L'Opossum in Richmond

We love this restaurant on any date, but tonight felt compelled to leave a review. Some date nights you need something special. L Opposum is always special, but even more so at the holidays. For this reason my husband and I love to visit every year during Christmas. I look forward to the eggnog cocktail and swank bank (the most luxurious lobster mac and cheese), and my husband loves to try whatever is new and special (coq au morocco this time). My husband mentioned our tradition while we were eating, and everyone went out of their way to be kind and make sure we were having a wonderful experience for our annual visit. Not only did we have an excellent meal but we felt so welcomed and valued! There is a reason L Opposum is often called the best restaurant in Richmond. Tonight solidified it for me. You absolutely cannot beat the people, the food and the atmosphere. If you have not been here you absolutely need to visit as soon as possible.

I can die happy after having eaten here! The food was the best food I have ever eaten. I cant do the food, the atmosphere, the staff justice with a Google review. We had the vegan options, and these were well thought out and orchestrated dishes. Happiness on a plate. Divine. If I wasnt so socially awkward I would have said all this to the staff. But honestly, the absolute best food I have ever had in my entire life!

Great date night spot! Dimly lit, eclectic vibes, great cocktails!

I was given a $400 gift card and was not permitted to use it all on a $620 meal! They refused to credit back $28 to my credit card deposit for the reservation, but instead re-issued me another gift card for the $28 balance! Including tip, we paid $750 for a dinner, and it is extremely poor customer service to ruin the experience over $28! Do NOT purchase gift cards from this restaurant. They will not honor them as they should. I will spend future $750 meals elsewhere!

Just Wow! The food here is amazing (I think this chef has done this before). Great service and cool vibe here. A true favorite! Not to be missed!

Loved our visit here we had a very enjoyable set of plates that were very seasonal. My only complaint was that the prices seemed a little high (and I m used to fine dining), but I m glad I got the experience.

Wonderful place. Food was fantastic, service was GREAT!! An amazing place to have dinner.

Everything about LOpossum is perfect. My partner and I shared the duck confit, I got the filet and she had the Moroccan chicken. We shared the creme brulee and apple tart for desserts. The attention to detail was fantastic and the service was as good as the food, well worth it.

Terrible.

This place is tens across the board I went for my birthday in October. They were so nice so accommodating. I really felt the love the food was delicious. The drinks were made fantastic ambience no reason not to come.

Service was amazing! Super nice people and very attentive. The escargot. Delightful. The bread was truly delicious and it is made in house. The main courses were chaotic. You couldnt taste anything because of the bombardment of spices and none of it made sense. Quial with shrimp? They used what seemed to me similar spices in all the plates. My fish was cooked beautifully, but it sat there languishing in an overspiced mess, and i couldnt taste anything but overpowering spice. The other plates were similar. It left all l of us feeling heavy, slightly sick . It is also very, very expensive. The atmosphere was really beautiful but it was so dark, I couldnt see what I was eating.

Service was impeccable, food was world-class, atmosphere to die for. What more could one ask for? Austin and Kendall were lovely and ensured our evening was special. My favorite experience dining in Richmond in the past ten years. The lighting was incredible, the music playlist was banger after banger of well-curated and eclectic song choices, the art that adorned the walls was endlessly entertaining. Food was PERFECTLY seasoned. Will be back.

Amazing food. Amazing service. We arrived early, and they were able to accommodate us. Super friendly staff who are knowledgeable on everything on the menu. My only complaint is how long it took to get a reservation, but after going, I can totally see why it s constantly booked up.

Fantastic food, and just a great experience.

I dont have enough good things to say about this place. Grabbed a spot at the bar after the hostess sorted a seat for me. The bartender and manager were so attentive. I dont think I knew a cessar salad could be so good. Tartar for the win and fantastic wine selection and cocktail curation. Im not even a dessert person normally but that lavender and limoncello creme brulee was legit

Cannot say enough about how incredible this restaurant is! The food is amazing (creative and so delicious), which is not unexpected, given that the owner/Chef, David Shannon, has received a James Beard award as a best chef in the Mid-Atlantic region semi-finalist. But the incredible dining experience here goes way beyond the food. The ambiance of the restaurant, with its intimate lighting and whimsical decor, inspires passion and humor. This is a fun and memorable place to be! And the service is beyond. We recently celebrated our anniversary there, and I was touched by all the special things they did for us. They had noted our favorite table from an earlier visit and seated us there. Several of the staff, including the manager, came to our table to wish us a happy anniversary. . .all of this on top of the outstanding service they always provide. If you are looking for a particularly wonderful and memorable dining experience, LOpossum is the place!

Marvelous food! Just reading the menu is a fun start to a great meal. A special occasion restaurant for us. Parking: Located at the corner of a in a residential area. Looks like mainly with on-street parking for the neighborhood.

Our waitress, Kendal, was the best server I have encountered in my experience. Very professional, friendly, and courteous. She made our dinner experience very enjoyable. I would recommend that everyone whos reading this must try at least once to dine in LOpossum. Fantastic experience, 2nd to none. I will rate the restaurant and the ambiance and the server , Kendal. AAA+++. I can not emphasize enough regarding my experience at the restaurant. Agreed, it is pricey, but for me, its a once in a lifetime experience. In the future, I would definitely go back for any special occasion. Thank you!

Best restaurant in Richmond and it s not close

Interior of restaurant was beautiful! Other than that, I wasn t impressed. We told the server we were vegetarian and that I have a shellfish allergy and then was told exclusively about the scallop and shrimp special which neither of us could eat. We smiled and nodded along politely. When we saw one vegetarian entree option that neither of us were interested in we informed the server (kindly) that we would just be having one drink and could close out. The server seemed very off put and awkward. Not my jam!

4.5 great culinary experience! Loved the escargot and lamb belly, the soft shell crab and crème brûlée were ok. The service is the best we ve had!!

Excellent food, impeccable service, great atmosphere...loved it.

Everything about this place was outstanding. I can t wait to go back and try everything on the menu.

Our 4th visit last night in the past 10 years was most disappointing. Service and funky ambiance were fine. The food, below meh. It took 50 minutes to get bread and butter, but only after I commented wonder what this little plate is for. The lamb carpaccio (subbed for the venison) with pickled radicchio and mustard clashed with a minuscule portion of razor thin lamb. All we could taste was mustard and pickle. The tomato and steak tartar was laden in mustard and simply did not work. Peach gazpacho was a welcome pallet cleanser but most reminiscent of puréed peaches Gerber baby food. We went choo-choo as we laughed through feeding each other spoonfuls. Yes we did have some fun. The lamb belly entree was over cooked and over spiced, and the attempted riff on Beef Wellington was over seasoned with pepper etc. We could not enjoy the beautiful Cabernet with the food. All in all, the food was over seasoned and uninspired. Certainly not James Beard level. We had hoped to turn dear friends on to your super-cool spot. Instead, we all were left disappointed and wondering what had changed in the kitchen. With Julia Child in town, we had hoped for much better. Oh well, Chez la vie. Maybe this helps in future menu planning.

Fancy :)

I enjoyed a very fine dining experience at LOpossum. Unassuming exterior and location. Once inside, it was very cool, eclectic, and upbeat. I was alone, so I ate at the bar. 7 comfortable seats there, the restaurant is smaller and cozier anyway. Bartender was great, and made a great dirty martini. Food was dynamite, flavors were excellent! Worth trying out for a date night or a delicious experience on your own... Vegetarian options: Terrific options for a vegetarian. Parking: On street parking - always can find a spot, just need to be patient and look.

Always excellent food and service! Portions may have gotten smaller since last visit (or maybe I was hungrier...). They need to figure out the 4% charge on cards...it dampens the overall experience. Still some of the best food anywhere!

Austin is AMAZING!!! The food is so good! I honestly have never had anything better in Richmond! I had the whole Bronzini and I could have cried of happiness and satisfaction! Thank you so much! We will be back

Cancelled a day early. $50 cancellation fee charged. When contacted they said it was a mistake but couldn t issue anything but a gift card and to contact my bank for a refund. Disappointing and won t ever go now that I ve been charged an unjust cancellation fee not disclosed when cancelling.

My husband and I only recently moved into the area within the last two years or so and this place has easily become one of our absolute favorites! Staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. The decor is to die for along with the overall atmosphere of the restaurant. We absolutely love the Beef Swellington , and one of my personal favorites is the grilled Cesar salad. If you have the time to make a reservation and get a bite to eat I strongly recommend it! I believe they have bar seating as well for walk ins :)

The food was good. The atmosphere was fantastic. Our service was rushed and we felt that we needed to eat and leave as soon as possible. Our server pushed us to order immediately and we ate and left. It was uncomfortable and diminished our dining experience.

Definitely one of the best spots in Richmond and our go to for anniversaries, birthdays, etc.

One of my favorite restaurants all time. A must visit in Richmond

Epic

Upscale dining in a fun/funky atmosphere. Everyone was super nice. The food and cocktails were to die for. Pricy, but way more worth it than other places. Better steak than ruths chris Escargot was the best Ive ever had

One of the best culinary experiences Ive ever had! From the basil and mint water to the lavender infused creme brulé. Every new dish was a culinary adventure. The faberge eggs, this dog will hunt! I had the quail, and my wife had the soft shell crabs. Both were amazing. Food that you are familiar with and love, but elevated to a place you didnt think you would ever get invited to.

An inviting and cozy ambiance. Creative and Delicious entrees. Our server was a bit slow.

yummy, but the rabbit is rabbit cant be cow.

I love the eclectic atmosphere and great music. The food was outstanding. I had the Caesar s salad, which was grilled and perfect. The filet mignon is a treat. Desserts and drinks were exceptional also. I ll be coming back. Reservations are a must. Food

This place was such an amazing experience. The atmosphere is one of a kind, the service was flawless, and the food was the best I ve ever had. I can t wait to come back here!

We were disappointed. We enjoyed the atmosphere - it reminded us of something from the 1980s. The level of service was as expected, though not exceptional. Of course, we went for the food, which we found disappointing. Given the difficulty of reserving a table, we thought the food would be as exceptional as it appears to be in the online photos. We stayed about an hour, ordered two appetizers, two entres, and two glasses of prosecco, for which we dropped a total of $215 (175 + 35 grat). We would have ordered desert, but it seemed risky given our selections thus far. The appetizers we had were the escargot and faberge eggs. The escargot was exceptional - tender, delicious, and beautifully presented. The eggs were beautifully presented, but the portion was too small - given the contents - and the flavors too contrasting, simply not creating a unifying pleasurable taste experience. For our entres, we chose crabcakes and the Chefs Daily Catch of soft shell crab. The portions were generous enough, and the presentation was lovely, but again, we found the flavors in conflict throughout these dishes. Also, for the soft shell crab, the shell was chewy, lacking the tenderness one would expect. The prosecco was perfect. Richmond has amazing crabcakes and soft shell crab for considerably less money within spaces worthy of those who enjoy grazing longer.

From the hostess to the server to the manager to the chef, this restaurant oozes authenticity. The entire experience was full of fun personalities and dishes that defy reality. Depth, layers, and balance define this culinary delight of an establishment. I can t wait to come back here and I count myself extremely jealous of anyone who gets the chance to dine at this exemplary restaurant. 1000/10 stars.

I have been looking forward having dinner at this place after reading the reviews. Heres mine. Food was ok but nothing to rave about. Wait staff was attentive. Ambiance and decor was I guess ok but for a highly rated restaurant? Umm very stuffy. Restroom was clean. Husband and I had wine. Escargot and oyster for appetizer. Crab cake and atlántic char for entree and flan for dessert.

LOpossum never disappoints. We just celebrated our anniversary here, and everything about it was perfection, from the welcoming host to the very pleasant and competent server, to the outstanding food in the always enjoyable ambience. We always enjoy LOpossum.

Four of us dined here last evening, the experience was beyond exceptional. The service was spot on and the food was everything we expected. We all ordered different appetizers and entrees which we shared, the Faberge egg, venison carpaccio, esgargot and oysters it would be impossible to say which was better. For the entrees we tried the filet which was cooked to a perfect medium rare and had a to die for reduction that would be great on vanilla ice cream(lol), the lobster Mac and cheese was perfect, the quail and crab cakes could not be beat either. We also tried several desserts which topped off a perfect meal.

Wonderful experience.

This is truly one of the better restaurants in Richmond! The ambiance was lovely, funky, quirky. The music was just loud enough. I cannot say enough good about the service and food. From the hostess to the serving staff our interactions were stellar. They were attentive without being intrusive. They anticipated every need and addressed every concern professionally and promptly. The food was outstanding. I got the swellington, my husband the rabbit. Both surprised and delighted us! Not only that, but they brought us two complimentary glasses of champagne in honor of our anniversary! All in all a truly outstanding experience. We highly recommend LOpposum!

First time and most likely the last. Waited years to finally try this restaurant. After booking reservations 3 months out we finally arrived. First, the service was impeccable, catered to by multiple staff members. Server was crazy knowledgeable about all the drinks and dishes. The food however was an amazing disappointment. Have heard so many good things about the food and a crazy amount of fantastic reviews. Cocktails were great, we tried the Faberge egg (form of deviled egg) and the escargot for starters, both looked great but lacked any flavor, really nothing special. For entree the beef swellington , some kind of Wellington reconstruction, but it was just a well seasoned filet with side of veggies, nothing like a Wellington. You can get a better steak in town. After the many reviews and friend after friend saying this was the best or some the best food in Richmond, we left depressed and hit up McDonald s on the way home.

We loved everything about this restaurant! The decor is whimsical, and the seating is cozy! The personal touch is evident by the wait staff and managements attentiveness! The dishes we had were excellent! We will definitely return!

One of my favorite restaurants ever! I stop here every time in in Richmond for work. Every dish is a piece of art. It seems the chef really tried to make art with the dishes - aesthetically and with the combinations of flavors. I took off a star because I saw the manager throwing his cigarette butt on the ground (littering) outside the restaurant as I was driving away during my recent trip. You seem like a cool dude, but littering is not cool bro! Even if its a small cigarette butt. Other than that this is a fantastic restaurant with unique dishes, a unique vibe. I suggest it to any coworkers I know that visit Richmond. Would be a nice date spot as well.

An RVA institution that never disappoints!

After a year of anticipation, I finally visited L Opossum. It was good, but didn t live up to the hype. The Fabergé Eggs were intriguing, but my Beef Swellington was underwhelming. The duxelles-filled pastry was too small to truly enjoy with the beef, lacking the distributed flavor you get with a traditional Beef Wellington. As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy, and perhaps this dish was such a case. That said, dessert was exceptional. The Devil s in the Details was a decadent lava cake, among the best I ve ever had. La Petite Mort au Chocolate en Flambé was a visual and culinary delight. The fire at the beginning left a subtly smoky flavor. The dark chocolate torte had a slight spice, juxtaposed with a sweet fruit compote. The cozy, eclectic atmosphere was a highlight, and the attentive staff were pleasant. Despite some disappointments, the interesting menu might bring me back.

Food and service were great. Playlist also included Nick Cave so extra points included.

The service was great. The food was very good. The ambiance was very eclectic. One restaurant that I can check off my list of places I needed to go to. Thanks to the staff for a wonderful time!

I had a great time! Our server was very knowledgeable and nice. The food was delicious, and the decor was delightfully quirky.

Small quaint restaurant with French flair. Was expecting the food to be better than what we experienced, amazing vs very good. The filet was amazing . Crab cakes , desserts very good. Please note they charge a 4 percent credit card fee.

This whole review could be dedicated to the atmosphere, but that would do a disservice to the rest of the experience. Top level service, comfortable but classy vibe, and wonderful food. Each dish was nuanced, layered with flavor and texture. The crab cakes were indeed all crab, and the potato leek soup was absolute velvet, wonderful and creamy. The Devils in the Details for dessert

This is easily the best experience Ive had in recent memory. Good music, good beer, great service and amazing crab cakes. Youll spend more than a hundred bucks on a date, but its well worth it. Cheers! Spoil yourself!

Small place in the middle of a residential area. I was pleasantly surprised at the food and service. Delicious!! We must go back. I had a crab cake and charred ceasar salad. Very interesting decor...definitely will go back. Cocktails were great too.

David Shannon has created a gem. After passing through the unassuming entrance you are immediately greeted by warm and friendly staff and struck by the eclectic atmosphere. The food is amazing. If the lobster macncheese is available, it is a strong recommend. Vegetarian options: Delicious

Quaint atmosphere. Food was very good, if unremarkable. The Beef Swellington was good, but why not just do the real thing and charge a few bucks more? The French Onion appetizer was fantastic

The perfect dinner.

Authentic atmosphere and creative menu with delicious food.

Having been a server for almost 10 years, it is very difficult for me to be blown away by service I recieve while dining. Susan absolutely put it down! Not only was she completely on point with timing of everything- drink almost done? Shes there asking if youre ready for another. Just finished your last bite of bread? Here she comes with more for the table- but she is EXTREMELY knowledgeable about the menu, helping guide you through the flavors present and explaining not only what features in a dish, but how it will taste and feel. I CANNOT say enough about how professional and amazing she was. Then, not only was the service top-notch, but every single bite of every dish absolutely DELIEVERED! We ordered the venison carpaccio, and Susan was able to describe all the sauces and flavors on the dish, so we were able to try the venison with each, knowing it would tweak the overall flavor in different ways. It came highly recommended by a friend and did not disappoint. I got the waygu stuffed quail for my entree and my husband got the sea scallops catch of the day, and the portions were amazing for both- giant scallops, a half a quail that perfectly filled me up, along with amazing waygu cheek stuffed in the quail. Not only were the proteins perfectly cooked and flavored, but even the sides to each dish complemented the proteins beautifully and were DELICIOUS. Not a single thing could I or would I want to change. 100% worth every penny spent for an amazing date night, and we will absolutely book another reservation to return! Parking: Go early to ensure you can find parking, or catch an Uber or Lyft

Super all the way around. Art, food, service all with a great sense of humor

I believe another review said that LOpossum should be Michelin star rated....I agree 100% without a doubt.

Unique, adventurous and delicious. My wife and I had a fantastic meal at L Opossum. Highly recommend this fresh take on modern French cuisine!

I was hopeful for dining here. The 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. An amazon delivery person 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 good. My reccomended wine pairing was good. Im glad it was good because I was served a full glass. I would have preferred a small taste before 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, it would be a waste to present a fully poured glass to have the guest say no thanks. My entre appeared quickly thereafter. It was presented well and looked delicious. The orange with rind on top was strange. I tried the broth first, it was 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. The vegetables and greens 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. The onions 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. Was the previously offered full glass for my entre? It was. Its 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. 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. 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 restaurants website, I expected more, and was severely disappointed. I DO NOT RECOMMEND.

Nice restaurant, food was nice, but a little underwhelming (Swank Bank and Swellington). Worth noting that it is NOT a beef wellington. Music a touch too loud for the restaurant, making conversations difficult to hold at a normal volume.

Compliments to the Chef and the whole Kitchen Team!!! The best culinary experience in Richmond! Go LO Dogs!! Our server, Shanna(?) was fantastic super knowledgeable of the menu and super patient with us!!

My wife and I went there for the first time on valentines day. From the beginning to end, everything was above expectations. Drinks were amazing, bread was warm, food was delicious. Staff was very friendly. We now have a new favorite restaurant in RVA!! WORTH EVERY PENNY!!

Fabulous food, fabulous service! Interesting cocktails, great wine list. Really nice atmosphere, small restaurant with eclectic recorded music.

Top of the line cuisine! European portions w/ artistic presentation and top of the line quality! Food

Son and DIL took us for my Wife s Birthday recently and absolutely EVERYTHING about the experience was Top Notch /Excellent! Vibe is Funky, Fun and Homey Menu is amazing (SOMEBODY had a blast coming up with the playful names of various dishes/drinks!) along with execution/presentation of dishes (we all had something different and shared bites of each), wines were VERY nice and the service was skilled but NOT pretentious in any way. If You want someplace out of the ordinary that feels good, has friendly/skilled servers and a kitchen that knocks it out of the park with varied menu items THIS is Your Place in RVA!

I ate here for my friends birthday because she wanted to go to a nice restaurant. The food here is nothing exquisite, not saying its bad but for the price I dont find myself coming back. The lighting inside was also too dark and dim for my liking, almost straining my eyes and it was difficult to see anything and I feel that takes away from the enjoyment of the food and atmosphere... Its a shame because it seems to be beautifully decorated but the lighting was too low to tell! Its also a smaller environment and felt a little packed so the noise level was a little uncomfortable. Overall It was a unique experience and now I can say Ive been but not my top pick for fine dinning in Richmond.

Vegetarian options: Excellent, gourmet vegetarian options. Food

From the time we entered the restaurant to the time we left, everyone was really nice and warm. That goes a long way We did have to send back the rabbit dish due to it being chewy. They apologized and got my husband the crab cakes dish swiftly. The chocolate mousse with the flame around it is a must try!!! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and friendliness of the staff. I certainly recommend to anyone who wants a unique experience!!!

Just ate a fantastic meal. They were able to accommodate us as a walk in. Our server and Host Will were fantastic. Truly one of our best meals ever. Had the chicken and wagu beef cheeks as our main dishes after 2 perfect appetizers. Fun experience. Great food and ambience. Musical selection was the best.

Continues to be one of the top fine dining experiences in RVA. I used to live withing walking distance - its tucked inside a little neighborhood called Oregon Hill. They successfully mix in some fun and character to the experience instead of everything being uptight like many other restaurants of this caliber. Reserve well ahead of time, and try to book later in the evening if you can. Enjoy!

Everything was, as always, absolutely top shelf.

Delightfully eccentric decor, welcoming and cozy ambience, AMAZING meal

Great experience. Will be returning soon!

Ah, LOpossum, 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 of delicious cocktails, ingenious appetizers, well-conceived 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 its 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? Vegetarian options: There are a few, including a vegan appetizer. Dietary restrictions: You might want to call ahead if you have specific dietary restrictions, but they will do their best to work with you.

Excellent restaurant with a very eclectic interior. Very moody (in the best way) atmosphere...queer, dark, and gaudy. Food was incredible. Escargot, crab cakes, and crème brûlée were delicious. My partner and I loved the whole experience.

I mean theres a reason you have to reserve a table like 4 months in advance! Its the best!

Excellent food but if I had to make one small complaint, I would say our server had the driest personality compared to the others we could hear next to us. Maybe she was having an off day, but it felt like she didn t even want to be serving us.

Small and dark, but this restaurant is the epitomy of throw a dart at the menu and its good. Nothing you order comes out poorly... Okay the creme brulee was a miss, but otherwise another flawless service .

Amazing food

Amazing - The food, the service, The vibe. All of it simply amazing the Beef Swellington was cooked to perfection.

Food was very good, a little eccentric for me but still delicious. Staff was pleasant and the atmosphere was very interesting. Well worth the visit.

While I appreciated the attention to detail and the artistic presentation of each dish, I was disappointed in the cohesiveness. The service was attentive and professional, and the atmosphere was undeniably sophisticated. I appreciate the effort and skill that goes into creating such intricate dishes but I ultimately left feeling somewhat underwhelmed.

One of the best restaurants in Richmond. Food was incredible. Atmosphere is really cool. Definitely will be coming back.

Been fortunate to have had several meals at this wonderful restaurant!! Absolutely top level service, food and ambiance.

It has withstood the test of time and getting into this place takes time. Eclectic art and vibe. Excellent service and knowledge of the details of the menu. We will revisit again!

so this was my first experience at a French restaurant first the negatives and this is just my opinion others will or may disagree. if Im going to a pricey restaurant I like the place to look upscale I mean bookbinders plus. this was not the case the artwork was eclectic odd weird. didnt like the stuffed opossums or all the creepy clown artwork. the music was weird funky as well would rather listen to the original artists. we had a party of 4 and reservation was at 9pm I had tried to add one additional person and called two different days but was told both times not possible. where we sat they was a table on either side of us that remained not used the entire time we were there ( about 90 plus min) so they could have accommodated us so that was odd as well. on the plus side our server was outstanding all the staff was friendly and our server was very professional knowledgeable and accommodating any restaurant would be lucky to have her . Im vegan so I had the vegan appetizer which came with 3 different hummus selections all amazing!!! I could eat it all day my entree was cabbage with lentils mushrooms vegan sauce tomatoes and greens it was also exceptional so overall if the decor was more upscale it would get 5 stars for sure our server was definitely a 10.!!!! Our servers name was Susan

Lovely place. Interior is like a Key West fever dream. Incredible food. Have to experience, difficult to explain. While it is fancy, the portions are very generous.

Go here and treat yourself

LOpossum is hands down the best restaurant in RVA. I would give six stars if I could. Everything about our experience at LOpossum was excellent. The starters were outrageously delicious - my bedazzled Fabergé egg was simply devine. Arctic char, pork bellies, Swellington...all were incredibly balanced and scrumptious. The service is reminiscent of a bygone era when servers were trained, knowledgeable about the food and professional. I cannot wait to return.

Fantastic, quirky, fun!! These are the adjectives that I think of to describe this restaurant. The appetizers and entrees are to die for and the drinks and atmosphere are flattering to the chefs delicious meals. The stuffed quail was fantastic.

The food was good, but the host working the evening of December 15th, 2022, was VERY unfriendly. My husband made reservations 2 months in advance for my birthday dinner. When doing so, he requested a booth. When we arrived, the host was inhospitable, to say the least. Barely acknowledging us, she/they immediately began to seat us at a table that wasnt a booth. We did not make a huge fuss, but we politely asked if we could have a booth as 2 could be seen available. They had to be cleaned, but we were okay with waiting as we were 15mins early for the reservation. Unfortunately, this simple request for a booth perturbed the host, and she/they went out of the way to make it clear that our request was highly inconvenient for her/them. From the sighing to the eyerolling and general lack of warmth, it ruined an otherwise good experience. This is unfortunate because Richmond is home to some of the best restaurants on the east coast, and a part of their charm is warm and friendly staff, coupled with great food. It was out of place for a Richmond restaurant that is so highly rated. Again, the food was good, but we would have enjoyed it more if we werent treated like an inconvenience.

Genuinely one of the best meals Ive ever had. The entrees and desserts are where they truly shine - we had the Beef Swellington and the catch of the day which were both amazing, and then the chocolate cake and creme brulee desserts that were excellent. I am already planning our trip back!

The most consistently excellent restaurant Ive been to in , is a gem in terms of quality of food, portion, and service.

I totally get why its hard to get a reservation. Parking: Street parking, but not bad.

I recently went to this place for a friends birthday dinner. The atmosphere was very eccentric and different but overall very cool. There have only been a handful of times where I have went a restaurant and my taste buds were smacked with so much delicious flavor and this was one of the moments. I ordered the Filet Mignon Beef Swellington for my entree and the Oregon Hill Alley Apple Pie for dessert. The Filet Mignon melts in your mouth and tastes very good when paired with the veggies. It s been a couples of days and I m still thinking about this entree lol. Definitely would recommend this restaurant for sure.

Great food, great atmosphere, great people. They made a very small mistake and gave me free food! Bonus points for the opossum decorum! Food

Wonderful service and amazing food! The decor and atmosphere are intriguing, unique, and really lovely. The service was great, the food was excellently prepared and delicious. A must see!!!

Amazing food, friendly service and unique atmosphere. Reading the menu is part of the experience.

Very goos

Amazing dining experience. My husband & I both agreed it was easily in the top 5 best meals weve ever had. Cocktails were also delicious and fun - loved the cheeky little detail on the Laura Palmer! We would love to return next time we are in Richmond. Thank you, LOpossum!

Wow! From the cute lamps and Andy Warhol table design, to the outstanding food, and above and beyond service, this place was a must try for any celebration or a treat yourself meal!!

I visited here May 3/2023 during my trip to Virginia. I was alone but the waiters are really nice and friendly to me. A guy who was making cocktails and serves sometimes talked to me so I was never got bored. And even after my dishes, the waiters gave me an amazing chocolate cake (served being fired) as a gift! I didn t expect such a wonderful surprise during my trip. It was actually the first time for me to visit the US. I m Japanese from Tokyo and I am secretly proud of good quality of hospitality of Japan, but oh my gosh the service I received here is like top 10 of my life. Dishes and experience here gave me great memory of the US. I really want to come back. I ordered cooked oysters with cheese and beetroot soup. Both dishes were really delicious. I visited both cheap restaurants and other fine restaurants during my stay, but I definitely think here had the best cuisines. I found here on an article online that says Edgar Allan Poe (I was pilgrimaging) would have loved this restaurant, and I understand now indeed. I can t agree more. Highly recommended!

Vegetarian options: I would have appreciated more veggie and vegan options but I can understand why they cant carry more menu items.

As always, wonderful.

I had an amazing experience at L Opossum. I ve been eyeing this place since the first time I visited Richmond and it exceeded expectations! I was promptly seated at the bar (come around 5 for bar seats if you don t have a reservation) and was greeted by a friendly and personable bartender. I started off by ordering the cocktail jock snifter, which was charmingly quite literal! I was recommended to try the foie gras as an appetizer, and it was delicious. My entree had cabbage, lentils and mushrooms, and was elevated and full of delicate flavor. I was super impressed. For dessert, I had a chocolate torte that was fluffy and crispy at the same time, it rounded out my meal perfectly. I had a great time looking around at all the eclectic decor around the restaurants and chatting with the bartender and other staff, who were all super friendly. Overall the food, service and atmosphere impressed. I would highly recommend L Opossum for anything desiring a unique dining experience in Richmond!

The best meal I have eaten. My wife got the pork belly and it was very flavorful and cut with a fork. I got the filled and it is the best steak I have ever had. It was cooked perfectly and even the veggies on the plate were amazing. We shared the creme brulee and tiramisu. Both were incredible. Also the bread service which was just a simple French bread was amazing. It was not a cheap meal but it was worth every penny. Parking: Only street parking but we were able to find a spot about a block away.

Everything was amazing

Fantastic dinner here! Old school service but not pretentious. Quirky menu descriptions and decor. Will return for sure!

Best dessert in RVA

Flawless dinner. Everything was prepared to perfection and service was top notch.

L opossum is by far one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond. The service is always good and the food and cocktails are excellent. If you go during the holidays, make sure you try the eggnog!

For your consideration, a French Bistro set between 1970s NYC Greenwich Village and 2010s Las Vegas: Thunder Down Under. In the best possible way. Bring your appetite for rich foods, quirky queer whimsy, and excellent service. None will be left unsatisfied. Kid-friendliness: The decor and menu descriptions trend risqué, but the nuance is likely to be too subtle for children under 8, who will love the oddities. Themes may be clearer for older kids, with a near pg-13 MPAA vibe.

The friendly hosts, excellent bartender with creative drinks, amazing food, and warm atmosphere combined to create an see unforgettable dining experience. Whether youre seeking a memorable date night or simply a place to enjoy delicious food and great company, this restaurant is an absolute gem. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in search of a truly delightful culinary adventure.

Had many very special meals here. One of my favorite restaurants in Richmond.

Honestly, the atmosphere was okay at best, it gave off the niche vibe like they were fancier and could get away with it then they actually were. The escargot was very good. The rest of the food was subpar, the shrimp felt like it was put on both our dishes because they needed to get rid of it since it was overcooked something fierce. The pork belly was charred way more than it should have been. The quail was a bit too salty. You couldn t actually pay me to return to the establishment.

LOpossem never disappoints. The service, the food, the atmosphere... All exceptional. I highly recommend the Hard Candy mixed drink, the Beef Swellington, and the Creme Brulee. Dietary restrictions: Thank you for accommodating food allergies.

Food is consistently delicious, unique, and beautifully plated every time weve visited. The cocktails are wittily named and refreshing. The steak is definitely the best dish thus far. The atmosphere cannot be beat! If youre looking for a quiet, well lit restaurant this is not the place you; especially if you get seated in the middle rowed tables youll hear a lot and may feel in the way. But still a lovely experience!

Came here for an anniversary dinner with my wife. The decor was great. It displayed eclectic exuberance, with lots of interesting art and decorations. The service was great. The food was amazing. We had escargot, venison carpaccio, Caesar salad, soft shell crab catch of the day, and quail stuffed with wagyu cheek. We finished off with the devil in the details and the lavender and limoncello creme brulee. Everything was so good, and we walked away stuffed and happy. Would definitely recommend.

Great night out experience. Fantastic food and service in a great environment.

Hands down the best restaurant in Richmond! From the ambience to the service to the food - it s all next level. The most creatively designed menu and perfectly executed dishes. Highly recommend!

Simply amazing! Try everything!

Server had amazingly bad attitude , made us uncomfortable from the beginning , so abrupt and rude , absolutely spoiled the great food , will never go back ,

I see why its considered the best restaurant in RVA. Delicious food and very unique atmosphere.

Walked in this restaurant and was rudely greeted by the hostess ( Summer) . We came from an Uber with 2 cans that needed thrown away. They were rudely grabbed from us and told that we not going to be able to be served alcohol. Will ,the manager, told us we were going to be unable to be served alcohol. None out of the 4 of us were intoxicated. He informed us that we could stay for dinner but would not be served alcohol. No explanation was given. It was so discriminatory that the server came over and apologized. We were profiled, 2 of us were from out of town.

Literally the worst restaurant experience of my life and the very worst overall hospitality I have witnessed. If I detailed the incident in this review most would think it was a made up story. I will spare everyone the details and say that our server apologized multiple times for how we were treated. The table beside us even apologized to us! I have eaten food in many upscale, fine dining establishments around the world and the food at L Opposum is just okay. The presentation is good but everything is over seasoned and just mediocre. After reading other reviews, I now see this isn t an isolated incident. This restaurant has a toxic vibe and it comes through in the food.

Excellent all the way. Actual top drawer service and Excellent meal

Our favorite restaurant. Perfect for anniversary or special occasion. Great cozy atmosphere! The food is as interesting and sometimes as unusual as the decor itself. If you like to think about the flavors your tasting than Im sure you will love this.

Updated 8/23/2023 - another excellent dinner for our 38th anniversary ! ....One of the best dining experiences we have had. The food was amazing, especially that flaming chocolate desert!

One of the best dining experiences I ve ever had! The atmosphere is so cozy and fun, the decor is amazing. Our server Susan was very kind and knowledgeable about all of the dishes on the menu. We got the oysters rock, the lobster mac, the beef wellington, and the chocolate cake and everything was so delicious! Our food was served very quickly, we didn t wait more than 10 minutes between courses. If you re lucky you ll meet Jack, the friendly orange tabby cat whose collar says that he lives down the street but like to visit L opossum. Overall we had a wonderful time, I can t recommend it enough!!!

Phenomenal! 10 out of 5 stars. You know it s going to be great when you start with the bread and whipped butter. Fresh tomato appetizer with goat cheese and raspberry sorbet! Incredibly fresh vegetables with meat cooked to perfection. Even after dining to completion, we had to try the dessert. Don t forgo the chocolate flambé. The bartender, Sam, was the best.

Phenomenal. A truly unique dining experience with innovative dishes and excellent service.

Great place to have a wonderful dining experience!

This place is wonderful. The ambiance, the drinks, and, oh man, the food.

Delightful experience from beginning to end. Sat at the bar, which was comfy. Decor is cozy, colorful, and fun to look at. Had the gazpacho, lobster mac, and swashbucklin bundt pirate dessert, all were scrumptious! Service was impeccable and we felt right at home. Loved the clown portraits in the bathroom. All around excellent date, will definitely be returning. Vegetarian options: There was one vegetarian entree.

Wow! Great food and great experience. The Swellington was excellent and the best of the table.

Best restaurant in the city

Had dinner with my husband here last night and probably had one of the best dinners weve ever had. The atmosphere is dimly lit, romantic and cozy. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and food was out of this world. Forewarning, it is on the pricey side but well worth every penny.

This is our Anniversary dinner date ever year for the past 3 years and not a single complaint!

Service impeccable and food very good. Parking: Street parking. We had no issues finding a space. Food : 5/5 |

Thoughtful and totally funky! Service with Erin is exemplary, and thoughtful. Her suggestions for our first time forced the discussion of a return for different items. You may find yourself looking around the space and eventually giggling. I ll let you figure out why. It s an amazing little spot, good food, good service, good interior design and really, do we need anything more than that.

Fine dining at its most mediocre. Let me start by saying, nothing was bad... Aside from the overly pretensious attitude from every employee I interacted with. Even the entree names were pretensious. I guess I was expecting a less serious, and more comedic take on French dining based on the name alone. My mistake. Anyway, Ill get on to review the food. 4/5 Again. It was good, but not outstanding by any means. I got the Beef Swellington. Marginally overcooked and improperly barked. The port reduction was not reduced, far too runny. The fascinator was also lack luster - on the dry side and a tad bland. The vegetables were cooked and seasoned nicely though. Due to my disappointment, I did not order dessert. The service 3/5 was mostly attentive, but I really felt like the employees had something to prove. Again, everyone aired on the side of arrogance. I witnessed people without reservations be turned away despite seemingly ample waitstaff and open tables which were never filled. One business man was turned away even though there were 2 open seats at the bar. He looked very frustrated, I felt bad. I wish I could have told him it wasnt really worth it. The atmosphere 4/5 exemplified the eclectic. I love eclecticism, and it wasnt offensive, but it was a little strange for my liking. This is the only place they played with the humor implied by their name, and at best it kinda worked. Very dark, and did not even have over the table dim spotlighting. You cant really see what youre eating. I had to wait until I got home to see what my entree looked like because my cameras low light setting was the only way to make it out. The table was also a little sticky. I know this review was a little tough, but I simply wasnt impressed and did not think it lived up to its current rating of 4.7 on google. I found it over hyped, and mediocre. A trendy place which is currently having its moment in the limelight. A far cry from a institution.

Absolutely amazing food. Loved everything and can t wait to come back. Highly recommend - great ambiance, staff, music, etc. On par with Chicago and New York food scene.

The overall experience is amazing. LOpossum is a cozy little restaurant hidden in the Oregon Hill neighborhood. The atmosphere is artsy and cozy at the same time. The food is expertly prepared and served beautifully. We enjoyed our appetizers and meals. Susan is an excellent server and attentive. The entire staff takes care of the customers to ensure everyone is receiving what they need. You dont go just for the food but the overall experience. I wont wait so long to come back next time! They also have vegetarian/vegan meals and are attentive to any food concerns you may have.

Outstanding. Intimate and cozy restaurant in old corner home very knowledgeable and accommodating staff. Food truly some of the very best we have ever enjoyed. We had escargot, oysters, crab cakes and scallops. We took a special bottle of wine to celebrate our 25th anniversary so we did not review the wine list but a glass of syrah the manager brought me was very good. Highly recommended!

Our food was generally good but not extraordinary, in small portions, and not worth the very high price. The rabbit entree I ordered was overcooked and a bit tough. Our waitress, while prompt, seemed bothered by our presence and did not make us feel welcomed at all. Also they now charge an extra 4% to pay with a credit card.

Best food Ive had in the area! Great friendly atmosphere. Bonus points for having Star Wars commemorative plates on the walls.

A really superb fine dining experience. Very expensive and worth every penny.

My wife made a surprise birthday reservation. We loved the drinks & the appetizers ( I had the escargot & my wife had the vegan hummus). I loved the quail entree but my wife s lobster Mac & cheese was a huge disappointment. The lobster meat was extremely tough and chewy (she said she would ve sent it back but didn t want to ruin my birthday meal). A main entree at that price should be perfect. Unfortunately the waitress NEVER asked how our meals were. The Devil s in the Details dessert was rich enough for two to share. We loved the atmosphere.

Best eclectic restaurant in Richmond. Can t go wrong.

Great cozy date night restaurant, quirky atmosphere. Do I want to return? Maybe. The food was underwhelming and over priced. Service was mediocre at best. Parking: Its in a residential neighborhood so street parking is available. I found a spot a block away with not much difficulty

Food is pretty good .... But wine should be paired much better for such fancy sort of schticky food, dare I say. If youre like me and you cook at home with your significant other youre cooking at this level already , If you have OCD and you are as insane as I am . But the wine selection is really awful by the glass maybe buy the bottle it would be better . They need to get some Italian wines in there they need to check out a Wine Maker his name is Flavio Rhodolo.... I tried all the French and all the Italians by the glass and they were all just ble .... The atmosphere is awesome, Our server was incredible . Bartender was awesome . But for example if Im going to really truly enjoy my meal the wine has to be paired much better than this . Sorry guys but Im from Brooklyn New York born and raised maybe Im just spoiled That being said the atmosphere is so worth it , Food is good although at times so creative that it gets lost in itself . That doesnt mean its bad it just means unless youre easily impressed ...... I feel like if the wine was better.... I mean an incredible bottle of wine can be purchased for $25 in a liquor store $50 . So you can even make by the glass much better . Other than that we really enjoyed ourselves .

Outstanding food, service, and especially atmosphere, what a unique venue! Plenty of fun cocktails to choose from, maybe not the best weve had, but very good. French onion dip and fall salad were a fantastic was to start things off, and entrees of crab cakes, Swank Bank lobster mac and cheese, and rabbit special were all delicious. Awesome dessert options as well, especially loved the taste and presentation of the Swashbuckling Bundt Pirate. Parking: Limited street parking nearby, should be able to find something, may have to walk some.

Located in Oregon Hill, this David-centric, sultry atmosphere with impeccable service has the best food I have had in Richmond. Seasoned wait-staff know the menu and how to do their job very well. Not a cheap meal, and you won t want to rush, so plan to take in the atmosphere, peruse and sample the quirky drink menu, and savor the unique deliciousness of the food. Picture is of Beef Wellington (foie gras filled puffed pastry on top). Not pictured, Swank Bank Lobster Mac & Cheese with asparagus which makes my mouth water just thinking about it. For appetizers, we had oysters Rockefeller and for dessert, an apple pie creation with the creamiest ice cream (made there) and caramel sauce.

We had a wonderful dinner here last night for my mothers 75th birthday. Delicious food and excellent service. I want to express my sincere appreciation for our server Susan, who worked with us with my father with dementia with grace and finesse. I sincerely appreciate her efforts that were able to make the dinner an enjoyable experience for my mother, who has had a really difficult year with his illness. Susan = A++++

This place rocks! Just went for a friends birthday and it was my first time there. The drinks and dishes all have kooky names and surprising combos of ingredients, but all delicious! Service was friendly and knowledgeable. I loved how the restaurant was decorated and the music too. Would highly recommend for a special event, fine dining experience or just for fun and good food!

Music was too loud to carry conversation. Service was great. Food was fine, but not exceptional.

Went for my girlfriend and I birthday. Amazing place. Food was incredible! Would highly recommend

Constantly delicious, quirky and the service is above and beyond