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Restaurant reviews from Richmond, Virginia and beyond by real fans of good food.

Can-Can

Another week, another visit to Can-Can, on Cary Street in Richmond.

I had the fortune of dining with folks who hadn’t eaten here before for dinner. They asked me what I thought of Can-Can before we ordered. “It keeps getting better.” It’s not cheap, I tell ya, but like last time, I didn’t leave disappointed, either. Sometimes a heavier check is worth it when things are done right.

Fried Lobster Appetizer with Grapefruit Vinaigrette
Sole, with greens and potatoes
White Chocolate Tower Dessert

Everything I had was great. The sole was a bit plain, and could have used more salt and butter. The greens (spinach?) were outstanding. The potatoes were well-cooked. The lobster appetizer was good, but the sticks used to grab it out of the fryer were confusing… I would have preferred smaller, pre-cut pieces that I could have eaten off the stick. And the dessert—very good… a homemade coffee ice cream and an ode to chocolate, both white and dark.

One in our party ordered the butternut soup and was disappointed. Coffee service came with coffee that was too cool; but it was very smooth, delicious coffee. The escargots ordered by another diner… too sandy, served in the shell.

So, by all accounts, not a superlative meal, but I faired better with my selections. I still like Can Can. For a Sunday night, it isn’t too busy, and they are still serving their heavenly raisin bread with their sweet-cream butter.

Filed by MessyChef at March 12th, 2007 under French, Restaurant Review

Can Can always serves up a fine burger and fries (frites). And they currently offer a wine special every night. Make sure to ask the wait staff about it. I don’t think they do enough to promote the specials.

Comment by pjpink — March 13, 2007 @ 12:37 pm

This also is one of my favorite new restaurants. One of those very warm Tuesday evenings a few weeks back my husband and I wanted just get out and we headed for Cary Town. It was absolutely wonderful. I had shied away thinking it was all west end type flash, but I was wrong… it was authentic French food in the brasserie style. It was casual and comfortable. The service was just fine. Our first thrill came when we discovered that all of the reserve wines are half price on Tuesday nights. We ordered a wonderful ChateauNeuf Du Pape, which transported us to the southern regions of France with its wonderful nose and it’s fruity, earthy, and sunny taste (or maybe it was just the weather). Next we had a plate of raw oysters. The wine, oysters and crusty bread were absolutely perfect-directly out of a Hemmingway novel. I wanted to cancel our entrees and just keep drinking in our oysters and wine. But that would have been a mistake. I had a beautiful fish dish served on cranberry beans and mushrooms, with a light but flavorful sauce. It was Tuesday’s special… and it was special. For me the sides are as important as the entrée, and so I am often disappointed in American restaurants with their potatoes and vegetable medleys. This lived up to my expectations of a good French meal. My husband had the roast chicken. He claims you can always tell a good French restaurant by how it handles a simple dish like roast chicken. He was not disappointed. To full for desert my husband had an excellent cup of coffee and I had chamomile tea. Secretly I think I could have eaten more oysters, and I would love to try the cheese plate. Maybe another day I will plan to skip lunch and make the most of it. Well there you go another glowing evening at Can Can.

Comment by Kimberly Berry — April 9, 2007 @ 2:51 pm

A group of about 10 of my friends and I went there for New Year’s Eve and had the most wonderful experience. My favorites were the Pan-Seared Rockfish and the Spiced Duck Breast…so incredibly delicious!

Comment by SueP — July 28, 2007 @ 9:30 am

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