M Bistro and Wine Bar

We ate here last night with friends. Very nice atmosphere. I dressed a little nicer and friends had on jeans… so I say it is a between casual and dressy place.
I had the crab bisque and it was very very good. My husband had the short rib ravioli and it said it was okay. He said the ravioli wasn’t stuffed with the ribs but put on top. I had a very good wine. cannot remember the name. I had the rockfish which was good but kind of small. My husband had the kentucky derby something for desert and he said it was okay. Our bill was about $ 100 with wine at about 10 bucks a glass. We should have ordered a bottle I think.

I found this restaurant to be unremarkable and vaguely forgettable. Also, a bit overpriced. The food was good, and the décor was cute, but not a place that offers anything so special I’m dying to go back. A-​OK!

I have been here a few times before, but the last time I came here was for restaurant week and found it to be average. We were seated immediately, however, it took about 15ish minutes for anyone to come and talk to us, even though it was not that busy, and they were definitely not short staffed. Once the server came to our table, he expressed apologies for making us wait.
For the food:
First course I ordered the flat bread with spinach, chicken, and garlic sausage. When the plate came out, I was actually surprised and how small the portion was. I understand it was restaurant week, but it was a much smaller portion than I expected. However, the flavors were pretty good. But, it’s basically just a fancy pizza.
For my main course, I ordered the lamp chops. I’m particular with meats such as lamb, but this was cooked perfectly. The potatoes and asparagus frites that accompanied the chops were also seasoned very well and went well with the meat.
For dessert, I ordered the funnel cake strawberry short cake. It was basically a small cookie sized «funnel cake» and some strawberries atop a mountain of fresh whipped cream, and it was good. The proportions could have been a little better, but the cream tasted so fresh and light, with the funnel cake giving it a little crunch and substance, and the strawberries giving it a sour note.
Overall, the food was average, nothing too memorable. Will come back, but not with any frequency.

Service is severely disappointing. Made reservations for 16 well in advance. We came to an empty lunch time crowd yet somehow it took almost 40 mins to place our order, over an hour to get food… well, part of our food, it trickled in randomly. Some people were finished before other got their food! Waitress rarely made an appearance, had one drink the entire time. Manager gave the impression time was his least priority, no sense of respect and offered NO apology, no refills, no apps, no bread… nothing. We ended up eating the cupcakes we brought in as part of our celebration we were that hungry!
Food was decent but NO way am I coming back with a smaller group to experience another INSANELY LONG dining experience. Not worth it. Good luck M Bistro!

Let me say upfront, the food was ok, I had the Steak Frites, and gave the chef (and apparently owner) leeway on how to cook (rare, medium is usual for a steak) it for best flavor. It was like eating a piece of rubber, and I think he forgot where the salt and pepper was, as there was zero seasoning.
My wife had the super wrapped scalloped, which she admits was perfectly cooked. but a grilled brussell sprouts side comes with it, well when you get all the nice flavor on a brussel sprout why would you then douse it in a sauce? it makes no sense.
For $ 30 a plate there needs to be more consistency, and the chef/​cook needs some updated menu and a sense of a menu that is not all over the place. This is Richmond, VA a foodie town, this will not fly long.

What a lunch! My friend and I both ordered a glass of pro secco. The waiter came back and said they were out but, «try the Chef’s special, which was something white and sparkly, presumably not a sprite. We ordered brut the waiter returned to tell my friend they just 86ed the crab cake, so she ordered something else. It took the waiter 3 trips to the kitchen to find out ifs the meat was fried in the same oil as the fries… it was, bummer. There were 3 tables in the whole restaurant, and it probably took an hour to make my veggie sandwich (which was terribly cold) and what my friend thought would be a lamb burger… but they brought her the crab cake they didn’t have an hour before when we ordered! I was excited to try this place but now I’m equally pleased not to return!

After dining at M during Restaurant week, I decided to go back for dinner with my boyfriend. We had 7pm reservations for Saturday night and the place was practically desserted. Despite not having many diners, the hostess still seated us at a very small table very close to another couple. Sitting practically in another couple’s lap makes it a bit difficult to have a romantic meal. We made the best of it and ordered the Tempura Avocado appetizer. I had sampled the appetizer during restaurant week and it was tiny then, but I assumed that was just because most portions are reduced during restaurant week so diners can sample more of the menu. Unfortunately that was not the case. The appetizer was roughly ¼ of an avocado with maybe 2 tablespoons of crab and lobster salad on top. It was delicious but definitely not worth $ 8 and nowhere near large enough for one person, let alone 2.
I ordered the black cherry roasted duck with broccolini and caramel corn pudding for my entrée. The $ 28 price tag is a bit much to swallow, but the meal was worth every penny. My plate arrived with a huge portion of duck (a least half the bird!) that was cooked to perfection. The skin was just crispy enough and full of flavor and the black cherry reduction was divine. The broccolini was done exactly right — simple and understated to allow the duck to stand out. Despite digging in ravenously, I still had plenty to take home for leftovers the next day.
My boyfriend had the smokey roasted chicken breast with spoon bread waffle. He also received a large portion of chicken, but the waffle was almost non-​existent. He enjoyed it but he was not overly impressed.
I am disappointed that my second visit to M Bistro was not as good as the first. The service was a bit lacking, the atmosphere could have been better and the portions and prices could be more consistent. Not sure if I will go back, despite the amazing duck.

I’d like to start off by saying that the food here was amazing. I had the asparagus fries and a steak and both were cooked to perfection. The owner/​manager was very friendly and so was all the waitstaff. I would absolutely go here again with a small group; no larger than 4.
The reason why I didn’t like this place had nothing to do with the food but how they dealt with a large group. I had called them up a few months in advance to reserve the patio for about 50 – 60 people. They were more than accommodating and when I arrived, they said we could have the back area of the restaurant since it looked like it was going to rain. The manager was more than happy to work with me and the group and I was quite pleased and excited for this event to happen. Once the group got there the service started out really good. Not all 50+ people got there at once, we trickled in though out the night. The busiest part of the night was probably around 7 when most of the 50+ people had showed up. At this point, two waiters were not enough. The two that we had were very good at what they did but seemed quite overwhelmed and there were a good amount of people commenting on the slow service. I think with the amount of time given before the event, the restaurant should have been adequately staffed for the group and the other patrons in the restaurant.
Would I go back here? ABSOLUTELY! Just not with a large group. A nice, quiet dinner with you and your best friend or significant other or even a double date would be lovely here. Like I said, the food was very good and you can definitely tell the owner has put a lot of work into this place.

There is a reason why this place was EMPTY at 8pm on Friday night. Although the menu looked promising, the service and food was sub-​standard. I must admit the appetizer was good — we had the crab and avocado tempura appetizer which was very small but tasty. The service was very slow for how empty the place was. We waited about 10 minutes for our drinks and the appetizer took about another 15 – 20 mins. When the main courses finally arrived, they served my partner rubbery tiny crab cakes covered in a sauce over very undercooked mashed potatoes which still had chunks of raw potato in the middle. How do you screw up mashed potatoes? I ordered the the steak frites and the steak was so tough, I could hardly cut through it. Needless to say we sent the food back and went down the street for pizza. I see an episode of «Kitchen Nightmares» in this establishment’s future.

Mmm! I love discovering a great new restaurant, and M is it!
I met a friend for dinner here on a Monday night (which is a good night if you want to avoid crowds). We were greeted and seated immediately in a nice, spacious booth at the window. Our drink order was taken immediately, and our server told us about the special soup. We ended up splitting the Tempura Avocado appetizer (lobster and crab salad, avocado, truffle oil). Small but delish. For my entrée, I ordered the Cat Sea Pig Scallop, which is a scallop wrapped in catfish and applewood smoked bacon, with creamy rosemary grits and grilled Brussels sprouts with a roasted tomato truffle sauce. I don’t even like Brussels sprouts, but I ate every single one! My oh my was it a treat for my tastebuds! And a generous portion! I almost couldn’t finish it.
My friend got the Smokey Roasted Chicken Breast with spoon bread waffle, which also came with broccolini. If I hadn’t tasted mine, I would’ve thought his was incredible, but I did the better ordering that night!
For dessert, we split what was carrot cake, except instead of carrots it was made with butternut squash. Another small but delicious portion.
I really enjoyed my meal here. The location is great — right near The Boathouse at Rockett’s Landing — the ambiance was nice, and the service was warm, friendly and prompt.
Another thing I love about this place is that the executive chef/​owner is a Richmonder who worked his way up the culinary ladder and made his dream come true by opening his own restaurant. His sous chef is also a Richmonder. Great feature story in there somewhere. I will eat here again and again!
They also do vegan and vegetarian meals upon request!
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for the win!

I went to M Bistro & Wine Bar for dinner on a Saturday night. The restaurant was crowded, so I sat at the bar to avoid waiting for a table. I recommend making reservations on weekend nights. As an appetizer, the avocado tempura with crab meat and lobster filling caught my attention. I enjoyed every bite. The crab and lobster filling complimented the avocado very well. I chose the lime coconut tilapia for my entrée. The tilapia came with broccoli and mashed potatoes. The coconut lime sauce on the tilapia was delicious. The tilapia and vegetables was cooked very well. I had a hard time choosing my dessert. I ended up picking strawberry Romanoff. The strawberry Romanoff was average. I expected more from the dessert. Overall, I enjoyed my meal. I ordered a couple of drinks with my meal. M Bistro cocktail menu is limited. The cocktails I did order were prepared very well and flavorful. The bartender was very attentive and down to earth. M Bistro & Wine Bar has a nice ambience. M Bistro is a great place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine as well. The parking can be a hassle especially on weekends. I will be back to try other items on the dinner and brunch menu. I give M Bistro & Wine Bar a 3.5 rating rounded up to 4 because of the good customer service from the bartender.

Another awesome find by Unilocal!Very cool location right on the James River at Rockets Landing.
Stopped by for lunch on a Friday afternoon. I was surprised at how few people were there but that meant the service was extra attentive to us. The restaurant is laid out very well and is nicely decorated. Has a fancy modern kind of feel to it.
Food was great. I went with the lobster roll. I hadn’t had a lobster roll since my trip Maine a few years back and M Bistro straight up nailed it. There are two things you definitely need to try if you go here… the sweet potato fries and the asparagus fries. I got the sweet potato fries with my meal and my friend go the asparagus fries. I’m not sure which one was my favorite but both were amazing so get them!
Seems like a great place to hang out and have drinks. I will certainly be back soon!

Came to M Bistro on a Saturday night to find very few people there. Granted, we came in for a late dinner, but I was expecting to find the restaurant busier on the weekend. I generally view emptiness in a restaurant as a bad omen, however, I soon overheard that there had been a large wedding reception that morning, so I was put somewhat at ease. I wanted to keep an open mind, as the restaurant was suggested by a foodie friend… And I’m very glad I did. :)
On the downside (the only real downside to speak of), when the host initially greeted us, it was made apparent by his attitude that he was not entirely pleased to see a table come in so late, despite our reservation. His brusque manner made it clear that he would have rather been at home than serving us… Something I did not appreciate at all. The waitress was nice, though she was little lackluster.
While we were waiting for our first course, the waitress arrived with a large house-​made rosemary potato bread resembling a massive brioche. I usually don’t eat bread as I wait for my food, but the aroma of this bread was calling my name, so I just had to try. Savory, moist and buttery, yet light, the bread was delectable. I am not ashamed to say that there was none left by the time the appetizers arrived. The only complaint I had was that it could have been served with more butter; the amount of butter that came with the bread was pretty paltry given the size of the bread.
For my appetizer, I chose the Seared Sea Scallop over Caramel Corn Pudding with Applewood Smoked Bacon Drizzle. I was immediately struck with the lovely, clean presentation. I was only further pleased by the taste and texture of the dish. The scallops were perfectly seared, and the sweet and salty flavors of the corn pudding and bacon drizzle complemented the luscious scallops beautifully. I had a bite (admittedly, a few) of my partner’s Crab Bisque, as well, and wow… It was just fantastic. Spicy, creamy, layered flavors, and not skimping on the crab, this bisque was definitely memorable.
For my main course, I ordered the Smoked and Roasted Chicken Breast with Spoonbread Waffle. I usually don’t order chicken when out, but I was excited to try an elevated version of fried chicken and waffles (something I was introduced to last year with hesitation, and fell in love with at first bite). The dish came out, and it was definitely not what I expected. The «waffle» looked like a small spoonbread cake of sorts… Not a traditional waffle by any means. However, the dish did not disappoint at all. The chicken was moist and tender, and the spoonbread «waffle» was delicious… I only wish there had been more of it on the plate!
All in all, thanks to the terribly tasty and consistent fare, the experience was very positive.

Gotta love Richmond Restaurant Week! Came here with my friend to check out the cuisine. The restaurant is located in Rockett’s Landing close to the Boathouse. Nicely decorated place with very modern décor. Absolutely everything from the food to the drinks to the place is visually pleasing
The Food & Drink.
–Pomegranate Moscato (pictured): I didn’t taste much of the pomegranate, but I love moscato!
–Lamb Chops Benedict (pictured): The absolute best thing I ate the whole night and I only had a bite of it since it was my friend’s order! A-​MAZING!!!
–Tempura Avocado (pictured): If I had’t tasted my friend’s dish, I would be saying how much I enjoyed this. It’s pretty good too, but that runny egg over the lamb chop was just soooooo good!!!
–Black Cherry Roasted Duck (pictured): Definitely on the sweeter side. Roasted quite well with good crunchy pieces of skin.
–Cat Sea Pig Sea Scallop (pictured): This was a huge order it seemed since the scallop was wrapped with catfish and bacon. Pretty good mix of everything.
–Fried Chocolate Cake (pictured): Comes in a martini glass and with some mixed fruit. Love the chocolate flavor.
–Strawberry Romanoff (pictured): I had no idea what this was until it came out. It’s a big sliced up piece of strawberry with an ice cream/​crème like strawberry on top with some crunchy things. Pretty refreshing. It makes a hard pick for favorite dessert.
The Service.
We were right by the kitchen so it was pretty easy to see everything that was going on for the service end. Our waiter was great. It took awhile for our desserts to come out and he noticed it first. I saw him remind the chefs to «fire up» the desserts. Attention to detail was great! He also made a point to mention that the RRW items would be smaller portions than norm, but to be honest, I thought they were the perfect size.
Overall, I would love to go back so I could order that Lamb Chops Benedict!

I’ve been here twice so far — once for brunch over a year ago, and again for dinner within the past few weeks. From what I recall, brunch was good; the bf and I enjoyed dining on the patio on such a nice day. Dinner was an even better experience. The level of service provided is on par with the irresistible ambiance and coveted location of the restaurant. The c-​jazz playing in the background added to the experience. The food was hot, tasty and enough to satisfy. My rockfish and spoonbread were flavorful, and my bf enjoyed his pork chop. I had bread pudding for dessert and he had some type of cake… both were equally delicious. The wine I had was ok (I forgot the name, some type of Riesling I believe)…but it wasn’t the Dr. Loosen I love get from The Boathouse down the street during happy hour. This place is highly recommended for a date or some other intimate outing, even a girls’ night out.

Let me preface this by saying, I will give them another shot. My mother enjoyed her meal even if I didn’t. That’s why it’s getting 3 stars instead of 2.
I had high hopes because of the recommendation of my parents’ friends and Unilocal reviews. I even considered gathering a group for the Chef’s Table in honor of my birthday. Well, all was changed after my experience.
I knew it wasn’t going to be a good night when the server seemed slow and inattentive at the outset. She took a long time to come to our table initially. I’m understanding when a server is busy, but I would appreciate an acknowledgment of our presence («Welcome, I’ll be back shortly.») Then it took forever to get drinks, salads and our entrees. While some is a combination of the kitchen and the server, the server has a responsibility to keep diners comfortable; she did not do this.
Insult to injury, she got half the order wrong — mine — and I was stuck eating something I did not want since they were out of what I ordered. They could have prepared something different, but did not want to wait since I’d waited already and the other entrée was at the table. The server never checked back as to how our food was and was nonplussed at her screw-​up. I’ve grown considerably because I didn’t make a big deal and did as appropriate and still tipped at 20%.
Again, my mother enjoyed her meal and I like the atmosphere. My food was either too salty or too sweet so I did not leave a happy camper. Oh — the lobster and avocado salad was good, though the mix of the two plus the dressing was a little weird tasting and did not provide a texture contrast.
Nonetheless, I will be back to M Bistro because I hope it remains successful.

I love my new Unilocal app as it guided me to this Bistro and wine bar. The ambience was very contemporary and upscale feel to it. It has bright lights and a lot of business which adds to the appeal. Located off the James River and rockets landing I also found parking very convenient.
As a wine coinsurer I did find the wine list fairly small, but still gave it five stars because it was a complete list of both reds and whites.
We started with a bottle of The Furst Gewürztraminer, Alsace France. Not a big white drinker but the Gewurtz is a drinkable wine especially when it is from its origin, Alsace. Paired this wine with the deep fried pork sriracha, figured spice with spice and I was right, remarkable.
Next wine was a Burgundy. I tend to stay in Oregon for my Pinot but will occasionally venture to the home land for this wine. I ordered the Chorey Les Beaune which was a fine selection. I seem to find my French Pinot a little dirty and farm like so with that I ordered the Lamb Chops. I loved the asparagus and the balsamic reduction sauce with the meal.
My service was great from the host down to the busser! M Bistro and wine bar is a must stop if you’re in the area.

went here the other day for lunch with boyfriend and everything was perfect!
i had the open faced veggie sandwich with the home made ranch chips. the veggies were bright and fresh with cheese melted on top and a drizzle of truffle oil, so yummy! boyfriend had the m burger with bbq bacon and the truffle fries. he usually doesnt like half pound burgers but said this was one of the best hes had! the truffle fries were awesome!
interior was nice and modern and the service was fast!

This place is a good solid restaurant. I asked for my fillet rare. That’s how they made it, rare. Not medium rare, or rare-​ish, straight up rare. For those of us who like our steaks rare, we know how hard it is to get a truly rare steak at a restaurant. So bravo!
The sides were very typical (but delish) of a fine dining Establishment. Thoughtfully sauteed spinach and perfectly steamed and peppered asparagus. I believe I was served turnip mash which was a delicious and creative take on the complimentary starch.
Solid wines to pair and our server was knowledgeable and not overly nosy.
Having dined at the Commonwealth Club’s dining room many times, this place definitely is up to par with the quality and skill in which the food is combined and prepared, AND the bonus is that its open to the public.
I gave 4 stars because I would like my fine dining Establishments (and casual fine dining Establishments) to offers a less traditional fare, but have it prepared with the same talent and mindfulness as our delightfully traditional menu selections.
But I have always wanted this, so its not M Bistros fault.

Very cool restaurant in the rocketts landing area. Went early on a Sat night, and it wasn’t too busy. But a big party came in shortly after and our waiter also had that group, unfortunately. As a result, service was a little slow. But the food was very good, and they have a very large wine selection. In our party we had the rock fish, the crab cakes and the filet. The filet was unbelievable. Be sure to try the crab bisque. Several at out table said it was the best they had ever had.