Best Historic Restaurants in Bellwood

Great dinner experience in Richmond’s Manchester neighborhood. Drinks, food and service were outstanding. Shout out to Joshua who looked after us and had excellent recommendations.

The Tobacco Company is a Christmas Eve tradition with me. My soon-to-be-wife and I celebrated there the first time in 1998 (because it's was one of the few restaurants open on Christmas Eve back then, and there was no way we could get together on Christmas Day). This tradition has continued unbroken ever since, 23 of the 27 dinners being at the Tobacco Company. The missed years? Three due to the fire, and 2020 was take-out from another place due to COVID. Last night's meal was the usual: Absolutely excellent. The New York Strip was cooked to perfection (they understand 'rare'), the service was professional and prompt, and the ambience was . . . . . well, what I love the Tobacco Company for. Definitely coming back next year.

Christmas Eve and the place was packed but running efficiently. The owner was visibly on-site, taking pictures of patrons in front of their beautiful Christmas tree, a very nice touch. My only complaint was that it was a prix fixe menu, which I did not know about when I made the reservation. I also saw nothing on their website to indicate such. The food was excellent and well priced at $95 pp, so we stayed, but would have liked to have known that the full menu was not available before we went.

It was a short notice reservation but one well worth it. The Parkerhiuse rolls are fabulous, along with the she crab soup, crab cake, steamed shrimp and salad. Service was great. Other than the loud table behind us it was an excellent night.