Old Original Bookbinders

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David B.

Joined 1 year ago

Best in Richmond - hands down!. This is our family's favorite dining spot. There is no better seafood around. It has the perfect combo of delicious cuisine, enjoyable ambiance and attentive service. My absolute top-choice meal is Surf & Turf, but Pan-seared Scallops is a close second. The wife is partial to fresh fish prepared just as she likes it along with the wedge salad. The key, though, is freshness of ingredients and outstanding preparation. I am usually so stuffed I barely have room for dessert, but I get one anyway and take home any leftovers for a next-day treat.

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Bernice L.

Joined 1 year ago

Fabulous.... Passed through and had been to Bookbinders in Philly, thought I give this one a try...the best food and ambiance. Wish Bookbinders opened in Los Angeles.

Wish I were in Richmond again just for another wonderful experience. Thank you all.

Doesn't Recommend

Foodie17

Joined 2 years ago

Much Ado About Nothing. ***POSTED THIS ON CRAIGSLIST***

I will NOT be eating at Old Original Bookbinders again.

-Overpriced, generic food. Filet was overcooked, Salmon was dry (nice flavors though...). The only saving grace of the meal and wine were the Lobster Mac N' Cheese, but how can you mess that up...?

-Their wine list was a complete mess, not to mention generic and boring. *Yawn*

-Was treated like I was at a diner by my server; he looked panicked the whole time he waited on me. I don't remember his name, but he was British, and socially awkward. Recited the specials and answered questions about the menu like he was a monotone robot. He even threw in a "joke" that sounded completely scripted and rehearsed.

-Speaking of socially awkward, PRAY the owner doesn't stop by your table to speak to you. He made my skin crawl and I caught him looking at my wife's breasts a couple of times (they were completely covered btw).

-On the way to and from the bathroom I saw the servers all grouped together. They were unabashedly talking trash about their tables.

I was actually surprised Old Original Bookbinders had any good reviews online...

*** RECEIVED THIS RESPONSE***

We have almost abandoned Bookbinders as well. Hondos has better steaks and overall food at a much better price point. We experienced the roving owner as well! He was defending the fact that there was not enough "business" to justify a espresso machine. That night, his young daughter was joining him on his rounds and stood by our table with him. Very strange. Give Water Grill a try. You will not be disappointed.

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danabwhite

Joined 5 years ago

Excellent food.. Everything we ordered was delicious. The crab cakes were simply crab - no fillers. Very good. The Kona filet was the best steak my friend had had in a very long time. Unique. The mozzarella salad (wrapped in prosciutto) was a good twist of the traditional caprese salad. Very pleasant experience. Would definitely go again if I'm in the area.

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luvtodineandtravel

Joined 6 years ago

Great bread, snob service. Was looking forward to Bookbinders for our weekly nice dinner for my husband and I. Its pretty inside and the ambience is nice. They honored our request and got us a booth so that we could sit next to each other. Most of the patrons have their nose up in the air, so be careful. We don't feel the need to flaunt our money, but it seemed many people here did. Server was unpleasant the entire time. We had to ask for bread from 3 people 4 times. It finally came with our entree. Not a good start to the meal. However, I must admit it was the best bread I've had in Richmond. hot sourdough, amazing butter. The caesar salads were quite good, and we both enjoyed them. I ordered the petite filet and my husband the blackened tuna. We both thought our dishes were good, but not over-the-top. They were satisfying, but not the best. For dessert we tried the key lime which is in a chocolate cookie crust. Interesting combination, but oh-so-good. Server never got friendlier. However, I would go back for the bread and the Caesar. They were worth the trip back. Heck, I would go back just for the bread. Overall, good dining experience, but if you are in that end of town, go to Sensi, which is next door. Thats our all time favorite in Richmond.

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keltraylor

Joined 6 years ago

Awsome. My husband and I went for our 1st anniversery. We LOVED it...Although I was kind of expecting a little more. The food is very filling and good...kind of bland though. Crabcakes are def. the best!! hands down! Wine was wonderful! Valet a BIG PLUS!

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lovetofinedine

Joined 7 years ago

It is just a great place. it is just my favorite place in Richmond, VA. The best Crab Cakes.

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1979blackvet

Joined 7 years ago

Best place to eat in Richmond- No contest. Every time we dine here, we need a wheelbarrow to take us to the car. The food is so spectacular that we cant stop eating. They say the number one way to a mans heart is through his stomach this restaurant has my heart. Great service, great food and great company equals a consistently good time. I will always have fond memories of this restaurant. I highly recommend this place to be the best in the Richmond area!

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dock

Joined 10 years ago

Great "Birthday Place". My wife and I spent a romantic weekend in a local Bed and Breakfast. The Old Original Bookbinders was part of our trip we are still talking about. The food was terrific and the service was among the best. While Bookbinders is not inexpensive enough to be our weekly diner, it is certainly on the top of our special events list.

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mnmbuss

Joined 8 years ago

nice place, but not perfect...... 7th wedding anniversary. bartender very attentive with wine. dinner service very good. atmosphere nice and cozy, disappointed with dress attire of some patrons. wife had special and dissappointed with filet mignon, but did enjoy the crab. only steak we eat is filet mignon, this was average at best, bad cut of meat?, mine not much better and the lobster tail was over cooked (decent, but not worth price paid). we enjoy fine dining, good service, and have been to many places. main courses at best average, atmosphere very nice, service will bring us back for a second try (no one is perfect). price paid not worth the food, but we did order two bottles of french wine that were half of our total bill. still a very nice evening for us. everything was perfect until we bit into our filets. perhaps seafood is the specialty of the house.