Ironfish

Bad food it was okay over priced their tiramisu was eww I would not go back ever, they try to pretty it up instead making it taste good. They were nice and all but the food not v ood never go I’ll never go back.

Third and last try this weekend. Overpriced, mediocre food.
Ordered the yellow fin tuna special and was told it would be prepared medium rare, which is as well cooked as any chef would prepare it. 35 minutes after appetizers came out, I got my dry, ¾ inch (generous on my part), medium well filet. 23 $. Could have picked up 7 $ filet at Martins and cooked better myself.
My wife orderer shrimp and grits and was underwhelmed considering price.
The server was good and appetizers excellent, but we have not found entrees to justify going.

Properly cooked seafood with excellent flavor combinations and good service. Sometimes there’s a quite a wait, but if you’ve got the time, it’s worth it.

This is our go to restaurant! Birthdays, anniversaries, random need to eat out! We always order the tickled pickled squid! Really well cooked, great dipping sauce, mixed in with fried shallots and pickled hot peppers! For entrée we’ve act silly never ordered of the main menu, their specials are always so special! It changes so often based on the most recent catch!
We even take our boys with us! We have to take our own crayons, but their patience makes it a non-​issue!

Went here on a Wednesday about a month ago. Fantastic fresh fish with beautiful presentation and preparation. Unknown to us so very welcome was a Wednesday night date night special. 2 appetizers 2 entrees 1 split dessert and a house bottle of wine. We were happy to take advantage of the offer and the bill came to under $ 70 plus a tip on top. Totally worth it and we will go back.

Whenever my co-​workers and I are in town, we go to Iron Fish. I love this place.
First off — get the calamari. IT’s the best I’ve had. Not rubbery, great flavor. I just wish there was more. I’ve had the calamari on 3 different occasions and it is consistently cooked perfectly.
Beeten up by a kid salad — Amazing flavors. There is definitely enough if you want to split this salad with one other person. The fried goat cheese and pistachios really compliment all the other flavors.
The fish options have changed each time I have been there, I’ve tried salmon, tuna, swordfish and they’ve been great. The kitchen will sub different veggies or starches if you need to also.
Also, they had «cheap date night» when we were there last time — Wednesday evenings. It was if you order two entrees you get a bottle of wine (narrowed down to one red or white they choose) and a dessert for only $ 9. It was a great deal.
Service was good, food is excellent. Will definitely be back.

decent food and service. considering the prices, I wasn’t amazed by anything.

Tried this place a while back using a groupon… was very pleased with our evening especially given how much we love Pescados! Dinner was unique, fun and fresh. The restaurant is clean and inviting, too. Only downside were the prices in the entrees… a little steep. Will likely return!

Thankfully my first visit here involved a Living Social deal. That was the one redeeming thing about the prices at this establishment. They are very high for the amount of food as well as the preparation, which I’ll explain. My companion and I went on a Tuesday night. Nestled in the corner of a busy strip center, the small establishment was cozy and welcoming. We were seated immediately and our waitress was knowledgeable and friendly. My companion ordered a beer; I just had water. After reviewing the menu choices (which are adequate, especially with the daily specials) and asking a few questions, I settled on the seared scallops with seasonal veggies and cheese grits. My companion had shrimp and grits. While we waited for our meals, we shared some of the crusty bread, which was good, but the amount served was hardly adequate for two people.
When our meals came, they were very well presented, although not overwhelmingly large, especially for the price. ($ 25 for the scallops, $ 18 for shrimp and grits.) For the price and size, it should come with a side salad.
My first bite of the grits took me off guard. They were just lukewarm and extremely salty. The vegetable combo was very tasty and flavorful (scallions, brussels sprouts, tiny baby beets). The three medium size scallops had a nice sear, were very sweet and were well prepared, although 30 seconds more and they would have passed into the overdone stage.
My companion enjoyed his shrimp and grits (unlike mine, his grits were hot). The sauce was very rich and flavorful. However, it was a skimpy portion. AND his meal was also very salty. For what it’s worth, there are no salt and pepper shakers on the tables, so I guess the chef thinks his seasonings are «one size fits all.»
When our waitress returned to ask how we were enjoying the meal, I told her my grits were cold. She went back into the kitchen and in about two minutes, she brought back a small bowl of hot, steaming grits. We also asked for some more bread … twice. It finally came — a chunk even smaller than the first.
We did not have dessert, although the selections seemed tempting. But the disappointing size, price and taste of my meal made me feel I’d be better off going home, rather than dropping more bucks.
Ironfish came highly recommended and obviously has some real fans on Unilocal,but I would only go back IF I got another good deal on Living Social which covered more than 50% of my meal’s cost. They are way too high for the skimpy portions they serve — and the chef should consider putting salt and pepper shakers on the table, instead of piling it on in the kitchen.

We absolutely loved our dinner at Ironfish. The environment was awesome. It sticks out in its location because it is an awesome boutique restaurant in the middle of a strip mall area, but its definitely a must!
We loved the bread and olive oil that they bring to start. I tried the «Beeten up by a Kid» salad with –baby arugula, fried goat cheese, roasted red & golden beets, pistachio brittle, orange-​tarragon dressing. This salad is seriously PERFECT. My husband and I both loved it. The fried goat cheese is to die for and the pistachio brittle is such a great addition.
We also go the The «G.O.A.T.» Stuffed Chicken. The flavor was amazing. I would definitely recommend this. My husband got the Seared Sea Scallops. I liked them, but my husband loved them. I am not one for grits but my husband thought they were great.
I could eat here everyday. TRY IT!

I have dined about four times at this establishment. Each time it has been awesome.
A great appetizer is something they call Angry Guys, two shrimp & small crab cakes in a sauce, killer.
Great service from a young lady named Missie and the food is always more than tasty.
It is a bit hard to find, tucked in the corner of a shopping center.
Another great far west end choice.

Just a short straight drive from Lauderdale/​Short Pump Mall, I was surprised to find out how close it was to where I worked. I’ve always heard great reviews!
Interior is very clean and simple and so were the dishes served and presented.
— Grilled Baby Octopus (more so chopped octopus w. white beans in a lemon sauce, unexpected but quite refreshing.)
— Beeten Up By A Kid (goat cheese, candied pistachios & spicy arugula= great combo)
— Catch of the day: Mahi Mahi (succulent! & that fish is usually dry)
Ingredients was certainly fresh but I also felt I could have made these items myself because of the simplicity of the dishes.

I fell in love with Eat first, I fell in love with Pescados second, this week I visited Ironfish and now I’m living in a romantic restaurant threesome of taste heaven. Ladies and gentleman, Ironfish is doing everything right. I ordered the whole branzino which came out eyeballs and all, served with cheese grits. It was weird to see a fish on your plate with gills, fins and eyes, but I loved every second of it. Prices were fair for a seafood restaurant and our service was friendly and helpful as she instructed me on the proper way to eat my fish. I’ll be back… Soon.

Went to Ironfish with a LivingSocial deal on a Wednesday night and the location is a bit hard to find in the strip mall where it’s located off of Lauderdale but the inside is perfect. Intimate, nice modern touches, clean and not too loud with a full house of customers. I loved their beet salad with candied pistachios and arugula and for dinner I had the mahi mahi on a bed of sweet potato mash with broccolini and it was delicious. My husband got salmon and for a place that does seafood, they do it right.
I also had great service from our waiter who recommended some great beers and was attentive the whole night even with a lot of tables. I’ll definitely go again when I have some more income.

I thoroughly enjoyed this place. Lets go over the reasons why:
Short, snappy name? Check.
Odd, suburban location tucked into a corner nook of a Food Lion shopping center? Check.
Elegant, ambient dining room? Check.
Warm service and delicious seafood made with obvious TLC from the kitchen? Double check.
We did not have reservations, and instead walked in on a busy Saturday night. They were able to accommodate us without a problem, and we were invited to the cozy bar for a short wait. A couple of expertly-​made, reasonably priced Tanqueray cocktails later from the pleasant bartender, and we were ready to be seated.
Since the place is renowned for fish (hell, it’s in the name after all), we knew we *had* to select from the nightly fish specials. After much deliberation, I went for the lemon-​grilled swordfish, and my date selected the rockfish. Both dishes were supreme. Swordfish melted in my mouth with so much rich flavor, I couldn’t get enough.
Desserts also apparently change nightly, according to their chalkboard menu on the wall, and we were stuck between a cherry vanilla crème brûlée and a chocolate and caramel-​layered shortbread cake. We took the road less traveled (since crème brûlée is everywhere these days), and decided to split the shortbread cake. It was flaky and moist and delicious. A real winner of a dessert.
We had just dined at The Boathouse the weekend before, which typically gets raves for serving up some of Richmond’s best seafood in a see-​and-​be-​seen setting. To that I say Boathouse shmoathouse. Where the Boathouse is sort of a sprawling, sceney bar-​restaurant with a menu that lacks focus and a knack for splashy, expensive cocktails, Ironfish is its antithesis. It won me over with a limited, controlled menu of incredibly fresh seafood served in a handsome, understated dining room. The seafood, the fish in particular, speaks for itself and is the real star here. No flashy backdrop needed.
Quite possibly one of Richmond’s best restaurants for fresh seafood, and maybe the West End’s best new restaurant in years.

It’s about the fish here, and it’s getting better and better. Add to that the restaurant’s dedication to local food AND drink, as they featured many local microbrews on their menu like Legend and Hardywood Park. We had grilled monkfish and seared rockfish, and both were cooked to perfection with terrific sides like broccolini and a whipped sweet potato that was good enough to eat for dessert. Always drawing a nice crowd, especially on the weekends, but still a can’t miss bet for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. The service is attentive, informative and sincere, and although pricey, the quality of food is well worth it. I find myself putting their fish up with any other in the area, and I am sure we will return, hopefully not just for special occasions.

The one star reviews on here have me totally stumped! First of all — I would never dream of writing a review of a restaurant I didn’t eat at. Second of all — I had an amazing experience here last Friday.
It was my mom’s birthday and we were out at Short Pump. I wanted to take her somewhere local — no chains! I had heard about Ironfish and it ended up being perfect.
We were seated right away and the place was nearly empty but it was early. Filling up when we left. Had fresh shrimp and crab cake appetizer and the scallop and grits entrée — both so good! Even the bread the brought to the table was delish!
Our waiter was great — friendly and knowledgeable.
Ignore the 1 star reviews and the sketchy shopping center — this place is great!

We took a chance with Ironfish. Between the mixed reviews, the location (in a Food Lion plaza), and an empty restaurant, I was a bit nervous. However, it was close to home and their menu sounded intriguing, so we gave it a go anyway.
Luckily, all our worries were unfounded. Our server was excellent, providing spot-​on recommendations and quick, friendly service. No complaints there.
Our seafood tasted very fresh, was creatively prepared, and beautifull presented. All the food we had was wonderful, and between the two of us, we sampled one appetizer, two entrees, and two desserts. Don’t skip the dessert; both were wonderful and reasonably priced at $ 5. Portions were exactly the right size to sample 2 – 3 courses without getting stuffed, which is exactly how I like it.
My only dilemma will be whether to return or try the Midlothian Pescados location for my next night of seafood. Great choice!

Wow! What a pleasant surprise! We stumbled upon this place on a busy Saturday night. We decided to sit at the bar as the wait was too long (good sign). My husband and I shared the Beeten up by a Kid salad, incredible! The tastes and textures were perfect and the fried goat cheese, best I’ve had. We then shared the Mushroom Cloud. The risotto was perfectly cooked and so creamy. The best was the Whallop of Scallop dish. The scallops were beautifully seared, and the combination of grilled asparagus and manchego grits made for an amazing combination.
The only reason for not giving this place 5 stars, was the ambience. A little bright and not too intimate. We will be back and I am sure we will be regulars!

Food — great! We tried small plates/​salads. Calamari and risotto were good. I loved my beet salad with arugula, toasted pistachios and fried goat cheese. Excellent. The pork belly was also very good. Dessert was a tiramisu which was pretty good but not the best one I’ve had. I would try a different dessert next time.
My friend did note that her mojito did not seem to have much alcohol in it, although it was tasty (pineapple mojito).
Service — a little slow, but I think it was groupon/​living social coupons running out time so it was extra crowded. Props for not trying to rush people out of their seats, but if they had one more server they maybe could have gotten orders in quicker.
The restaurant is very clean and modern inside. It’s hidden in a corner in a strip mall with Food lion, some Karate and Dance studios.
I expected the food to be excellent due to their other restaurants (Pescados) and I was not disappointed. Not sure if there is quite a theme though, like Pescado.
It is a bit far out for me, but a great dining option for those in the far West End.
I can walk to Pescado’s so I think I’ll just go there if I want similar food.