Field Guide
429 Granby St, Norfolk, VA, 23510
Field Guide Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
429 Granby St
Norfolk, VA, 23510 - Phone (757) 943-9805
- Website https://fieldguide.is/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Kevin N.
This is a hard review to write but after having been here twice, I knew that it would come down to this. The first time I came in with my friend, I had the Privateer. A brisket sandwich. The brisket was nice and tender topped off with cheese. The bread as I recall, was falling apart when I ate it. I like the sandwich, but for the price, I really was just not impressed. The second time I came in, I came with my friends around 8 o clock. The place was packed and playing loud music to the point where you couldn't even hear yourself talk. The host, his name is Cal, seated us quickly. I've met Cal at this their sister restaurant, Handsome Biscuit, where Cal knows us as regulars so it was nice to see him again. The service was good and quick. This time I ordered a dish called the magik pillows. The dish was basically some cheese stuffed ravioli covered with a basic tomato sauce. It cost me around $14 or more I believe. The tomato sauce was extremely bland and the dish only came with about 8-10 ravioli pieces. After having eaten it in about 4 minutes, I felt like I just ate $14 of my money just like that. I did not enjoy a single bite of that food. The ambiance is nice, the service is great, but the food is subpar. I don't think I will be coming back, but I will continue to support Handsome Biscuit.
(2)Elizabeth K.
I wish I could say nicer things about Field Guide. My expectations were high, I will admit. We were greeted immediately by an extremely nice gentleman who seemed to be wearing many different hats. He was friendly, as were all of the people we came in contact with. Although we had to wait, it wasn't long. And once ordered, out food came out very quickly. And then the problem occurred. The food wasn't great. It just wasn't. I ordered the Mrs. Kodiak, which is a menu favorite of many yelpers. There was a lot going on on one sandwich. And I'm pretty sure none of the flavors that made up this sandwich actually complimented each other. Lackluster. My companion ordered one of the rice bowls. The brisket one. Eh. He was as unimpressed as I was. Lots of things in the bowl. None of it making sense. The are hip. Too hip actually. The kind of hip that happens in "The Emperor's New Clothes."
(2)Adrian E.
If you love Handsome Biscuit, you'll love Field Guide. Located right off Granby, this little spot complements the cool and eclectic lifestyle that Downtown Norfolk is growing to be. The atmosphere is peaceful, the food is tasty, and the soundtrack was on point both times I've been there. Maybe I'm biased but eating a well prepared sandwich accompanied with the emcee lyricism of Nasty Nas echoing throughout the restaurant is a WIN-WIN. Not to mention the garage style store front that is opened on good weather days allowing you to enjoy your meal at the stand-up bar as "passerbyers" look in wondering what it is they're missing out on. They offer a signature sandwich menu with specific names. I've ordered the Ms. Kodiak and the Privateer, both of which were excellent. My side choice was their freshly cut sweet potato chips that were luckily made to order for both of my visits. This place really deserves great reviews and the pictures Yelpers have taken of their food can pretty much do all the talking. If you're strolling through Granby during lunch/brunch hours, stop by here, you won't be disappointed. Inviting staff and satisfying food, perfect for a quick lunch date.
(4)Rory J.
It's all been said before, but not by me. This place was on my 'to visit' list for months before I finally made it in. The first nice day of the year we headed down Granby St and hit Field Guide just before the lunch rush. I wanted to order everything on the menu, but settled for the 'Unexpected Friend' - pork shoulder with raspberry jam and pickles, the feta slaw and the oatmeal cream pie. My dining companions got the privateer and curried veg. First the sandwiches are massive, you definitely get what you pay for here. Second they are FANFREAKINGTASTIC. I don't know if the owners sit around all day thinking of amazing flavor combinations, but they come up with some things I'd never think to put together and they 100% hit the mark, every time. Thank god they are using this super power for good. This is a great place to eat in nice weather, with the giant bay door open out front you feel like you're in a real city (no offense, Norfolk). Apparently everyone else was aware of this, too because the place got packed within about 30 minutes of us arriving and seating quickly became an issue. They have sort of like long, communal tables and then a counter facing the street. We were okay, but saw a lot of people kind of standing around with these messy sandwiches looking helplessly for a seat. Onto the food, everything was great. The slaw was super feta-y, which I like, it had a tart, Mediterranean taste to it that was strangely addicting. My sandwich was delicious, every single last bite of it. The pork was tender and the raspberry jam that they use is like a homemade, lumpy, macerated raspberry mess that was perfect with the super tender pork. The highlight for me (and apparently everyone) was the oatmeal cream pie. That dessert was the perfect amount of sweet. I cannot wait to go back again!
(5)Liz L.
Field Guide never disappoints. Good wholesome food in a hip, but non-pretentious atmosphere. They serve brunch Saturday AND Sunday which I really enjoy. Specialties include rice bowls (if you're familiar with Korean bibimbap bowls - same concept), hearty sandwiches, sweet potato chips and brunch creations.
(5)Sienna E.
Came here lastnight it was a Saturday so I wasn't surprised that it was packed with pekoe especially with how popular it is on yelp. They found a spot for me at the bar. Everyone that was working was really friendly and checked up on my very often. I had the split sausage sandwich it was delicious! I also ordered the chocolate bread pudding. Which was also good! The portions were very generous. I plan on coming here a lot more.
(5)Ethan P.
BLUF: Food was good, service was lackluster. I stopped into Field Guide before a show at the NorVa. It was a Saturday night, and it was absolutely packed. I was lucky to find one seat at the bar in the corner up at the front of the store (at a window facing the street, which was nice at least). My difficult to reach location paired with the very busy night might have contributed to the less than stellar service I received (more on that in a second). I walked in, saw the place was packed, and approached the counter to place an order (not sure if you typically do this for dine-in here, but with how busy it was I wasn't sure I'd even be noticed if I seated myself without speaking to someone first). I ordered "the sandwich" (there was only one available on the menu for the time I was in there, which was disappointing, but luckily it was a good one). It was root beer braised roast beef with some type of cheese and some type of green on it (since I didn't have many other options, I only skimmed the description to make sure it sounded like something I wouldn't hate). I neglected to ask for water before I sat down, which turned out to be a mistake. My food arrived promptly and tasted great. The chips in particular were very good. Eventually, the waitress I'd placed my order with stopped by to see if I needed anything (I was about halfway done with my meal at this point). I asked for a glass of water. She ran off, presumably to get my water and...disappeared. Because of my inconvenient location, she never really got near enough for me to wave her over, and I wasn't thirsty enough to bother navigating the packed area to go track her down myself, so I sat around and waited since I knew she'd have to come back with the check at some point (and I had time to kill and nothing to do before the show anyways, so waiting wasn't a big deal). Eventually (about 20 minutes after I'd asked for the water, my waitress reappeared with a glass of water, apologizing for having forgotten about it. Had this been a drink I'd paid for rather that water, I'd've been a bit irked at it taking so long (I can imagine refills would've taken a while to arrive), but since it was free and I wasn't parched or anything I let it go. In short: food was good, but I got stuck with mediocre service thanks to a combination of a busy night, being in the hardest seat in the house to access, and a forgetful waitress. Not a stellar experience, but it wouldn't be enough to prevent me from giving this place another shot in the future.
(3)Tony O.
Jeremy the manager and his staff exceeded my expectations in their hospitality and food presentation. The root beer braised brisket was extra large with mounds of meaty love in every bite. This is the best brisket ice had here in Norfolk, so I recommend all come grab a pint and a hefty snack, while basking in a great atmosphere and amazing customer care.
(5)Marvin W.
The only drawback to the place was the Coke products.. Now that I have covered that... The food was awesome we loved the rice bowls just enough food and it was prepared perfect the sandwiches were very good also
(4)Nat P.
Best on Granby! Dave and John got something going on downtown. Order everything on the menu...do it. Now. Seriously just do it.
(5)Johnny B.
Def a cool little place. We went for dinner on a cold night, but I can see how it'd be great on a warm day/ night. The front opens up onto Granby with two large garage doors. Reminds me of Asheville, NC. I had the UNEXPECTED FRIEND, which is a Pork Shoulder sandwich with Raspberry Cherry Jam and Hot Pickles. Really good. Good beers too. Def worth a trip as is their other place Handsome Biscuit.
(4)Sandra B.
The food was so flavorful. My friend and I split the Green and White salad with caviar, shaved fennel and green apple; Sea Note, which was a bit spicy but tasty with tender (not chewy) squid that was cooked perfectly. And their delectable curry roasted vegetables. Another gem of this place are their adult beverage slushies. We had the Rum Cider Slushy and boy was that a slow and seductive hit. Again, more warm and spicy notes graced this delicious yet intoxicating drink. Finally, their desserts didn't disappoint either, especially their oatmeal cookie and cinnamon bun, both served warm which makes all the difference. It was so memorable, I'd go back again and tell others about this place. Dare I say - it was even better than their sister store, the Handsome Biscuit.
(5)Cody S.
Delicious food and a wonderful modern/hipster atmosphere. Great for a quick lunch.
(5)C W.
amazing hangout spot in downtown Norfolk with great food and drinks. definitely check it out if you live/work in Norfolk!
(5)Joseph E.
As I sit here eating the perfectly cooked and succulent dish of bbq delight, I am in awe of how much of an upgrade this place is from EVERYWHERE in downtown Norfolk. The upbeat atmosphere with good music and great food makes this place feel like anywhere but the cold and try-too-hard other restaurant bars in the area. Except Mo and OMalleys. Another people friendly gem. Bring the friends here. Lunch, dinner, or drinking from their local brew. The open and connected tables are a unexpected plus as well. Buy your neighbors some of the fantastic sweet potato fries and get to know the folks across from you. Meet the good people that chill. You won't regret it.
(5)Sarah C.
Fantastic food. Went there for lunch today. There was a little bit of a line but it wasn't too bad. It was also nice enough out that they opened the garage door!
(5)Hannah B.
I'm a foodie. I love creative and fresh takes on sandwiches. Mine and my boyfriend's experience was wonderful. We loved everything we got: Whitefish sandwich, pork shoulder sandwich, sweet potato chips, and the curry side. I loved the set up, even though the tables are community! And the big garage-door window brings great lighting to the atmosphere. Would go again every day.
(5)Robert S.
Great food and very original. If you like handsome biscuit you'll probably like this place.
(4)Mark W.
Wonderful beer list, mediocre food. Came here on a Saturday night with my girlfriend and got right in. I ordered a park dog, and wasn't impressed. The rice bowl was very bland, and I found it too dry for my taste. Kind of a letdown after all the yelp reviews stating how awesome this place was. There was supposed to be a yogurt sauce with it, but it just wasn't enough to make an impact. As for the ambiance, I enjoyed it. The communal tables were nice, and really enjoyed how the garage door was open and a nice breeze rolled through the restaurant. Come for the beer and ambiance, but head elsewhere for dinner.
(2)Sean M.
Another place owned by the group that owns Handsome Biscuit and Toast, and another amazing meal. I had the Yala Surfer, and it was definitely a very impressive sandwich. Along with that, they usually have a good price on craft beers, and the design is impressive. I will say that personally I'm not a fan of communal tables, but it is what it is. Overall, I'll definitely be back time and time again.
(5)Joe E.
Cool look (love the wood and the lights), a bit cramped...I don't mind the communal table setup, except that some of the patrons don't seem to grasp the concept and sit next to each other, or spread out a bit more than necessary. The food has been consistently good and interesting with decent prices. But the thing we've been back for the most is the Oatmeal Cream Pie/Cookie dessert thing....two house made Cranberry Chocolate Chip cookies sandwiching a ridiculous cream cheese icing - type filling for less than $4. Gimme three to go please.
(4)Bruce K.
Probably the least expensive dinner I had all week, I arrived just before the end of the happy hour where I got $1 off of a tasty tin of beer. Limited seating and much of it is shared tables. Hey, that's okay. I ordered the five wings as a starter in a flavor they called "marakeshy". $8 for five wings seemed a bit much, but these were the full quarter - flappers and drumsticks. And they were very tasty. Dry, not wet. I'd have these again. For main, I went with the "chilly fish" bowl. Brown rice topped with all sorts of stuff, including a couple of large grilled shrimps, a red curry sauce that had some nice zing to it, and a scoop of smoked whitefish salad. Oh, my. Totally would return to Field Guide. Street parking (or walk over from the Macarthur Center) or just take the light rail!
(4)C H.
Happened upon this place on Saturday afternoon while trying to get into Grilled Cheese Bistro. I had the Chilly Fish bowl. Fresh. Healthy. Yummy!! Interesting!!! My first time here, so, hard to characterize the place overall. Very different!! So good that I didn't want to stop eating to take a picture!!! I'll add more after next visit My date had the brisket sandwich and RAVED ABOUT IT!!! ETA- I had some of the brisket left over from yesterday... Upgrading to 5 !!! Can't wait to go back. EATA- trying to go again today, but they're closed on Mondays!!! :-( #obsessed EATA- I came back Wednesday for a brisket bowl!!! I really like this place. Can you tell?
(5)Mary Ann R.
Today's lunch destination was to a place I've bookmarked for a year now and finally the wait is over! Very cazh ambiance! Love that the glass garage door was open. Server was very attentive and polite. The food...ooommgg...the food is EXCELENTE!! We ordered the Privateer sandwich, the Yala Surfer Sandwich and sweet potato chips with horseradish sauce. My compliments to the chef!!!! I can't believe I waited this long, but we will definitely be back soon.
(4)Joyce A.
I absolutely adore this place! The food, the ambience, the people--they're all amazing! I'd heard a lot of good things about Field Guide and have been wanting to visit, so I suggested it for lunch with my boyfriend. The storefront is pretty interesting. I love the look of the garage door window. And the whole feel of the restaurant is cozy and welcoming. The shared tables are also an interesting concept. It makes the restaurant feel even cozier. The food was absolutely amazing! I got the BBQ beef rice bowl, and my boyfriend got the All the Right Moves sandwich. We also got an order of the sweet potato chips with tomato ancho. It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time! I don't generally like spicy foods, but my rice bowl was so good that I ate the whole thing! I definitely can't wait to go back again!
(5)Andrew O.
This is my go-to spot for a casual lunch in Norfolk. The sandwiches are my favorite, although some of the bowls are quite delicious as well. Sides are tasty and worth getting, although you will be full. It's a great environment inside, especially on nice days when they open the garage doors to the street.
(5)Cliff H.
My daughter and I visited Field Guide on a Saturday morning, so we got to experience their brunch menu. I'm downright evangelical about Handsome Biscuit, so I was really excited to try Field Guide. They did not disappoint. The beauty of this place is the way they put together ingredients that are out of the ordinary, but not bizarre things like you see on "foodie" blogs. In other words, regular dudes like me can easily find delicious items on their menu without being scared. On our visit, I had the Blazing Arrow. It was really well-prepared. The frittata on its owns would've been perfect, but the grilled sausage and corn bun made it special. My daughter had the French toast and an over-hard egg. Eggs are easy to cook, right? Then you have the eggs at Field Guide and you're left wondering why your eggs never look or taste this good. All my life I've lived under the assumption that, yeah, I might not be able to cook but at least I can fry an egg. Field Guide, with their magisterial command of the kitchen, just messed up eggs for me. I can't even think about cooking my own eggs now without feeling like a complete failure at life. Now I just need to come back for their lunch and dinner...
(5)Dominic L.
Great food great place to grab a bite to eat this was a very interesting place the rice bowls where great I wanted to try more food but if you are in the area please stop by I don't like chain restaurants so this was a great find
(5)Tsuru J.
We came in late (around 9 pm is) and were lucky to get a seat with no wait at all. Food was EXCELLENT. I have been here a couple of times and always enjoy the nice mix of flavors. Most of us had a bowl. The tikka bowl is more like korma but is very tasty nonetheless. Sandwiches were great. The slushee drinks were fun if a bit on the weak side. Server was attentive and very friendly. Prices are super reasonable too. Overall, one of the best of a bunch of new "hip" Norfolk restaurants to pop up over the past few years.
(5)Amber K.
BOMB! EAT HERE! Everything was awesome. With a less than stellar experience down the street, we came in really hungry. Everything we tried was good. Sweet potato chips come with your choice of sauce. Really liked the honey dijon. Rice bowls are all nicely sized and tons of options. You can really just make your own dish if you want. We had the Park Dog with brown rice - the yogurt sauce that's with it is just delicious. Royale Champ sandwich - I would eat this every day if I could. It's that good. Also loved the poppyseed bun. All the seating is pretty communal so beware if that's not your thing. I think it's a cool concept inside. Thank you for feeding us! I'll be back soon.
(5)Ben M.
Absolutely phenomenal! Fresh ingredients, great selection! I didn't know what to get! But had the brisket bowl!
(5)Robbin L.
I had high expectations, but Field Guide fell short. The Lil' Bee rice/quinoa bowl was just meh. Not bad, but not exciting. The iced tea was also blah. So, two stars for the food. Where Field Guide does excel, however, are the mixed drinks, sweet potato chips, and ambiance. Field Guide is the place to go for drinks and conversation on a cool night when they have the garage door open. For that, I give it four stars.
(3)Kate W.
I've visited Field Guide probably a dozen times since it opened. I'll first disclose that I'm an unabashed fan of David Hausmann's food style. But that shouldn't diminish this review, because I will also confess that previous visits have not always been as outstanding as today's lunch. The menu had been updated since my last visit (a good sign IMO, especially of a restaurant that changes its offerings based on the seasons). More rice bowls, fewer sandwiches. Still offer house-made sodas (yum) and sweet potato chips (double yum). And the rice bowls, which were very good before, are now pretty darn perfect. My friend and I both ordered the Lil' Bee with brown rice and subbed the standard mild yellow curry for a slightly spicy red curry. I WOULD NOT CHANGE A THING. Super fresh ingredients, house-marinated and perfectly cooked tofu, and the brown rice base included quinoa and maybe chia? Not over dressed, good portion size. I also very much appreciate that diners are encouraged to pick and choose from a variety of ingredients and sauces to create your own rice bowl. How's that for flexibility. Since my last visit, they replaced the San Pellegrino canned sodas with Fentimans, a UK company -- ginger beer, mandarin & seville orange soda, and rose lemonade. And yes, a very worthy cocktail list. I'll happily I'll have to go back to try those!
(5)Mary B.
Went here late night after an Admirals game. Love the atmosphere in this place - long tables with hipster vibe. It was crowded. They had some fun, unique alcoholic drinks (a cherry flavored cocktail) as well as a few unusual-for-here brews (I had a DCBrau). They were not cheap, definitely not a dive bar, and it may be hard to find a seat on a Friday or Saturday. The late night food menu seemed pretty minimal - nothing really seemed like it could be a meal so I didn't order anything. I'm excited to try this place out for lunch sometime - their sandwiches sound really unique. Also, I know they open their large street-side bar top window when it gets nice during late spring and summer.
(4)Agnes S.
Waitstaff is always very knowledgeable on the food they're serving. They are all passionate about what they are serving as they should be...always quality/fresh ingredients. My go-to's are the Privateeer or the Beef BBQ Bowl...I love brisket. The Ancho BBQ sauce has a little bit of a kick to it, but not too much heat. I always get a delicious house-made soda. Definitely try the Oatmeal Creme Pie, their specialty dessert. The cream is not too sweet and the cookie is awesome, I can't describe it other than a fresh baked cookie. And really that's all the explanation it needs. Communal seating, you order at front and they bring out your order to you.
(4)William C.
Inventive food and cocktails. The opportunity to personalize the rice bowls with a variety of proteins and veggies is a great touch. I'll definitely be back.
(4)Kirstina C.
I've been to Field Guide a couple times already and I have yet to be disappointed. The environment definitely reminds me of the Handsome Biscuit (which shares the same owners) and reminds me of other small restaurants in Norfolk. I love how the front is like a garage with a roll-down window and a bench that allows you to people-watch on Granby Street. The restaurant itself is a little on the darker side, but it gives you that cozy feeling. You place your order at the back of the restaurant and your food is brought out to you. The service is quick, and I waited about 10 minutes for my food each time I came to Field Guide. The first sandwich I tried was the Ms. Kodiak. I loved how the fish was prepared like tuna fish salad with whitefish and more flavors. I love adding avocado to sandwiches, and it definitely was a great addition to the whitefish. I also ordered a side of sweet potato chips that tasted fresh and light. I loved this sandwich! I also ordered the Noodlefoot Williams. Mac'n cheese plus sweet potato chips on a sandwich? Yes please! It was very delicious. The peperonata was a great pairing with the mac'n cheese. I definitely plan on going back to try other things on the menu.
(5)Stephanie T.
I rarely write reviews on the day as my visit but I enjoyed my meal so completely I wanted to write it right away. My husband and I with baby in row were running errands in Norfolk and wanted to stop for a quick good lunch. I pull out my trusty Yelp app and the reviews for FieldGuide were so good we thought we would give it a whirl. I ordered the Ms. Kodiak which is a sandwich with smoked white fish, avocado, golden relish and sweet potato chips. This sandwich was flipping amazing. The fish was smoked just right and flavorful. The golden relish has a little kick to it but is balanced out by the cool smoothness of the avocado. The sweet potato chips offers an awesome crunch component and the bread was fresh and yummy. I love a good sandwich with different textures and flavor profiles and Ms. Kodiak did not disappoint! My husband had the privateer and he says that was equally amazing. I ordered the cookie sandwich thingy to go and cannot wait to get home to devour it! Great place definitely will return.
(5)Melissa I.
My girlfriend and I stumbled on this restaurant while walking along Granby and I am so glad we did. I don't know how to describe the style of food, but it was so good! I had the brisket rice bowl and a slushie, both of which were amazing. We split the oatmeal cream pie.... OMG. I don't think words can describe this dessert!!! It was one of the top five desserts of MY LIFE!! And everything is dirt cheap. You can barely eat at McDonald's for what dinner for two cost us.
(5)Blair W.
I had their house-made soda, appetizer wings and sweet potato gnocchi.. They were delicious overall but my husband didn't like the exotic scent from his beef brisket rice menu.. The soda has some exotic smells, too. The portion of food was big!
(3)Dub W.
Devilishly delicious foods and great pricing. Amazing atmosphere, and spectacular service! I'll definitely be back in the near future, especially to try that chocolate bread pudding... highly recommend stopping by to try this place!
(5)Marina E.
I'm amazed every single time I come in here. Just tried one of their new rice bowls (Tikka Byrd) and added avocado to it. YUMMY. Always greeted with a smile and leave super full and very happy!
(5)Meredith V.
My final stop on my Farewell Hampton Roads tour...and what a great pick! I arrived at Field Guide on a sunny Friday afternoon at 1 and it was PACKED. I had hoped to snag a seat at the opened door/wall, but they were occupied. And then after being there for about 15 minutes, a couple seats opened up and we swarmed on them! Definitely the best seats in the house. You go up to the counter and place your orders and then your food/drinks are brought out to you. They do all orders on a small ipad, which was pretty cool and straight forward. The only thing I thought was bizarre is that you're required to tip at least 15% on each order. I have no problem with tipping for waiter service but if you go to, say, Jason's Deli and order your food at the counter and go sit down, you're not going to tip. I have never seen that before so someone can correct me if I'm wrong. They have a separate drink list with a lot of fun and different options mixed with their house sodas. I started with a glass of the rose. Meh. And later I ordered the red sangria that was mixed with their beet apple house soda. VERY....interesting. I also like that they feature the flavored Pelligrinos (limonata, blood orange, etc); I have only seen these at restaurants in New York or Boston. Cocktails and wine were very reasonably priced (picture attached). Our food came out very quickly. I ordered the Unexpected Friend (pork shoulder, raspberry cherry jam, and hot pickles) and a side of the feta slaw. Both were creative and delicious, specifically the slaw which was very feta forward so make sure you are a fan of feta. My only complaint about the Unexpected Friend was that it was essentially just an oversized slab of meat on bread. Way too heavy for lunch. And I didn't catch much of the raspberry cherry jam flavors on the sandwich at all, you could tell it was spread on very sparingly. I would probably not order that again. My friend ordered the Ms. Kodiak (whitefish salad with avocado, chips, and relish) and that was perfect...similar to a tangy chicken salad. We decided we had to leave room for their infamous desserts so we ordered the oatmeal creme pie and cinnamon roll. TO DIE FOR. One of my biggest fat girl guilty pleasures are homemade cinnamon rolls (which you can never find in restaurants) so I knew this was a must. It was perfection: warm, gooey, SOFT, deliciousness. You were basically eating cinnamon nectar. The oatmeal creme pie seemed a little hard when I sampled it (although to be fair I was coming from eating my soft cinnamon roll) but when I ate the other half the next morning it was outstanding. I like this movement that restaurants are doing by bringing back old classics and making them homemade (like how Public House makes their own moon pies). Hats off to clever, creative desserts. Overall, pretty cool place. I do see that they offer salads but the only thing I would like to see is lighter sandwich options (its hard to eat pork shoulder and chuck roast slabs in the middle of the day). Like they should do a smoked salmon option. Maybe a sushi grade tuna option. And my personal fave, a prosciutto option! These are the kind of restaurants that need to start infiltrating more of Hampton Roads.
(4)Paul T.
Quick Dinner review since the experience changes a little. Popped in before a show at Chrysler Hall and the place was definitely hopping. So what's different? First, it's a little more restaurant esque, you're greeted at the door, shown to a table, and given a menu and water. There is also the addition of three menu items, Meatloaf, Gnochi... and something else, I didn't make it past the Gnochi. My dish, could've definitely been called "Sausage and Dumplings" as they were pretty huge! Flavor was good though and I certainly enjoyed my meal. The Euro-Seating style still works well at night, so if you're open to meeting some new folks and maybe even a little eaves dropping, this is your place. If you're a privacy-a-phobe, or looking to close that super secret elicit deal, move along. Really love the table side paying, wish more restaurants did this. Overall, for 2, with dessert and tip we came in under $25 a head, still one of the best dinners you're gunna get on Granby.
(5)Shawn A.
Perfect for a summer day. Has an open concept, complete with an opened "garage door" front, where you can people watch all day if you can snag a stool at the front. We ordered the bourbon slushie and the fruit slushie. Both did not disappoint. The we ordered a couple snacks: the sweet potato chips and the curried cauliflower. Great for a little snack. Chips were fresh and crispy and cauliflower was some of the best I've had. Best part, well not the best, but the icing on the cake: they use iPads to cash you out and so that means they never take your credit card into the back, they do it right in front of you. Staff and customers are also very nice. Will def be back!
(4)Nick B.
Decided to check out another local place in Downtown Norfolk and Field Guide definitely delivers. The restaurant is small, but beautiful. There's communal seating, so you'll definitely make friends with the other locals in the area. Amazing decor, really great vibes - almost reminds me of a small bistro/bar from NYC or San Francisco. I ordered this delicious brisket sandwich topped with spinach, cherries and other nice choices. I paired that with a Gin Rikki - seemed to be a nice play on a gin & tonic. Both really good choices. One of the biggest turn ons here was the music selection through the speakers. Most people may not notice that, but it's a reflection of the pretty diverse staff. Everything was played from Rolling Stones to MF DOOM - you can't beat that. Check this place out for sure. Great food, great staff, great locals - absolutely no complaints.
(5)Bobby D.
I would be willing to pay a monthly fee to have the identical restaurant in Downtown Portsmouth, then I would eat lunch there twice a week.
(5)Marisa S.
YUMMY!!!! This place was delicious! We went around 1:00pm, so there was parking and no wait. From what I have heard it is very busy before 1:00pm. You place your order at that counter and pick a seat. The seating is limited, but enough for a smaller crowd. The décor is cool. I tried the homemade grapefruit soda. It was delicious! We then had the mac-n-cheese and the Privateer sandwich. Both were excellent, bursting with flavor! My favorite though was the homemade oatmeal cream pie. It was so fantastic! My sister ordered the cinnamon roll and it was great too. Just be prepared to pay the meter for parking in the street.
(5)Jimmy S.
Last night in the snowy weather my wife and I met some friends at Field Guide for dinner. Thankfully they stayed open to feed us downtowner's that just didn't want to cook on a beautiful snowy night. I had the BBQ rice bowl and my wife had the White Fish bowl. Both were delicious. The service was perfect and the atmosphere was relaxed with the music not to loud for conversation. FG is a true jewel for downtown.
(5)Mike M.
We were across the street, about to go into Scottie Quixx (a place we've been to before) when I saw field guide and remembered a friend had recommended it. So we quickly crossed Granby St. and grabbed a table. Local brews on tap (Smartmouth Notch 9 IPA = excellent) Friendly, attentive waitstaff (He recommended the buffalo tofu, my wife loved it ) I had the sandwich, loved it (probably should have gotten the salad, but I enjoyed the sweet chips) Overall + We'll be back!
(5)Amanda H.
The decor is really cool, and shout out to whoever put the background music playlist together: you have excellent taste. I'm not a fan of the communal seating, however. The tables are huge - so even if cool strangers sit across from you & strike up conversation, you'd have to scream for them to be able to hear you. Also - flies. Evil, aggressive, flies. Almost as many flies as people. This comes with the territory of having a large open window, and I know that isn't anybody's fault, but it really killed the experience for me. We even overheard people come in & decline to order food because of the sheer volume of flies, which absolutely sucks for their business. On to the food. I had a few bites of my boyfriend's C.C. Rider (chicken salad sandwich w/ pecans, pickled cabbage, arugula pesto) and it was delicious, though lacking in pecans. I ordered the Privateer (root beer braised chuck roast w/ roasted honey cheddar & arugula) and while the meat was tender, it didn't have a lot of flavor, and the cheddar sauce threw me off. It made the arugula gooey & weird. I think I'd like this better w/ just smoked cheddar cheese melted on top, but that's just my preference. The sweet potato chips were extremely salty, but maybe the batch we got was off. Don't take my word for it though, I'm just some lame Yelp user - check it out for yourself. These folks put together a neat, eclectic menu, and if you order enough drinks, maybe you won't even notice the flies.
(2)Kayla J.
One of my favorite restaurants in Norfolk. When people come in town to visit I bring them here. 1. Alcoholic slushies? yes please. and keep them coming. 2. The sandwiches, wings, and rice bowls are the way to go here. Giant portions, great taste, bang for your buck. They crush it in those categories. 3. Entrees were a disappointment. Gnocchi was blah. I could have made it at home better. Sucks to say that about a place I love. The concept of the dish is more upscale than the rest of the menu but it just falls so so short. Friend got the meatloaf which is a saturday claim to fame and he said it was also blah. He would stick with the sandwiches as well. Boyfriend got the gumbo. It was more like a bland soup. When I think gumbo I think full of flavor and spices. This was full of nothing. Still one of my favorite places. Just stick to what they do best.
(4)Brad M.
**Edit 12/2014** GAH field guide what did you do?! You slowly worsened the happy hour to almost non existent and got rid of your sandwiches at dinner (oh, except the one you left that was my least favorite and are now charging a surplus of $3 for- taking into account the included chips). I can't write a completely new review because I refused to pay $15-20 for dinner from such a casual place, but I can lower my stars and say goodbye until things revert back to a good value-- we had a good run field guide! *sniff* I can't believe it, but Field Guide actually lived up to my super high expectations! I've seen it, heard about it, and read about it for months but never had a spare day to come visit until Friday night dinner. Surprisingly they weren't packed at 6pm, so my girlfriend and I got right in. Another surprise-- happy hour until 7pm-- with $3 local beer and $4 alcoholic smoothies. Man, you seriously can't get better than that...except for the food. They offered us sweet potato chips when we got our drinks. I'm not a big sweet potato person, but we got it and man were they good! Obviously freshly made and a decent portion for 2 to split. We got the meatloaf dinner and the Privateer. I don't even know where to begin with either... The privateer had perfectly cooked chuck roast with oddly complementing melted cheese around it on the plate. I didnt taste the root beer...which was a good thing! The meat loaf was unlike any meatloaf I've had before too. I can't really be any more precise than that, but I loved every bite! The greens on the side had kind of a tangy, biting flavor and subtly cooked. Also for the price conscious person (like me): 7-8 for sandwiches, 14-15 for dinners, 1.50 for potato chips. The good: Everything. (including that the entire from of the place retracts and opens to the sidewalk) The bad: Nothing (other than maybe that you have to share a table) Overall: Visit. It's priced right, cooked right, and they treat you right. I can't wait to come back!
(3)Cory N.
The place seemed way great based on reviews and glancing at the menu. It's purposely small so my small group of 8 had a minor wait if 45 minutes. The frozen drinks were ok but overrated. Apps: Sweet potato chips were nice. Home made. Warm. Serving size 4 or more. Veg in curry was served warm. And tasty. Lots if chickpeas? Veg pesto was tasty. But again. Heavy chickpeas. I'm sure for a reason but so many other veg avail. Meals. Many got the sandwiches. Most seemed to enjoy. I don't think the noodle sandwich was a favorite but it was filling. I got the pork dish with orange root veg and quinoa. Probably the largest serving of a dish. It was ok. Not the best. But not bad either. Dessert. Ordered the oatmeal cookie for the table. And wow. Wow Woww. Come just for this. It was hands down one if the best things I've eaten ever. We split two for our table of 9. Overall. The drinks and wine seemed liked a eclectic selection. The food seemed way better than most things in granby. Id go back. The dessert was way good. The prices were incredible. It's a Great, cheap, but handsomely presented place that is worth a few visits to try every thing.
(4)Dennis C.
I need to start taking some hipster lessons. Seriously. This old man felt totally out of place here. The music and the chatter of the other diners were much too loud for my tastes, and I found the communal cafeteria style dining tables a bit unnerving. After eating lunch here during the past two days, however, I managed to survive. Therefore, I have decided to keep an open mind and not allow any of the above to affect my rating. Instead, I will let their food do most of the talking. Upon first entering, one of their servers walked up to me and handed me a menu and explained the procedure of ordering at the counter. I found the menu to be a bit confusing at first and needed for him to explain some of it to me during my first visit. Under the heading of "Salads" are listed three separate items titled "White Ones", which are actually rice bowls. This didn't register with me at first, as I don't normally associate salads with rice bowls. There was also a soup listed under their "Salads" as well. Perhaps, the heading of this menu section should be renamed as "Soups, Salads, and Rice Bowls" In my opinion, this would eliminate some potential confusion for first time diners. The remainder of their lunch menu is more clear and divided into "Sandwiches" and "Sides." I ordered the following items during my first two visits: WHITE ONE - CURRY STYLE: "White rice with Roasted Chickpeas, Carrots, Onions, and Turnips." This is what I ordered during my first visit yesterday. The curry sauce was very flavorful and blended nicely with the rice and chickpeas. The carrots, onion, and turnips were tender and flavorful. This dish was a definite winner. WHITE ONE - CHILI FISH STYLE: "Grilled Shrimp, Smoked Whitefish Salad, Harissa Oil." This was what I ordered during my second visit today. Although not specifically mentioned, this dish contained white rice as well. I enjoyed this dish even more than the one I had yesterday. The smoked whitefish salad packed an intense amount of flavor with a paste like texture which blended nicely with the rice. I thoroughly enjoyed the nuances of chili flavor provided by the Harissa oil. With both of these rice bowl dishes, however, I did find myself wanting to add some Sriracha sauce for a little extra heat. After looking around, I didn't see any on display. The servers were very busy, and I did not bother to ask them if they had some. If they don't stock it, I think they should. SWEET POTATO CHIPS - I ordered these as a side during my second visit. Although flavorful, some of them were wilted and sorely lacking in the level of crispness I desire. Perhaps, this can be attributed to the heat and humidity we've been having this week. So, I've decided to give them a pass on this one. I have definitely enjoyed my first two visits enough to come again. For my next visit, I may order one of their sandwiches. Their MS. KODIAK, which includes the smoked whitefish salad I enjoyed so much, sounds very tempting. This may very well become my new "go to" lunch spot after working out at the downtown Norfolk YMCA. Who knows? Maybe I will meet a nice hipster woman.
(4)Shannon G.
Field Guide? Not a typical name for a restaurant. But seeing that David Hausman and John Porter's other establishment is named Handsome Biscuit, something tells me these guys like to have fun when naming their restaurants. I spotted Field Guide one evening about a year ago when picking up takeout nearby at my favorite Thai spot. The garage door that they roll up when weather permits was open, so the music and chatter from the customers caught my attention first. It appeared to be a popular bar, so I was surprised to learn it was a lunch spot. Curious, I headed back to give their lunch menu a try. The garage door was closed on this chilly afternoon but it still felt open and airy. There are three rows of connecting tables and a bar-style table overlooking Granby. The combination of the modern tables, light fixtures, 3D wall art made of connecting pieces of wood that lines the length of one wall, exposed bronze pipes, and an open kitchen created a laid back vibe and eclectic décor. The staff was just as chill, informing us that we had to order our food at the bar and they'd bring it to us. (Dinner offers table-side service.) I placed our order, which was taken on an iPad. Then followed other guests to grab our utensils, napkins and drinks, reliving my waitressing days to balance 3 cups carefully back to our table. Dave Matthews Band-esque music played a little louder than some may appreciate but I quite enjoyed it, and the cool, downtown vibe of this new Granby establishment. Minutes later, Ms. Kodiak, Privateer, and Singapore Slush were served. Intriguing names of the sandwiches and "adult" slushy we chose. Also served was the Mac'n Cheese, that they suggested for my lil' guy, which is usually served inside a sandwich by the name of Noodlefoot Williams. Cool. My Dad, who was complaining minutes earlier about not being impressed with the menu, was silently devouring Ms. Kodiak - smoked whitefish salad topped with avocado, sweet potato chips, and golden relish, explained on the menu as preserved lemon, yellow pepper, peach, mango and jalapeno. It had everything - sweet, salty, a little crunch, soft bread, fresh fish. Ms. Kodiak is the royal sister to the tuna sandwich. My Privateer - root beer braised brisket with smoked honey cheddar and greens inside a homemade bun - was so beautiful on the plate that I was afraid to eat it. The brisket was tender and flavorful, although overpowered by the heavy cheese sauce that reminded me too much of nacho cheese. The brain freeze I received many times from slurping up my Singapore Slush - gin, brandy, tropical, H.O.V.A. (a nod to their love of music and hip hop) - is a brain freeze enjoyed. This is the perfect summer drink. Fruity, cold, and strong. For a second, I forgot I was in downtown Norfolk on my lunch break. I imagined I was vacationing in San Diego on a perfect summer day. My son enjoyed his Mac'n Cheese, as did we. A creamy, extra cheesy mac good for adults and the kiddies, although I wouldn't suggest Field Guide as a place to take the kids. Its more of an adults only spot that you should go with someone who enjoys interesting takes on food, and a downtown cool vibe. This is not a chicken and rice and beer kinda of spot. Our Field Guide experience ended with the cinnamon bun, topped with chocolate sauce. Cinnamon, bread and chocolate? What could go wrong with this win win combination? Well, it was too heavy but what did I expect. On my 2nd visit, I tried the dessert we should have chosen - the cream cheese stuffed cookie. It is so amazing, and sloppy, and warm meets cold, meets sweet, meets Heavenly. You feel like you just gained about 8 lbs, so be prepared but take the plunge. I could've stayed to enjoy another midday drink, and to take in more of the vibe that left me feeling good about life. To top it off, Field Guide is easy on the wallet. We left smiling, and stuffed. I've visited a few times since, still not for dinner. But even after a year, it is one of the coolest spots on Granby. It stands out in decor and vibe, and the food is interesting. It adds what Granby needs. Something that is not VA, but offers an experience that takes you to another place - think San Diego or San Francisco. I'm a fan.
(4)J David H.
What a fun experience today in downtown Norfolk's newest culinary darling. I am not always one to try out the newest restaurant in town, but I made an exception. Knowing that Handsome Biscuits owners are involved in Field Guide made me want to immediately try them out. It took me a little longer than I would have liked, but still within 45 days of opening. With the weather in our area warming and the sun out I could not resist a trip to this new eatery. I located metered street parking very easily for an early 11:30 AM lunch. As a matter of fact I found a meter with an hour on it and was feeling great! I walked a block, or so of Granby St. that I never had before. It appears a regrowth in the area is emerging and Field Guide and a few others in the area is a really great start. When I approached the restaurant I really liked the idea of the garage door in the front that could be opened in warmer weather. The black base color, yellow door and gold lettering of the restaurant above is striking in an awesome sophisticated way. It reminds me of an English pub facade. I also noticed something unusual when peaking through the glass. Several of their dishes were out on a table and photographers were shooting them. I found out later that they will be featured in some local magazine, or article. I was in love the minute that my eyes flashed across the dining room. My first reaction was that I was not cool enough for this place. It is hip beyond words and I was not going to back out now. A young hipster dude approached me with a menu at there walk up ordering counter. After some discussion of some great options the Privateer sounded like the best option for me today and I added curry roasted veggies. What I did not expect to get one of there pre made specialty drinks, a Tennessee Slushy (Burbon & Coke) that looked fantastic in the machine. Even the coaster for it set me back, a square piece of cardboard that they provided at checkout. So off to find a place to set down. The dining room is comprised of a tiny bar area at the ordering area with a few chairs. The dining room has three long massive wood tables with chairs. They also have another bar area in the front at the garage door. The concept of rubbing elbows with others and enjoying lunch was appealing to me, so I sat down there. At first I was by myself as the place was not busy yet. The biggest commotion was from the photog's roaming around the dinning room and taking pics of food, servers and customers. The decor provides a totally urban fell with exposed ceilings, brick and concrete floor. The cinder block walls on the one side are grey with light color flecks providing a 3D affect. The other side has stone and brick work. The corner of the place has exposed copper piping and gauges that are just fabulous and extremely eye catching. My slushy did not take long to arrive and it looked really cool in a Ball jar, the color, the smell and huge straw looked boss. But it's the first taste that set me way back. The Tennessee Slushy was so delicious and had hints of pumpkin spice, but the alcohol could not be detected... well until later and that is probably another story. I decided to get up and ask the photographers if I could shoot my own pics quickly of the food to which they immediately said sure. It did not take long before the waiter came over and was telling me what each sandwich was... so many great menu items to try on other visits. Other customers began to come in and evidently thought I was with the staff, you will understand more in a few. My food was out and in front of me and looked liked works of art. The sandwich was smothered in cheese, hot and juicy. The roasted veggies were so scrumptious, I had never had anything like it and never knew I liked chick peas. This was a real quality meal. Customers began to set in around me after ordering their food. Immediately they began to ask me questions about the establishment and food. I had to laughingly tell them that I was taking pics for myself. Something real entertaining about rubbing elbows in this type of environment is you never know who your talking to etc. To my left are two middle aged business people, a man and woman. To the right was a large office party with the boss flipping the bill for around four office staff. They were having a ball and I overheard them talking about taking pics for Yelp. Then the man on my left gets into a conversation with me about pics and that he does Yelp reviews. I then let in that I too was taking pics for a Yelp review. The gentlemen and I had a nice discussion about recommended restaurants with a focus on OBX haunts to eat since we both often frequent the area. I walked out of Field Guide with a fully belly and new Yelp friend Brian R. The combination of food quality, superior service and just plain cool factor warrants a 5 star review.
(5)Martina D.
I visited with 4 others and an infant. Tip: don't bring an infant (my bad, but now I know). That note, however, has no impact on my review. The food was nice, creative, but the flavors did not work well together imho. I got the #1 choice bowl, I believe it was called. I think I will go back and definitely try something new. We also sat at the table closest to the outside at the very end. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait to be seated although there was quite a wait right after we sat down. The open seating is cool and all, but having a conversation with the person simply across from me was a pain due to distance and noise level. Overall, this is a pretty neat place with a good concept. Maybe next time I'll be able to boost it a star or two.
(3)Ashlea L.
First time trying this place out today & didn't find it to be as great as I was hoping. It wasn't bad, just not the best place that I've ever been for lunch. We luckily scored a parking spot right in front & beat the lunch crowd, even though we were there about 12:15. I had already picked out what I wanted from their website & my boyfriend reviewed the menu while we waited in line. The guy behind the counter seemed like he wanted to be anywhere but there...no smile or hello, so I went ahead and ordered my macaroni & cheese sandwich (don't judge this fat kid) and my boyfriend asked him which was better between two sandwiches. The guy responded with "uhh, they're basically the same", alrighty then. My boyfriend went with the "unexpected friend" a pork sandwich topped with hot pickles & raspberry jam. I added a side of curry veggies & my boyfriend ordered the broccoli & chicpeas. We paid, including the obligatory tip on the ipad. No thank you, just another blank stare. We sat at the bar set up by the window & waited for our lunch. The interior is very nice. A lot of people started coming in at this point & quite a few left because the seats were starting to fill up. Our food was brought out & looked tasty. The mac & cheese was pretty good, as was the curry veggies. The only thing I didn't like about it was the giant, raw carrot chunks. My boyfriend enjoyed his lunch as well, even though he couldn't taste the jam on his sandwich. We both said we probably would not return anytime soon. The food is pretty decent, but everything else about it seems forced to be a hip spot.
(3)Kelly S.
I got the salad with apples slices in it. This was a very good salad. The portion to $$ ratio was fair. The waiter was very nice, enthusiastic and professional. Since this is a short walk from my work it is very convenient and would go back again!
(4)Caroline C.
The food and ambiance definitely deserves 4 stars. California style cuisine and the farm/table minimalist design warms my heart. You can't go wrong with anything that includes the pork shoulder or the mac and cheese sandwich. The service knocks off a star. I was disappointed the waiter refused to close the garage door at 9pm when it was 60 degrees outside. Food isn't as enjoyable when you are cold.
(3)Kevin R.
So think upgraded chipotle when you come here. This place is best experienced with warm weather and good company. The entire front is open so the air can carry the scent of food about and also to enjoy "people watching." The food is healthy and delightfully and just light enough to carry you to dinner. Excellent beer choice paired with immaculate service makes this a 5 star
(5)Joe D.
This afternoon I had the pleasure of stopping by Field Guide for the first time. This is David Hausmann and John Porter's new lunch spot located at 429 Granby St. in downtown Norfolk. You may recognize those names as David & John own local favorite The Handsome Biscuit and used to run The Boot. The first thing that will catch your eye upon arriving is the large glass garage door. This opens to reveal a stand up counter and ventilates the entire restaurant on a nice day such as today. The interior of this old building has been redesigned with a very open and modern concept. There are 3 long semi diagonal tables for seating in addition to the standing counter at the entrance and finally a brushed metal counter in the back where you place your order. The rest of the design is very modern with some exceptional wood work done on the overhead lighting and on the right hand wall. It's amazing what you can do with lumber. The menu is exactly what I expected from David & John and in my opinion shows the same type of variety that you see over at their sister restaurant The Handsome Biscuit. There's a few salads, about a dozen very unique sandwiches and about half a dozen side dishes to choose from. I selected the 'Ms. Kodiak' sandwich which is smoked whitefish salad & avocado along with house made sweet potato chips and a golden relish. For a side I selected a serving of 'Chickpea, Broccoli, Roasted Red Pepper Pesto'. I selected the house soda for my drink. I have one word for you my friends. "Superb!" While I was dining I was also given a desert, I'm guessing because they saw me take a picture of my sandwich. It was an 'Oatmeal Cream Pie' which is two house made chocolate chip & cherry pecan cookies with a super fluffy cream cheese filling in between. I had to spit that with my guest. What a fantastic lunch! In my opinion this is another homerun for David and John. No question at all. Also in the very near future they're going to be expanding their hours and opening for breakfast as well. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they have in store for us then.
(5)Rachel H.
I super badly want to give this place a 5. The food is amazing but the customer service makes me uncomfortable! All of the the employees are extremely awkward and standoffish. It's like a big group of hipsters who don't think good customer service is a requirement. They are lucky the food is so amazing, like crazy good. The green and white one salad is transcendent. Ultimately I would definitely still recommend someone try this place. I would say try it on your lunch break though, I would not want someone to take me here on a dinner date as they have communal tables so keep that in mind.
(4)Yajaida P.
Sometimes you have to remember that food should be enjoyed, unapologetically and without shame. I'd like to think this is what Field Guide had in mind when they conceptualized their new restaurant. The restaurant is wide open in it's layout and completely visible from the street traffic. Further All the tables and seats are locked together in rows. Sit down and get comfortable with your fellow man because he is about to see you make a damn mess. I just walked in after the lunch rush, checked the world traveler design and felt the easiness of the vibe here. When my waiter stopped by, I just told him to bring me whatever. Seemed like the right thing to say. My order turned out to be the pork shoulder with a side of sweet potato chips. I took a minute to appreciate the presentation and then just dove in. There is no grace or poise in the world that will make you look refined with jam dropping out between your fingers and you trying to lick it up before it hits the plate. I ate and was unabashedly happy.
(5)Jillarae R.
I stopped by after the parade in Norfolk this past weekend. I was soooo excited to be able to try anything because they have weird hours for their soft opening. Saturday they hosted a pop-up and they only offered "waffletina's" and beer. Their neighbors next door are the ones that actually got me to stop by. We were gathered and I noticed everyone walking around with these waffles. That's when I got schooled on the waffletina! Some were stuffed with apples and cream cheese, others with chicken and vegetables, and another with pork and other fix ins. After drooling over everyone's food my friends and I had to stop what we were doing and run downstairs. Yup, we got one of each! Upon walking in, Field guide is a cozy intimate space where you don't even feel like you're in Norfolk. Also, I'm a fan of close tables. It's a great way to meet people and check out their food! This time, we opted for to-go so we can share what we got with our friends next door. Forks in, it was pretty much silent when we started eating. The food was THAT good! Lots of flavor, and I could of ate the waffle solo and be satisfied. Each part of the waffletina plays a significant role: Crispy/Fluffy waffle stuffed with + juicy/ tender chicken + peppers + AND the mozarella! I'm stoked to try their full menu soon and eat in, where I'll definitely update my review. (Keeping my fingers crossed for some pickled veggies!) Until then, I look forward to more pop-ups.
(4)Sally M.
Hip atmosphere, great service, and super creative menu. I had planned to get the meatloaf, but decided to get a bowl of what the guy next to me having. The white one chili fish style (9.50) was a generous bowl of yummy white rice with interesting toppings I had a hard time deciphering (black sesame seeds, finely chopped radish?), smoked whitefish salad, and a skewer of three grilled shrimp. Everything had great favors and it reminded my friend of Korean bibimbap. FYI, the tables have thin spaces in between sections (groups of 2 and 4 if I recall correctly)...so you are sitting next to a stranger but not exactly sharing the same tabletop. Minus one star because the server offered us bowl of chips while we wait (I interpret that as free) but it ended up on my bill, plus I wished they had more options for non-alcoholic drinks.
(4)Andrew C.
Pretty hip spot. Eh? Sorry I had to. Refreshing bar/restaurant on Granby St. Definitely has a Brooklyn-esque vibe. Rotating menus and beers on tap wins me over. I appreciate what Field Guide has to offer my only gripe probably is when paying the bill. I'm all for paperless purchasing but the iPad process can be time consuming & boring? Ha give me a pen & receipt & you may get a higher tip than the suggested one the computer gives me!
(4)John F.
First time into Field Guide during a recent visit to Downtown Norfolk. Small restaurant, but could comfortably hold a few dozen guests. There are five long wooden tables with chairs on each side. Similar to the setup in a cafeteria, but the furniture and tables were nice. There is a front hightop area in the front window for people watching on Granby Street. Service was good. Cal was courteous and helpful. I ordered food for takeout and it took about ten minutes. The reason I gave three stars was because I felt the food was expensive and it was just OK. I ordered the Privateer (Beef Brisket and Cheddar Sandwich) along with a side of Sweet Chips and a can of soda. Total came out to $13+. The Sweet Potato Chips had a nice crunchy texture, but they were bland. Maybe salt would have made a bigger difference. The Privateer was Beef Brisket with melted Cheddar and Arugula. It didn't have a ton of flavor in my opinion. I would try this location again. Maybe for drinks and to give something else on the menu a try.
(3)Aubrey K.
My husband and I went to eat there for his birthday this past weekend. We stood at the door forever, then when we sat a group of people came in and asked us to move down (which we were fine with) but then more of their party showed up and there wasn't a seat for one of them, so the guy gets a chair and sits directly beside me, I didn't even have elbow room. We were never asked for our order or told how to order anything, then when someone from the waitstaff came over to our table they started with the people that came in after we did. This restaurant is all my husband talked about going to for two weeks, what a disappointment for him.
(1)Mike M.
Great setting for fantastic food. The waiter was awesome and made recommendations tailored to what I liked and did not like. The menu has changed, so the entrees that you see on the website are no longer offered. The root beer braised sandwich is fantastic. Rice bowl is very tasty and will fill you up. Get there before 630pm or you will be waiting a long time.
(4)Miranda B.
Atmosphere was lovely, decor was great. The alcoholic slushies are to die for!! Sandwich was great. And the sweet potato chips are a must try
(5)Jessica V.
The food was great. It had flavor and taste when you crave something good. When you are not able to decide what you may want to eat, stop in here and you will not be disappointed. We had a few drinks and dinner. The brisket sandwich with added bacon was fulling and smoked to perfection. The shoulder pork dinner was packed with flavor and filling. Each meal had great combinations of flavors which made your smile from each bite. The seating is the only downfall it can be overwhelming and tumultuary for people.
(4)Guinevere N.
So difficult not to scream with joy when you get that plate at Field Guide. The hype gives you high expectations and the food fulfills. Also, I don't know if dude behind the counter that I've also seen at Handsome Biscuit is the owner or what, but he makes a hell of a recommendation and takes pride in the food, the sides, and the deliciously subtle housemade sodas. I had the pink ginger lemonade while boyfriend picked up a Bikini Beer (good selection here). Okay, to be honest when a server makes a recommendation that doesn't sound canned I go for it. In this case it was the Privateer, the popular brisket sandwich topped with delicious (braised?) collards and a thick, sunny sauce that tasted like cheese and fat got married then stewed in a classy apartment but still go out to blues bars and get trashed on pbr. Stunning, I tell you. Also, I don't know whose idea it was to create a feta coleslaw but it's high time they were awarded. Boyfriend had the Chiccolo, a flavorful chickpea mash with roasted beet, broccoli and more sunshine sauce, this time a curried dressing. Their sandwich rolls are a spongey complement to the saucy contents. We'll be back for sure.
(5)Rick S.
I've heard good things about the place, i liked the decor, my friend whom i went with loved it for dinner and the food was good. My problem is that i had i got an order of sweet potato chips and they forgot my sauce. No big deal, so i asked for it, then i asked again, then the third time i asked i had the waiter literally roll his eyes at me and say in the most condescending voice, "uh yeah, i guess i will get it for you in a minute." I'm sorry that you don't like your job or whatever, but don't take it out on me hipster kid, but having the audacity to roll your eyes at a customer is fricken ridiculous. Welcome to the real world where life isn't peachy and you don't always get what you want. If management is reading this i was there thursday september 11th at 11am. I was the first customer in there. He was wearing skinny jeans, had a beard and was manning the register. Edit: also i ordered the open-faced shrimp po' boy sandwich. Just a tip for the restaurant; this is an open faced sandwich img4-3.myrecipes.timeinc… and this is a closed face sandwich: eofdreams.com/data_image… What i got was a closed face sandwich with coleslaw on it. If you're going to put slaw on something, tell people because a lot of people do not like it.
(2)Nikko M.
Field Guide gives Norfolk a fresh look and an even fresher menu. One of my favorite things about this place is the atmosphere. They've got a unique wood paneling on one wall, a garage that opens up when it's warm out, and an overall rare vibe. They've got a poppin' happy hour which includes some unique liquors and liquor slushes that come out of a slushie machine! I repeat, liquor slushes! And they serve local beer! They've got a few staples on the menu. Most people get the Noodlefoot Williams, which is a sandwich with peperonata (one of their spices made in-house) and paprika. Their menu is very customizable too. You can add bacon, eggs, avocado, even pork shoulder! That lupo lupo hot sauce is rad if you ever get a chance to get it. Just ask! Overall, I'm glad that this new kid on the block is keeping Granby Street fresh.
(4)Karen S.
All I've had here so far are the frozen alcoholic drinks, and those are reason enough to return! The bartender who creates them puts some good thought into it. The flavors (two choices at any given time, but they seem to switch them up regularly) are interesting and delicious!
(4)Brandi M.
This review is about my dinner choice that I'd like to take a moment to give the chef a high five for because it was amazing. I chose the green and white salad with avocado, and it turned out to be a perfect choice for a light dinner. The portion size was just right; it was fresh, came quickly, and the price was reasonable. Keeping this short, but I need to add that the waiter suggested adding chicken (always going for the up-sale) so you may want to keep that or shrimp in mind as possible supplementary options instead of or in addition to the avocado. I'm not sure how it would impact the salad's composition overall, but if you want to add protein in the form of meat, they do have several options. It was twenty degrees outside yesterday, and the salad literally reminded me of spring and lifted my half-frozen spirits a little.
(5)Robert L.
Great food and great atmosphere. Cocktails weren't the best but reasonably priced. Found it awkward that you have to determine your servers tip in front of them since billing is completed via iPad.
(4)Tarah P.
Best slush drinks....EVER. I chugged each one down like it was a slurpee from 711. The atmosphere is relaxed and calming. That's hard to come by right in the middle of chaos in Norfolk. On top of that, the simplicity of the menu is actually very refreshing. I'm vegan, so I can be picky, but the chef made me my own unique meal with rice, spinach, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and their made-from-scratch bbq house sauce. YUM YUM YUMMY PEOPLE. Server Miguel was fantastic. He offered the best service to match some of the best food/drinks in Norfolk. Definitely recommend anyone to check. It. Out. Cheers!
(4)Deven G.
Fiancée and I visited on the 4th of july right before the fireworks. Enjoyed the rice bowl with tofu and curry sauce as well as the sweet potato chips. Drinks were excellent. We were starving and it hit the spot for sure. Service was great too. No complaints. We will definately be back if we were in the area again. We left happy.Thank you. We were visiting from DC.
(5)Maty S.
Great Great Great! Food service drinks I do NOT leave the oceanfront. This place makes makes me regrets that if you don't like this place I don't like you.
(4)The Feisty Bulldog I.
I'll have to return to try more sandwiches, but get the pork, it's awesome. My coworker had the whitefish and loved. Thanks Field Guide for the free homemade Ginger Lemonade?, it was great.
(4)Jen M.
Kickin'! Got here just before dinner service on a cool but sunny spring day. The guys were great, taps pouring a plethora of Smartmouth brew and the sammiches? Num! I rolled with the Privateer. Boom! It was amazing! Also got the Ms. Kodiak. Whitefish madness ya'll! To sum up, it was a great visit. Sunshine, smiles, the garage door open. Life is good Norfolk!
(4)Traci W.
One thing I wish I'd known before I went - Tables are shared with others and it gets loud fast. This isn't the place for a private or intimate conversation. Aside from that, it was a phenomenal experience. I ordered the bean and kale soup (vegan) and a salad. The waiter, John, who I also suspect may be one of the owners, asked if I was open to suggestions and recommended a different salad. (The green one, i think.) I'm so glad I listened to him because it was one of the best salads I've ever had. The ingredients were surprising and unexpected - arugula, fennel, mint, shredded apple, walnuts....it sounded a little weird to me. But it was spectacular with a balance of savory and sweet. The dressing was light and allowed for the flavor of each ingredient to shine through. The soup was - earthy is the best word I can think to describe it. It was hearty, savory, and delicious. They added a thick piece of grilled bread which soaked up a lot of the flavorful broth, but the way in which it was grilled allowed it to stay crisp. It was a really nice balance to the soup. One of the best aspects of the soup aside from its taste - there was a ton of it. I shared both my salad and my soup with my dinner date and still left stuffed. My date initially complained that his sandwich didn't come with a side (so it's worth mentioning for those who expect that sort of thing), but he was forced to acknowledge that the sandwich satisfied him. Sides are sold separately but they're very reasonably priced and are much more inventive than standard sides. It definitely ends up balancing out. Aside from the food being creative and delicious, the other tempting factor about this restaurant is that it's extremely affordable. I was shocked that our tab was so low. We went (accidentally) during happy hour and got a couple of beers, an appetizer, soup, salad and a sandwich for $38 (pre tip) So even though I didn't love the shared tables and the volume - the food, the price, and the overall experience are a 5.
(5)Kim N.
I like to go and grab a drink here and chat with my friends. Has a laid back feel and great music playing in the background. I usually enjoy the food there except one time I ordered a pb and j and made the wrong decision of adding the optional blue cheese and bacon and it was just too many flavors that weren't working for me. Besides that, I've enjoyed the food. The alcoholic slushy drinks are delicious! If you're looking for a chill, cool place to just hang with friends and enjoy a good drink and eats, check it out! Love the decor too
(4)Catherine H.
This has to be the worst "restaurant" in norfolk. The service is absolutely horrendous. The server claimed to be too busy to separate our checks, and ended up putting our check together with the complete strangers next to us. If anyone ever asked me about this hole in the wall, I would discourage them from ever giving their money to this joke of an establishment.
(1)Kenny Y.
After eating here, I feel like I've made an unexpected friend with an 'Unexpected Friend'... from the first time I saw it, the the last morsel of it in my mouth, the pleasure it brought me was unexpected... yet, was what I shall be looking forward to seeing in the future again... friend. Unexpected Friend - Pork shoulder is bursting with flavor... the meat happily falls apart in your mouth... the raspberry cherry jam is the perfect accompaniment as it not only adds flavor but texture as well with the bits of fruit. I found myself yearning for more sweet sweet sauce on my bread. This is a must have. Are you lonely? Look no further. You've got a friend here to lean on. Privateer - Being the most expensive item on the menu ($8), I had to order it... LIKE A BOSS! Can definitely taste the smoked honey cheddar... however both myself and the SO found this to be a bit dry... ended up dipping this into the leftover jam from the unexpected friend. Seared Greens - we were warned that this would be very spicy, however I found it to have a good amount of kick but nothing crazy. The pickled jalapeños definitely were on FIRE but the dish overall could use a little more pizazz. Overall though, was very happy with this and it appealed to my healthy side. Good alternative to salad... the greens reminded me of the leafy part of Chinese broccoli... personally I enjoyed this but I think some might not like the texture/taste of the greens. Oatmeal Cream Pie - I stay away from cream cheese because of the calorie count... however an exception was made today. The same exception will occur every time I visit field guide... this pie is THAT GOOD. It's quite rich and sweet... definitely suggest splitting with a friend unless you have a sweet tooth. Overall, I thought Field Guide was amazing. I will come back multiple times to see my new friend. Some of the other items have been added to my must-try lists as well (Twice Lost, Noodlefoot Williams, Chiccoli). Our only gripe was the braised chuck roast was quite dry... we'll be skipping that one next time around. A lot of the patrons around us ordered the sweet potato chips for $1... looked like a good value for the huge bowl you get... will try next round. Hopefully they'll expand the hours so more people can try... also the table set up is quite odd... while we were fine I can imagine it being very uncomfortable during busy hours. This is located right on the main part of Granby... so be prepared to pay the meters as well. Service is friendly and with a smile, don't hesitate to ask for help if you are at a loss on what to order. Give this a shot... if you liked handsome biscuit, you'll like Field Guide even more. Cheers!
(4)Darrell R.
Outstanding food at a venue with a very trendy vibe. No reservations but the staff efficiently stages guests in a small bar area as they arrive. An eclectic offering of entrees and sandwiches is available on a rotating basis. Service is very good and the piped in music adds to an edgy urban ambience. The meatloaf was fantastic and our party of 8 had a wonderful time.
(5)Jessica D.
This place is my new favorite place in Norfolk! The in-house hot sauce & bourbon slushies speak to my soul. Sad to see they took "battle of the nests" off their menu, but it shows that they like to remain current with the crowd they are catering to.
(4)Tristan N.
Delicious lunch. Had the Ms. Kodiak! It had just enough fishy taste amongst the smoked paprika, savory parsley, with a slight kick of the capers. Aside of arugula salad with the citrus vinaigrette that complimented the husky of the arugula, and a slight mango love.
(5)Evelyn S.
Awesome, awesome, awesome Now, this isn't a place I'd take my grandma for dinner. Between the communal dining tables, the quirky menu and the visible tattoos on most of the servers, she might not make it through the meal. However, it is a place I love to go with friends for drinks and food. Their mac and cheese (with or without the BBQ) is to die for. When I introduce it to people they usually pull out the word "addictive". Also, the sandwiches are super fresh and inventive. The drinks are wonderful and the bartenders are friendly. In fact, the whole staff is friendly and kind, even when it is late night and they are probably exhausted. A friend and I had one of the adult-beverage slushies, and I am kicking myself for not remembering the name. It was dangerously delicious. Another friend had the Rap Star, which was also great. We enjoyed our beverages at the standing-bar at the front of the restaurant and did some late-night, granby street people-watching. The wait can be a little long, especially if you have a larger party, but it is worth it. Field Guide is a great spot to meet new people while enjoying excellent food and drink. Just don't invite my grandma, please.
(5)Mike M.
A great downtown Norfolk find. The seating are long tables and the vibe is city/hipsterish. The menu items have names like "privateer" or "unexpected friend" and veer from the everyday type ingredients. (a root beer braised beef sandwich, a pork sandwich with jelly, etc.) I had the privateer which was excellent, and for desert a chocolate caramel and coffee bread pudding with torched meringue. Niiice!
(4)Chuck L.
Food great! Service great! This is a Norfolk must - in fact, a Hampton Roads must! I love this place!!
(5)Vincent C.
Field Guide is a new addition to Downtown whose arrival I rue--because I'm leaving so soon after its opening. I didn't know that Field Guide was for a month or two after they opened their doors, despite living just one block away, but it's quickly becoming a hotspot for foodies and the young, urban crowd. The storefront is striking, with a garage door that opens up in good weather. As you walk in, you'll notice the hip, urban-renewal-meets-minimalist-Scandinavian style. The decor feels distinctly 'big-city downtown,' with its bare walls sparsely decorated with pictures and an accent from unfinished wood remainders. The tables are cafeteria-style with sections that slide to afford an inch or two between parties, but the divide between you and the next group is enough to make you comfortable in private whisperings or gossip without discouraging conversations with strangers. (It's actually rather fun to fawn over the food with new acquaintances!) Field Guide doesn't take reservations, so you may have to wait a bit if you don't show up early in the evening. Not to worry: they serve excellent cocktails, including their alcoholic slushies--an easy favorite. The sandwiches are all excellent, with tweaks for interest, but where Field Guide really shines is its limited dinner menu. Having restricted your choices to a handful of dishes, Field Guide has taken the time to really polish these (largely) fusion dishes to a brilliant finish. Presentation is excellent, portions are good, and the execution is unbelievable. At this price point (~$14 per plate), you cannot have better food in this area. Dishes tend to have a two-in-one slant, including gumbo-meets-cassoulet and Southern-barbecue-meets-Hawaiian-pig-roast. Nothing feels contrived here, though, as the food is a seamless and effortless blend, not only in theory but also in flavor. Still, my favorite is the boar meatloaf, served with a pepper jelly glaze and rich penne-and-cheese. It will be tough to save enough room for coffee and dessert with such generous portions, so it's best to take one of their eye-poppingly sized sweets home to have when dinner has settled. It's undoubtedly worth the couple of bucks you'll pay to split one with a dining companion, though the desserts are (just) executed excellently and not amazingly. The downside is the slow and fumbling service. Despite being very friendly, the waitstaff seem inattentive and don't appear to properly divide the responsibility for dining room sections or guest parties. Waiters wander around, breathlessly overworked and neurotic, though the tables only seat 30 or 40 guests. You'll wonder why it's taking so long to get a refill or your second drink--or even place an order, but the food and ambience will leave you with a mind to come back for dinner tomorrow.
(4)Sarah S.
So disappointed. This place is adorable and exactly what we thought we were looking for on a rainy Saturday. Sad. There were 6 people in the place counting us, so you would have thought the two front of the house people could provide good service. Instead the apathy was palatable. Weak and overpriced drinks ordered off a menu that was half-crossed out. After seeing our disdain at a $20 tab, the waiter said "come back in 90 minutes and they will be 1/2 priced." No thanks. Double or nothing; you don't care, we don't care.
(2)April S.
Amazing food and the atmosphere is fantastic. Very hipster and fun. The sangria is on point (the carrot one is unbelievably delicious) and their rice dish is perfection!
(5)Angie K.
Looking for a new super cool hangout in downtown Norfolk? Field Guide is it! I cannot stop giving praise to Field Guide for its food and atmosphere, I feel as it was made especially for me... I'd like to think it was. The atmosphere is chill and eclectic; even the dishware makes me giddy. Everything is made in-house, even the soda! Ok so lets get down to business, the food is absolutely positively spectacular. My favorite so far is the Gumbolet, it's honestly such a great delicious spin on gumbo. Another favorite from FG would be the Fast Puppy, a tongue pleasing libation with a touch of grapefruit... Have to watch myself with those. So what are you waiting for? Go try it and see the new flare Field Guide has brought to Norfolk! Ps. YES! Listen to everyone when they say GO FOR THE OATMEAL CREAM PIE!!!! NOM NOM NOM
(5)Alison C.
Stopped right after shopping on Black Friday. YUMMMMM great prices and good portions. The sweet potato fries are a must try.
(5)Lauren N.
Field guide really stands out among the rest because it is such a unique little place. Its concept is simple, its prices reasonable & the quality superb. Daytime it's a trendy and casual little lunch/dinner spot and by night it's a packed-to-the-gills trendy social scene. It's loud and cozy at the same time. The wood patterned wall was handmade...that should tell you something. The drink menu is sufficient and averagely priced, though it leaves me longing for a bigger beer list. However, they do make a great alcoholic slushie (that almost makes up for it, but not really lol) The food is unique (think new spins on traditional items) but not pretentious.However for picky eaters like me ,there isn't much to choose from. But, with that being said, I would come here just for the dessert : oatmeal cream pie like you've never had before, cinnamon roll with hot fudge, bread pudding...shall I continue? Come here & you won't be disappointed.
(4)Jessica L.
Good food, interesting menu items and very reasonably priced!
(4)Whitney M.
If you liked The Boot, you'll love Field Guide. I've been to FG several times already, most recently this past weekend after First Friday on Granby St. The weather was beautiful so the garage door was up, giving the restaurant a nice breeze and unique dining experience (I can't think of another restaurant in Norfolk with this feature). The seating arrangements are different from most places as you share a table with strangers, but it added to the fun experience and I didn't feel like my space was being infringed on by the people next to me. I ordered the white fish sandwich with the caviar add-on, radishes, and sweet potato chips. The white fish was absolutely delicious, in the style of a creamy chicken salad. The caviar was also really good and its saltiness was a nice complement to the white fish. My friend ordered the gnocchi, which I was able to try and report that it was absolutely divine. The menu is very unique but is adventurous in its pairings, I just love that about this place. The food is fresh and flavorful and the atmosphere is intimate yet communal. So glad to see Downtown with a bold restaurant such as this and to see it supported by locals.
(5)Christie L.
(This review is a couple weeks late and it looks like some menu items may not be available anymore) We hit this place for a low-key mid-week anniversary dinner, we had been wanting to try it out for awhile. Environment is casual, decor is pretty cool; it was a bit chilly out for open air, but not uncomfortably so. Great drink options, I fell in love with the Hardywood Coffee Stout my husband ordered. I ordered the sweet potato gnocchi and hubs got the BBQ beef rice bowl. My gnocchi was delicious, with well-balanced flavor; I added sausage at our server's suggestion but it didn't seem to add to the dish. The BBQ beef rice bowl was SO good, with tons of flavorful ingredients without being heavy. We ordered an oatmeal cream pie and the bread pudding for dessert, both were tasty but the cream pie was my favorite, the cherries and pecans gave it great flavor and the filling was rich but not overly sweet. The only reason I won't give a fifth star was that the service was friendly enough but inattentive...we waited 15-20 minutes with empty plates and glasses before we were able to flag down our server, not cool when there were only a handful of tables and were were all clustered together.
(4)Ernest S.
Great little place with a nice atmosphere. Enjoyed a couple of Smartmouth Rule G IPA sitting by the open window to the street people watching.
(4)Jason R.
Visually it's cool but the menu is lacking and the booze is average. Might want to find a new stock system as they did have what the menu alluded to.
(1)Gwen D.
I've been here twice for dinner and both times were good experiences. Their menu is quite small but that means each dish has been given a lot of thought and made well. My favorites so far are the gnocchi dish and sweet fries appetizer with their horseradish sauce.
(4)David T.
Good spot, a little Hipster style, but not bad at all. Food was fantastic and reasonably priced. Drinks were good, maybe a little light on the alcohol but none the less really tasty. Dessert was awesome, we ordered both the oatmeal cream pie and cinnamon roll. Both were really good but if you have to choose one, go with the cinnamon roll. Meatloaf and privateer sandwich were excellent; would highly recommend.
(4)Jon M.
My wife and I stopped by for dinner and was immediately impressed with the decor of the restaurant. The neat urban chic style made for a wonderful atmosphere. The seating is reminiscent of a Parisian cafe where strangers are seated across the table from you and to your side. It made the atmosphere that much more lively. The menu is creative and interesting. I found the sandwich portion of the menu more intriguing than the dinner section. We ordered sweet potato chips as an appetizer. They were crisp and delicious and paired nicely with our beers. For dinner, my wife had The Privateer. It was root beer braised chuck roast with smoked honey cheddar and greens on top. She chose "topless" for her sandwich. The peppery arugula was a nice counterpoint to the creamy cheddar, and the meat was tender and tasty. I had the Unexpected Friend which was pork shoulder with raspberry jam and hot pickles. I ordered it "topless" as well. The jam mated perfectly with the tender pork and the hot pickles were the perfect contrast that made the sandwich pop. The waiter was attentive without being intrusive. All in all, it was an enjoyable time and we will definitely be back!
(5)Alex H.
Yesterday was the day; I had been waiting for weeks to hit Field Guide. From my experience at Handsome Biscuit, I knew to get there early. The familiar face of John Porter was there to greet me to the new spot. "Is that you Alex? Yes, it is!" Field Guide is a gorgeous spanking brand new venue in the heart of Granby St. It's a great location, in my opinion, to set us a new restaurant, especially one geared towards a lunch crowd. John and David have done a yeoman's job at Handsome Biscuit and lightening has just struck twice, in my opinion. I heard so many good things about the Ms. Kodiak. Of course, that would have to be my first sandwich to try at Field Guide. It's a smoked whitefish salad with avocado, sweet potato chips, and golden relish (preserved lemon, yellow pepper, peach, mango, and jalapeno.) John P. warned me and he was right - it was a great sandwich. It's familiar with a bit smokiness, add avocados - a great pairing, some crunch from the chips, and dress it in something that a little tart, a little sweet, and barely spicy. I went for the Curry Roasted Vegetable for my side. It was made up of carrots, turnips, onion, and chickpeas. Again, wonderfully paired vegetables with a curry base? Something next to pure genius. John P. talked me into the Oatmeal Cream Pie; I partly blame this on Joe D. as well. I read Joe D's review and the Oatmeal Cream Pie intrigued me. Imagine two chocolate chip and cherry pecan cookies, butter-rich to allow for maximum spread-age. The chunks are just barely holding on and the crunch of the cookies are ridiculous! That's topped off with a half-a-cup sized dollop of cream cream whip. It was a great dessert that I should have shared with someone or at least packed to go. After the sandwich, the curried vegetable, and the cookie-wich, I was about to burst. I won't make that mistake again. Imagine a little brother growing up, finally being able to beat big brother in a game of one-on-one. That, in my opinion, may just be how I would describe Field Guide to their first born, Handsome Biscuit. Yes, I know I didn't count 'The Boot'; it's a different genre, so let's treat it as the much older half-brother that's already moved away from home. So, if you feel in love with Handsome Biscuit, you just might love Field Guide more. I sure did!
(5)Unknown K.
Love this place. The food is always, they have a fun assortment of fresh sodas as well as some beer and cocktails. The ambiance is friendly and chummy. Everyone who works here is really pleasant and friendly too. The tables are shared, which is generally ok, but some of them are kind of wide, so sitting across from each other is awkward. The prices are very reasonable. I only wish they were open more often, like Saturday for lunch.
(4)Jennifer S.
Wow. Incredible lunch. White rice bowl with curry was delightful. My friends had salad, chicken salad, and BBQ. All loved their lunches. Great service. Fun atmosphere. Ambience is somewhere in between Urban Outfitters and Pottery Barn. Will be back.
(5)Scott B.
Great little place. I had the Never Lost add an egg. Amazing! Homemade organic food and even homemade sodas. I would recommend getting there early as limited seating.
(5)Tom D.
Field Guide offers a great casual dining experience that stands out from other Downtown Norfolk restaurants by offering a great environment and unique menu. I went here for dinner yesterday evening, having learned about the restaurant from the Handsome Biscuit website. The location isn't huge, offering a bunch of picnic-style seating and a small bar. The vibe is much more west coast (or at least more Richmond) than anything I have come to expect in Hampton Roads, what with the asymmetrical tables, wall art, glass garage door front wall, and industrial/loft feel. Things were picking up when we walked in (around 6:30), but there was still a half an hour to go for happy hour, which was a pleasant surprise, with $2.50 drafts and a variety of cocktails and slushies. I wasn't in the mood for anything sweet, but the slushies (Slurpee-consistency) looked like they'd be delicious, especially during the warmer months. Got a couple beers and ordered the sweet potato chips, which were only $1 and something salty to snack on while my friend and I waited for our entrees, and there were easily enough for two people. Some were maybe a little overdone, but I wasn't complaining. They seemed to be a popular choice, given the number of bowls that came out from the kitchen. Entrée wise, I went with the "Gumbolet," which as the name implies, offered a nice mix between a gumbo and cassoulet, perfect cold weather food. It was hearty and fresh, the portion was decent but not overwhelming, and the price was more than reasonable at $13. Rustic, with a bunch of crawfish, sausage, beans, green onion, thrown together in a tomato-based sauce, and topped with house-made croutons. My neighbor at the adjoining table, noting my order, commented that Field Guide offers "the only decent crouton in this town." I don't know how well I can judge of a crouton, but the ones on top of this stew were delicious. Service was pleasant, with many of the same faces you'll see at Handsome Biscuit. Overall, Field Guide comes highly recommended, a refreshing addition to the otherwise fairly conventional Granby Street restaurant scene.
(4)Jan B.
Very tasty lunch here! I must try the chicken salad next time. Love love love the sweet potato chips.
(4)Kee V.
I stopped in to get a late snack and a drink and left left with a full stomach and 5 new friends! It vibe is really casual and everyone seems like they're there to chill and have a good time. I ordered the Unexpected Friend sandwich (which is funny considering what happened this night), which was porky with rounded out with a slightly sweet cherry jam. I can't recall the name of the slushee drink I ordered but it was basically a Jack n Coke Icee. $5! That's a ridiculous price considering back home in Chicago it would probably be almost double that. Actually, the prices of the entire menu are so reasonable, I suggest ordering a lot of different items, the damage to your wallet will be minimal. Apologies to anyone who was here Friday night and thought the group playing Heads Up was being too loud. That was me and my new friends having way too much fun! No one seemed to mind though. If anything, I think people wanted to join us
(5)Ty N.
Simply put....best damn food/drinks since moving here. Great atmosphere too. This place is a keeper.
(5)Meredith S.
Great food! Awesome service and wait staff. Always super helpful with suggestions, and very attentive. Atmosphere is really cool. I always have a great time when I come!
(5)M H.
My husband and I stopped in for dinner a few Saturdays ago. They were packed, but we grabbed some drinks at the bar while we waited. The hostess and bartender were both really nice. Where it started to go downhill was when we sat down at our table. After sitting there for around 5 minutes, someone came over to ask if we were ready to order. I turned to my husband to ask what he was ordering (I didn't want us to order the same thing) and when I looked up, the waiter had just wandered off... There wasn't a "hey, I'll give you some more time". He just left, never to return again. We sat there for another 10-15 minutes before the server taking care of the table next to us realized we hadn't been helped. Once we did get service, it was great! The food... We both ordered entrees which were ok. I had a bowl with rice, pork and their hot sauce. I kept thinking it needed a vegetable or pickle, and then when I looked at the menu again, I realized they forgot the radishes. I think it would have been a lot better with that addition. My husband had the gnocchi, which was good, just really rich. We also ordered the chick peas with broccoli and the side of greens. Overall, it was an OK dining experience. Not amazing, but not horrible either.
(3)Melissa P.
Better experiences as I keep visiting this place and built more appreciation about this restaurant/bar in downtown Norfolk. I tried their chili fish bowl and it was amazing. I also paired it with a grape slush which was perfect for the hot and humid day. It's a charming atmosphere. The food feels like home. Bring good company to this spot and you will have a great time!
(5)Gabriel G.
I understand a busy place requires patience for service. I waited over 30 minutes for seated service and after finally flagging down a server that would supposedly be right back, I gave up. 45 minutes passed... I'd say that I was beyond patient. Such a waste of time. Guess I'm just not hip enough to eat here... What made it worse was that people around me had arrived AFTER me and were being fully accommodated. Never Again.
(1)Kim N.
Super cool little restaurant! I love how they can open the entire window and you get a nice feel from outside.. The slushes we're great too! Couldn't decide which one so they let me try both :) oh... And the bread pudding is PHENOMENAL. If you haven't tried it yet, go!!
(4)Jamie D.
Started off with the sweet potato chips with the "Year of the Horse Sauce" which was Devine! The sauce had a bite to it with the horse radish in it, and the sweet potato chips were perfectly cooked. Next up to eat was the green and white salad, my dad and I shared it and they were very nice to split it for us. It was an amazing salad with ingredients that included apples, fennel and nuts. Second course was definitely not a disappointment. Last but not least I had the gnocchi for my entree. It was cheesy tomato-y deliciousness. I think the greatest bang for your buck is the meatloaf which my dad had this evening. It is served with greens and mac & cheese! It's a massive portion and from what I can tell a restaurant favorite. The food was amazing but please make sure to bring your patience as it's not a big place, and people waiting will be crowding around you if you are near the door. It's definitely worth visiting if you are in downtown Norfolk!
(4)James T.
The food here is awesome, the ambience is great, beer is a little bit pricey but reasonable. I love the unique organic nature of most of the dishes that are served. This is my new favorite hangout. My only recommendation is that they should have a happy hour menu incorporated.
(5)Joanna H.
Great atmosphere & interesting but delicious menu. It's been our favorite restaurant since my boyfriend & I first found the spot a few months ago. We're in the process of trying everything on the menu. Always order whatever the house made soda is at the moment. They test unexpected flavor combinations that are always satisfying. So far, we'd have ginger pink lemonade & saffron green apple. Both were amazing! Alcohol menu is slightly limited in quantity but emphasizes quality. Alcoholic slushes are delicious & they have a good relationship with Smartmouth whose beers you can't lose with. Order their house made sweet potato chips to snack on to start. For salads, the Green And White One is the one I went for. It's crisp, light & fresh. The PBRJ is my boyfriend's absolute favorite. Peanut butter with their raspberry cherry jam on fresh slices of bread is a far cry from your packed lunch favorite back in the day. While the option to add blue cheese & bacon seems mad, it's a must try. The Noodlefoot Williams is carb overload: mac 'n cheese with peperonata & paprika in between a bun. Our waiter suggested adding bacon & I will suggest the same. It made the sandwich. The Ms. Kodiak smoked whitefish sandwich really surprised me. With creamy avocado, crunchy sweet potato chips & sweet/tangy golden relish, it pretty much has all of it's flavor & texture profiles covered. The Unexpected Friend combines perfectly cooked pork shoulder with raspberry cherry jam & hot pickles. You can't lose. The Privateer: root beer braised cut roast, smoked honey cheddar & greens. I'm probably least likely to order this again. Don't get me wrong, it's well made, but I like other things better. Off the dinner menu, Boaring Meatloaf is not boring. I've never thought meatloaf could be good before this. My absolute favorite is the Wooden Star Blanket. Sweet potato gnoochi with oyster mushrooms & a cream sauce. So fantastic. As for dessert, they have a good selections. I think the rest of their menu wowed us so much, the dessert lacked in comparison. I have a huge sweet tooth that's saying something. I'd recommend giving the desserts a shot though. All were great, the entrees just shined brighter to us.
(5)Erica W.
One of mine and my husbands favorite spots. The menu choices have a very unique flair, our favorites are the pioneer and of course the oatmeal cookie. Definitely a fun spot to check out.
(5)Kristen M.
This place is a flavor experience! Great, casual atmosphere. Great food. I got the peanut butter and jelly with blue cheese and bacon. Sounded kinda weird but I figured blue cheese and jelly compliment each other and bacon and peanut butter compliment each other, so why not?! Glad I tried it, it's delicious! My husband got something else, don't remember but I think it had pork, and he loved it! We also split the sweet potato chips, curried veggies, and oatmeal creme pie. All delicious. The oatmeal creme pie is on another level, just amazing. I just love a place I can get a good sandwich and a flavored Pellegrino. Salads looked great too, will probably try one next time...maybe...depends on what level my self-control is at the next time I go.
(5)Maureen G.
I read somewhere the people affiliated with Handsome Biscuit had something to do with this place so I had to try it. Unfortunately, I wasn't impressed. I ordered the unexpected friend. The pork was great, but the berry sauce was super sweet and there was too much of it. Paired with (burnt) sweet potato fries the whole meal felt like a big meaty dessert. My husband went with the white fish. He said there were so many other ingredients in the fish salad, he couldn't taste the fish. Also, neither of us were really impressed with the bread on either of our sandwiches. Perhaps toasting it would have helped? I have no idea. Field Guide just doesn't have the magic.
(2)Hannah M.
Words can't even describe the level of delicious that Field Guide possesses. The atmosphere is fantastic, the food is phenomenal, and don't even get me started on the cocktails! If you're visiting for the first time, you can expect a truly unique and fun experience for the Norfolk area. I've lived in several larger cities, and it was such a pleasant surprise to see that Field Guide has embraced community seating and a garage door facade. This will probably be THE spot to spend summer nights this year. I've tried just about everything on the dinner menu, though unfortunately haven't had a long enough lunch break to enjoy. The BBQ pork shoulder and root vegetables is my all time fave, but I also love the meatloaf and gumbo. The flavor combos are pleasant, without being overpowering, so don't be alarmed by what seems like tons of flavors on your plate at once. I would marry, yes, marry the oatmeal cream pie cookie. I've actually told John this more than once, so seriously, when it's legalized, I will be Ms. Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookie. Bottom Line: Go to Field Guide, you won't be disappointed.
(5)