Magnolia Steak

First, I must echo the Dutch NATO Officer's comments and add that after waiting for over an hour, the only thing we had was water...we walked out. Secondly, the atmosphere is horrible. TV on the loudest setting possible, maybe due to tall the drinkers that have lost their hearing to alcohol. Now add the clouds of tobacco smoke from the bar everytime the door opens just adds to the absolutely horrible experience. We will only return if we hear of new management and a makeover! Pros: Location Cons: list is too long more

I have never been insulted on more occasions in this city than at Magnolia Steakhouse. I am a NATO Officer from Holland and live in Ghent, thus often frequent the local shops and cafe's. On two occasions past I have been verbally abused with insults because I have an accent, yet on this occasion last week I was nearly struck. Upon entering the door I walk to the bar and the tender ask my order, I requested to hear their draft choices and to my left across the corner some intoxicated lout yells ""this place is for Americans so take your stupid fu_king accent out of here,"" simultaneously he reached across the bar to strike me. Fortunately his drunken attempt was dulled in speed and accuracy as I pulled away he only achieved a glancing contact to my glasses. I had not even sat down yet having only arrived perhaps 30 seconds earlier. I stepped back and waived off my order to the bartender who was a witness to the incident. Obviously not being welcome, upon departing I bring the incident to the attention of the host who said, ""I did not see anything."" I acknowledged that of course he did not as it occurred at the bar and his back was turned. I asked that he verify with the bartender and to be expected he returned with the comment that ""no one saw anything."" Of course they did not. So basically if you want to support an establishment which obviously caters to low-class, trailer-park, white-supremacists, then you pop round to Magnolia Steakhouse. But be warned if you do not have an American accent, then you will most likely be accosted. But I am sure if you yell ""Sieg Heil"" upon entering then you just may be welcome. Do not forget your white sheet, though I am sure they have table cloths for substitute. Pros: Location Cons: Patrons more

Not impressed with the steak. Not particularly tender nor tasty. Average service. The kicker to make it a WILL NOT RETURN restaurant was the atmosphere. Musty, smoky, and dirty. Gross. Gets into your clothes and hair like you have been bar hopping all night, not like you have been eating an overpriced steak. Pros: Local Cons: Smoky, dirty more

We have lived in Virginia Beach for nineteen years and haved past by the Magnolia Steak House on many occasions while traveling through Norfolk. We have heard great things about it, so we decided to try it out. I will be the first to say I was sadly dissappointed. In order to enter the restaurant you must pass through the bar (e.g., smoking section), strike one. In reviewing the menu we quickly noticed that the prices were comparable to those of a Ruth's Chris Steak House. That would have been ok, but the ambiance was sorely lacking. The building is old and had a musty smell to it. The tables and bench seating in the booth we were given was old looking, nicked up and was very out of style. With their prices, I would have expected much, much more. Pros: If you are willing to pay the big bucks, steaks are probably pretty good Cons: Old musty smelling building, old furnishings, poor ambiance/atmosphere more

We are experienced Norfolk diners, and love a great night out. We went with one other couple, and left Magnolia 2 and 1/2 hours later without ever getting served! It was an unbelievably botched service night, where it was quite evident they put the 10 person table that arrived after us, well before us in priority. No comment on food quality because we never got the chance to taste it, and after that evening have no desire to ever try again. Cons: Service was horrible more

This is the best steak house I've been to in years. Well-prepared steaks and other food, interesting sides, pleasant atmosphere. Location in Ghent makes for a nice stroll around the neighborhood. Pros: A steak well worth the price, other great food too. Cons: Sometimes a little noisy more

I was very surprised by the quality and character of this hidden jewel in Ghent. Top notch food, great service, very reasonable prices. I would not hesitate to drive 30 minutes to this restaurant. All three times I have been I made but did not need reservations. Pros: Old Town Atmosphere, Exceptional food more