The Boathouse at Short Pump

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1. JC

   JosephineC

   Richmond

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall4food2service4ambience4

   The atmosphere was nice 👌 and the customer service was good. But some of food we ordered was not enjoyable. We ordered the grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and the chicken was tough and stringy.
   

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2. CB

   ChicoBxng

   Washington DC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Servers name was Kait and she was in training. Did very well the entire dinner and was very respectful! Good luck!
   

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3. DC

   DeseriaC

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Darcy gave us excellent service. Food was tasty. We are repeat customers. Love this restaurant!
   

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4. g

   gideyup1

   New York Area

   1 review

   vip
   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 22, 2023

   overall1food3service2ambience4

   Food was average, nice ambience. The big issue is with their “mandatory 20% service fee”. Hostess said it was mandatory when she seated us, and we can tip extra for “excellent service”. OK we thought this is to prevent people from not tipping, so we were fine with it. But when we got the check, the server made a point to say that she gets almost none of the “20% service fee”, and implied that we need to tip on top of the 20% service fee already added to the check. We were basically guilted into tipping on top of the 20% service fee which we did. So we provided 35% (20% + 15% = service fee + tip) on top of the check. That is simply ridiculous, and a terrible way to treat guests. If what the server said is true, then it’s also a horrible way for the restaurant to treat their servers. And the server should have never disclosed the restaurant’s dirty laundry to guests. It turned a nice evening out with our aunt into an embarrassing awkward end of meal. Bottom line: a terrible experience at the Boathouse Short Pump. Fail…
   

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5. KS

   KevinS

   Washington DC

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall2food2service3ambience4

   Two of us ordered burgers for our meal, one ordered salad with shrimp. The salad came out (not by our server) at least 15 minutes before the burgers, so we didn't get to eat together. The crouton on the Caesar salad was terrible -- like a stale, leathery piece of 2-day old cheap Italian bread. Not just "ok," but *bad*. The burgers were fine, but at $19 (with fries), they'd better be. Food is fine dining priced ($25-45/entree), but the place just doesn't have its "it" together. Our server was wonderful and saved the day with her attentiveness, but the service overall was poor (maybe the kitchen was slammed by a big party or two), and the prices were too high for the quality of experience. Everyplace has a bad day now and again. Maybe this was one for this place.
   

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6. BS

   BethS

   Tallahassee

   12 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall3food2service2ambience3

   Service was slow and the food just wasn’t good. Drinks from the bar were good though.
   

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 16, 2023

   overall2food2service5ambience3

   Service was good but food was meh, seafood was over cooked and overpriced
   

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8. LY

   LisaY

   Orange County

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 14, 2023

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   I enjoyed dinner on Mother's Day at Boathouse in Short Pump. The decor and ambience was very nice. The service was outstanding. I had the broiled seafood platter which was outstanding! My husband ordered calamari as an appetizer which he did have to send back. He said it tasted like it was cooked in old oil. Oddly enough, our waitress said that was a complaint someone made earlier. That makes me question why that wasn't corrected earlier. Also, my husband ordered the swordfish which he said was good but just a bit dry. Despite those issues, we both agreed we enjoyed dining there.
   

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9. MS

   MonicaS

   Richmond

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 14, 2023

   overall2food2service5ambience3

   The food was not what I expected for the price. The food was not warm.
   

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10. R

    Ryan

    Richmond

    1 review

    vip
    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall3food3service1ambience4

    Went for Mother's Day Brunch. 4 people had the buffet and soft drinks. Total was $375. Food was good but felt it was crazy overpriced. We had to clear our own plates as the waitress was mostly absent. 20% tip already included and you serve yourself and then the waitresses don't even come back to help. No thanks.
    

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It is truly the best Mother’s Day brunch around! We loved it and keep coming back every year!
    

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Great Atmosphere. Very well managed. 20% gratuity whether you like it or not.
    

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13. t

    twt8r

    Richmond

    10 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience4

    The service was beyond slow. The food was “meh”. The price…ridiculous. Ambiance was great as always. Over 30 min in between ordering and apps, another 30 min between apps and mains, and 40(!) min to wait for desert. Historically, the Boathouse has been great. This visit was terrible. And don’t blame the dishwasher breaking (which is what we were told)…that does not explain the slow/no service. There is a 20% service added to everything = no incentive for staff to move! Price was WAY over the top for what we got. Half empty restaurant AND bad service?! I have loved the Boathouse and Casa Del Barco in the past (lots of great memories) but today, I think this was my last visit to this over-hyped, poorly-run chain.
    

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14. NM

    NicoleM

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience4

    Waited over 20 minutes for drinks including non-alcoholic drinks. When refills were brought to the table the empty glasses were not removed. We were a party of eight so you can imagine the crowded mess on the table. food took over an hour....vegetables were burned and crab cake was half the size of the bun. On a positive note the manager did correct the crab cake issue and the hush puppies and oysters were delicious. Overall will not return to this Boathouse location
    

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15. M

    Mobo

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall1food4service1ambience4

    VCU grad night for my son, after waiting at the bar for 45 minutes for our reserved table for 7 - we learned our table was given away to another party .. at 9.15pm. After apologies and hostess confusion, accommodations were a table directly in front of the bathroom, to us was not acceptable. I explained this to the hostess, she was nice until I explained I was becoming upset and wanted to speak with the manager. Then she became hostile, referred to me as "ignorant" and went into a closet behind the hostess stand and screamed - completely inappropriate. The mgmt prepared another table with promises everything would be smooth sailing from there. We sat and sat, the manager finally came over to take our order when our overworked "captain" arrived to finish getting orders. My son, who graduated last night, big celebration that we intentionally chose to include The Boathouse in, was the very last person served almost 30 minutes after everyone else was served. No joke. We spend thousands of dollars each month eating at other Boathouse locations a couple times a week. We bring family and have business lunches there. We were absolutely shocked with the service, the lack of a timely response to a traumatizing experience from the hostess - twice I was interrupted by the manager while calmly explaining trying to explain the situation with an assurance that she would "have a talk with the hostess". If mgmt won't listening to what I have to say as a regular guest explaining my experience and concerns, then what is she going to talk to the hostess about to remedy? A night that was supposed to be memorable and joyous was marred by rude treatment, mismanagement, being forgotten, and then sitting at a table that was subpar and cramped - we would have had a better table at Dennys. There was a baby sitting directly behind us throwing macncheese, I had to pull it out of my hair when I got home. Truth be told, we are so disappointed we won't ever ever be back.
    

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16. CA

    CarlA

    Richmond

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had an awesome experience at Boathouse in Short Pump. The food, service, and drinks were really good. The staff helped me set up a surprise dinner for my wife where we had all 3 daughters show up. The staffed worked with me on setting up the table for two until the girls came and surprised my wife. Our waiter was really good. He knew the menu very well and was able to make some food drink referrals based on what we were eating. He was very personable and helped add to a great experience.
    

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17. TV

    TomV

    Richmond

    10 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    Our server was new and tried very hard. Training could be better. Food was mediocre.
    

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18. DH

    DavidH

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4

    Excellent Crab cakes, I would recommend them. Overall diner was great! A little pricey and they add a 20% service fee, which the hostess informed me meant that the server did not expect an additional tip. Well..... I paid cash, with a large bill, considerably more than the check was for the meal and fee, and she asked me if the rest was a tip!
    

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19. BP

    BarbaraP

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 10, 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience3

    Had to ask for bread, said normally they don't service bread, also had to ask for salt & pepper. Food was good but nothing to rave about. I'd probably give it another try. My Husband said Oysters Rockefeller was very good. No sides with his entree?
    

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20. AW

    AmandaW

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    It's wasca very nice dinner. We had oysters and the hush puppies for apps. We had seafood and steak with meals ordered.
    

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21. WM

    WmMckay

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Prep and taste excellent, Swordfish cook done while tender and moist, same with salmon for my spouse. Appetizer oysters fried to perfection, only drawback was they were served with an odd number of oysters so both parties did not have equal share (7 total) .
    

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22. CA

    ConnieA

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall3food4service2ambience4

    Staff guaranteed 20% tip. Have to track them down to get refills and attention. Would not have come to eat there but was given a gift card
    

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23. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall3food3service1ambience3

    I always tip at least 20% when dining but the included service fee very bad as the employees have no incentive to come check on you or go out of their way. Will not be returning to any restaurant in this group. We keep trying hoping it will be better but it’s a flawed business model. Food was decent but not a good value for the portions and lack of service.
    

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24. PK

    PatK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Restaurant week featured a 3 course delicious meal. Asparagus tempura and shrimp appetizer s were a 10. I ate nicely prepared salmon and my husband had 2 generous sized delicious crab cakes. The sides complimented the entree. The Blood Orange Whiskey Sour was perfectly crafted. Caro, our server, was knowledgeable, pleasant, friendly and efficient.
    

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25. M

    Maajaa2

    Charleston

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Went for restaurant week. Had crab cakes which were very good. Portions good great berry bread pudding dessert
    

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26. a

    angel22

    Richmond

    33 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Really enjoyed Restaurant Week menu at the Boathouse. Service was great and the food was delicious.
    

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27. SB

    SarahB

    Richmond

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Disappointed that I made this Birthday reservation for restaurant week so I could treat my mom to her favorite meal of crab cakes with 2 other courses. Was told after being seated that menu was not available until after 4 pm. I told the hostess and the server there was no mention of that on your website or the restaurant week listing. The server nicely mentioned we could try and “ build” a crab cake meal but it wasn’t an option for lunch. We did end up having nice drinks, sandwiches and soup but the experience wasn’t at all what I had hoped for.
    

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28. TM

    TonyM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great time and food! Quick and attentive service.
    

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Greensboro

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 25, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    Overpriced IMO. Skimpy on ingredients. Instead of paying waitstaff more out of their bottom line, they auto add 20% discouraging staff to go beyond and discouraged customer from giving more
    

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30. RG

    RGDaddy

    Richmond

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 25, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4

    The food appeared well prepared & the portions were large. However, everything in my plate tasted of lemon; which is acceptable for the seafood, but not for French fries. All staff were friendly and accommodating.
    

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31. JA

    JANETC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Boathouse is very intimate. I enjoyed Sunday brunch with my date
    

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32. WS

    WilliamS

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    We’d go back. Pleasant and comfortable open-air atmosphere on a warm day.
    

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33. GG

    GeorgeG

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Convenient reservation making. Quick and efficient. From beginning to end, the wait staff was exceptional. The pacing of each course was excellent. The drinks(a mixed drink and a beer) were excellent in their preparation. The clam chowder was BEYOND great! Wow! Both entrees were well-prepared and delicious. The receipt of an anniversary card from the staff was a very nice, considerate touch. Look forward to coming back during the week.
    

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34. JR

    JRCM

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 16, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience4

    Waiter was very professional. Electronic ordering device never out through our cocktail orders. When cocktails were finally served they were both very disgusting and not prepared correctly. Both were sent back. On second attempt 1 of 2 were prepared correctly. Entree was prepared rare when specifically asked for very well. Other food was mildly warm. Not hot as it should have been considering the restaurant was not busy.
    

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35. J

    Jackiet

    Richmond

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 13, 2023

    overall1food1service5ambience5

    The food was blsnd and not a lot of food option so for $232.00 I wasn't happy
    

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36. QR

    QueenRo

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience2

    The total cost was way too expensive for the quality of food and the fact that a nonalcoholic drink wasn’t even included in the price! The beef was so tough, I couldn’t even cut it with my knife! When I was finally able to pull off a piece, I couldn’t chew it, not good. The mini crab cakes were very dry, and no cocktail sauce. The bread pudding was extremely dry also, and they had no ice cream for it. I had a very tiny piece of meat on the Eggs Benedict, and very little taste. Overall, a disappointing Easter dinner.
    

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Houston

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience3

    Was a very very expensive buffet style lunch. Food was ok but not for the price.
    

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38. A

    Angie

    Richmond

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall3food2service5ambience5

    Our server was AMAZING but the food was not great. We were there for brunch and when we ordered coffee they told us they had limited coffee mugs and we couldn’t get coffee…for BRUNCH!
    

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39. S

    Scout

    Salt Lake City

    27 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Really impressive Easter buffet, buy also really expensive.
    

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40. ME

    MaryE

    Richmond

    15 reviews

    4.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    My husband and I celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary and they surprised us with an anniversary card signed by the staff members. That was certainly an unexpected . I got the new England’s clam chowder and the wedge salad. It needed more blue cheese on the dressing which I ended up asking. I I had the fish and chip and my husband decided on a good hamburger for once. He truly liked it which is hard for him to go out to eat in a nice restaurant for just hamburger. My cod fish was flaky and the outer crust was crunchy. My drink called “sea ghost “ was delicious, tasty and strong. Now I know why it is only 2 per customer. Overall, it was good dinners for our anniversary
    

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