Helen's
Richmond, VA 23220-4427
Phone: (804) 358-4370
- Hours:
- Mon-Thurs & Sun 5:30pm-9:30pm Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm
Editorial Review for Helen's – by Carter Trumbo
The Scene
East Village bohemian d¿cor meets early Fan. Old but sturdy wooden tables, tiled floors and an open railroad kitchen with hanging pots and pans proves that money is spent on food, not frills. A regular, casually dressed clientele roll in seven nights a week for some of the most eclectic food in town.
The Food
The menu is short but embodies a rich tapestry of colors, flavors, and quirky combinations. Eyebrow-raising? Maybe, but it works. Southerners have always been suckers for potato salad, but this Russian appetizer version sets new standards. Roasted fingerling potatoes surround a heap of horseradish-spiced sauce and red endive fingers fan the plate. Tiny pools of white truffle oil dot the plate for dipping. Divine. A braised beef short rib dinner may seem more like Mom's pot roast, but rutabaga gnocchi and shaved Pecornia save it from suburbia. Homemade desserts (check the chalk board in back) really delight--but the Flaming Fudge Sickle (chocolate pate set afire at the table with Bacardi 151 Rum) is a perfect send off.
Note:
"Citysearch reviews are based on anonymous multiple visits, and all expenses are paid for by Citysearch."
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User Reviews for Helen's
02/04/2008 Posted by rvaboy4u
Helen's is one of those small intimate joints full of character and charming atmosphere. The menu is quite adventurous and is not the average pub grub and grill food you see around the fan. We had a grilled caesar salad with a parmesean crisp that was divine, but the tuna tartar appetiser with a white truffle viniagrette with some sort of chef made citrus caviar was the best appetizer ive eaten in richmond. For an entree my date had jumbo scallops that were perfectly seared to medium and came with beat carpaccio and some horseradish spiked mashed potatoes with a small bacon and microgreen salad on top-great flavor combination. My coqauvin stuffed pheasant was awesome with savory winter flavors- an artichoke puree and a mushroom potato gratin. It was topped with a port wine honey-like sauce and some sage aoli and was awesome. Service was great. Our waiter had charm and finesse and new his stuff. his wine suggestions and sense of humor made our experience. In addition, our chocolate dessert was a great finish to our meal and was more than enough for the two of us to share. Make it a destination on your dining map.
11/21/2007 Posted by gigirva
I know Helen's has a good name but my goodness this was ridiculous. I had the best tuna tartar I have ever had with a japanese (yuzu?) citrus "caviar" that was out of this world. I then had the scallops that were browned to perfection over perfect beets and perfect mashed potatos. Our waitress was adorable and extremely friendly without forgetting to do her job. She made the whole experience about the food and it was no at all a snooby atmosphere. We were in late so around ten their bar crown began rolling in and the whole mood cahnged around us but remaining equally as inviting. I had so much fun. If you have the chance to go do not pass it up.
Pros: food and sense of home
Cons: having to leave to pay the baby sitter.
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