L'Opossum

MF

I’ve been 3 times. My first 2 visits get a 6/5 for service and food. My last visit was good on food, underwhelming on service. Overall, I’d say this is some of the best (and most beautiful) food in Richmond. The ambience is fantastic. Absolutely unlike anything else in Richmond. I don’t really eat meat, but I did have a small bite of the beef swellington, and it’s been referred to by more than one of my carnivorous companions as “the best cut of beef in the city”. Cocktails are fun and interesting. I mean… a jockstrap on a cocktail glass? Yes. Wine list is comprehensive. Mint-infused water actually tastes like mint. Fabulous. I had the cabbage dish without the cheese on my last visit, and though it was very salty, it’s no small task to make a vegan dish taste like a gourmet dish. The split pea and crab soup I had (pictured) was unreal - a different flavor in literally every bite. Deviled eggs are prettier than they are tasty, but they’re pretty enough to make up for that. I’ve eaten at a few Michelin star restaurants in the US and Europe, and this goes toe to toe. It’s hard to get in, so if you can, take a later ressie. I felt super rushed by my server on this last visit. All we could get was 5pm. I hadn’t seen my companion in 2 years and we were very efficient about ordering, and spent about $250 on one app, 2 mains and drinks. It’s not really okay to drop dessert menus by while people are still eating, and to look at your watch while refilling wine glasses, at a restaurant of this caliber. Maybe she was just new. Sensing her anxiety, I had her cash us out and asked to move to the sofa to finish our wine. After that, the whole tone of the service shifted completely. There was a lovely gentleman who came and refilled our water, even though we said we’d be out of their hair soon and it was unnecessary. It didn’t feel great to pay that much for dinner and feel like we were being rushed, when I would’ve been fine with “just want to make you aware the next reservation is at X time” and let us manage the time. That’s my only negative feedback. Otherwise, this place is superb, and you can get a New York City quality meal for the price of a nicer Richmond meal here. Highly recommend. (Side note: I hate clowns. But the clown decor works here. And only here. Don’t try it at home).

Dylan Rouse

Food, drinks, and atmosphere were fantastic. Money well spent on incredible food. I will definitely come back for another date night or special evening.

Jennifer Tillett Martin

I’ve been waiting years to try this place and it did not disappoint. Everything deserves five stars-the ambiance, the service, the drinks, and the menu. We had one of the best servers I’ve ever had; she was attentive but not overbearing, incredibly knowledgeable about every dish (including the specials), and went above and beyond in every way. We arrived 15 minutes before our reservation and were offered drinks while we sat on the couch. I had an adult version of a Yoo-Hoo and my husband had L’Opossum’s twist on an Old Fashioned. Once seated, a server brought us house-made bread and whipped butter. That butter had a texture unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I do wish it was salted but the texture made up for it. We started with two apps: the escargot and a chilled, seasonal soup with grilled corn, lump crab, and a cilantro oil. The escargot might be be best I’ve ever had. The soup was quite nice for a summer evening. It was light enough to pair well with the escargot, which was quite a bit richer due to the butter and garlic sauce, but heavy enough that it was filling. For the main course, I had the special, which was a pan fried Hake (white, flaky, mild fish) served on a bed of spring vegetables and mushrooms, and finished table-side with a chilled green pea purée. If I remember correctly, the peas are grown on-site. My husband had the lamb shank served with an orange-cranberry relish, broccolini, and spaetzle. One of the more impressive things about L’Opossum is the portions. Rarely do you find a restaurant with such unique plates and high quality food that also provides huge portions. I had to save some of my app just to leave room for my entree, and I still ended up bringing home some of my app and my entree. The server even sent me home with an extra piece of homemade bread to go with my leftovers and placed my chilled soup in the fridge while I ate my entree. Sadly, we didn’t order any dessert because we were just too full. Lastly, the ambience is so unique that you will find yourself gazing all around throughout dinner just to discover all the little hidden gems throughout, like the Star Wars commemorative plates hung on the wall, or the stuffed opossums scattered throughout. They played classic oldies from the 50s and 60s and it just…worked. I can’t say enough about this restaurant. It’s truly an experience and certainly best for a date night. We didn’t find it ridiculously expensive given the quality but it’s definitely on the higher end. I will say we’ve had far pricier meals that weren’t anywhere as close to as good as L’Opossum. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation…the three month wait is worth it.

Meredith Jefferies

Amazing restaurant. Husband had big easy chicken and it was amazing 🤩. I had the crab cakes. We're Marylanders and Virginians .. when I was it was superb I mean it! We honeymooned in France and truly the L'escargots we're on par, hell, above par! Our waitress, Susan was super sweet and attentive without being overly in the way. It was my birthday and we didn't go for dessert (probably a mistake) and they still brought me out a candle. How sweet!!!