Kitchen on Cary
1331 E Cary St, Richmond, VA, 23219
Kitchen on Cary Menu
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Address :
1331 E Cary St
Richmond, VA, 23219 - Phone (804) 643-1315
- Website https://kitchenoncary.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage, Street, Validated
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jesse W.
My father was in town visiting from Boston and my partner and I had been wanting to try Kitchen on Cary for quite awhile, so his visit was a great time for us to have lunch. We were all thoroughly impressed with the afternoon fare and highly recommend this place. It was quiet and conducive for conversation. The wait staff was very accommodating and personable and the food was prompt and delicious. If you visit, get the truffle chips! We were all pleasantly surprised by the portions. You really get what you pay for. I had the ahi tuna salad, my partner had the fish tacos, and my father had the Jeremy. We'll definitely be back!
(4)Cydney L.
Ho hum. "Fresh, locally sourced, seasonal" blah blah blah. Tons of pork. Nothing vegan, but I didn't feel shy about asking for no pig or cheese. The server's reply was, "I get it: you're vegetarian." Not very classy. The place itself is...dull. Painted brick, open dining room, pretty booths, horrible acoustics. My colleague was sorely disappointed with her jambalaya, noting it'd spent some time under the lights. She said, "I should have known better." Can't do jambalaya in Richmond. Maybe can't do "fresh, locally sourced, seasonal" and tasty, too. Save yourself a mediocre experience. More interesting choices right next door, either side.
(2)Sam K.
Am a professional Chef, so I notice things a bit more than others. Overall, not happy. At the bottom of the menu, it states that they train all of the culinary students in the area......I should hope not!!! Mexican Fish tacos had - canned black beans (wrong kind of bean, should have red), frozen corn, and white par-boiled rice (why not white spanish rice?) Tuna was cheap, frozen, dyed "sushi" grade tuna. Service was good, but the larger chef was hanging out at the host stand, flirting or whatever, with a huge leaky ink stain on his Jacket.....very unprofessional. Overall, disappointed, and expensive.....found no value in this place. kitchen needs to get a clue.
(1)Laura V.
Really good waitstaff, good setting. Only complaint is that the appetizer we had (Caesar salad) was doused with salad dressing (way overboard) and entrees were likewise covered in sauce... Would have liked it a little bit less covered in cooking sauce and more natural I guess
(3)Lauri T.
I'm a total fan of everything about Kitchen on Cary. The atmosphere, the food, the entertainment. It's all good! I came here last week for a birthday dinner. Neither the birthday girl nor anyone else in the group had been here before, so we were all surprised when we walked in and found ourselves sitting in one of the cutest restaurants on Cary St. The decor is clean and pretty modern-- fit for a date night or a dinner with friends. I was promptly greeted by what looked to be the manager and we were seated almost immediately. To our surprise, there was live acoustic music that night which really added to the experience! I wish that I could remember the musician's name, though. He was really enjoyable. Anywho, I was feeling like I needed something light, so I ordered the salmon and brie salad which was salmon, mixed greens, arugula, sundried cranberries walnuts, and brie tossed in champagne-honey dressing. The crispiness of the greens was brilliantly juxtaposed against the tenderness of the salmon. The sweet dressing was the perfect compliment to the somewhat salty fish. As you can probably tell, this salad was definitely not lacking in flavor! Everyone else was very satisfied with their meals as well. We had 3 people at the table get the Chicken Two Ways dish and they all pretty much licked their plates clean. I had the blueberry mojito to drink which was also delicious (after having to mix it with my straw). It came with fresh blueberries and mint leaves and was positively refreshing- everything a mojito should be. Next time I'm getting together with my man, my family or my girls, Kitchen on Cary is definitely a frontrunner!
(4)Cindy E.
It was quiet, which made for an intimate setting on an early Saturday night. It might be fancier than it should be, or not...because the bar had a couple college football games on. There's white linen everywhere. Super high ceilings with dim industrial lighting paired with cool lower lamps. A small candle on the table, even. But such an empty restaurant, for all its effort. The chicken two-ways was beautiful and well-seasoned. The veggies were fresh and almost perfect. I ordered brisket and picked it apart. While it was tender and extra flavorful, it was overly fatty -- Gross. I killed the coleslaw, as it was amazing. I think they offered two unappealing things for dessert and so I called it a night. And anytime a restaurant doesn't have something great for dessert, it falls a little flat for me.
(3)Brian R.
Visited this place on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and found this place to be pretty charming. Great downtown location, and it was pretty empty at about 11am. We were sat in a booth (only one other table was there at the time; it filled up by noon), and we ordered a round of brunch drinks and beer. The cocktails were good (read: under $10), and the blueberry mojito and Dark and Stormy were served cold, strong, and well-flavored. As for food, 2 of us ordered the burger, which looked great, but way overcooked for the requested medium temp. The sausage gravy and biscuits were much better, with plenty of sausage and moist biscuits making for a great meal. Overall, for the cute location, decent service, and great prices, you should look out for this place for a nice brunch on a summer Richmond weekend.
(4)Lori R.
We found ourselves in downtown Richmond quite unexpectedly on a busy Friday night. Staying at the Omni, we started walking looking for a place to eat. Boy were we lucky to stumble up on this gem (and without researching on Yelp first...almost a first for me!) They were busy, but thankfully had a table for us! We started with a lovely warming glass of Red for me and a delightfully seasonal Gingerbread Stout for Husband. Having worked non-stop all day with little sustenance, Husband was ready for the Pretzel Bread with Pimento Cheese we ordered. Very flavorful! I let starving Husband eat most of it though, as I really wanted something light. Which is why I chose the Seasonal Greens Salad with Citrus-Avocado, and the Eastern Shore Crab Cakes Appetizer with Citrus Caper Aioli. Starving Husband did the Smoked BBQ Brisket with Seasoned Steak Fries and Pickled Cabbage Slaw. He was as happy with his heavier meal, as I was with my lighter one! Both of us were too full for the wonderful-sounding desserts. Service was excellent, and prices quite reasonable for the quality. Richmond, you've got a real gem here!
(4)Kirsten H.
I ate at the Kitchen on Cary with a few friends for lunch on a Wednesday. We were one of two groups in the restaurant around 1 pm.We started with the sweet potato tots, which were so good we had to order a second round. I had the sesame ahi tuna salad for lunch, which was also very good. My only complaint about this restaurant is the atmosphere. The space is very large and bare, with few decorations and very high ceilings. It's very austere looking, which came off as cold. I think they were going for a clean, streamlined look, which was certainly achieved.
(3)Han V.
--Food-- They offer small plate which range from $6-12 and large plates which were all about $20. ~Butternut squash risotto~ I'm not the biggest risotto fan and this one didn't change that. The dish looked very good and the bits of butternut squash really
(3)Slash C.
HOTEL RESTAURANT WITH AN IDENTITY CRISIS You know that boyfriend or girlfriend you used to date with the parents who lived off casserole? The ones who gave you pajamas for Christmas and a "Better Cooking with a Crock-Pot" cook book that looked like it'd been re-gifted? Well, this is the sort of place you would take them for dinner. And guess what? They would absolutely love it! They'd love that inside "Kitchen on Cary," they'd feel completely safe (in a bland sort of way). Maybe they'd even comment that they thought they were in a hotel restaurant (or perhaps one inside an airport). The two televisions above the bar and the Megabus-like upholstery throughout probably wouldn't dissuade them. Then, they'd look across the street to the newly built Marriot and say, "Of course." Sarcasm aside, I had high hopes for "Kitchen on Cary." Instead, I left disappointed and got sick from the food later that night. I pass the place nearly every day. The corner eatery with it's modern logo and contemporary name conjured up visions of a hip and cozy Farm-to-Table Brooklyn joint. The reviews on Yelp brought me in and the professional photos on Twitter sealed the deal, but social media feeds were of no consolation when I was tossing up my tuna later that night. My major problems are with the dishes themselves - hit or miss and overpriced for the quality. The caesar salad was one of the strangest concoctions I've ever eaten. Instead of a dressing it had cold, yellow egg-salad-like blobs dropped inconsistently on various leaves of lettuce. (Did the chef actually take the time to wipe this mixture on the lettuce? It certainly seemed like it). One bite might taste like an empty romaine leaf and the next bite would.... well... seem strange. Strange because it had the consistency of heavy marshmallow fluff and tasted like egg salad. On a brighter note: The brussel sprouts were actually really good - large, good quality sprouts with arugula, purple cabbage and a touch of bacon and it was big enough as an appetizer for two to share. My meal was...well....again the best word to describe it is strange. I ordered the Seared Rare Ahi Tuna which is described as "Sesame wasabi crusted, rice noodles, and Asian vegetables." But it had issues. For one, it didn't come with vegetables, none whatsoever.... Oh wait, I think in Richmond wasabi is considered an Asian vegetable, right? In that case, my fat slab of Food Lion quality tuna was smothered in vegetables - that cheap glowing neon green stuff that restaurants like to say is wasabi, but in reality is a Cisco product that combines horseradish, Chinese mustard, and artificial colors - then lathered in sesame seeds So, yes, my bad, there were lots of Asian vegetable on my plate as my photo will attest. The tuna slab (rare in parts and completely overcooked in others) sat high and mighty upon a bed of perfectly cooked cold rice noodles like a poor girl from the trailer park with a bad complexion who had been asked to the prom by the homecoming king (see photo). The noodles were bathed in a luke-warm sauce that wanted to be soup but was posing as salty Pho that in reality tasted like a bullion cube drenched in that pre-cut garlic from Costco that comes in the big plastic jars. Like the salad, I'd suffer though one bite that made for a chewy, bland, unenjoyable and literally tasteless experience and then another bite that would make me wonder if I'd reached my sodium intake for the year. All the while, my girlfriend sat across from me enjoying her own sodium overdose in a salty craft burger, overpriced wine and perfectly dosed homemade potato chips. She left "Kitchen on Cary" knowing where she could get a decent burger in a hotel atmosphere. I left knowing that the corner of Cary & 14th would never be the same for me again. I spent most of the night depositing their delicious food into my toilet bowl wondering how I could write a review of the place that gave as much attention to details as they seemingly overlooked. Not that it matters, I don't think this place will last - not unless someone cares enough to place a secret call to Robert Irvine.
(2)Thuy V.
Ate here for a work dinner. The restaurant is on the corner of Cary and 14th in Shockoe Bottom. Kind of hard to spot unless you are right in front of it. The place was not very busy on Friday at 6pm but allowed a large group of us to converse easily. Food was good, really good for the price of the entrees. They had the right amount of creativity and good taste. We tried different appetizers like the duck wontons, sweet potato tots. Goat cheese salad was good. Duck entree was good, on the peppery side. I liked that the entrees had accompaniments. Service was polite. Missing just a little something to push it over the edge but I think the quality of the food is actually good for the neighborhood.
(4)Lisa G.
Stopped in today for lunch and had the soup of the day (duck) and the Virginia Goat Cheese Salad. My friend had the fish tacos -- the fish changes, and today it was salmon. We both loved our meals, and both the service and atmosphere was great. Solid lunch option. The beer list is kind of minimal. My only real complaint is that I could've eaten much more. I was still hungry. Located right on the corner of East Cary and 14th Street, so parking might be difficult.
(4)Canon H.
Kitchen on Cary was a great lunch. The service was friendly, the atmosphere casual but refined, and the food interesting and well prepared but at reasonable prices. I went with the fish tacos and started with the truffle chips. Both were fantastic. The chips were homemade and a flavor combo I'd never experienced before. The tacos, we're a little more standard but well prepared. The shredded cabbage inside was fresh, but did feel a little like filler. Either way, I'm already scheduled to revisit and will look forward to trying some of the other lunch options on the menu.
(4)R. D.
Pretty good spot that we will return to. The food was pretty good, I wouldn't say gourmet, but worth returning for. No complaints about the service either. The dining area is relaxing, not over-crowded, and not too noisy. If you're considering this restaurant, I'd say "do it", it's worth it.
(4)Mike L.
I have now been to lunch there over 5 times and I would say it's one of the best restaurants for lunch in the downtown area. I have now tried the ahi tuna fish tacos and I have to say they are the best I have ever had! The other friends I go with rave about the steak salad. The turkey and avocado sandwich was also fantastic! The amazing thing is I don't think the word is out yet, because lunches are pretty quiet on traffic. Need to get there for dinner.
(5)K N.
Brunch review! We got there around 1:30 and there were only 2 other tables in the restaurant so made for a different atmosphere than one would expect for a brunch. The food options for brunch were pretty slim and at the top of price in regards to what I like to pay. I got the French toast- toast was burnt but the berries gave it a good flavor. Another got the sausage and biscuits which were tasty but bread was a little dry. Another got the breakfast burger which he said was good but nothing special. Another got the special of the day which was an omelet- good but smaller than what you would expect and it had a smokey flavor which was not expressed while being read the specials. I had the mimosa which was tasty.. The coffee was $3 which is crazy! Overall, good experience but nothing to make me say "wow lets go there again." And I'm not a food critic or snob by any means
(3)Sarah B.
Really good food, and we're foodies. Awesome service, too! Stop in; you won't regret it.
(5)Brian L.
Waited 10 minutes and no server. The food looked interesting but I didn't get to try it.
(1)E V.
A very delicious brunch. Six of us ate and everything was wonderful. The place is warm and inviting and everyone there was so nice. A definite recommended place to eat!
(4)Melissa W.
Great, friendly, attentive service. Truffle chips and Salmon & Brie salad were delicious. Can't wait to come back with the hubby for a date night. Atmosphere inside was inviting and quaint. Great little find in Shockoe Slip.
(5)Peter V.
Beer selection hasn't changed since our last visit and food was cold. Device a little inattentive.
(3)Kyle H.
I don't know what people think this is less than five stars. Food was excellent. Service was solid. Wine was great. A must stop if in Richmond.
(5)Marc M.
Bartenders....not so much. Couldn't fix a rusty nail which was somewhat unfortunate. Clearly you need to stick to the very basic drinks with that staff. That being said, it was a Monday night.
(3)David M.
I wanted to really love this place. I actually researched a ton for my post marathon, first time in Richmond, wanting an awesome place to bring my girlfriend, her parents and my parents together for. First off - the ambience is amazing. They managed to merge fun, classy, romantic and hipster in a great way. I mean, I really love the place. The staff, while we waited for our parents to figure out the parking garage and find the place, was happy to seat us, check on us, chat, and get us drinks. We heard the bar tender had also run the race that morning and was back at work for the afternoon. Really off to an awesome start. The drink I ordered, a seasonal mixed drink featuring rosemary and fresh fruit, seemed a bit made up on the fly (despite being a featured drink). The fruit was really tasty and fresh, but the booze tasted strong and cheap, and the rosemary was an awkward addition (though I do love the smell). The first round I got was fried oysters - which was a small plate of six, incredibly fresh and tasty fried oysters. Full five stars there for taste, but not spot on for value. Next was the shrimp and grits. Four plump tasty shrimp in cheesy grits. My first cheese and grits, and I may be a convert- it was fantastic. (these first two items were split) For my main course, both my dad and I got the tuna. It was blackened, served rare, according to the menu. At the end of the meal, I grabbed a bite of my dad's, and it was tasty - not superb, but pretty good. Mine, however, was over cooked, way too thin, and void of any real taste. Really disappointing for such a simple order. The problem was, around the table I was getting similar hit or miss reactions. While the price point wasn't really high, the consistency issue is a big one. If I lived in the area, I would probably frequent this place and get to know what works here and what doesn't - cause I really want to love this place. In the end, as someone with one dinner's worth of time in Richmond, I couldn't recommend this place due to the hit or miss nature of our orders.
(3)Sav T.
My first course was a seed crusted seared tuna with slivers of pickled gingers topped with a horseradish/wasabi cream and a side of sweetened soy. Very put together dish that was beautiful. The second course was "baked" salmon over cellophane noodles & slaw in a spicy miso broth. I like the texture of the noodles against the crunch of the slaw. But the salmon was poorly done. It was like it was prepared earlier and just nuked. Don't serve me dried fish over college ramen. Meanwhile the love had the beef brisket smothered in a tangy barbecue sauce paired with really good slaw and potato wedges. The brisket was fork tender and was just delicious. Very hard to go wrong with that and the portions were large. The potatoes had a snap to them. Now the third course, I should have just raged. I could have chucked the cookies plated with thawed frozen fruit. Literally I could have thrown them like ninja stars and chipped brick. Who in their right mind would serve that? Apparently whoever "chef" the kitchen that night. All in all, this is a restaurant that I would love to love. Beautiful decor and a feel good feel right as you walk in the door but there's too many shortcuts to the food. Take your time especially on a Tuesday with only 3 other tables.
(2)Jeff E.
Had dinner here with friends recently and enjoyed the experience. Based on other reviews, we ordered the truffle fries which were DELICIOUS! Only drawback was they were brought out after the entrees. I ordered the Slip burger which was well-made if slightly undercooked for medium-well. As my side I chose the goat cheese grits which were also quite tasty. Despite the app mix-up, service was excellent and friendly and they graciously comped the appetizer. I was too full for dessert but my friend ordered the tiramisu which he loved. I wouldn't hesitate to return to try their other dishes.
(4)Christopher h.
Staff was pleasant. Service efficient. Not sure what they're going for here. Caesar salad was very good- home made dressing. I ordered the burger medium rare and it came back well done. It was tough to chew and I sent it back. They offered a replacement but I declined. Burgers are not something to order here. The chicken plates merit trying at some point. Atmosphere is cute and would make a nice date place.
(3)Brittany D.
Always can rely on a great salad and their seasonal butternut squash risotto is great! Good vibe but fairly quiet place
(4)Paul D.
Awesome family dinner. My bad, taking two months to post this, but my wife and I just remembered what a great meal we had. It was a Tuesday in April, and the kids had burgers and we had a wine pairing special where the entree was a beef brisket-type dish. I don't remember exactly, but their menu changes often anyway. The apps and entrees were excellent and service was very on point and personal. We discussed the menu options with our waitress and she knew all the details and nuances of the menu without hesitation. The food and service were just perfect that night and we will surely return next time we're in town.
(5)Dominic B.
I went to Kitchen on Cary for dinner on a Friday night. The hostess seated us immediately. I ordered a chicken 2way entree with a side of steak fries. The chicken 2 way was flavorful and tasty. I thought the chicken and vegetable was cooked very well. The side of fries was fried to a nice crisp. I didn't have room for dessert but decided to get cheesecake to go. The pecan pie cheesecake caught my attention over tiramisu (my favorite dessert). The pecan pie cheesecake was a little pricey but delicious! It's the best of both worlds (pecan pie + cheesecake = amazing). I could have eaten 2 more slices. Kitchen on Cary has a laidback ambience. The restaurant is located on Cary St in Downtown Richmond. Customers can park in the deck by the restaurant. The staff will validate parking tickets after you eat. Our server was attentive and polite. Overall, I enjoyed my meal at Kitchen on Cary. I give Kitchen on Cary a 3.5 rating rounded up to a 4.
(4)Nabeel K.
Too busy to service customers who are not in large parties spending a lot on booze. Never got waited on after getting a beer and waiting for over 20 minutes while people who came after me were served.
(1)Wesley H.
I went last night and had great food and service. The description of menu items made me want to try it all. I highly recommend the truffle chips and the risotto paella. Also, the wine and beer lists are great. Will definitely return soon!
(5)W. L.
I am on the line here. My first instinct was 3.5 stars, but I'll round up. I tried to make reservations online for 7:30 and was made to choose between 7:00 or 7:45 - which isn't a big deal. However, when we showed up at 7:30 we were two of four patrons in the entire restaurant. That surprised me a little for the time on a Saturday evening. Anyway, my wife ordered the steak and I got the fish tacos. Both were good. Like I said, it would get about 3.5 from me. I moved it to 4 because of the affiliation with the culinary school. I think that's a great idea, and it's something I'm happy to support.
(4)Briana C.
BLUF: GO! Have seen this minimalistic and unassuming restaurant for a few months now and had always made a mental note to stop in. Finally stopped in on a Thursday night- very slow, no hostess, but was greeted immediately. Very happy with the service overall! In regards to the food- to be honest, the entrees didn't speak to us, so we ordered 3 entrees- Butternut Squash Risotto, Pot Stickers and Potatoes Something. All three hit the mark and we're nothing less than fantastic. Portion sizes- this was more than enough for two people to fill up on comfortably! Given the 3-for-3 record they were batting, we opted for dessert to share and were not disappointed- no, we were WOWED- with their white chocolate walnut bread pudding!!! 4-for-4. In baseball that is a perfect night and this place is nothing less! Enjoy!
(5)Ayesha Z.
I had the veggie melt during lunch and it was very good. All the people in my party agreed that the food was very good. I would recommend it for lunch
(4)Heather L.
Lovely little place. Sat at the bar, as per usual, and had great service. Bartender was very accommodating, wine was great, food was flavorful and nicely presented. Had chicken both ways and bf had veggie ravioli....we retuned both plates empty. Pricing was as expected ($18 and $16 for our entrees respectively). Wine prices are average ($7.5 to $9). Space is pretty and convenient. Check out one of my profile pics for a shot of the inside. :)
(5)S W.
I must say, the only reason I keep going back now is the truffle chips. I have tried a few lunch entrees that are alway pretty good but not outstanding-which is why I am updating to three star. Other than the chips, everything is good (not great). And the service isn't amazing either, but not bad. So all around, I think this is a three star.
(3)Gabrielle O.
Went to Kitchen on Cary in May for a family dinner. My brother and I are both restaurant industry veterans - he a chef, me front of house & catering, both at some reputed establishments along the East Coast. While the service was nice, entrees took over an hour to come to our table for a party of 6 adults. The food itself was mediocre, with obviously frozen vegetables and proteins, disappointing given that they had advertised a fresh/seasonal/local menu. My entree was cold, which makes sense given how long it took to get to our table, and while they did waive a cake cutting / plating fee, they left us to serve the cupcakes we had brought for my nephew's birthday in the cardboard box instead of offering us a display plate with dessert plates. Finally, I ordered a mint julep, which was served as bourbon with little to no simple syrup and just a piece of mint on the top for garnish, disappointing given the cocktail's rich Virginia history. For more moderate prices, this place might be worth a second look, but with the average entree at $18, it simply wasn't worth it.
(2)Michelle K.
A cute restaurant in the Shockoe area. Staff was friendly. I was a bit underwhelmed with the food though. I had the bbq shrimp and grits. The grits were so creamy I thought I had mashed potatoes - grits need to have some grit. The bbq sauce was nothing special. I also had the brussel sprout salad which was mushy. I would rather have a roasted brussel sprout mixed into this salad instead of an over blanched spout. I had the polish mule to drink, but did not detect any ginger flavor, felt more like I was drinking vodka and soda with lime. My daughter had the steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. She asked for medium rare and it was cook nearly to perfection. She enjoyed the meal. We had the creme brulee for dessert and it was very good.
(3)A.M. D.
It's only been open since Autumn '13. Stopped in for the first time today, for a late take-out lunch. Staff is very friendly. Was seated at the bar and given ice water to drink while I waited for my turkey & avocado sandwich (with sprouts & havarti cheese). Took about 5 mins or so, then I was out the door with my food. Cost after tax: $10. The sandwich was quite good. Wasn't expecting it to be warmed/cooked, but no problem. Also wasn't expecting the homemade potato chips that were included. Yum! And an interesting-tasting pickle spear. I'll likely go back and try some of their other dishes. The inside ambiance of this restaurant is a little more upscale than the neighboring restaurants on E. Cary, but prices aren't too bad. Not cheap, but not the most expensive.
(4)Tara S.
The hubs and and wanted to go out for date night and because of all the rave reviews we decided to try it. I honestly do not know how this place has such great reviews. The ambience is weird. Romantic with two big screen TVs playing football. Yes I was glad to have been able to see Auburn beat Alabama, but i could have also waited to see recaps of it on sports center. So for food, we started with the sweet and sour duck. It was pretty tasty, but I think it would have been better to serve the duck in chunks instead of shredded in the thin broth. We also got the wok broccoli for a side. Lesson, hoisin is a dipping sauce, not a sauce that veggies are supposed to be swimming in. We each had one piece and could not stomach anymore For entrees I has the bass and he had the rainbow trout with crab. While my sea bass was perfectly cooked his trout was not so great. The best part of the fish should be crispy skin but instead we were served some limp skin (it was gross). Also do not tell this filipino girl that the rice is jasmine and it's just plain white rice. It's sacrilegious. There were some pros to this place I swear. The wine list is great and affordable and the staff is really nice. However when a couple, especially a married one, comes in for dinner on a Saturday night, don't ask them if they want separate checks.
(2)Suzanne A.
Everything was delicious! We ordered several small plates and I can't decide which was my favorite. The lobster Mac &. Cheese was amazing and the truffle chips too. I couldn't stop eating them! We love the simple elegant decor inside the restaurant with all the exposed brick and high ceilings. It's nice to see places honoring the original design of buildings. The service was also great. I highly recommend Kitchen on Cary! Now go eat!!
(5)Chad S.
While the menu appears to be kind of simple, I can assure the the food is far from that! We tried a number of dishes and all were amazing! We came on a Sunday night, so I don't think it's fair to form an opinion on the overall feel of the place... Sunday is for sure not a happening night... But this is RVA for god sake... I'm not sure there is a happening night any night if the week.
(4)Chevy N.
We went for the Valentine's Day menu- what a deal! Had a reservation, a table was ready for us, the courses came out fast (of course our server asked when we were ready for them!), service was problem-free, and the food was delicious. Prix-fixe menu was really a great price and made choosing what to eat and drink so much easier. The proximity to the parking deck will make it easy to find if you're driving in and unfamiliar with streets. The decor is simple and cozy. I want to go back!
(5)David S.
This was a great place to sit, grab a drink and some good food. I got the chicken two ways and it was really, REALLY sweet. I was expecting it to be a bit more savory. My friend got some seafood medley that smelled and tasted great (I only had a bite though). The service was a bit slow for my liking. We went around 7:30 pm and it was very busy. I was expecting it to be faster. Not a lot of beers on tap but they seemed to have a decent wine selection.
(3)Michael S.
Oh boy! So I have been here twice. The first time they were pretty solid. Good food (can't remember what I had but it was good), solid service and nice atmosphere. Tonight it was a complete sh*t. First off I go in about 8/830pm and there's only 2 other tables there.. Not a good sign. But I figure it's okay because I've been here before. I order the brisket for dinner. It came out with no flavor and tough as shoe leather. I returned it and just had a burger. The meat had a taste that was almost rancid. Fries were blah and the bartender couldn't make a decent gin and tonic to save her ass (may have been bad tonic, maybe not). I heard that they were almost closing early that night due to slow crowd and no help coming in. This may be a reflection of the food. Unfortunately, I won't be going back to KOC anytime soon (wait, did that spell cock?).
(1)Justin S.
Front of house to back of house is amazing. Great service by the hostess and wait staff, and even better food. The fried oysters, fish tacos, and chiopino are incredible...perfect blend of spice, savory, and size. Anytime I travel into Richmond I make sure to stop by and try a new dish! Can't wait to come back. J
(5)Krystal F.
Excellent brunch!!! Great service! Very casual but, presentation and the quality of the food is fantastic! Thanks for the tip! BTW, ask for Challis she was wonderful!
(5)Mike L.
This place was pretty disappointing, especially after the overall excellent reviews on Yelp. Duck confit potsticker - these had barely any filling, and came drenched in soy. They were really, really salty - not quite inedible, but not far off either. This was particularly disappointing because so many reviews had reviewed this positively. 1.5/5 My fiancee's cioppino, like the potstickers, was also way oversalted. We almost always finish the soup when we order cioppino. We barely touched it this time. The shrimp was also overcooked. The mussels were pretty good, but 4-5 mussels doesn't make up for a bad dish overall. 2/5 My chicken entree was decent. The chicken was a tad dry, but I liked the honey-mustard/balsamic flavor pairing. The accompanying spinach was on the soggy side, but the mashed potatoes were solid. 3/5 Service was decent - our server was very friendly. We did have to wait about 10 minutes for our check. Overall, I don't recommend this place and wouldn't return.
(2)Julia R.
Impressed! Want to make a first great impression? Have a business lunch at Kitchen on Cary! The easiest place to book a reservation, preorder apps! My lunch party of 8 had a great experience. Bill Grecco's team provided professional and gracious service. And the food was fantastic! The beet salad was salty and sweet! Yum! And the potato chips with blue cheese and truffle oil is sinfully good!
(5)M C.
This was a real find. Apparently they have an association with a local culinary school. The staff was very professional, and tried very very hard to please. The food very good. All of us travel for a living, and so, sort of get a bit of an attitude about food quality and restaurant service. Best I can say, I was delighted with this place, and would recommend it to anyone. A bonus, prices were very very fair. Double bonus? They make pretty damn good martini. This might be the best value in Richmond.
(5)Markita L.
There has not been one time in life where I have written a review... However my life damn near DEPENDS on customer reviews!!! (I know..I know..) I mean seriously. Especially food/restaurant reviews as a newcomer to Richmond!!! Alright, to the important topics at hand.. Food. Drinks. Dessert. They have small plate options which ranged in price from $6-$12 I believe. They also have large plate plates that go up to $24. Sandwiches and salads as well. For starters, I had one of the small plate options. Now for the small plate item I chose the shrimp and grits... It was delicious!!!!!! Mind you it was a small plate but it was a nice sized "little" bowl loaded in delight! The grits were a cheesy, thicker grit.. LOVED! Topped with a decent portion of sautéed shrimp! Great choice! Now after devouring that... It then opened up my appetite for what else this historic spot had to offer!!! I then opted for the fish tacos.. Delicious and such a great portion!!! And the sour cream lime chipotle sauce was bomb too!! Now I can't forget about the succulent patron margarita I had to wash this all down with!!!! (The owner made it... :-) Delicious!) The waitress was very pleasurable and extremely informative and honest about the menu. All of her suggestions were on point! I loved that! The waiter was also delightful... Friendly! The cook was also friendly! Very accommodating! I most certainly will be back. I enjoyed my evening here.
(5)Beth S.
I had an army promotion party at Kitchen on Cary for 8 people. What a terrific experience! The GM Bill and his staff did everything they could to make our evening pleasant and delicious and at about half the price we expected it to be. The "small plates" were the stars of the meal. Absolutely delicious. Best bets were the truffle chips, seared tuna bites, and the fried oysters. Great happy hour prices on drinks, even wine by the glass. "Big plates" or entrees were delicious and gorgeous. I had the flank steak and my friends had crab cakes and beef brisket. Everyone raved. I'm still euphoric the next day. Service was impeccable. Parking was handy and they validate for the garage across the street. Thanks Bill and friends. We will definitely be back.
(5)Rachel M.
AMAZING! Unfamiliar with Richmond, I randomly stopped here on my way to DC. One word: wow! It was very low key for a Friday night and had really good live music. The food was absolutely incredible - probably the best goat cheese salad I've ever had. The fried oyster appetizer is on point too! Everything is so fresh and decently priced. I was in a rush to get back on the road and my waitress Cadee was so fast and accommodating. Good service is so important! I highly recommend this place...I hope to come back!!
(5)Soheb V.
Great brunch in Shockoe Bottom. Vanilla bread pudding French toast was great. However, the fruits could use more variety (some berries?) and the potatoes could have been a little softer. Overall a great brunch in a pleasant environment.
(4)Li L.
The food is very good. Highly recommend smoked salmon tacos, seafood pasta and the steak. I believe that the cost should be $$ rather than $$$ since most entrees are lt 20 and the size is not small.
(5)dusty c.
Everything at Kitchen on Cary is nice. Nothing screams unique or special, but the menu, the staff and the atmosphere are all pleasant. This is great for your office party or department lunch. Some dishes, such as the Shrimp and Grits, are a little too rich and would be better as a shared plate Also - note to chef - serve it in a wider, shallow dish. Several in our group complained that the bowl was small and they had to way to cut in half the larger pieces of shrimp. I thought the dish tasted good, but agreed the presentation would be nicer in a wider dish. More approachable. The favorite is hands down the burger with sauteed spinach and mushrooms, topped with aged cheddar. I'll be getting that next time. My dish of fish tacos was fine, but the fish was presented in perfectly even round chunks, breaded and fried. Reminded me of fish nuggets for small children. I think the fish tacos could use some work. The cabbage and corn with chipotle cream as a great compliment to the heavy fish, though. I'd also like to see them served with corn tortillas instead of flour. All in all not a bad experience, just not mind-blowing. Perfectly serviceable for an office or group lunch and will appeal to a wide variety of tastes.
(3)Farhaad R.
Culinard, a culinary school off of Midlothian Turnpike that is part of the for-profit Virginia College system, is opening a restaurant downtown called Kitchen on Cary at 1329 E. Cary St! Chef Michael McGhee, Culinard's program director, said the Kitchen on Cary would be a launching pad for recent graduates of the school who want to work in the restaurant business. The restaurant caters to a lunch crowd and the price you pay for the great quality food is low. Definitely worth a try if you find yourself downtown!
(4)Fred P.
Somewhere I read that downtown Richmond, VA has no good dinner restaurants. I beg to differ. I read some positive reviews of Kitchen on Cary and decided it was within walking distance of my hotel and worth a try. A decision that I'm glad I made. Nestled in the heart of a throng of restaurants, Kitchen on Cary presents a clean, somewhat sparse appearance. Run by professional chefs who partner with Richmond's Culinard Culinary Institute, Kitchen on Cary is a "teaching" restaurant. As such, the staff is friendly and approachable. I selected the soup of the day, a roasted red pepper bisque, pot stickers made of duck confit, scallions and carrots in a spicy, Thai sauce, and an entree of pork tenderloins served with an apple butter jalapeno sauce, rosemary new potatoes and creamed spinach. The presentation of each dish showed the influence of professional chefs. I feel, as do the Chinese, that food must appeal to all the senses, and in this, Kitchen on Cary shines. The apple butter sauce was subtle; the jalapeno heat was more of an aftertaste hint. A coulis of Sriracha accompanied the pot stickers, and dabbing a bit on each bite added just the right zest to a nuanced dish of duck and vegetable Asian dumplings. I passed on dessert; they very friendly waitress (she and another of the staff made a list of "quality" restaurants to try in response to my remark of hearing Richmond lacked this in restaurants). Still I had a cup of coffee (a refill was offered, but declined), and as a token of thanks, I was given a coupon for a free appetizer to entice my return. No enticement is necessary; a return visit to Kitchen on Cary is assured!
(5)Cindy Ann B.
This is close to our new apartment and it will become a regular spot for us. We stopped in for a late small supper on Saturday after a long Amtrak trip. I had a local brew and the cheese plate. Three cheeses, yummy bread, walnuts and two dipping sauces - local honey and some kind of red pepper wonderfulness. The atmosphere is inviting, I love the way the bar is open to the street through the doors. I also love the list of local farms they provision from, it's a great way to get to know the area, through food. What I can't figure out is why it wasn't more crowded. People, you're missing a good thing!
(5)Sara B.
DELICIOUS! Big portions for the price. Tried the pot stickers and fried oysters for appetizers. The pot stickers had a really good flavor to them, especially with a touch of Sriracha. The fried oysters were cooked perfectly and the slaw on the side reminded me of seafood salad. I got the pork tenderloin for my entree. The sauce had a BBQ/chipotle flavor to it. The potatoes were flavored well, but unfortunately some were a bit under cooked. Dessert: apple wontons. The best part was the ice cream. Intense vanilla flavor but no vanilla bean flecks. Yummy! Like other reviews said, the parking is slightly difficult because of the new construction going on.
(5)Joe M.
After a great deal of consternation, I went to this restaurant. I ordered a Caesar salad which was excellent. I ordered the fish tacos and they were. The service was excellent. Restaurant was clean. Highly recommend.
(5)Sarah P.
Such a nice place! The food was amazing. Our party shared the truffle chips (I could eat those as an entree they were so good!) we also got the strip steak, brisket, fish tacos, and crab cakes (no filler in them, such good crab meat). Everything was delish and highly recommend. The staff was great too, our waiter couldn't have been nicer or more attentive. Will definitely be back!
(4)Jim B.
Pretty good place all around. Pleasant minimalist decor coupled with a nice open air feel. The menu is interesting enough to pull you in from the street. Loved the Truffle Chips and Salmon Salad. The service (for a very quiet night) was fair...pleasant but not particularly attentive (no water refills, no drink follow up and no offer of coffee with desert). One interesting point though...after 11 years of marriage my wife and I were asked, for reasons still not entirely understood to either of us, if we wanted separate checks. I actually thought about it for a second...but said no.
(3)W P.
Super delicious. Quick for lunch too which is great for business lunches. Highly recommend!
(5)Eliza F.
My husband and I went tonight to celebrate my birthday and although we had the place to ourselves, we loved this place! Amazing food, sizable portions and a warm staff. We started with the duck confit potstickers ($7) for an appetizer. They were flavorful and a bit spicy. My husband even drank some of the broth! We got the pork tenderloin ($17) and the flank steak ($18) for dinner. Both were perfectly seasoned and cooked. The jalapeño apple butter on the pork was to die for. Pricing was more than reasonable with large portions of great food. We also received a voucher on our bill for a free appetizer if we returned within 5 days. I would definitely recommend Kitchen on Cary for your next dinner out!
(5)Jenny L.
I have gone to this restaurant twice now (once for dinner, once for lunch). Both times i went, the food was great and the service was even better. They are incredibly nice and welcoming. The food comes out SO quick! It is awesome! The food is delicious. I got the fish with crab meat the first time and the salmon salad the second time. LOVE them both. My boyfriend got their burger, which was delicious! The roast beef sandwich and noodle bowl are also both really great. The price wasnt too bad either! For dinner for two, we paid about $35.00 (before tip). I will definitely be going back here again. I am happy to see a delicious (not too costly) restaurant come up in the shockoe slip area.
(5)Gretchen S.
Came in tonight with some friends for dessert! Ended up having the most amazing duck dumpling appetizer and risotto! The creme brulee and chocolate torte were also delicious! Wonderful atmosphere and service. I will definitely return...and soon.
(5)Bill G.
the last place we found turned out great. nothing else was working for us. kitchen on cary saved the evening. excellent food well presented well served nice decor. and a fair price. we'll be back if we return to rva.nice find!
(4)Susan B.
My husband, daughter (who just moved to Richmond) and I had dinner there last night at the recommendation of a friend. We couldn't have been happier. Service was exceptional (Caley) and food was absolutely delicious. The restaurant has a great atmosphere, very open, and tables are not crowded together. Everyone was great and made sure they were checking up on us. We will be back. Susan
(5)s m.
Great food, portions, and service that you don't usually get at this price -- I still daydream about the yummy risotto. You can't go wrong with any dish. Try this place before the summer crowd hits when the new hotel opens.
(4)Max W.
Great food and atmosphere! Love the idea of the culinary school working in conjuction.
(5)Dominic N.
Ok
(3)Robb M.
Wow!!! Was I pleasantly surprised to have one of most incredible dinners that I have ever had!!! Their affiliation with the local culinary school is a great concept. I had the tuna dish and it was flawless!!! We also tried two of the delicious salads and they were equally tasty! I would advise you share the salads as they are too large for one person if you have an entrée. Don't miss out on this fabulous restaurant. l'm definitely going back.
(5)Alex K.
Everything on the menu is fresh and delicious. Tried Salmon for the main dish and berries mascarpone cream for dessert -everything was fantastic.
(5)K D.
Went here for Sunday brunch. They only had decaf coffee. We had the cinnamon rolls, they were dry, shrimp and grits - which were drowning in a watery sauce and had only four small shrimp (although, they were tasty). And the sides of fruit and home fries. The home fries were cold, the fruit was great.
(2)Leila G.
Well prepared and well presented food at reasonable prices. .
(5)Ron D.
An absolutely superb dinner. We tried several appetizers and entries - all of which were presented well and were delicious. The wait staff and general manager were warm and gracious.
(5)J U.
Not bad, but a pretty meh experience overall. Trout was under seasoned, and chicken breast was dry. We definitely expected more for what we paid. Not impressed.
(2)Tim H.
Great new addition to the downtown Richmond dining scene. Comforting food well prepared at reasonable prices. Fried oysters are perfectly done and worth a try. Chicken two ways was as good as they come. Would tell you about the shrimp and grits but my wife finished it before I could grab a taste. Wine list is filed with very good selections at prices that are easy to take. You will not be disappointed with anything at this place.
(5)Ben S.
I am pretty stingy with my stars so it is rare that I give 5 stars. Food was excellent. Started with crab cakes which were very good, pretty much all crab. No cheap filler. Good crust just perfectly done. Then for the main course had the seafood cioppino. This was outstanding. Plenty of seafood with a very flavorful broth. Truly great flavor. Service was outstanding, no delays and no hovering. Always a full glass of water. All of this for a reasonable price. I highly recommend this restaurant and on future trips to town will definitely come back.
(5)Rick K.
don't worry about the lack of crowds...it's recently opened and they're fighting construction across the street...the staff is terrific...the food is fabulous...it's not only foodie beautiful...it tastes great...and you get plenty of it for a very reasonable price - considering the quality...nice COTU I.P.A. on draft...the fried oyster appetizer is wonderful...the duck entree on special was memorable...the only average goes to the chocolate chip cookie for desert...get something else...not worth losing a rating point, though...
(5)Mary Lou S.
We had an early dinner. The hostess greeted us warmly and our waiter was charming and efficient. We were tempted by so many interesting choices. I started with the potato chips with blue cheese and truffle oil. Fabulous. Son ordered the flash fried oysters which were beautifully presented and perfectly cooked - portion only 4. Husband had the duck confit pot stickers. Very tasty and garnished with shiitake mushrooms. I had the Chesapeake Cioppino and it was the best cioppino I've ever had and I've had it in San Francisco, D.C. and many other places. The sauce was exquisite. Son got the shrimp pasta which looked like an Alfredo. Large delicious portion. Husband ordered the fish tacos but waiter informed us that the tacos would have shrimp instead. Acceptable. He loved them. We split the bread pudding and the oreo cheesecake. Wow! This is a cool spot, minimally decorated but pleasant, playing reggae music at a low volume. I would return in a heartbeat.
(5)