Painted Lady
Norfolk, VA 23517-2318
Phone: (757) 623-8872
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Granby Street
- Hours:
- Tue-Sun 11am-9pm
Editorial Review for Painted Lady – by Marisa and Steve Marsey
The Scene
With period furnishings, banquet capabilities, and regularly scheduled tea parties for both the blue-haired set and their grandchildren, owners Bill and Patty Hoover are definitely catering to a diverse clientele. The wine cellar stocks over 80 vintages and also houses a romantic table for two. Upstairs, larger groups dine in the Eggplant and Salmon rooms or shop for tea sets and teddy bears in the eclectic gift shop.
The Food
While meals are served throughout the day--from brunch to lunch and beyond, the dressiest dishes are definitely served at night. Fennel-crusted tuna comes adorned with artichoke hearts and diced shrimp, while the rum-soaked pork chops are covered in a bing cherry demi-glace. The Sunday brunches are hearty, with entrees like steak crepes demanding as much attention as the more conventional spinach quiche.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
When to GoYou can hear live piano music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Where to SitThe Painted Lady has five original working fireplace; request a seat next to one when the weather turns cold.
Know Before You GoAfter lunch is over at 2:30pm, the Painted Lady offers a tea service for its guest until dinner begins at 5pm.
User Reviews for Painted Lady
06/21/2008 Posted by restaurantreviewerwannabe
There were only two other tables being served when we got there at 7:00. It is interesting to note that when I called to make a 7:30 reservation, I was told that time was not available. We asked to sit in the wine cellar for the "ambience." We waited over ten minutes before my husband got up to look for a server. The manager came in first. There were two cardboard boxes on the buffet table in the room. We mentioned this to him. He said they were from a delivery earlier that day and agreed that they were an eyesore, but did not remove them. He offered to buy us drinks. Next the server came in. She said that no one told her we were there. Good PR move, throw the manager under the bus. She was nice, but inexperienced and not pro-active. We had to ask for butter, more water, and after she poured the first glass of wine, she did not refill our glasses. We ordered red wine and she started to pour it in the small wine glasses that were already on the table. We asked for red wine glasses. The food is good, not great and when you spend $100 for dinner for two, you expect better service. We have had wonderful dining experiences there in the past, but we will never go back. Also, dining in an empty restaurant with low energy on a Saturday night isn't fun. There are many other restaurants in the area that are consistently good with no surprises or sub-standard service. The Painted Lady should pick up the pace and provide basic training for the staff and customer service skills for management. We agreed that we wished we had eaten at a different restaurant. You shouldn't feel that way after eating at a "fine dining" establishment. I will say that the piano player was excellent. If not for his music, the deafening silence would have only made an unfortunate dining experience seem even more bleak. It is also interesting to note when we left at about 8:30 there was one occupied table. It made us wonder why a 7:30 reservation was not possible.
Pros: Parking
Cons: Poor service
11/20/2006 Posted by coffinbone
Great food, wonderful atmosphere. Lunch is a treasure, and tea is to be savored. Dinner can be intimate for 2, or wide-ranging for 8 folks. Presentation is excellent, and the menu is thoughtful. What a great place!
Users Like You Also Viewed
Havana
255 Granby St
Norfolk, VA 23510-1813
International Museum of Surgical Science
1516 N Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60610
