http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html http://st1.cdn.ypbot.net/prod/brands/yellowbot/logo_homepage_header.v0aa1e17.gif http://www.yellowbot.com/ http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html Just don't go there for brunch. Food isn't bad, service is slow, but as a regular I've noticed most of the staff remembers me and they are usually short handed. Expect to take your time http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html I have never walked out of restaurant before eating until today. My girlfriend and I came across this place this afternoon and decided to give a it a try. We were not surprised to find the place less than half capacity being that it was the middle of a Sunday and we were promptly seated in the front corner of the restaurant. There was a large table to my left that had all the evidence of its previous occupants (Half-eaten food, glasses, silverware, etc.) and it remained that way until we left. I ordered a beer and my significant other ordered an iced tea. We watched them pour the beverages and set them on the bar and that is where they remained for the next fifteen minutes. When the server finally remembered us he brought out her tea and a beer that was not the brand that I ordered. Normally I would have not complained at such a minor mistake, but the difference between Yueng Ling and Blue Moon with an orange is significant. At this point we decided to salvage our afternoon and retreat from the restaurant. However tasty their food may be, it is not worth the poor service. Pros + Location Cons - Staff http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html I'm really tired of seeing such bad reviews of the place, a restaurant in such a prime location with such an eclectic menu shouldn't be talked about so bad. sometimes at a place that isnt corporate will slip, without business you can't pay for the quality items. I'm sure the cooks are aggravated as well, all cooks take great pride in what they make, and if money gets in the way of that... well, lets just say morale falls. but lets not totally trash the restaurant based on one visit. Go again. even if its for restaurant week and you want to get way more than your money is worth. Pros + location, different tastes, excellent drinks Cons - parking http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html Let me start with something nice. It is a beautiful space. That is the only compliment I can give. Even though the server was nice about everything and never blatantly rude, the service was poor with long waits for refills, a lack of familiarity with the menu (ie. whether an order included a side or not) and then a problem with getting an order out correctly. Even though we were there at opening for brunch, they were not able to prepare several of the breakfast items on the menu because they did not have the necessary ingredients. Out of the 4 plates served at our table 1 would have been rated mediocre the rest were terrible. The french toast had a horrible texture and very little flavor. The bacon was not of the best quality. Things were prepared poorly or had unappetizing flavors or presentation. (Ie. the chicken salad was warm.) Everyone in our party seemed to agree that the best thing about the meal was a muscadine sparkling wine. We all left most of our respective meals on our plates and the server didn't ask if anything was wrong. Are they used to that? I must not leave out the coup de gras. An insect we can't name in this review came from somewhere under the table and crawled across me and members of my party. It was not one of those water ones but and honest to god disease carrying German c*********. We wanted to like this place, and try to give second chances, but in this case we will not be going back. Pros + Beautiful space Cons - Service, food, just about everything else http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html The worst experience I've ever had. I was apalled to witness the bartender spitting into one of the drinks. Unbelievable! The food was not good at all and the service was extremely slow. I would expect more from an established restaurant like The 219. I will never eat THERE again and would never recommend such a disgusting establishment to anyone, not even an enemy. http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html At The 219, I just had the worst Father?s Day Brunch ever! My wife ordered the Greek Scramble in which sun dried tomatoes were replaced with plain regular tomatoes and the portion was a so small (about two spoons full) that it looked ridiculous on the plate full of grits. I ordered the fried green tomatoes egg benedict. The fried green tomatoes were practically uncooked, hard, no flavor and not edible; both egg yokes were broken and the yokes had run under the potatoes. This is not the food quality I would expect from an upscale restaurant like The129. What was most exasperating was when we spoke to the waitress and the manager, all they said was they were very busy and they were sorry about the food. They didn?t even say Happy Father?s Day. http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html went for brunch during "hours of operation" and there wasn't any sign of life. We were about to leave and someone came to open the door, then they turned the lights on once we were seated for 10 minutes. It had a strange smell, like the restaurant had too many party-people the night before! Anyways, not sure they should offer... http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html This is a restaurant my wife and I ate at many times over the past 10 years and had many excellent meals. However, our latest experience was terrible. The server was pleasant but the kitchen is really messed up. On a Sunday evening with a very light house, it took 45 minutes to get out salads, the shrimp appetizer took... http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html We went to the 219 for brunch today and were so disappointed. We eat out brunch in Norfolk almost every Sunday and have wanted to try this one hoping to add to our list of places in rotation. The server wasn't rude, but she really wasn't very good at her job, either. She was unfamiliar with their menu in terms... http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html We've come to 219 for years but no longer will. The last two times we have had unacceptable service. During both visits, the bread came out towards the end of the main meal. During one visit, my entree came out wrong (completely wrong order) and the waitress was put out when I sent it back. When my husband was almost... http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html We have been going to 219 since it opened, probably 15 or more years ago. The food has always been great and we have never had a bad meal. We used to eat out a LOT and we went there often. The seared ahi tuna is great, as it the crab cake, the rockfish, the pizzas... everything. We don't go... http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html Downtown Norfolk has made some tremendous progress during the past 5 years. The new "yuppie" / retiree developments west of Boush along with the Ghent / Hague neighborhoods are now supporting some very nice restaurants. . 219 was very interesting and special. Maybe this was a hole-in-the-wall diner 20~30 years ago, but it is now upscale and incredibly delicious. Crab... http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html Gotta try the crab cakes. http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html I've been to The 219 three times and it has been great each time. The last time was for desserts only and they are quite good. The box office maitre-d booth adds a bit of "Old Norfolk-feel" to the entry way. Nice decor, pleasant bathrooms & vestibule and not to noisy like most other Norfolk restaurants. Nice prices and affordable food. http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html overpriced for what it is, but still tasty. http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html Best Crab Cakes in Norfolk!!!! http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html The sauce is to die for. It is not on the menu but if you ask for it they have it everyday. Do not miss this place. http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html we went here to celebrate a girls night out. it was small but inviting and a clean atmosphere. the whole place was non smoking which was a plus. appetizers were eclectic. crabcheesecake is served cold and alone.it was an unusual presentation for crab but still delicious but needed to be served with a cracker or bread . we had food ranging from specialty pizzas to beef tenderlion all was delicious. tenderloin was so tender no knife needed. we will add this to our list of keepers. service was a little slow but friendly. http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html We went here first just for a drink (great martini), but were intrigued by the menu and returned for dinner. Since then, we have been back many times for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The specials are always creative and there is always an interesting soup (gazpacho is my personal fave). I have not found a dish on the menu that is less than excellent. The wait staff is prompt and attentive. Save room for dessert. http://www.yellowbot.com/219-restaurant-norfolk-va.html The 219 has the most fabulous crab cake I have ever tasted in my entire life. It was a gigantic portion of all lump meat crab. It was the most spectacular dish I have every seen, too. The chef also prepared a wonderful special that my husband devoured. It was sesame encrusted scallops perfectly complemented with noodles and vegetbles. It was such a simple, yet powerfully flavored dish. That idea kind of encompasses this whole restaurant. It's simple, with great value, yet you get an unbelievably elegant meal. I am so glad we found this place! Find local businesses and read and submit reviews and ratings q http://www.yellowbot.com/search/