As someone who writes about restaurants, I get asked about restaurants a lot. What's my favorite place in town? Where should a Richmonder go to celebrate grandpa's 80th birthday? What's the best (fill in the blank) for (fill in the other blank).

I love getting these questions almost as much as I love the idea that my answer is taken as expert advice.

But when it comes right down to it, my response is just my opinion. And it comes with a whole catalogue of unspoken biases. I have a strong affinity for Indian food, but I don't really care for Chinese. I have an aversion to strip malls in general and wildly high expectations of any restaurant that charges more than $25 a plate. And, perhaps my biggest bias is that I really hate to leave the city limits to find a restaurant.

But that's just me. Which is why, this week, I'm handing off the restaurant recommendations to the staff at Richmond.com. Collectively the staff lives, travels to or grew up in all corners of Richmond and its surrounding counties.

Favorite restaurant to take out-of-towners

Millie's (2603 E. Main St., (804) 643-5512)

"Great food, relaxed, friendly service and jukeboxes," Greg Hershey, arts and entertainment writer.

"It says so much about the food culture in Richmond (meant to read -- this city is obsessed with good food, and they got it)," Stephanie Brummell, staff writer.

Comfort (200 W. Broad St., (804) 780-0004)

"Nothing says love like shrimp and grits, meatloaf and squash casserole," Dionne Waugh, news writer.

3 Monkeys (2525 W. Main St., (804) 204-2525)

"Great atmosphere, awesome location and has something for everyone to eat on the menu including some delicious drink options," Lauren Eubank, account executive.

Mama Zu’s (501 S. Pine St., (804) 788-4205)

"You can’t go wrong between their selection of traditional Italian favorites and their delicious entrées," Thi Nguyen, project manager.

Grandpa Eddie’s (11129 Three Chopt Road, (804) 270-7427)

"Richmond has no shortage of BBQ restaurants, but what it is short on is BBQ restaurants that serve up something with a little more kick than that tomato-based stuff all the Yanks keep jabbering about. Welcome to Grandpa Eddie’s. This is Alabama style BBQ and Ribs. That funny feeling in your mouth is your taste buds remembering what real BBQ is supposed to taste like," Joedy Felts, new media designer.

Legend Brewing Co. (321 W. 7th St., (804) 232-8871)

"Honestly, the food there is unbelievably NOT good. But there is a sandwich in every beer and Legend's award-winning beer speaks for itself ... and all of my out-of-town friends are alcoholics," Kent Brockwell, co-editor.

Favorite "ethnic" restaurant

Mekong (6004 W. Broad St., (804) 288-8929)

“I could eat there every single night of my life,” Greg Hershey, arts and entertainment writer.

Thai's Mama (6790 Forest Hill Ave. (804) 612-8616)

“The new chefs make the spiciest pad thai in town,” Dionne Waugh, news writer.

Sticky Rice (2232 W. Main St., (804) 358-7870)

“I could eat at Sticky Rice everyday of the week. Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond,” Lauren Eubank, account executive.

Mekong (6004 W. Broad St., (804) 288-8929) and Da Lat (9125 W. Broad St., (804) 762-9330)

“This is a tie between Mekong and Da Lat … both Vietnamese cuisine and both delicious!” Thi Nguyen, project manager.

Kabutos (8052 W. Broad St., (804) 747-9573)

“Fantastic Japanese hibachi cuisine and a good show to boot. If you’re good at catching flying shrimp this is the place to go to impress the ladies. Pass the yum-yum sauce please,” Joedy Felts, new media designer.

The Forest (5057 Forest Hill Ave., (804) 233-1940)

“Cheap drinks, AWESOME eggs Benny, rude waitresses, people at the bar drinking rail scotch at 10 a.m. -- White Trash Americana is an ethnic group, right?” Kent Brockwell, co-editor.

Akida (814 N. Robinson St., (804) 359-8036)

“On Robinson, not Broad. I love the quaint, cozy ambiance, I love the sushi. I could eat here every night,” Stephanie Brummell, staff writer.

Favorite restaurant to celebrate a special occasion

Can Can (3120 W. Cary St., (804) 358-7274)

"As long as the occasion involves great thirst and desperate hunger," Greg Hershey, arts and entertainment writer. 

"Has all kinds of unique dishes and the ambiance makes you feel very fancy pants. Love the whole experience there," Lauren Eubank, account executive.

The Melting Pot (9704 Gayton Road, (804) 741-3120)

"Yes, it's a chain, but I feel like the wonderful Richmond employees make my fondue experience even more enjoyable," Dionne Waugh, news writer.

Pescados (13124 Midlothian Tpke., (804) 379-7121)

"Everything here is spectacular (especially if you love seafood) … and word is that they will opening one right next to Mama Zu’s (now how’s a girl to decide?)," Thi Nguyen, project manager.

Shacklefords (10496 Ridgefield Pkwy., (804) 741-9900)

"This place has a little bit of everything, and a whole lot of awesome. Seafood and steaks like your 5 star restaurants, but not so stuffy you’ll need an intro course on which of the twelve forks you should use. Kid friendly too," Joedy Felts, new media designer.

Avenue 805 (805 N Davis Ave., (804) 353-2505)
"It's quiet, it's dark, the food is amazing and it has a great wine list. It's also a block from my apartment so I can crawl home using my lips if the celebration carries over to the bar," Kent Brockwell, co-editor.

Edo’s Squid (411 N Harrison St., (804) 864-5488)

"Because you can’t celebrate properly (with me at least) unless you do it the Italian way. And boy does this place have amazing Italian," Stephanie Brummell, staff writer.

Favorite restaurant for a quick bite

Pho 79 (6909 Staples Mill Road, (804) 627-2200)

"One bowl = complete satisfaction," Greg Hershey, arts and entertainment writer.

Paradise Diner (2845 Hathaway Road, (804) 320-1611)

"This place has lightening-fast service providing fabulous breakfast and lunch till 3," Dionne Waugh, news writer.

Banditos (2905 Patterson Ave., (804) 354-9999)

"The food never fails; it is always delicious and speedy too. Not to mention probably the most entertaining staff in Richmond," Lauren Eubank, account executive.

Ipanema Café (917 W Grace St., (804) 213-0190)

"Love, love, love their smoked Gouda sandwich," Thi Nguyen, project manager.

Rudino’s (2238 John Rolfe Pkwy., (804) 364-5004)

"The perpetual college student in me lives on through this restaurant. I love pizzas and subs, and Rudino’s excels at both. Just don’t call their subs a sub. It’s a grinder. Great place if like me you’re tired of all the franchise pizza joints. That’s right; I’m looking at you Papa Johns," Joedy Felts, new media designer.

Table 9 (2001 Park Ave., (804) 353-2205)

"It's a tiny restaurant with $2 PBR in the bottle and a short, great, cheap menu full of amazingly tasty items. Don't forget to try the cake of the day -- it's always on the counter and always worth it,"  Kent Brockwell, co-editor.

Sidewalk Café (2101 W. Main St., (804) 358-0645)

"Hummus. I love their hummus," Stephanie Brummell, staff writer.

Richmond restaurant you most want to try but haven't

Bank (1005 E. Main St., (804) 648-3070)

"Because I most likely need to rob one to eat at one," Greg Hershey, arts and entertainment writer.

The Hard Shell (1411 E. Cary St., (804) 643-2333)

"The raves I have heard about this place make me want to go so badly. Alas, my income-to-dining-out ratio won't yet allow it," Dionne Waugh, news writer. 

"I’ve been wanting to go here forever and just haven’t gotten the chance to yet. I think I’m a little scared of what my bill might say when I’m done eating," Lauren Eubank, account executive.

Comfort (200 W. Broad St., (804) 780-0004)

"Good ol’ fashion southern comfort food ... this is how Comfort has been described to me. Daddy like. Now all I need is a helicopter to escape the 6 o’clock Short Pump traffic around where I live and I’d be golden," Joedy Felts, new media designer.

Bookbinders (2306 E. Cary St., (804) 643-6900)

"I don't know why I haven't been there yet. It's cigar friendly and they have a decent bourbon list. I hear they also serve food there," Kent Brockwell, co-editor.

Bottega Bistro (11400 W Huguenot Road, (804) 379-9899)
"It looks cute, sounds delicious and I’ve heard it’s great for a girl’s night out. So why I haven’t been there? I honestly have no excuse," Stephanie Brummell, staff writer.

Tell us your thoughts, Richmond. What are your favorite Richmond restaurants? And don't forget to check out last week's Eat Beat: Cheap Date Nights.