The Hard Shell - BellgradeDelicious birthday dinner!We lucked into Lobster Night at the Hard Shell on Monday night when we went to celebrate my husband's birthday. All three of us had a lobster special and they were wonderful. I usually can't order anything but my favorite shrimp and grits, but the lobster and crab mac and cheese was almost as good.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMperfect service and perfectperfect service and perfect food, thanks for a great day.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMNot only special occasionsTook Mom there for Mother's Day, but it was also my first trip there. I would not hesitate to go there again on a regular day for dinner or brunch in the future. Great location, great atmosphere and excellent fare.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBefore a showWe just split a couple appetizers, a salad and had a couple glasses of wine before a show. We sat outside and it was a nice night. I love the outdoor dining. The crab cake appetizers and steak salad were wonderful. The waitress was great -- I am older and can afford to eat out a fair amount but I really like it when there is no pressure if you just want a little food. I don't want to be pressured to eat more than I desire and our waitress was fine with what we were having!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst timeTook the wife and kids for an early Mother's Day celebration. My wife and daughter both enjoyed the half lobster. My son enjoyed the ribs which fell of the bone. Being a picky eater the put the Bourbin glaze on the side for him. I enjoyed my steak. All the meals had good flavor . We had the house wine which was very tasteful . My son enjoyed the warm brownie with vanilla ice cream. The band that was playing that night was very good. Our waiter did a great job.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMgonna come backgreat dungeness and fried oysters, oyster sampler, really prompt service and food delivery which I did not expect on a busy Friday night. Go Michelle ~!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMReally delicious and friendlyWe had a great meal with a mixed group of four traveling on business. Our waiter, Mike, was attentive and very enjoyable. Crab cakes were AWESOME!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful Seafood, Great Wine SelecA great find in northern Richmond - the seafood dishes were amazing, wine list extensive, and very attentive staff. Great energy in the restaurant while still having an intimate setting at a table for two. Highly recommended to anyone in the area.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good but portions wereVery good but portions were smaller than at most restaurants.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWe made our first visit duringWe made our first visit during Restaurant Week. It was a good introduction to what the restaurant has to offer. The entrees we tried were very good - though not all that special. I'd probably go back again if for nothing more than the key lime pie - it was sinfully delcious! The service was friendly and professional and, dispite a large crowd, the restaurant was reasonably quiet.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was good overall, butFood was good overall, but my oysters (steamed) were dry.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMRegular patrons, especiallyRegular patrons, especially on lobster night. Always happy with our experience.4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious and different twistDelicious and different twist on shrimp & grits; great oyster po boy with zingy remoulade. Fantastic bread pudding. Could upgrade wine list4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMSmooth experience!There were eight of us and we ordered a variety of entrees. Each one of us was very pleased. We had a terrific waitress. Pleasant experience . The noise level was low enough so we could converse easily. We will be going back!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe HardshellLoved this place ! Ever since I have moved to Richmond I have been searching for a good seafood joint with fresh fare, and have been disappointed. The Hard Rock's fare may have been frozen prviously, but it tastes extremely fresh, and their selection is enormous. I will return ! The mint julep and creme brulee I had were also delicious, as was my husband's beer. The service was friendly but slightly inattentive. The ambiance was great. The noise level was appropriate for the type of venue the Hardshell is.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMfine but not mighty fineHard Shell is one of the premiere seafood restaurants in the area--but partially because there's not a lot of competition.
Menu is not extensive, except for the raw bar offerings. The food we had was tasty, portions sufficient, presentation nice, if a bit pricey. Server was excellent, checking at the right times, and generally being knowledgeable and helpful.
Probably a fine place for the raw bar crowd, and certainly a solid choice for the seafood afficianado, but there was no wow factor -- very good but....4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious for Brunch!We went to The Hard Shell for Easter Sunday brunch, and it did not disappoint. The food was delicious, the staff were attentive, and the experience was overall very enjoyable. We will definitely be going back.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGoing back soon......Wonderful evening with great food. I am already planning to bring a small group of friends next week..3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMA nice romantic dinner withA nice romantic dinner with my boyfriend. Prices where decent. The food was amazing I love seafood.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is great every time.Food is great every time. The service is always great too3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThis has become my wife andThis has become my wife and mine's favorite restaurant. The food is great!! We love it.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMVery nice restaurant. MyVery nice restaurant. My daughter had the Sunday night 2lbs of crab legs special and she couldn't finish them. We brought the balance home because they were very fresh and excellent. My surf and turf dinner was very good as well.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat seafood w/o going to the seaThis was a great seafood restaurant away from the sea. My wife ordered the dungeness crabs and they were very sweet and we could tell that they were fresh. I had the tuna and it was cooked to perfection; not dry at all. Our waiter was awesome. He was very attentive and made us feel like we were the only ones there. We had reservations at 6 and the restaurant noise was perfect. AS we were leaving it was a little it noisier but the live 50's band made the background atmosphere better. I would definitely recommend The Hard Shell to individuals who want a romantic meal and fresh seafood without going to the beach.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMI was a bit dissapointed inI was a bit dissapointed in my meal i.e. the "sauteed vegetables" but the waiter made up for it. Overall a very good experience.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in the area for seafoodCelebrated my birthday with excellent seafood, including oysters, crab, lobster. Good wine list, attentive service. Nice bar area, large booths in the restaurant.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMI highly recommend this greatI highly recommend this great place. Seafood lovers will find top quality selections of almost anything out of water and cooked perfectly. Great raw bar choices too.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely first class allAbsolutely first class all around! The environment was comfortable and classy. When we walked in (Sat. night), a small 4 man ensemble was serenading great smooth jazz - not too loud and just the right dinner music - great voice and great guitar work. The service was professional. The food was fantastic and reasonably priced. They had signature drinks and a vast wine selection. I am really picky about my dining experience environment - and this place delighted and pleased on every level. A great experience!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went with our neighborhoodWe went with our neighborhood dinner group. The waitress voluntarily explained the menu. The food was excellent. The service was very good, not superior. The kitchen forgot to fix my husband's oysters, but he was offered a complimentary salad to fill the gap. The shrimp and scallops were excellent, but I was surprised by the Asian influence on the menu, but it taste good. We also enjoyed the live music which was not too loud. It is moderately expensive; therefore, it is sort of a special occasion kind of place.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe b best of the bestWe've eaten hera a number of times and love everything about the restauarant. the great experience starts as you walk in the door, you are greated by pretty smiling hostesses while off to the side is a welcoming fireplace, once the hostess leads you into the dining room you feel even more welcome, it isst decorated with warm wood tones and nice brick walls as accents, the tables are roomy and arranged to provide some privacy. that's just the beginning, the real teats ar yet to come, The waitstaff are friendly and knowledgeble about the entrees and specials as well as efficent serving you. The excellent menu is only exceeded by the wonderful food when it arrives shortly after you order. Any of the staff will offer to clear used table wear.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWONDERFUL!Overall, I loved the whole experience atmosphere, food, service. Excited about returning.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMLove It!We love The Hard Shell because it offers good food and a nice atmosphere. There is ususally a jazz combo just low key enough to be background and not intrusive. The wait staff is well trained and attentive. It's a good place to meet friends and share a special dinner. We haven't sampled the bar much yet, but only because we can't seem to get there earlier enough. We'd recommend The Hard Shell to the pickiest people to try.12/15/2012 12:00:00 AM