The Hard Shell
Richmond, VA 23219-4249
Phone: (804) 643-2333
- Price:
- $$
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm Mon-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm
Editorial Review for The Hard Shell – by Kristine Forrest
The Scene
The good news: The Hard Shell doesn't have any tacky stuffed fish hanging on the walls. The bad news: The restaurant's interior looks a bit like an upscale barbecue joint with its subdued brick walls and chalkboard menus--but don't discount the fabulous patio. It offers a great vantage point for watching Shockoe passers-by.
The Food
Experimenting with seafood becomes an art here, and you'll be thrilled it does. Try the hard shell pasta, the herb-fried oysters or the lobster--it's all unforgettable. The steam bar menu is available on a daily basis, but anyone who doesn't love seafood still has options. This is undoubtedly better than Red Lobster, so splurge a bit and take your sweetie out to a real seafood restaurant. If you can score an outside table, more points for you.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Cost FactorIt's pricey here—entrees average $20.
ReservationsAccepted, but walk-ins are just as welcome.
Extra TouchesIn the cold winter months, each patio umbrella has a built-in heater to keep patrons warm while enjoying the crisp nights.
User Reviews for The Hard Shell
08/07/2007 Posted by rleef77
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this was definitely not what I was expecting. I just moved from Palo Alto, CA to Richmond and I really had high hopes for the great restaurants that are here. Hard Shell is not going to be one of my favorites. Right off the bat there was no hostess at the front when I walked in and I had two different waiters look at me before a third finally helped me. After sitting down, no one came to take my drink order, so waiter #3 came over and offered to get me something while I waited for my waitress. I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from Whitehaven Vineyards and it tasted like Martinelli's sparkling cider. My waitress finally showed up and I ask whether the lobster chowder or she crab soup was better and she assured me the she crab was better. I'd really hate to taste the lobster chowder because the she crab was pretty gross. The flavor was fine, but the texture was more like melted cheese with 2 lumps of crab meat. The main reason I went to Hard Shell was for the crab cakes. I figured a seafood restaurant would have some of the best. The crab cakes were really good and they're about the only reason I would go back. They were really moist and hardly any filler. They were served with dried up rice and thin asparagus. I guess being from CA I know more wine than I should and the wine list was decent, but the prices were outrageous. They had a $17 bottle of Frogs leap Sauvignon Blanc for $42. That's just crazy.
Pros: Crab cakes and the outdoor seating was nice
Cons: The service was bad, she crab soup was bad and the wine list was expensive.
06/18/2007 Posted by babyblue211328
I'm not very downtown savy, but this place is pretty easy to get to. The website has directions, which is a plus, because using the other direction websites are confusing and wrong most times. Once there, I was very impressed. The atmosphere was great because it can go a couple different ways, dressy or casual, and neither party feels over or under dressed! It's priced to be dressy, yet the place looks casual. The first time I went the service was great, the food was great and the whole experience was just leaving me wanting more. So The next weekend I went back for Fathers day. I went on saturday nights, both times and around 8 is when it gets busy. I like dinner around 6:30, and it is a good time to go. You can make reservations, or walk in. Yea, the menu is kinda pricy, but you are getting quality seafood cooked to perfection alongside great steaks or veggies that are so tasty it makes you chew slower to actualy taste your food and not just eat. I love the atmosphere, with the brick walls, wood floors and outside dining I will be back sooner than later. the food was better than expected, the lobster dip is a must order and the cheese cake is the perfect ending to a mouth watering dinner. The service was perfect the first time I went, being an ex-waitress of 3 years, and so so the second time. But both times the parking was free, the food was perfect and the atmosphere is just one of those you have to experience!
Pros: Atmosphere, food experience
Cons: might be a little pricy for those who don't know good seafood!
Schedule
| 05/19/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 05/20/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 05/21/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 05/26/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 05/27/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 05/28/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/02/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/03/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/04/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/09/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/10/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/11/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/16/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/17/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/18/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/23/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/24/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/25/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 06/30/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/01/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/02/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/07/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/08/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/09/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/14/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/15/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/16/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/21/2008 | Jack Frierson | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/22/2008 | Terri Murphy | |
| 7:30 pm | ||
| 07/23/2008 | Rusty and Penn Farmer | |
| 7:30 pm |
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