Best Restaurant Reviews of 2009

When it comes to dining out, perfection is always sought but seldom attained.

And why shouldn't we want perfection in our dining experiences? These days everyone is on a budget and the last thing any of us want to do is fork over our hard-earned money for a sub-par dining experience.

Which is one of the reasons we all love restaurant reviews so much.

Of course, a restaurant review is just one person's opinion – an opinion that is based on a handful of (if not just one) dining experiences. But restaurant reviewers come with their own expertise, about dining, food, restaurants, service, chefs and the industry as a whole.

So, while you might not always agree with one reviewer's review (and reviewers can be wrong), you have to trust that they know what they're talking about … most of the time.

Don't believe us? Take a look at who our reviewer gave the highest marks to this year.

Every week for a year, our restaurant reviewer, Varmit Pickeral (whose name you love to mock), has been dining all over Richmond and rating the restaurants on the following scale:

What’s in the Stars:

0—don’t go

*-average

** above average

*** very good

**** excellent dining experience

And after a year one, that's right, just one, restaurant got perfect marks. It was:

Acacia Mid Town ****

Here's what was said: "You can have your dreams of winning the lottery, finding a soul mate, or losing 20 pounds. I’d rather, if wishing, ask for one day in the kitchen with Chef Reitzer washing lettuce and sweeping his floors." You can read the full review here.

Of course, there were a few restaurants that came very close to perfection this year.

Full Kee ***1/2

"You’ll see a lot of Richmond’s best chefs eating seafood at Full Kee because, simply, it has the best seafood in the city." You can read the full review here.

Amici ***1/2

"The renovations were well worth the restaurant closing for several months to complete …" You can read the full review here.

Bouchon ***1/4

"I’m involved in a steamy, sauce-laden, love affair with Bouchon, the six-week old bistro in Shockoe Slip, located in the former Pomegranate space." You can read the full review here.

Amigos Authentic Mexican Restaurant ***

"Amigos restaurant is aptly named, the host at the door always wishes this gringo a warm "Welcome, amigo" every time I stop by for tongue tacos." You can read the full review here.

Aziza’s on Main ***

"The only criticism of Aziza’s is a greedy one. I want more. I hope the owners dig through their family’s recipe album and offer more Lebanese dishes ..." You can read the full review here.

Sushi-O ***

"Like expensively purchased companionship, Sushi O emits chic sophistication with a touch of communal love." You can read the full review here.

Water Grill **1/4

"Every experience at the Water Grill has been rewarding, if not inspiring." You can read the full review here.

Balliceaux **3/4

"Balliceaux: beautiful, delicious and delightful. What more could you ask for?" You can read the full review here.

Little Venice ** ¾

"What Little Venice offers is classic checkered-table cloth, American-Italian restaurant fare served by pro wait staff." You can read the full review here.

Louisiana Flair **3/4

"At this East Grace Street restaurant, the vittles are from the heart." You can read the full review here.

Verde **1/2

"With so many well-chosen wines and snacks to pillage, Verde won’t be empty for long." You can read the full review here.

Belle Vie European Bistro **1/2

"Belle Vie: A place with good service and well-prepared standards that won’t take you from your comfort zone." You can read the full review here.

And you can read all of Richmond.com's restaurant reviews here.