There are regular cheese and charcuterie boards, and then there are the expertly curated cheese and charcuterie boards at Grisette. The thoughtful, cozy space is open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays, and reservations are recommended. Fair warning, though: You’ll want to avoid filling up on meats and cheeses.

Richmond has mastered the art of special occasion-worthy dishes served in comfortable environments, and no place seems to do that better than Grisette, a French-inspired restaurant with obvious Virginia influence. Repeat dinners flock to old favorites like the house-made charcuterie to start and steak frites or rockfish mains, all served on floral china. The staff is eager to speak on the seasonal cocktails and the wine list that features many affordable choices from lesser known vineyards.

Known for its outrageously delicious chicken liver mousse, this French-tinged Church Hill haunt stays packed with regulars and revelry. Work your way through its deftly selected smorgasbord — three meats, three cheeses and plenty of pickled fixin’s and crusty bread — and stick around for a best-in-class version of steak frites. The Grisette team is always plotting, so be on the lookout for notices of lobster roll pop-ups, farm dinners and wine-heavy events at sister concept Jardin.

Grisette: Grisette is a cozy neighborhood bistro located in Richmond's Church Hill district, offering French-inspired cuisine with a Southern twist. The restaurant's outdoor patio provides a charming setting for diners to enjoy seasonal dishes, artisanal cocktails, and curated wine selections. With its intimate ambiance and attentive service, Grisette is ideal for a romantic dinner or special celebration.

Donnie Glass, who also owns Beaucoup and Jardin, embodies everything you need to know about this restaurant. The proprietor of Grisette is an Army veteran with a habit of waxing poetic about dining and hospitality on Instagram and a talent for sabering champagne bottles. It’s the same combination of qualities and charisma that he brings to his flagship spot in the East End of Church Hill.

This small spot in the Church Hill neighborhood (across the street from Alewife) rotates its menu weekly, but always keeps its gaze on fresh, local, and house-made items. The smorgasbord is the way to go, with three meats and three cheeses accompanied by an impressive assortment of spreads and breads. And though the beverage list is small, it is quite mighty.