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Gaston's Italian Steakhouse - Steakhouse in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Gaston's Italian Steakhouse

4.5 (154 reviews)

741 First Colonial Rd #107, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Restaurant

About Gaston's Italian Steakhouse - steak house in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Customer Review Summary

The atmosphere at Gaston's Italian Steakhouse is generally appreciated, but several reviews mention significant delays in food service. Many diners reported long wait times for their meals, with one instance taking almost two hours. Some food items, like shrimp scampi, were noted for being flavorful but inconsistent, with remarks about being bland or overly oily. Service quality varied; while some servers received praise for attentiveness and professionalism, others experienced a lack of management oversight and inconsistencies. Pricing came under scrutiny, especially for kid's menu items that many found overpriced. Despite some negative experiences, several guests enjoyed their meals and found the ambiance pleasing, suggesting that the restaurant has potential but needs to address service and food quality issues.

Key Features

Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in

Highlights

  • Great beer selection
  • Great cocktails
  • Great dessert
  • Great wine list

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Hard liquor
  • Wine

Dining options

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating

Amenities

  • Bar onsite
  • Restroom

Atmosphere

  • Cozy
  • Romantic
  • Trendy

Crowd

  • Groups
  • Tourists

Planning

  • Dinner reservations recommended
  • Accepts reservations

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • High chairs

Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking

Pets

  • Dogs allowed outside

Customer Reviews

Rating Distribution

4.5 out of 5
5
121
4
7
3
10
2
8
1
8
Based on 154 reviews

Adam Charter

2 months ago

First time here was for my wife's birthday. The atmosphere was nice but the kitchen took forever to get our food out. I would say it took about 45 minutes to get our dinner and all we ordered was pasta and seafood. To be fair the banquet room was in use. So maybe the kitchen was backed up? The calamari was good but the flavor was bland. The shrimp scampi had huge shrimp but no flavor/spices added. The spicy seafood pasta was good but very oily. This place is not very kid friendly but we made it work. They said they offered kid options. Their kid options for 4 normal pieces of shrimp and butter noodles were $25. The shrimp scampi was $28 so I'll let you ponder that one. But none the less the waitress was awesome and overall it was a good time.

Danielle Woerner

2 months ago

First time try during restaurant week. Short version review: undercooked pork chop with raw gummy center, server got them to cook more to almost well done. No manager came to check on us. This experience ruined our evening and was embarrassed to be there. Long version review: Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. He took our drink orders and then it took awhile and then he came back asking if we wanted drinks and then remembered we had already ordered. Wait staff were attentive clearing our plates, refilling water through out the evening. They had several managers on the floor. Apps took a bit to come out but were given comp focaccia bread to start. It was delicious. Our apps came and the food runners and server were selective on what they offered to different tables. Our apps came out right before the table next to ours. They were offered freshly cracked pepper, while we weren’t. By time server came to check on us, I was on my last part of my Caprese, so didn’t ask. I used the pepper on the table. For the bread, others had olive oil, we weren’t offered any. It was an inconsistency in service. My husband got the surf and turf. The shrimp scampi was cold on top of the beef. I got the pork chop (believe just on restaurant week menu) came out undercooked when ordered medium/medium well per recommendation from the server. It was still raw gummy pink all in the inside. I ate a few pieces because I was embarrassed to say anything before our server asked how everything was. I showed him and was told that was medium/medium well but they could cook it more. It made me feel embarrassed bc I thought it was undercooked but was told it was okay that it was medium/medium well then later told it was undercooked. My husband finished and his plate was taken by time I got my entree back. Pieces I cut and the same pork chop came back, all replated same items and almost overcooked now. At that point, I was embarrassed and wanted to leave. We got our desserts to go because of it. This should have been an amazing pork chop but was not properly cooked. No manager ever came by to check on us. We didn’t ask for anything comp or taken off our bill, just embarrassed to have to send back what should have been an amazing pork chop for being undercooked at a nice restaurant, sitting there while my husband ate and finished then served the same pork chop cut up and now almost overcooked. We would not recommend this restaurant.

Carl B.

Very professional staff. A shout out to Kasey, who was an exceptionally knowledgeable server and treated us like family. Dining experience was wonderful. We had a rack of Lamb and pasta Alfredo (with carrots and ham). Incredible and delicious. Appetizers were tasty and moderately priced. Very nice wine list. We enjoyed the atmosphere and pleasant relaxing place for a date night. We look forward to visiting again soon.

Ziggy DaMoe

2 months ago

Excellent waitress for a large party and we were accommodated perfectly. Everyone was very attentive. I was weirdly distracted by the Maître d' leaning against the wall by the kitchen for most of dinner. I was hoping he would come by our table, since I saw him check on a table or two. I guess he was good, everyone else had the place going strong. Everyone should check it out. You can just go for yourself! (~);}

Annie

2 months ago

Throughly enjoyed our meals here. Michaelyn was our server and she was helpful, attentive, and friendly. Sadie, the hostess, greeted us warmly upon entry and made us feel welcomed

Takeyia Sherrod

7 months ago

So I had never heard of this place when my husband reserved for date night. I must say he did good! The restaurant is beautiful and ambient, has great decor lighting and the feel of Italy. Staff were exceptional, polite , fast. We had the mussels and wedge salad to start. I always try mussels at places where offered. These were great with some large scallops inside also. For entree I had the shrimp scampi which I cannot stop raving about the lemon cream sauce( WAS AWESOME) or the huge prawns. Husband had the chicken Marsala which he scraped the plate so that was an indicator that it was great! Drink wise I had the cucumber cooler, so good and a glass of Moscato. We will definitely return as this place hits all the wickets in a positive way. Prices were very reasonable also for the exceptional quality of food and service. Check them out! Of Note: bathrooms were very clean and great for picture taking.

Emily Prest

5 months ago

On Saturday 10/5 at 6pm we walked in and were sat at the recommended Gaston's. Our waiter (his name started with a C I believe) brought us focaccia right away and took our drink orders. He was the highlight of it all, battling 2 large parties of 6+ and us and table of two next to us he always made sure we had enough to drink. Our mozzarella app came out first which was decent (probably frozen) and nothing to rave about. Here comes the worst of it all... we sat around 6:05 (little to no wait time) and it was 7:50 when we asked for the check and to have our food plated to go (we had an event to go to at 8:30) I mean... here we are waiting for almost 2 whole hours without getting our entree ? I understand the staff may have been short but considering I ordered a shrimp scampi and ravioli? It's not like it's a beef Wellington? It should have taken one hour at MOST to make our food. We asked for the check and waited an additional 7 more mins before our food was boxed and given to us. Again, not our servers fault. It was the lack of staff in the kitchen and the manager on staff for not checking in on tables as they are waiting. A table should never have to ask for the bill before their meals come out. I'm extremely disappointed in this restaurant simply because I love trying new spots and Italian food on its own. I was recommended this place; word of mouth is the biggest way to grow or hurt your business and I'm sorry but this is beyond awful. Once my husband and I returned home we open our bag to only find a HALF PORTIONED BOX OF RAVIOLI ! For $26 I am beyond disappointed. If you are going to have an establishment that holds value in its pricing you MUST meet at minimum food quality or quantity - this was neither. The shrimp scampi had an awful over fishy smell and bland with 0 flavor. I promise you I will let every customer of mine know to NEVER waste their time at this establishment. I'm so deeply upset that the manager could of fixed this issue at the root cause by simply checking in on us. For anyone reading this far, GO TO ALDOS!!!!! I cannot say enough great things about that place, prices MATCH their quality !

Megan Luker

6 months ago

We were very pleased with an upscale dining experience at Gastons! The shrimp scampi was tasty with yummy white wine lemon creamy sauce. They have really cool lit up paintings of Italy on the wall and the servers were so polite and prompt! Almost too fast! We devoured the creme brulee! Definitely will go back for another celebration dinner!

Location

Contact Information

Hours of Operation

Friday 11:30 AM–9 PM
Monday 11:30 AM–9 PM
Saturday 11:30 AM–9 PM
Sunday 11:30 AM–9 PM
Thursday 11:30 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 11:30 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 11:30 AM–9 PM

Price Range

$50–100