Stove, The Restaurant
2622 Detroit St, Portsmouth, VA, 23707
Stove, The Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Portsmouth for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Portsmouth for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Portsmouth for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2622 Detroit St
Portsmouth, VA, 23707 - Phone (757) 397-0900
- Website https://www.stoverestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Wet F.
This chef is a local legend. Yes, that is him in the open kitchen. His unique flair for great dishes is as wonderful as his approach to the dining experience. Expect to see a crowd even early in the evening. The bar is intimate, and the dining room is eclectic. Don't miss the experience. You will go back, for sure. We loved the half portions!
(5)Greta G.
I'm always a fan of southern chefs, and this one happens to be a transplant from Biloxi. I had an absolutely yummy bass over root vegetables - the chef really packed a lot of flavors into one dish. The atmosphere inside the dining area was nice and homey but we sat near the kitchen and it smelled like burning oil. I can't say I'm a fan of the taxidermy decor in the bar area. A very tastey meal, but a little on the expensive side considering the surrounding area.
(4)Jackie E.
Bought a Groupon because it sounded interesting and had pretty good reviews here. Excellent decision! Was a little bummed that they only allow one Groupon per table, but I can definitely understand their reasoning. I ordered the shrimp bacon corn chowder. Oh. My. God. It was delicious. Smoky, creamy goodness in my mouth. A very generous bowl, as well. It wasn't so large that I felt it impossible to finish, nor was it a small ladle-full. My friends ordered the dumbwaiter 'ole classic spicy etouffee, which was, as promised, spicy. May not be for everyone. I love spicy, so it was great for me! The other ordered a special for the evening--steak with a bleu cheese topping, balsamic reduction, and spicy sweet potato fries. Also delicious. My dish was my favorite, though. For dessert I ordered the salty dawg...delicious! Maybe a bit rich for some, but I love me some chocolate. The crust was perfect. My friends ordered an apple pie and raspberry apple cobbler. Both had the same wonderful crust. Don't get me wrong, their desserts were delicious, but I loved the chocolate more. Didn't much care for the small dollop of whip cream on top, though. It kind of tasted like there was vodka mixed in. Weird taste, but definitely not weird enough to lose a star! Our bill came to over $120. That was entrees only. No appetizers or drinks. Yes, spendy, but well worth it. Definitely a special dinner sort of place for me.
(5)Jackie J.
Wonderful experience. Loved the decor, the staff, food, wine pairings. Met the owner on the way out, which was awesome! Hubby says they serve the best Manhatten ever.
(5)Meredith V.
What to say about Stove. First, get a webpage. It was TAXING trying to find what the theme of this restaurant was, what they served, and what the attire was. Second, this is truly a HIDDEN gem. I got lost twice trying to find it and really wasn't sure what it was when I did. Also, it should be noted there is no parking lot, although there did happen to be one spot out front when I arrived. It's quite small inside, yet quaint, and the restaurant is separated by the bar area in front. So I met a friend here for dinner at 7pm on a Wednesday and it wasn't too crowded, although I advise reservations as it later filled up. Service was pretty slow and it took awhile to even get bread at the table, which happened to be very fresh and good. I was looking for a dry Riesling or a white burgundy and our waiter checked with his sommelier and suggested a very nice white burgundy for us, reasonably priced. We ordered the flat iron steak for a starter which, I think, was the best thing about the entire meal. It was served with seasoned potato wedges and some sort of fried onion slivers. Excellent. I ordered the Diver Scallops, which came with shitake mushrooms and other various things, which I don't remember now and would love to consult their webpage but, oh right, they don't have one. Let's just say I've had better scallops. My friend had the bass that was seasoned with a butter-herb sauce, served with fresh and crispy green beans atop succotash. While he enjoyed the bass and green beans, not so much the succotash, although it is an acquired taste. They only had 2 desserts, oddly, a dark chocolate torte and an apple pie cobbler. We opted to try both, although we were really fighting over the dark chocolate torte. And while it was delicious, I've had many a torte, and this was not torte. I would consider it more a custard pie. The cream served on top I found to be flavorless and just filler. Overall, I would say this is an interesting joint one should check out for themselves...seems like it could be a hit or a miss. I'm not quite sure it deserves the title of Hampton Roads #2 top restaurant, however, I did enjoy myself and the food was pretty good.
(3)Milt T.
Great dining experience!!! We truly enjoyed everything about our entire evening and will definitely return!!!
(5)Chandler T.
There is a lot to say about this small business and all of it is excellent. I have a special affinity for it because it was my father's first office when he opened his medical practice in the late 1940's. Beyond that, the food is outstanding and the wine selection is wonderful. They have even selected a couple of very good Virginia wines which more local restaurants should carry. There is a cozy little bar at the entrance. All of the staff have been super-nice whenever we have visited. Great food and great people - hard to beat.
(5)Nick W.
Vastly overrated. Incredibly pretentious. Our group of four arrived late on Saturday evening; we understood they might or might not have space, but asked if they could fit us in since we didn't have a reservation. The head waiter (owner?) cussed us out and slammed out the door, literally knocking some of the decor off an adjacent shelf. As it turns out they did have a table, which we made the mistake of taking. Cheese was good, but super-expensive. Soup was bland. Entrees (shrimp-n-grits and Etouffe) were also bland and undistinguished. Service was snotty. Bill was *huge*. Too expensive. Too prima-donna-ish. Not worth the trouble.
(1)Amber H.
I LOVE STOVE!!! One of my favorite restaurants in Hampton Roads. Perfectly executed food and a local, seasonal menu paired with a cozy, intimate setting and wonderful staff. Seriously, this place is awesome! I love that most of the menu has two sizes; so can't decide over fish or steak, get both! (Also this is one of the very few places I will order steak in the area.) So make this the place for your next date night, share a cheese plate or dessert, just make sure you call for a reservation.
(5)Kristine M.
My boyfriend and I have been here a couple of times; we totally enjoy this little gem! It's a little far and out "in the cut" (somewhere near downtown Portsmouth). He first took me for my birthday a few years ago, it was a surprise, and I was thinking, "Where the heck is this guy taking me?" lol. It has been a while, but what I do remember is that the place is very small - very intimate, maybe fifteen-twenty tables max? So you would definitely need to make a reservation. Wait staff is always friendly and super attentive! Food wise, everything I've ever had here was delicious! From the cheese platter to the scallop dish that I had, DEEEEEELICIOUS! Be on the look out for Groupons for this place - it'll help with your bill! :)
(4)Christie W.
Syd can only cook meat rare, unlike other chefs. He alleges that is the only way meat should be eaten. That is his opinion and covers for his inability to produce a tender steak except if it's rare. He needs some refresher courses and to remember that the customer is always right and pays the bill(s).
(1)Bob B.
Had a opportunity to go to this gem over the weekend( we had a groupon) We got reservation late in the week so we were sat in the bar. The food was flavorful and well prepared. The bartender was very friendly and knowledgable and for only being there 2 weeks really knew her stuff. They serve their own bread which was terrific and the Shrimp & Grits was good but not a traditional preparation The Pork Plate with different styles of pork was terrific! Overall excellent and worth the trip ...
(5)Ericka R.
I eat out a lot, and this place is STILL one of my top choices (across state lines as well). The location and decor may be a turn-off for some but I choose restaurants for the food. The fresh/seasonal ingredients, intimate setting, and amazing flavors can't be beat! **Was vegetarian at the time so I've never had their meat or fish options**
(5)Larry P.
A treasure in Portsmouth! Ambience, service and absolutely wonderful food. Our 5th visit here and it just keeps getting better! Artisan cheese plate (with house made pimento cheese) an awesome Chardonnay, and a baramondi (sea bass) rounded out a great meal!
(5)Pooja K.
DESSERT REVIEW ONLY. We did not get dinner here. I'll have to return for dinner so i can complete my yelp review! ( oh, the excuses i use to eat out!) It has a very rustic, weird feel to it. There are random pictures of flowers, stoves with wheels in the air, shelves with toys on them-- strange to describe, a random collectino of collectibles.. but a must see! My friend and i shared the apple tart and the chocolicious. The chocolicious = a huge chocolate tart. I enjoyed the rich , royal chocolate served with a 1/2 scoop chocolate ice cream with a few nuts-- but can not see the hoopla. This place has such great reviews, so i attribute it to me not having a sophisticated enough palate. The apple tart was yummy. Definitely my favorite - it was served with a slightly sweet cream sauce & the one that was worth the money. Its a not -so- fancy looking place with a fancy menu. I love the fact that their menu is consistent with whats in season and therefore constantly changes. I kept looking at other people's dinner dishes and how awesome they looked. Im excited to try their dinner menu and update with more stars!
(3)Lee C.
This place is amazing! Flat iron stake is mouthwatering and the d lish sauce is incredible! I am definitely coming back! I would highly recommend that you do too! Make sure to make a reservation!!!!
(5)Colleen H.
Started off with several cheeses with homemade bread and the most amazing biscuits I have ever had!! Appetizer of scallops that were the best I have ever had! Meal was the gulf coast that was incredible!! Love this place. Then had the chocolate pie. Omg. Will definitely be back!!
(5)Blair C.
This is my favorite place away from my own kitchen. It is warm and wonderful in ambiance and in every bowl. Some days are just are not good days in the life of a human but you can fix ANY day with some PoNo Shrimp and Grits. Unless, of course, the striper are running. Then, it's even better! My favorite place to sit is the bar. So call for your reservations early so you are not in my seat.
(5)E-man R.
Awesome southern cooking!!! Great flavors and spices. Service was good as well, we had Mike and he took care of us. Happy customer!
(4)Johan J.
The price and quality are great. The service is attentive without being overbearing and the chef is very friendly. The only thing I wish they had was beer. No beer choices at all that I saw but very good bourbon to make up for it. I'll be back for sure!
(5)Hazel B.
If I ever go on death row, I will request a meal from Stove as my last supper. Everything on Syd's menu is amazing. Yes, the prices are high. Yes, it's in Port Norfolk. But once you come here, it will be your favorite restaurant. The seafood is all delicious. He knows pork (the smoochie bear ham is amazing.) The desserts are all delicious. The petite cobbler and the salty dog are my favorites. Also check out his cooking classes... They are on Sunday afternoons once a month or so. Way fun... You make ten or so dishes with Syd and meet a dozen other foodies. Don't miss this place.
(5)Xavier C.
SERVICE, SERVICE, SERVICE... My wife and I were very excited to come here. With all the fantastic reviews and the long weekend, this was the kick-off to our long weekend between here and Richmond. Upon looking for the facility I can say that the area itself is crazy shady. Nothing about the area feels safe. The only reason you can feel remotely safe is if you get a parking spot on the block the restaurant resides on. With that being said, there are two doors to the facility. If you're facing it, take the right side door. If you try the left, it's locked, has no sign, and everyone will ignore you expecting it to figure it out. Upon entering, the first impression I got was "why is the bar the first thing you get to see?" It's an awkward layout but nonetheless, we were able to see the hostess stand. When the girl asked if we had reservations, I said yes. (I made reservations on Tuesday for an 830 time Friday). She checked her book and couldn't find my name. At first glance she couldn't find it and just said, "Sorry, don't have you. I'd seat you but, we're full. What day did you reserve?" I told her Tuesday and she flipped a few pages around then said. "Nope, can't find you. Sorry." I was rather curious at this point as whomever I talked to asked for my first name, last name and my phone number. I was more curious to see if perhaps the reservation was made on the wrong day. So I asked if she could perhaps check next week just in case it was made for the wrong day. She flipped to next week then I get a "No. nothing there either."... Then after that she just looked off as if there was someone behind us and gave no recourse and left us with that weird silence as if I should know to leave now. ***Now it should be noted that yes, I do understand that essentially, there was nothing she could do. However, in the world of customer service, I would think she would do "something" or "anything" to show some sort of concern regarding the mis-understanding. Nonetheless, I took the hint and politely turned around and proudly scavenged my phone for nearby places with yelp and was able to find an absolutely awesome backup close by. **READ MORE Fast forward 30 minutes (time ~845). I receive a call while at the other restaurant and decide to let it go to voicemail. After leaving our restaurant, the voicemail was from Stove asking if I was going to be arriving for dinner. Now I'm vehemently curious as to what the heck happened. To satisfy my curiosity, I decide to call back as I would like to know where the disconnect was. Upon calling I could immediately tell the person I was talking to was the hostess. "Hello, my name is Xavier, you called and left a voicemail regarding an 830 reservation. I was there at 815 and you said that I had no reservation on the books" Her response was pretty awesome. "Oh... well I guess they just got the name confused. Sorry about that, is there anything else I can do for you?" Name confused? really? I've only met one other Xavier in my life and heard of 2 others... One is a professor in a rather popular movie series and the other signed the rear ends of cabbage patch kids (yes I'm dating myself here). My only response: "No, I'm ok." *click... "in my opinion - this is all I got regarding their customer service. However, if that's the case, I'm glad we found our alternative. With that being said - I'd HIGHLY ADVISE you call this place the day before your reservation to confirm you are on the books. Don't end up like us and going there just to be treated like an idiot.
(1)TAYLOR P.
I recently visited Stove for a birthday with a group of 7 people. This was a first time visit for all of us but I can honesty say it won't be the last! The entire experience was top notch and the food was fantastic. The 7 of us all ordered something different and we all shared and got to try a variety of the menu. Everything was cooked perfectly and was plated well. The drinks we ordered were unique and tasted great. Even the butter that went on to the bread had a great unique taste. To top off the night we mentioned to Syd (owner/chef) on the phone when making reservations it was for a birthday and asked if they did anything special and he made our table a fantastic chocolate cake topped with what I am sure was house made whip cream. I cannot say enough good things about Stove.
(5)Lauren D.
Every time I come here I am never disappointed. This past week I went to Stove for a business dinner with some colleagues. The place is really small so I would recommend making reservations well in advance. We started with a cheese course and wine pairing, which was delightful. This time I was really drawn to one of their many vegetarian options for the main course- A warm yellow beet and parsnip salad over a crispy grit cake topped with a salt and pepper goat cheese ball that, when warmed over the salad, melted just enough to make everything taste perfect. We finished our meal with this decadent peanut butter chocolate fudge tart with a shortbread crust. Yummy.
(5)Chas H.
I love this place. The food and drinks are fun and so is the atmosphere and owner. Sydney is great people and I always have a good time.
(5)Marchelle M.
A nice surprise! The decor represents the chef/owner. It is fun and his take on what shapes his creativity! Sit back and take it all in....he is driving! When you sit down, they will bring fresh bread with peppered butter;so good. We ordered 3small dishes and 1large. Étouffée was spicy...mmmm (fav). Shrimp&grits was a nice presentation in a bowl not drowning in cheese on a plate. Pork dish sampled chef's three varieties on his take with pork.... A large portion of scallops! Let me tell you about dem' scallops...big and cooked to perfection! Before we left, tables around us had the cheese sampler and bragged about the pimiento cheese, so we bought some to go! Loved it! Now, if you enjoy what is offered, you might want to check out his cooking classes! He separates the group so everyone is working on the preparation of a meal and then everyone sits to eat it together.....So to sum it up, the chef brings it on! Worried about the price? Gab a groupon coupon and check it out! You might be pleasantly surprised! In my humble opinion. The Marsaleks ((I'm the artistic one-thus a positive spin))
(5)Steve S.
Outstanding southern cuisine in Port Norfolk. Cheese selection was local and delicious and well curated. Homemade bread studded with caraway seeds and warm butter. Well sourced greens were slightly overdressed but a nice light touch. Local fish was perfectly seasoned and expertly cooked. Étouffée was SPICY and a little too soupy but was the only even slight miss of the night. Cannot wait to go back to try their beef (house aged strip and flatiron steaks). Delicious cocktails (bakers manhattan) and great service. Well done Stove!
(5)Steph W.
For MONTHS I have been trying to go to Stove. All the groupons and Yelp "suggestions" to go there have been enticing me. The last time I attempted to go, it was closed on Mondays so I ate Pizza Box. The second time, they were too busy to facilitate me. Apparently this place gets packed quick. WELL- I'm smart. The day it snowed inches of snow, I thought to myself..you know what? People will be inside staying away from the snow while I brave it and eat myself some awesome Stove! What a disappointment. A giant plate of heaping disappointment. I enjoy all foods so much that I would consider myself a connoisseur. The menu changes every month where they showcase a modern twist to southern food. They use local farms and what not. What an overrated joint. The menu had an array of odd food combinations with an attempt to be original. Everytime I saw something that might look good- they added some weird garnish or sauteed something weird with it. From the server, to the menu, to the actual food...it just seemed a bit stuffy. Overpriced, unappetizing food. I started off with two housemade goat cheeses. One rubbed in pepper the other with a chili. Both were fantastic- I can't complain one bit about it. Paired nicely with my wine. I ordered the grilled porkchop with the meatpie. The meatpie was surprisingly good- I wish that was just the whole meal. Unfortunately, the pork chop: The pork chop deserves its own paragraph. As soon as it entered the eating space, everyone immediately had a look as if someone farted something fierce. The porkchop smelled literally like poop. Unfortunately, it tasted that way too. The décor and layout is odd. As soon as you walk in there's a bar then you have to walk into the dining space. Right next to the dining space is an almost exposed kitchen. The décor is just..weird. Not going back ever.
(2)George M.
My wife and I enjoy finding new places to eat. We found stove and were extremely surprised. This is not a place you would see and decide to go in. In fact you would probably accelerate and drive past, but what a pleasant surprise!!!! We shared a plate of cheese and ordered the skirt steak and scollops. The entrees were prepared exquisitely! Bursting with flavor. Oh yeah. The bread was also wonderful. Great food and service, what more could you ask for. Ok so yes the dinner plates were not inexpensive but unlike most higher cost restaurants the portions here were large! We both took home doggie bags that the dogs will NEVER see!!!!
(5)Carrie L.
Here is the link to my most recent blog post about Stove: hamptonroads.com/2013/08… I've been to Stove several times over the last year. I had heard of Stove but decided to take advantage of the Groupon offers. I've also gone without the Groupon - which to me is a true test of the service and food. Sydney runs a wonderful place. I'm perplexed by the bad reviews on here. I've only had one negative experience - my reservation for Mother's Day weekend was lost and I didn't find out until 2 hours before it was to be. I was able to talk to the owner about the experience and he treated us on our next visit to a delicious dessert plate that was sinful. He spoke to me at length on the phone about everything and also in person - so it all worked out. The food is really impeccable. It is in PoNo which stands for Port Norfolk. It may not be in the best 'hood but I haven't noticed or had any issues. I've had to park a couple of blocks away depending on the time of day and haven't had any issues with anyone outside. Also, not sure how you can walk in the wrong door. I don't even know about the other door - only the main one which has a sign over it that says Stove. So, I'm going to try and remember everything I've tried there and give you a rundown: - the U-10 scallops - delicious. Quite possibly the best scallops I've ever had in my life. I've had the small and large portions and both were divine. Most of the entrees have a small portion vs large portion price. So if you have the Groupon or are feeling experimental, go with two small portions and try it out. -Appetizers - this is a spot I'd go to just for that but alas, I can't stop there. Sydney makes his pimento cheese, crackers and relish along with smoochie bear ham - all mouth-watering good! I was lucky enough to get a sample of his honey one day while it was in season and I am craving it. You can choose your cheeses and pick as many as you'd like. -the filet - my husband said this was in the top 5 meals of his life - and this is a 21y Navy veteran who has seen the world. It was perfectly cooked and seasoned - no, he won't cook to order - you need to like it a little red - but in Stove's defense, it's more tender that way. You don't want it cooked all the way through - it would be tough and hard to eat if cooked that way and who would be happy with that? Trust the Chef. This isn't a place you go to to get things on the side, or made excluding an ingredient.. it's his show, and he runs it well so trust the Chef. -the etoufee is wonderful! I've had this now twice - normally I don't enjoy things very spicy so it's the perfect seasoning for me. Great portion - even the small one -- -desserts - you cannot go wrong with any of them - I've tried them all - apple pie, chocolate truffle pie, shortcake - get more than one - spoil your tongue. Seating - I haven't been seated yet in the dining room, which I believe only has 12 tables. Make sure you make a reservation and double-check it a week ahead of time and make sure it's still there. I either sit at the bar or at the Cougar Lounge. If you're not a fan of taxidermy then go elsewhere. It's kind of funny to me but he has animals hung proudly on the bar walls - the Bison is my favorite. The Cougar Lounge is a nice large table in the bar. Terry is one of the best servers/bartenders I've ever had. Thankfully he's always there when we go - he is the BEST. He manages that whole room and does it wonderfully. When you make your reservation, if you're not uptight and don't mind a little wacky decor...then ask specifically for the Cougar Lounge. Also - this isn't a kid friendly place. It can be up to $30 per entree people - get a babysitter and enjoy your night out cause this isn't the place to take 'em. No high chairs, and no kids meal... thankfully. I am a parent and I enjoy being able to go someplace without hearing a bunch of whiney asses...save that for Chili's.
(5)Ross M.
Gotta tell you..this was a surprise. They were so full Saturday night that we sat at the bar, and had a fantastic time with the bartender (who was also our waiter)n Sherrie had a small risotto dish which was very tasty, followed by shrimp, tomatoes, ham, etc. I had a salsa and then enjoyed the special fresh fish of the day. I've never had sea bass that tasted so good. We're going top go back, of course...I even bought another Groupon
(4)Sassy G.
I had an amazing first visit at Stove last month! My boyfriend and I started with a cheese tray, which we later regretted for $25! The cheeses however were very tasty and fresh, we loved the homemade crackers. Next time we might just prefer snack on the homemade fresh bread. I really enjoyed the caesar salad and decided on two small plates as my meal (shrimp and grits and étouffée). My boyfriend had the pork plate. Everything was made to perfection and we left super full, with leftovers. We were bummed about dessert, we had read so much about their truffle and they didn't have it that night. I cannot wait to go back to Stove, I highly recommend reservations! Also they will take the toll charge off of your bill!
(4)Grisseth R.
First time at the Stove, and it was great! The food was delicious! I got the special they are running where you get 3 course meal for $35 everything was wonderful! Only downside ( if you eat alot) the portions are very small. My husband was not satisfied :( wish they give you a little more ( for the price) our waiter was Graig, he was very helpfull and attentive. I will def go back to stove.
(5)S R.
Artisan cheese plate- I don't remember what we ordered but neither of us liked either. Additional the cheese was small in size for the price. However, they do specify the price per 2 oz? piece. I ordered the Barramundi. It was nicely flavored. My date ordered the Rock fish, it was delicious and much better in taste then my Barramundi. The fish was fresh. I cannot remember the sides. Service was nice. The chef came and asked how we were. Overall I thought that the place was too pricey for me and did not provide enough options. I did however think that the rock fish was worth it. My overall feel of the place could be tainted because the place did not exceed the high expectations I set for it combined with the fact that i recall not being in the greatest mood that day. So take this review with a grain of salt.
(3)Wesley S.
Today was my first visit to Stove, The Restaurant. First impression: The quaint neighborhood location was def off the beaten path. But, I must admit that the location does set it apart from other eateries...especially those in Norfolk/VB. It's a rather small location, offering ample street-side parking, even if a short walk is required. I sampled one of the cheese platters, and was impressed by the local honey featured. I also had the green salad, which features a super-tangy mustard oil dressing, that's a win in my book. Finally, I had the shrimp and grits, Étouffée, and scallops. Now were the dishes the best(most fattening) ever?? No. But, the key to these dishes, is the use of ripe veggies/tomatoes, to provide great depth and taste, without the heavy butter, ect. we southerners are accustomed to... Bottom line, very filling, good, and light. A winning combination for a "Neo Southern" joint. I do suggest researching this eatery...and giving it a try... Solid 3.5 stars (may be worth 4 stars)...and I honestly would recommend a visit...
(3)Risa P.
I grew up in Portsmouth and have since traveled far and wide. Never would I have expected to eat this caliber of food in Portsmouth. The atmosphere is appropriately, fashionably funky, the food is astoundingly delicious, the service is impeccable, the ambiance is suitably small and cozy, most of the dishes are gluten free, and many of the ingredients are local. Amazed, just amazed! :) I've eaten in Charlotte, San Francisco, Seattle, Asheville, Charleston, Rome, and Cape Town and this was one of the best meals I've ever eaten. I had Syd's Pork o'rama and Shrimp'n'Grits. My boyfriend had a special: local rock fish topped with a duck egg over oyster mushrooms and veggies. Not only was this meal delicious, but it was also affordable considering it's fine dining. The regular plates are easily filling as a meal. For a couple a regular plate plus a small plate is perfect for sharing, especiay if paired with a starter. We had wine, artisanal cheese, two small plates and a large plate for under $100 which is incredible! I was not surprised to learn this place is top 10 in the state!
(5)Kenisha D.
Food took to long but it was worth the wait. Freshly cooked food. Cozy atmosphere. Server was nice.
(5)Rory J.
Disclaimer: I am a complete and utter unapologetic snob. It advertises that it is fine dining, but I think that is air quotes "fine dining". It was a Wednesday night and we wanted to get in and out early, so we got there at about 5. The trip to the restaurant included a drive through a REALLY bad neighborhood. Stove's hood is slightly nicer, but I was a little concerned about parking in the area, mostly because I knew I'd be walking back to my car after dark. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable and started us off with hot, fresh bread and some strong cocktails. As a lover of Zins, I couldn't believe how many Ridges they had on their wine menu -- I could barely contain my excitement. The rest of the wine menu seemed pretty good, too. A broad range of varietals, price and quality. We started with a small portion of the bbq plate with three porks. The Pork belly was really well cooked, the homemade sausage was yummy but I didn't see the smoochi bear ham, it may have been included in the potatoes, but I couldn't see it or taste it in there. We had the small scallop dish, the small tenderloin a large strip steak and a small flounder. I know -- a lot of food, but we wanted to try everything. And we had a Groupon. The scallops were amazing, perfectly seared and whatever that corn thing is that it is served with is REALLY good. The tenderloin was good. It was inexplicably sliced down the middle, which made it more medium than medium rare. Booo. The strip steak was good, but I was surprised that it was $32. I get the house aging and have NO problem paying for great food, but it really wasn't that great, they served it with BBQ sauce, that's like putting steak sauce on steak. Sacrilegious. The flounder was really good, perfectly cooked, I would just say that the veg that accompanied it made no sense. It was actually the same side on 3 of the dishes we had, which was surprising; it was some potato, roasted tomato and roasted beet concoction. I will likely go back, if only to drink them out of Ridge. That said, if I'm aiming for fine dining, I'd probably go elsewhere.
(3)James M.
By far the best dining experience I've had in the year and a half I've lived here. I'd heard a lot of hype from locals about this place so I came in with pretty high expectations. Plus, when it comes to fine dining and fancy food, I have zero tolerance for snobby concepts and failures in execution. I don't like to be made to feel like a sucker. That said, my expectations were met and quickly exceeded. It's easy to describe and critique a hamburger, pizza, or fried chicken because I've had countless versions of these dishes for as many years as I can recall. It's distinctly more difficult to critique or even describe fine dining cuisine. Many items are completely original so it's hard to put things into context. I can say, however, that the nuts and bolts were all perfect. The rock fish, shrimp, grits, beef tenderloin, and scallops were flawless. If these had been slapped thoughtlessly on paper plates, I still would have given this food 5 stars. It was that good. However, on top of the impeccable execution, everything that makes fine dining so unbelievable when it's done really well -- unique, ideal pairings and incredible bursts of flavors that are completely new to your palate -- are what can really elevate food to something you experience only rarely even if you're fortunate. Stove achieves this, and it feels effortless. I loved everything, and each dish kept coming out perfectly as if that were the only possible way.
(5)Caitlyn P.
I made reservations at stove 4 days in advance for a Saturday evening for a party of 4. The hostess called on Friday and inquired as to when I would be there that night. I let her know the reservation was for Saturday, which I specifically stated at the time I made the reservation. She proceeded to tell me they no longer had any available tables for Saturday and that there was "nothing they could do". I asked politely to speak with the manager, he was busy and I was told he would call me back. Three hours later and no word from the restaurant I called again. Mike answered the phone and said the manager would not be able to get back to me that evening because he was "entertaining guests". I would like to say the food was delicious, but won't be finding out because of the terrible nonexistent customer service. This speaks volumes to the stove family and their business model.
(1)Dallison D.
I have seen Stove on groupon and thought.. What a great deal im going! Upon first arriving my date seemed freaked out babbling about the "animals on the wall".I truly wasn't paying attention since I was so focused on the food, and when I got to the back of the restaurant I didn't see anything . We ordered the PO no risotto, the salmon, and the barramundi. The risotto was creamy flavorful but had a bit too much vegetables in it for me, I would have preferred more risotto to be honest. The salmon was cooked to perfection absolutely delicious made into a nice summer dish dressed with tomatoes leeks and a nice vinaigrette. The Barramundi was meaty and filling. We ended the meal with their dark chocolate ganache pie with salted caramel, it was outstanding.Paired With a lightly sweetened fresh whipped cream. My only complaint was the slice was to little.. Lol. Upon leaving the restaurant I finally got a chance to take a gander at the huge dead animal heads that were situated in the front parlour... Yes it was a bit scary since you have to walk around them to leave The restaurant but it wasn't that serious to freak me out not to enjoy my meal. I look forward to future meals at this delightful restaurant.
(4)Don N.
Nice quaint place in Portsmouth. I came here with my groupon, and it was a fantastic dining experience. Saturday was completely booked, but I managed to get a reservation Friday night. Wait time was surprisingly minimal even with a packed place and only 2 servers, who were both very thorough and efficient. To start off, the bread was freshly baked and warm. I usually try not to eat too much as I feel that it is unnecessary carbs, but their thick crusted slices with rich butter made me acquiesce their offering for a second batch. I accidentally made a mess eating my bread slices, but the waiter came in with his crumb sweeper and swiftly cleared it away. For dinner, I ordered the Rock fish and my mom got the U-10 Scallop, both were perfectly cooked, and portions were just right. For dessert, we got the train wreck, which was a little too sweet, but it was still delicious. Pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/stov… Pic: yelp.com/biz_photos/stov… Food: 4.5 Service: 5 Value: 3 (4 with groupon) Overall: 4.17
(4)Valerie M.
Happy we chose a groupon to celebrate our 18th anniversary!! Excellent service by wait staff who kept our glasses full. Never felt rushed. Fabulous entrees and cheese plate selection for our appetizer . We recommend and would definitely come back to Stove.
(4)Bevan C.
A fantastic, eclectic Southern experience. Take in the scenery when you first walk in - it's a very intriguing bar filled with stuffed animals (make sure you see the ENORMOUS bison head). The food was excellently done. We started out with three cheeses: BELLETOILE TRIPLE CRÈME (a pungent Brie); BELAVATANO BLACK PEPPER (a wonderfully spiced Cheddar); and SYD'S CHILI-HERB SPICE RUB (an intense, spicy goat cheese). The Brie was a little too strong for my taste, but it pairs well with a red wine. The cheeses are served with quality crackers and an outstanding, sweet pickled relish. We had a house aged & smoked hereford tenderloin - a buttery, savory, melt-in-your-mouth portion of meat with tender mushrooms, gold beet roots and french shallots and the the 'pork o rama' bbq - a plate full of pork goodness with a house-made sausage that is equal parts fiery and flavorful! The wait staff was attentive, polite, and friendly. They always made sure we were enjoying our experience. If you want something different from your regular fare, make your reservations FAST and try this place NOW. AMAZING!
(5)Gary H.
I came to Stove this past weekend with a couple friends for a casual evening dinner. The atmosphere is unique in a really good way. The bar area is filled with some really high quality taxidermy pieces that were quite a surprise upon walking in--but well done and not at all off-putting. The dining area that we sat in was inching towards formal with some really interesting art work on the walls. Our server was awesome. She was very attentive and within seconds on finishing my glass of water had the glass filled back up. The menu had a lot of really interesting options. The etouffee was recommended to us, so we ordered that. The table also got a rockfish special they had that night and shrimp and grits. Every last thing that came out was fantastic. The flavors were bold and complex. I was really impressed.
(5)Lorielee J.
Finally get to try stove and my shrimp n' grits came out soupy. The grits were clumpy and crunchy. Really, really disappointed. I do not have plans on going back.
(1)S. M.
I was looking forward to bringing my special guy to Stove having heard of the place for about 2 years. I bought a Groupon and we decided to give it a go. Made a reservation for 5pm which is when dinner begins. We arrived and the host was unable to locate our reservation ~ I finally located my own name and we determined that whoever had recorded the reservation put us down for 6:30pm instead of 5pm (I had specifically stated 5pm only as we had plans for later in the evening). It did not go well, even though we two were the *only* customers in the restaurant from 5 - 6pm. The food was very good and we both enjoyed it but after enjoying the Shrimp & Grits as an appetizer, I found my Baramondi (sea bass) dinner to almost match the appetizer in the style/taste/sauce ~ both delicious but very rich so wouldn't combine them again. The Bread was excellant and obviously just made. So where was the problem?? With the service!! Our waitress was a bit rude and inattentive. Surprising and we both felt rather unwanted. Funny enough we are known to be excellant tippers but I suggested to my guy that we definately NOT go overboard on the tip as the service was really bad ~ it was an attitude I did not expect. Because we did enjoy the food we will give them another try at some point but it will definately be awhile. The 3 stars are for the overall experience ~ food quality as well as the service. The owner was not present when we were there, maybe that made a difference.
(3)Michelle B.
I found this quaint little restaurant in the Port Norfolk area to be divine. When you walk in as a first timer, you are a little surprised by the wildlife of taxidermy that covers the walls ( bison, yak, deer, giselle, etc).. Lol, but it adds to the ambience. I didn't have reservations so I dined at the bar. I started with the a great glass of 2009 Argentinean Shiraz wine. For dinner, I had the small plate of the U10 Scallops. This was a delicious meal that was just the right amount. I enjoyed the corn, onions and potatoes in a light broth that accompanied the flavor of the scallops. I would definitely order this again. For me another major factor when dining out is how well the restaurateur maintains their restroom. It speaks to not just the food but the entire experience and ownership of a quality and refined environment. Let 's say the restroom did not disappoint. It was clean, modern and spacious with the walls covered in framed views of the restaurant and chef. Nice touch. When in town again I will return and recommend this lovely place to family & friends in the area.
(5)Danielle M.
My friend brought me here for my birthday tonight, and it did not disappoint! We had the pork a rama, pono shrimp and grits and the salmon special, everything was cooked perfectly! I will definitely be back!
(5)Patrick C.
Had a FANTASTIC southern meal here. The restaurant is very eccentric with it's decor, but has a very homey feel about it. The food was absolutely fantastic. Very creative with the flavor combinations and imaginative use of the ingredients. Everything tastes fresh and well seasoned. The dinning area is small, so I definitely recommend getting a reservation before heading here.
(4)Sally M.
Splurged here on Groupon Night (i.e. day before Groupon expires so it seems like every table has one) and not overly impressed. The highlight of the night for me was the bread...a plate piled with thick slices of crusty, soft, and chewy bread that is the best I've ever had at a restaurant. Atmosphere: love it - small, cozy, and intimate. Chatted with the table sitting next to us a bit about the artwork. Service: Fantastic. She wiped away bread crumbs on the table with the back of a butter knife....that's a first for me. Appetizer: Scallops in a creamy sauce. Sauce was heavenly, but I thought the two scallops were a little small and overcooked. Not the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture I was expecting. Entree: Was looking forward to crab cakes, but I guess the menu online wasn't up-to-date. Went for the rockfish instead - fish was very tasty with a nice sear and the sticky rice went well. Not a fan of the plain shrimp (almost tasted undercooked) or chunks or raw tomato. Dessert: Went with the salty dog, a chocolate tart, which was just okay. The whipped cream had a unique flavor (maybe an alcohol?) that I didn't like. Overall, glad I got to try this place out, but didn't think the food lived up to the price tag.
(3)Christopher S.
My wife and I's favorite restaurant. Have always had an amazing dinner without fail. The sauces are the best, be sure to save room and use the great fresh bread to mop up the sauce at the end of the meal.
(5)Kelley M.
My favorite place! I eat here as often as I can. Please meet Sydney, the Chef and owner of Stove, if you have not had the opportunity, before those of you cast judgment in your reviews here. Knowing him and where he came from will help understand his concepts. It is fine dining because of the quality of food and the level of service you get from the knowledgeable staff. If you want uptight, tuxes, quiet, and candlelight--you will have go elsewhere. That's not the place he opened. You have an issue with the wall "needing paint" maybe ask what happened. A car drove into the building and they are under construction while remaining open. As far as the neighborhood, both myself and Sydney live in Port Norfolk. It is a Historic District of Portsmouth and NOT a bad neighborhood. QUIT JUDGING PORTSMOUTH!. Back to the food. I cannot go to Stove without having Syd's Pimento Cheese. It, along with the house made relish are my two absolute favorites! I do not eat meat, but the soups, salads, seafood, and minimum of four vegetarian options are always wonderful! My husband does eat meat and loves the pork o Rama, strip steak and house aged beef. The menu changes seasonally. Sydney buys meat and produce locally. Most of his vegetables and his herbs he grows himself. You will literally see him leave the kitchen, walk to his garden across the street, and come back with arms filled with fresh goodness! The wine selection is amazing too and is always changing! They have an excellent happy hour during the week in the lounge. Tuesday thru Thursday if you go before 630 you get 20% off your bill as long as you are not using another offer. They run a groupon often as well which spoils me even more! All in all Stove is great food, great service, great people!
(5)Ashlea L.
Using the first Groupon I've ever purchased, my boyfriend and I ventured out to Portsmouth for dinner at Stove. It was delicious!! I was worried that it was going to be way too expensive for the amount of food, even with the Groupon. I was WRONG!! The portions were very large and we (embarrassingly) cleaned our plates. We loved the fresh bread & pepper butter we were served when we sat down. We shared a crisp salad that our friendly server brought out for us to split. I had the shrimp and grits, if they're on the menu I have to order them wherever I am. The shrimp was large and the grits were creamy. It was all cooked to perfection. My boyfriend had the spiciest item on the menu, dumbwaiter something, though I can't actually recall what it was named. They warn you about the heat level of the dish and they were right! He was sweating and enjoying every minute!! I recommend making reservations but we both agreed that next time we dine there we wouldn't mind sitting at the cool bar at the entrance. We will be back for sure!
(4)S C.
great tasting food!!!!!!! 1. scallop. large size. thats the best!!!! its huge! it was cooked perfectly! 2. cheese.
(5)Monique H.
After reading all the great reviews, and the fact that I had a Groupon as a gift I was excited to eat out here with my husband. Now that I have gone, I will NOT be back. Let me start with the outside. Number, one, it's not in the best part of Port Norfolk. I wouldn't go there without my husband. Number two, they have two doors. We tried going in the first door and it was completely locked, but no sign letting us know to use another door. We finally figured out that we had to look for the other entrance. I made reservations for 8:30. We got there on time and they were completely booked. We had to wait almost 25 minutes for our table. There is nowhere to wait except a small, cramped hallway in between the dining room and small bar. AWKWARD!! No one greeted us when we came in. As a small business owner myself, I know how very important it is to be greeted with a big smile when you walk in to an establishment. Needless to say, we just stood there not knowing what to do until our table FINALLY became available. The interior is not as "classy" as they make it seem online. Part of the ceiling/wall is missing, and it needs a fresh paint of coat. We waited too long for the waitress to come and order our food, and the food took too long to be served. I was also surprised at the prices. I mean, it's not like we're in San Francisco, California. I would expect prices like that there, as I have eaten there on several occasions. My food was good, and my husband said his meat was "ok". I really did like my fish and the carrots and potatoes. We found it odd that there was no salt or pepper on any of the tables. My husband said, "Hmm. Maybe they think it's seasoned perfectly and no one likes salt or pepper." WRONG! And then, this is just a side note. There were three women sitting at a table behind us that would not shut up. They were not from here, as I could detect their northern accent like mine. They were probably in their late 20's and were loud, trying to act "classy". They reminded me of typical uptight, catty women that talk about everyone and gossip. My husband and I gave each other looks of disgust and told each other to hurry up so we could end this nightmare. I told him I would have rather stayed home and eaten Ramen noodles.
(1)robin h.
I have heard good things about Stove and could not wait to experience it for myself. I purchased a Groupon for Stove when it became available and wasn't able to dine at the restaurant until 2 nights before the Groupon expired. I called to make a reservation and was told that the dining room was booked but the bar was still available and that they would even reserve the one bar table for myself and my guest. We arrived at the restaurant and were seated at the bar. When I inquired about the bar table and the fact that I had reserved it, they said they could find no such note and I was out of luck. So we were directed to sit underneath the antelope. We ordered 2 cheeses; the first was the BELLETOILE Triple Crème Brie which was excellent. The second cheese was the GRUYERE with which I was disappointed. The Brie was delicios on the homeade crackers and paired nicely with the house made relish. I also ordered a glass of the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from Oregon and truly enjoyed it. As we were enjoying our cheese plate, the bar quickly filled up and the dining room was also filled in record time. It seemed as if everyone had a Groupon, but the bartender/server did not miss a beat, although you could tell the Groupon promotion or something else had reduced supplies. They were out of multiple beers and the sodas were being poured from plastic Pepsi bottles behind the bar. We ordered the 'pork o rama' bbq plate and the jumbo shrimp & bacon plate for dinner. I had head good thing about the pork o rama' and I was not disappointed with the black pig pork belly. The pork belly was crispy and delicious. The homemade sausage seemed over spiced...the flavor was there, but it kinda got lost in the chili powder/cumin/paprika that was trying to overpower it. The smoochie bear ham was good as well as the bbq sauce. The roasted potatoes were mostly undercooked and hard. The other dish is described as "jumbo shrimp & bacon, big 10\15 count shrimp and grilled pork belly bacon on a smoked tomato mixed potato corn chowder with my garden basil". I expected the jumbo shrimp and pork belly bacon to be sitting on a small portion of potato and corn chowder; instead it was a large portion of chowder in which the pork belly and shrimp were swimming. The shrimp was not seasoned and the pork belly was soggy. We were also not offered a spoon in order to enjoy the chowder. Only 2 desserts were offered this night. One was a cobbler and the other was the "salty dawg". The salty dog consists of "a bittersweet tart topped with semi-sweet chocolate ganache with a sprinkling of smoked sea salt and a sweet chocolate sauce." This dessert was good, but when it came out of the kitchen it was really warm as though it had been placed under a salamander. It just seems to me that the dessert would be better enjoyed chilled. This would allow the ganache to be firm and it would not seem to melt around the fork when you try to take a bite. The salty dawg's flavors were spot on and I enjoyed the sweet and salty combination. Overall I wanted to like this place and I know that the attention to detail can be overlooked when you are in the middle of a Groupon promotion. This is also the same reason I don't like to try new restaurants during Restaurant Week. I would place Stove on Par with Zoe's in Virginia Beach. Both have potential but tend to be overrated and underwhelming. I would still prefer Vintage Tavern at 7pm on the Friday of Suffolk Restaurant Week rather than a return trip to Stove on a slower night.
(2)Megan J.
This is definitely a bit of a hole in the wall kind of place. From the outside it is understated but when you walk in the restaurant is full of the owner's eclectic collections of stuffed game animals, fish, paintings, etc. All of the employees and the owner are warm and friendly people who seem to really enjoy their jobs. We got the fish, tenderloin, and Dumbwaiter entrees and each was delicious! Beware that when they say the Dumbwaiter is spicy; they really mean SPICY!!! They have a large wine list as well. I really appreciate that the restaurant tries to locally source their food as much as possible as well. I love that we find this wonderful little place and we will definitely be going back.
(5)Alexandra M.
My group of three didn't make a reservation, but the server accommodated us at a table next to the bar, which was much appreciated. I read the other reviews about poor service, but I certainly had a positive experience. While our server wasn't over-the-top chipper, bend-over-backwards, or wildly energetic, he was more than pleasant, prompt, and helped us make great decisions. The decisions - oh. my. gahhhhh. I can't even....we just....no words. The food was all heavenly. In fact, when the server asked how our food was, I said (possibly with a mouth full of grits?) "I think I died, went to heaven, died again, and then reached an entirely different plane." It's that good. We started with the cheese plate (which, whoops, cost $40 for four cheeses, but they were sizable portions). We had two goat cheeses, a cheddar mix of some sort, and pimiento. All stellar. Mmmm. Which made it entirely unnecessary for each of us to order two small dishes, but we did not regret it. Nor the desserts that followed. Can't recommend enough the PoNo Shrimp & Grits, salmon, risotto, and various veggie dishes we tried. Then we had dessert, which was a fruit cobbler and some sort of chocolate wonderment. I saw the chef on the way out, and hugged him, because it was just the flippin' best. Going to go work out now. Maybe start a juice fast. Worth it. All worth it.
(5)Cary J.
I love Stove! The food is always cooked to perfection. You can order full or half portions. Which allows you to try a couple things without spending a ton of money. The specials are always original and delicious! I don't just go for the food! The wine selection is awesome and I love their house champagne. Perfect place for a date night!
(5)Heather H.
oh this place is fun and yummy. we've been to Stove 2 times and my husband has taken cooking classes with Syd the owner. I would recommend this place the food is consistently well done and the atmosphere is interesting. The bar is a world unto itself. Have fun!
(4)Angela T.
The food was exceptional. I ordered the beet/root plate, the mushroom plate, and a pumpkin bisque. The tastes were amazing. Our server, Greg, was awesome. This place is my favorite now.
(5)Nicole J.
I had seen this restaurant multiple times on Groupon & finally tried it. The meal was mediocre at best. My table ordered two medium flank steaks. Those were the smallest steaks ever & they were overcooked (I asked for medium). The bread was good, the salad and dessert were ok, but no variety to the succotash (mainly lima beans & tomatoes). Not worth a repeat trip for me, especially when you factor in the price. They offer a three course meal during their "Restaurant Week" (the last full week of most months) at $35, but the meal does not justify the price in my opinion. BTW, if you like flank steak, then try Shula's 347. You won't be disappointed!
(2)Toni R.
went here for my birthday in February it was great! since it was a special occasion we splurged and just ordered anything we wanted. our final bill of almost $200 reflected that. the cheese plate was good, but there are no prices, and we ended up paying $38 for 3 cheeses... I had no idea!!! the location is a little iffy, you feel as if your gps is taking you to the wrong place, and then lo and behold you're there. the atmosphere inside is cozy they have two portion sizes and the small is enough for a meal... I had the "veggie #5: local peas, short grain rice, smoked tomato, milk-veggie stock topped with my sponge dipped and fried bread sponged local apples" -- the sponge dipped and fried bread apples were missing, but instead it was topped with a medallion of goat cheese, plus there were onions in it it was SOOOOOO good!!!!!!!!! creamy delicousness husband had "barramundi: black sea bass on a griddle course ground heirloom grit cake with a smoked tomato, caper and local goat cheese sauce" and the "the gulf coast: jumbo gulf shrimp in a pan roast of pork belly, cushaw squash and herbs with a seafood stock and the south's holy trinity poured over Carolina gold rice" he loved it!! I tried the barramundi, i'm not much of a fish/seafood girl, but I have to admit it was pretty good! and the grit cake was great too, neither of us are grit eaters, but, i'd order a bunch more of those if I could!! the desserts, well, they weren't fabulous. they only had two available that night the salty dawg: a bittersweet ganache tart with homemade vanilla with a semi sweet chocolate ganache sprinkled with smoked course sea salt on a sweet chocolate sauce with stovetilly cream and the lemon lime all the time: chess pie of sharp and sweet lemon and lime with a lemon white chocolate ganache and a lemon white chocolate sauce with stovetilly cream the salty dawg definitely needed more salt on it, those were the only bites I actually enjoyed. . . husband was ok with the lemon lime, it was kind of like key lime... but they weren't anything to write home about... we are definitely going to go back before we leave the area!!
(5)Maureen G.
I've seen Stove on Groupon a few times and decided to go ahead and give them a try. Make a reservation, the restaurant is small and fills up quickly. I'll start by saying I really like Stove, but there was something that stopped me from loving it. We started with some sort of a local cheese. The cheese itself was very good, however, it was coated in a whole bunch of salt. I just couldn't get around this and maybe it was the type of cheese we ordered. For the second course my husband had the special: flounder with mushrooms and some sort of a broth. I went with shrimp and grits. My husband's flounder was amazing, it was art. One of the best things I've ever tasted. My shrimp and grits were okay. Fresh shrimp, great vegetables, but there was something off in the flavor. It was like the cheese they used for the grits had taken on the flavor of what it was wrapped in. We finished the meal with coffee and dessert. I can't remember exactly what we ordered, as I was on my third glass of wine, but I remember it was amazing. I liked Stove on facebook and was pleasantly surprised to see the owner grows a lot of his own stuff. It's pretty great and definitely worth a try.
(4)Jessica K.
Very eclectic warm atmosphere. I was told before coming by a friend that I had to try the pimento cheese. As someone not very fond of pimento cheese I was hesitant but it was my favorite of all the cheeses on the plate. The fish of the day was a sheepshead fish or salmon. We got both fish at the table. I would give the edge to the salmon but I tend not to like fried fish as much. Overall the dinner was delicious and I will definitely be going back to try more options on the menu.
(4)Tidwtr R.
I've been to Stove many times and have never been disappointed. I usually go during PoNo restaurant week when they offer a wine pairing menu with their 3 course dinner menu. The wines are a great match for the courses and I could never pick them out myself. The service has been top notch and the cozy atmosphere always is a great part of the experience.
(5)Chris O.
This might be the best restaurant in Virginia. It certainly is the best in Hampton Roads, especially if your tastes run to locally-produced and harvested food. Owner/Chef Sydney Meers is an artist. His changing menu blends tastes together in new and incredibly interesting ways. His "Neo-Pimento Cheese" is incredible-- I was skeptical, but after the first bite, I knew I'd be craving it again and again. For my money, the show piece of this place is really Syd's house-made pork and ham dishes. The "Pork-o-rama BBQ" features three incredible and distinct dishes: house-made sausage, Stove's special "Smoochie Bear" ham (some of the best I've ever had, and this is a ham town, believe me), and pork belly, all served in a spicey-sweet Carolina-style sauce with potatoes.You won't go wrong with this. Stove also features a changing menu of freshly caught local seafood, along with a beef tenderloin, all of which were praised by people in my group. Come the last week of the month for Syd's "Restaurant Week" album, which is a 3-course meal for $35. Add wine pairings for each course for just $15 more. The serving staff is tiptop, and follow the same Deep South charm that Syd exudes. Hang around long enough, and Syd himself is likely to come out and share a drink with you at your table. His stories are epic. Finally, Syd's an artist in the kitchen, but he's also a visual artist. His "Outsider" art hangs on the walls all around the restaurant. Syd's also won plenty of awards... you'll find them hanging on the wall in the bathroom. Go to Stove. Go for a great eclectic Southern dining experience. Don't expect it to be stuffy. It's great Southern food combined with a great Southern character. Go now.
(5)Brynn O.
Excellent food and service, very reasonable prices. And the best part is that every part of the food prepared is hand selected and bought in small amounts (there's no freezer)- either locally if possible or from southern farms. We loved it! Will definitely be going back.
(5)Shay L.
We had the best soft-shell crab dish ever here! But the Port Flyer will always be my favorite paired with the chef's chocolate torte, Delicious!
(4)Lydia E.
Where to start? Dinner here was one of the top highlights on our recent vacation. I don't think I have ever had such good service. And eating out with another vegetarian and one carnivore could have been difficult, but not here. Everything was well flavored and healthy. Healthy until we got to dessert, that is, which was AMAZING. This place is super eclectic - the bathroom is decked out in so much stuff you could spend the whole night in there alone. And there is information on classes offered by Stove's very own pasty chef. Its just a great place. The crowd seemed over 35, hint of sophistication. The environment could be romantic, if desired, but mainly it seemed like a bunch of old friends having a nice dinner together. There was also a nice bar area (which we did not use). Pricey, yes, but so worth it!
(5)Andrea M.
I moved from DC to Hampton Roads a year ago and was quite the food snob - until I discovered Stove. It his hands down the best restaurant in Hampton Roads. The art is interesting and the check is always delivered with a bookmark with one of Sydney's drawings. Everything is prepared perfectly. My boyfriend and I have never been disappointed at Stove. The the crusty bead is delicious and I am obsessed with the mustard vinaigrette salad dressing. We've eaten everything from seafood to steak here and have loved our meals every time. Go the last week of the month for restaurant week - 3 courses for $35! Yum.
(5)Sarah P.
Stove is a one-of-a-kind experience, and truly a treasure in Hampton Roads. The ambience is interesting ("Da Cougar Lounge" covered in taxidermy, and the restaurant itself in Syd's artwork), the vibe is intimate, and the food is out-of-this-world. If I could choose, veggie dish #1, an unbelievably mushroom melange, would be my last meal. The service is great and Syd is really a unique, talented, and personable man. Make sure you plan ahead! Reservations are a must.
(5)Jayne F.
Wow! What a great recommendation we had from a friend whose husband is a Chef! Outstanding food, we were in the second seating for a Saturday night. Visiting green salad with homemade pimento cheesecake-my husband loved it. He can be a hard sell on something new. We shared two entrees, Rockfish special and the Strip steak with bluecheese compound butter. OMG, we are running, not wallking back to this restaurant. We need cool, hip places like this in the Arts District of the 'Burg. Seriously killer food with funky decor. Tried the 3-flight of port with the chocolate dessert. Okay, I love this place. The wine from the Willamette Valley of Oregon was a great choice for my shot in the Dark. Thanks Kimberly for great service. And to Syd for having one of the coolest restaurants we've been in since we left Seattle. What a memorable weekend for us.
(5)Randy M.
I had the "U10 Scallops" as an appetizer... Delicious... But I nearly laughed out loud when the solitary piece of meat arrived in its soupy carriage... Yep a single Scallop... 15 bucks. Then I had the Hereford steak - really great... Fantastic! It was $40 but a treat... My friend had the Shrimp and Grits... Sooooo good! I don't want to go into what the sauces and sides were... The flavor combos were well played and creative.. The waiter was good but rubbed me wrong when we didn't know what Hereford meant.. I felt like pointing out the fact that the part of town we were on was no place to be stuffy... The bread was clearly burnt... And I sort of got the sense that I was supposed to "get it." The butter was really good. The atmosphere was not "very loud." The decor makesf you want your house to look like it... The menu was perfect in size and selection. The lack of structure is emphasized. Its quirky and I like it, but the wait staff needs to make suggestions when the direction of the meal is so vagu; For instance, when I asked about the Scallops as an app, he could've said "no, there's only one....." I am eager to try another meal at Stove. It's in my top 3 best restaurant in Hampton roads. I know the owners are reading this - I hope you can appreciate my honesty, I would love to come to Stove in 5 years and find the standards equally as high as I experienced.
(5)Addison W.
Went to this restaurant the other night with high expectations. Overall experience as 85% negative. I'd say the 15% that was good was the wine and the bread. Girlfriend purchased Groupon, and we heard it was good so we thought we would check it out. We started off with a couple cheeses, one of which was one of their "most popular" cheeses. Not impressive, especially for $18. I rather buy some munster from the grocery store for $3. Also had their salad with the mustard vingerette which was very simple, huge pieces of lettuce which were over seasoned. Entrees, we had the Shrimp and Grits and the Dumbwaiter. The shrimp was undercooked and there was something in the Dumbwaiter that when I consumed it made me want to throw up on impact. Needless to say I didn't have another bite. But I was enjoying it before what ever the heck I ate was. I asked to have it boxed up, didn't want to be rude, but turns out boxed up means tin foiled up...haha what? Overall worst restaurant I have been to. Never going back.
(1)Renee A.
We ate here on two different occasions using Groupons. You definitely need a reservation to dine here since the place is small and gets booked up quickly. The food was delicious and I enjoyed both of my meals at Stove. I got the smaller portion and it was plenty of food for me. The quirky decor and artwork added to the charm of the restaurant. As mentioned in other reviews, the surrounding area around the restaurant does seem a little sketchy especially the industrial/warehouse section that you pass on the way to the restaurant after you get off the interstate. At some point, I'd like to return to Stove for one of their Sunday brunches.
(5)Jamie S.
I'm debating between 3 and 4 stars. It's the best non-ethnic food I've had in Norfolk so far, so I'll go ahead and give it 4, but if I paid full price (I had a Groupon) I would be pretty disappointed. Pros: The wine list was great. We opted to try 4 different reds by the glass rather than purchasing a bottle, which was a good decision. Two were excellent and two were very good, and all were in the $8-9 price range. Also, the service was top notch, and the menu was inventive. I liked that you could get small portions of most of the entrees, which allowed me to try two entrees for just about the price of one large one. Also, the bread was divine. So-sos: The food was definitely good, but I wouldn't pay full price for it again. I ordered small portions of the scallops and shrimp and grits. I expected them to be rich, but I did *not* expect there to be multiple tablespoons of melted butter pooled in the corner of my scallop bowl, along with another few tablespoons of creamy sauce concoction. As for the shrimp and grits--they were good, but most of the flavor was in the rice sauce poured on top. I'm used to the grits being flavorful themselves (bacon, cheese, green chile, what-have-you), and I think I prefer it that way. My husband ordered the tenderloin, medium. Again, the steak was pretty good but certainly not memorable for $30. So . . . I would go back, but I would do so for a cheese/sausage plate and glass of wine, not the $25-30 ultra-rich entrees.
(4)Jamie R.
My husband and I were super excited to try this place after good reviews from his co workers. I found the groupon and bought it immediately . Tonight we went to Stove for our anniversary . Wow, the place was very unique and seemed rather fun. There are lots of wacky things on the walls, and exotic animal heads, which I thought was funny. Appetizer, pimento cheese plate , yummy. Salad yummy. My husband ordered flounder entree, yummy, I ordered the étouffée, beautiful. So imagine my surprise while I was in the midst of a romantic dinner, a quick glance to my right, A ROACH! Being from the south ( Deep South ) I am clear on the differences of inside and outside roaches. This was a little fat house roach. Staring at me, only a foot from my face! My husband saw the panic , and quietly asked if he could switch seats with me to handle it. What a guy, right? So I quickly got up and went to the ladies room. There was no toilet paper. No worries. I just washed my hands to kill some time. I came back to the table and sat in my new seat. As my hubby assured me he spoke to the waitress, and everything was fine. I relaxed a bit. While kind of pushing my food around, ( appetite lost) I look over to find ANOTHER ROACH! I suddenly felt like I was in that movie, Joes Apartment! I immediately asked politely for our check, left cash and practically ran to the car. By the way, I have a terrible fear of bugs. So, panic is putting it mildly. I was jumpy the whole ride home. So much for romance. Thanks guys! I was really enjoying it till the uninvited guests came for my food! Needless to say I don't think we will be back, and I feel like I wasted my money. We were back in the car exactly 60 minutes after walking into Stove.
(1)Annalies H.
I have found a little piece of San Francisco right here in PORTSMOUTH! How lucky am I? The food is exceptional and quality is beyond anything you are going to find elsewhere in Hampton Roads. Since the only thing I seem to find is Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel and endless options of fast food....but I digress. The changing seasonal menu is infused with creative flavors using local ingredients.With my cheese platter (must try Sydney's homemade pimento cheese...it tastes divine) I sipped on Punga Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Too fruity for my taste but my dining companions demanded it! My meal was a grass fed sirloin strip from western Virginia topped with a blue cheese butter compote garnished with white truffle and balsamic reduction, coupled with green bean/turnip/onions from Suffolk. Try doing that Outback! To finish off a lovely meal, I chose Lemon chess pie as my birthday dessert while my future mother-in-law had the sextuplet chocolate mousse which she happily shared. Yummers! I am happy to live within walking distance from this unique establishment and even more elated to be able to have a real dining experience in the city of Portsmouth. Thank you Sydney for making Stove!
(5)Dan W.
We decided to head to Stove for my birthday, after reviewing menus of other high end restaurants in the area. When calling for a reservation we decided to eat in the lounge based on times available, all I can say is that I'm glad we ate in the lounge. The bartender/waiter was extremely friendly and explained everything very well. Plus sitting with the animal heads on the wall and all of the retro decorations was a fun experience. Now to the food, in my opinion the food was good but not great. I was expecting to be wowed and I really wasn't. We ordered the homemade pimento cheese with homemade crackers, which was very good. My mother had the pumpkin bisque which was good and had unique favors as well as large chunks of pumpkin which we found interesting. I will say that the house made bread was outstanding, that was one of the highlights of the meal. Next were the entrees, I ordered the Étouffée which was good but not as good as I expected. It was spicy (be prepared) and was well made, but I wish it had more flavor. It was a little more bland than I was expecting. My mother had the Shrimp and Grits, to quote her "it's good but nothing special, I've had better at many other restaurants." And my sister had the flounder which was fantastic, by far the best dish of the 3. To finish the dinner off, we ordered a Salty Dog to share. At that point we were all stuffed but wanted to try a dessert. The Salty Dog was excellent, it made me want go back just for dessert. Something's were better than others, but overall we had a good experience at Stove. I would recommend giving this unique restaurant a try if you're looking for a different kind of dinner.
(4)G W.
I will contain my comments to the food. Been to Stove three times, each time as a guest and, frankly, after the first time always with a sigh of resignation. By my third visit, my friends were expressing chagrin that they were unable to relive the summertime experience that had them electing the visits I shared. We have decided to give it one final try this summer before scratching Stove from our list. Out of those dishes I had, I would only repeat the U10 scallops--the sauce was delicious though the scallops themselves were a bit overdone. Oh, and the crusty bread is very good. The prices, from what I saw we're high, and from what I ate, I would say we're out of proportion to the quality. I recognize this is a contrarian position, and if it were a single episode I would not even bother to review, but this was three events separated by 3 weeks each. I have to believe that as concerns Stove, ya throws da dice; ya takes yer chances...
(2)Angie K.
I am actually quite surprised by this rating, its a bit too high in my opinion. So here's the story on Stove. I saw that Groupon had a good deal for this place , I looked up the ratings and was quite pleased with what I read, so I bought it. The night my husband & I went , I was super excited to try such a highly rated small business restaurant. The decor of this place is defiantly clutter eclectic, lots of random things really not a good flow . It was cold too, which does not make me a happy girl. The lighting was too dark, I almost fell asleep, but that would have been impossible with the high noise volume in such a small place. Our waiter, seemed like he was acting to be nice, maybe he should have lowered that snooty snobby nose of his. The food was pretty decent, and that is why I gave it 3 stars, but not quite 4 because my husband's shrimp was partially uncooked. It pretty much ruined dinner for him. My scallop dish was good. If we didn't have a groupon we would have never come here, too pricey for such small portions. I know all these reviews go against mine and maybe we had a random bad case. But that one bad case defiantly steered us in the wrong direction to not coming back. Talk about a let down!
(3)Kristin K.
Un-freaking-believable. The best food by far in Hampton Roads. We went their for brunch recently and it was a fantastic experience. The menu was unique, eclectic and very heavy on the pork (fine by me!!). The cheese plates are to die for, the pimento cheese is heavenly and the biscuits..oh the biscuits. The bloody mary was also crazy good - nice and spicy, lots of Old Bay and more pork! :) The prices are moderate, but completely worth it. If I was wealthy, I would eat here everyday.
(5)Duane D.
Tucked away on Detroit Street in Portsmouth, Stove is one of those restaurants where if you blink you could miss it. Seriously, it's that unassuming and that small of an establishment. I've been here twice with the assistance of some timely GroupOn offers and can say that I've been fairly satisfied with the food and the message the restaurant is trying to get across in using as much local produce, fish, and protein as possible. The restaurant itself is about 12 tables in total so reservations are strongly recommended. When you enter you immediately are at the bar area which seats about 8 comfortably and one table uniquely placed in a corner before you reach the hostess station where the tables are located. The decor in the restaurant is in a word eclectic. Looking for a buffalo head, whimsical artwork, or masked luchadores in a restaurant? You've found your place! But for whatever playful decor the restaurant has around on its walls it sure represents good food that people can relate to. The seafood dishes here are amazing based on the choice of a small or large portion as well as the quality of the food. For example the "U-10 Scallops" dish is a real treat. For the large portion you get this description "big fat and juicy, 'dry pack' scallops seared with a pan roast of tomato, basil and french shallots topped with crème white corn. And would you believe it, that's what you get! It's always funny to me when you go to a restaurant and they describe their food in a way that gets you all excited in anticipation because you believe it word for word and then get their interpretation of what "big and juicy," or "the best", or "award winning" is on your plate. Here, it is what it is. The Pork-o-Rama entree is also one of my favorites for the simple fact of the labor that goes into making the dish. Sausage made from Chef Sydney Meers who is a culinary icon in the Hampton Roads area. Don't believe me? Check out the bathroom on your way out (more on that in a sec). They also offer several cheeses from different locations throughout the US and Globally which represent their "appetizer" portion of the menu. Be forewarned, some cheeses can cost up to $9 although they do give a fairly good amount. I did find it odd that they offered bread and butter complementary after we had ordered a cheese plate, coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. The environment is also one that would suggest intimacy in the dim, orangish lighting throughout the dining area. That is until you realized you're practically elbow to elbow with other guests. I did say the restaurant is small. They have about 2 cooks working at a time from what I saw in view of their open kitchen and they do a pretty good job of keeping up with orders. Back to the bathroom, it has to be noted that the whimsy of this restaurant also can be found here as they have several accoutrement (mouthwash [labeled "Stoverine"], floss, hand towels), as well as printed, quality hand towels. On the walls are the awards the Chef and restaurant have been recognized for over the years and on your way out next to the door are recipes you can take with you of some of the dishes in the restaurant you can try making at home. In two visits this place is a good place to break away from the scene in Virginia Beach, and Norfolk if you're looking for quality food and an amusing atmosphere. Well done Stove.
(4)Tracy L.
ATMOSPHERE: Eclectic, unusual décor with all sorts of animal heads in the bar area upon entering. Casual to semi-dressy. FOOD: I ordered the shrimp and grits, which were okay. I liked that there were actually some veggies in their version. Not bad. However, the best shrimp and grits I have ever had are at Mr. B's in New Orleans and that is hard to beat. Other members of our party ordered the white fish dish and steak with positive reviews. Complimentary bread is served, which was crusty and fresh baked so the good kind of bread. SERVICE: We were greeted and seated promptly but afterwards.. OMG... I have never been treated like that in a dining establishment. Our waitress was condescending, rude and really acted like she had no experience in the service industry at all. Trying to make small talk with her was painful but we attempted in order to "break the ice." She refused to take our picture upon request but said that she was busy. She ignored us the second time we asked 20 minutes later and had the hostess do it for us as if we were a nuisance. We have had our servers take our picture plenty of times in a restaurant without any problem. PRICE: More on expensive side without a discount but we used a Groupon. Expect at least $30 per person for full meal. CONCLUSION: 1 star for decent food. Never, ever coming back here again. I have such a bad experience due to the service. Such a disappointment since it is a place with potential especially in Portsmouth, VA.
(1)David D.
Stove is one of the best restaurants in Tidewater...period. I've hesitated to write this review because it's such an insider's spot. Syd is unique in his ability to churn out local-sourced neosouthern cuisine with a strong French influence. The cheese plates are amazing. He makes this wonderful cabbage relish that is sweet and savory. The bread is laced with a subtle spicy flavor and a shattering crust that always makes me feel messy, but euphoric. There are plenty of meat influences in his dishes, but the menu leaves plenty of room for vegan/vegetarian flavor. I love his fish selections, and I almost always order whatever they reeled in fresh. I try to opt for half portions because I want to taste as many things as possible. The wine options are plentiful and wonderful. Service is ALWAYS on point. If you live in the area and haven't tried Stove, it'll make you nostalgic for our region. Syd has a quite a story.
(5)Michael G.
Went on the recommendation of a friend and was not disappointed. Started with some Roquefort, followed by salad, soft shell crab, and chocolate tart ... all were delicious. I'm excited to return to Stove during my next trip to Portsmouth.
(4)Robert F.
really. "PoNo", really? pimento cheese, scallops, local foods, unique place. this is whats going for it. the dude on the phone was kind of a dick when we were calling to follow up on a reservation we made a week prior, but i aint even mad. i've been here three times and enjoyed.
(4)asdf a.
untypical (in a good way), excellent restaurant. eclectic decor, fun servers, hearty servings, delicious seafood, fresh homemade bread. I had the "dumbwaiter" and it was amazing-- just spicy enough, juicy shrimp. My date and I ordered 4 half dishes... you definitely only need to order 2 half dishes, maybe 3 if you're feeling bold. This is place is different. non-commercial, organic ingredients, funky atmosphere. all in all a great dining experience
(5)