GRANDSTAFF & STEIN, Richmond - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews & Reservations

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Speakeasy with Contemporary American Cuisine - Richmond, Virginia.

CUISINES

Bar, Contemporary

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly

Meals

Dinner, Late Night, Drinks

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

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4.0

40 reviews

Excellent

16

Very good

7

Average

10

Poor

6

Terrible

1

Kelly R

Richmond1033 contributions

Great Place!!!

Jan 2023 • couples

3 couples came here for dinner and drinks to celebrate a birthday. We ordered a variety of food and beverages and everything was wonderful. It’s super cool how you enter into a bookstore with a hidden doorway to get in. Don’t forget to get the password! The cocktails were very creative and tasty. My favorite was the Tiger Milk. The mules were also good as was the mezcal drink. They had a good variety of beers, too. We had crab dip, the charcuterie, and caprese salad for the table. Several ordered the filet which came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. A couple of us opted for brussel sprouts instead of the asparagus and they were the bomb! The filet and mash was great, too. I forget what a couple of the guys got, it was a veal dish and they really liked it. One person enjoyed the tuna. We all shared desserts and they were delicious. The bread pudding was my favorite but all were good. Service was on point. I’d highly recommend going and I hope to return:)

Written February 3, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christian

Washington DC118 contributions

Great Speakeasy!

Apr 2022 • none

My wife took me here for pre dinner drinks and it was a great time! Great speakeasy ambience, complete with a secret entrance, password, and period dressed staff. The drinks were delicious and the appetizers tasty. Will gladly visit again!

Written April 23, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Catzear36

Glen Allen341 contributions

Food was ok.

Dec 2019 • couples

We came for a special meal. We thought the food was average. We has Chicken Marsala and Shrimp and Andouille Pasta. Both were average. Crab dip was good. The pecan pie was wonderful. This is more of a place for drinks and an assignation with the darkness of the room. Don't bother with a meal. Appetizers should tie you over.

Written January 8, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Susan E

Saint Louis2 contributions

It was "not great"

Jan 2024 • couples

fun atmosphere, drinks were good but the food......terrible. no flavor. My husband's "duck dummies" came out cold! Waited a long time for our drinks the food arrived at the same time.

Written January 20, 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BethannRoberts

Chesapeake11 contributions

Unique Experience

Sep 2023 • couples

So This was the first time we have been to a Speakeasy. We went for drinks about 800pm and had to look up the password to get in on Twitter. It looks like a small book store however the book shelf opens up and an amazing old all brick bars with rustic hardwood floors and rustic lighting provided a great background for swanky drinks and dancing!

Written September 25, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

y-gro-up

Virginia Beach212 contributions

Great “Speakeasy” vibe

Aug 2022 • friends

Had a great time at the bar with Lawrence (mixologist) Lots of great bourbon. Throw back feel. Cool entrance. Need password

Written August 21, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Don M

Chestertown15 contributions

Two of Four meals not cooked properly - no theme based atmosphere (just a bar...)

Jan 2020 • none

Visit - 1/18. Large group. Disappointed. No "atmosphere" aside from some women wearing Roaring 20's dresses to support speakeasy concept provided that we saw - just a well stocked bar. It took an super long time to order, not long to receive meal, and far too long for wait staff to ask if we wanted to pay. On the bill, a not - adjustable tip added - could not change (GRR!). Two (2) of our group had issues with the meal. #1 - The Filet was also not cooked properly. Asked for Med Well, received a steak that was Medium (just past the no-blood point but very red and cool). #2 - The Rib-eye was a poor piece of beef. Customer unhappy. Not cooked as requested. Asked for medium and got Med-Rare to Rare. Very little of the piece had no gristle, fat, or other not-nice meat - it was a very poor piece.

Written January 20, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Creags

Richmond15 contributions

Great drinks, food nothing special

Nov 2019 • couples

Go for drink before or after dinner. Excellent craft cocktail menu. Food is bland, nothing special, when we do not finish an appetizer, you know it is lacking.

Written November 9, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Noodles3603

Mechanicsville52 contributions

Password Protected Date Night

Oct 2019 • couples

I found this restaurant on Open Table, then searched here for reviews and then went to the website. I was VERY intrigued! This place DID NOT disappoint! Do the research on the website and go to The Juice Joint to find the current password (changes weekly) - you’ll need it when you get into the lobby of the restaurant ;). I won’t go into further detail, b/c I want you to enjoy some surprises :) The food and service were spectacular! We really felt like we stepped back in time. This speakeasy style restaurant nailed it!!! Their drinks were amazing - I enjoyed a specialty drink, while my husband tried an old fashioned. The food was also delicious! We had crab dip to start. He got the ribeye and said it’s one of the best he’s had. I got Osso Bucco - if it’s on the menu (which is rarely seen), I get it! It was delicious!! We cannot wait to go back!!!

Written October 27, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Turner S

1502 contributions

a gem

Oct 2019 • none

This was my favorite thing in Richmond. Their cocktails are very good and they are trying fun, creative recipes. The signature cocktails are $12 and the classic cocktails are $10. Go for something different on the signature menu. They made particularly good rum cocktails. They must have had a seasonal menu because the wife had a cocktail that tasted the way it smells if you go apple picking or walk through a pumpkin patch. I really liked their food as well. Fantastic baked Brie. We finished with a delicious pumpkin cheesecake. The ambiance was also perfect. The music was all from the 20s-40s. The staff were laid back and the server was not on top of us all night. He magically appeared when we needed something but otherwise left us to enjoy our night. The hostess was awesome in her mohair coat. The bartender brought us a cocktail and apologized for a delay that I didn’t even notice. Everything was truly perfect. It has all the looks of a pretentious bar but it is the opposite. I look forward to going back on our next Richmond weekend.

Written October 15, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GuatemalaCiclista

Chicago347 contributions

A real speakeasy in 2019

Aug 2019 • business

We had eaten actoss the street for dinner and upon leaving we jested about the "stein" in the bookshop name. I zipped across the street to see that one of the bookshelves was hinged and partially open. All of my party joined me as we were transported back to prohibition America. What a fabulous historical journey. I of course drank a beer on tap called the "21st amendment". Great fun.

Written August 1, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MissyKelly

896 contributions

Late night weekday Birthday dinner

Jun 2019 • couples

If you are a Richmond native or ever been here you know that finding decent food after 9pm on a weekday is nearly impossible until I discovered this place that closes at midnight during the week. Yay! It’s centrally located in Downtown Richmond which means hard to find street parking. We were greeted by a hostess requesting a password. Password? I had no idea, but she allowed us to enter. The decor is reminiscent of a 1920s speakeasy which is fun! There’s booths, tables, patio seating, and a full bar. Every night there is a different bar special. My recommendation would be to stick to bar drinks because the food is not good. $100 later after ordering two appetizers and entrees plus one drink, I was extremely disappointed with the food quality. I ordered the mahi fish and it tasted sour. You know fish smells and tastes fishy when it is not fresh. The shrimp andouille was a plate full of bland food. I was very disappointed by the food.

Written June 19, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kristin C

Dunn Loring18 contributions

Successful Father’s Day Fete in a Secret Restaurant

Jun 2019 • family

We were a family of 5 celebrating 3 who are dads on the night before Father’s Day. I surprised them by taking them to this “secret” speakeasy hidden behind a plain gray brick facade and a password-protected, movable bookcase in Shockoe Slip, Richmond. I was a little worried because of the bad reviews but we had a blast, and the food, service and drinks were all superb. I had the roast pork with mashed potatoes and excellent Brussel sprouts, plus a hummus and pita starter. Dad had a tasty, gigantic tuna portion on quinoa and the tequila-lime popcorn (greasy but pretty good). Ditto for my husband but with the cheese plate starter, the latter of which was just ordinary. My brother had very good fish, and my daughter relished her gnocchi with red pepper sauce. We especially loved the mock tails—the Bessie and the Duke, both of which were deliciously refreshing fruit, herb and ginger soda mixtures. The cocktails also were memorable—try anything in the middle of the menu. Next time we will try some mikes—and yes, there will be a next time! My 80-year-old dad loved the secret password, the martini book staff gave him (I had asked if they could do something special since he had turned 80), and that he could hear the conversation. We went at 6 on a Saturday night because I figured it would be quieter then, which it was. It’s likely quite loud when that bar is full. We had a fun, knowledgeable waitress who helped us pick food and sort the huge cocktail selection—she was spot on. I recommend this unique experience!

Written June 16, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CryptoFred

Anchorage9 contributions

Dark and left alone.

May 2019 • couples

Biggest reason this place receives 3 stars is because of their amazing drinks. Bartender made them wonderfully. We tried 4 different drinks between us and loved them all. Appetizer came out quickly and was delicious (crab dip). The place loses two stars for the inattentiveness of the bartender. She was more concerned with her phone and/or eating behind the bar with her back to the customers than actual service. The food is overpriced and most of the dishes (name alone) looked unappetizing. I am a picky eater though so I didn’t dock a star for that as it’s just a matter of opinion. Cool concept with crappy service.

Written May 28, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Erica L

Cleveland41 contributions

Birthday Celebration

Feb 2019 • family

Shhh..... I was born and raised in Richmond, but currently live in Maryland. There are so many new restaurants in the city that I am always pleased when I can find a hidden gem. My sister-in-law told us about Grandstaff and Stein Booksellers. I’m so glad that I made reservations; it was busy. They definitely have pulled off the speak easy concept; however, I don’t think I ever received a password when making my reservations on OpenTable. I love the surprise of walking into a library and opening up to a bustling restaurant and bar. The ambiance was nice with small touches of the prohibition era. The wine/cocktail list is more expansive than the food, but shouldn’t it be?? I ordered a classic old fashion. I had the chicken pot pie. The presentation was cute. It was a small portion that worked well for me; however, it was a little salty and it could have used a green vegetable in the broth. Other favorites at the table were the crab cakes, filet, Brussel sprouts, and lamb. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable of the menu, and accommodating to requests. We will be back!

Written February 12, 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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