Fall Line Kitchen & Bar in the Richmond Marriott
Downtown restaurant paying homage to its Richmond home
A post-lunch update: Jan. 23, 2025
I had a chance to update my experience at the Fall Line Kitchen & Bar this week. Wandering east on Broad Street on a lunch break from research in The Valentine museum archives, I remembered this gem from previous visits. I found a respite from the cold on this Arctic blast day, while pleasing my palate immensely.
The fall vegetable salad satisfied my appreciation of a delicious meal, with roasted butternut squash chunks, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower over greens, topped with pecans and pomegranate seeds for taste, plus horseradish vinaigrette to bring it all together. It also filled me up without making me sleepy upon my return to research!
I also discovered that the bar at Fall Line has worthy options for those avoiding alcohol. I passed over the mocktails – they looked refreshing, but the manager assured me that the non-alcoholic Best Day Brewing Hazy IPA was truly a good alternative to the real thing. Skeptical, I gave it a try, and he was absolutely right.
Bottom line: a healthy salad and flavorful NA beer gave me delicious sustenance without weighing me down on my lunch break.
Previous Fall Line Kitchen review
An upscale-casual eatery in downtown Richmond, Virginia, embraces its home city in the name, cuisine, and décor. Fall Line Kitchen & Bar in the Richmond Marriott pays homage to the city’s raison d’etre: the rocky stretch along the James River – i.e., the fall line – prohibited upstream navigation, so European settlers stopped at what would become Virginia’s capital city.
During the winter, the restaurant amps up the experience with igloo dining on the patio. Each individual igloo seats up to six people and is equipped with heaters, lavish seasonal décor, and a Bluetooth speaker, giving you the freedom to create your own seasonal soundtrack. The igloos are available for rental anytime the restaurant is open, with an additional charge for holidays.
Regional cuisine
Richmond’s Southern roots mean comfort food is right at home here at Fall Line restaurant, and the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean gives seafood a prominent seat at the table.
Examples of the regional-plus-continental focus at Fall Line Kitchen & Bar begin with the starters and stretch over to desserts. Iron skillet cornbread, lump crab hushpuppies, grilled cauliflower, and baked oysters share the starters bill with burrata cheese, a local meat and cheese board, and more.
Entrées include Southern fried chicken, appropriately served with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy, coleslaw, and a hot honey drizzle; a hearty belly-on pork chop; and shrimp and grits. Other entrées include a double-patty cheeseburger (with Virginia-favorite Seven Hill beef), braised short rib, salmon, halibut, roasted organic chicken, and a vegetarian-friendly Greenhouse Gemelli pasta.
House cocktails offer a tip-of-the-hat to local, too, including the Fall Line Signature Old Fashioned and Maymont Mule.
Featured mocktails, including Broad Street Basil, and NA craft beers provide creative non-alcoholic options.
Fall Line inspired décor
Fall Line restaurant décor draws inspiration from the James River, including a colorful wall mural of a Kingfisher and other birds created by local artist Hamilton Glass. Earth tone accent colors, wooden beams and booths, and lights that speak of the sun, moon, and stars contribute to the vibe.
In addition to indoor dining, the restaurant hosts an outdoor patio and bar seating and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
Visit FallLineRestaurant.com or follow the kitchen and bar on Facebook and Instagram.
UPDATED JAN. 23, 2025
