Shields Tavern

Review summary

1. R

   Robert

   Charleston

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   I made a reservation 3 weeks in advance to eat Christmas dinner here. The advertising through Colonial W'burg made it sound like a rather lavish, fixed price affair, which seemed reasonable considering the $85 price plus taxes and gratuity. I was alone and, true to the restaurant sterotype, I was placed right outside of the kitchen, the worst seat in the tavern. Why waste a good table on a single! When the waiter finally came to the table, I was told I should have received a menu when I was first seated and he seemed annoyed that I wasn't already to order. A menu? I thought the lavish menu was determined ahead of time! Turns out, the "lavish menu" was me choosing one of several appetizers, one of 4 entrees, and a dessert, but I had my choice of beverages! For $85?? The appetizer, a mushroom bisque, was better than expected and nicely seasoned. The encrusted rockfish entree had 5 very small mussels in addition around the periphery, plus a stewed bean and vegetable potage all in a shallow bowl. Pretty good. My choice for dessert was bread pudding with apple, caramel and ice cream which was reasonable good, but not outstanding and likely only partially authentic (ice cream). So eveything was serviceable, but nothing was outstanding and not the memory I had hoped for. Lastly, regarding the roaming mintrels, one gentleman walked through briefly playing the 12 Days of Christmas on a guitar. Not exactly unique.
   

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2. F

   Frank

   VIP

   Nashville

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food in a fantastic environment. Sitting in a historic building, eating historical dishes, and listening to period musicians was an excellent way to spend Christmas. I highly recommend it.
   

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3. S

   Susan

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Excellent experience during the Christmas lunch . There was also live music
   

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4. T

   Thomas

   Greater Boston

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great Xmas meal. People working actually seem happy to be there. All in period outfits including the guy playing guitar and singing Xmas songs. Second year doing. Great experience.
   

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5. m

   michele

   VIP

   San Diego

   3 reviews

   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Waiter would talk at a tables about his life to the neglect of others still waiting to be served..
   

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6. M

   Michelle

   Washington DC

   30 reviews

   2.0

   30 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   The best was to describe Shields Tavern is disappointing. But then that describes the whole post pandemic Williamsburg experience.Disappointing, whitewashed, unrealistic.
   

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7. M

   Mark

   Richmond

   3 reviews

   2.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   Our servers were great. The food was below mediocre, tasted like something from a TV dinner. The room where we were placed in the basement was cold enough for us to have to put our coats back on. Will not return or refer.
   

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8. M

   Marty

   Richmond

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on December 19, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Love eating here, however the front room we were in was cold. Everytime the front door was opened, the cold air would rush in....brrrr
   

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9. B

   Beverly

   Pittsburgh

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 19, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful experience and food. Best salad I have ever had. My server Bruce us the best!
   

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10. B

    BARBARA

    Raleigh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 18, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Shields has amazing fare, excellent service and a perfect atmosphere for colonial dining! Chairs are a little stiff backed and uncomfortable but fits the 1700’s lifestyle! Would definitely recommend them.
    

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