Helen's

11/23/08

best meal I have had in years

by cassie27 at Citysearch

Helen's is back with vengeance. I have not been there in years and had honestly kind of forgotten about it until someone at work mentioned going there for restaurant week. So i followed suite. I ate at four other restaurants that week and not one could compare. I had braised short ribs, a tuscan bean soup, and a rich chocolate terrine. So simple and elegant while actually very filling (unlike anywhere else). Then I went back this week for there regular menu and tried the venison tacos and fried green tomatoes! best ever. going back next week and i can't wait.

• Pros: ssoooooo goood. and the servers.
• Cons: parking hard but it is the city

02/04/08

I have not had a better restaurant experience in years

by rvaboy4u at Citysearch

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.

11/21/07

Best food in the city

by gigirva at Citysearch

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.

03/10/03

Excellent

by fanrat at Citysearch

Elegant without being stuffy and the food is outstanding. Well worth the money. Be adventurous with your order. Not the largest wine list but it does have quality selections.

08/28/02

Excellent Nouveau in The Fan!!

by sunshine91307 at Citysearch

Wonderfully ECLECTIC and unique. A great place to celebrate a special occasion. Great food and non-interfering service.

• Pros: Eclectic, Exceptional Food
• Cons: Fan parking