Europa - Richmond

Excellent tapas more

I think Europa as a whole has greatly improved over the past 2-3 years. I first went there with my family on a whim, when the Hardshell was booked. It was my 23 birthday, and I wanted it to be fun not just for me, but for my parents. While our first experience was definitely lacking in the service department, we still went back a month later when my extended family was in town from Hawaii. This time, we all had a blast, and the waitstaff was much better. Since then, I've made Europa my annual birthday dinner with both friends and family. The food is pretty good, but I've only ever had the tapas; I highly recommend the stuffed peppers and date fritters! The food at Europa lends itself to eating with a large group of people, since picky eaters can choose from more subtle options, while more adventurous tastes are also satisfied. In my opinion, there is nothing more fun than downing pitchers of sangria (red and white) while stuffing my face with delicious Spanish food. Pros: good service, great wine selection, something for every palate Cons: the drunk foolios who populate the Bottom at night more

We had the best time at Europa. They were able to seat our walk in party of 8 right away by moving some tables together and the hostess was extremely friendly. We ordered many items from the tapas menu and they came in ""spurts"" making it easy to share. Our server, Amanda, guided us through the menu and suggested ordering two of most of the items so there would be enough to share. My husband and I wished that some of the tapas were available as entrees! But then we wouldn't have gotten to taste as much. the sangria is also really good. I don't know why people are talking about parking-there is a garage across the street that offers free parking for dinner guests. I have worked around the corner from Europa for the past 8 months and the sign has been there. Also before we even moved here we went to a Rehearsal dinner there and parked in the same lot. And that was in 2006. Both of my experiences at Europa have been really good and I have recommended it to many co-workers. It is not for the person who likes to eat at cookie cutter or chain restaurants. You can't get a grilled chicken breast with (fill in topping here) there. Great for small parties or large groups who are in the mood for a festive atmosphere with character. Try the scallop tapas! Pros: Ambience, free parking, food! Cons: not a place to bring kids more

Was looking forward to a dinner of tapas, but happy that Europa still offered entrees because a weekly steak is part of my diet regimen.\r Easy to make reservations (made them day of dining), was seated promptly. Server was ok, warmed up as the evening went on. Calamari was ok. Olive dish was hugeeeee, way more olives than my husband could eat (prob 75 olives and I dont eat them). Caesar is also part of my religion (lol), and that was fantastic. It was my husbands favorite Caesar that he has ever had. Creamy dressing, good croutons, all around good. Bread was warm and spicey, with olive oil for dipping.\r Filet I ordered was cooked to perfection, my husband ordered several tapas as his entree, and was overly pleased with everything. Dessert was ok, (tres leches cake), would order something else when I go back.\r \r Ambience was nice. Casual if you wanted to be casual, but intimate enough that if you wanted to kick up the wardrobe for the night, you could do that as well. \r \r Overall, it was a really great dining experience. Still doesn't beat my fav- Sensi- though. However, Europa in in 2nd place. :) Pros: bread, salad, steak Cons: dessert, small wine list more

As a weekly business traveler who eats out at least 5 days a week, I have the opportunity to sample many restaurants. Europa is hands down one of my worst experiences. Don't get me wrong, I can understand a certain level of discomfort from a place like this because hey, that's trendy, right? But this was over the top, especially for the price. First, the temperature in the main dining area was about 90 degrees F. The basement, however, was about 50 degrees F. Despite their attempt to move air from the basement to the dining area with a loud fan, our party of 10 spent the meal sweating through our clothing. The temperature, combined with a few drinks (""few"" only because the wait staff would never return to bring another round), made water a very popular commodity. The wait staff, sensing our discomfort, brought out two trendy, blue bottles of water, each containing enough water to fill 2.5 glasses, and then promptly ran away, probably giggling. Though we rationed the water like we were stranded in the desert, it got to the point where we considered drinking the bland sauces that came with the very mediocre tapas. The wait staff, though being true to the European experience, seemed extremely annoyed when we placed orders, whether it be food or drinks. We tried to explain to them that we were hungry and thirsty and willing to give them large sums of money in exchange for goods and services but this only irked them more. To ease their own discomfort, they avoided their tables for most of the night. Even the restroom was a frustrating experience. The were no hand towels and the air dryer was placed at eye level, giving me a burst of hot air to the face while I tried to dry my hands. After leaving Europa, the muggy streets of Richmond actually felt good as we searched for a local pizza joint to get some sustenance after a very unsatisfying meal and head to bed. Pros: Um... Free Parking Cons: Hot, terrible service, below average food more

We needed a last minute reservation and they were booked, but called me back to let me know they had an opening. The food was excellent. The drinks were great Sangria, and the best Mojitos I have ever had. Our Waitress was very friendly and efficient. We were a little disapointed that they were out of the Paella which by the way is $40 for 2 people not $40 per person as someone else wrote. All 4 people in our party ordered different entrees and we all loved them. The Salmon, Tuna, Hanger steak, and Pork were all excellent and the portions were hearty. The atmosphere was was also great. It is nice to have dinner in a spot that has a busy bar so you feel like you are out on the town. We will definitely go back! Pros: Validate Parking, Fun atmosphere Cons: service slow more

After the $9 martini and the $12 appitizer consisting of 4 very thin slices of meat and cheese, my wife and I tried the seafood paella, which was awful, at close to $40 per person for the dish, I expected much more. Cons: Overpriced, Crowded, terrible food more

I was surprised by some of the reviews because I was pleasantly surprised by Europa. We went there by accident, actually we tried to get into another place down the street that had an hour wait. Europa is a spacious place that can almost seem too big. Nice decor although a bit less intimate than I prefer. But hey, it's Shockhoe so what the heck. Service was nice and friendly, and we didn't want for a thing. I had the grilled tuna entree and my husband had the stuffed shrimp. Both were excellent and frankly we were pleasantly surprised at just how good both were. They had a nice wine list with quite a few options by the glass. I enjoyed the food and would return. Pros: Food more

We were a group of 13 but, unlike other restaurants, we were able to hear the conversations most of the way down the table. Most people liked the food except for the vegetarian of the group and her entree was rather bland. Our server was very good except she was over loaded with tables. Besides our table of 13, she was also working a table of 8 heavy drinkers, a table of 6 and a few more tables of 2 to 4 each. Way too much for even a good server. Pros: Differnent Menu Cons: Expensive Parking more

Our waitress was incredibly fast, the tappas were fabulous (although they kept giving an odd number which made it harder to perfectly divide by 2), and the drinks (sangria) were not watered down. Pros: good food, great service, nice sangria Cons: , poor parking more

Food was very disappointing, lamb meatballs were horrible, the other tapas were very ordinary, the service was very slow. Cons: Slow Service, Ordinary Food more

We were a group of 10 seated at an oblong table ... made conversation so difficult. Food prep took twice as long as a sushi bar ... and the place was only half full. Waiter was fine but kitchen was s l o w. Food was either bland or awful [lamb meatballs]. Mixed drinks ? mixed with what ? so weak. Pros: convenient $ parking Cons: slow service, unexciting food more

I don't care for this restaurant at all and it's obvious that they don't care about their customers either. The wait staff is terribly inattentive and the food way overpriced. I guess they're still around because there isn't another tapas place nearby. Unless you like to be ignored and ripped off, don't eat here. more

Europa's is now one of my favorite restuarants if not my absolute favorite!!!!! The food is superb and the service we got was outstanding. Pros: not too crowded, service was great, beautiful place more

I was not blown away by the food, although you can't really go wrong with olives and hummus. My major gripe was the service. We were left sitting with empty glasses and no napkins for twenty five minutes when the restaurant wasn't even crowded. Cons: rude service, poor management more