Our Story
The Restaurant
The Shaved Duck is a Midlothian family-owned restaurant and cocktail bar, located in the Westchester Commons Shopping Center. Since 2017, we’re motivated to expose diners to unique, upscale food & beverage, without any pretense or formality requirement.
We offer casual-style dining by reservation and/or walk-in’s are always welcome. Our restaurant is relaxed by design, yet easily customized for special occasions and events. We keep it clean and the decor simple; hoping to showcase the fresh ingredients and highlight exceptional service.
The Food
Our menu is inspired by rotating seasonal influences, and executed completely in-house. In addition to highlighting different preparations of duck, we offer house-made pastas, hand-cut steaks, rotating seafood varieties, and signature brunch specialties. Classified as New American, we explore the fusion of traditional flavors & classic cooking techniques with foreign styles and elements.
Since most everything is made by hand, we have a unique ability to adapt/customize our offerings to accommodate diners with food allergies and dietary restrictions, especially given advance notice.
Gluten-free menu options & kid menus are always available.
The Drinks
Known for our craft cocktails, our original seasonal recipes utilize all house-made components: syrups, shrubs, fresh squeezed juices, house infused-spirits and our signature house bitters. We also offer a carefully curated wine selection and rotating seasonal craft beers on draft.
Join us in-house daily for Happy Hour specials and every weekend for Brunch!
The Service
Our team is small & mighty, balanced between seasoned restaurant workers and talented food & beverage artists. Many of our staff have been with the family business for years, creating a familial vibe we hope to share.
The details matter in every context of this restaurant, and we collectively strive to make our guests feel valued for choosing to dine with us.
The Name
The restaurant's name is an ode to the the owner's paternal grandfather, signifying the nature of this family restaurant business venture. Joe’s grandfather was an avid collector, and it was the group of carved or shaved ducks that impressed Joe the most growing up.
It was solidified during a late night brainstorming session with family, over shots of whiskey and fond memories of his grandparents' love of duck memorabilia. The name as with the brand are hyperlocal in origin, yet universal in appeal to those seeking something to the left of the norm!
The Owner
A local graduate of Midlothian High School and Virginia Commonwealth University, Joe was always drawn to the hospitality industry. His experience spans a multitude of roles– from a cook behind the scenes in the kitchen, to the forefront– as a busboy, server, manager and all around "friendly face," honing his customer service and managerial skills while forming a unique vision for his passion project along the way.
The grand opening of The Shaved Duck Restaurant in 2017 was a dream come true for owner and general manager Joe Kmetz, whose lifelong vision was to open a family-owned-and-operated business.
Since COVID-19 changed everything, Joe now leads our kitchen crew, spearheading seasonal undertakings and new menu design. Largely self-taught and motivated by his own high standards for quality, Joe continuously works to develop our menu offerings and enhance service practices to create a complete, unique dining experience for local patrons & first-time visitors.