Old Original Bookbinder's Restaurant

This is our family's favorite dining spot. There is no better seafood around. It has the perfect combo of delicious cuisine, enjoyable ambiance and attentive service. My absolute top-choice meal is Surf & Turf, but Pan-seared Scallops is a close second. The wife is partial to fresh fish prepared just as she likes it along with the wedge salad. The key, though, is freshness of ingredients and outstanding preparation. I am usually so stuffed I barely have room for dessert, but I get one anyway and take home any leftovers for a next-day treat. more

Passed through and had been to Bookbinders in Philly, thought I give this one a try...the best food and ambiance. Wish Bookbinders opened in Los Angeles. more

***POSTED THIS ON CRAIGSLIST*** I will NOT be eating at Old Original Bookbinders again. -Overpriced, generic food. Filet was overcooked, Salmon was dry (nice flavors though...). The only saving grace of the meal and wine were the Lobster Mac N' Cheese, but how can you mess that up...? -Their wine list was a complete mess, not to mention generic and boring. *Yawn* -Was treated like I was at a diner by my server; he looked panicked the whole time he waited on me. I don't remember his name, but he was British, and socially awkward. Recited the specials and answered questions about the menu like he was a monotone robot. He even threw in a ""joke"" that sounded completely scripted and rehearsed. -Speaking of socially awkward, PRAY the owner doesn't stop by your table to speak to you. He made my skin crawl and I caught him looking at my wife's breasts a couple of times (they were completely covered btw). -On the way to and from the bathroom I saw the servers all grouped together. They were unabashedly talking trash about their tables. I was actually surprised Old Original Bookbinders had any good reviews online... *** RECEIVED THIS RESPONSE*** We have almost abandoned Bookbinders as well. Hondos has better steaks and overall food at a much better price point. We experienced the roving owner as well! He was defending the fact that there was not enough ""business"" to justify a espresso machine. That night, his young daughter was joining him on his rounds and stood by our table with him. Very strange. Give Water Grill a try. You will not be disappointed. more

Everything we ordered was delicious. The crab cakes were simply crab - no fillers. Very good. The Kona filet was the best steak my friend had had in a very long time. Unique. The mozzarella salad (wrapped in prosciutto) was a good twist of the traditional caprese salad. Very pleasant experience. Would definitely go again if I'm in the area. Pros: Crab cakes/ kona filet Cons: nothing, although key lime w/chocolate crust would have been more

Was looking forward to Bookbinders for our weekly nice dinner for my husband and I. Its pretty inside and the ambience is nice. They honored our request and got us a booth so that we could sit next to each other. Most of the patrons have their nose up in the air, so be careful. We don't feel the need to flaunt our money, but it seemed many people here did. Server was unpleasant the entire time. We had to ask for bread from 3 people 4 times. It finally came with our entree. Not a good start to the meal. However, I must admit it was the best bread I've had in Richmond. hot sourdough, amazing butter. The caesar salads were quite good, and we both enjoyed them. I ordered the petite filet and my husband the blackened tuna. We both thought our dishes were good, but not over-the-top. They were satisfying, but not the best. For dessert we tried the key lime which is in a chocolate cookie crust. Interesting combination, but oh-so-good. Server never got friendlier. However, I would go back for the bread and the Caesar. They were worth the trip back. Heck, I would go back just for the bread. Overall, good dining experience, but if you are in that end of town, go to Sensi, which is next door. Thats our all time favorite in Richmond. Pros: bread, salad, dessert Cons: service more

My husband and I went for our 1st anniversery. We LOVED it...Although I was kind of expecting a little more. The food is very filling and good...kind of bland though. Crabcakes are def. the best!! hands down! Wine was wonderful! Valet a BIG PLUS! Pros: Valet, Crabcakes Cons: Waitress was a little rude... more

it is just my favorite place in Richmond, VA. The best Crab Cakes. more

Every time we dine here, we need a wheelbarrow to take us to the car. The food is so spectacular that we cant stop eating. They say the number one way to a mans heart is through his stomach this restaurant has my heart. Great service, great food and great company equals a consistently good time. I will always have fond memories of this restaurant. I highly recommend this place to be the best in the Richmond area! Pros: Food, Service, Parking Cons: Tough to get in more

My wife and I spent a romantic weekend in a local Bed and Breakfast. The Old Original Bookbinders was part of our trip we are still talking about. The food was terrific and the service was among the best. While Bookbinders is not inexpensive enough to be our weekly diner, it is certainly on the top of our special events list. more

7th wedding anniversary. bartender very attentive with wine. dinner service very good. atmosphere nice and cozy, disappointed with dress attire of some patrons. wife had special and dissappointed with filet mignon, but did enjoy the crab. only steak we eat is filet mignon, this was average at best, bad cut of meat?, mine not much better and the lobster tail was over cooked (decent, but not worth price paid). we enjoy fine dining, good service, and have been to many places. main courses at best average, atmosphere very nice, service will bring us back for a second try (no one is perfect). price paid not worth the food, but we did order two bottles of french wine that were half of our total bill. still a very nice evening for us. everything was perfect until we bit into our filets. perhaps seafood is the specialty of the house. Pros: atmosphere, service, cleanliness Cons: meat more

If you would like an Outstanding Dining Experience in Richmond VA, the place to visit is Bookbinders! The Ambiance is Superb, the Service is Superb and, of course the food is the Finest! FRESH Fish, including Lobster is featured on the varied menu. And the presentation of each course is beautiful - you cant wait to take a bite! I HIGHLY recommend Bookbinders on Cary Street in Richmond! more

Any negative reflection on the service may be the result of a misunderstood appreciation for the inherent bearing of Bookbinders. This restaurant embodies the culture of culinary leisure. There are no churn and turn table ushers trying to roll in the next patron. Here, it is about the dining experience, not the dining expedience. Troy, our server, was the standard of professionalism, knowledge and courtesy. The food is superb; the occasion to relish in an unhurried repast immeasurable, and a return visit is inevitable. Pros: Tradition in service, Steak and Crab, Wine List Cons: add Phila. menu optns more

I can not say enough about what a wonderful time we had here. The service is exceptional and the food outstanding. Beautiful Restaurant! Pros: Awesome staff, Beautiful place, Great food more

I was horrified of going to this place because I thought it was insanely expensive. My brother wanted to go for his birthday so we decided to try it. Its not overpriced and actually pretty reasonable for the quality of the food and service. All of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Someone get the crabcake. Its an entire pound of lump crab meat that is pretty amazing. Great place for special occasions. Service is excellent. Wine selection is fantastic. Pros: Food, Service, Ambience more

I've been trying to go to this restaurant for two years, but not until last week did I finally go. We had a WONDERFUL time. The service and the food were tops in the city! It was worth the wait. more

I disagree with the negative reviews contained herein. I have been to Bookbinders about 10-12 times since it opened and have yet to be disappointed. I have tried their steaks, seafood, most of the appetizers, salads, and the soups. I have yet to be disappointed with anything. The dining room can be a little noisy at times, but is still very elegant and worthy of your best clients. It would be nice, however, if they had more private dining rooms for meetings and celebrations Pros: Food, Service more

Several times I've been to Bookbinder's, once on someone else's ticket and three times on my dime. Each time the service was exceptional and the food scrumptious. Warmly decorated. I would highly recommend this great new addition to our city. more

I was truly impressed with the food quality at this restaraunt as well as the atmosphere and service. The crabcakes are hands down the best and the beef is juicy and tender. I would highly recommend this restaraunt for special occasions. It was $100 for apps and dinner for 2 without alcohol but well worth it. more

I have eaten at Bookbinders four times. One lunch was excellent with good service. The other times, service was so-so and some of the food was not good. Stay away from the Caesar salad -- watery, tasteless dressing, just glob of wet romaine. Do not order the baked potato with lobster mixed into it--really nasty tasting. This is a place I will no longer go to unless someone else is treating. more

Remarkable ambiance, noteworthy service and outstanding food and wine list makes this restaurant our favorite place to dine. It's a good thing we live in the lofts above it. more