Byrd & Baldwin Bros Steakhouse
116 Brooke Ave, Norfolk, VA, 23510
Byrd & Baldwin Bros Steakhouse Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
116 Brooke Ave
Norfolk, VA, 23510 - Phone (757) 222-9191
- Website https://www.byrdbaldwin.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Garage, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Abbie A.
Yay for Norfolk Restaurant Week or else I would probably never try this place unless someone was footing the bill! This place screams class. Walk inside and be greeted with a friendly face. We got their a few minutes early and we were recommended to check out the bar while we waited. Nice looking area, but already full so we headed up to our table for our big party of 9. We were fortunate to be all sitting at one table since they don't normally have parties as big as ours, but thanks to the weather and some cancellations, it was done for us. Our sommelier/waiter, Ryan, introduced himself to us and waited until our whole party arrived to get things started. After all our orders were taken, we asked for some recommendations on what wine to pair with our meals. We ended up getting a cabernet to go along with everyone's meaty meals. Things I ordered: -Caesar Salad -12 oz. Ribeye. Special steak here. The waiter mentioned that this is like some 5 star rated steak with all the fat marbling inside so my expectations were high for an outstanding steak. WOW! The flavor was all there and the meat melted in my mouth. I had ordered my steak medium, but it seemed to come out on the closer to medium rare. -Chocolate Mousse Had a little cinnamon kick to it as it is Mexican Chocolate. Quite yummy, but not a fan of the mandarin oranges it came with since it was on the sour side. I still ate them though. Things I ate off my boyfriend's plate. -Filet Mignon. Ribeye is wayyyy better! -Creme brûlée. So funny story is that he (we) wanted the top layer to crack since its supposed to be crisp burnt sugar, right? Well it didn't do that in the middle so boyfriend asked for it to be burnt some more and the chef delivered it just as ordered. To me, a bit too hard but still yummy. Now I would have given the place a full 5 stars, but my friend had a piece of hair in his meal. Our waiter did an excellent job handling it by immediately taking the plate to be replaced with a newly cooked meal. Excellent service, but such a silly mistake to have in a dinner. Restaurant week menu was quite a steal when comparing to the regular menu. We enjoyed our night with great company and great tasting food.
(4)Shiela E.
As far as having a nice, romantic, special occasion kind of date, and are willing to spend some money, Byrd and Baldwin is the place to go! I have gone to a fair amount of fancy steakhouses, but Byrd and Baldwin would have to be my favorite! My boyfriend and I have always wanted to try this place out, but we just never had the chance. Luckily we saw that they were part of restaurant week, so we definitely had to come and try it out! Walking into the restaurant you already get that "classy, expensive" vibe. The server we had was really nice, and offered us both the restaurant week and regular menu (he told us to get the restaurant week deal) which was pretty cool cause all the other restaurants we went to tried to sell us the regular menu. We both ordered from the $40 menu cause we wanted to try their steaks.. Of course! I ordered the rib eye and he ordered the NY strip! Both were SO delicious! The steak was cooked just the way we wanted it (med rare) and was so flavorful! Their wedge salad was really good as well! I can't want to come back. Would totally pay full price for their food! :)
(4)Jill M.
Great experience - amazing food - fine dining experience! Perfectly cooked filets and best mashed potatoes ever! Well worth the price. Only disappointment was the dessert - chocolate cake was awful and creme brûlée was great! Well worth the 125.00 price for two (no alcohol)....
(4)Giovanni B.
The food was delicious. I had the 8oz filet mignon. Asparagus was good but you had to pay extra for hollandaise sauce, it wasn't even that much. Great service though.
(4)Meg O.
I am here from out of state and came across this from previous yelp reviews. We tried to go the first night in town but arrived too early, so we made sure to time our day right the next day to make sure we came when they were open because the reviews were so good. Because we didn't have a reservation, we were seated downstairs which was awesome- great decor, lighting, etc. Hostess and waitress were nice, attentive- no complaints. The food however was disappointing; I ordered a 6oz filet, and shared asparagus and creamed spinach with the table. The steak had almost no flavor and was not visibly appealing, and the sides were basic. My food honestly looked nothing like the pictures posted here or tasted like the reviews sounded, and definitely was not worth the price.
(2)Bucky A.
My wife and I had supper at Byrd & Baldwin last night! The steaks were the best and were complimented by delicious sides. These were served to us by a very prompt and efficient waiter after we were seated by an extremely polite host. Wil will definitely return!
(5)Mike N.
Food was amazing! Definitely get the lump crab cocktail for an appetizer and the chili for a soup! Emmanuel was our waiter and he made our anniversary dinner that much more special! I would come back here again for any special occasion. Great atmosphere, great food, great staff!
(5)Philip R.
An excellent location, the beef is nicely aged and all the cuts were prepared as ordered. The flavorful and tender ribeye was a good choice and not oversized.. The salads were crisp and fresh. The side dishes are served family style are generous portions. They have an extensive wine cellar and will even store wines for customers.
(4)Elizabeth H.
My boyfriend and recently I celebrated his birthday with dinner at Byrd and Baldwin, and it was a real treat. We really enjoyed the entire experience-- from our drinks at the bar to the last bite of dessert. The service was impeccable and the food was some of the best I've had in awhile. We started with oysters Rockefeller and the tuna tartare appetizer. Both were delicious. We particularly enjoyed the tuna because we both love seaweed salad. I had the 8 oz. filet and he had a ribeye that was a special that evening. My filet was incredible-- perfectly cooked and immensely flavorful. From what I could tell, he enjoyed his ribeye. We also enjoyed the wine our waiter recommended with our entrees. Finally, we shared the key lime pie, which was rich and tasty. This place is great for special occasions-- we might have to make it a birthday tradition!
(5)Shonna S.
The Sunday specials were a good value. The steaks were cooked to perfection.our main server was good but surprisingly the young man who delivered us bread was so professional that I will be back because of him.
(4)Eileen L.
As a 5th wedding anniversary gift for my daughter and son-in-law, who were in Norfolk, Virginia, I made a reservation at Byrd & Baldwin. This restaurant over-delivered! They set up a special table, everyone at the restaurant signed a placement with a Happy Anniversary message, and my daughter told me the food was wonderful and the service impeccable! They loved the atmosphere as well. Thank you, Byrd & Baldwin!
(5)Henry J.
I am a constant traveler with food as a focus. It's clearly not the focus here or maybe our attire dictated our cut of meat, we forgot our suits. Steak was no better than what is on special at your local discount grocery store. The only upside here is the great establishment the food is served in. Nice place for a drink before dinner elsewhere. This place gave me no choice but to start a yelp account to comment and warn others.
(1)Gillian H.
Seriously disappointed. Highly recommended by a co-worker and my chiropractor; failed to deliver from first foot in the door. My friend and I had dinner here for my 40th birthday; kind of a last minute choice as other plans had to be canceled at the last minute. Here is the blow by blow: - Met (mind you, I didn't say greeted) by an extremely brusque woman when we entered the restaurant. Did not feel welcome from the start. - Waiter approaches our table, quickly says his name and that he'll be taking care of us, hands us menus, walks away. We ask for the wine list; he says there aren't enough to go around and that we'll have to wait for one. - I order a bottle of prosecco; he tries to serve it to us in our wine glasses. I stop him and he says oh, you want champagne glasses?! in a shocked tone of voice. Sorry, but I've never seen prosecco served in anything BUT champagne glasses. He then states that they NEVER serve prosecco in anything but a wine glass. - We're working on our appetizer / salad and our dinner arrives. Instead of taking it back to the kitchen (we're only halfway through our app / salad, really bad timing here) it's left on the table off to our side. The sides arrive about 10 minutes later. Waiter profusely apologizes and says he's going to send the manager over to speak to us; in fact, he says this no less than four times and the manager never bothered to say a word to us the entire night. - We finish our meals (nothing better than Ruths Chris, or any other place in town); table is cleared .. all but a huge glob of mac and cheese that sits there the rest of the night. It's a fab photo now on my Instagram. - Kitchen staff brings out a dessert for my birthday; we don't touch it because we want to order another dessert to share. It sits there for 10 minutes while we wait to order; waiter finally notices it and is upset that the kitchen has yet again screwed him over. (still no manager) - We order the other dessert and ........ wait about 15 minutes for it to come out. A piece of cheesecake for crying out loud. - Best part (wait for it): our waiter asks if he can borrow our salt shaker for the table next to us. Can't make this ^&$@ up. Check is of course brought and returned promptly. Our expectations were based on price point .. and nothing more. Byrd and Baldwin fell woefully short in all regards. It wasn't even packed that evening; there was absolutely no excuse for our experience.
(2)Robin B.
By far the best steak house in Norfolk. Fine dining feel from start to finish. The wife and I went here for a nice dinner date out on a rainy Saturday evening in Norfolk. The staff manning the front door was courteous, friendly and in a great mood on arrival - not "Welcome to WalMart" friendly, but the "I really love my job, thanks for coming!" friendly. Decor was upscale, romantic and cozy without feeling like we were crammed in like sardines. Our waiter was professional and attentive throughout, with excellent wine recommendations for our meal (can't remember his name!). The wine list is extensive, so take advantage of their knowledge if you're unsure about what to order. A la carte steak houses can be problematic if the food is subpar, but our meal was superb. Overall one of the best dining experiences I've had in Norfolk (top 2?), and certainly in my top ten list for overall dining. If you have a special night planned, this should be your go-to place.
(5)Lyndsay B.
Amazing restaurant and service... the whole crew went above and beyond, not to mention the food was delicious. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Laura L.
This is my favorite steakhouse in the Hampton Roads area. Our most recent visit was our second, for Norfolk Restaurant Week. We had reservations for Friday evening, and we were seated immediately upon walking in the door. The hostess was obviously a bit busy, but it did not impact her ability to seat us politely. We were seated downstairs, which was very cozy. The bar had a few televisions above it, but they were easy to ignore if you wanted to. Our waiter was very friendly, a bit soft-spoken, but that only added to the intimate feeling of being downstairs. We each ordered the Caesar salad off of the RW menu, and while it wasn't the best Caesar salad I've ever had, it wasn't bad. The main reason we were there was for the second and third courses anyway, which both delivered to expectations. I ordered a 5 oz filet mignon, and it was an absolute delight. It was melt-in-you-mouth tender and had a nice palette of flavors that added to the meat. The broccoli and mashed potatoes that came with the entree were nicely done as well. The broccoli was al dente with a bit of salt, just perfect, and the potatoes were roughly mashed, with red skins still in the mix, just the way I like them. Dessert was a little piece of heaven - I ordered the vanilla bean creme brulee, and it was perfectly done. A thin layer of custard with the crystallized sugar on top, flecks of vanilla bean apparent in the custard. My husband ordered the cheesecake, which came with a fruit glaze drizzle on top. I tasted a hint of lemon in the cheesecake itself, and while it did not entice food envy from me (cheesecake and lemon are not my favorite things), my husband thoroughly enjoyed his dessert. This place lived up to our previous experience (Valentine's weekend, 2012). I would highly recommend this place as a romantic evening, a special occasion, or just a splurge!
(5)Amber D.
Amazing food & good service. The steak tar tar is wonderful & a must try. Best meal I've had in Hampton Roads in a long time!
(5)Curtis M.
My wife made a reservation for my birthday. Nice old building. Valet parking 5USD. The waiters are only male. They are really elegant and smooth. We ordered Restaurant Week menus. 3 preset courses are 30 and 40 USD. Salad, entree, dessert. The iceberg lettuce salad was so tasty. Rib eye steak was perfect. Mexican chocolate moose was so delicious. Plus sparkling wines. 9 and 10 USD. 9USD was sweet and 10USD was really dry. They gave me a birthday special chocolate cake. So delicious and silky.
(4)Bradley U.
We decided to come here on my wife's birthday after seeing the Phantom of the Opera. What a wonderful combination. The ambience is romantic and just right for celebrating almost any occasion. The first course was wonderful, my asparagus soup was tasty and very wonderfully executed. The main course was a little under the mark however, my rib eye was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were great. But, my wife's filet Minot was cook medium rare instead of medium well which was quickly corrected and the garlic and creamed spinach had a little too much garlic for my taste. The final dessert course was a wonderful complementary chocolate sin cake which was rich and so full of flavor. The waiter had wonderful service and was ready to fill anything that we request. Overall a great dining experience.
(5)Alison M.
My experience here was soooo terrible that I've nearly come home to immediately write up this review. It's so long and detailed it is two parts so please continue to the end by clicking the first review to read it all... First, I'd like to say that I have been looking forward to trying to place since I was told about it by an older friend who raved about it. I looked it up, browsed the website, and looked at Yelp reviews, still, it's been nearly 9 months since I made my way over to try it out. Tonight was my friend's birthday so I figured this would be the perfect time to try it out. We had a reservation for 2 at 7:30 and showed up at around 7:20. There is plenty of parking in nearby lots in downtown Norfolk but we chose to do the valet for $5 right in front. It has a beautiful clean entrance with classic and elegant decor and a lovely water feature front and center. I had to tell the hostess my last name three times so I was irritated by that and snapped it the final time to her. She finally got it and tried to apologize for not hearing it due to the water feature but I just wanted to be seated and eat at that point, I was hungry and grumpy. She showed us to a table directly beside and across from the kitchen which has no doors and has bright, harsh fluorescent lighting, so I wasn't too happy to sit in an expensive "fine dining" restaurant right beside both the bathrooms and the kitchen but someone has to sit there so whatever... Our waiter made his way over relatively quickly with menus and asked if we'd like to try a pumpkin butter for our bread that the chef had prepared, I love pumpkin so it was a yes to that. The butter was promptly brought out and placed on the table. (It would take around another 15 minutes however to get the bread) Neither I nor my friend are drinkers of alcohol so we told him we didn't need to see an alcohol menu, this is where things slowly deteriorated. When it came time to order I chose the wedge salad to start, 6oz filet butterfly cut to be medium well done, a side of asparagus and a side of the crab macaroni and cheese (a lot I know but I couldn't decide and I HAD to try this macaroni and cheese). My friend ordered the 8oz. filet butterfly cut and medium well as well with a side of steak fries and a mexican tortilla beef soup to start. After placing the order we sat and stared out the butter for a while and about another 15 minutes went by before we were brought a single roll by a man with a basket who put one roll on a plate in front of each of us and left. The rolls were hot and fresh and good but it was somewhat irritating because after waiting that long I wanted to eat 15 rolls. But I honestly probably wouldn't have eaten more than 1 and a half and I understand making them fresh and not wishing to waste a ton of money on bread, I worked at Olive Garden I know how much it goes to waste... still, my partner in crime eats like 4 every time we go somewhere so he was pissed and told our waiter he wanted another. The waiter somewhat snidely remarked that he'd ask them to bake more. So that took about another 10 minutes. During this time our water glasses became and remained empty and I was brought a side of dressing for my salad but no salad. At this point we remarked that they were good at bringing condiments and such but not the actual food. I wanted sweet tea, because I always do, but I realize nice places tend to not have it. Hope springs eternal so I asked anyway, but alas, no sweet tea. So I asked the waiter what my non-alcoholic options were. He very rudely answered that they had coke products. I asked if they had anything else and he looked at me like I was an idiot and said, "No." Incredulous that a place this nice would be so poorly stocked in non-alcoholic beverages for the wealthy I asked if they didn't have hot tea or coffee. He said that they did have coffee but no hot tea and he basically said the words "hot tea" like there was actual feces in his mouth. Weird. So I, not being a soda drinker, asked what exactly he had as far as Coke products and he said, "Coke, sprite, diet coke, that's about it". He was being so short and rude at this point that I could barely believe it. So I told him sprite it was and off he went to probably spit in my sprite or stir it with something nasty that it shouldn't be stirred it. The sprite came out fairly quickly, still no salad. Finally after about 45 minutes of sitting in the restaurant the salad and soup came out. The wedge salad was absolutely delicious. The dressing (I got ranch) was very good and tasted homemade with little herbs in it and the wedge of lettuce was fresh and yummy with some really good blue cheese crumbles, tomatoes and bacon. It was delicious and I love a good wedge salad! The soup was good, I tried a spoonful but it wasn't something I would personally like before my meal.
(2)Alexandra M.
Byrd and Baldwin Bros' food was perfectly cooked and tasted like it does back home in Europe. It was the best restaurant I've ever been to. They had amazing service and I was treated well.
(5)Mark B.
This is a very good steak place in Norfolk. I had the filet mignon and it was very good. The service was also very good. I would highly recommend this place if you are loking for a very good steak dinner. No doubt this is a top restaurant in Norfolk. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Jihad B.
I ordered the Porterhouse (24 ounce) rare. I have never gotten a steak so perfectly cooked in my life. The meat was tender, the fat was succulent, and my belt grew taut against me as I stomached it down with Steak Fries, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Escargot, Beef Tartare, and two bottles of wine. I swear I'm not that fat. Granted my party of three only ordered three steaks, but each one was cooked perfectly and of exceptionally quality. My assumption is; if you don't rate this place five stars, you probably just don't enjoy a good steak. Everything blew me away except the Steak Fries. Although, they were about as good as Steak Fries can get without lathering them in butter and covering them in cheese.
(5)Meredith V.
I'd been wanting to come here for awhile because I was intrigued about the history of the original building (that was built in 1906 for a real estate firm) and thought it would be a great place to go for my husband's birthday. The outside of the building looks like a cool, old school bank but we pretty much found that's where most of the original architectural integrity ended (aside from the original standing vault in the downstairs bar area). Inside, while everything was very polished and chic (as most of the interior had been completely restored from when the building was abandoned years ago), it just felt extremely formal and a bit stuffy. White tableclothes, lots of extra plateware, glassware, and silverware on the table, amuse bouche, and jazz musak playing in the background. Maybe this is typical of most steakhouses, I don't know; we kind of decided we don't like that vibe for the future. Now while they had an extremely wide and varied wine by the bottle list, we found their wine/glass to be lacking. I wasn't drinking because I'm pregnant and even if I wasn't I very rarely like committing to an entire bottle, preferring to switch up my wines as I go (even if it's not the "better value"). So when a restaurant doesn't have an ample wine/glass list, that always annoys me...especially for a high-end steak restaurant. He found they offered no Syrah's by the glass so he settled on a pretty decent Cab (Avalon from Napa). We started with the lump crabmeat cocktail served with butter and cocktail sauce. We basically didn't touch the cocktail sauce since it tasted like Heinz cocktail sauce from the bottle (seriously, they couldn't have made a nice in-house horseradish cocktail sauce?) and the actual lump crabmeat came out cold. I thought this was REALLY weird. Have you ever had cold crab meat? Not too appetizing. The butter didn't have any other garlic or seasoning to it either, so I found this appetizer to be pretty underwhelming and wished we had gone with the prosciutto wrapped motz. Fortunately from here our dining experience went uphill; I ordered the 6oz filet and my husband got the ribeye (thanks to many of the yelp reviews on here raving about it). We were kind of going back and forth trying to figure out whose was better, they were both SOOO DELICIOUS. My husband said this was one of the best steaks of his life. HIS LIFE, PEOPLE. I have to admit, hands off, they cooked the steaks to perfection and every bite was bliss. My filet was like cutting into butter and his ribeye had this amazing smoky flavor to it that I've never tasted from a ribeye before. Not TOO marbley either. We were both lost in our steaks for awhile. We also ordered the garlic spinach and the grilled portabella and onions as sides. The garlic spinach was decent (I've had better, however) but oh my god the portabella and onions was the best choice of the night. It really cut up the monotony of the steaks and added amazing textures and flavor profiles we wouldn't have otherwise gotten. If you get no other side, get the grilled portabella and onions. We were completely full but I had noted it was my husband's birthday in the reservation and was very impressed that they had prepared a small chocolate torte with a candle on it for him on the house. I love when restaurants do these simple but hospitable gestures. It, of course, was amazing. Overall, Byrd & Baldwin is really a class act. I venture to say it is the best steakhouse in Hampton roads. Additionally, we didn't find wait times to be excessive at all and we were there on a bustling Thursday evening. All the stuffiness upstairs in the formal dining isn't really our cup of tea so if you still want to try out their amazing steaks but you're looking for a less formal environment, then you need to eat downstairs in their basement bar area that has more of that 1906 architectural integrity and casual feel to it.
(4)Steven C.
One of the finest American Traditional steak house in Hampton Roads. Amazing food and good services. You have to try their bone in wagyu ribeye (30oz). It's not just a great steak, it is the delicious flavor that create an unforgettable dining experience!
(5)Lauren B.
Great restaurant. Beautiful decor and impeccable and knowledgable service. The steaks are dry aged and are amazing. Best steaks in virginia. And not to mention their wine list is amazing and cocktails are very unique and delish. Would definitely recommend
(5)Blaire T.
I really enjoyed this place. The service was great, we were seated right at our reservation time. The server was very attentive! I had filet mignon and loved it, my date had the buffalo and it was great as well. The crab Mac and cheese was delicious! One of the best Mac and cheeses that I've had! This place is definitely worth a try!!
(5)William P.
Great meal last night. We sat downstairs in the bar area which is must see location. Service was fantastic. Friendly and attentive staff(Carmen and Ashley) were on point. We had JUMBO Lump Crab app. Wow. That is serious lump crab. My NY Strip was cooked perfectly and it was delicious. Finished off the meal with a highly the recommendable Mexican Chocolate Mousse. Oh and must I mention the convenient Valet parking. We were In and out in a flash. Awesome night. Thanks BnB.
(5)Gene H.
Places like this is in my opinion why yelp should be used. I am not for individual "food critics" giving their 2 cents online and hurting peoples business (which is why i'm mainly against sites like these) for no reason, but when something is actually awful and not worth your hard earned money, it should be known to the public. I ordered french onion soup, clearly made from bouillon and riddled with undercooked onions, the steak was OVERCOOKED at a "steak house". The sides were awful. I paid for the soup for some reason and then had to leave yet another restaurant in Norfolk, VA due to awful food cooked by inexperienced cooks. HOWEVER, SERVICE WAS VERY THOROUGH AND WITHOUT FLAW.
(1)Megan L.
This is definitely one of the absolute best steakhouses in Hampton Roads. Quiet, quaint and absolutely stunning architecture.. Service has always been impeccable.. We started with oysters Rockefeller which was to die for.. Rich and delicious.. There were five of us and 2 had crab cakes, 2 had steaks and 1 had the ahi tuna entree.. Everything was outstanding.. Cooked to perfection.. Full of flavor and well worth every penny you pay.. Tons of wines and drink choices to pair with dinner.. We didn't have room for dessert but my wedge salad was absolutely fresh and loaded with Bleu cheese crumbles.. Highly recommended for a nice affair or a date night :) keep up the good work Byrd and Baldwin..
(5)Zeke G.
This place just wasn't all that impressive. The steak was "okay" but by no means was it worth the cost. What they lacked in food preparation they made up with environment. The place had a good feel and the service was decent. I probably wouldn't come here again but if you like over priced steak with a good environment then this is your spot. Also, great wine list.
(3)That G.
This review isn't necessarily for just one particular visit, but a collaboration of visits. This restaurant is one of THE BEST, hands down. Every single meal had for every single occasion (birthdays, anniversaries,my proposal to my wife and my bachelor party dinner) has been amazing from first walking in the door to picking up the car with the valet at the very end (where you will find any boxed left overs waiting for you, nice touch). The service is always a wonderful blend of professional and friendly, always leaving us feeling like we are the only people the place (though we never are). The grade of beef (Harris Ranch for any steak buffs out there) is superb. I highly recommend getting a side of the Crab and Brie Macaroni & Cheese, I actually laughed out loud when reading some of these less-friendly reviews of Byrd & Baldwin that say to go to Outback or Ruth's Chris for the same level and/or better service and food. Clearly I've missed something in the exemplary service and food at these franchise establishments but will take these other reviewers' word for it and keep coming back for more at Byrd (Tip: if you get the chance get a tour of the Wine Cellar from Chris)
(5)Briana S.
I took my husband here for his birthday and he was quite impressed. I made last minute reservations and they were able to squeeze us in. The building is gorgeous and it is very clean inside. We chose to sit at a table downstairs in the bar area as the upstairs was packed and quite loud. There are only about 5 tables downstairs and it felt more homey. The attire was on both ends of the spectrum. We both had jeans and nice shirts on but there were people wearing anything from suits to tshirts and jeans. The service was quite good and the food was relatively quick for it being a busy weekend night. We had the lump crabmeat for an appetizer but it was a small portion for the price and was just crabmeat with sauce. It was good I just don't think I would order it again. My husband ordered the New York Strip and said it just melted in his mouth which is the reason for my rating and he is still raving about it weeks later saying it was the best steak he has ever eaten. He also got the roasted corn and lobster salad but we were not fans of that. I ordered the pan-seared chicken breast and it was ok but nothing I would order again.
(4)Jen C.
Peter the bartender downstairs made our experience like no other. He let us taste wines until we had the perfect one. Went through the whole menu with us.. very attentive at all times. We had the $105 Wagyu Bone-In Ribeye.. 30 oz. It was delicious. Their steaks come from San Joaquin, supposedly the oldest Angus blood line... it was worth it. We also had the Tuna Tartar with Seaweed Salad.. could have eaten another order, so good! Service is just spectacular here and he gave us awesome recommendations on other places to visit. Definitely stop in, go downstairs and ask for Peter.
(5)Pat R.
I'm not a huge steak fan so when people say Ruths Chris... I say "meh"... But this place is awesome! If you're a steak lover, I would say this is it!!!! I've never been disappointed!
(4)Elaine P.
I was part of a group of 7 that dined at the restaurant the other night. It was a work dinner, a few coworkers and I took some clients out for the evening. We started in the bar, which was great-good drinks, great service. We moved upstairs at about 6:30 and that is where everything went downhill. The waiter didn't seem to know how to multitask. After we sat down he individually asked everyone if they needed another drink, even those of us that had almost full drinks in front of us. It was quite a while before he returned with 2 beverages and tried to refill additional drinks. We had to ask him to take our order instead as it had been at least 20 minutes. The food was slow between courses and I have to say the steaks were just not that good. There was very little flavor and the coloring wasn't good. After dinner some ordered coffee and some ordered dessert. The coffee was brought and so was the bill. The bill was paid and we had to ask again for the desserts. Our water glasses were rarely filled and our server seemed more concerned with laying down the silverware properly then actually serving us food and acknowledging us. We ordered two mac and cheese sides, one with crab and Brie and one with lobster and blue, 3 different employees couldn't tell us which was which and they're recommendation was taste it. Someone at the party couldn't have crab. I dont think was handled well. For a party of 7, who is neither difficult or indecisive, we spent 3.5 hours at dinner and most of the time was spent waiting. I definitely expected better from a higher class steak house. The food and service is wayyy better at an outback. What a shame!
(1)Ryan C.
Very good food and service. My wife, 2 year old and I checked this place out for our anniversary. The ribeye we ordered was very good don't get me wrong, but unsure if it is worth $40. Outback Chargrilled ribeye is just as good. Also, I questioned myself if this steak taste better since it cost a lot. The corn and mashed potatoes were top notch though. We also ordered the soufflé cake which was good too since it is bake to order. We spent around $160 with tip so expect to have a high bill. Our server was very attentive as well. On a side note, we brought our 2 year old. Later we found out was not a good idea since the place is not meant to serve very young children. There were no kids menu and the atmosphere was geared towards casual fine dining. If you choose to bring a young child, do not bring a stroller since there are stairs and no ramps in front of the restaurant and immediately after the host check in. Having no ramps is odd since it causes accessibility issues for older people as well.
(4)William D.
Will be nice and rate two stars mainly on the simple fact that the location is spectacular, very tastefully done and comfortable space that is perfect for a business dinner and special event. However this place is striving to be in that 6 star class, the tier above Morton's or Ruth Chris and it fell short. My first time having Harris beef that was aware of but was not impressed over the Strube or Allen Bros or simply good ole USDA Prime Texas beef. I always order medium as often under cooked to order and just above rare is what I like anyway so err on side of caution. But this port house was under cooked and hard a large percentage of tough fatty inedible pieces. That's not what you expect of steak in that price range and either the beef or the seasoning used just did not have the taste either that is expected. Sides were marginal and over cooked. Apple gazpacho soup special was just a weird flavor profile, bland base, Apple sauce'ish in taste, with avocado, crab and some piece of fish, maybe salmon in it ? Complete misfire by the chef. Living in Texas have learned to appreciate the taste of jalapeños with steak and when asked if can have a few sauté on the side, the answer there is usually yes sir, excellent choice. ok I was not in Texas, I get that. But most chefs know the that pepper profiles enhance beef, or most things, hence the rise of Siracha flavors down even to the Burger King level lately. This waiter seemed offended on the request as if I were some inexperienced diner asking for A1 or Henize 57. Stated he had nothing available yet steak showed up with a few scraps of pepper and some greasy onions, maybe I offended the cook too, who knows. What that waiter did not know I travel extensively for work and in the last 2 and half years or so have eaten in the likes of Rathburns, Killens, Vic & Anthony's , Pappa Bros, 3Forks, Bohanan's and Dickie Brennan's, amongst a host of James Beard award establishments in New Orleans and Houston. Aside from being a well dressed wait staff, they were bland and infrequent, actually appeared a bit miserable, poor menu facilitation and overall a lack luster service presentation which is not of this price tier. Waiter and bust, but no head waiter or sommelier as expected with $48-$120 cuts. a large part of the experience for ~$100 a plate sans drinks, your paying for the quality of the steak, venue and service, failing two out of those three is not making the grade.
(2)Miggie S.
This is the epitome of a steakhouse. Dark walls, dark wood, flowers and servers in suits. If you want to impress your date, or take your loved one to a nice, special and romantic dinner out, Byrd and Baldwin is the place. We chose to valet park, since it was Harborfest. It was very convenient. Just don't forget to tell your server to add the parking to your check. We walked in and were seated immediately. Our server gave us a wine menu, and gave us a few suggestions. We went with the OPP pinot. It didn't disappoint. Then we got a lovely hot towel to wash our hands with and some very warm bread and butter. Our server gave us the specials which all sounded delicious, but of course we went with the steaks. I had the filet mignon and my date had the ribeye. We also split two side dishes, broccoli and steak fries. All of the food was amazing. There is a reason this place has 4 stars. The steak was on point. We both ordered them medium rare, which is what the server recommended. We were not disappointed. After finishing our dinner, we decided to indulge in some dessert. We were undecided. Should we get the key lime pie, or the chocolate sin cake? We went with the key lime. Though I do like it, I found that I like my key lime pie a little more tart than sweet, but over all it was worth the calories. Byrd and Baldwin is definitely a place where you celebrate a special occasion, or if you just wanna wine and dine your partner, come here! You won't be disappointed and neither will your date.
(5)Grisseth R.
Visited Byrd & Baldwin Last Saturday for Father's day. Made reservations for 8pm. And we where offer a table as soon as we got there, No waiting :) The Steak was delicious! the atmosphere was quiet and nice. I order the 80z Filet Mignon, the Beet & Arugula Salad. OMG this salad was so good! Slice tomatoes, Beets, Arugula and Fry Bleu Cheese, All this flavors mix together was just perfect! We had a great time, our server was also very attentive. We will def be back, I heard the downstairs is more casual, and they have happy hr sometimes, so def will be trying that :)
(5)Charles H.
We went here last night to celebrate our anniversary and it was amazing. Honestly, the food was great but I didn't think it was outstanding. What was outstanding was the service and atmosphere. Our waiter Ladi was probably the best I've ever had anywhere. He even gave us a complimentary desert for our anniversary which was a huge surprise and took our picture. A+ for that guy. Thanks for making the night special Ladi!
(5)Tammy D.
plus side: Friendly service (tried very hard) Decent flavor in the steak/veal minus side: dated decor very little fresh local food very little sustainably farmed anything beef is not humanely raised (Harris is an ethical nightmare) corn finished beef Indonesian crab meat everywhere, not a blue crab in sight chicken is not ABF Risotto is mush my plate had mandarin oranges from a can waaay overpriced for the quality sauces are heavy handed food style is dated tons of creamy things, nothing light or fresh sysco, sysco, sysco
(1)Kirstina C.
Wow. This is now definitely my favorite steak place in the Hampton Roads area. I've always heard great things about this place, so my boyfriend and I decided to try it for our anniversary. We went on a Sunday evening, but I decided to play it safe and set a reservation on OpenTable. Fortunately, there were only a few others dining in, so we had basically our server's full attention. Upon being seated, we were presented with a cute paper signed by the staff at Byrd and Baldwin saying happy anniversary. I thought that was such a great touch for the evening. My boyfriend and I both ordered the Riesling wine, which was absolutely delicious. I also liked that we were left with a large wine bottle of water because I typically get pretty thirsty during my meal. For our appetizer, the prosciutto and mozzarella appetizer caught my eye, and I had to try it. This was probably one of my favorite appetizers in a long time. The prosciutto gave the appetizer a little bit of a crunch, but the mozzarella was so soft and fresh. I loved the garnishing of basil and balsamic vinegar that just added much more flavor. For our entrees, my boyfriend ordered the sirloin and I ordered the New York strip, both medium rare of course. Both were cooked to perfection! The portions were a good size, so good that we both had to take our food home. I loved the mashed potatoes and broccoli that came with my food as well. For dessert, I chose a creme brûlée, which was also very tasty. I do wish it had been a little more on the warm side. I would recommend this place for special occasions because it is very pricey, but worth it!
(5)Bruce G.
I needed the perfect spot to propose to my girlfriend. I chose Byrd & Baldwin Bros. and it was the best decision I ever made! (Besides the proposal.) What an absolutely wonderful memory this will be. Dinner was in the fantastically medieval tasting room in the wine cellar. It was private and beautifully lit with candles and a lone fireplace. The waiter was perfect and the food was absolutely unforgettable. It was one of our favorite restaurants and now it's at the top of the list! Thank you all at B&BB, especially James, for everything! Till next time. :D
(5)Lisa D.
Superb service, steak was flawless! No other way to put it. This restaurant is BEAUTIFUL! I had the Surf n Turf with blue cheese mashed potatoes, asparagus and lemon burre and enjoyed every last bit. I have found my new date night place. Our hostess was gracious enough to accommodate us despite not having a reservation on, from what I could see, a very busy night. Our server Kirk was great in suggesting the perfect wine pairing for our meal. The manager Logan stopped in and was very nice. He seemed passionate about his restaurant and very professional. I will be a regular at Byrd and Baldwin without a doubt.
(5)Dean B.
We were in town for AAU Jr Olympics and wanted to get a late, nice meal. A cancellation opened the private dining room for out party of 8. We had one of the best family meals we have ever had. Ambiance and service were exceptional. The food was equally impressive- our youngest had escargot (missed it on a school trip to France two weeks ago) and my oldest got to share a classic tomahawk steak with his father. I can't really say enough about the whole experience as they will remember the big night for years to come
(5)Dennis C.
I had been intending to eat here for several years and finally made up my mind to do so. Two weeks ago, I caught the Tide from my Ghent residence to dine at the Byrd & Baldwin Steakhouse for the very first time. Wearing a pair of Puma sweat pants, a Polo shirt, and a pair of Nike running shoes, I was initially afraid my attire might not pass their dress code. My fears were somewhat alleviated when I saw their valet driver wearing shorts. He gave me a friendly greeting as I walked up to their entrance. I went inside and sat downstairs at the bar, where the dress of the other patrons ranged from shorts to suits. Breathing a sigh of relief, I ordered a gin martini. After perusing the menu, I decided to order the 8-ounce cut of their Filet Mignon rare and a side order of their Mashed Potatoes. Shortly thereafter, I did receive one negative first impression, which was the result of their complimentary bread roll. It was too hard, so much so that it literally went "Clunk!" as I dropped it onto my plate. It would have been my preference to have either not received it at all or to have paid separately for a fresh order of tender bread and butter. Please ditch the complimentary bread rolls if they are too hard. When my steak and mashed potatoes arrived, my impressions began to reverse course and climb uphill. Their mashed potatoes were delicious and the best I've had at any steakhouse anywhere. The traces of red potato skins were a nice touch. My filet mignon was cooked to perfection to a nice and juicy red interior. The taste of the aged beef came through very well. However, there was just a small portion of it that was a little too tough. I have a suggestion for their cocktail program. Specifically, I would like to see them move a little more in the direction of the classic craft cocktail movement. I usually have two gin martinis with my meal when eating out. I enjoy a classic gin martini, one which is made with a premium London dry gin, chilled vermouth, and two dashes of orange bitters. Unfortunately, my bartender informed me that they do not stock orange bitters. One or two dashes of orange bitters makes all the difference in the world to a a gin martini and can elevate it from the ordinary to the sublime. I addition, I also prefer my martinis to be stirred for a good 30 seconds instead of shaken. Although this takes longer, the end result is well worth it with a superior taste and texture with less dilution. I should have requested it stirred, but I did not have the heart to do so on this particular evening. My bartender was working all by herself with a full bar and with most of the tables occupied in the bar area. She was constantly backed up with drink orders and could have used some help. In spite of her work load, she was very friendly and served me well. Overall, my first visit was an enjoyable four-star experience. I am looking forward to my next visit and hopefully a five-star experience, one which will be easily attained with the suggestions I have made.
(4)Tyler S.
Several years ago I was thoroughly impressed with the place, to the degree that I held my Mother's surprise 83rd birthday here. I'd also been back several times since and have enjoyed my meals tremendously. Stopped in last week and ordered what used to be my absolute favorite, the Crab Macaroni & Brie Cheese. To my dismay and disappointment, it was horrible. It's been reduced breadcrumbs, "filler" red peppers and far less crab meat than before. They had to have changed chefs. Terribly disappointed. I'll try the Lobster Blue Cheese & Macaroni, which was the "runner up" for me years prior, later on this week. Ideally that will still be good.
(3)Bobby G.
Excellent!! I can say this is one of the best restaurants that I have experienced. Excellent food that was well prepared. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. I can say that it was an experience not a meal. I have been to the big chains, Byrd and Baldwin surpassed everyone of them.
(5)Lindsey T.
First I want to make the review based on the fact that our bill (2 people) was $200 with tip.... so I am judging everything based on the fact it is high end and not like... Applebees... also we only go to "high-end" (places where the bill is $50 or more per person) every 1-2 months.. so I am not like a "know it all" on high end places.. but this is my review... Service was 3 stars, good but I have had better.. though the waiter was NICE.... but little things like no appetizer plates for my shrimp scampi appetizer, had to use my bread plate. The bread was super messy and no one cleaned the crumbs from our table (and I am NOT being a brat.. they do this at fine dining places).... just little things like that... Food was okay.... had the Shrimp scampi app & fried shrimp dinner... the only thing that was GREAT was the mashed potatoes -- everything else was ok..... Though Glen said the lobster tail he added to his dinner was great!!! Also Glen said the cheesecake he ordered was great as well..... One annoying thing was, we were there for many 2 hours, and they had the SAME Frank Sinatra Cd on repeat.. we I must have heard MY Way, 3 times!!! Though over all worth a try.... it is a steak house.. so I am guessing the steaks are worth a try..
(3)John H.
Came here to celebrate the "coming home" of our son from deployment. Have been here before, and as it was the last time the food was very good. Besides the steaks, the lobster Mac and cheese was superb. However unlike the first time, the service this time left a little to be desired. The four stars is for the food. Our waiter, "Skippy" seemed to be elsewhere tonight with the service being a little disjointed. Unfortunately this will be our last visit to the Norfolk area, but if we were to visit again, we would come back, hoping the service would be as seemless as the first time.
(4)Karen Z.
I've had better steak at the same price albeit not in Norfolk. There were only five tables but the waiter seemed really stressed! I don't live in Norfolk but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it or visit again if I were in the area. Good wine list, though.
(3)Amber R.
We went for our Valentine's Day dinner (a week early due to work issues), and this place met every expectation. The hubby and I split the wagu beef (my suggestion, not his), and it was worth every penny! Sides and apps were tasty, we had crab and brie mac n cheese (VERY rich), garlic spinach, escargot (better than what I ate in France), and steak tartare (we tried it, not our favorite). I recommend this place for a classy night out. I cant wait to go back.
(4)Richard R.
Horrible service and food. Overpriced and pretentious.
(1)Chris J.
Did not disappoint. Service was outstanding, portions were enormous and delicious.
(5)Dan C.
I really liked this steakhouse . Being from New Jersey there is a lot more of upscale steakhouses to chose from . After calling Ruth Chris because it was the day after vday and the person being rather rude about my planning . Which I like Ruth Chris . Just that very unprofessional answer . So I called and left a message here they promptly called me back and due to my planning I realized I had to eat early to get a reservation . I as usual got the bone in ribeye which I always love . The service was friendly and food was great will def return in the future . I will be boycotting Ruth Chris .
(5)Kate C.
Came in for dinner with family visiting from out of town and could not have been happier! Beginning with the hostess, Katherine. She was so accommodating and made us feel right at home and welcome. The entire dining experience was perfect and food was excellent. Waitstaff we're very well trained in fine dining. Our guests were impressed and we will certainly keep this place as our go to special occasion restaurant locally. Highly recommend!
(5)Henry A.
Jeez what a difference 9 months make. This place has totally changed most of it's staff and I was not impressed. The wonderful waiter we had for out anniversary, I believe his name is Gerald is not there, the knowledgeable sommelier that helped us pick the wine that evening Chris is not there, and the gracious manager that thanked us for coming in for our anniversary I cannot remember his name for the life of me is not there either. Seems like the restaurant is run by a lot younger person that did not seem that personable. Our waiter kind of vanished for a few minutes and came back reeking of cigarettes and some sort of cologne to cover the smell, my wife and I did not want to stay for dessert, that was pretty much the last straw. I wouldn't expect a waiter or waitress to smell of cigarette smoke at Denny's let alone a fine dining establishment. My wife and I will not return and I will make sure to tell others of this experience. Absolutely amazing.
(1)Barry H.
The decor is lovely and the service is very good, but in the end, you go here hoping to have a great steak. Our party of four enjoyed three good steaks and one cheap supermarket quality rib eye. The steaks are a premium price but in my experience, not any better than a host of other modestly priced steakhouses-- and I will even include chain restaurants like Outback in the comparison. My advice is to send it back if it is not absolutely perfect. The high prices demand it.
(3)William B.
We have been to B&B many times over the years and we have always had a great meal and excellent service. Our last visit was 2/22/14 and again, outstanding service, food, courteous and pleasant staff. Perhaps the best steaks I have ever eaten. This is our go-to place for special occasions and events. A classic steakhouse but try the shrimp cocktail.
(5)Sarah N.
My boyfriend and I had an amazing dinner here last night! Emanuel was our waiter and he was funny, attentive, and happy to meet our requests. We started with a bowl of French onion ($6) and the romaine salad with goat cheese and red pepper vinaigrette ($9). My boyfriend talked about that soup majority of the night. My salad was good, too. There was nothing significant about it. It was presented nice and tasted excellent. For dinner, I got the new york strip steak ($38) cooked medium and he ordered the lobster tail with mashed potatoes and broccoli. We also ordered the lobster and bleu cheese macaroni ($10) as a side dish. We could not of asked for a better meal. My steak was cooked to perfection and seasoned just right. I took a little home in a to go box and nibbled the entire car ride. The lobster was delicious as well. Although it was $47 dollars for 8oz, the birthday boy gets what the birthday boy wants. The lobster macaroni was delicious. I think it tasted better this morning after it had time to rest. I had in mind a hearty macaroni with bleu cheese crumbles on top which is not what was presented. Nevertheless, we were not disappointed. I finished up with the creme brûlée, and my bf was surprised with a complimentary birthday dessert. And his dessert was no less appealing than my $8 egg custard. For a memorable birthday dinner, our bill came out to $147 without tip, including a round of cocktails. For the food and service with received, it was worth it. I highly recommend Emanuel's service. I think he is the only person in the food service industry that doesn't mind refilling bread rolls. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Alicia W.
Service was great. Good wine. Good food...but..I prefer Burton's.
(3)Sean T.
Wow! You whiny visitors need to chill. I'm going to start calling these seagull reviews. Why seagulls? You know seagulls - they fly in from nowhere, make a lot of noise, shit all over everything and leave. In reality, I would give this place 4 stars considering the service is notoriously slow. Slloooow; however, kick back, have a drink and enjoy your company. This isn't Outback. I read these reviews prior to my last visit so I timed it. It took 40 minutes from order to delivery. Not horrible, but certainly needs a speed boost. It's a 3-man kitchen and the place certainly warrants much more than that - I'd say 5 would make it seamless. But by no measure does this restaurant deserve anything less than 4 stars based on the food quality and front end service. I've been coming here for years and have avoided a review in the hopes that I could keep this to myself; however, I was shocked to see the low rating. The steak is stellar! Always cooked to perfection. Believe me - perfection! You order a temperature, and that is how it arrives. It's seasoned, aged and presented with orchid pedals. Yes, orchid pedals. It's the type of steak that will turn sauce users into bare bones steak eaters. Delicious! I personally recommend the ribeye; however, any of the cuts will work. For sides - go for the Crab Mac & Brie as opposed to the lobster considering the cheese over powers the lobster and makes it disappear. I'm also a fan of the broccoli. The sides are rather healthy - so two sides are plenty for a couple. As for the atmosphere - this place is sexy. I'm a huge fan of the lower level basement bar with its massive glass encased wine cellar, exposed brick and wood and iron decorated bar. The main dining room is on the upper level and is a tad more formal. Eat here. Rate it properly. Don't be a seagull.
(5)Craig L.
To be fair we went on a Sunday evening at 7pm, and this is a downtown location so there were only 2 other parties there for dinner. Our server was Ryan and he was great, fun and energetic. We ordered the fried shrimp appetizer and it was great. Good presentation and hot and delicious. My wife ordered the tuna and I the NY sirloin. My wife's Caesar salad looked like the lettuce was old or had been stored in a freezer by mistake. Her tuna came in a very large filet, stacked on an enormous pile of mashed potatoes that covered the entire plate and even more importantly covered the asparagus side order. I can't even begin to tell you how much mashed potatoes she got there was so much. The potatoes and hidden asparagus were cold. Most places serve this tuna in small pieces, sliced but this was just a very large piece on Mt. Potato. My sirloin came with its own Mt. Potato and a piece of broccoli the size of a tree (or at least the stem piece of the broccoli was) laying across the top. It looked like a scene from when Mt St Helens erupted, a mountain of potato and 1 tree of broccoli, again the sides were cold. The steak had good taste. We had the crème brulee and cheesecake for dessert and they were good. I ordered a coffee to go with my dessert. The coffee is a show, they use a French press at the table, but after watching the whole show I taste my coffee and it also was at best warm. It is a beautiful location, Ryan was fun, but the food did not live up to either of these.
(1)A A.
Excellent food and service - I have eaten here a few times and it's always outstanding food, wine selection and presentation. Would recommend for a special occasion or just a night out when you want a nice meal without the hassle of cooking yourself.
(5)Joan C.
My husband and I went to Byrd Baldwin the first time a couple of years ago to celebrate our anniversary but have decided that everyday of life is a celebration and we should not deprive ourselves of such a great restaurant experience. Valet parking is available which is a bonus in downtown Norfolk. The hostess was friendly and greeted us with a smile. The waiter was a professional who knew how to make us feel special. Now for the best part - the food. It has always been outstanding. My husband is a meat eater and loves the ribeye which is always cooked to perfection. He has tried the pork chop and the lamb and also thinks they are great but the steaks are "to die for". I always order seafood - the crabcakes which are delicious are my favorite. The Ahi Tuna is also very good. The sides are huge and are more than enough to share.. We especially like the spinach and mashed potatoes. On those rare occasions that I am not hungry, I order the Cobb salad - a great light meal. Of course my husband still has his steak. The wine list is extensive and the wait staff knows it well and can make recommendations if you do not have a favorite. Lets face it, a good meal without wine is called breakfast. And, if you are going to sin, it might as well be the Chocolate Sin Cake. It is sinfully delicious. You can tell that every time we dine at Byrd Baldwin we are treated like it is a special occasion. I particularly like the quiet atmosphere and the fact that you are not rushed -. a true fine dining experience.
(5)Kate S.
I'm going to have to agree with Sean T. on this one...you people really need to figure out the difference between a high end steakhouse and Outback. Don't get me wrong...Outback is great, but in a whole different arena. Byrd & Baldwin Bros. is not the place to throw back a few pints of beer, watch the game, etc. Of course the wine menu is great and if you're looking for an extensive beer menu head to a brew house. I've been here about 4 or 5 times with every meal being delish! Yes, the service can be a bit slow, but like Sean said sit back, enjoy some wine or a cocktail and relax. The bar downstairs is really nice! Food like this isn't meant to be wolfed down. As with any high end restaurant, everything is usally a la carte. I always order their filet, all the sides are delish and apps are amazing. If you're looking for a romantic place for dinner or a fancy place to try...Byrd and Baldwin Bros. is a great choice. Oh and they also have valet. Check out the reviews on Urbanspoon....foodies over there seem to know what's up. Enjoy!
(5)Andy M.
B&B is always our first choice when we're having a dinner meeting. The steaks are outstanding, and we always have excellent waitstaff. You could try the fish but...it's a steakhouse. Order the steak, preferably the Filet medium rare, pared with a nice red, and prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella on the side. That should be all you need to go to sleep with a full belly and a smile on your face.
(4)Amy H.
They have been a little hit and miss for me. I want to love them, but I have had some bad dinners here. They really pull out all the stops at Resturant week events, but I have gone many other times and it falls short. I have had poorly cooked meat to just bad produce. The building is amazing and the service wonderful. You should check out at least once. I just done think it is worth the price!
(3)Terry M.
This was one of my favorite local steakhouses while living in Norfolk. There are always those places you go where you know you are going to have a good time and this is one of those places. Overall the experience was fantastic. "The Good" - The staff is just amazing. From Ashley at the downstairs bar to Tony who did not even come close to having a NJ accent even though that's what I hear, when I hear Tony. They are attentive and polite and make you feel at home. - The steaks are dry aged in house and have a very, very good flavor. - The sleeper is the Chili... (looks around) Its made with Mexican Chocolate... try it, no one would think of ordering chili at a steakhouse. - All of the seafood appetizers are amazing, the lump crab meat and the shrimp in particular. - The sides are a la carte and you cannot go wrong with the Maytag Blue Cheese Lobster Mac (and Cheese) - Very large wine list and great pairings. - This is a perfect date night spot, just fancy enough without being a still-life. - The architecture of the building is just plain cool, from the tiled floor at the entry-way to the old safe at the bar downstairs its just plain cool. - They have a valet and there is also a public garage across the street. - Large group room in the basement. - TV in the downstairs bar. "The Meh" - They have prime rib, but not always the end. I know this me being me, but I like the end and so does the owner... - Lots of steps to get in. "The Bad" - Nothing really bad to comment on.
(5)Mike R.
I went to B&B with a few friends on the positive and well received reviews and was sorely disappointed. We enjoyed the ambiance, location, and extensive wine list but the food was mediocre and overpriced and the service the same. We had the tuna, crab cakes, and salmon, respectively, with the salmon completely bland and flavorless. We sent the salmon back after one bite and the service went down hill from there to the point that we were afraid the server was going to spit in our food. I would comfortably pay their prices for good food, good wine, good service, and good ambiance but this place barely deserves two stars for such a huge let down.
(2)Laura D.
This place is amazing.When you walk inside they take your coat, take you up the stairs to the dining area which is classic and elegant. Its beautifully simple inside, the service was amazing, food was delicious. I ordered the filet mignon and it absolutely melted in my mouth. Then I tried someone's ribeye at the table and it did the impossible and topped the cut I had. It tasted like butter and was simply amazing. The tomato soup with goat cheese and crab meat was very tasty, even though I'm not a huge crab person. The wine list was also extensive and we had an amazing cabernet recommended by the waiter. In fact, the waiter recommended everything we ordered and it was on point, he gave us the best info and told us to order the ribeye, and I wish I had listened to him (I was set in my ways for a filet) because the ribeye was out of this world. We had the creme brulee for dessert which was a nice touch but I was way too full to have any of it. I recommend the bordelaise sauce with any of the cuts, it was the perfect accent. Amazing dining experience, and not too dressy. I would definitely go again.
(5)Pa Kettle K.
Exceptional in a good way. Went during Restaurant Week and was positively impressed w/ all, from the room to the service (we had the head waiter; very knowledgable and helpful) to the food. Get the ribeye over the strip. Only downside, and not on the establishment at all: buffoons in the Norfolk area should know how to appropriately dress after 6:00 P.M. for a place like this, and that means leave your old shorts, flowered shirts and flops at home.
(4)Blanca A.
All I can say it I loved it! The serves was great, food was great and the ambiance was great. If you are looking for a place to take your loved one this is it.
(5)Jason P.
amazing aps!!! Best beef tartar and tomato biisque soup ever!!! Filet mignon was average thou, I had better steaks elsewhere. Excellent service!
(4)Mali Y.
Service, elegance, food. Amazing. Go here. Loved Sean T's comments haha about seagulls. Can't believe anybody says this was slow. Plus valet is $5 only. Great ambiance. Steak, shrimp, escargot and salmon with crab, plus piping hot bread and lovely people. Loved it.
(5)Amanda L.
I'm a very big fan of B&B steaks. Actually, they do everything right. Their sides are "family style", so you can order several and share. The wine list is very nice! (And their private cellars are pretty sweet, too!) The first time I ordered the filet, it arrived cooked to perfect temp, was very thick, and sliced effortlessly, like butter. It practically melts! From then on, I was hooked! The dessert list is the perfect finishing touch...highly recommend the Chocolate Mousse...the hint of cinnamon does some wicked things to the last few sips of Pinot Noir. The staff Members take pride in what they serve, and are highly knowledgeable. I will always use B&B as my "go to" for out-of-town guests and special occasions. Not gonna lie, I've been known to eat there alone (downstairs in their less-formal bar area) for no special occasion at all. Even if you're eating upstairs, take a detour to the bar area. The wood bar is gorgeous! So much to be appreciated at this place!
(5)Jason A.
Very cool place! What I love about downtown Norfolk is that you can go to some really nice places and have no wait. Granted, its relatively expensive, but the food is good quality. I had the heirloom tomato salad, which was drizzled with balsamic vinegarette and mint leaves. I then had the new york strip (pretty decent size) and the portabella and onions which were perfect. The steak was very good, but I would say that it doesn't meet the same level of sizzle as Ruth's Chris. The scotch selection is better than most too and the wine list is large! Definitely worth a try.
(4)Liz N.
I had such high hope hopes for this place after reviews. 31/2 hour dinner !!!! That's just too long!!!! And you really don't mind if the food is good. Waiter did tell us there were a lot of large paties in that night.( convention in town) But don't take in people if you can't wait on them!!!!! Had the worst rib eye steak I have ever eaten( really !!) recommended buy waiter Somebody mention it was like a steak from out back and it's funny it really was !!! Lol !!. Everyone else had filet and they said the steak was just ok. For the prices they charge it should have been fantastic!!!!! Every coarse, every drink order, getting appit., getting check, all took FOREVER !!!! $768.30later..we left very disappointed. ( party of 6) I did read another review that tip is included in party of 6 so maybe that's why things took longer, waiter already knew he had the tip. He waited on smaller tables like they were kings and queens. I will say I gave 1 star because I had a great lump meat crab cocktail otherwise I would have given it a 0 !! All the good reviews HAVE to be made up!! Save your money !!!! So many other great restaurants. Even the chain steak houses are wayyyyyyyyy better!!!
(1)Mike A.
The beef was excellent but way overpriced. Sides are extra but 1 side can easily serve 2. Service was Tidewater Typical....in other words, no attention to detail , just get the food whenever. The service was not up to the quality this restaurant is trying to be. On the plus side it is a very impressive place with a great wine menu but a horrible beer menu.
(2)Emily L.
Byrd and Baldwin Bros is the first restaurant we think of when my husband and I want a great, celebratory meal. Birthdays? Byrd and Baldwin Bros. Winging celebrations? Byrd and Baldwin Bros. Recently we went for New Years Eve and it was fabulous. I think it is perfect because it is a wonderful, simple steakhouse where you don't have to "overthink" what you're ordering. I always know what I am going to order at any steakhouse: 8 oz. filet, possibly oscar, cooked medium with a side of mashed potatoes. This steakhouse does these staples wonderfully. The filet Oscar was not featured on the menu, however they were able to adapt it for a $13 charge, which i was fine with considering they used the jumbo lump crabmeat from the crab cocktail offered on the appetizer menu. It was seriously the best filet Oscar I have ever had. The mashed potatoes are wonderful and so creamy, but dense if you aren't into that type of thing. I just love the flavor, however. The best thing about this restaurant is that they cook the steak exactly, i mean exactly, how you want it. If you say you want a warm, red center, they will cook it that way. If you want a cool, dark center, they will cook it that way. There are never any surprises on how they cook your steak, which is amazing in regards to steakhouses. In regards to the service, we have never had better. Even though we are a couple who is 24 and 25, we love to frequent fine dining and experience "ageism" by servers on a regular basis... which drives me up a wall. There is not a faster way for you to lose your tip from me than with biased service. Even though this is considered "fine dining", we have never experienced "ageism" here, quite to the contrary as each and every time we've visited we are treated to the finest of service. To be very blunt I don't expect a restaurant of this caliber to be speedy- why would you ever want to pay $250+ on a meal you expect to enjoy in under an hour? There is nothing better than taking 2 hours savoring wine and a good meal with the one you love. I appreciate the give and take of the waitstaff here... they have always catered to our specifications and have exceeded our expectations for the area. A great place for a great steak!
(5)Joe M.
If you want the best quality steak, then this is your place. You will not find a better steak in Hampton Roads, period. The prices are fair for the quality, but you are looking at dropping $100 for a dinner for 2 (steaks, family sides, wine). The wait staff is too uptight and stuffy for my taste, but they are pretty good at describing the food/wine. The dress of most is dressy, but you won't feel out of place in jeans and a button-down shirt. My co-worker did a bachelor party dinner in its downstairs room that is set off from the downstairs bar. It was a great spot for a party of 20. It is located off Granby Street and is across from a parking garage (so don't use valet unless you are truely lazy). It is in an old, renovated building. The decor and bar area are super swanky. Get reservations in advance for Friday and Saturday and go early for some drinks.
(5)Roberto W.
I have never had a worse dining experience. The waiter was a chatty hick who clearly had no idea what he was doing. I wanted to tell him to sit down and let me show him how to serve someone. Why doesn't someone tell these rednecks that when you go to good restaurant, you don't want to know the stupid waiter's name or hear about his day.
(1)Michelle F.
My first impression walking in was good, however, the overall exerience was terrible. It took 3 hours for us to get our meal and eat, start to finish. The couple we met there for dinner arrived after us and it took 20 minutes for the waiter to offer them menus. The service was horrible. The food had great presentation and tasted good but the horrible service ruined the whole experience. Our waiter told us as he was giving us the bill that the kitchen was backed up and apologized for the sloweness, which was more than he said to us the entire three hours we were there. For Ruth's Cris prices, you exect more. We spoke to the manager and were told to email him. Hmmm.
(1)Irene T.
I loved the food but the time it took to get there was not up to par. The look of the restaurant is nice and the wait staff look good. Even the bathrooms were swanky. Just wish it had better service.
(3)Lee G.
First Class.....excellent food, wine, service....just the best
(5)Gray G.
So yes, the service is slow. However, when I go somewhere for a nice dinner, especially a date night out with my husband, or a dinner with a group of close friends, I want to take my time, enjoy the food, and enjoy the company of those around me. Would I go here for a quick and cheap meal? No, but I would go here for a delicious steak, good wine,and a cool atmosphere.
(5)Jerome F.
The food was great, once you got it! The service was extremely slow. It took the waiter a very long time to do anything. We waited for an hour just to get our food and another hour just to get the check. While he was very attentive to the other tables in the room. Yes we were a table of 8 so the tip was already included, so I guess there was no need to provide excellent service. Very disappointing, I don't reccomend this place at all. Walk around the corner and check out one of the other restaurants!!
(1)Maya S.
Am afraid that their reputation for quality food and service has gone downhill. 2 $32 steaks were recently comped due to being overcooked. How can an establishment like this mess up on something like that? The service was hit and miss and the whole experience left us with no desire to go back. Many others we have shared this story with agreed and felt the same about their quality lacking. Maybe their time has passed?
(1)