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Ask anyone in the Richmond where to go for lowkey date nights or a quick drink, and the answer will probably be Violet’s. The dimly lit restaurant and bar has consistently excellent cocktails and a relaxed energy that keeps families with kids and fleece-clad couples coming back. Plus, you can basically always snag a table or last-minute seat at the bar.
photo credit: Grace Sager
This place does solid, seasonally changing American comfort food like stuffed eggplant, burgers, and steak with potatoes. You can order a la carte (the deviled eggs are always a hit), or go for the $35 three-course menu, which is undeniably a great f*cking deal in a town that essentially charges you for CO2 exhalation. What you’ll get is a range of dishes that are mostly just fine, like the passable chicory salad or underwhelming handkerchief pasta. The desserts, however, are the highlight—one day you might get a nice tangy key lime pie, and, the next, a crisp-edged chocolate chip cookie the size of two human hands. The path to success at Violet’s is sitting at the bar over one (or four) of their smooth cocktails and devouring a slice of pie.
Food Rundown
Prix Fixe Dinner
This is one of the most affordable tasting menus in the city. You get two options per course, and should expect choices like a market salad, non-offensive steak and potatoes, or strawberry shortcake.
Big Ass Chocolate Chip Cookie
As advertised, this is a massive dessert, and it’s worth your time. Coming here for this cookie and a few cocktails is the power move.
