Portico Restaurant - RichmondCalled on Tuesday before ourCalled on Tuesday before our Saturday reservation and asked if it could be increased from 12 to 14. Was told he would check his reservations and would get back to me. Gave him phone number. On Friday had to call as I had not received call back, and told them I would stay with the 12. We arrived at 6:45 and the table was not ready. We waited a while as they set the table up in the bar area. Quite honestly there would have been no problem in increasing the reservation. Had a great time, but the noise level is TOO LOUD. Would go back again, but only with a small group.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMLove everything about it,Love everything about it, but a little too noisy. have to shout to carry on a conversation.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFine dining with a beautiful patioPortico is a quaint gem of a restaurant for family and friends to gather for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner. The patio and garden are beautiful with flowers blooming. The stone fireplace makes for a fabulous night dining experience.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMPortico sets the standardMore restaurants should be like Portico. It's a real gem with ambience, service, and a great menu selection with interesting specials. It's setting in the woods of eastern Goochland county makes it a fun getaway. It is a Richmond culinary treasure.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMONE OF THE GREAT RESTAURANTSONE OF THE GREAT RESTAURANTS IN THE RICHMOND AREA. FOOD AND SERVICE ARE TOP NOTCH.
OUTSIDE PATIO IS A "HIDDEN GEM".6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMBusy with a reason . . .Cars were nearly spilling out of their parking lot on a Tuesday night, so just imagine a weekend! Crabcake sandwich was GREAT, and the baked spagetti with sausage is my husband's favorite. The inside area is quite noisy but the outdoor patio was not; dining outside is worth the wait!6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experienceThis was a great experience. We were late for our reservation (sorry, again) and they were nothing but accommodating (granted it was a Monday night). We ate outside. The weather was daunting and they had a table ready for us inside in case we had to move indoors. Luckily, we did not. The food and wine were both delicious. The outdoor dining and seating areas were relaxed and comfotable. I highly recommend this place.6/3/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful patiioWe had been trying to go to Portico for some time now, and had difficulty getting a reservation given its populatiry. We planned ahead and got a reservation and it was definitely worth the wait. We went with another couple who can be very picky, and they loved their dishes (one got steak and one got salmon). I loved my grilled wahoo (special of the evening) and my husband enjoyed his veal. The menu was varied and very reasonably priced. The patio is quite large and it was beautiful setting, especially given the perfect temperature on the evening when we dined. Can't wait to go back!6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMportico reviewhave been to portico several times and love dining outside. the fireplace and surrounding gardens sets the evening ambience and love the food. one thing i would recommend would be to change up the menu and/or add different selections it seems like the menu hasn't changed in awhile. Overall would continue to dine here and refer friends.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMportico's a favoriteA group of eight of us were there to celebrate an anniversary. It was a good choice - great ecperience of food, service and celebration. thank you.
Wayne Dementi6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMOur Dining ExperienceAs as group of 8, we all enjoyed our dinners. We ate inside near the bar. That particular part of the restaurant did not have the ambience that outside had, but I do not like eating outside. I know restaurants make their money from the alcoholic drinks, however in this case our group felt the price was too high for what we got in the glass.
Sincerely,
Peggy Love5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMI immediately fell in love.I immediately fell in love. I have been suggesting this restaurant to friends and family since I enjoyed the fine-dining experience Portico has to offer. Truly my new favorite place to eat around Richmond. I am going to return to try different dishes next time, but everything put on my table was delicious.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMVery enjoyableDelicious dinner - salmon roulade and veal scaloppine were thoroughly enjoyed. Lovely ambience in the dining room by the windows. Efficient service, although the waiter was very standoffish. A very enjoyable evening and would definitely return.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat date spotThis has turned into our favorite date spot. This time we brought an out of town couple with us and they loved it too!5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMSoft shell crabs to die for!One of the evening specials was "soft shell crabs" and all four of us went no further than to order them. They were wonderful! My only negative comment about the entire evening is that the outside dining is a bit under lit. Some other form of table lighting might make it easier to read the menu and to see the wonderful presentation of the food. I will return it might just be my new favorite dinner choice in Richmond..5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMA++ Once again..What a wonderful outdoor dinning experience ..... lovely sitting area while waiting for your table, warn fire and blankets when necessary and that lovely garden surrounding you. Well done!
Each of he 6 of us had something different tonite. While the soft shells sounded good, they were all batter and that clouded the good crab flavor vs complimenting it. Two kinds of Pizza's were rated highly as were the mussels and the salmon...
The only thing lacking tonite was the inattentive service. I've noticed a disappearing act of the waiters of late. Please don't let the service deteriorate as your popularity escolates/holds. Enough said for now. Still one of my favorite places and especially love the valet parking...... nice touch!5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMThe perfect place for lunch!The gardens are amazing. The perfect place for lunch!5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGormet dinner in the countryFresh herbs, local produce and beautiful surroundings meet at Portico. The food is expertly prepared and the imaginative plating is delightful. If the evening is chilly, there is a dramatic outdoor fireplace and cozy warming devices I'd only seen on the ferry boats in Alaska. Complementary valet parking was wonderful.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMNice first time experience!As stated, this was our first trip to Portico and we'll be going back. We ate very early so we didn't have the chance to see what the crowds would be like around the normal Friday evening out times. It was filling up nicely both inside and out by the time we left. Overall the food was very good with nice size portions. Our little group sat outside and it was wonderful. Beautiful garden patio with all the plants and flowers in bloom.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGarden, fireplace, candles...Two couples. 7:15. Beautiful outdoor venue with mid May spring blossoms emitting a light scent - a cocktail from the bar in hand while we waited on a bench by the huge outdoor fireplace. 15 minutes later we were seated and ordered oysters Rockefeller (a little heavy on the cheese for me but tasty of course). Salmon salads, eggplant parmigiana and a veal were enjoyed by all. Most served with garlic mashed potatoes and an asparagus with shredded carrot side that was savory and light. Take note: reservations will only get you a table inside where the active bar and table chattering might be worth enduring but only on a hot humid night. Terrace dining is first come first serve. So our 7:15 reservations turned into a 7:35 table - well worth it!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent foodThis was our second visit to Portico. We started with reservations inside; however, the noise level was over bearing and we could not hear I guests. We chose to move outside. The outside dining area is very charming and the waitstaff gave us excellent service. The food was wonderful.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe setting is beautiful andThe setting is beautiful and the food is fantastic! The service was impeccable! We were a group of eight celebrating a special birthday and could not have asked for a more perfect evening!5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMLove the atmosphere and especiallyLove the atmosphere and especially the outdoor patio dining. So ready to be outside and enjoy your wonderful menu !!!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing dinner!Had a group of 13 at Portico for dinner last Friday, all of whom had never eaten there excluding myself, and the whole experience was perfect. We were able to sit outside on their gorgeous patio, service was excellent, and food was phenomenal. Three members of our party called me the next day specifically to say how much they enjoyed Portico and will be recommending it to anyone in the Richmond area.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthdayTook friend for birthday lunch. Order the seafood crepe. How ever it was not the same as I had had Easter. This was made out of noodles. It was not anywhere as good as the one I had Easter. The server was nice and friendly. However, I called earlier and ask if I could bring a cake in or did they have something I could purchase. Was told, as I knew, no food can be brought in but they had a dessert that they could put a candle on. I agreed and was told to tell them which lady was the Birthday and remind them when I came in. This I did which did no good because it was never delievered. Since I did not see a charge on my bill I did not say anything.
I was disappointed in this meal but I will still give Portico another try.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat mealWonderful food, great service. Just wish the weather had been nice, so we could eat outside. Everything we ordered was delicious, and generous portions. The only negative - the noise level inside, hard to have a conversation. The outdoor area was beautiful, with the stone fireplace and lovely gardens.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderfulWE had a wonderful evening for outdoor dining this past Sunday. It was a cool evening but the heatlamps , fireplace and luscious blankets made it absolutely delightful.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMVery enjoyable, even with the bumpsOf my wife and myself, I think I got the better end of the deal. Cocktails were lovely by the fireplace. We started with calamari which was nicely done and a large portion. I had veal which I really enjoyed and done to perfection. My wife had the steak which was an odd cut of meat that made it difficult apparently for the kitchen to do it medium rare. She was not happy with the well done parts. And when will chefs ever learn that berry sauce on cheesecake is so passe. And when it is ordered plain with no berries at all, it means just the cheesecake on the plate. We did determine though that with their style of cheesecake, if they insisted on a sauce, maple would have worked.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMA Taste of Northern CaliforniaDon't know if it was the cool temps, the gorgeous garden or the smell of mesquite ... but felt like a place you'd find tucked away in Napa or Carmel. Lovely. Only issue was the noise level inside. Would have preferred a seating outdoors (heaters are a plus), but a 20 minute wait. Great calamari and wonderful entrees. Reasonably priced and ample selections. Waiter was a bit brusque.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMSaturday evening was our firstSaturday evening was our first visit to Portico. We arrived 15 minutes early for our reservation. The host greeted us, told us that they weren't ready for us...and that was it...no directions/guidance as in "...you can get a drink at the bar and sit by fire on the patio..." or " Please enjoy the patio and I'll have someone take your drink order..." or "......."
As we wandered around aimlessly, not knowing the layout, the owner guided us to the bar, placed our drink order and directed us to the area by the fireplace on the patio.
The food was delicious...service great...noise level too high for my taste.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMDine in a garden!Best parts of Portico: Valet greeting - fast and friendly; host at the door friendly and efficient; seated outside within minutes; pleasant place to sit out by the fire in the garden; friendly greeting by knowledgeable waiter; drinks served quickly; wine and food selection very good and tasty. Especially like that the soup and entrees were served piping hot!
Room for imporvement: Noise level in main dinning room is deafening. Without garden seating, I wouldn't go there.
Once meal served, didn't see waiter much, especially for clearing and coffee/dessert/bill. There is a knack to being observant yet not hoveriing.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMThe bestPortico is one of our favorite restaurants. The salad the other night was probably the best I have ever had.... It was a chopped salad to die for!4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMNAPAPortico is s great place. Since we discover it we try to go as often as possible. Dinning on the courtyard takes us back to our trip to Napa Valley. On top of been a beautiful restaurant with great service the cuisine is superb.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have lived here for 8 yearsWe have lived here for 8 years and this is the BEST italian food in Richmond. The homemade Gnocchi is to die for! The desserts are amazing and the service is top notch! I cannot reccomend this place enough.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMPortico weeknightsWide variety on the menu, something for everyone. Great atmosphere with well maintained property and landscape. Beautiful gardens!4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMSunday BrunchThe "Sunday Brunch Menu" needs to be expanded with more "combination selections". The selections should include a choice of bacon, ham, potatoes, grits, sausage, english muffins, biscuits, or toast. The Restaurant is noisy, with a large crowd, but was OK for brunch. The large open floor plan design contributes to the noise problem, "typical of many Richmond restaurants". The restaurant may need the advice of an acoustical engineer to solve this problem. The outside dining areas and gardens are very pretty at this time of year and add to the "scenic country site". The parking area seems to be larger and parking was not a problem. They have valet parking on busy nights. I would give the service rating three and three quarter stars.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first visit.This was our first visit. Initial service was a little slow, but later everything was fine. Menu is not huge, but large enough with some creative meals and some standards. You will have a good evening here.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed dinner on the patio,We enjoyed dinner on the patio, which is a lovely spot. The only challenge was lighting. There were a few tea light candles on the table -- nothing else. It was difficult to read the menu and to see our food. I had mussels as an appetizer and extracting the "meat" from the black mussel shells was quite a challenge! But, the meal was delicious and it was a wonderful choice for our 6 month anniversary dinner.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMHave a bit of sky as appetizer...Surprised by garden. Lovely if out on patio(s). If the evening is cool plan on a few minutes with drink in hand in front of beautiful outdoor fireplace. Sky. Trees. Flowers. Visit 1 hour before sunset and revel in beauty. Re the menu, think quality not quantity. Not a lot of choices. Checkout the exterior kitchen (pretty small and oh so quaint) and you know why the menu is short but delicious. Veal piccata - tender and tasty. Personal size pizza - took home extra. Veggie pizza. Nice crunchy texture with quartered mushrooms. Mandatory valet parking due to tiny parking lot but it's worth the few extra minutes waiting for the gals to bring your vehicle to you. Even in the crushed stone parking lot, the ambiance is soothing and full of beauty.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWe arrived on time for ourWe arrived on time for our 6.30 dinner reservation and was immediately escorted to an inside table. I refused the table saying I had requested outside seating- I was told an outside table cannot be reserved and its first come first serve regardless of one's reservation. We waited at the bar for an outside table. The wait was short and reasonable. OPEN TABLE should alert those making reservations that the outside seating is unavailable for reservations.
Otherwise, the food was very good and the service excellent. We'll surely go back.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMPatio is the star plus great foodPortico is a fave for sure. We dined on the outdoor patio - a beautiful and relaxing setting. We shared a gorgeous Caprese appetizer. We ordered the salmon and the stuffed shrimp. Both were delicious, nicely presented, and accompanied by mashed potatoes and steamed veggies. The veggies were overcooked but flavorful. For dessert we ordered the cheesecake with raspberry sauce and the Italian crème brule. Both were quite good but the crème brule was the star. We then moved over to the seating area by the fireplace to enjoy the fire and listen to music. Portico could improve on the attentiveness of their serving staff. Be advised some cocktail prices can be high - $21.00 for 2 drinks.4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMMy husband and I thoroughlyMy husband and I thoroughly enjoy Portico! Love everything about the restaurant i.e. food, service and ambiance....the only thing I would suggest to enhance the experience even more is to place some area rugs in the table areas to cut down on the noise level.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMM FosterI was a bit hesitant given some of the negative reviews I read online. However, they could not have been more wrong. We had an outstandig meal. It was moderately noisy, but it is a small place and you just have to expect it. We didn't mind a bit. The entire staff was welcoming and attentive. Our waiter, Antwan, was exceptional and really made the evening enjoyable and fun. Will most definitely be going back.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThey even provided valet parkingThey even provided valet parking on a rainy Easter Sunday! Excellent place!!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMFood presentation was veryFood presentation was very good and taste was excellent. Very scenic and restful place to enjoy a good Neal and good conversation.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMPortico is one of my favoritePortico is one of my favorite lunch and dinner spots - can not wait until the weather warms to sit outside, but eating inside is great too. It is a warm, friendly place with great food! The owner was so nice to offer the cooking technique for the brussel sprouts that my 7 year old LOVES.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMGood food and service. ItGood food and service. It was quite noisy at the restaurant when we went on Thursday, 3/28.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMLove the restaurant ---foodLove the restaurant ---food and service are always good to great but hate the fact my ears ring with the noise level for hours after each departure .3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our first time diningThis was our first time dining at Portico. We really enjoyed all aspects of the meal, except for the noise level. It was REALLY loud. We could barely hear each other just over our table. I think this has to do with the small space and the lack of carpet/rugs in the room. We were looking forward to a quiet meal (after leaving our five children home with a babysitter) and my husband joked at one point that he felt like we were right at home! :) That's the only complaint we have. The food was delicious. Our server was fair. We couldn't hear him very well, be he did his job without a lot of fanfare.
We would recommend Portico, but we'd love to come back and be able to enjoy a delicious meal and be able to have a conversation.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMnice little quaint restaurantWe were happy to finally go to this wonderful quaint restaurant. The restaurant is small, but in warm weather you can sit outside on the patio overlooking the surrounding garden and the beautiful stone fireplace. Our side salads of chopped greens with goat cheese and balsamic vinegarette were large and so good we had to eat it all. The egplant had a layer of cheeses under the mozzarella that was oh so delicious! We had the flan which was not the usual sweet syrupy flan, but a lighter version that bordered on cheesecake with berries inside and out. We sat inside, but I plan to go back when it is warmer to sit outside! The only negative was that it was too loud to comforatbly hear our waiter or each other.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AM