Anyone Live In/familiar with Richmond, VA? ETA

Updated on June 26, 2018
M.6. asks from Woodbridge, NJ
3 answers

I am surprising my daughter on her 30th birthday (geez, I am getting old!). She has had a real whirlwind of a life lately - moved from Austin, TX in April to a job in NYC, only to be offered her dream job in VA and moved there in May. Her fiance is still back in Austin, finishing out their lease there and interviewing for jobs in the Richmond area so she has been living by herself and out of boxes (she has moved 3 times since moving to VA due to living in corporate housing and they have been bumping her around - next week she moves to her own place finally) for months now.

So, I am flying out really early on the morning of her b'day and plan to show up at her job after lunch. She works at a place that this shouldn't be an issue and my plan is to just surprise her and then I can take her car back to her house and come back when she can be done for the day and pick her up.

I am looking for a place to take her for dinner. Due to my severe time constraints (flying back home about 30 hrs after arriving), I don't want to head up to DC for dinner, but would rather stay in Richmond. Anyone have good dinner suggestions for me? I can check Tripadvisor, but I just thought maybe someone knew of a really great spot to celebrate her milestone birthday.

Thanks in advance!!!

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So What Happened?

I had already reached out to her fiance - he isn't able to get there until Sat, which is why I had decided to go on her actual birthday. I do realize I am rolling the dice a bit, but with a new job, she isn't able to take much time off AND if she does, she will save it for spending time with her fiance since he stays until Tues (I'm leaving an hr after he arrives on Sat), so I am thinking she will be stuck working on her birthday other than maybe leaving a bit early. I arrive around lunchtime so I am thinking I will catch her before she leaves early, if she does plan to.

Driving to DC already wasn't an option which is why I wanted to look in Richmond. Price point can be flexible since we are celebrating. I figured that $50/plate (not including drinks or appetizers) was probably what I would be looking at spending in a city that size. Is that terribly off base?

Thanks!

More Answers

W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

I would ask my daughter what she plans on doing for her special day before I make any plans to show up.

Talk with her fiance to make sure he doesn't have anything planned for her and let him know what YOU want to do to SURPRISE her.

Richmond is NOT a small city. It's the capital of Virginia. Is she in Richmond proper or is she in Mechancsville, Montrose, Clopton, etc.?

How much money do you want to spend?
WHAT type of cuisine do you both like?

VERY PRICEY steak house?
Buckhead Steak and Grill - it's IN Richmond.
Brio Tuscan Grill - again IN Richmond

Middle pricey:
Stella's - it's a greek place - it's about 9 blocks from the James River.

Down by the James River are A TON of restaurants - just depends upon what you are looking for.

Driving to DC for dinner? I wouldn't do it. It's 2 to 3 hours - maybe 4 depending upon traffic. No kidding. Friday took me 3 hours to get from The Toll Road to Exit 143B (Stafford). It was NUTS!!! I mean CRAZY!!!

Yesterday on our way back from Norfolk? It took us 4 hours!! YIKES!!!

7 moms found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from New York on

Just a suggestion - make sure that your daughter is planning to go to work on her birthday!! Some women treat themselves to a birthday day out of office and might not mention it to their parents. (I have read about this phenomenon in books.)

2 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

http://richmondmagazine.com/restaurants-in-richmond/best-...

Considering Richmond to DC is roughly a 2 hour drive one way through some traffic that can be seriously crazy at times (summer beach traffic coming/going between DC and Outer Banks/Va Beach = not fun at all) - I'd definitely want to stay local to Richmond for a meal.
In fact - she's exploring her new home - find a place close to her home if you can.

Hope you have a great visit!

2 moms found this helpful
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