Rowland in Richmond

Amazing seafood specials in Richmond!

11/09/24, Saturday night. Regrettably, chose the Filet Mignon special. Absolutely terrible. Filets were tough and bland. Worst I ve ever had. Won t be back.

I have been coming here for a few years and it is always the best food, great service, and a fun experience. Owners are also so wonderful and friendly.

Great staff and atmosphere. Overall the food was good but could have used more spice.

Restaurant week menu: Tldr: fine, small portions, underseasoned, timely but lackluster service. Food: The appetizers were the best part of the meal - the fish rolls and bruschetta, plus the complimentary bread were interesting and well seasoned. The main course however was pretty disappointing. The portions felt like tapas portions and needed way more seasoning. The eggplant dish needed salt and acid, and the rainbow trout dish was well cooked but not seasoned well - even just salt would have helped. The apple croissant was a quarter of a croissant and had so little apple I thought at first there wasnt any. The tiramisu lady fingers were soaked nicely but overall it was small and just okay. Service: the timing and pacing of the courses was well done. Not sure if our server was having an off day or something but when we asked about the fish roll, they didnt describe what it was? Just said...it was their favorite. And they overheard us reading about their Wednesday wine special deal and told us we were already getting enough of a deal for restaurant week...as if we were trying to be cheap or something? Were usually pretty easy going but it rubbed us the wrong way and the vibes were just weird. Again maybe just an off day. Atmosphere: it was fine. The upbeat techno music felt like it didnt totally fit the vibes there but it was fine. Overall- we were excited to try a new restaurant since were new to the area and thought this would be a great way to get familiar with their menu, but felt underwhelmed with what we got for the price, even for restaurant week prices.

This place has been our favorite for a couple years now. Terrific food and friendly and welcoming staff.

Our meal was delicious and I understand it Valentines Day, however, being charged tip on the tax, and then being told by some staff member we hadnt seen previously, that they needed our table less than an hour after our reservation for a three course meal, soured the experience. There were other diners who arrived well before us also. When we pointed out that our reservation was for 6:30 and it was only 7:22 as we finished our coffee, there was no apology, just, Oh, okay. Service otherwise was adequate. Wont be repeating this experience. There was no opportunity to correct the problems as no one stopped by at any point during the meal other than to drop food

Went with family to this neighborhood restaurant on Valentine s Day. It has a large bar and relatively few tables. Reservations recommended. It looks like a place that would serve bar food, but the excellent cuisine was a surprise. Dishes are presented beautifully and the atmosphere is dark and intimate. Outdoor seating is available in good weather. Street parking can be tricky, so allocate additional time for that. Our service was outstanding, as were the choices on their special menu. Everyone enjoyed their meal.

Great place

A lovely neighborhood corner restaurant with excellent food, cocktails and wine. Make a reservation-- it was packed. A good mix of seafood (including oysters), meals and vegetarian.

Rowland is another nice example of a small Richmond corner restaurant located in an older, classic space. My group and I went there to celebrate my wifes birthday, and enjoyed it. Good cocktails and interesting appetizers. My rockfish was very good, as was my wifes strip steak, which was actually done rare, as she had ordered (not always the case). The only blip was that one persons salad never showed up until we mentioned it, and then it was not as ordered. Parking is the usual city challenge, and I believe there are no lots nearby, but we got lucky and grabbed a space just across the street.

Had an unbelievable dinner last night. Rowland is a must go to. Food and staff were top notch.

We had an amazing experience here! The food was great, service was top notch! Our server Derrick did amazing and well definitely be coming back!

For restaurant week, this food was not good. I am actually kind of shocked at what we experienced. My boyfriends steak was literally cold..felt like it just came straight from the fridge and my chicken was completely raw in the inside. The chef never came out to say anything. They didnt offer me a new meal or take it off the bill, they just threw it in the microwave and said weve got you covered. They took all my silverware back with raw chicken, so when my microwaved raw chicken came back, they said hopefully now its to your liking (yeah, i dont think raw chicken is to anyones liking lol) and then they never brought any new silverware back. So we just sat there and finished our drinks and asked for the check. We left and went to another restaurant since I didnt barely eat anything but bread lol. At least their bread was good. Apps were subpar. I think they were understaffed because our waiter was also bartending, which is fine, we totally get that and we understand it wasnt his fault which is why im giving 2 stars instead of 1, we still gave him a good tip but they honestly could have handled things a bit better. We wont be coming back.

Gracious what a great find! wonderful decor - warm, inviting and eclectic. Had dinner on the patio - nice peaceful neighborhood. the food ~~AWESOME.....pork chops are delightfully seasoned bonein and moist .....yum! permitted substitution of the brussel sprouts for the butternut hash; white macch; dinner salad with a wonderful homemade cream dressing. Staff was wonderful and knowledgeable. Dinner for 3 with drinks, app, tip 179. Will be back! If I lived in the area I would be there several times a week. Vegetarian options: Good options. Dietary restrictions: Willing to accomodate

Absolutely delicious!! We got the NY strip and the special -- Atlantic char. Best meal weve had in a minute!!

Our favorite Fan restaurant. Never had anything other than perfection here. Great food, interesting cocktail offerings, informative and kind staff. Husband and wife team in the kitchen make you feel welcome and appreciated! Great desserts made fresh daily. We will be back soon! Parking: Parking along side streets is easy to find within short walking distance.

A warm, romantic atmosphere with great service and delicious food. Definitely a place to come back and enjoy a perfect dinner.

We hosted our rehearsal dinner here and it could not have gone any better. Our guests raved about the food and Chef Bruce was incredible easy to work with! Rowland will forever be special to us. Thank you so much Chef Bruce & Virginia!

We went for restaurant week. This is not fine dining. The food was terrible and the portions were so small. Will not come back here ever again nor will we recommend this place to anyone. Please dont waste your money here. I beg you.

We went to Rowlands for their New Years Eve dinner. It was Ok /good, but not outstanding. For the High price of the New Years Eve dinner, I was hoping for outstanding flavors. Im disappointed....

Fantastic food, great service, warm atmosphere.

Wonderful atmosphere and service. Calamari was delicious and light. Entrees were well prepared. Will be back.

Wish I could remember the dish names ... steak: med rare with a crunchy crust - perfect, and specialty fish - yummilicous. Wonderful, dare I say, pre-Covid level of service. So refreshing. Warm and cozy spot on the southern boundary of the Fan. Dining there is a pleasure.

Rowland!!!!! I can t believe I ve never been here before!!! Went last night for V-Day & it was spectacular!!! The food & drinks themselves were amazing, but what really made the evening was every employee went out of their way to speak to us, & have fun! They didn t come over for business , asking how s your meal etc. They would just stop at the table to chat for a couple minutes about something silly, something fun, something quirky, whatever!! Soo friendly & genuine!!! Just sheer perfection from beginning to end!!

Quiet spot for a nice dinner. Pecan crusted pork chop was amazing!

Small space with very nice service. Duck confit and seafood chowder apps were very good. Entrees are delightful. Black rice was quite undercooked. Enjoyed peanut butter pie and apple crisp; Panna cotta was underwhelming.

Excellent food and outstanding service!

All four of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals. I dad the rockfish with mango which was tender and flavorful, my husband had the pecan encrusted pork chops that had a unique and delicious flavor. Our waiter was a little obtrusive, but overall pretty good.

Greek set menu was great!

Delish!

The dishes were unique and delicious. Will visit again when in the Richmond area again.

Fantastic meal. Attentive friendly staff. You can taste the love in the food. This place is a gem.

Incredible meal, great.

Excellent food. The butter bean cake is amazing! The place feels welcoming. The waiters have a great sense of humor!

This is my favorite restaurant in Richmond. I come here on birthdays and special occasions. All the cocktails are great and the staff are all incredible. But the food is the star. All the regular menu items are great but the specials always somehow even better. Would recommend to anyone and I do!

Service was fantastic. Food was amazing. We ordered the oyster starter and for our entrees the bronzini and the bison burger. Highly recommended.

Was delicious!

Great bday dinner and great service

Food was great and service top notch. Nice outdoor seating for the unseasonably warm weekend.

For a $235 final tab I would expect the following not have happened: reservation for a table, but we got seated at the bar & promised we d get the next open table & we watched them seat the next couple at our table. They were out of the wine we selected. The hyped their specials, but they were out of the scallops the normally include with the Bronzini. They were also out of the Lamb shank we chose at their recommendation. Then they presumed those weren t problems for us and hyped a basic steak dish that wound up being $55. The food was all good, but not worth the price and definitely not worth the bad experience we had. Maybe just bad luck, but there are many other great restaurants I will choose going forward.

Arrived last night 30min early for our reservation, we were promptly seated and then seemed to be rushed to make decisions and order throughout our whole meal. We even mentioned at the beginning we want to take our time, were enjoying a nice dinner without kids - dont worry we wont camp all night. They definitely over extended themselves in regards to reservations, we were right next to the door and witnessed them (our waiter, Ill get to him in a minute) seat guests with reservations at the bar. We have you set up at the bar. The first barstool had a pile of salad spilled under it from the time we arrived, people kept stepping in it - one guest even pointed it out to the bartender. Nobody picked it up the 2hrs we were there. When ordering I asked if I could substitute a ceasar salad with my meal instead of the house salad, James our server (per our receipt) said of course. With NO mention of an additional charge. The salad (side plate sized) came out sopping wet and over dressed, when it was brought to his attention he was visibly annoyed and disagreed. The lamb shank was amazing, kudos to the chef. Who was proudly describing it as a manshank to a friend at the bar. It was delicious, so were the pork spring rolls. My husbands NY strip was cooked perfectly - Id skip the potato croquettes that come with it though. They were bland, only tasted of the crumb and oil they were cooked in. We would be back for the food, however the service we received last night was basically offensive. James after rushing us through every course and decision, talked down to us and downplayed any issue - dropped off our check which included a FULL PRICED ceasar salad on it. I brought this to his attention and he said yes an upcharge for the substitution. Um, no an upcharge is $2-3, not the menu price for a probably half of the portion of the menu item. I said we have spent a lot of money and Im not paying $11 for something that you said was an easy substitution. He said so, to the aspect of money. Its not the $11, we spent $185.00 pre tip, FOR TWO PEOPLE - its the principle. James was condecending and very pompous. I have seen many attitudes over the 20 years I worked in restaurants (some of higher caliber) and am honesty disappointed, he seems to have been there for a while. Side note, my husband made the reservation for my 40th birthday, unbeknownst to me. Even with a note on the reservation - nothing was said. I dont like a fuss but to simply cycle people in and out so quickly that you dont even pay attention to notes or requests is sad. Happy birthday to me, definitely wish the experience was better. Great service can make lastluster food taste better, but poor service can also make amazing food forgetable.

SO NICE and so understanding.

Great food, fantastic service, friendly people

Food ,cocktails and service is always great! The Seafood is always fresh and the rack of lamb was delicious.

Fantastic food and service

Cozy atmosphere, delicious food. Calamari and the bison burger were both fantastic! Homemade bread was amazing! Will be back.

Lovely dinner...chop (shared) & bison burger demolished, thought bolognese a little light on meat and under seasoned. Apps great (red pepper soup, beancake, burrata and calamari all gr8). Special dessert (caramel & choc something) was yummy & rich so also shared. Nice last meal in RVA.

Very cozy atmosphere. Delicious bread and the bolognese was fantastic. They have pretty cool cocktails too. Prices are very reasonable. They did forget my calamari appetizer but other than that the service was excellent. Would definitely come back.

Most underrated spot in the fan. They bake bread fresh daily, awesome homemade salad dressing, unique daily specials. Carnitas eggrolls are awesome

All restaurants are having trouble finding workers and dealing with items being unavailable. The menu appears to be a reduced menu. There arent very many offerings. It turns out there are a good number of specials. The guy waiting on us was really the only problem we had with the restaurant. We were a table of former waitresses and can tell when a waiter is overwhelmed. This guy was unbothered. I believe he thought he was killing it. He didnt communicate anything. He didnt let us know that many things on the menu werent available. He didnt let us know that the things that were on the menu that were available were not being served as described on the menu (example - like instead of a very specific pasta like ravioli a different pasta was used with the sauce on the menu). He didnt even let us know there were specials until he was taking our order. He forgot a bottle of wine and another drink. When we reminded him of things he had forgotten he was once again unbothered. There wasnt a bit of stress. Finally, when we got the bill there were two items totaling $20 with a generic description of open food. We brought that to his attention and once again he was unbothered. Never apologetic. If I were the owner of the restaurant Id not only be concerned with the bad service hes giving, but also the sales the restaurant is missing because he forgets things and then doesnt come around to the table unless hes delivering something or taking an order. By the time you see him its been so long that you dont want the item anymore. I would see him just standing behind the bar apparently not doing anything. Those are the times that I would bring people water and check on them, but you could die of thirst waiting for him to come by the table. Nice restaurant with a good patio and good food. Hopefully this guy doesnt work a lot.

Chef-owners Bruce and Virginia Rowlands Restaurant also named Rowland Feels Like a Dinner Party You Want to Attend. It s the simplest and most difficult question to answer: Which restaurant should I check out in Richmond? The type of cuisine, price point, outdoor dining options, the neighborhood, and occasion are just few factors to consider. Rowland is a relaxed place in a charming little space with an outdoor patio and tables with red umbrellas. Upon entering, one wonders what the restaurant wants to be. Is it a casual neighborhood spot, evidenced by the happy people dining at the bar and the laid-back vibe? Or is it a serious dining destination indicated by the Downtown and Westend folk absorbing the menu descriptions voraciously? The answer is that its a little of both. The burnt orange painted dining room walls, tables with white tablecloths, artwork and the lighting is all simple and inviting. Servers are warm and friendly and the Contempory American food is exemplary. The menu is original American Contemporary cuisine moderately priced combing the traditions of 3 different continents North America, South America, and Europe. With the bread and deserts baked on site by Chef Virginia Rowland. Our pre dinner specialty cocktails were excellently prepaired by the mixologist followed by appetizers, entrees with a house salid, and dessert which where prepared with care and presented expertly by the Chefs. If you are looking for a wonderful dinning experience, you need to place Rowland at the top of your list.

You wont be disappointed! Have to say at first I wasnt sure what to expect but by the end all my plates were empty. Originally decided to go here because one, I love fine dining, and two, the google photos had all these pics of crab (which after living in Maryland, Im always down for Imperial Crab). Well, this night, no crab, :( I had the raw oysters from Massachusetts, Fried calamari, pea soup, salad with their amazing homemade dressings. I had to try both, honey ginger and balsamic. Entree was a flounder with couscous and roasted vegetables. My waitress explained exactly, but didnt retain the exact verbiage. All i can say for a 135lb woman, is ALL my plates and bowls were emptied. I had to ask for the back story. 16 year husband and wife owned business. It must be love love love! Thank you all!! Nadia and Marie are great and look forward to having a cocktail one day with Bruce and Virginia. Next time Ill take photos. Opportunities, parmesan option for salad and a little brighter for old eyes like mine to see menu lol.. otherwise very romantic. I will be back :)

Hidden gem. Less-talked-about spot, but man, the food and drinks are great. Went to Rowland for the first time about 4 years ago, and recently returned. I don t know what took me so long! Great seasonal menu. Best martini in Richmond. Cozy and calm atmosphere with some cool old Richmond interior elements. Homemade desserts. Now one of my favorite restaurants in the city!

Delicious food, great service, In a chic atmosphere. Lover their ginger dressing. Only issue is the kitchen is kind of loud

Fantastic, affordable food in a wonderful ambience. One of my favorite meals in quite some time. A must try for anyone in RVA

My husband had the pecan pork chop an I had the shrimp pasta. The Calamari was too soft wish it was more crispy. The atmosphere was nice an relaxing. The waiters were great an patient considering we had a large group.

Excellent! Had an excellent fish entree. Wife had the quinoa encrusted eggplant. Everything was terrific including dessert.

Great place to visit. Very friendly owner and great tasting food!

We had a large table that we bookedahead of time. They welcomed us in like family and the food was amazing.

If you get Chris as a server and lamb sliders you re in for a treat!!!

Oh man, the to go menu is like whoa. Scallop special in particular was fantastic!!!!

This has to be me and my wifes favorite restaurant in the area. The food is consistently spectacular, and the specials constantly changing to give it new variety every week. Were also thankful that they continue to make wonderful food for takeout during the lockdown.

My boyfriend and I had dinner at Rowland on Valentines Day. The overall experience was okay, but boy, we were surprised when we discovered our server had changed the tip on the receipt. After working with the credit card company, the issue has been resolved, but you should pay attention to make sure it doesnt happen to you. You can clearly see where our server changed the tip from $22 to $32, as well as changing the total from $190.08 to $199.08 (which, by the way, the total doesnt add up correctly, but the server couldnt change the final total too much). And yes, I realize the tip isnt great, but we had to wait 30 minutes for our reservation, they had added extra tables in the dining room to maximize guests, so we were basically eating beside other couples, it was a prefix menu of very limited options and by the time we had dinner, they were out of some selections, so we didnt feel that a 20% tip was warranted. Always check your credit card statements!

Virginia, we got take out last night and the halibut with shiitakes and coconut curry sauce was amazing! I wasn t sure about the sauce when I ordered it, but am so glad I did! A WH neighbor

Great experience... Fantastic couple run the restaurant, very personal and great stories. Excellent wine selection and excellent food.

Excellent dinning experience The food was superb, the grilled sea bass was cook to perfection also the carrot cream soup was absolutely amazing, The service was impeccable, staff was friendly and we loved the ambiance. Its a place Ill definitely recommend.

Food was amazing!

Spectacular

The best food I have ever had at a Sportsbar. Plenty of room for those concerned about Covid. The manager can do it all, including bouncing out the riff raff.

Great food. Waiter flakey

I havent been there yet.

Excellent food

A warm and welcoming staff compliments tasty and varied dining options. Rowland should certainly be considered if the opportunity presents itself.

Pricey but good food

Great food and most hospitable owners

Very slow service!

best food, and service. everyone is friendly

Awesome service the best food and most tender tenderloin cooked to perfection ,the homade bread is phenomenal. Beautifully presented ,I cant wait to return .its well worth it in every way .the owners are open arms and very friendly .its a must or youll lose out ...

Best Bananas Foster

Wonderful staff, wonderful food. Ginger salad dressing is best. Pork chop delicious and huge.

Fantastic dinner and the service was amazing!

The restaurant is participating in Richmond restaurant week benefitting Feedmore. This is the 4th restaurant that we have supported this week, all great until tonight. Unfortunately this experience was so bad that I felt compelled to share our experience. When we got there, it was busy...fine, but it would have been nice to have been acknowledged by SOMEONE, but it took 5-10 minutes just to be greeted and asked if we had reservations. (We did.) They said they were running behind, (ok..thats no big deal- it happens) so we waited at bar and ordered a drink. Bartender was busy, but quite friendly and nice. (Truly, the only friendly staff person we encountered the whole evening.) We overheard him tell the hostess that we would be at Table 8. After 10 minutes or so, we were told that the table was ready and were pointed in the direction of the dining room, but no one actually showed us to the table or offered to help us move menus or bread basket, drinks, etc. Fine...they were busy. By process of elimination we figured out the empty table for 2 must be for us. Tables were crammed in tight (about 3-4 inches apart) and my girlfriend had a difficult time navigating to the bench seat, but the folks at the next table helped by temporarily moving their table a few inches so she could get in. (Ok...fine...they knew it would be a big night for Restaurant Week and were trying to seat extra folks. No big deal. Showed they were expecting a large crowd.) We waited about 10 minutes for a waitress to acknowledge us and even offer water...but, uh, they were really busy. (Notice a theme?) Eventually we got to order. First course was good, as was the bread. I had ordered the pasta for my entree and, as the plates were being cleared, I said, The bread is so good...might I get one more slice to go with my meal? The waitress said, No, its Restaurant Week. Thats all youre allotted. I was stunned. When the young man came to the table with our entrees, I again asked if it might be possible for one more slice of bread. He also said, No, youve already had bread, havent you? I said, You are kidding me, arent you? He said... no, thats all you get. So I retorted with, In my 69 years, Ive never had someone deny me a slice of bread! I doubt well be coming back. He shrugged and said, Oh well, I guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do, then walked away. We came close to getting up right then to leave, but since the meal had arrived, we decided to stay and try to make the best of the rest of it. (Had to flag someone down for silverware as everything had been cleared after the appetizers, which took another 5 minutes or so.) Were not asked if we would like coffee or tea with dessert, but I guess that was because they were so busy. Its a little puzzling...Clearly, they knew it was going to be a big night as the reservations would indicate the numbers of diners, right? So, perhaps it would have been wise to pull in a few extra waitstaff for the weekend, and perhaps have some extra bread on hand since its clearly a popular item? Mind you, I didnt ask for a whole loaf...just one extra piece!!! Just a very disappointing evening all around after such stellar experiences at the other restaurants this week. (Big kudos to Roosevelt, Acacia, and Juleps. They were all SUPERB!) We absolutely will continue to support Restaurant Week each Spring and Fall as we have done for years...and will be returning throughout the year to many of the restaurants as dining out is one of our favorite hobbies, but unfortunately, we will not be returning to Rowlands even though the food was good. I guess we just gotta do what we gotta do.

Wonderful dinner last night. Rowland is a cozy space with friendly staff and delicious food. Everything is top quality but reasonably priced. You get a nice salad with homemade dressing and homemade bread to start with then each entree which only adds to the value. I had the best lamb I have ever had (lamb shank) and the fish entrees are always great. This is definitely one of the fans best dinner spots! Do yourself a favor and go!

Amazing food and atmosphere. A wonderful family run business, and you can taste it in the food they make. Everything from the butter bean appetizer to the pork and lamb entrees to the carrot cake dessert was made with love. Cant wait to try Italian night!

Great atmosphere, fantastic from scratch food and such friendly staff and patrons. Will definitely be back for Wednesday s Italian night.

Seldom have I been to any restaurant and left feeling that everything was perfection. The Cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and fabulous food all came together to make a five star evening for us.

Rowlands did not hold our reservation. Went to Richmond for the weekend to celebrate my wifes birthday with two couples and a baby. Made a reservation for six people earlier in the week and confirmed it the evening before. It was raining outside and the six of us showed up on time at 6:45 on Saturday, Feb 17. They were packed and the hostess said it would be a fifteen minute wait. We said no problem told them we would come back in fifteen minutes, since the restaurant was crowded and there was nowhere to wait. When we came back, the hostess avoided us and seated another party of six. When I finally got her attention she said that it was going to be a while, giving no indication of how long we would be waiting. Having a baby with us and nowhere to stand, we forfeited our reservation and were forced to make alternative plans for six at the busiest possible time. Due to this, we didnt end up eating until 9:30 that night. Its understandable that restaurants get busy and unexpected things happen, but no attempt was made to apologize or give us a reasonable expectation of being seated. Overall, we were very disappointed in our experience.

I would give it more stars if I could! i started off with a local beer, Legend Brown Ale. The crusty bread, made on premises by owner, Virginia was the best & served with olive oil & baked garlic clove. The entree was grilled rockfish with asparagus & risotto with shellfish jus. Heaven on a plate! It was perfectly cooked & seasoned!!!!! Each bite was savored. Desert, made by Virginia, was the best carrot cake with cream cheese icing. I meant to take photos, but I was too busy enjoying the food. Dane was our waiter & a definite plus to the evening, friendly & knowledgeable with wonderful recommendations. Its a fine dining experience in a neighborhood gathering atmosphere. Go! Go now!

Quiet and delicious, wine was fine and we enjoyed ourselves

Great restaurant with great atmosphere! Bruce and Virginia Rowland have an amazing menu. They really excel with fish. Standards like the Joe Chop are awesome. Highly recommended!!

We dined with friends visiting from Marco lsl. and they said it was the best food they had eaten on their entire trip and I would concur.

Fantastic

Just wonderful food. Cozy place and friendly service.

Weighing in on what has been at the top of my very short list of Best Of restaurants in the Richmond area....My dining experience at RFD has always been top notch, not only in terms of the quality of the meal but in the personable and attentive service that I have received with every visit. Whether it be the terrific seafood dishes, the out-of-this-world pork chop, the made-fresh soups and bisques, the home-made bread with the oil & garlic side (fantastic and addictive), or any of the unique sides and desserts that always seem to perfectly compliment the main dishes, everything on the menu at RFD has been created to elicit responses of absolute satisfaction...Bruce & Virginia Rowland have never disappointed my palette. The wine selection is also quite good and I found the service staff to be knowledgable with their referrals. Neither pushy or too overbearing, they allow me to enjoy my meal and wine and their timing for each course and glass are appropriate. Bruce & Virginia have always been hands on and have always been available to greet me and my guests as they do with many of their patrons. They have even gone off-menu to provide some of my vegan friends with customized choices to suite their palettes. With the ever evolving menu and consistent favorites, I always look forward to another visit. A great place for any occasion, with five star food & drink in an atmosphere that is neither stuffy or pretentious, youll feel as comfortable at Rowland in jeans as you will dressed to the nines.... cant recommend it enough!

Went in last night for Restaurant Week. A friend and I squeezed ourselves in at the bar. It definitely looked a little hectic. There appeared to be 4 bartenders or 2 bartenders, 2 servers making all their own drinks? It looked confusing. It took some time for our bartender to take our drink/food orders. My friends drink was dropped off first by a different bartender, who then asked for confirmation on my order. I corrected him and received my drink shortly afterwards. As he dropped my drink off, he let me know they were out of an ingredient in my cocktail. I wouldve appreciated it if he had told me when I ordered my drink that they were out of mint. I probably still wouldve ordered it, but I wouldve liked the chance to consider ordering another drink. Our food started to arrive. The gumbo was fine. It was more broth than actual gumbo. Shrimp & grits were very flavorful. Shrimps came tail on which is something I just dont understand from a culinary perspective. I de-tailed them the second the plate hit the bar. We both ordered the tres leches cake. I could not believe that they allowed my plate to come out of that kitchen. Im assuming here... whoever plated it, thought it was okay. Expo thought it was okay. The bartender thought it was okay. My cake was half the size of my friends slice AND the top layer was halfway knocked off. I could not believe my eyes when he/she placed it in front of me. At that point, with how busy they were, it was going to be a hassle to get a decent slice of cake. I ate it in 2 minutes. My friend was gracious enough to let me have a bite of hers. Ive driven by this place a million times, but a co-worker said this place was on his Restaurant Week list. I thought Id give it a try and their menu looked pretty good. I was very underwhelmed and extremely disappointed with my dessert. Will I think twice next time I drive by here? Probably not.

The food was excellent, though the vent Hood in the kitchen was not up to the task of keeping us from smelling like the line when we left

Outstanding food, good place for date night. Our server, Richard, was very accommodating

The food was amazing & so was the service. Impeccable. I forget his name, but the tall guy w/brown hair & brown eyes, is so great at his job. Ill definitely be back soon!

Great food & service

Greatness in a really cute package. Try the renegade rose wine.

The food is great service is wonderful went for restaurant week in the fall 2016 with friends we had a wonderful evening

Excellent food and service. Fancy setting and unique style/menu. Id only come here for special occasions because it is expensive

Great restaurant! They always have great specials along with a menu that has a nice variety and reasonable prices [$20s]. Entrees all come with salad. Get reservations because its a small place that can fill up fast.

Elisabeth is fantastic, absolutely personable. 9/10 would get drinks and a pizza here again.

Fantastic gourmet dining spot with unique offerings, eclectic wine list, and excellent staff and owners. One of Richmonds best!

Went with my wife for our wedding anniversary. The place is very cozy, small, and intimate. Our server was quirky and funny but also attentive and willing to go above and beyond. The food was amazing. I had the crispy duck that had a cherry jus that was so delicious. The squash ravioli, something I wouldnt normally eat, was excellent and the flavors were like Christmas in a pasta shell. They were accommodating of my wifes request to modify a dish for her vegetarian needs. The deserts were also great and I found myself amazed with the derby pie. We will definitely return.

My daughter took me and my mom there for Mothers Day last year. The food was delicious and the dessert was the best. Love this place.

It was a great meal!! The pork chop was amazing and the Rowlands pizza is amazing!!! Highly recommend

Fantastic fine dining with a cozy atmosphere!

Calamari appetizer was cold and salad bland. Had to pick bones out of fish entree. Pork chop entree was raw and party finished eating by the time we got it back. Extremely overpriced. Not to mention poor service and ended up receiving wrong bill.

Have eaten there over a dozen times in the last three years. The fish special is always outstanding!! I look forward to the excellent preparation and presentation. The homemade desserts are magnificent. Be sure to save room. It is one of the best restaurants in the Fan District.

This is the second time in a year that our party of three has dined at Rowland, located in the Fan District of Richmond. We have had excellent experiences each time. The fresh bread is baked by one of the co-owners and is amazing. We had a superb pork chop, tender and juicy, which came with white cheddar macaroni (the best ever) The second entrée was short ribs that were delectable. The third person in our party had the eggplant caponata appetizer as a main entrée and was delighted with her choice. On our second visit, we had no room for dessert, but the memory of superb Bananas Foster from our first visit to Rowland still lingers. Superb food don t pass it up!

Wonderful! Ate here last week. Food was fresh and creative without being over the top. Great atmosphere, service and wine list. Virginia makes the best salad dressings and desserts. Overall a top choice for great food at reasonable prices. Carol K. Pawleys Island, SC