standout. Shoutout to our server, though. Super attentive, quick with the food, and checked in on us often without being overbearing. Service like that really makes a difference and kept the night feeling smooth. Brazen was a solid night out though. With a little more attention to the food, this spot could easily go from good to great. I'll definitely be back to give the menu another shot.

I came here with my boyfriend for a dinner date and we sat outside on the patio, which had a lovely atmosphere--perfect for a relaxed evening. I didn't try any cocktails, but I did have a glass of Chardonnay, and I was impressed with their wine selection. The one I chose was crisp, refreshing, and exactly what I was hoping for. I ordered the Oxbow sandwich, which I had high hopes for. While it was good, I felt it could've used a bit more flavor to really stand out. It just needed a little something extra to make it memorable. Our waitress was fantastic--super friendly, attentive, and helpful when it came to recommending items from the menu. Her service definitely made the experience more enjoyable. All in all, it was a pleasant night out. With a few small tweaks to the food, it could've been excellent. I'd still come back to try something new!

I have been here a few times. The server is always very friendly and everyone seems to know food very well. The dishes are unique and delicious By unique, this is what I mean. Sure, a lot of places have wings. But not like these. And not with the most awesome vegan green goddess dressing you could imagine. You might ask why you have vegan dressing with a meat dish. I don't know the answer to that, but it works. The poutine is to die for. The braised meat on top of it alone it's worthy of a Michelin star restaurant. It's a small menu, but there seems to be something for everyone. You have to try this place out.

Had a great early lunch here to celebrate my start of summer break! (Note: brunch is only served on Sunday) It was a beautiful day so we opted to sit outside but the interior is absolutely lovely! Our server was also incredibly sweet & attentive. We decided to split a bottle of Cava in the name of celebration! I chose the frog in the boat because I love a focaccia. It was so tasty albeit a bit of a challenge to eat! I also asked for a side of pasta salad that seemed to be tossed in some type of balsamic vinegar which was a nice riff on the classic. My friend was kind enough to share out a bite of her chicken sandwich, the Helle Ringer and mmm buddy was that some delicious, crispy chicken! Overall, a great new Fan spot and I'll happily return!

Loved everything about it. Great vibes and service. Creative menu and all 4 things we tried were amazing. Definitely will be back.

What a great find!! Driving down the road, I noticed the sign and looked up the restaurant. The following weekend we decided to come out with friends. The drinks were great! Get the Rose Collored Boy. We tried different things including the specials. They have vegan and gluten free options, but you can also add a protein to those. I thought the panna cotta was amazing We'll be back for sure.

Great new addition to the Richmond scene. I'll assume the cocktail menu will rotate over time but the Kinds of Kindness and the Firebird were both tasty and balanced. We shared the baked feta and added chicken which was delicious. With the chicken it was $30 but we both felt it was a good portion to share. We sat at the bar on a Friday night and there was plenty of room, bartender was very conversational when we asked about the cocktails and dishes. Decor and vibe is great for a casual date or small friend gathering. Will definitely go back.

Went after a work volunteer event. We were starving and Brazen delivered big time! We chose to sit outside on the patio. Brazen is so well designed! The color scheme makes it so cozy while still giving a fun night out vibe. Since it was such a nice day, we chose to sit outside on the patio. Three out of four of us got the Firebird cocktail which was amazing! Refreshing, slightly fruity with a little tartness from the pomegranate. The perfect amount of smokiness from someone who does not like Mezcal. Any restaurant with beets already wins in my book but Brazen did the beet appetizer really well. It's a cold dish with fennel and orange. Perfectly balanced. I got their version of a bahn mi. I probably wouldn't get it again but it was still good. Our server was attentive and fun! I will definitely be back to try more.

Farm to table and this place slaps. I enjoyed the Fried chicken sandwhich with some perfectly cooked asparagus. The chicken was crispy and flavorful, the toppings and sauce were crunchy, fresh, and zesty - delicious. I also enjoyed a draft pint to round out the meal.

Outstanding poutine, to die for brussel sprouts...good service! Beautiful modern space

The food was delicious, fresh and unique. The bar manger was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. We had the house salad, braised beets, Thai curry mussels (special), slow-braised short rib (starter), seared Salmon entree (very generous portion). No dessert we were too full.

Food was delicious! First time trying Brazen. We thought the drinks were ok, lots of ice in them made for very small amount but typical for most Richmond cocktail bars. Service was fast and the wait staff was super helpful in recommending good plates. We all got something different but everything was good and fresh.

Absolutely delicious food!! The salmon was perfectly seasoned & the plate looked too pretty to eat. Chicken sandwich & fries were tasty too. Only rated 4 stars because the cocktails were limited in terms of flavored martinis. We enjoyed the lemon drop.

A great new hidden gem!! Went for drinks and fries (the dry rub on the fries is incredible). Fun and spacious inside with a large front patio. Jackson was a great bartender/server - we will definitely be back!

Amazing restaurant! Everything was delicious and flavorful! I took my daughter Cherise there today for her birthday lunch and we both loved it. And also the service was amazing our server Jon was very knowledgeable and went the extra mile to make us feel welcome! Love this establishment! The ambiance was relaxing and music was great. Please visit Brazen restaurant you will be amazed at the quality of food and preparation ! Cheryl Willoughby

We visited here on a Sunday evening and got a table right away. The space is simply decorated and somewhat small, but inviting, very clean, with small touches like hanging plants and modern colered-glass pitchers on the table adding to the atmosphere. An open feel results from the smart decision not to cram too many tables into the space. As far as the food is concerned, the menu has something to appeal to most anyone, while also avoiding the pitfall of trying to do too much. The main part of the dinner menu features sandwiches and entrees, ranging from creative twists on popular dishes, including a variety of sandwiches, as well as less common dishes like the roasted quail, which was what I got and was flavorful with the wild cherry and mushroom filling and was and well-cooked. My wife got the Oxbow sandwich, which she enjoyed as well (and it was huge). The cocktails were well balanced, unique, and thoughtful, including an extremely interesting and unusual (in a good way) mocktail that the bartender created for us using a number of ingredients, including house-made beet syrup. Finally, the service was friendly and very attentive, without being overbearing. Would highly recommend.

Great food and very friendly service. We tried Brqzen on a cool, rainy day in May - perfect weather for short ribs. The house and beet salads are fresh and delicious. All three of us had the short rib entree. Wow. The ribs were perfectly tender and subtly flavored. The accompanying risotto is legitimate risotto, not just the soggy rice that so often passes as risotto. My son and husbands loved the charred greens, but I thought they were a bit on the tart side. My husband has dietary restrictions so he asked for polenta instead of risotto and it was creamy and well- seasoned. We can't wait to return and try one of their sandwiches.

We had a great dinner at Brazen! Start with the short rib app - you won't regret it. The cocktails are inventive and delicious. I think what we appreciated most is how the menu is constructed to give you an amazing meal, whether you have a sandwich or an entree. You won't have a lesser experience because you order a lower priced item. We look forward to returning!

Food was awesome and service was friendly and efficient. The Helle Ringer and Brazen bowl with beef were favorites in our party!

Cute neighborhood place. Very interesting menu, very well prepared, and different from any other restaurant. The menu is limited but they do them very well. Server was very nice and very dedicated. We will definitely be back.

Just tried Brazen last night, with a critical crowd, and when I tell you - no notes. The interior design is original, a comfortable mix of coastal and urbane. The service was good. The food was delicious- with great attention to detail in seasoning each layer of the dishes and finishing with perfect accompanying flavors. It is small enough to feel intimate but they don't crowd the tables together which is so appreciated. My group was ultimately satisfied and all plates were borderline licked clean. I intend to come back again and again. Thank you for a delectable meal!

Amazing food! Perfect combination of fresh and well seasoned dishes. So many delicious options. I tried the Braised Beets and Slow Roasted Braised Short Rib appetizer which was so great that I had the dinner portion of it as well. Fun selection of cocktails! Friendly staff and nice ambience with an outdoor patio. Highly recommend it!

I had an amazing experience with such friendly staff! I tried the Firebird cocktail, and it was absolutely delicious. I also enjoyed the Base Camp chili wings, which were fantastic as well. I can't wait to come back again!

The best food and flavors I have had in Richmond. Server Ellen and Bartender Shelby were amazing both times I visited. The Frog in the Boat starter is divine. Definitely a Chef to trust. Able to make things dairy free/vegan (the dairy free butter is sinful!). I appreciate the atmosphere and outside tables are lovely too. 10/10

I want to like it more. I really do. But this reminds me that I should give every new restaurant time to get things running smoothly before I get my hopes entirely too high. To be clear, I'll be back in like 6 months as I really love the concept and the menu. It's just that the service and the deliverables came up short. Food alone would've been 4-stars- tasty, inventive, but certainly room for improvement. Service- holy cow- was like a 1. Inattentive and completely uninterested. Maybe my group didn't know a chef/owner or have some other inside track, but good grief. Me and some pals were there to have some drinks and spend some money and I don't exaggerate when I say the (2) rounds of drinks we had took minimum of 15-20 minutes to be delivered. And it's not a huge, bustling space. So that's my current take. Will hopefully revise upward whenever I come back for a (hopefully) better experience.

Learned about this new place via TikTok and decided to meet a friend who was in town from Europe. He always prefers a more upscale meal. I had a lovely custom cocktails the bartender made when I was describing what I wanted. Skipped appetizers because I was eyeing the desserts. Had the short ribs with risotto for dinner and they were outstanding. Had a sautéed greens that wasn't overpowering for me. My friend had the exact same dish so cant comment on their other entrees but the menu had a lot of options I wanted to try. Dessert was a nice size portion. I should have taken pictures. We had a lovely server and everyone seemed really nice. I was able to find side parking fairly easily with where on Cary st. I'm looking forward to taking my husband again. It's a great location for anyone going to the Altria theater.

Wonderful food. Husband and I got sandwiches (can't remeber the names) with mac and cheese and salad. Nothing was disappointing. Definitely recommend.

A solid chef-owned dining spot featuring modern classics. The best Mezcal cocktail in town! Great Fan vibe. Def recommend.

The food is amazing, don't sleep on the mussels! The grazen is an awesome play on a bahn mi. The cocktails are balanced and are thoughtful. The cherry fernet and coke is super crushable. Service is spot on and above and beyond. It's good vibes and a beautiful place.