The Black Hen Restaurant

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1. B

   Bassbug18

   Richmond

   17 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   17 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall2food1service2ambience2

   Over-priced and poorly cooked fare from an uninspired menu. Kept-warm-in-a-water-bath salmon was bland, savorless and served neither glazed or grilled; a poor cut of gristle-laden filet mignon had little flavor. Add-on charge to substitute a vegetable, really! The $18 martinis, with too much cheap vermouth and not enough gin, served lukewarm. $16 for a by-the-glass Cabernet from a $22 wholesale bottle? Vegetables slightly better than cafeteria quality. To be fair the Thai shrimp appetizer was quite good. We passed on dessert. Service was fair but waiter was neither polished nor convivial. And to include on the bill recommended tip calculations beginning at 20% and ending at 30% nothing more than presumptuous arrogance. The best restaurants are driven by this question: How can I improve the customer experience and get paid for it? The worst by this one: How much more money can I squeeze out of the customer? It’s clear which question the Black Hen answers. Ridiculously expensive for an underwhelming and unsatisfying experience. No reason to return and would not recommend.
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New England

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on May 19, 2023

   overall5food5service4ambience4

   Always an excellent meal. Had the lamb chops and lobster + shrimp ravioli. Both were exceptionally good, well executed and boat loads of flavor. Quick service.
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Dallas

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 16, 2023

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   Everything awful but the drinks. We did not get a server get our order until an hour in. Our appetizer didn’t show up until dessert but at least it was comped at that point. Lamb and pork chop were well done and dry. May return one more time in case it’s a one off.
   

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4. RW

   RedWhiteAndChew

   Washington DC

   53 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   53 reviews

   Dined on May 12, 2023

   overall4food4service3ambience5

   Good but not great. Solid food. Some food and drink are very inventive, tasty (the Asian-inspired shrimp appetizer is very good), while others could use a little something else to set them apart. Maybe some heat, a little more savoriness. Service was a little slow but thoughtful and kind. Very good hostess. Smoked Old Fashion is a fun twist on the standard. Love the location. Also suggest eating outside or at the Barca at Blue for a more fun/cool experience.
   

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5. RB

   RandB

   Washington DC

   14 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   14 reviews

   Dined on May 12, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We had a group of 8 graduation weekend. The food and service were fantastic! The lobster ravioli was delicious! Great experience. Highly recommend!
   

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6. HH

   HHCstaunton

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 12, 2023

   overall5food3service5ambience5

   Our waiter, Eddie was incredible! The food was good but two of the three filets had a large piece of sinew making them very difficult to chew - disappointing on this expensive an entree. But the food was really good otherwise. Thank you for making a great graduation night!
   

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7. CC

   CarolynC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 11, 2023

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Dinner was so good and the restaurant went out of their way to accommodate a couple extra people. Waiter was responsive and friendly
   

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8. c

   cpete64

   Washington DC

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on May 10, 2023

   overall5food4service3ambience3

   Ok, but service was a bit lacking.
   

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9. DL

   DanaL

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on April 30, 2023

   overall3food3service3ambience2

   Entree was extremely overpriced. If it were fantastic I could have sealed the price a little better - but food was just average. Restaurant was understaffed and very slow.
   

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10. ST

    ShawnT

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience3

    While our server was pleasant and polite, he was inept. He did not have familiarity with a simple drink order not listed on the menu. Our initial drinks and appetizers were finished for 30 minutes before he took our entree order, he was not familiar with the specials listed at the front door. We had been seated for 1 hour and 40 minutes before our entrees arrived. We had to stop another server and ask for steak knives as the food began to get cold. Management began making excuses immediately before I could express my dissatisfaction with the service. What should have been a very pleasant evening with family was very disappointing and overpriced for the quality and service.
    

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    A great surprise of wonderful menu options and fantastic food nestled in a college town.
    

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12. MC

    MaureenC

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    2.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience2

    Disappointing. Supposedly one of Blacksburg’s nicer restaurants, Black Hen was understaffed, overpriced, and just disorganized. For $90 per person we were seated on a back deck furnished with the equivalent of patio furniture. Rib eye steak was about 1/4 inch thick. While friendly the few servers and other staff really need some basic restaurant training. Didn’t even see a server until we had been sitting there 15 minutes. Then entrees came while we still had appetizers. The bottle of wine was good but the server didn’t know how to open and serve it. Don’t bother, not worth the money at all. Really blame Management not wait staff.
    

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13. A

    Arose

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience5

    The food is extremely over priced for what you get. It’s not very interesting or flavorful food. It tastes like chain restaurant food.
    

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14. KA

    KathrynA

    Washington DC

    13 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience4

    I had high hopes but it didn’t pan out. Oysters were gritty. Salmon entree did not have much flavor.
    

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15. MR

    MichelleR

    San Francisco

    12 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5

    It was super expensive and I mistakenly picked 2 sides and was told there was an up charge but I thought it would be small service charge. Instead they charged my $6per side instead of giving me the sides that came with it a the 2 I ordered
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    The ambiance and location are what you pay for. We enjoyed the unique experience in walking distance to VT. The food is very over priced and nothing special, but it was a memorable evening.
    

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Poconos

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Restaurant was a little chilly, but food and service were fabulous!
    

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18. m

    marian

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Bella was a great server -kept all 9 of us happy!
    

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19. SC

    SimC

    Las Vegas

    5 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall2food1service3ambience4

    1. Old fashioned didn’t come with a large ice cube but rather with crushed ice - go figure 2. The prosciutto wrapped chicken with risotto and garden peas - all of it cold and the risotto was a single solid lump 3. Having sent the above mentioned prosciutto wrapped chicken back, I did at least receive hot prosciutto wrapped chicken but had the same stodgy and solid risotto and no garden peas - guess they ran out of the cold version. This is the only negative review I’ve ever written - it was that poor it warrants it. Our waitress was lovely and clearly embarrassed.
    

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20. A

    Adam

    Philadelphia

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding food and service. HIGHLY recommend you visit.
    

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21. LA

    LaurenA

    Indiana

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 25, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Good food but small portions for the money. Really great vibes though
    

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22. PB

    PatrickB

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Online menu prices should match in restaurant menu prices - Enjoyed the experience !!!
    

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23. KV

    KaraV

    Houston

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience4

    The kitchen was very backed up and service was very slow. Food was excellent. Wines by the glass list was not very good. They did give us a free bottle of wine to make up for the slowness.
    

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience3

    We were very disappointed with the service. Food was good but the overall experience was one the worst I’ve had in a restaurant. Wait staff seemed nervous, we had to ask for our bottle of wine to be delivered to the table. Our appetizer was served without plates, and we had to go to the bar to get them. Our reservation was for 7:30 and dinner did not arrive until 9:30. Something was very wrong and the young waiter Repeated to others that “it’s just so busy” . Would not go here again.
    

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25. CL

    CynthLiv

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall2food1service1ambience1

    My first impression upon entering was "it's too bright" (it didn't feel like an intimate, upscale restaurant at all). Secondly, there are no white tablecloths on the tables or cloth napkins artistically folded. Thirdly, the cutlery looks like it came from a diner (cheap quality & mismatched). Fourthly, the staff are not dressed professionally or remotely as they should be for such pricy venue. The artwork on the walls is crooked or off-kilter, the tables are too close together & booth-benches are _never_ a good choice for a restaurant charging these prices. The martini olives were absurdly small & martinis should be poured out at the table into chilled glasses on cocktail napkins, not brought to the table sloshing over. The filet was underdone (nearly cold), the Brussels sprouts were likewise underdone & not seasoned at all. The filet should have been served with either a Bearnaise sauce or red wine demi glaze or a green peppercorn sauce, the mashed potatoes were not even garlic mash, so my daughter & I ordered the french fries instead (they were very good & should have been served with a burger) & the music choice was also appropriate for the venue; however, everything else was severely lacking. The ladies room needs a huge overhaul, the base board paint is chipping & dirty. When I made the reservations, I noted that it was a special occasion as we were celebrating my daughter's birthday; however, there was nothing done to make it special for her (a rose, a special dessert, etc)...nothing. Why ask if you are NOT going to do something special? Unfortunately, the evening was a huge disappointment & the venue does not deliver based on the expectations that your website sets. I offer a better dining experience when I'm serving friends or family in my home. If you would like a formal consultation on how to set the stage for a $200 meal, you may contact me; I charge $50/hour. 805-368-3366
    

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26. JC

    JulieC

    Kansas City

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience2

    Waiter had no knowledge of the drink or food menu. Incorrect drink order from the bar, no awareness by the waiter. Risotto was bland and the mushrooms were hard. Salmon was good. Husbands seafood pasta was just ok. Tuxedo cake was the best part of the meal. Defnitely not the atmosphere, service or food to warrant a $162 ticket.
    

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27. M

    Malcolm

    Richmond

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The menu offerings were spot on. Our group of four thoroughly enjoyed our meals and time in the restaurant.
    

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28. N

    None

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    A bit overpriced for what you get. Food was good, not great. Service was good.
    

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29. JK

    JuanK

    Miami

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3

    Good food and friendly service with a casual ambiance
    

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30. GD

    GastronautDC

    Washington DC

    121 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    121 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall1food1service5ambience2

    Our waiter was also the host and the cook. He did his best, an outstanding young men. That said, given he had NO help, service was slow. The Black Hen needs to get their brunch figured out before they lose their faithful customers.
    

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31. NC

    NatalieC

    New York Area

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent service. Amazing menu. Delicious food!
    

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32. C

    Cliff

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We had the cod and it was very good. Met the owner/ chef and he was nice. Good goose martini with blue cheese olives. Liked the wine selection, not too expensive. Bang Band shrimp and Hummus good appy's. Overall glad to see the Burg has this nice place. Also, good for business dinner as not too loud.
    

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33. LL

    LoriL

    Richmond

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    It was freezing In the restaurant and food was cold when served
    

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    E. Tennessee

    17 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    17 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience4

    The menu has changed possibility from pandemic issues. Not as varied as it was in the past.
    

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    13 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience3

    Food was pretty good, server was lovely.
    

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36. DC

    DonaldC

    Richmond

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Salmon, pork chop and Boom Boom shrimp were excellent.
    

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37. NO

    NOVAFoodie

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    Something has changed since our last visit there, not as good as it was. Enjoyed our meal but it was uninspired. Presentation was pedestrian. I will wait and hear if it returns to form before returning or recommending.
    

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38. C

    Cutterwill

    Richmond

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 20, 2022

    overall2food2service3ambience2

    Needs a thorough cleaning. The funny plant was a nice touch, though. 35 dollar pork chop was cooked like a 4 dollar burger with enough salt to numb your tongue. The lamb, however, was very good. Risotto not too shabby, either. All in all, the ambience did not meet the price point. Because of the lack of attention to detail, it's just a restaurant that aspires to be a fancy college night out for a student because it's pretentiously priced and completely underwhelming. Somebody needs to care about their store, again, because it could be fantastic.
    

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39. T

    Thumper

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 15, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    We had a nice meal there for 4. It fills up quickly because it’s a small physical space but we’d definitely come again.
    

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40. JM

    JennyM

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Service was great and the staff answered all our food questions. Food was delicious and would definitely go back again!
    

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