River Stone Chophouse

Reviews

• Dale H.

  star star star star star_border 7 June 2026

  Don't be fooled. There are much better steak and seafood places in Hampton Roads. My wife and I ordered lobster and steak for two. The lobster was a shriveled mess, and the steak was full of gristle. Believe me next time we will find a much better way to spend $150 formeal for two.
  
  *****UPDATE*****
  OK, I believe in second chances. After our terrible first experience, I called the manager to complain. Ben, was not only responsive, but sent us a gift card covering our full bill. My wife and I revisited on September 21. I must tell you, this was a complete different experience.  I am changing my rating to a 4 stars based on the second experience. If this had been our only experience, I would be giving a 5 stars. The prices are still expensive, but on the second visit, everything was absolute perfection. I do not think the staff had any idea who we were in the beginning, but after the meal Ben and I spoke. We gave him great compliments on the turn-around, and he again apologized for our first experience. I must say, it was as different as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. We do plan to visit again, and will update to 5 stars if that visit remains is good.

• Jonah F.

  star star star star_border star_border 5 June 2026

  My wife and I came here for our anniversary dinner. While the atmosphere and building are both very pleasant, the food and overall experience left a lot to be desired. My wife and I are both foodies with the requisite experience to know what a $50 steak should look and taste like. We ordered the Poutine to start, which was excellent. Presentation was lovely and the flavors/execution were very nice. Unfortunately, that is where the good news ended. We each ordered the 22 ounce dry aged ribeye, a dish River Stone claims as their signature steak dish and a side of Brussels sprouts with onion jam. After waiting almost a full hour after receiving our appetizer, we received our mains. Both steaks were ordered medium rare; my wife's steak was cooked properly and mine was so rare, it was staring back at me. After returning the steak and waiting another 25 minutes , a manager delivered my second steak which was delivered medium and offered to comp us one steak since our anniversary dinner was completely ruined (my wife ate alone while sat and watched). Both steaks were grossly under-seasoned and bland; not nearly enough salt! The Brussels sprouts were honesty some of the worst things I've ever eaten at a restaurant. Completely raw and swimming a water-like consistency of bacon/onion "juice" (far and away from worthy of being called an onion jam). Overall service was just okay; certainly not good for the caliber of restaurant River Stone touts. Of note, our servers demeanor changed drastically after the manager comp'd my steak; it was overwhelmingly clear she assumed her tip was going down based off a now lesser sub-total. While I can understand this frustration from a waitress' perspective, the diner should never see or be aware of that. It is completely unprofessional and was perhaps the worst taste in my mouth for the whole meal (we tipped her based of what the original sub-total was before the comp btw). In a last ditch effort to undo the poor excuse for an anniversary dinner we experienced at River stone, they presented us with the world's smallest shot-glass of champagne and at that point said "happy anniversary". Perhaps I'm critical, but if I owned a restaurant like that and someone made reservations and communicated it was an anniversary, I might have some champagne ready for them when they first sit...but I suppose that's just me.
  
  River Stone is not a terrible place to eat however they could certainly use a kitchen staff who are passionate and can properly season a steak.

• Brandon O.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 2 June 2026

  5 - that's right 5 whole people here at the bar.  Wow slow service and food is just ok.  But you will pay a lot for the slow service and steaks that are better at outback.  Wine was good.  Food not so much!  Bartender was ok and the guy who gets all dressed up and walks behind the bar has zero personality.  But he looks good doing it.  If he knows you he will make small talk...if not then don't make eye contact - he may run away!
  
  Ok now let's discuss the meal....if you order medium expect burnt edges and medium well.  I love a cold baked potato.  How about you?  Why didn't i send it back?  Well I was always told if you want someone to do something to your food send it back.  
  
  Cheers and better luck to you and your meal.

• Alicia W.

  star star star star star_border 31 May 2026

  Waitress and staff were very friendly and nice.
  
  Food was pretty good. Steaks were cooked just like we asked. The mushroom polenta was rather bland. Lack of spices/seasoning. The calamari appetizer was great and the calamari was tender.
  
  Pineapple mojito was tasty.

• Katie J.

  star star star star star 12 May 2026

  Business dinner was beyond wonderful. Waitress was phenomenal. Best dining experience I've had out of town in a long time. Filet was a perfect blue rare. Able to bring our own bottles of wine as well as order off the menu. Appetizers were wonderful, sides large enough to share. When I visit again, I'll be dining here again. Recommended highly, don't miss this!
  
  THEY HAVE EVERY VINTAGE OF OPUS ONE ON DISPLAY!