Old Original Bookbinder’s

Food was meh. Bartender/​server could not care less.
Don’t go during the week. And don’t sit at the bar, they’ll shut the lights out on you while you’re still eating.
Don’t go during the week. And don’t sit at the bar, they’ll shut the lights out on you while you’re still eating.

Lobster Mac and cheese
What else can I say
Everything was delicious
The staff was friendly and attentive.
Will be back several times.

Been here about 4 times and have always had a very solid experience especially in a larger group setting. Steak has been impeccably cooked each time and service has been on point. Location is in a cool area, parking is easy. Can be a bit dark inside. Bar is a good size and convenient for drinks while awaiting others. Wouldn’t say 5 star as there is better for the highest rating but you can definitely have a great night and meal here.

Went here Saturday evening. When I called to make a reservation I asked for around 5:30. I was told all they had left was 4:30. When we left the restaurant around 6:45 it was half full and several waiters were standing around. Our waiter would probably have gotten a bigger tip, however they have a policy of adding an 18 percent gratuity for parties of 5 or more. The food was ok. Appetizers were silly. We stayed at the Jefferson and the drinks and appetizers we had at the bar in Lemaire were actually less then Bookbinders. Really ??? They are trying to be a big boy steak house but don’t quite hit the mark. Not very good value for your dollar. I’m sure there are better places in Richmond to get a steak.

This place is really great! Excellent customer service and great food. My husband took my best friend and I for my birthday and we were not disappointed. The sides portions are large enough to share among three people. I had the crab cakes and I was instantly in love. Their drinks are also tasty and not watered down. Make sure to make a reservation!
Only downside: they’re expensive for the average person just running out to get a meal.
I will be returning for another special event!

We came here on New Year’s Eve and they don’t serve their mina menu, just a 4 course pre-​fix menu and add on a 20% gratuity no matter the size of your party. I knew that going in and liked the menu options, so we decided to try it out. Once we were seated, our waitress brought us bread and reminded us that it was a pre-​fix menu. She then came back about 5 minutes later to see if we were ready to order, which we were. I had the mini crab cakes to start with and they were very tasty and full of grab meat. For my second course I had the lobster bisque soup, which was very good, but there wasn’t any lobster in it. For my main course I had the ribeye and that was topped with fried onions (which makes anything better) and I’m not even sure what side came with that, so it wasn’t that memorable. For dessert, I had the buttermilk pecan pie a la mode which was amazing… I ate every bite of it.
The food was all very good, but I felt like we were being rushed through our meal, which was a bit disappointing. The courses came out way too fast and I noticed that other tables around us weren’t being rushed the way we were. Our server wasn’t very attentive either. I had to ask another server for a spoon for my dessert since she only brought over a fork even though my dessert included ice cream. I guess she figured she didn’t need to work too hard since she knew we were already being charged 20% gratuity, which was disappointing. I’d come back again to try their main menu and hopefully the service will be better.

Old Original Bookbinder’s is a traditional special occasion restaurant – dark booths, steak– and seafood-​heavy menu, a la carte sides, and über professional servers. On their website, they’re very clear about their dress code – business casual or dressy for the main dining area. More casually dressed guests can dine in the lounge portion of the old tobacco warehouse. If you’re going to spend a pretty penny (menu items are definitely on the pricier side), then why not go all out with your attire? I say dress up to enjoy the full experience.
Our server, Melissa, was wonderful. She was very polite and remembered all our special requests (cook the scallops through, medium rare for both steaks, etc.). The servers at Old Original Bookbinder’s seem to all know the perfect balance for checking on patrons, not coming by too often or too infrequently. Towards the end of our meal, Melissa came by to clear away the crumbs and ready our table for dessert. She provided helpful suggestions through out and also clearly knew the regular menu and the specials very well. Also, she knew it was my mom’s birthday dinner so she brought out dessert with a candle for blowing out.
My mom said her filet mignon was a tad underseasoned but cooked just right. Then again, you’re hearing this from a lady who enjoys her steak with Tabasco sauce… always…Hubby loved his ancho chile-​kissed rib eye. Though he has never been to South America, he imagined that this is what an Argentine steak would taste like. In either case, he said it was prepared well and very flavorful. I had the diver scallops with the brussel sprouts and maple gastrique. This was an exemplary seafood dish, a great option for anyone who’s a fan of shellfish. The scallops were meaty, still juicy despite being fully cooked (seared scallops can still be a little undercooked in the center), and well-​seasoned. The gastrique was sweet but not overly so. For sides, we shared the mashed potatoes and the brussel sprouts. The red-​skinned mashed potatoes were creamy and scrumptious. Brussel sprouts were roasted and slightly sweet and crisp around the edges. Both winning choices.
Overall, Old Original Bookbinder’s is an excellent choice for celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or any other event. Service is exemplary, and the food is delectable and elegantly presented. Old Original Bookbinder’s serves traditional American food, so maybe not the best choice if you’re looking for more adventurous, New American style eats. Also, vegetarian options are quite limited. There are no vegetarian entrees and only a handful of vegetarian sides. Vegan options are nonexistent. Clearly vegetarians and vegans are not the target audience so knowing this will help to curb your expectations. Pescetarians and meatarians rejoice; the rest should probably go somewhere else.

They have a parking lot directly across the street, which was convenient.
One nit I have: the booths are a little tight. Overall, we enjoyed the ambiance. Low lighting. Not too loud. Nice place for a date.
I started with the seared tuna. I’d skip it if I were to return; they slice the tuna a bit too thick for my liking and they used a vinagrette — an odd choice. I had the Book Binders surf and turf for my entrée. The filet mignon and lobster tail were both well prepared. My wife started with a salad and then had an assortments of veggies for her entrée. She was pleased with both.
They have a decent wine menu. Bring your wallet.
Dinner for two with wine and 1 desert plus tip was around $ 240.
We met the owner after our dinner and chatted for bit. Nice guy. We enjoyed learning a little bit about the history of the building Book Binders now occupies.
We’ll be back.

My company hosted a reception at Bookbinder’s for about 40 people. Lynne was so responsive to each and every question I posed. Sometimes I will send an email to a restaurant and it takes days for a response. Not in this case. I would always get a response that same day. Lynne sent me a great menu selection that fit our budget and gave detailed instructions on parking that I could send to my attendees.
The staff was great during our reception. People raved about the food. We had very happy clients thanks to everyone at Bookbinder’s.
So…if you’re looking for a place to hold a corporate event, look no further. You can rest assured that you will receive great service and attention to detail here.

OMG. Uh-​mazing. Go here. Get the creamed spinach and literally any steak; it’ll be one of the best you’ve ever had. Ever.

We celebrated my daughters birthday at bookbinders and dinner was fabulous. They even put her name on our menus. Crab cakes, salmon, scallops and cowboy steak was the best. Only dish not great was lobster mac n cheese. It was too cheesy and could it taste much lobster.
Service was excellent!

they have the old part right, very stogy and 70’s feel
I felt the food was over priced and lobster was overcooked
or 100 yrs old.
will not be coming back.

Everything else? Ws disgustingly good. Warned in advance, the restaurant had pulled a specially-​printed menu in honor of my date’s birthday, which is very sweet, and our waiter was particularly enthusiastic in his description of the specialties. He chose filet oscar style, which was cooked to perfection, and couldn’t be happier with the delectable crab and tender asparagus spears. I, perhaps the more adventurous of the two of us, can now cross lobster thermidor off my culinary to-​do list, though the succulent dish will most certainly find its way across my plate again with that example as a first try. Brandy and cream and cheese and suchlike are excellent to begin with, but the succulent lobster, enrobed in decadent sauce, is mind-​bendingly good and while rich enough I couldn’t have eaten more, I still –wanted– it. Also delightful, in an entirely different manner, were the roasted brussel sprouts ordered as a side.
I wavered hard on the fifth star for this place, I truly did, and it honestly lost out on it almost entirely over the dessert– not that it wasn’t tasty, but that it just didn’t wow me, and that failure stood out against an otherwise excellent experience. I am, in the end, heavily swayed by a good dessert… or a lackluster one, and alas, this one was closer to the latter. The cake [comped for the birthday boy] was tasty but uninspired and my own sweet was rather forgettable– enough so that i can’t really remember what it was, in fact. I will absolutely return, though. The atmosphere was delightful, the waitstaff was incredibly professional, the food is splendid… even the bread was utterly delicious, and I can be as picky about that as my desserts.

This was one of the best meals my family and I have ever eaten. The best part is that we all literally tried one another’s food.
I ordered the crab cake which was fabulous. I loved that it is not fried. The amount of crab in there was incredible. It was so delicious that I’ve been dreaming about it ever since I left.
My mom had the scallops which literally melted in your mouth. They were cooked to perfection. They were so buttery and scrumptious.
My wife had the rockfish which was also fantastic. Perfectly cooked and apparently the veggies and whatnot on it were really good as well (I didn’t try any of those).
My dad was the true winner here and went with what our awesome waiter Andrew told him was his favorite the miso sea bass. That miso sauce on there was to die for! Clearly Andrew has great taste. We all agree that was the best dish, not to say anything tasted bad because all of it was incredible!!!
Plus the owner and his daughter came around and greeted us which was lovely. We couldn’t of asked for better service or a better place to eat. Highly recommend to anyone in the area. This place is a true gem.

Food: the food was above average, but it was everything else that helped secure four stars. I started with the shrimp bisque which was delicious. Not too thick or thin. Perhaps could have added more shrimp, but I won’t complain too much about that. Then the Caesar salad. A little too fishy for me, but some may like that. Salmon was cooked very nicely. Not over cooked and not raw. Then they served an Oreo crusted key lime pie. I did eat my entire slice, but I might exclude the whipped cream next time.
Service: polite and professional but a little slow for me.
Atmosphere: Classic, clean. Romantic, professional, upscale

Went for a business meeting. Had oysters Rockefeller and carpaccio for appetizers. Both were tasty though not sure the carpaccio was enough for three people. Tobacco row salad was fresh and nicely done.
Believe it or not, the three of us ordered the same entrée… pan seared diver scallops. The scallops were large and well prepared. The lemon and asparagus risotto was outstanding. A chocolate and berry yort that was fantastic. Great meal.

Just finished dinner… this place is Amazing the food, and service was exceptional! The Murphy-​Goode Zinfandel Bottle we preserved was an exceptional choice, of course from California! Haha, I’m visiting here from Cali, thank you so much for the hospitality and great steakhouse! Note: I ordered the Ribeye medium and it came med-​well, so order it med-​rare and it will be perfect! Enjoy~

Went here for an anniversary with my boyfriend. I’d say that we had reservations for 7:30, maybe 8? And when we walked into the restaurant, it was pretty empty – especially for a Saturday night. This worried me at first! But the waitress was just darling – very warm and friendly, and the place was gorgeous inside. The wine and food were really good too.
I am giving this place three stars because they began putting away tables around us as we finished up our meal, almost like they were pushing us out! It was probably only around 9 PM. I could not believe it. The hubby and I had to walk to Julep’s (then, in the Bottom) for some after-​dinner drinks because, apparently, they were closing at 9:15. I can understand wanting to go home as soon as possible just as much as the next person, but come on. Next time, I’ll make a reservation a little earlier in the night just in case! Definitely will give them another try because they are beloved. Perhaps we were just late-​goers on an empty night!

This is a modern version of the closed center city Philadelphia c.1865
classic. I was told by a local this place actually started in Richmond, but who knows we are talking 150 years ago. In the old tobacco warehouse area about 23 blocks from the center of town. There is free parking in the lot across the street for dinner.
This was recommended as the best place in town for crab. The crab cake was pretty mediocre and super expensive. The fresh bread was excellent, everything including the service was excellent. All in all a really nice place if you want to spend a lot to eat… just do not order the crab here. Try the $ 8 creamed spinach, enough for at least two people.

We look forward to traveling to Richmond each year just to celebrate our wedding anniversary with Bookbinders (and Thomas). The oysters on a half shell followed by the lobster and the seafood salad is always the best. You all are amazing!!!
See ya next year!
Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Williams

Went here for a Valentines date, and we had a great time. Service, food, and the wine selection were amazing. This is a great location for special occasions and get togethers. We had the bass and crab cake stuffed salmon. Both were well prepared, and the raw oysters were great. Give it a try you’ll love it! Afterwards we went to the speakeasy a block way (Grandstaff and Stein) and it made for the perfect night.