Category: Portsmouth Reviews

An eatery in Portsmouth with true sex appeal, Still brings more to the table that just good looks…

It’s rare that a restaurant gets so many things right without falling on their face.  Still manages to pull off good service, tasty and interesting food served in a contemporary and unique dining room.

Entering Still feels like a time warp back to the 1950s, when people cared about how the bar looked and furniture mattered.  There is a cozy fireplace in the middle of the room and plenty of comfortable seating.  Everything is well appointed, clean and warm.

Although I’m not a huge fan of the tapas movement –  I think serving a bunch of small dishes really breaks up the flow of a traditional meal – I have been pleased with everything I’ve sampled.  The food is always fresh, hot (and/or spicy, should you choose) and in some cases refreshingly experimental.

Service is good, though not exceptional.  There has never been a host when I’ve been, just a bartender or waitress to help you find a table.  At times it seems as though they are either under staffed or perhaps under trained.  A bit more personal attention wouldn’t hurt, especially considering the pricing.  This is one of those restaurants where the staff knows a lot more about the wine and beer selection than anything else, and even though it’s named “Still”, that doesn’t mean they should focus so heavily on that single aspect of the experience.

My only complaint about the seating is that they usually seat you in the back of the restaurant – I’m not sure why – and that means you look right into the kitchen.  As you may know, I’m not a fan of this.

Still is one of the top five places to eat in Portsmouth, easily and one of the top 20 in all of Hampton Roads.  Nuff said.

Contact Information for Still Wordly Eclectic Tapas:
Still Worldly Eclectic Tapas
450 COURT STREET
PORTSMOUTH, VA 23704
(757) 332-7222

Sydney Meers has been in the restaurant game since 1989, but with Stove he makes some serious blunders.

There are a lot of ways you can be greeted when you walk into a restaurant.  Sometimes by a host who asks you if you have a reservation, others by the owner themselves.  At Stove you are greeted by a room full of dead animal heads and a bartender.  The bar/lounge/entrance is where Sydney scares away vegetarians and vegans.  I guess he’s trying to create that ever-so-classy hunt club feel.  No matter what the reasoning, it only has the effect of making you wish you weren’t in the room anymore, and questioning why you went to Stove in the first place.

Moving past the dead animals, you enter the only other room in Stove – the main dining area.  This is a smallish restaurant with only a dozen or so tables, many of which are against a wall with a long bench serving as seating for one side.  Behind the bench is a row of sexy artificial grass.  Classy.  The tables, chairs and serving materials are nice enough and the bathroom exhibits the kind of flair you’d expect from a man with Meers’ reputation.  It’s a shame the rest of the joint doesn’t live up to the restroom or the artwork on the walls that the owner created.  Meers himself can be seen sitting on one side of the dining room behind a curtain like something from The Wizard of Oz.  Sadly there wasn’t really room for his computer here, so he kind of sticks out from behind the little curtain.  It’s just weird to walk by him browsing Facebook on the way to the bathroom.

Another issue with Stove relating to its small size is the fact that the kitchen is just a few feet away from the dining area.  This means that you can literally hear dishes being tossed about and the dishwasher running – not exactly what you’re looking for in a dining experience.

The food and service were both below par as well.  Sydney got a little lazy with the menu, offering less than a dozen items and not bothering to even create first, second or third courses – everything just comes in small or large portions.  Our waitress seemed unexcited to be serving us, even though we were one of only two couples present that evening.  She didn’t elaborate on any of the menu items and seemed to be in a hurry to go do something else.  The food was generally disappointing with no real standouts.  We didn’t stay for desert, as we were just uncomfortable and ready to leave.

Stove is a real disappointment given Meer’s reputation and his previous successes.  I remember having some very enjoyable meals at Cowboy Syd’s, his venture before Stove.  Hopefully with time Sydney will improve his current restaurant but until you hear about it, I’d stay away.

Contact Information for Stove:
Stove
2622 Detroit St
Portsmouth, VA 23707
757-397-0900

Charlie and I have dined here on several occasions, and the food is always consistently delicious. With deep cherry wood decor, warm lighting and French cuisine, be prepared for a romantic evening. There is also a nice patio for dining when the weather permits. The owner of the restaurant greets every customer at some point, no matter how busy they may be. Throughout our entire meal, I really felt taken care of.

Their menu has plenty of scrumptious dishes to choose from. I always order some type of seafood when we dine here because it is cooked to pure perfection. Salmon is the one fish I am most frequently disappointed in at other restaurants. Often it is overcooked and under seasoned. That’s not the case at Cafe’ Europa. They have definitely mastered the art of cooking excellent salmon. The portion size was also more than I had expected.

I saved room for desert, and I’m glad I did. I had warm bread pudding with nuts and chocolate in the center, complimented by a sweet raspberry sauce on the side. You can count on a refined and memorable dining experience at Cafe’ Europa.

Cafe Europa is the opposite of contemporary dining. Everything comes at a slow but comfortable pace, with constant attention from the staff that always makes you feel both welcome and important. The food is traditional in presentation but that doesn’t mean it isn’t well plated. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, unlike most modern themes featuring sharp edges and lots of metals. It’s the kind of place that forces you to relax and put your day behind you.

The service at Cafe Europa is above average, with some of the employees having been there for many years. They are very knowledgeable and congenial, though some people may be put off by the wait times between courses. It’s important to be in the right frame of mind – one of relaxation – before dining here. It’s not unbearably slow and you’ll never find yourself wondering if they’ve forgotten you, but you’re not going home for at least an hour. Sometimes that’s nice, but plan accordingly.

The dining areas all adorned with large original paintings and dark woods and wallpaper all with a very European feel. Seating is always comfortable, though table space can get cramped with various dishes. I’ve never eaten outside but I imagine it would be quite pleasant on a nice day. Noise levels are always within acceptable limits and though the bar is near part of the seating area there has never been anyone at it when we’ve gone and there is a separator between the two sections just in case.

As with the decor, the menu at Cafe Europa bears heavy European influences leaning most strongly towards France. There are many unique items on the menu and no matter what I’ve ordered I have never been disappointed. Eating at Cafe Europa won’t send you home broke, but know that it can add up after you’ve had three courses and some beverages. I don’t think you’ll be complaining when the bill comes out, however.

Cafe Europa has always been one of our favorite local resturants, and if our most recent visit is any indication it will remain so for many years to come.

Contact Information for Cafe Europa:
Cafe Europa
319 High Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
757-399-6652