Business Description from the Web
Small stylish specializing in tapas style dining. Gets crowded around dinner. Menu includes extensive coctail list.(HamptonRoads.com)
Hot tapas and martini bar. D nightly.
Tips About This Business
Martinis are plentiful, but there are also several rare local brews on tap, such as St. George Golden Ale Porter from Hampton and Red No. 5 from Richmond.
You can add $10 to any tapas for an entree-sized portion or be adventurous and share three or four different items. The menu changes seasonally.
Front-row window seats looking out over Granby Street's busy nightlife are perfect for hanging out and watching the world go by.
Editorial Reviews from the web
The Scene Seating only 32, this place fills up fast: Granby Street regulars pop by for a drink; theatergoers hurry in for a snack. Old-style ceiling fans with shell-shaped paddles lend a Southern feel, but instead of iced tea and lemonade, the staples here are moderately-priced martinis and fancy treats. With half the seats overlooking either the bar or the grill, you're likely to get...
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Posted by Contributor
on April 21, 2009, (Edited July 27, 2004)
If you like tapas-style dining, you must try Empire Little Bar Bistro. If you haven't tried tapas, don't delay. Tapas are the small portions served in bars and restaurants throughout Spain, usually with sherry or other cocktails. At Empire, the martini reigns. Tapas can be as simple as olives and cheese cubes or as elaborate as the onion-roasted petite filet mignon and the duck leg confit. Some...
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Posted by gayot
on July 09, 2007
Other Reviews from the web
We have always had great food here. The service is always good here. The menu is creative and I appreciate the seasonal changes. Very good drinks but perhaps a bit pricey. It does get crowded later in the evening so best to go early.
Posted by BrianMarilyn
on April 21, 2009, (Edited October 01, 2008)
This is definitely a little bar bistro! Don't go late at night when it turns into a bar, unless you are prepared to share your table with those standing around. The martini's are expensive, ouch, but the dinners excellent! The desserts yummmm. They also have Crackers in Norfolk too, that's even smaller but quieter if you don't want the Granby bar scene.
If I could sum up our visit in one word it would be "eh". The food was good and the service wasn't too bad, but I didn't find the place to be anything special. The tapas was about the same price as a much better place down the street.
Pros
+ Pretty good food
Cons
- Price maybe more than the food's worth
Posted by janations
on April 21, 2009, (Edited January 14, 2008)