Copper Grill Steaks & Lobs

05/30/2008 Posted by tarheel28

I went on a Saturday night with a friend who has been several times - as the guest of company vendors. We had a 6:30 reservation. There was no one at the bar and the restaurant was almost empty. Because we were two females, we were not seated in one of those hideous leopard print snuggle-nest booths, we were seated at a table for two by the huge grill that is in the center of the room. Is this really necessary? Do I need to see trays of raw meat prior to and during dining? My friend had told me that the price of the surf & turf - filet mignon with lobster tail was $45. She was just there a few months ago. She failed to mention that all sides are a la carte to the tune of $7 to $10 each. She opened up her menu first and said, "Oh, the price has gone up a few dollars." Try $16. The surf & turf was $61. I vacillated between the surf & turf or a steak Oscar style for an extra $11, but chose the surf & turf because she had raved so over the lobster. I should have opted for the crab. The lobster tail was fair enough in size (but not for $61), but it was dry and not memorable. The steak ordered medium rare, was cooked perfectly despite its thickness. Something that was very noticeable was that my friend's steak was at least 1/3 larger than mine. I would have never served two people getting the same thing anything with such marked difference in size. We ordered two sides, creamed spinach ($8) and chargrilled vegetables ($7) because I was not told that the sides are enough to feed at least 4 very hungry people. If you get 2 sides they will easily feed 6. The creamed spinach was very good as were the veggies. Our total check for 2 people without drinks or dessert was $143 with tax PLUS a $26 tip. We had three waiters and the Captain did the least work of anyone. He took our order, and then when the food was delivered to the table he waited while we checked the doneness of our steak. I guess the high prices are to compensate for all the help they have.

Pros: candy in the bathrooms, olive oil and parmesan dipping sauce for bread

Cons: PRICES! PRICES! PRICES! You do not get what you pay for.

03/04/2008 Posted by Anne2

This place is completely overpriced and over rated. We went at 6:00 with a reservation on a Saturday night, and were seated close to the heat lamp-prep center of the room, even though there were only there were only 10 other people there...we asked to be moved. All through the 'experience" we overheard talk buzzing through the servers/cooks walkie talkies, and honestly it felt like we were in TGI Fridays. The "Caesar" salad was an odd mix of chopped egg, chopped tomato, and capers....anyone else ever call that a Caesar salad?? We split twin lobster tails, which @ $65 looked to be the size of the ones you get frozen at Kroger for $9 a pair. As we were starting our entree, the hostess seated a couple behind us, and there was clearly not enough room for the lady to sit behind my husband. The lady asked if we could MOVE THE TABLE, which WE did, as the hostess stood there with a stupid smile on her face and a stick up her rear. If we had known that the lobster tails came with rice, we wouldn't have ordered mashed potatoes, Oh, and charging $7 for a side of garlic mashed potatoes is absurd, especially considering you can get them at Escoffier in NY with TRUFFLES for $5.50. p.s., the prices online for the Richmond location are not correct, not sure when they took the jump up even higher than stated, but they should at least update their prices to let people know what they're in for. Better yet, don't go. Will never, ever eat there again. I wasn't able to rate this with zero stars, so I had to give it one.

02/20/2008 Posted by Fayea

Our group of 6 had reservations at 8 p.m. on a Friday night. Of course a couple of folks in the group had already checked out reviews of the place earlier but we decided to give it a try even though some of the comments were not favorable. Hind sight is always 20/20. Based on our experience, online reviews are very helpful which has prompted me to write my first review ever. The service was slow and sporadic but an 18% gratuity was automatically added to each bill. You actually paid for each side dish separately. I had steak and lobster tail. Nothing outstanding about either. For the price, my expectation was definitely higher. I would have to say that when you dine there you are paying for the fancy serving dishes, drinks and atmosphere. The cost is definitely not in the food. We all left there knowing we will never dine there again.

Pros: Ambience, Drinks

Cons: Service

03/07/2007 Posted by lawahoo2001

My husband and I had an early V-dinner at Copper Grill - it was excellent! 3 waiters waited on us. You can watch the chefs grill up the steaks in the middle of the swanky restaurant (which is always playing very classy Sinatra, etc., in the background) and smell the delicious aromas. I ordered the "Surf and Surf" - the lobster and shrimp melted in my mouth. The portion sizes are huge - my husband had half a rotiserrie chicken and 4 diferent sides, all for $23. Yes, you do pay top $ for the steak and lobster, but what you get in return is unparalled service, quality, and ambience. For $100 (including a nice 20% tip that I left), we had two entrees, fabulous bread, wine, dessert, and coffee. This place is big with wine and coffee conneissuers (sp?) - they will bring you your own French press to the table for wonderfully fresh coffee! Be sure to make your reservation on-line and request a booth. Also, the dress code is business casual (they prohibit hats/caps), but who wants to go to such a nice place dressed like a slob? This restaurant is top notch - equivalent to a Bobby Flay Mesa Grill, Roy's (in Hawaii), or any of Wolkfgang Puck/Emeril's restaurants. Believe me - we've been to them all, so we know.

Pros: ambience; value; huge portions; excellent service

Cons: might be expensive for some - best for special occassions

12/17/2006 Posted by fkashley

Atomsphere was loud - background music to loud(but good quality for atomsphere) neighboring tables were talking loudly to be heard over music, it was very hard to hear what the waiters were saying, steaks were not cooked to desired done-ness, grills are to hot for cooking steaks properly. Portions were large but for the price not very good taste. Wait staff knowledgble but were not very attentive, took 25 minutes to get our appetizer order to waiter - took 3 hours to complete our meal with 7 people. Bill came to one price with 20% graduity built in - menu states 18% for parties over 6. paid with credit card and the total came back different from orginal bill. still trying to correct 3 days latter. Manager was not responsive to our need for attentionto correct bill errors. Went on a Saturday night. Overall not a good evening.

Pros: knowledgeable staff, atmosphere for large group

Cons: food valve, atmosphere for not for romance or a quit evening

10/31/2005 Posted by judybane

We had a great dinner with salad and main dish, however when it came to desert, we were had. Creme brulee with Grand Marnier flammed with sugar base. The desert was $6.50, the Grand Marnier was $35.00. No mention was made about the extra charge for the liqueur. We went last Sunday for the Lobster special, 5lb. for $99.00, after ordering, we were told that no 5lb. lobsters were available, and that we could get a 6lb. lobster for $20.00 a pound. Also, a vodka martini with house vodka cost $1.50 extra for Absolut (not requested). For a high end resturant its a nickle/dime operation.

Pros: Food, Service

Cons: Business ethics, Pricing

07/22/2004 Posted by djuang1

Walking into the Copper Grill, I was immediately impressed by the service and ambiance. The service was top-notch with what seemed like 2 waiters for every customer. The food was excellent and came in optimal portions. I ordered the New York Strip steak and it came out exactly like I ordered it. We also ordered the Sampler platter which was enough to feed 4 people. I'd highly recommend this place again to anyone. Excellent price for what you pay for.

Pros: Service, Food, Value