Pacifica
214 40th St, Virginia Beach, VA, 23451
Pacifica Menu
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Address :
214 40th St
Virginia Beach, VA, 23451 - Phone (757) 422-5770
- Website https://www.littlebarbistro.com/pacifica-about.php
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Thu, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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A K.
We went to VA beach for the first time and ended up hitting up Pacifica twice during our visit! It was that good. For atmosphere-- very chill, cool place to grab some tapas before hitting the boardwalk or stay longer and make it a date night. Lots of local/seasonal tapas style plates and lots of beer/wine/cocktail options. You can sit at a table, the bar or by the fireplace and chill-- which is what we did the second time we went late night. Bonus- they are open late! The food-- beets on beets on beets. The beet sliders were a surprising favorite and the beet fries too. Love both of these plates. Tomato, basil, mozzarella was fresh and tasty too. Good food, good wine, chill spot. We'll definitely go back when we are back in the area.
(5)John B.
Cool little spot for seasonal and interesting tapas, with lots of good beer and a large cocktail menu. We had a great dinner with lots of interesting small plates -- I haven't heard of Beet Sliders or Beet Fries before, but both were delicious. The Lamb Lolly's were yummy and everything seemed fresh. We also tried one of the specials on the Chalkboard, the Octopus Stir Fry, which was just OK. Stir Fry isn't the best small plate kinda food. Still, it was adventurous by the chef, so I'm not going to knock their score. Please remember that its a small plate and shared food kind of place. The table behind me each ordered one thing, specifically for themselves, and I could hear them commenting about how each dish would come out separately (when they were ready). The dad ate his Lamb alone, the wife at the salad, and the whole time they were confused and dumbfounded. I felt a little embarrassed for them. Apparently they are open past midnight with the kitchen still going, which is a big plus. Dope spot.
(5)Audrey P.
Overall cool spot to hang with friends or on a date, where I had my first tapas experience. I've been here quite a few times and I have nothing bad to say about it. This is one of the only good places that open late and serve GOOD food, the serve a variety of libations (which changes seasonly) so coming here is a treat. Their menu is split up into a "cold" and "hot" section. Prices ranges from $3-$16, so it can get pretty pricey if you're planning on eating a lot. Not the best place for dinner on a budget but trying out the different foods are fun. There's an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs yourself. Try the smores!!!
(4)Kerr K.
We have been visiting VA Beach for many years and stumbled over Pacifica last 3 years. Always had great experience. Great food. We stop by every time we are in the area and have referred friends to go there. Normally the food is great and service friendly. We usually find two guys working the bar area and floor. Recently we visited Pacifica one evening and our normal guys were off and we encountered the worst, rude, inexcusable service at a public Bar/restaurant from a blonde woman working behind the bar. She was hostile from the time we entered the establishement, as if our presence of was unwelcoming. We felt very very unwelcomed. It took her a very long time to even acknowledge us standing at the bar trying to get her attention to order food and drinks. Every time we tried to get her attention to order drinks or food, she would turn to us with a mean, hostile, unsmiling, lips tightened face and speak to us in a very rude, unfriendly voice and often time yelling. We were wondering what is wrong with this woman and why she was behaving like that. We had said or done nothing wrong to her. We were treated as if she did not want anyone bothering her other than the people she knew and was friendly with. It was around 12am and they were still open, we ordered food and drinks. At 1:30am we tried to order a round of drinks for our party only to be told rudely that she had already called last call, but she would give us our last drinks, but she would take them away if we did not finish them by 2:00am. At 1:45pm she calls out to everyone "Last Call, Last Call, although she had already told us she had already called last call and proceeded to offer her friends more drinks. At 1:55am two more of her friends walk in and she serves them alcoholic drinks (way past the last call), smiling and friendly to them. Her friends were still at the bar, who she continued to serve and drink. At 2:00am she turned on the lights and rudely yelled "everyone get out" Im closed!!! and the addressed us rudely, yelling , you have two minutes to "chug your drinks" or i will take them away..... We tried to tell her we were leaving and she continued to be rude. At 2:02am we exited the bar and just left the drinks there in total disbelief of how rude this woman was to customers and why any establishment allows someone like her work behind the bar serving people. We are probably never going back. We found another great place across the street, EATS where the customer service was just amazing, extremely welcoming and food is excellent. We visited EATS establishment 3 times in one week...where we would have normally gone to Pacifica... Shame!!.. Great place but the woman is very rude......she may ruin your night and your experience with this establishment...great place but if she is working the bar go somewhere else!!
(3)Hilary O.
Love love love this place - a local secret treasure. Private ambiance, casual and a delicious list of specials that changes daily. Tapas style servings makes great for groups looking to taste a sampling of local flavors. The staff - great team - great service. Go - you won't regret it!
(5)Lisa A.
Love. I had only been to one tapas bar in my life and it was all Spanish food. So when I saw tapas bar I was expecting all Spanish/spicy dishes (like the last one I went to) but I was pleasantly surprised. This is not your typically Spanish tapas bar. The cocktail menu is reason enough to stop here. Wow, just wow. The martini list is expansive and you can easily find something you will enjoy. I thoroughly enjoyed the Vanilla'tini. The food was perfectly timed, perfect portions to split many different plates between 2 people. You can't go wrong with any dish. We tried a bit of everything. Beets, hummus, crab dip, salmon, beef. THIS is the kind of food you want to have on vacation. Things you can't find at home (though I wish they would open a place in Boston, PLEASE!!). Delicious, fresh, and perfect food. Server was on point and fantastic. Couldn't be happier with our experience here. It was so great the first night, when we had to leave another restaurant for being horrible we went right back here for our last night of vacation!
(5)Landon F.
It used to be great...... Unfortunately due to the bartender's complete and severe lack of customer service I nor my husband or our friends shall ever set foot inside Pacifica ever again. The bar isn't busy: 20 minutes to order a drink, after asking for the tab another 10 to get a bill and then while trying to pay with CASH another 15 minutes passes. Guess my green isn't as good as the others! Oh, and a Martini does NOT have ice chunks in it. Just for the record.
(1)Drummond F.
Little plates/big prices Bartender is slow/like tectonic plate shift slow/like OMG Go on Thursday when Jimmy is behind the bar or skip it entirely and go see Chad at Eat. Used to be a cool place- not so much now
(1)Buddy B.
I always have a great experience here. The drink list is amusing and delicious and the staff is always knowledgable and fun. The way they rotate the seasonal menu items keeps it new and fresh. It's worth a visit for a happy hour or light dinner with their tapas menu.
(5)Heather D.
Monday's are half off wine night! The tapas are seasonal and amazing! They run about $6-10 each. It's very small so not good for a big group but perfect for date night.
(5)Sarah S.
**this review is on drinks only** I tried the "Trophy Wife" to me it tasted a little cough syrupy. So if you like really sweet drinks try it. The "Jimmys hot and dirty Martini" is amazing! Tried it for the first time last week already went back this week for one! It's Absolut Peppar, some spicy brine of some sort and garnished with an olive and pepperoncini. OMG HEAVENLY! I will be back to try the tapas style dinner menu soon.
(5)Cristina P.
Went here for some late night drinks. The ambiance is pretty chill. Can't review on the food or drinks because I only had beer and shots! I hear they have a patio and fire pit, is only stood inside. It was alright for a place to chill and drink.
(4)Christina S.
In the dark, the outside of Pacifica looks uninviting. It looks like you're going to walk into an old abandoned liquor store. Inside though, you'll see a gorgeous bar, generous seating, couches by the fireplace, and a side bar by the kitchen. It's seat your self, and it's a pretty place for a date or to hang out with friends. You just wouldn't know it from the outside. The rowdiest group of girls was celebrating a birthday, shouting and being obnoxious, but they didn't manage to destroy the atmosphere entirely. Someone did go over and ask them to keep it down, which was great because they were exceptionally loud. Noise builds in this space, but they play these soft singer-songwriter tunes in a slightly darker light, perhaps in hopes Pacifica will feel more romantic and less like a bachelorette party stop. 4 dishes was enough for my boyfriend and I. We were pleasantly full. We could have gone with just 3, but we loved everything and really enjoyed our meal. Everything was reasonably adventurous and there weren't any plates that were obscenely small. Here's what we had: Truffle mac and cheese. I feel like when truffle mac is good, it's perfect and kind of hard to find anything bad to say. Smoked chicken and date salad. The chicken was very smoky and delicious, not at all dry. There was a strip of warm, limp lettuce on the plate that just tasted like pure smoke; it was the only thing that was bad about this dish. Sweet and sour lamb meatballs. The lamp was moist and gamey. We would have liked if the outside was a little crispy instead of all soft, but the Asian style slaw was delicious with the meatballs. My boyfriend bit into a jalapeño, which wasn't great, but next time we'll just remove them. We had a special of the night: crispy skin duck breast with pork belly, potato turnip, and sweet potato hash. The skin was very burnt tasting and kind of ruined the taste of the dish, but when you cut the skin off, it was actually really delicious. I loved the little garnish of cubed sweet potato, potato turnip, and pork belly. Pacifica was really a nice place to try. We really enjoyed ourselves and will be sure to come back next time we're in Virginia Beach!
(4)Joseph S.
I went early and it was pretty empty. What a well kept secret! Fantastic drinks complement tapas like you haven't had before. I tried the home made bacon. OMG, you won't regret it.
(5)Robert W.
Wow... what a find. Check this place out before it blows up in popularity and you can't get a seat! Went early (6pm) with our 2 kids. No host so it's kind of first come first served on seats. Not sure how that plays out when they get slammed. Amazing selection of unique cold and hot tapas. Staff was all very friendly and welcoming. Generous portions for small plates. Expertly prepared. Creative but not too out there. Reasonably priced selection of wine. Scallops, smoked ribeye, and the potstickers were our favs.
(5)Mary B.
Good plates, small but yummy. We ended up ordering 7 total for our group of 3. The service wasn't spectacular - I had to try and ask my server 3 or 4 times for a beer because he kept bringing something and leaving before I could ask. They say come in and sit wherever you want but I think this may cause some servers to be double or triple sat and too busy to really help their customers. Just a guess.
(4)Dan T.
Very nice interior design. Good place to bring a date. Hopefully, everyone knows that tapas are small plates and a particular kind of cuisine. Pacifica has a blend of traditional American food blended with Asian and Mediterranean dishes. The absolute best thing on this menu had to be the pork pot stickers. They were the right blend of savory and sweet. I would go for a swim in the sauce if I could. The one place for improvement I would ask here would be to pace the arrival of the plates a little farther. I ordered 3 plates. I wouldn't be finished with one plate before the next arrived. I'd like a little time between plates to enjoy each a bit longer. Especially on a slow night when they don't have a line at the door. Bottom line - go here, get the pot stickers and you'll be happy that I told you!
(4)Stacey W.
Pros: Great atmosphere especially in the colder months with the seating around the fireplace. Great selection of drinks. Cons: I used to love this place but they've recently have changed. We tried their new fall menu a couple of weeks ago and wasn't that impressed with the food, but we thought it was just an off night. Previously, there tapas were amazing! Tonight, we started with an order of the roasted cauliflower and vegetable potstickers. The cauliflower came cold and rock hard and we got the pork potstickers instead of the veggie - being vegetarians this is a huge problem. Although we tried to pleasantly tell the waitress our dissatisfaction she was on the defensive and seemed to be irritated that we brought up the issue with the food. The table next to us had all the wrong orders delivered to them as well. We do come here frequently - typically more in the winter months. It was interesting that we didn't recognize anyone which could explain why everything seemed to go wrong. Not sure I'll come back after what I've experienced tonight. Seems like they've forgotten how to give good service and the tapas have been subpar.
(2)Anchana R.
Great foods ever. A little bit pricy but it's worth it to try:) Love everything here.
(4)Megan G.
Never a miss here! The menus change seasonally and there is always something new and exciting. I appreciate that add a twist on menu staples. For example, the edamame had a Hawaiian salt that was spicy with a hint of mango rather than just sea salt. The cocktails are clever, the wine is awesome and I the love local beer selection. The staff is super friendly and knowledgable. Jimmy is a great bartender! The new guy Chris is pretty good too.
(5)Michelle O.
My friends and I came here just to grab some drinks. It wasn't very crowded and had a more relaxing atmosphere. If you're mainly a beer drinker, I wouldn't suggest you go here. They have a few selections but nothing too great. I ordered the dark and stormy (dark rum and ginger beer) and actually enjoyed it. They describe it as if "crown and ginger had a baby with rum and coke" which is what it tasted like. Not too sure how their other drinks are, but from what I hear they make them pretty strong. As for food, I don't think I've ever tried them. But from the menu, it looks like they're a tapas restaurant. We did get an order of s'mores. For $6, it's not bad. I really liked it. But I don't think you can ever go wrong with s'mores. Overall, this wouldn't be my first choice to go to, but I would come back.
(3)Mickey H.
Great place. Tapas until 1:30 am. Fun little bar. Very modern. Great, fresh ingredients. Lots of local beer on tap. Knowledgable, friendly staff. I had the shrimp and risotto and it may have been the best risotto I have ever had. The potstickers were OK but not amazing. Fair prices. Overall great dining and drinking experience.
(4)Audrey R.
Absolutely delicious small bites, BIG drink menu. Local fave. Creative, fresh, seasonal menu offering something for everyone. Comfy cozy atmosphere with great music, couches, and fireplace, perfect for catching up with friends, romantic or casual meetings.
(5)Lady L.
yes!! tapas is awesome.. just be prepared to shell out some cash because each little tasty morsel fuels the desires to have another tasty morsel.... oh.. and please please order some Smores for me...!! I am dying over here each time I see a couple devour them and I am on a diet, trying to be on a diet, or wanting to look like someone on a diet and those damn graham crackers start calling my name. back to the review... This place has such a great atmosphere. I love it there. Go. Enjoy. Smother in Smores. ;_
(4)Elena G.
Umm yes, yes, yes and yes again! Great place to eat!
(5)Brittany P.
Every time I come here, it is for tabletop s'mores and a glass of wine. That alone is worth 5 stars! The service is always excellent! Thank you Pacifica!
(5)Lauren B.
Everything from the charcuterie to the drinks to the salmon and pork butt, to the bartender (Mike), were great. Sit at the bar and enjoy the flavors and general atmosphere. You won't be disappointed. Tons of mixed drinks and 6 taps. Have fun!
(5)Blair T.
Outstanding specials, classy restaurant, fireplace with cosy atmosphere. Wonderful tapas food with a touch of coastal clasd and style. Great locals meet up for happy hour. There has been nothing, I didn't like on their menu.
(5)Ryan K.
Decided to check this place out after the bartender at "The CHOW" recommended it to me. Upon arriving I realized that they are just like Empire in Norfolk. EVERYTHING on the menu's are ALL the same except for subtle differences. Service was VERY slow at Empire and this place isn't much better I'm just going to make the assumption that all these sister bistro's are SLOW aka: SIX, Crackers and most definatly Empire. I still don't get the "First Aid" signs located on the vodka coolers must be a metro thing. I ended up having the Dogfish Head seasonal (Burton Baton 11%ABV) and the poached salmon. Which was alright. It came out as a 2x2" square of salmon and 3 sprigs of asparagus w/ what looked like clovers. It was just ok, for $10 not so much. Coulda've got a lot more for the same price at Applebee's. **Overall this place is again "just ok" being a craft-brew guy, a place that liquor out weights the beer, you can count me out.
(2)John D.
Excellent meal. Great variety and great service. We'll definitely come back next time we're in Virginia Beach!
(5)Neal E.
We stopped in here for a late dinner earlier this week as we'd heard great things about Pacifica... We were not told it was more like a bar/party hang out. Which is fine. But it was rather loud and we were lucky to squeeze into two spots at the end of the bar. I ordered the Smoked Wings and the Snapper and Crab hush puppies, plus a Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. The wings had a nice smoky flavor/aspect to them - but I would have liked the skin to be crisper than it was. The hush puppies were rather average - they needed some seasoning - but the texture was good - nice and crisp on the outside. They really skimped on the dipping sauce for the hush puppies. Service was good. We were inside for about 35 minutes - when we came out I had a parking ticket on the windshield of my rental car. I was parked on the curb on the street - along with other vehicles. Come on - really? It's off season in Virginia Beach on a weeknight and I get a parking ticket?
(3)Kyle S.
Been to this place twice and both times it did not disappoint. Get there early because it fills up fast. The food is amazing but if you're in a rush it's not the place to go. Great beer selection and drinks. A perfect date place if you are open to all kinds of food.
(4)Dixie D.
Great food, beer and service. Really enjoy the menu changes. Always a good time.
(5)Andrea K.
I came to dinner the other night with my friend who lives in Virginia Beach. She highly recommended the place but warned me, the service is terrible. We got there right at 5pm when they opened on a Tuesday night. We were the only table seated and got our tapas quickly however, our waitress never checked on us. We got our first round of food and had to order more from a chef from the back. We also weren't checked on to see if we needed more to drink while we were eating. I wanted to try the dessert because it sounded amazing, but we didn't stay because we were off put by the service. Maybe would try again only because their food is so good.
(3)Reynaldo R.
This place disappointed me the chicken lettuce wraps were really bland had no real flavor I was getting most of my flavor from lettuce . . . . . The pause was to allow you adequate time to take that all in the skirt steak was not seasoned thank god for the a1 sauce or I think it's a "horse radish" sauce even the temperature of the dish was relatively cold even though it is placed on the hot list of menu items I get the portion size is supposed to be small but quality over quantity I will not be here again
(2)Nick D.
Great place casual place, food is 5 star I have worked for some great chefs and this place is right up there.
(5)Jillery Ellen S.
Excellent small plates. Pricey but worth it. Scallops tasty, gnocchi very good, dessert wunderbar!!! Great service too!!!
(5)Sean F.
Pacifica is a tapas restaurant that is trying very hard but ends up disappointing. The food is only ok. For the prices and potion size (small even for tapas) - the food should be excellent. Leave kids at home not many options for them here. Service is warm and welcoming.
(2)Deirdre B.
I came here with my husband and 6-month old baby last Friday night around 7pm. Maybe not the best choice, as this place was LOUD. The reviews made me think this was a tapas restaurant with a nice bar selection, but it definitely seemed to be a bar first, restaurant second. It could have just been the crowd there that night, as it was the weekend, but if I had known that I wouldn't have come with my baby. Our waitress was great- very friendly and helpful, but we had to flag her down a few times because it was really busy that night, which was a little annoying. She did tell us that it usually wasn't that loud in there, but I couldn't help but feel like the bad parents that brought their baby to a bar lol. Anyway, the food was excellent. Here's a breakdown of what we ordered: pork potstickers (very good, crispy outside and yumminess inside), truffle parm potato chips (nice sublte truffle taste, lots of parmesan cheese), goat cheese with tapenade and grilled bread (very small amount of goat cheese, a little disappointed with that, otherwise good), and the highlight, grilled ribeye and green beans. I should have just made a meal out of the ribeye, it was delicious! Even the green beans were amazing. Both had a light cherry glaze that gave just the right amount of sweetness to highlight the flavor of the meat. They also had an extensive drink selection (I think it took up at least 2 large menu pages) with some interesting/funny names and creative combinations, which I unfortunately did not partake of that night (baby and all), but I would like to come back and try some of them. I would definitely come again if I was in the area and wanted some light bites and good drinks- just leave the kids at home if going on a weekend night!
(4)Duane D.
Ask anyone local or tourist in the Virginia Beach area where the heart of the action for restaurants and entertainment is at the Oceanfront and they may tell you between 16th and 31st Street. If you're looking for a great dining experience composed of seasonal tapas style treats you may wanna head further past 31st Street... No further... Just a little bit furth... yeah hang a right at 40th and pull into the little parking lot and head into Pacifica! This was my first time here at this restaurant but not the first time I have enjoyed tapas from the collection of restaurants it is under. Pacifica is part of a chain of tapas style restaurants including "Six" (in Hampton), "Empire" (in Norfolk), and "Crackers" (also in Norfolk) under the name "Little Bar Bistro." I have been to "Six" previously. I went with my girlfriend and two other great friends last night to try their offerings. I started with the Southern Mule which was a cocktail made of Southern Comfort, Lime juice, and Ginger Beer, while my GF had the Pink Paradise. I will say that both of these drinks are quite the contrast in that mine was enjoyable with a good balance of flavors and could be had throughout the meal. Her's was one of heavy alcohol flavor with tropical and coconut flavors that probably having 2 to 3 would put you in a good mood the rest of the night. The meal itself was great. Looking back on our selections they turned out to be a good variety of land and sea, taste and textures. We started with the Fried Calamari with Pickled Peppers and Smoked Remoulade. We've had Calamari from more than 2 handfuls of places in the Hampton Roads area and beyond and this one had great flavor and crunch and was sans the traditional "marinara" sauce. I then ordered the Sweet Potato and Pork Belly Pie with Crispy Edward's Ham and Rosemary Oil. For $9 it could have very well been an entree dish for it's size. I think they did a great job with the flavors as the sweet potato was smooth and pork belly could be found throughout the pie, the ham added a nice crunch and saltiness to the dish to balance out the sweetness in the dish. I then had the Sea Scallops with Butternut Squash Puree and Gala Apples. Such a well composed dish as you can see from my picture. My only critique of it was that I wish the puree were a little bit thicker and not so much watery like baby food puree but the flavors all worked very well. The scallops (3 of them) were all well seared and seasoned. The natural buttery flavor from them went well with the squash puree and the matchstick Gala apple garnish provided nice crunch and acidity to cut through the richness of the scallops. The last savory item I had was the Oyster "Chowder" with Bacon & Cornmeal Scone. I put "Chowder" in quotes because it's not the typical consistency of a chowder which is very thick. This dish eats more like a soup and a damn good one at that. With great flavor and a generous helping of whole oysters in the soup it was delicious and satisfying. The Bacon & Cornmeal scone was a nice alternative to the packaged oyster crackers you may be used to getting. The four of us ended the night with S'mores which was great in the sense that after a night of eating composed plates you can still indulge in an interactive, messy ordeal that never loses it's luster. One order makes enough for 6 S'mores and the presentation was well done (Just like at "Six"). Pacifica has a great cocktail and martini menu as well and some great beers to wind down with or get rowdy with in a small but inviting atmosphere. There is bench style seating toward the back of the restaurant as well as a center lounge area with modern style couches and tables. The lighting is a bit dim during night time but nothing to complain about. The only thing we did have a comment with is that they don't split checks (as noted on the menu in a rather humorous, smart ass manner). So if you're looking to split the bill be sure to break out your phone calculator :) Definitely looking forward to making a return trip to this place as well as the others in the area as it's a good place for all to enjoy, have a good meal, good laughs and is away from the hustle and bustle of the Oceanfront strip.
(4)Eric P.
Unique and delicious! The cocktails are original as well as the food. It is obvious that the staff take their craft seriously. Very enjoyable place for drinks and tapas style food.
(4)Angel V.
So this is where the hipsters in VA Beach go ;-) Service was great. Tapas were creative and tasty. The peach upside down cake made with grand marnier is delicious! It's not on the regular menu, but it should be!
(5)Latoya W.
Isn't interesting that you pay the same amount of money for side dishes (tapas) as an entree? Good thing it's sooooo good!! The service is okay, we sat at a small table and for some reason our waitress didn't take away the menus. At one point, I finally just sat the menus down on the floor since we didn't have much room. We got all the specials on the board which included chicken wings (amazing), surf and turf mac n cheese (could have done without, nothing special) and crab queso (pretty good) the beef with garlic sauteed spinach (the BEST yet)! Two full pages of specialty cocktails and martinis so come ready to drink, eat and spend tons of money!
(4)Steven A.
Last spring the better half and I ate at a small tapas joint in downtown Norfolk called Empire and had an amazing experience. One dish that really stood out was a braised lamb belly that both of us devoured like a pack of ravenous wolves. It was so unique and delicious that we discarded our civilized temperaments to get at the last morsel before the other could fork it. I raved about Empire on Yelp and posted a picture of said lamb dish. I still occasionally daydream about it. I did not know that the folks who own Empire also own Pacifica, another tapas place, down at the beach. Not only that, the chef who created that beautiful braised lamb belly works full time at Pacifica and had been guest chef at Empire on the night we were there. He sent me a note a few weeks back thanking me for the write up and inviting us to dine at Pacifica. He teased us with a list of ingredients that hit us right in our sweet spot. Rabbit...oysters..venison...duck. All those delicious yet elusive things that never end up in your refrigerator at home. We went last night and enjoyed one cascading delight after another. Charcuterie plate with house made duck prosciutto of all things. Perfectly fried oysters and pickled vegetables wrapped in Bibb lettuce. As sophisticated as finger food gets. The Chef, Kevin, surprises us and personally delivers our next dish (gratis I might add). An incredibly flavorful medium-rare filet mignon served over a cassoulet of white beans and braised greens with a touch of rosemary oil. Filet isn't something I ever order because I normally find it lacking flavor but Kevin had managed to elevate this one beyond imagination. Megajoules of flavor in every bite. And any bistro in Paris would be proud to have that cassoulet on their menu. What a great pairing. Genius. Braised rabbit and dumplings. Oyster stew with bacon scones. Pork belly stewed with lentils. Ravioli with venison ragu. This is why we love tapas style dining. The small plates allow you try dish after dish. We ended the night by attempting to split an order of dulce le leche gelato which showed up with a complimentary order of raspberry sorbet along side. We did our best but could not finish. Digestive overload had been achieved. Thank goodness I didn't eat lunch yesterday or I would have exploded. We ended the night by buying Kevin a beverage of his choice to thank him for his generosity (Chimay Ale...great choice!). When he came to thank us and wish us a good evening he teased us once again by letting us know they are getting ready to roll out their winter menu which will have a sweetbread dish on it. That might gross out most Hampton Roads gastronauts but that is a bucket list item for me. I can't wait to try it.
(5)Eric M.
My boyfriend and I came here for our second date (a few days ago), but I'm considering it our first "real date" and had the best experience! The food was GREAT, the atmosphere was SUPERB and the service was EVEN BETTER!! Lee and I refer to this date as, "the best experience" either of us have had in a restaurant! Our server was readily available at any given time... She was timely, friendly, warm and welcoming! This location is really close to the beach, which made for a good place to take a walk after dinner. I HIGHLY recommend Pacifica for dates, casual outings and a great place to get great food and service! I don't see it as a spot for kids but more of a "hipster" type of place!
(5)Chris D.
Pacifica is an oceanfront must-try. Since it's not an all-day joint, this tiny gem can fill up fast. Unfortunately, this sometimes reflects on the service, but a good beer selection, tasty tapas, and quaint atmosphere let you bend a little on the timing. As a former server, you have to remember that a tapas joint is sort of like your appetizer and dinner combined, so many people order twice as many plates, but expect them at the same time. As with any good eatery, I find the experience is always best on a night that's buzzing but not bombed, especially since the small bar area can fill up fast.
(4)Deborah S.
Small, cozy, and delicious food! Incredible adult beverage list! This is a place you'd find in the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago or North Park neighborhood of San Diego. Would absolutely go back and recommend. Two cons: VERY limited parking and the music was incredible loud.
(4)Troy S.
Pacifica is a hip locals only spot to come hang out, meet a few friends, and have a little bite to eat too. I always wish this place was bigger because the bar and the tables fill up quickly. I usually enjoy a night up here by starting out with a Moscow Mule at the bar. Sometimes I venture over for something a little more cozy on the couch by the fire. They have a seasonal tapas menu with nightly additions. The plates are small so you can order about 3-4 plates each so you don't have to commit to just one dish--this is the beauty of tapas and sharing amongst friends. My recent favorite are the dates stuffed with truffle goat cheese and wrapped in a surryano ham, baked up to appropriate cheese ooze/crispy ham temperature. I moaned so much when I put this in my mouth that I think the entire restaurant had to place an order for these afterwards just to see what all the noise was about. Most of the food is typically pretty good, but I will be honest, I have always thought that Pacifica's sister restaurants, Crackers and Empire (both in Norfolk), were much better--but Virginia Beach isn't exactly filled with the amazing food that Norfolk is. In a city packed with chain restaurants, Pacifica is a gem. Check out the S'mores for dessert--always makes you uber happy, doesn't it?
(4)Doug S.
I thought the tapas were all excellent. We didn't hit a bad one when we went - particularly the scallops and the lobster roll. The fried chicken special was the weakest. The drinks were tasty. We went back a second night. The food again was solid. But for some reason I can't explain, it wasn't as stellar. No clear reason. Same excellent beer on tap, nice ambiance - casual... and friendly, efficient service. I would definitely go back again when I am in VB.
(4)Jason E.
1. Overpriced but keeps the riff raff out 2. Great Atmosphere 3. Always Clean 4. Food is consistently good 5. I will go again
(3)Sofia B.
Served by Caitlin. Who obviously couldn't wait to be out of here. Hardly said anything to us and wasn't very attentive. Food was very expensive for what we got. When asked 'is this all the bread we get for the cheese' ($10 hot you 3 small pieces of cheese and a 2" baguette) she replied yes. Would you like more. We weren't prepared to pay extra so I just said 'If that's all it comes with.....' Fully expecting exceptional customer service and for her to bring more bread. She didn't. The cheese portions were small, granted, but there wasn't enough bread to go round! Sigh The garlic fried potatoes were great and my man loved the zucchini noodles. The lemon hummus didn't have enough tahini and you couldn't taste the honey. Again. Tiny portions. For $44 for 2 beers and 4 tapas we were very disappointed. Added the terrible service we won't ever be going back. It is a shame as we were recommend to go here and travelled over 12 miles out of our way to do so. We are headed to a local Mexican to actually feel like we have eaten something now......
(2)Dana S.
I'm so not a fan of this place and hate when it's referred to as a place locals go. A bunch of HS friends were in town for a long weekend so someone picked to go here.I tried to dissuade them, but it didn't happen. The male bartender was having difficulty remembering and making drinks. I had to have my drink remade 3 times and I only ordered a Stoli Raspberry and Sprite. He made it with the wrong vodka one time and the other time was with tonic water not sprite. The only people that were happy with their drinks were the ones that got beer. When we arrived we had to wait so I asked the server if we had to put our name in. She was really rude and short with me and then skipped over us several times after we put our name on an imaginary list that I never once saw. I know she was busy, but I was a server back in the day before I graduated college so I know that you can stop and take 2 seconds to answer a simple question. We finally just sat down at the little lounge area in the middle and order from couches. We got a different server and I wish I remembered her name because she was actually good, but definitely overworked bc she was remaking the drinks that the male bartender screwed up and was a server too. All I can say is that she is a brunette, female server. The rude one was dirty blonde. The food was ok, but not worth the price.
(1)Anthony S.
Best gnocchi! Unreal and comical drink list. Oh and the food is amazing. Has a nice hipster-ish gastropub feel. Would definitely come back.
(5)Reshma K.
We tried the tapas at Pacifica last night. We loved the skirt steak the most. The sausage and kale soup was good. However the lemonade I ordered had some kind of chlorine taste to it. Overall it is a good place if you want to have some bite size at mid night.
(3)Ash C.
Came to the place on the rainiest day imaginable in VA beach. Never been to VA beach b4 cuz always head out to ocean city but came here the day what felt like a tropical storm outside (Irene was visiting VA then) Outside; crazy stormy so it was a nice surprise to see this place being warm and welcoming. Really liked the ambience and took the seat nearest to the fireplace. Now i know tapa style is small portions but this was really lil portions for the amount we paid and unfortunately they were not serving their best dishes. Had the wings, Thai noodles and the bread/butter. Heard their butters change every time but wht we had was definitely vv salty and had a v mozerallish-taste to it All in all I would recommend this place for snacking, drinks are top-notch and will def try the desserts nxt time! S-mores!!
(3)Mina B.
I hadn't been in Virginia Beach in over 10 years. What I do recall from my past experiences is that it's a decent foodie town but not so much on the oceanfront, which really isn't surprising given that it's where all the tourists are. What surprised me on my latest return visit is the plethora of "tapas bars" - I decided to sample a few of these while on vacation. The first of these was Pacifica, thanks to you Yelpers. As we walked in at around 6 p.m. on a Monday night, it was pretty vacant, but that changed within a half an hour. We were greeted with a refreshing and friendly "Hi - please take a seat wherever you'd like" -- and chose a table by the window. Our server was a very amiable, CA-type guy, very laid-back and helpful. He smiled when I told him I'd need a few minutes to peruse their IMMENSE cocktail menu and separate wine list. They listed the 25+ martinis on one side, and "traditional cocktails" on the other. He also told us that Monday was 50% off any bottle of wine. Holy cow. I decided why choose? and went with a strategy of "have a couple of cocktails then order a bottle of wine." First I went for the "LBM"--basically a humongous glass of iced Finlandia vodka with a lemon twist. I detected no vermouth in it, which meant I'd be in trouble if I kept it up, so I cried uncle. My dining companion was undeterred and proceeded to work his way down the list of gin and vodka offerings. Since I did want to keep it classy, I thought we ought to order a few "tapas"--I liked the innumerable options between cold and hot small plates, offering something for everyone, carnivores or not. As was my custom, I looked to our server for his recommendations: seared scallops (oh-my-god-yummy), NC crab hush puppies (light, flavorful pop of cornmeal with HUGE pieces of crab), filet beef with potato salad, pork pot stickers, and a couple of the daily specials (grilled shrimp, catch of the day). I ordered a bottle of sauvignon blanc because, why not? It was a wise call indeed. I was both pleasantly surprised and impressed by the entire experience. Yes, it has a feel much like a party/bar hang out, but not skeezy or grimy; it reminded me a bit of a tiki bar. If you come early (before 9), you can have a nice, romantic date or lively dinner with friends. It's so tempting and easy to get plastered given the homage to high-quality, generous pours of alcoholic beverages at decent prices, but the I personally held back because I wanted to actually enjoy the excellent food. Pacifica was the best out of the four "tapas" places we tried and if I were a local, I'd no doubt be a regular.
(4)Johnise M.
Stick to the blackboard special, other tipsters are right. Food is great, service is quick and friendly; lighting is a little tough to read the menu by (and the dimmer switch is unfortunately placed where patrons can unexpectedly throw a portion of the dining room into near darkness), and it can be a bit noisy with no soft goods to absorb or buffer. Don't let that sway you. Surryano ham is not to be missed on the charcuterie plate, duck leg confit is worth fencing with your honey for the last bite, there are extensive cocktails to tempt (though we tried the two hard ciders-- both very nice). Go. Try. It's fun and yummy!
(4)Reviewer R.
We went for a light dinner while in town; we (two) split 5 plates between us. All were tasty. It felt quite cold sitting near the windows though! (Note: If you're older than 39, you will feel old here! ;) The music is loud, and large groups of friends visit each other's tables and talk over the music.)
(4)Adam S.
I'll be going here every time I roll through Virginia Beach. Locally sourced ingredients for their tapas. I've been there twice, and the second time the menu was almost completely different from the first, so I won't bother telling you what I had, except for dessert. The s'mores are fun, especially if you are there with friends. They give you the ingredients in an old school chinese pupu platter, complete with fire, so you can make them yourself. Pretty sweet. The food was great, and they have a great selection of beers.
(5)Jessie O.
holy shit best sausage & kale soup!!! $5 too ;) gem of a spot in VA beach -- don't let the strip mall setting turn you off. our group got pretty much 1 of everything on the menu & i was surprised by the wild boar & scallops as well. writing this review a month after eating there and still craving that soup.........perhaps our paths shall cross again.
(4)Heather M.
AMAZING!! Do yourself a favor and if you live within 5 hours of here - drive to get dinner ASAP. If you live further...book the first possible plane out! The best food and cocktails I've ever had! It's amazing and on point. Unique and delicious. Creative and decadent. A foodie's paradise, but a place where non-foodies will feel at home and find yummies to eat. Christina is such an awesome server. A total sweetheart who made the experience even better. She knows the menu inside and out and gives recommendations with ease - no hemming and hawing, or a "Um...everything is good" type response. She is also a creative mixologist and will whip you up a creative concoction if you can't find something on their extensive cocktail list of feel like being super adventurous. Can I give this place 10 stars? How about my first born son? Whatever they want, they can have it, if I can have more of that Autumn Soup, Root Vegetable & Sweet Potato Pie & Pumpkin Pie!!!! Bravo - I love you Pacifica, but so sad my time there has ended and I had to go home. I will dream of you and your food always! (Yes, I would go back - but I live about 3,000 miles away from it. Drat destiny and me living in Cali)!
(5)Gwen D.
Nice tapas style food served in a warm and cozy space. I would not recommend going here in a large group, as they do not take reservation and tend to fill up quickly.
(3)David D.
Great service by a knowledgeable waiter, nice bar selection and some very tasty food. Its great to go somewhere and be surprised by an ever-changing menu and clever kitchen staff. Duck tacos with picked veggies? Awesome. Fried Green Tomatoes with Surryano (yes, it is spelled that way) ham? Fantastic. I'm actually contemplating going back this week just to have this again if it is on the board. Gets crowded late on some evenings. Two Thumbs Up for: atmosphere, vibe, service, speed, selection, quality, price.
(4)Andrew M.
great food, great drinks, great prices, great service. need I say more. Buttermilk fried chip with coleslaw is unreal!
(5)Cq Z.
The succotash is the best I ever had but the scallop/chip is not so impressive. The service is OK since it was so busy at dinner time. There were quite a lot of choices of draft beer.
(4)Jill C.
Don't let the exterior fool you, this place is great. The interesting beer was a nice change up. The decor is interesting and warm.
(5)Heather S.
The sign for this establishment proudly states "eat, drink, repeat"; with this tag line and the size of their drink menu, I was hoping for consistently well-made and inventive cocktails... this was not to be the case. Between my selections and those of my table-mate, I was able to sample the following four cocktails: The Trophy Wife, The Gemma, The Sazerac, & The Side Car. The Gemma was quite good and The Trophy Wife gave me little to complain or rave about, but I'm easy to please with fruity flavors such as these. Attempts at the classic cocktails, on the other hand, left a LOT to be desired. Ingredients were out of balance, including so much Pernod in the Sazerac, it could barely be choked down. As I noted, this not what I'd expect at a place that seems to pride itself on cocktails. Perhaps it was an off night? Hard to tell, but if I were to return I'd stay away from cocktails and get beer or wine instead. Service was slow and not particularly friendly. The only saving grace (and the reason for three stars) was the food; while I found the ricotta ravioli & vegetable pot stickers average, both the NY Strip & the goat cheese/tapenade bread were to die for. I probably won't be back as I'm not from the area, but if local might frequent for the food and a non-cocktail beverage.
(3)Jax B.
The food is great and the service is not. This has been my experience several times.
(3)Kara G.
Decent food, great unique drink menu, hipster-y ambiance. Solid spot for date night or a night out with friends.
(3)Michael K.
Nice little neighborhood tapas bar. Warm & cozy inside, and great menu. Tapas options are greatly varied, and a lot of fun. Options on the menu include brussel sprouts, scallops, sweet potato & pork belly pie, chicken sausage and shrimp etouffee, Sriracha deviled eggs, and braised rabbit with dumplings. Other options include wine, meat, and cheese pairings. When we went, they were out of the scallops (and also the duck prosciutto, and the brussel sprouts, much to our dismay), but the chicken sausage & shrimp etouffee was spicy & savory. The ricotta ravioli with venison ragout was good...but not as exotic as it sounds. The rabbit was a little bland, and just tasted like a bit of a pot roast/stew. The downside of this place is that the service, while friendly, is sporadic. It's definitely a regulars/locals spot, and the bartenders/staff were fairly busy talking to their friends (or the other bartenders/servers must have been in that night), so a little bit difficult to get service or a drink. But when they were attentive, definitely friendly. Crowd was late 20s-early 40s, low-key and relaxed atmostphere of this small bar. For a late night spot close to the beach, definitely a great chill spot
(4)Carolyn C.
We live out of the country but have been to Pacifica 5 times in the last 8 weeks and it never disappoints. In fact, it just seems to get better each time. Excellent service with a "sit where ever you want" greeting when you walk in the door. Outstanding martini menu, mouth watering tapas style menu and daily blackboard specials...everything is delicious and there's something for everyone. A popular meeting spot and they do not take reservations but it is definitely worth the wait. Can't wait till we're back in VaBeach.
(5)Anna R.
Fresh, local place serving whatever is in season. Tapas-style is unique for this area. Food is delicious, and the drink selection is impressive.
(4)LTine M.
I love tapas because you can try multiple different foods. We may have gone overboard but it was worth it, here is what we ordered: Duck Sausage curry rice. Meh, it was just okay. Foie Gras on Gingerbread. Wow. Lamb Burger. Filling and delicious. Soy Chili Shrimp. Spicy and crunchy veggies. They also had an extensive drink menu that was impressive. The ambiance was really romantic, but maybe that's because we sat by the fireplace on the couch. Matthew, our server, was so helpful and friendly. Definitely a great place for a different dining experience.
(5)Kate T.
Possibly my favorite restaurant in Virginia Beach. I've been here twice and everything I got here were amazing. It is also a plus that they change their menu every three months.
(5)Jessica L.
There are a few tapas places around the area, and this is probably one of the best. It's such a cute place. It's a little dark inside, with small tables, and a few couches next to a fire place. There are a number of hot/cold tapas to please everyone, and their martini list is quite lengthy. I suggest coming here just to sample a drink or a plate, and then head out for a real meal somewhere else :) (Eat is right across the street too!)
(4)Molly T.
Get the s'mores! ok wait get a martini from their awesomely creative drink list, some hot and cold tapas...then get the s'mores. Creative and yet simple, cute and quaint. This place is Devine! A special is truly special, not just the price. This is a tapas restaurant - but the portions are larger than other tapas in the area....and much more delicious. Very courteous and knowledgable staff (which is rare in VB), chill relaxed atmosphere (2 cozy couches next to the fireplace) and I haven't had a bad experience here yet (and I don't plan on it) And the s'more come out on a pupu plater with the little blue fire pit going on in the middle of it... I suggest dipping the s'more's in the Nutty Martini ...so sinful :)
(5)Marie A.
Every time we have gone, there has been one server for the whole restaurant. We have bussed our own table and seated ourselves every time. Aside from that, the food and menu choices are awesome and the drink list is very extensive. Lots of cool beers, as well. I enjoy this restaurant despite the lack of customer service.
(4)Megan C.
I personally frequent to Pacifica for their sultry and cozy setting and relaxing chic vibe. This is the place where you want to gather up your girlfriends and go for after-dinner cocktails, wine and a late night sweet treat by the fire. I personally recommend trying the s'mores which they bring out to you with your own mini (doll-house sized) fire pit equipped with the standard- graham crackers, marshmallows, and hershey's chocolate bars. You cant't go wrong!
(5)Daisy M.
Came here while visiting family, looking for something OTHER than the gross chain restuarants that are all over the place. Decor is cold and impersonal, nothing to write home about, and it was located in a strip mall. Not exactly great ambiance, but the food made up for it! We had 7 or 8 different plates and a couple of drinks. The tapas, both hot & cold, were fantastic- all tasty, and served very quickly. We'll definitely return, and try some other options.
(5)Brandon W.
Over Memorial Day weekend, a group of five of us went to Virginia Beach for vacation. We wanted to know what the best restaurant in the area was and found this wonderful hidden treasure!!!! Although I missed the part about it only serving tapas, we all ordered 2 appetizers and had enough for everyone to get full! Our server was PHENOMENAL!!! I wish i hadn't waited so long to do the review because i forgot her name now. The food was fresh and very flavorful! I wish they had this restaurant in St. Louis!!
(5)Rebecca V.
I was thoroughly impressed with this place; my husband took a little convincing while looking over the menu, but was equally impressed with the food once it arrived. We ordered pork potstickers, a burger from the daily specials, chips and salsa, and squash casserole - all were tasty and well presented. After the food and several glasses of beer and wine, we were stuffed. Add to that great service from very friendly staff and a very comfortable ambiance and you've got a winner all around.
(4)Lindsay K.
Wow! Order the beef tenderloin, the best thing I have ever put in my mouth!!! Also good: Rock Shrimp and bread/honey butter. But order the Beef Tenderloin, DO IT!
(5)J.D. H.
Good food, good drink, weird location in a town filled with any number of nightmarish dinner options. I've been to Pacifica twice; once, on my first vacation to Virginia Beach, and that time all I really did was scope the place out. I had a silly drink because it was early in the evening and I had time to kill before my dinner plans elsewhere began, but I remembered it being a nice-looking place, so I told myself to come by next time. This year I waited, came in later in the evening when the place starts to fill up, and had a nice time. There was a nice buzz about the place, all of the staff seemed to be in a great mood and I saw a lot of happy customers who seemed to be local-ish. All good signs. I'll admit I was a bit wary of the 'Tapas' designation for the style of the place, as that trend lately has gotten out of hand, mostly in restaurants that seem to take pleasure out of charging 12 bucks for a plate of fried green beans and 'aioli' (mayonnaise with some stuff in it)...but this place does a nice job, I think, of blending the Tapas style of small plates with Southern-inspired flavors, like crab hush puppies with old bay butter and the now-ubiquitous in fancy restaurants 'Buttermilk fried chicken' (in this rare case, actually reasonably priced and delicious over a peach slaw). I tried 7 or 8 dishes with my date, and we both walked away happily stuffed and didn't have to drop too much cash, considering our wild ordering style at restaurants like this. Most were spot on, dishes I'd love to revisit, and again, reasonably priced. But dishes like the "Watermelon steak" tantalizingly titled, but weak at $8 for two slabs of unadulterated watermelon (in a place like this I might have expected a subtle haute-cuisine trick of sous-vide 'compression' in which the fibers of the watery fruit are pushed closer together under a vaccuum seal, resulting in a denser, more flavorful bite - something like this, or even the trendy gag of 'grilling' the fruit, might have made it worth the $8) with some goat cheese and a somewhat watery 'balsamic'....feels a little disappointing. Also popular in the fancy food world with a high bummer rate is the gussied-up Mac-n-Cheese, and the $8 bowl I had that night at Pacifica, with "steak and blue cheese" was hardly up to snuff. Unecessarily fancy noodles whose name I can never remember, with less cheese than if you put half the packet instead of the whole into your box of Kraft, and some small bits of beef makes me wonder if this dish is designed solely to generate revenue. It made me sad only because this place seems to do so well with most of its Hi/Lo aesthetic, I would have expected this dish to be a real zinger, with tons of cheese, a little more emphasis on presentation (at $8, is that so much to ask?) Oh, and desserts? I didn't have any, but that night I saw "S'mores pu-pu platter" and "Champagne Cupcakes" on the board. I'm sure that's good, but maybe a little too easy for me. I would like to see the same kind of thought and care that went into some of those winning dishes go into the desserts. All in all, I think this is a cool place, and I'll definitely come back every time I'm in Virginia Beach. I'm just saying, these guys and gals are doing a good job, but need to focus in a little more and find just the right niche, that perfect balance of high and low end cuisine, and then everything will just hum, it's so good. Here's hoping.
(4)Hazel l.
We were in Virginia Beach on vacation and decided to yelp for an interesting restaurant walking distance from the Sheraton. Pacifica fit that bill based on Yelp reviews. This place was awesome, fantastic atmosphere, perfect execution of flavours and textures. This is a fun tapas bar, where you can order individual plates or for a small fee pair with a salad and desert (a fact we discovered after the fact, wish our waitress had mentioned this). We had a daily special with goat cheese, fig and prosciutto, it was so good we ordered a second....partly due to the truffle oil. We tried the watermelon steak a large slice of watermelon with interesting flavours, interesting but not repeatable. The crab hush puppies were great the sage butter was the perfect addition. They have a great wine selection, we ordered a decent bottle of white for $20...you can't say that for many places. Most around us were trying the various Martinis which apparently they pair with the various dishes. Groups looked like they were having fun with this. This was a great vacation find...thank you fellow Yelpers.
(5)Jon W.
Went to Pacifica a couple nights ago from checking out all the Yelp listings while on a short getaway vacation. So glad we went there. Food was delicious. One of our highlights from the sampling was grilled peaches topped with grilled halloumi drizzled with balsamic reduction. Outstanding! Hummus was far too bland for my palette. There was a cheese and sundried tomato tart that was excellent as well. But what we really loved was the great service and the fabulous cocktail menu which was very reasonably priced. We will always come back whenever we visit VA Beach.
(4)Ellen D.
I love Pacifica for the atmosphere, the food, & the drink selection (beer, wine, martinis). Whenever I'm looking for a low-key spot for drinks with friends I always recommend Pacifica b/c it's one of the few bars at the oceanfront that has good food AND a good crowd, but isn't part of the club scene. You can drink/dine at a table, the bar, or on couches in front of the fireplace. They don't take reservations, so if you come for dinner around 8-9 PM on a Fri night there will be a wait, FYI. Also, their lot is teeny tiny & always full on the weekends, so parking is primarily metered spots on surrounding streets. Their menu changes seasonally, but the nightly specials are my favorites. (Last night their specials were shrimp mac & cheese; butternut squash soup; bread w/ goat cheese, peppers, & an olive tapenade; scallops w/ asparagus, etc.) My only gripe is that while quality food is always expensive (& expected), I have a hard time filling up on tapas items. Last night my husband & I ordered 7 tapas items to share & I left somewhat satisfied, but not full. We could have gotten more food for the $ down the street at EAT on Atlantic Ave, but I still prefer Pacifica for a light meal.
(4)Sally S.
Just tried this place for the first time-early on Wednesday so not crowded. Quite the best tapas we have ever had. The grilled peaches and haloumi with balsamic reduction were to die for, as were the mini tomato and ricotta tarts. The wine was super and for $6 a glass, I thought very reasonable. Loved this place and can't wait to go back!
(5)Jon S.
I have eaten at pacifica more than i want to post about. The mac and cheese specials are my favorite part. The beef mac and cheese is wonderful. The scallops are simply divine and you have to try smores at the end. The price was reasonable and with a large group you are looking at 30 a person. They do not take reservations but I have personally never waited. The owner and the chef are superb at making presentation and taste highest priority.
(5)Sarah P.
I've been to all the Little Bar Bistros on the Southside, and Pacifica falls behind Empire and Crackers, I'm afraid. The service is always just OK, never great. Their drink menu is just as impressive as its sister bars, but the tapas menu falls behind. It doesn't seem as... inventive, creative, adventurous as the others. There's also not a lot of vegan options, but that's a personal nitpick. I like Pacifica as a bar, but as far as the tapas go, it's OK. Not awesome, but OK. Worth a visit.
(3)Daniel B.
Very impressed with this place. The tapas are delicious, and there is a huge drink menu! Friendly atmosphere, and more importantly it's not over run by tourists. Parking is a problem though, and it is very crowded on the weekends.
(4)Emily M.
I went here for the first time with a group of friends to enjoy some light food and good drinks. The ambiance is dimly lit, nice fireplace and very inviting. It was a great location for socializing and I greatly enjoyed the tapas. Be sure to try their bread and house-made flavored butters. It was some delicious sort of plum butter when I went. I was pleasantly surprised by the potato and leak au gratin which we couldn't stop eating and should have ordered seconds! They have an extensive drink menu and the cutesy names will entertain you before your meal. Enjoy!
(4)C. F.
This place is great. Fantastic food, drinks, service. Always a nice crowd as well.
(4)Dave K.
Nice atmosphere and friendly crew. Service was fast. Food was fun but the quality was a bit below the 4 star rating. The sauces served were 4.5 star. Would definitely go back and would recommend eating there.
(4)Kurt B.
Picked this place mainly on yelp reviews and the valet guy at the Sheraton. Went on a Thursday around 9 and it wasn't crowded. Trendy but casual decor. Probably not the best place for family dining. Played great obscure music. Plates are tapas sized, if not slightly larger (depending on the dish). Started with the Cheese plate and the Garbanzo bean/feta plates. The Cheese plate was good, with 3 different types of cheeses, fig jam and some fruit. It was good, and we finished it, but it was probably one of our least favorite of the dishes. The Garbanzo dish very good. Fresh and "summery". Little neck clams with surry sausage and crawfish... wow. In a semi-spicy tomato broth. Fantastic. Fried Chicken on the recommendation of the waitress. Dead on, super super juicy with a great breading. Hanger steak - as well cooked piece of meat we've ever had. Tender and juicy, slightly charred served on top of goat cheese potato salad which was creamy, tangy and delicious. On a 5 day cross multi-state journey this was by far the best meal we had the entire trip. Staff super friendly, attentive, and helpful. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
(5)Meredith V.
I came here with my boyfriend on a friday night and met another couple. The ambiance inside is nice and dimly lit. I'm glad to have found a real tapas restaurant in Virginia Beach! We ordered cheese/fruit place (VERY nicely done), tomato/basil/motz salad, edamame, and the smoked salmon and pineapple canapes. It was all amazing and very well done. They also had a lavender and herb hummus that was off the chain. Their wine list was quite expansive and impressive. I had the Oregon pinot noir, which was excellent. Their martini list is also really overwhelming and creative. I made the best selections, Sex at my house (i know, SHOCKING. It had Amaretto in it though and was by far the best drink of the night) and my classic favorite, French martini. My bf and friends chose alright selections, in fact, my friend got the Purple Haze, which ending up being NOTHING like its name and was NOT good. Despite only taking one sip, our waiter gave us a hard time about comping it for another drink. I know that ordering drinks and returning them CAN be a subjective judgment call for restaurants, but the fact is that our bill was going to be well over $150 and it was our first time there. I was disappointed at the back and forth we had to go through to get my friend another drink. That's something that good management can make a call on and frankly we were very disappointed at how much of an ordeal they made it. They eventually comped it (after much finagling) but that could have been a deal breaker for us. For that I give it 4 stars. The food and drinks were great, the service could have been better, but for now, I'm just glad that a real tapas place EXISTS down here.
(4)Tatyana M.
We just loved this place! The AMBIANCE: one word - COZY. The SERVICE: friendly, attentive, professional & welcoming. The FOOD: is OUTSTANDING. Everything we tried was creative, delicious, something we never could imagine would go together but tasted amazing. We have cravings for those dishes to repeat and try all others they have to offer. Just wonderful food. The DRINKS: Martinis and cocktails are very strong. They don't skip on alcohol so be ready (meaning take few bites of their bread with butter before you consume a drink -it'll help) & very flavorful. They have good choices for beer lovers too. We didn't try their wines though. Overall recommendation: JUST GO THERE! YOU WON'T BE SORRY.
(5)Matthew S.
My wife and I enjoyed a great meal here last week. We are recommending Pacifica to all of our friends, especially the foodies. Everything we ordered was creative, fresh, and delicious. Our server made the meal especially enjoyable. Christin Benitez was warm, informative, and attentive. We intend to return -- often.
(5)Chel R.
Another of the Little Bar Bistros and this one doesn't disappoint. The menu is pretty similar to Crackers in Norfolk. Great martinis and tapas - I recommend the Purple Haze and the bread and butter (the butter is a different wacky flavor each day). This is cuisine at its most creative. Go with someone who likes to try new things and split 4-6 dishes between the two of you. If you aren't looking for dinner, it's still a great place to grab drinks. The martinis pack a punch, so watch out and order that bread and butter to lessen the impact. Overall, the food at any of these restaurants, (Crackers, Empire) is exquisite. Pacifica is a quieter location, and that's nice for good conversation. Pacifica is also one of the places at the Oceanfront I can still enjoy going to in the freezing cold of winter...it's cozy inside, not beachy.
(5)Brittany B.
I've been to Pacifica a handful of times and I always say "I'm sooo going to Yelp this place when I get home." but I leave there in such a blissful daze it always slips my mind! I absolutely ADORE this place. It's a sister restaurant to Empire in Norfolk and Six in Hampton (which I've yet to visit, it's on my "to-do" list) Somewhat dimly lit, but still cozy and warm. No hostesses so you can sit where you like. The seating arrangements are set up so you can easily make new friends. Chairs along the bar, high top bar like table behind that, a sectional couch nestled around the fireplace, etc. They even have a breakfast nook type area where you can sit and watch all the magic going on in the kitchen. Regardless of where you sit, and regardless of what you order, everything from this jewel of an establishment is going to be phenomenal. The menu is different every time I go, although I'm not sure how often they change it. My last visit here was with my friend from out of town. We shared the beef tenderloin (upon my friends insistence), asparagus salad, and the s'mores. Everything was delicious beyond words but my first bite of the tenderloin made me both elated and irate. Elated because the beef, the marrow butter, the mushrooms, it all just melted in my mouth. Irate because why can't all red meat taste this flawless? I'm convinced it's impossible to have anything sub par here. The drinks are extensive, the food is sublime, and presented in a way you want to branch out and try something new. They even got my boyfriend to try seafood. Something I thought I'd never live to see. It was here he discovered his new favorite beer (Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar). It was also here that we tried (and fell in love with) pork belly. I remember it was served with brussel sprout hash. Are you drooling yet? I am. As I said before, I enjoy almost everything about this place. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is because I always want to sample pretty much everything on the menu. Which in turn, forces me to order 3 plates too many, and then I'm immediately filled with regret when the bill comes. Not that anything is outrageously priced. But for date night, sharing 2 plates and then getting the s'mores for dessert (A MUST - NO EXCEPTIONS!) is more than adequate. Withholding the 5th store is more because of my own lack of control but don't hold it against me :) Just a note, the earlier you get there, the better. The parking lot is small and fills up fast.
(4)Anne B.
What a gem! My husband and I loved everything about this place: cozy, nice ambiance, great drinks, friendly and low-key service, and yummy food. Everything we tried was fantastic. The music was a tiny bit too loud by the time we left, but we were so buzzed from our cocktails and full of our delicious meal that we didn't mind too much.
(5)JP B.
This is one amazing place! some of the best food I've ever had. Menu always changing with something great. Small selection of beer but great beers.
(5)Jody E.
POOR customer service/policies. I was given a Restaurant.com certificate in my Christmas stocking in December 2010 and was carrying it around for over a year. When I finally went there with 5 of my friends on 2/18/12, we were told that the certificate would not be honored on a Friday or Saturday night. They readily admitted that the new certificates stated that they were not valid on a Saturday but that even though our certificate did not state that, they would not honor the certificate. We spoke to the manager who claimed not to be able to do anything about it as he was following the directions of the owners. Now, we all know that had the waitress dumped a glass of water or anything else on one of us, the manager would have been authorized to make things right. So basically, he was telling us to screw off and he really didn't care about his customers. I will admit that the food was very good. However, the service was lacking. We had to ask for refills on our water (supplementing the bottles of wine we had ordered). Once our wine was out, we were not asked if we would like some more. It was crowded, loud and very pretentious. I would rather go to Fresh Tapas where the customer is treated as a valued commodity. In this economy, you would think that a high priced restaurant would make an effort to keep a customer. The only thing the manager suggested was contacting the owner who MIGHT then offer us a gift certicate...wonder if it would be valid on a Saturday night???? One thing I can gaurantee - I will never find that out!!!! I will never go there again. Update for Bethany (obviously an owner, employee or friend of such)) please try reading my review again. It was not a Coupon, it was a gift certificate. It was NOT expired, it was still valid. It did NOT state it wasn't valid on weekends. Businesses that do not honor coupons on weekends clearly state that on their coupons or gift certificates. As to the food - I stated that it was "very good". I should have gone on to say it was overpriced but I didn't because it was so good. My complaint was with the service or lack there of. I noticed you didn't address the service....could it be that you couldn't in good conscience be complimentary of it?????
(2)Freddy F.
It was our first time eating at Pacifica and we just loved the food. Small plates but that is what Tapas is all about. We had the Lobster/asparagus ravioli (very good) Two Way King Salmon - excellent!! The Thai Duck, Cheese Plate, and Lamb on top of Mediterranean Lentils. All the food was very good and nice ambiance, but can get quite loud real fast when you have a large table of people enjoying the cocktails. Be prepared to dig deep into your pockets cause for the two of us with 2 beers, 1 martini and a glass wine plus food above was just over a $100 bucks. Tip took us to $125. A great place for a nice dinner nonetheless.
(5)Tiffany F.
Amazing! Such a gem in Virginia Beach which I find generally unimpressive when it comes to food and drink. The food was creative and delicious - also fairly large in comparison to traditional tapas. The staff was extremely friendly - we ended up just chatting with several of them. Definitely recommend!
(4)Jeremiah N.
This place is a standout in Virginia Beach. The style and variety of flavors are a cut above the rest.
(5)Jim U.
Good service, food was a C when I dined at Pacifica last Sunday night. I am not wild about Tapas, my wife is and she was unhappy as well. I will say that several of my dishes were very good but we were batting about 70% for the evening thus my C. Our server seemed preoccupied, she was nice but not attentive.
(2)Pam P.
Everything Perfect !!! Where I can I find fancy cocktails and good food which is serve until 1:30 plus--- awesome bartender!
(5)A F.
Neat little place! We were looking for somewhere to just grab a drink. The drink list is amazing! After taking a look at the menu, we ended up also ordering food. The food was great! The bartender was attentive and friendly. We enjoyed our time there and definitely recommend trying it out.
(5)Andrew Y.
Atmosphere and alcohol are awesome. The food is good. But nothin to write home about. It is tapas so understandably portions are small. But these portions are really small and really pricey. 12 bucks for a pizza smaller than a bread plate. The pizza had so much bbq sauce on it thats all i could taste. I probably wouldnt eat here again but will definately stop in for a drink.
(3)Laura E.
This place looks kinda sketchy and dumpy from the outside but when you walk in it's VERY CUTE! I love the warm environment and you wouldn't expect that from the outside. My boyfriend and I went here for drinks after dinner and the bartender Patrick was awesome. The drink menu had a bunch of beers that my boyfriend had been wanting to try and the cocktails were great. We would have loved to eat here but we were so full from dinner. Next time we will eat here but go here for drinks for sure !! Great service and yummy drinks :)
(5)Jody E.
POOR customer service/policies. I was given a Restaurant.com certificate in my Christmas stocking in December 2010 and was carrying it around for over a year. When I finally went there with 5 of my friends on 2/18/12, we were told that the certificate would not be honored on a Friday or Saturday night. They readily admitted that the new certificates stated that they were not valid on a Saturday but that even though our certificate did not state that, they would not honor the certificate. We spoke to the manager who claimed not to be able to do anything about it as he was following the directions of the owners. Now, we all know that had the waitress dumped a glass of water or anything else on one of us, the manager would have been authorized to make things right. So basically, he was telling us to screw off and he really didn't care about his customers. I will admit that the food was very good. However, the service was lacking. We had to ask for refills on our water (supplementing the bottles of wine we had ordered). Once our wine was out, we were not asked if we would like some more. It was crowded, loud and very pretentious. I would rather go to Fresh Tapas where the customer is treated as a valued commodity. In this economy, you would think that a high priced restaurant would make an effort to keep a customer. The only thing the manager suggested was contacting the owner who MIGHT then offer us a gift certicate...wonder if it would be valid on a Saturday night???? One thing I can gaurantee - I will never find that out!!!! I will never go there again. Update for Bethany (obviously an owner, employee or friend of such)) please try reading my review again. It was not a Coupon, it was a gift certificate. It was NOT expired, it was still valid. It did NOT state it wasn't valid on weekends. Businesses that do not honor coupons on weekends clearly state that on their coupons or gift certificates. As to the food - I stated that it was "very good". I should have gone on to say it was overpriced but I didn't because it was so good. My complaint was with the service or lack there of. I noticed you didn't address the service....could it be that you couldn't in good conscience be complimentary of it?????
(2)Tiffany F.
Amazing! Such a gem in Virginia Beach which I find generally unimpressive when it comes to food and drink. The food was creative and delicious - also fairly large in comparison to traditional tapas. The staff was extremely friendly - we ended up just chatting with several of them. Definitely recommend!
(4)Jeremiah N.
This place is a standout in Virginia Beach. The style and variety of flavors are a cut above the rest.
(5)Tatyana M.
We just loved this place! The AMBIANCE: one word - COZY. The SERVICE: friendly, attentive, professional & welcoming. The FOOD: is OUTSTANDING. Everything we tried was creative, delicious, something we never could imagine would go together but tasted amazing. We have cravings for those dishes to repeat and try all others they have to offer. Just wonderful food. The DRINKS: Martinis and cocktails are very strong. They don't skip on alcohol so be ready (meaning take few bites of their bread with butter before you consume a drink -it'll help) & very flavorful. They have good choices for beer lovers too. We didn't try their wines though. Overall recommendation: JUST GO THERE! YOU WON'T BE SORRY.
(5)Matthew S.
My wife and I enjoyed a great meal here last week. We are recommending Pacifica to all of our friends, especially the foodies. Everything we ordered was creative, fresh, and delicious. Our server made the meal especially enjoyable. Christin Benitez was warm, informative, and attentive. We intend to return -- often.
(5)Chel R.
Another of the Little Bar Bistros and this one doesn't disappoint. The menu is pretty similar to Crackers in Norfolk. Great martinis and tapas - I recommend the Purple Haze and the bread and butter (the butter is a different wacky flavor each day). This is cuisine at its most creative. Go with someone who likes to try new things and split 4-6 dishes between the two of you. If you aren't looking for dinner, it's still a great place to grab drinks. The martinis pack a punch, so watch out and order that bread and butter to lessen the impact. Overall, the food at any of these restaurants, (Crackers, Empire) is exquisite. Pacifica is a quieter location, and that's nice for good conversation. Pacifica is also one of the places at the Oceanfront I can still enjoy going to in the freezing cold of winter...it's cozy inside, not beachy.
(5)Jim U.
Good service, food was a C when I dined at Pacifica last Sunday night. I am not wild about Tapas, my wife is and she was unhappy as well. I will say that several of my dishes were very good but we were batting about 70% for the evening thus my C. Our server seemed preoccupied, she was nice but not attentive.
(2)Pam P.
Everything Perfect !!! Where I can I find fancy cocktails and good food which is serve until 1:30 plus--- awesome bartender!
(5)A F.
Neat little place! We were looking for somewhere to just grab a drink. The drink list is amazing! After taking a look at the menu, we ended up also ordering food. The food was great! The bartender was attentive and friendly. We enjoyed our time there and definitely recommend trying it out.
(5)Andrew Y.
Atmosphere and alcohol are awesome. The food is good. But nothin to write home about. It is tapas so understandably portions are small. But these portions are really small and really pricey. 12 bucks for a pizza smaller than a bread plate. The pizza had so much bbq sauce on it thats all i could taste. I probably wouldnt eat here again but will definately stop in for a drink.
(3)Laura E.
This place looks kinda sketchy and dumpy from the outside but when you walk in it's VERY CUTE! I love the warm environment and you wouldn't expect that from the outside. My boyfriend and I went here for drinks after dinner and the bartender Patrick was awesome. The drink menu had a bunch of beers that my boyfriend had been wanting to try and the cocktails were great. We would have loved to eat here but we were so full from dinner. Next time we will eat here but go here for drinks for sure !! Great service and yummy drinks :)
(5)A K.
We went to VA beach for the first time and ended up hitting up Pacifica twice during our visit! It was that good. For atmosphere-- very chill, cool place to grab some tapas before hitting the boardwalk or stay longer and make it a date night. Lots of local/seasonal tapas style plates and lots of beer/wine/cocktail options. You can sit at a table, the bar or by the fireplace and chill-- which is what we did the second time we went late night. Bonus- they are open late! The food-- beets on beets on beets. The beet sliders were a surprising favorite and the beet fries too. Love both of these plates. Tomato, basil, mozzarella was fresh and tasty too. Good food, good wine, chill spot. We'll definitely go back when we are back in the area.
(5)John B.
Cool little spot for seasonal and interesting tapas, with lots of good beer and a large cocktail menu. We had a great dinner with lots of interesting small plates -- I haven't heard of Beet Sliders or Beet Fries before, but both were delicious. The Lamb Lolly's were yummy and everything seemed fresh. We also tried one of the specials on the Chalkboard, the Octopus Stir Fry, which was just OK. Stir Fry isn't the best small plate kinda food. Still, it was adventurous by the chef, so I'm not going to knock their score. Please remember that its a small plate and shared food kind of place. The table behind me each ordered one thing, specifically for themselves, and I could hear them commenting about how each dish would come out separately (when they were ready). The dad ate his Lamb alone, the wife at the salad, and the whole time they were confused and dumbfounded. I felt a little embarrassed for them. Apparently they are open past midnight with the kitchen still going, which is a big plus. Dope spot.
(5)Audrey P.
Overall cool spot to hang with friends or on a date, where I had my first tapas experience. I've been here quite a few times and I have nothing bad to say about it. This is one of the only good places that open late and serve GOOD food, the serve a variety of libations (which changes seasonly) so coming here is a treat. Their menu is split up into a "cold" and "hot" section. Prices ranges from $3-$16, so it can get pretty pricey if you're planning on eating a lot. Not the best place for dinner on a budget but trying out the different foods are fun. There's an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs yourself. Try the smores!!!
(4)Hilary O.
Love love love this place - a local secret treasure. Private ambiance, casual and a delicious list of specials that changes daily. Tapas style servings makes great for groups looking to taste a sampling of local flavors. The staff - great team - great service. Go - you won't regret it!
(5)Landon F.
It used to be great...... Unfortunately due to the bartender's complete and severe lack of customer service I nor my husband or our friends shall ever set foot inside Pacifica ever again. The bar isn't busy: 20 minutes to order a drink, after asking for the tab another 10 to get a bill and then while trying to pay with CASH another 15 minutes passes. Guess my green isn't as good as the others! Oh, and a Martini does NOT have ice chunks in it. Just for the record.
(1)Kerr K.
We have been visiting VA Beach for many years and stumbled over Pacifica last 3 years. Always had great experience. Great food. We stop by every time we are in the area and have referred friends to go there. Normally the food is great and service friendly. We usually find two guys working the bar area and floor. Recently we visited Pacifica one evening and our normal guys were off and we encountered the worst, rude, inexcusable service at a public Bar/restaurant from a blonde woman working behind the bar. She was hostile from the time we entered the establishement, as if our presence of was unwelcoming. We felt very very unwelcomed. It took her a very long time to even acknowledge us standing at the bar trying to get her attention to order food and drinks. Every time we tried to get her attention to order drinks or food, she would turn to us with a mean, hostile, unsmiling, lips tightened face and speak to us in a very rude, unfriendly voice and often time yelling. We were wondering what is wrong with this woman and why she was behaving like that. We had said or done nothing wrong to her. We were treated as if she did not want anyone bothering her other than the people she knew and was friendly with. It was around 12am and they were still open, we ordered food and drinks. At 1:30am we tried to order a round of drinks for our party only to be told rudely that she had already called last call, but she would give us our last drinks, but she would take them away if we did not finish them by 2:00am. At 1:45pm she calls out to everyone "Last Call, Last Call, although she had already told us she had already called last call and proceeded to offer her friends more drinks. At 1:55am two more of her friends walk in and she serves them alcoholic drinks (way past the last call), smiling and friendly to them. Her friends were still at the bar, who she continued to serve and drink. At 2:00am she turned on the lights and rudely yelled "everyone get out" Im closed!!! and the addressed us rudely, yelling , you have two minutes to "chug your drinks" or i will take them away..... We tried to tell her we were leaving and she continued to be rude. At 2:02am we exited the bar and just left the drinks there in total disbelief of how rude this woman was to customers and why any establishment allows someone like her work behind the bar serving people. We are probably never going back. We found another great place across the street, EATS where the customer service was just amazing, extremely welcoming and food is excellent. We visited EATS establishment 3 times in one week...where we would have normally gone to Pacifica... Shame!!.. Great place but the woman is very rude......she may ruin your night and your experience with this establishment...great place but if she is working the bar go somewhere else!!
(3)Jerry S.
The most amazing food and service in Virginia Beach. Chris the owner is very personable and loves what he does here and the food shows. The atmosphere is great the wait staff are on point and I can't wait to come back here again. Have been here several times and never have I been disappointed ever. Recommend highly.
(5)Lisa A.
Love. I had only been to one tapas bar in my life and it was all Spanish food. So when I saw tapas bar I was expecting all Spanish/spicy dishes (like the last one I went to) but I was pleasantly surprised. This is not your typically Spanish tapas bar. The cocktail menu is reason enough to stop here. Wow, just wow. The martini list is expansive and you can easily find something you will enjoy. I thoroughly enjoyed the Vanilla'tini. The food was perfectly timed, perfect portions to split many different plates between 2 people. You can't go wrong with any dish. We tried a bit of everything. Beets, hummus, crab dip, salmon, beef. THIS is the kind of food you want to have on vacation. Things you can't find at home (though I wish they would open a place in Boston, PLEASE!!). Delicious, fresh, and perfect food. Server was on point and fantastic. Couldn't be happier with our experience here. It was so great the first night, when we had to leave another restaurant for being horrible we went right back here for our last night of vacation!
(5)Christina S.
In the dark, the outside of Pacifica looks uninviting. It looks like you're going to walk into an old abandoned liquor store. Inside though, you'll see a gorgeous bar, generous seating, couches by the fireplace, and a side bar by the kitchen. It's seat your self, and it's a pretty place for a date or to hang out with friends. You just wouldn't know it from the outside. The rowdiest group of girls was celebrating a birthday, shouting and being obnoxious, but they didn't manage to destroy the atmosphere entirely. Someone did go over and ask them to keep it down, which was great because they were exceptionally loud. Noise builds in this space, but they play these soft singer-songwriter tunes in a slightly darker light, perhaps in hopes Pacifica will feel more romantic and less like a bachelorette party stop. 4 dishes was enough for my boyfriend and I. We were pleasantly full. We could have gone with just 3, but we loved everything and really enjoyed our meal. Everything was reasonably adventurous and there weren't any plates that were obscenely small. Here's what we had: Truffle mac and cheese. I feel like when truffle mac is good, it's perfect and kind of hard to find anything bad to say. Smoked chicken and date salad. The chicken was very smoky and delicious, not at all dry. There was a strip of warm, limp lettuce on the plate that just tasted like pure smoke; it was the only thing that was bad about this dish. Sweet and sour lamb meatballs. The lamp was moist and gamey. We would have liked if the outside was a little crispy instead of all soft, but the Asian style slaw was delicious with the meatballs. My boyfriend bit into a jalapeño, which wasn't great, but next time we'll just remove them. We had a special of the night: crispy skin duck breast with pork belly, potato turnip, and sweet potato hash. The skin was very burnt tasting and kind of ruined the taste of the dish, but when you cut the skin off, it was actually really delicious. I loved the little garnish of cubed sweet potato, potato turnip, and pork belly. Pacifica was really a nice place to try. We really enjoyed ourselves and will be sure to come back next time we're in Virginia Beach!
(4)Drummond F.
Little plates/big prices Bartender is slow/like tectonic plate shift slow/like OMG Go on Thursday when Jimmy is behind the bar or skip it entirely and go see Chad at Eat. Used to be a cool place- not so much now
(1)Robert W.
Wow... what a find. Check this place out before it blows up in popularity and you can't get a seat! Went early (6pm) with our 2 kids. No host so it's kind of first come first served on seats. Not sure how that plays out when they get slammed. Amazing selection of unique cold and hot tapas. Staff was all very friendly and welcoming. Generous portions for small plates. Expertly prepared. Creative but not too out there. Reasonably priced selection of wine. Scallops, smoked ribeye, and the potstickers were our favs.
(5)Joseph S.
I went early and it was pretty empty. What a well kept secret! Fantastic drinks complement tapas like you haven't had before. I tried the home made bacon. OMG, you won't regret it.
(5)Mary B.
Good plates, small but yummy. We ended up ordering 7 total for our group of 3. The service wasn't spectacular - I had to try and ask my server 3 or 4 times for a beer because he kept bringing something and leaving before I could ask. They say come in and sit wherever you want but I think this may cause some servers to be double or triple sat and too busy to really help their customers. Just a guess.
(4)Dan T.
Very nice interior design. Good place to bring a date. Hopefully, everyone knows that tapas are small plates and a particular kind of cuisine. Pacifica has a blend of traditional American food blended with Asian and Mediterranean dishes. The absolute best thing on this menu had to be the pork pot stickers. They were the right blend of savory and sweet. I would go for a swim in the sauce if I could. The one place for improvement I would ask here would be to pace the arrival of the plates a little farther. I ordered 3 plates. I wouldn't be finished with one plate before the next arrived. I'd like a little time between plates to enjoy each a bit longer. Especially on a slow night when they don't have a line at the door. Bottom line - go here, get the pot stickers and you'll be happy that I told you!
(4)Stacey W.
Pros: Great atmosphere especially in the colder months with the seating around the fireplace. Great selection of drinks. Cons: I used to love this place but they've recently have changed. We tried their new fall menu a couple of weeks ago and wasn't that impressed with the food, but we thought it was just an off night. Previously, there tapas were amazing! Tonight, we started with an order of the roasted cauliflower and vegetable potstickers. The cauliflower came cold and rock hard and we got the pork potstickers instead of the veggie - being vegetarians this is a huge problem. Although we tried to pleasantly tell the waitress our dissatisfaction she was on the defensive and seemed to be irritated that we brought up the issue with the food. The table next to us had all the wrong orders delivered to them as well. We do come here frequently - typically more in the winter months. It was interesting that we didn't recognize anyone which could explain why everything seemed to go wrong. Not sure I'll come back after what I've experienced tonight. Seems like they've forgotten how to give good service and the tapas have been subpar.
(2)Anchana R.
Great foods ever. A little bit pricy but it's worth it to try:) Love everything here.
(4)Megan G.
Never a miss here! The menus change seasonally and there is always something new and exciting. I appreciate that add a twist on menu staples. For example, the edamame had a Hawaiian salt that was spicy with a hint of mango rather than just sea salt. The cocktails are clever, the wine is awesome and I the love local beer selection. The staff is super friendly and knowledgable. Jimmy is a great bartender! The new guy Chris is pretty good too.
(5)Michelle O.
My friends and I came here just to grab some drinks. It wasn't very crowded and had a more relaxing atmosphere. If you're mainly a beer drinker, I wouldn't suggest you go here. They have a few selections but nothing too great. I ordered the dark and stormy (dark rum and ginger beer) and actually enjoyed it. They describe it as if "crown and ginger had a baby with rum and coke" which is what it tasted like. Not too sure how their other drinks are, but from what I hear they make them pretty strong. As for food, I don't think I've ever tried them. But from the menu, it looks like they're a tapas restaurant. We did get an order of s'mores. For $6, it's not bad. I really liked it. But I don't think you can ever go wrong with s'mores. Overall, this wouldn't be my first choice to go to, but I would come back.
(3)Buddy B.
I always have a great experience here. The drink list is amusing and delicious and the staff is always knowledgable and fun. The way they rotate the seasonal menu items keeps it new and fresh. It's worth a visit for a happy hour or light dinner with their tapas menu.
(5)Heather D.
Monday's are half off wine night! The tapas are seasonal and amazing! They run about $6-10 each. It's very small so not good for a big group but perfect for date night.
(5)Sarah S.
**this review is on drinks only** I tried the "Trophy Wife" to me it tasted a little cough syrupy. So if you like really sweet drinks try it. The "Jimmys hot and dirty Martini" is amazing! Tried it for the first time last week already went back this week for one! It's Absolut Peppar, some spicy brine of some sort and garnished with an olive and pepperoncini. OMG HEAVENLY! I will be back to try the tapas style dinner menu soon.
(5)Cristina P.
Went here for some late night drinks. The ambiance is pretty chill. Can't review on the food or drinks because I only had beer and shots! I hear they have a patio and fire pit, is only stood inside. It was alright for a place to chill and drink.
(4)Mickey H.
Great place. Tapas until 1:30 am. Fun little bar. Very modern. Great, fresh ingredients. Lots of local beer on tap. Knowledgable, friendly staff. I had the shrimp and risotto and it may have been the best risotto I have ever had. The potstickers were OK but not amazing. Fair prices. Overall great dining and drinking experience.
(4)Audrey R.
Absolutely delicious small bites, BIG drink menu. Local fave. Creative, fresh, seasonal menu offering something for everyone. Comfy cozy atmosphere with great music, couches, and fireplace, perfect for catching up with friends, romantic or casual meetings.
(5)Lady L.
yes!! tapas is awesome.. just be prepared to shell out some cash because each little tasty morsel fuels the desires to have another tasty morsel.... oh.. and please please order some Smores for me...!! I am dying over here each time I see a couple devour them and I am on a diet, trying to be on a diet, or wanting to look like someone on a diet and those damn graham crackers start calling my name. back to the review... This place has such a great atmosphere. I love it there. Go. Enjoy. Smother in Smores. ;_
(4)Elena G.
Umm yes, yes, yes and yes again! Great place to eat!
(5)Brittany P.
Every time I come here, it is for tabletop s'mores and a glass of wine. That alone is worth 5 stars! The service is always excellent! Thank you Pacifica!
(5)Lauren B.
Everything from the charcuterie to the drinks to the salmon and pork butt, to the bartender (Mike), were great. Sit at the bar and enjoy the flavors and general atmosphere. You won't be disappointed. Tons of mixed drinks and 6 taps. Have fun!
(5)Blair T.
Outstanding specials, classy restaurant, fireplace with cosy atmosphere. Wonderful tapas food with a touch of coastal clasd and style. Great locals meet up for happy hour. There has been nothing, I didn't like on their menu.
(5)Ryan K.
Decided to check this place out after the bartender at "The CHOW" recommended it to me. Upon arriving I realized that they are just like Empire in Norfolk. EVERYTHING on the menu's are ALL the same except for subtle differences. Service was VERY slow at Empire and this place isn't much better I'm just going to make the assumption that all these sister bistro's are SLOW aka: SIX, Crackers and most definatly Empire. I still don't get the "First Aid" signs located on the vodka coolers must be a metro thing. I ended up having the Dogfish Head seasonal (Burton Baton 11%ABV) and the poached salmon. Which was alright. It came out as a 2x2" square of salmon and 3 sprigs of asparagus w/ what looked like clovers. It was just ok, for $10 not so much. Coulda've got a lot more for the same price at Applebee's. **Overall this place is again "just ok" being a craft-brew guy, a place that liquor out weights the beer, you can count me out.
(2)John D.
Excellent meal. Great variety and great service. We'll definitely come back next time we're in Virginia Beach!
(5)Neal E.
We stopped in here for a late dinner earlier this week as we'd heard great things about Pacifica... We were not told it was more like a bar/party hang out. Which is fine. But it was rather loud and we were lucky to squeeze into two spots at the end of the bar. I ordered the Smoked Wings and the Snapper and Crab hush puppies, plus a Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. The wings had a nice smoky flavor/aspect to them - but I would have liked the skin to be crisper than it was. The hush puppies were rather average - they needed some seasoning - but the texture was good - nice and crisp on the outside. They really skimped on the dipping sauce for the hush puppies. Service was good. We were inside for about 35 minutes - when we came out I had a parking ticket on the windshield of my rental car. I was parked on the curb on the street - along with other vehicles. Come on - really? It's off season in Virginia Beach on a weeknight and I get a parking ticket?
(3)Kyle S.
Been to this place twice and both times it did not disappoint. Get there early because it fills up fast. The food is amazing but if you're in a rush it's not the place to go. Great beer selection and drinks. A perfect date place if you are open to all kinds of food.
(4)Dixie D.
Great food, beer and service. Really enjoy the menu changes. Always a good time.
(5)Andrea K.
I came to dinner the other night with my friend who lives in Virginia Beach. She highly recommended the place but warned me, the service is terrible. We got there right at 5pm when they opened on a Tuesday night. We were the only table seated and got our tapas quickly however, our waitress never checked on us. We got our first round of food and had to order more from a chef from the back. We also weren't checked on to see if we needed more to drink while we were eating. I wanted to try the dessert because it sounded amazing, but we didn't stay because we were off put by the service. Maybe would try again only because their food is so good.
(3)Duane D.
Ask anyone local or tourist in the Virginia Beach area where the heart of the action for restaurants and entertainment is at the Oceanfront and they may tell you between 16th and 31st Street. If you're looking for a great dining experience composed of seasonal tapas style treats you may wanna head further past 31st Street... No further... Just a little bit furth... yeah hang a right at 40th and pull into the little parking lot and head into Pacifica! This was my first time here at this restaurant but not the first time I have enjoyed tapas from the collection of restaurants it is under. Pacifica is part of a chain of tapas style restaurants including "Six" (in Hampton), "Empire" (in Norfolk), and "Crackers" (also in Norfolk) under the name "Little Bar Bistro." I have been to "Six" previously. I went with my girlfriend and two other great friends last night to try their offerings. I started with the Southern Mule which was a cocktail made of Southern Comfort, Lime juice, and Ginger Beer, while my GF had the Pink Paradise. I will say that both of these drinks are quite the contrast in that mine was enjoyable with a good balance of flavors and could be had throughout the meal. Her's was one of heavy alcohol flavor with tropical and coconut flavors that probably having 2 to 3 would put you in a good mood the rest of the night. The meal itself was great. Looking back on our selections they turned out to be a good variety of land and sea, taste and textures. We started with the Fried Calamari with Pickled Peppers and Smoked Remoulade. We've had Calamari from more than 2 handfuls of places in the Hampton Roads area and beyond and this one had great flavor and crunch and was sans the traditional "marinara" sauce. I then ordered the Sweet Potato and Pork Belly Pie with Crispy Edward's Ham and Rosemary Oil. For $9 it could have very well been an entree dish for it's size. I think they did a great job with the flavors as the sweet potato was smooth and pork belly could be found throughout the pie, the ham added a nice crunch and saltiness to the dish to balance out the sweetness in the dish. I then had the Sea Scallops with Butternut Squash Puree and Gala Apples. Such a well composed dish as you can see from my picture. My only critique of it was that I wish the puree were a little bit thicker and not so much watery like baby food puree but the flavors all worked very well. The scallops (3 of them) were all well seared and seasoned. The natural buttery flavor from them went well with the squash puree and the matchstick Gala apple garnish provided nice crunch and acidity to cut through the richness of the scallops. The last savory item I had was the Oyster "Chowder" with Bacon & Cornmeal Scone. I put "Chowder" in quotes because it's not the typical consistency of a chowder which is very thick. This dish eats more like a soup and a damn good one at that. With great flavor and a generous helping of whole oysters in the soup it was delicious and satisfying. The Bacon & Cornmeal scone was a nice alternative to the packaged oyster crackers you may be used to getting. The four of us ended the night with S'mores which was great in the sense that after a night of eating composed plates you can still indulge in an interactive, messy ordeal that never loses it's luster. One order makes enough for 6 S'mores and the presentation was well done (Just like at "Six"). Pacifica has a great cocktail and martini menu as well and some great beers to wind down with or get rowdy with in a small but inviting atmosphere. There is bench style seating toward the back of the restaurant as well as a center lounge area with modern style couches and tables. The lighting is a bit dim during night time but nothing to complain about. The only thing we did have a comment with is that they don't split checks (as noted on the menu in a rather humorous, smart ass manner). So if you're looking to split the bill be sure to break out your phone calculator :) Definitely looking forward to making a return trip to this place as well as the others in the area as it's a good place for all to enjoy, have a good meal, good laughs and is away from the hustle and bustle of the Oceanfront strip.
(4)Reynaldo R.
This place disappointed me the chicken lettuce wraps were really bland had no real flavor I was getting most of my flavor from lettuce . . . . . The pause was to allow you adequate time to take that all in the skirt steak was not seasoned thank god for the a1 sauce or I think it's a "horse radish" sauce even the temperature of the dish was relatively cold even though it is placed on the hot list of menu items I get the portion size is supposed to be small but quality over quantity I will not be here again
(2)Nick D.
Great place casual place, food is 5 star I have worked for some great chefs and this place is right up there.
(5)Jillery Ellen S.
Excellent small plates. Pricey but worth it. Scallops tasty, gnocchi very good, dessert wunderbar!!! Great service too!!!
(5)Deirdre B.
I came here with my husband and 6-month old baby last Friday night around 7pm. Maybe not the best choice, as this place was LOUD. The reviews made me think this was a tapas restaurant with a nice bar selection, but it definitely seemed to be a bar first, restaurant second. It could have just been the crowd there that night, as it was the weekend, but if I had known that I wouldn't have come with my baby. Our waitress was great- very friendly and helpful, but we had to flag her down a few times because it was really busy that night, which was a little annoying. She did tell us that it usually wasn't that loud in there, but I couldn't help but feel like the bad parents that brought their baby to a bar lol. Anyway, the food was excellent. Here's a breakdown of what we ordered: pork potstickers (very good, crispy outside and yumminess inside), truffle parm potato chips (nice sublte truffle taste, lots of parmesan cheese), goat cheese with tapenade and grilled bread (very small amount of goat cheese, a little disappointed with that, otherwise good), and the highlight, grilled ribeye and green beans. I should have just made a meal out of the ribeye, it was delicious! Even the green beans were amazing. Both had a light cherry glaze that gave just the right amount of sweetness to highlight the flavor of the meat. They also had an extensive drink selection (I think it took up at least 2 large menu pages) with some interesting/funny names and creative combinations, which I unfortunately did not partake of that night (baby and all), but I would like to come back and try some of them. I would definitely come again if I was in the area and wanted some light bites and good drinks- just leave the kids at home if going on a weekend night!
(4)Eric P.
Unique and delicious! The cocktails are original as well as the food. It is obvious that the staff take their craft seriously. Very enjoyable place for drinks and tapas style food.
(4)Sean F.
Pacifica is a tapas restaurant that is trying very hard but ends up disappointing. The food is only ok. For the prices and potion size (small even for tapas) - the food should be excellent. Leave kids at home not many options for them here. Service is warm and welcoming.
(2)Latoya W.
Isn't interesting that you pay the same amount of money for side dishes (tapas) as an entree? Good thing it's sooooo good!! The service is okay, we sat at a small table and for some reason our waitress didn't take away the menus. At one point, I finally just sat the menus down on the floor since we didn't have much room. We got all the specials on the board which included chicken wings (amazing), surf and turf mac n cheese (could have done without, nothing special) and crab queso (pretty good) the beef with garlic sauteed spinach (the BEST yet)! Two full pages of specialty cocktails and martinis so come ready to drink, eat and spend tons of money!
(4)Steven A.
Last spring the better half and I ate at a small tapas joint in downtown Norfolk called Empire and had an amazing experience. One dish that really stood out was a braised lamb belly that both of us devoured like a pack of ravenous wolves. It was so unique and delicious that we discarded our civilized temperaments to get at the last morsel before the other could fork it. I raved about Empire on Yelp and posted a picture of said lamb dish. I still occasionally daydream about it. I did not know that the folks who own Empire also own Pacifica, another tapas place, down at the beach. Not only that, the chef who created that beautiful braised lamb belly works full time at Pacifica and had been guest chef at Empire on the night we were there. He sent me a note a few weeks back thanking me for the write up and inviting us to dine at Pacifica. He teased us with a list of ingredients that hit us right in our sweet spot. Rabbit...oysters..venison...duck. All those delicious yet elusive things that never end up in your refrigerator at home. We went last night and enjoyed one cascading delight after another. Charcuterie plate with house made duck prosciutto of all things. Perfectly fried oysters and pickled vegetables wrapped in Bibb lettuce. As sophisticated as finger food gets. The Chef, Kevin, surprises us and personally delivers our next dish (gratis I might add). An incredibly flavorful medium-rare filet mignon served over a cassoulet of white beans and braised greens with a touch of rosemary oil. Filet isn't something I ever order because I normally find it lacking flavor but Kevin had managed to elevate this one beyond imagination. Megajoules of flavor in every bite. And any bistro in Paris would be proud to have that cassoulet on their menu. What a great pairing. Genius. Braised rabbit and dumplings. Oyster stew with bacon scones. Pork belly stewed with lentils. Ravioli with venison ragu. This is why we love tapas style dining. The small plates allow you try dish after dish. We ended the night by attempting to split an order of dulce le leche gelato which showed up with a complimentary order of raspberry sorbet along side. We did our best but could not finish. Digestive overload had been achieved. Thank goodness I didn't eat lunch yesterday or I would have exploded. We ended the night by buying Kevin a beverage of his choice to thank him for his generosity (Chimay Ale...great choice!). When he came to thank us and wish us a good evening he teased us once again by letting us know they are getting ready to roll out their winter menu which will have a sweetbread dish on it. That might gross out most Hampton Roads gastronauts but that is a bucket list item for me. I can't wait to try it.
(5)Angel V.
So this is where the hipsters in VA Beach go ;-) Service was great. Tapas were creative and tasty. The peach upside down cake made with grand marnier is delicious! It's not on the regular menu, but it should be!
(5)Eric M.
My boyfriend and I came here for our second date (a few days ago), but I'm considering it our first "real date" and had the best experience! The food was GREAT, the atmosphere was SUPERB and the service was EVEN BETTER!! Lee and I refer to this date as, "the best experience" either of us have had in a restaurant! Our server was readily available at any given time... She was timely, friendly, warm and welcoming! This location is really close to the beach, which made for a good place to take a walk after dinner. I HIGHLY recommend Pacifica for dates, casual outings and a great place to get great food and service! I don't see it as a spot for kids but more of a "hipster" type of place!
(5)Chris D.
Pacifica is an oceanfront must-try. Since it's not an all-day joint, this tiny gem can fill up fast. Unfortunately, this sometimes reflects on the service, but a good beer selection, tasty tapas, and quaint atmosphere let you bend a little on the timing. As a former server, you have to remember that a tapas joint is sort of like your appetizer and dinner combined, so many people order twice as many plates, but expect them at the same time. As with any good eatery, I find the experience is always best on a night that's buzzing but not bombed, especially since the small bar area can fill up fast.
(4)Deborah S.
Small, cozy, and delicious food! Incredible adult beverage list! This is a place you'd find in the Wicker Park neighborhood in Chicago or North Park neighborhood of San Diego. Would absolutely go back and recommend. Two cons: VERY limited parking and the music was incredible loud.
(4)Troy S.
Pacifica is a hip locals only spot to come hang out, meet a few friends, and have a little bite to eat too. I always wish this place was bigger because the bar and the tables fill up quickly. I usually enjoy a night up here by starting out with a Moscow Mule at the bar. Sometimes I venture over for something a little more cozy on the couch by the fire. They have a seasonal tapas menu with nightly additions. The plates are small so you can order about 3-4 plates each so you don't have to commit to just one dish--this is the beauty of tapas and sharing amongst friends. My recent favorite are the dates stuffed with truffle goat cheese and wrapped in a surryano ham, baked up to appropriate cheese ooze/crispy ham temperature. I moaned so much when I put this in my mouth that I think the entire restaurant had to place an order for these afterwards just to see what all the noise was about. Most of the food is typically pretty good, but I will be honest, I have always thought that Pacifica's sister restaurants, Crackers and Empire (both in Norfolk), were much better--but Virginia Beach isn't exactly filled with the amazing food that Norfolk is. In a city packed with chain restaurants, Pacifica is a gem. Check out the S'mores for dessert--always makes you uber happy, doesn't it?
(4)Jason E.
1. Overpriced but keeps the riff raff out 2. Great Atmosphere 3. Always Clean 4. Food is consistently good 5. I will go again
(3)Doug S.
I thought the tapas were all excellent. We didn't hit a bad one when we went - particularly the scallops and the lobster roll. The fried chicken special was the weakest. The drinks were tasty. We went back a second night. The food again was solid. But for some reason I can't explain, it wasn't as stellar. No clear reason. Same excellent beer on tap, nice ambiance - casual... and friendly, efficient service. I would definitely go back again when I am in VB.
(4)Sofia B.
Served by Caitlin. Who obviously couldn't wait to be out of here. Hardly said anything to us and wasn't very attentive. Food was very expensive for what we got. When asked 'is this all the bread we get for the cheese' ($10 hot you 3 small pieces of cheese and a 2" baguette) she replied yes. Would you like more. We weren't prepared to pay extra so I just said 'If that's all it comes with.....' Fully expecting exceptional customer service and for her to bring more bread. She didn't. The cheese portions were small, granted, but there wasn't enough bread to go round! Sigh The garlic fried potatoes were great and my man loved the zucchini noodles. The lemon hummus didn't have enough tahini and you couldn't taste the honey. Again. Tiny portions. For $44 for 2 beers and 4 tapas we were very disappointed. Added the terrible service we won't ever be going back. It is a shame as we were recommend to go here and travelled over 12 miles out of our way to do so. We are headed to a local Mexican to actually feel like we have eaten something now......
(2)Dana S.
I'm so not a fan of this place and hate when it's referred to as a place locals go. A bunch of HS friends were in town for a long weekend so someone picked to go here.I tried to dissuade them, but it didn't happen. The male bartender was having difficulty remembering and making drinks. I had to have my drink remade 3 times and I only ordered a Stoli Raspberry and Sprite. He made it with the wrong vodka one time and the other time was with tonic water not sprite. The only people that were happy with their drinks were the ones that got beer. When we arrived we had to wait so I asked the server if we had to put our name in. She was really rude and short with me and then skipped over us several times after we put our name on an imaginary list that I never once saw. I know she was busy, but I was a server back in the day before I graduated college so I know that you can stop and take 2 seconds to answer a simple question. We finally just sat down at the little lounge area in the middle and order from couches. We got a different server and I wish I remembered her name because she was actually good, but definitely overworked bc she was remaking the drinks that the male bartender screwed up and was a server too. All I can say is that she is a brunette, female server. The rude one was dirty blonde. The food was ok, but not worth the price.
(1)Anthony S.
Best gnocchi! Unreal and comical drink list. Oh and the food is amazing. Has a nice hipster-ish gastropub feel. Would definitely come back.
(5)Reshma K.
We tried the tapas at Pacifica last night. We loved the skirt steak the most. The sausage and kale soup was good. However the lemonade I ordered had some kind of chlorine taste to it. Overall it is a good place if you want to have some bite size at mid night.
(3)Ash C.
Came to the place on the rainiest day imaginable in VA beach. Never been to VA beach b4 cuz always head out to ocean city but came here the day what felt like a tropical storm outside (Irene was visiting VA then) Outside; crazy stormy so it was a nice surprise to see this place being warm and welcoming. Really liked the ambience and took the seat nearest to the fireplace. Now i know tapa style is small portions but this was really lil portions for the amount we paid and unfortunately they were not serving their best dishes. Had the wings, Thai noodles and the bread/butter. Heard their butters change every time but wht we had was definitely vv salty and had a v mozerallish-taste to it All in all I would recommend this place for snacking, drinks are top-notch and will def try the desserts nxt time! S-mores!!
(3)Mina B.
I hadn't been in Virginia Beach in over 10 years. What I do recall from my past experiences is that it's a decent foodie town but not so much on the oceanfront, which really isn't surprising given that it's where all the tourists are. What surprised me on my latest return visit is the plethora of "tapas bars" - I decided to sample a few of these while on vacation. The first of these was Pacifica, thanks to you Yelpers. As we walked in at around 6 p.m. on a Monday night, it was pretty vacant, but that changed within a half an hour. We were greeted with a refreshing and friendly "Hi - please take a seat wherever you'd like" -- and chose a table by the window. Our server was a very amiable, CA-type guy, very laid-back and helpful. He smiled when I told him I'd need a few minutes to peruse their IMMENSE cocktail menu and separate wine list. They listed the 25+ martinis on one side, and "traditional cocktails" on the other. He also told us that Monday was 50% off any bottle of wine. Holy cow. I decided why choose? and went with a strategy of "have a couple of cocktails then order a bottle of wine." First I went for the "LBM"--basically a humongous glass of iced Finlandia vodka with a lemon twist. I detected no vermouth in it, which meant I'd be in trouble if I kept it up, so I cried uncle. My dining companion was undeterred and proceeded to work his way down the list of gin and vodka offerings. Since I did want to keep it classy, I thought we ought to order a few "tapas"--I liked the innumerable options between cold and hot small plates, offering something for everyone, carnivores or not. As was my custom, I looked to our server for his recommendations: seared scallops (oh-my-god-yummy), NC crab hush puppies (light, flavorful pop of cornmeal with HUGE pieces of crab), filet beef with potato salad, pork pot stickers, and a couple of the daily specials (grilled shrimp, catch of the day). I ordered a bottle of sauvignon blanc because, why not? It was a wise call indeed. I was both pleasantly surprised and impressed by the entire experience. Yes, it has a feel much like a party/bar hang out, but not skeezy or grimy; it reminded me a bit of a tiki bar. If you come early (before 9), you can have a nice, romantic date or lively dinner with friends. It's so tempting and easy to get plastered given the homage to high-quality, generous pours of alcoholic beverages at decent prices, but the I personally held back because I wanted to actually enjoy the excellent food. Pacifica was the best out of the four "tapas" places we tried and if I were a local, I'd no doubt be a regular.
(4)Johnise M.
Stick to the blackboard special, other tipsters are right. Food is great, service is quick and friendly; lighting is a little tough to read the menu by (and the dimmer switch is unfortunately placed where patrons can unexpectedly throw a portion of the dining room into near darkness), and it can be a bit noisy with no soft goods to absorb or buffer. Don't let that sway you. Surryano ham is not to be missed on the charcuterie plate, duck leg confit is worth fencing with your honey for the last bite, there are extensive cocktails to tempt (though we tried the two hard ciders-- both very nice). Go. Try. It's fun and yummy!
(4)Adam S.
I'll be going here every time I roll through Virginia Beach. Locally sourced ingredients for their tapas. I've been there twice, and the second time the menu was almost completely different from the first, so I won't bother telling you what I had, except for dessert. The s'mores are fun, especially if you are there with friends. They give you the ingredients in an old school chinese pupu platter, complete with fire, so you can make them yourself. Pretty sweet. The food was great, and they have a great selection of beers.
(5)Reviewer R.
We went for a light dinner while in town; we (two) split 5 plates between us. All were tasty. It felt quite cold sitting near the windows though! (Note: If you're older than 39, you will feel old here! ;) The music is loud, and large groups of friends visit each other's tables and talk over the music.)
(4)Jessie O.
holy shit best sausage & kale soup!!! $5 too ;) gem of a spot in VA beach -- don't let the strip mall setting turn you off. our group got pretty much 1 of everything on the menu & i was surprised by the wild boar & scallops as well. writing this review a month after eating there and still craving that soup.........perhaps our paths shall cross again.
(4)Heather M.
AMAZING!! Do yourself a favor and if you live within 5 hours of here - drive to get dinner ASAP. If you live further...book the first possible plane out! The best food and cocktails I've ever had! It's amazing and on point. Unique and delicious. Creative and decadent. A foodie's paradise, but a place where non-foodies will feel at home and find yummies to eat. Christina is such an awesome server. A total sweetheart who made the experience even better. She knows the menu inside and out and gives recommendations with ease - no hemming and hawing, or a "Um...everything is good" type response. She is also a creative mixologist and will whip you up a creative concoction if you can't find something on their extensive cocktail list of feel like being super adventurous. Can I give this place 10 stars? How about my first born son? Whatever they want, they can have it, if I can have more of that Autumn Soup, Root Vegetable & Sweet Potato Pie & Pumpkin Pie!!!! Bravo - I love you Pacifica, but so sad my time there has ended and I had to go home. I will dream of you and your food always! (Yes, I would go back - but I live about 3,000 miles away from it. Drat destiny and me living in Cali)!
(5)Gwen D.
Nice tapas style food served in a warm and cozy space. I would not recommend going here in a large group, as they do not take reservation and tend to fill up quickly.
(3)David D.
Great service by a knowledgeable waiter, nice bar selection and some very tasty food. Its great to go somewhere and be surprised by an ever-changing menu and clever kitchen staff. Duck tacos with picked veggies? Awesome. Fried Green Tomatoes with Surryano (yes, it is spelled that way) ham? Fantastic. I'm actually contemplating going back this week just to have this again if it is on the board. Gets crowded late on some evenings. Two Thumbs Up for: atmosphere, vibe, service, speed, selection, quality, price.
(4)Andrew M.
great food, great drinks, great prices, great service. need I say more. Buttermilk fried chip with coleslaw is unreal!
(5)Cq Z.
The succotash is the best I ever had but the scallop/chip is not so impressive. The service is OK since it was so busy at dinner time. There were quite a lot of choices of draft beer.
(4)Jill C.
Don't let the exterior fool you, this place is great. The interesting beer was a nice change up. The decor is interesting and warm.
(5)Heather S.
The sign for this establishment proudly states "eat, drink, repeat"; with this tag line and the size of their drink menu, I was hoping for consistently well-made and inventive cocktails... this was not to be the case. Between my selections and those of my table-mate, I was able to sample the following four cocktails: The Trophy Wife, The Gemma, The Sazerac, & The Side Car. The Gemma was quite good and The Trophy Wife gave me little to complain or rave about, but I'm easy to please with fruity flavors such as these. Attempts at the classic cocktails, on the other hand, left a LOT to be desired. Ingredients were out of balance, including so much Pernod in the Sazerac, it could barely be choked down. As I noted, this not what I'd expect at a place that seems to pride itself on cocktails. Perhaps it was an off night? Hard to tell, but if I were to return I'd stay away from cocktails and get beer or wine instead. Service was slow and not particularly friendly. The only saving grace (and the reason for three stars) was the food; while I found the ricotta ravioli & vegetable pot stickers average, both the NY Strip & the goat cheese/tapenade bread were to die for. I probably won't be back as I'm not from the area, but if local might frequent for the food and a non-cocktail beverage.
(3)Jax B.
The food is great and the service is not. This has been my experience several times.
(3)LTine M.
I love tapas because you can try multiple different foods. We may have gone overboard but it was worth it, here is what we ordered: Duck Sausage curry rice. Meh, it was just okay. Foie Gras on Gingerbread. Wow. Lamb Burger. Filling and delicious. Soy Chili Shrimp. Spicy and crunchy veggies. They also had an extensive drink menu that was impressive. The ambiance was really romantic, but maybe that's because we sat by the fireplace on the couch. Matthew, our server, was so helpful and friendly. Definitely a great place for a different dining experience.
(5)Kate T.
Possibly my favorite restaurant in Virginia Beach. I've been here twice and everything I got here were amazing. It is also a plus that they change their menu every three months.
(5)erin l.
My husband and I were visiting Virginia Beach for a week. Prior to going, I found some certificates on restaurant.com . Pacifica was one of the certificates that I got. My husband and I went on a Thursday night for dinner. This is a tapas restaurant, so you have various small plates and get to try a variety of things. The restaurant doesn't look like much from the outside, but it's very cute and cozy inside. They also have an extensive drink menu and a number of daily specials! I started out with a cold plate, Farro salad with sweet potatoes, craisins, and curry sauce. It was really tasty, especially if you like curry! ($6.00) I also tried the Braised Pork with kimchi, udon noodles in a pho soup broth. There is a decent amount of pork; however, it was very salty. I'm normally a fan of pho and it was good, but salty. ($8.00) I tried the mac n cheese du jour, which was steak and onion. OMG! This was by far my favorite! Their mac n cheese is very rich and had great flavor! ($8.00) My husband tried one of the specials, Scallops with kimchi and seasame seeds. The scallops were large and perfectly cooked! ($11.00) He also got the smoked shrimp and grits. He felt that the shrimp was overcooked, but the flavor of both the shrimp and the grits were really good. ($10.00) The price is about average for a tapas restaurant, but the food is above average. We'll definitely visit Pacifica again if we are in the VA Beach area!
(4)Michael K.
Nice little neighborhood tapas bar. Warm & cozy inside, and great menu. Tapas options are greatly varied, and a lot of fun. Options on the menu include brussel sprouts, scallops, sweet potato & pork belly pie, chicken sausage and shrimp etouffee, Sriracha deviled eggs, and braised rabbit with dumplings. Other options include wine, meat, and cheese pairings. When we went, they were out of the scallops (and also the duck prosciutto, and the brussel sprouts, much to our dismay), but the chicken sausage & shrimp etouffee was spicy & savory. The ricotta ravioli with venison ragout was good...but not as exotic as it sounds. The rabbit was a little bland, and just tasted like a bit of a pot roast/stew. The downside of this place is that the service, while friendly, is sporadic. It's definitely a regulars/locals spot, and the bartenders/staff were fairly busy talking to their friends (or the other bartenders/servers must have been in that night), so a little bit difficult to get service or a drink. But when they were attentive, definitely friendly. Crowd was late 20s-early 40s, low-key and relaxed atmostphere of this small bar. For a late night spot close to the beach, definitely a great chill spot
(4)Carolyn C.
We live out of the country but have been to Pacifica 5 times in the last 8 weeks and it never disappoints. In fact, it just seems to get better each time. Excellent service with a "sit where ever you want" greeting when you walk in the door. Outstanding martini menu, mouth watering tapas style menu and daily blackboard specials...everything is delicious and there's something for everyone. A popular meeting spot and they do not take reservations but it is definitely worth the wait. Can't wait till we're back in VaBeach.
(5)Anna R.
Fresh, local place serving whatever is in season. Tapas-style is unique for this area. Food is delicious, and the drink selection is impressive.
(4)Molly T.
Get the s'mores! ok wait get a martini from their awesomely creative drink list, some hot and cold tapas...then get the s'mores. Creative and yet simple, cute and quaint. This place is Devine! A special is truly special, not just the price. This is a tapas restaurant - but the portions are larger than other tapas in the area....and much more delicious. Very courteous and knowledgable staff (which is rare in VB), chill relaxed atmosphere (2 cozy couches next to the fireplace) and I haven't had a bad experience here yet (and I don't plan on it) And the s'more come out on a pupu plater with the little blue fire pit going on in the middle of it... I suggest dipping the s'more's in the Nutty Martini ...so sinful :)
(5)Marie A.
Every time we have gone, there has been one server for the whole restaurant. We have bussed our own table and seated ourselves every time. Aside from that, the food and menu choices are awesome and the drink list is very extensive. Lots of cool beers, as well. I enjoy this restaurant despite the lack of customer service.
(4)Megan C.
I personally frequent to Pacifica for their sultry and cozy setting and relaxing chic vibe. This is the place where you want to gather up your girlfriends and go for after-dinner cocktails, wine and a late night sweet treat by the fire. I personally recommend trying the s'mores which they bring out to you with your own mini (doll-house sized) fire pit equipped with the standard- graham crackers, marshmallows, and hershey's chocolate bars. You cant't go wrong!
(5)Daisy M.
Came here while visiting family, looking for something OTHER than the gross chain restuarants that are all over the place. Decor is cold and impersonal, nothing to write home about, and it was located in a strip mall. Not exactly great ambiance, but the food made up for it! We had 7 or 8 different plates and a couple of drinks. The tapas, both hot & cold, were fantastic- all tasty, and served very quickly. We'll definitely return, and try some other options.
(5)Brandon W.
Over Memorial Day weekend, a group of five of us went to Virginia Beach for vacation. We wanted to know what the best restaurant in the area was and found this wonderful hidden treasure!!!! Although I missed the part about it only serving tapas, we all ordered 2 appetizers and had enough for everyone to get full! Our server was PHENOMENAL!!! I wish i hadn't waited so long to do the review because i forgot her name now. The food was fresh and very flavorful! I wish they had this restaurant in St. Louis!!
(5)Rebecca V.
I was thoroughly impressed with this place; my husband took a little convincing while looking over the menu, but was equally impressed with the food once it arrived. We ordered pork potstickers, a burger from the daily specials, chips and salsa, and squash casserole - all were tasty and well presented. After the food and several glasses of beer and wine, we were stuffed. Add to that great service from very friendly staff and a very comfortable ambiance and you've got a winner all around.
(4)Lindsay K.
Wow! Order the beef tenderloin, the best thing I have ever put in my mouth!!! Also good: Rock Shrimp and bread/honey butter. But order the Beef Tenderloin, DO IT!
(5)Kara G.
Decent food, great unique drink menu, hipster-y ambiance. Solid spot for date night or a night out with friends.
(3)J.D. H.
Good food, good drink, weird location in a town filled with any number of nightmarish dinner options. I've been to Pacifica twice; once, on my first vacation to Virginia Beach, and that time all I really did was scope the place out. I had a silly drink because it was early in the evening and I had time to kill before my dinner plans elsewhere began, but I remembered it being a nice-looking place, so I told myself to come by next time. This year I waited, came in later in the evening when the place starts to fill up, and had a nice time. There was a nice buzz about the place, all of the staff seemed to be in a great mood and I saw a lot of happy customers who seemed to be local-ish. All good signs. I'll admit I was a bit wary of the 'Tapas' designation for the style of the place, as that trend lately has gotten out of hand, mostly in restaurants that seem to take pleasure out of charging 12 bucks for a plate of fried green beans and 'aioli' (mayonnaise with some stuff in it)...but this place does a nice job, I think, of blending the Tapas style of small plates with Southern-inspired flavors, like crab hush puppies with old bay butter and the now-ubiquitous in fancy restaurants 'Buttermilk fried chicken' (in this rare case, actually reasonably priced and delicious over a peach slaw). I tried 7 or 8 dishes with my date, and we both walked away happily stuffed and didn't have to drop too much cash, considering our wild ordering style at restaurants like this. Most were spot on, dishes I'd love to revisit, and again, reasonably priced. But dishes like the "Watermelon steak" tantalizingly titled, but weak at $8 for two slabs of unadulterated watermelon (in a place like this I might have expected a subtle haute-cuisine trick of sous-vide 'compression' in which the fibers of the watery fruit are pushed closer together under a vaccuum seal, resulting in a denser, more flavorful bite - something like this, or even the trendy gag of 'grilling' the fruit, might have made it worth the $8) with some goat cheese and a somewhat watery 'balsamic'....feels a little disappointing. Also popular in the fancy food world with a high bummer rate is the gussied-up Mac-n-Cheese, and the $8 bowl I had that night at Pacifica, with "steak and blue cheese" was hardly up to snuff. Unecessarily fancy noodles whose name I can never remember, with less cheese than if you put half the packet instead of the whole into your box of Kraft, and some small bits of beef makes me wonder if this dish is designed solely to generate revenue. It made me sad only because this place seems to do so well with most of its Hi/Lo aesthetic, I would have expected this dish to be a real zinger, with tons of cheese, a little more emphasis on presentation (at $8, is that so much to ask?) Oh, and desserts? I didn't have any, but that night I saw "S'mores pu-pu platter" and "Champagne Cupcakes" on the board. I'm sure that's good, but maybe a little too easy for me. I would like to see the same kind of thought and care that went into some of those winning dishes go into the desserts. All in all, I think this is a cool place, and I'll definitely come back every time I'm in Virginia Beach. I'm just saying, these guys and gals are doing a good job, but need to focus in a little more and find just the right niche, that perfect balance of high and low end cuisine, and then everything will just hum, it's so good. Here's hoping.
(4)Hazel l.
We were in Virginia Beach on vacation and decided to yelp for an interesting restaurant walking distance from the Sheraton. Pacifica fit that bill based on Yelp reviews. This place was awesome, fantastic atmosphere, perfect execution of flavours and textures. This is a fun tapas bar, where you can order individual plates or for a small fee pair with a salad and desert (a fact we discovered after the fact, wish our waitress had mentioned this). We had a daily special with goat cheese, fig and prosciutto, it was so good we ordered a second....partly due to the truffle oil. We tried the watermelon steak a large slice of watermelon with interesting flavours, interesting but not repeatable. The crab hush puppies were great the sage butter was the perfect addition. They have a great wine selection, we ordered a decent bottle of white for $20...you can't say that for many places. Most around us were trying the various Martinis which apparently they pair with the various dishes. Groups looked like they were having fun with this. This was a great vacation find...thank you fellow Yelpers.
(5)Jon W.
Went to Pacifica a couple nights ago from checking out all the Yelp listings while on a short getaway vacation. So glad we went there. Food was delicious. One of our highlights from the sampling was grilled peaches topped with grilled halloumi drizzled with balsamic reduction. Outstanding! Hummus was far too bland for my palette. There was a cheese and sundried tomato tart that was excellent as well. But what we really loved was the great service and the fabulous cocktail menu which was very reasonably priced. We will always come back whenever we visit VA Beach.
(4)Ellen D.
I love Pacifica for the atmosphere, the food, & the drink selection (beer, wine, martinis). Whenever I'm looking for a low-key spot for drinks with friends I always recommend Pacifica b/c it's one of the few bars at the oceanfront that has good food AND a good crowd, but isn't part of the club scene. You can drink/dine at a table, the bar, or on couches in front of the fireplace. They don't take reservations, so if you come for dinner around 8-9 PM on a Fri night there will be a wait, FYI. Also, their lot is teeny tiny & always full on the weekends, so parking is primarily metered spots on surrounding streets. Their menu changes seasonally, but the nightly specials are my favorites. (Last night their specials were shrimp mac & cheese; butternut squash soup; bread w/ goat cheese, peppers, & an olive tapenade; scallops w/ asparagus, etc.) My only gripe is that while quality food is always expensive (& expected), I have a hard time filling up on tapas items. Last night my husband & I ordered 7 tapas items to share & I left somewhat satisfied, but not full. We could have gotten more food for the $ down the street at EAT on Atlantic Ave, but I still prefer Pacifica for a light meal.
(4)Sally S.
Just tried this place for the first time-early on Wednesday so not crowded. Quite the best tapas we have ever had. The grilled peaches and haloumi with balsamic reduction were to die for, as were the mini tomato and ricotta tarts. The wine was super and for $6 a glass, I thought very reasonable. Loved this place and can't wait to go back!
(5)Jessica L.
There are a few tapas places around the area, and this is probably one of the best. It's such a cute place. It's a little dark inside, with small tables, and a few couches next to a fire place. There are a number of hot/cold tapas to please everyone, and their martini list is quite lengthy. I suggest coming here just to sample a drink or a plate, and then head out for a real meal somewhere else :) (Eat is right across the street too!)
(4)Jon S.
I have eaten at pacifica more than i want to post about. The mac and cheese specials are my favorite part. The beef mac and cheese is wonderful. The scallops are simply divine and you have to try smores at the end. The price was reasonable and with a large group you are looking at 30 a person. They do not take reservations but I have personally never waited. The owner and the chef are superb at making presentation and taste highest priority.
(5)Sarah P.
I've been to all the Little Bar Bistros on the Southside, and Pacifica falls behind Empire and Crackers, I'm afraid. The service is always just OK, never great. Their drink menu is just as impressive as its sister bars, but the tapas menu falls behind. It doesn't seem as... inventive, creative, adventurous as the others. There's also not a lot of vegan options, but that's a personal nitpick. I like Pacifica as a bar, but as far as the tapas go, it's OK. Not awesome, but OK. Worth a visit.
(3)Daniel B.
Very impressed with this place. The tapas are delicious, and there is a huge drink menu! Friendly atmosphere, and more importantly it's not over run by tourists. Parking is a problem though, and it is very crowded on the weekends.
(4)Emily M.
I went here for the first time with a group of friends to enjoy some light food and good drinks. The ambiance is dimly lit, nice fireplace and very inviting. It was a great location for socializing and I greatly enjoyed the tapas. Be sure to try their bread and house-made flavored butters. It was some delicious sort of plum butter when I went. I was pleasantly surprised by the potato and leak au gratin which we couldn't stop eating and should have ordered seconds! They have an extensive drink menu and the cutesy names will entertain you before your meal. Enjoy!
(4)C. F.
This place is great. Fantastic food, drinks, service. Always a nice crowd as well.
(4)Dave K.
Nice atmosphere and friendly crew. Service was fast. Food was fun but the quality was a bit below the 4 star rating. The sauces served were 4.5 star. Would definitely go back and would recommend eating there.
(4)Meredith V.
I came here with my boyfriend on a friday night and met another couple. The ambiance inside is nice and dimly lit. I'm glad to have found a real tapas restaurant in Virginia Beach! We ordered cheese/fruit place (VERY nicely done), tomato/basil/motz salad, edamame, and the smoked salmon and pineapple canapes. It was all amazing and very well done. They also had a lavender and herb hummus that was off the chain. Their wine list was quite expansive and impressive. I had the Oregon pinot noir, which was excellent. Their martini list is also really overwhelming and creative. I made the best selections, Sex at my house (i know, SHOCKING. It had Amaretto in it though and was by far the best drink of the night) and my classic favorite, French martini. My bf and friends chose alright selections, in fact, my friend got the Purple Haze, which ending up being NOTHING like its name and was NOT good. Despite only taking one sip, our waiter gave us a hard time about comping it for another drink. I know that ordering drinks and returning them CAN be a subjective judgment call for restaurants, but the fact is that our bill was going to be well over $150 and it was our first time there. I was disappointed at the back and forth we had to go through to get my friend another drink. That's something that good management can make a call on and frankly we were very disappointed at how much of an ordeal they made it. They eventually comped it (after much finagling) but that could have been a deal breaker for us. For that I give it 4 stars. The food and drinks were great, the service could have been better, but for now, I'm just glad that a real tapas place EXISTS down here.
(4)Kurt B.
Picked this place mainly on yelp reviews and the valet guy at the Sheraton. Went on a Thursday around 9 and it wasn't crowded. Trendy but casual decor. Probably not the best place for family dining. Played great obscure music. Plates are tapas sized, if not slightly larger (depending on the dish). Started with the Cheese plate and the Garbanzo bean/feta plates. The Cheese plate was good, with 3 different types of cheeses, fig jam and some fruit. It was good, and we finished it, but it was probably one of our least favorite of the dishes. The Garbanzo dish very good. Fresh and "summery". Little neck clams with surry sausage and crawfish... wow. In a semi-spicy tomato broth. Fantastic. Fried Chicken on the recommendation of the waitress. Dead on, super super juicy with a great breading. Hanger steak - as well cooked piece of meat we've ever had. Tender and juicy, slightly charred served on top of goat cheese potato salad which was creamy, tangy and delicious. On a 5 day cross multi-state journey this was by far the best meal we had the entire trip. Staff super friendly, attentive, and helpful. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
(5)Freddy F.
It was our first time eating at Pacifica and we just loved the food. Small plates but that is what Tapas is all about. We had the Lobster/asparagus ravioli (very good) Two Way King Salmon - excellent!! The Thai Duck, Cheese Plate, and Lamb on top of Mediterranean Lentils. All the food was very good and nice ambiance, but can get quite loud real fast when you have a large table of people enjoying the cocktails. Be prepared to dig deep into your pockets cause for the two of us with 2 beers, 1 martini and a glass wine plus food above was just over a $100 bucks. Tip took us to $125. A great place for a nice dinner nonetheless.
(5)Brittany B.
I've been to Pacifica a handful of times and I always say "I'm sooo going to Yelp this place when I get home." but I leave there in such a blissful daze it always slips my mind! I absolutely ADORE this place. It's a sister restaurant to Empire in Norfolk and Six in Hampton (which I've yet to visit, it's on my "to-do" list) Somewhat dimly lit, but still cozy and warm. No hostesses so you can sit where you like. The seating arrangements are set up so you can easily make new friends. Chairs along the bar, high top bar like table behind that, a sectional couch nestled around the fireplace, etc. They even have a breakfast nook type area where you can sit and watch all the magic going on in the kitchen. Regardless of where you sit, and regardless of what you order, everything from this jewel of an establishment is going to be phenomenal. The menu is different every time I go, although I'm not sure how often they change it. My last visit here was with my friend from out of town. We shared the beef tenderloin (upon my friends insistence), asparagus salad, and the s'mores. Everything was delicious beyond words but my first bite of the tenderloin made me both elated and irate. Elated because the beef, the marrow butter, the mushrooms, it all just melted in my mouth. Irate because why can't all red meat taste this flawless? I'm convinced it's impossible to have anything sub par here. The drinks are extensive, the food is sublime, and presented in a way you want to branch out and try something new. They even got my boyfriend to try seafood. Something I thought I'd never live to see. It was here he discovered his new favorite beer (Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar). It was also here that we tried (and fell in love with) pork belly. I remember it was served with brussel sprout hash. Are you drooling yet? I am. As I said before, I enjoy almost everything about this place. My only reason for not giving it 5 stars is because I always want to sample pretty much everything on the menu. Which in turn, forces me to order 3 plates too many, and then I'm immediately filled with regret when the bill comes. Not that anything is outrageously priced. But for date night, sharing 2 plates and then getting the s'mores for dessert (A MUST - NO EXCEPTIONS!) is more than adequate. Withholding the 5th store is more because of my own lack of control but don't hold it against me :) Just a note, the earlier you get there, the better. The parking lot is small and fills up fast.
(4)Anne B.
What a gem! My husband and I loved everything about this place: cozy, nice ambiance, great drinks, friendly and low-key service, and yummy food. Everything we tried was fantastic. The music was a tiny bit too loud by the time we left, but we were so buzzed from our cocktails and full of our delicious meal that we didn't mind too much.
(5)JP B.
This is one amazing place! some of the best food I've ever had. Menu always changing with something great. Small selection of beer but great beers.
(5)