Shields Tavern

Review summary

1. R

   Robert

   Charleston

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day 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. T

   Thomas

   Greater Boston

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day 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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3. M

   Michelle

   Washington DC

   30 reviews

   2.0

   30 reviews

   Dined 2 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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4. M

   Mark

   Richmond

   3 reviews

   2.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 4 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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5. M

   Marty

   Richmond

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   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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6. B

   Beverly

   Pittsburgh

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   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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7. 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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8. L

   Linda

   Wilmington

   12 reviews

   1.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on December 18, 2024

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

   We have been to this restaurant many times during our 50 year residence in Williamsburg. I did not expect the buffet dinner we received, I expected to order from the menu but couldn't because only the buffet was offered. Salad was wonderful, as was the fried chicken. Beef roll up was almost inedible, potato pudding and veggies were also good. The worse part of the meal was the strawberry dessert. Nothing but a few strawberries and a glass of whipped cream. Terrible. Strolling musician was excellent. Cost of meal was approximately $38.00. A cup of coffee was $3.00 additional. No alcohol iof any sort was available. I believe they do not have a liquor license. The best CW could do is close this place permanently and just show it off as a period building, similar to the Raleigh.
   

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9. K

   Kelvin

   Richmond

   2 reviews

   1.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on December 14, 2024

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

   Our reservation for 12/14 was made 4 months in advance for 7 people coming from out of state who were so excited to be able to go to dinner at a Williamsburg tavern. We received a call from Shields Tavern 2 weeks prior re our reservations to tell us that the tavern was booked for a wedding party and all reservations for that evening were cancelled. There were no solutions offered...just cancelled. The grand illumination was that night so, no other reservations were available for a sit-down dinner within miles. To say that we were so disappointed, was an understatement!
   

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10. B

    Bob

    Northern MI

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2024

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

    Perfect in every way from food, to value, and service.
    

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