We went for our anniversary. The food was phenomenal. We both did the four course meal which comes with good portions. Our server was Marco with a "C". He was absolutely awesome and took great of us. We can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tracy Salvitti
If I could give 100 Stars, I would! This restaurant was amazing. We had our wedding dinner there last Tuesday. All our guest raved about the service and food. The chef his wife and the whole staff was just AMAZING! can't wait to go back for our Anniversary dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matthew Robinette
It is exactly what you imagine fine Italian dining looks, smells, and tastes like.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nancy Lahocki
Great experience! Someone in our party is gluten free and there are many options available. Parking is nearby. Will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Zahar
My wife and I went here last night. Everything about the place was delightful. The servers were incredibly friendly, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the food was absolutely delicious. I ordered the cheese and spinach raviolis and asked the waiter to give my compliments to the chef. My only problem was there weren’t more of them.On the downside, it’s pricy. My wife and I ordered appetizers, wine, entres, and dessert, but stuck to the cheaper items on the menu. Still, it cost us $170 plus tip ($210 for the final price). And being in Richmond, you’ll probably have to park a few blocks away, which wasn’t fun considering it was raining last night.Still, La Grotta was a wonderful experience for fine dining. I would highly recommend it.Vegetarian options: Only a few items were vegetarian. I did not see any vegan options, so if you don’t eat animal by products, this probably isn’t the place for you.Kid-friendliness: It’s expensive and more of a fine-dining, date night establishment, so it’s probably not the first place I’d bring a kid. But if your kids like Italian food and you don’t have a problem shelling out over $200 for them to eat, by all means bring them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Cake
LizS
Best, most authentic Italian food in all of Richmond! Family owned. Kindest and most accommodating staff, amazing wines, incredible daily specials, and very generous portions. Our very favorite dinner spot, hands-down!
My boyfriend and I decided to go here on the recommendation from one of my coworkers. My first impression was wonderful. La Grotta has a great ambiance and service. It looks like a great place to go for a special occasion or date night. Our server was very professional and knowledgeable on the food and wine list. We decided to get the calamari as an appetizer and then my boyfriend decided to get the fish special and I got the shrimp and scallop pasta. The appetizer was wonderful. It was probably the best calamari that I've had in Richmond. My boyfriend also loved his entree. He consumed every bit with gusto. I tasted the fish as well and it was exceptionally cooked. I wish it was on their permanent menu. Unfortunately, my pasta entree was EXTREMELY salty. Honestly, it had to have been a cooking error. I couldn't taste the flavor of the seafood at all because of how salty it was. It tasted like an entire jar of salt was accidentally dumped into the pasta sauce. It truly was disappointing. I understand that mistakes sometimes happen in the kitchen but I hope in the future someone tastes the food before it comes out. Because of how exceptional every other aspect of our meal was, I'm assuming it was some sort of fluke.
KarenD
We had an amazing experience for a girls night dinner! Derek, our server, was incredible. He provided excellent service and good recommendations for wine and food. Will definitely be back.
JohnnyBoy
Food was solid good to very good, depending upon the item. Service was inconsistent. When there, kind and attentive, but disappeared for stretches. Also was frustrating we wanted to order the special soup, and collect our thoughts for entrees. We were told that wasn't allowed, we had to order everything at once. Part of the rationale was so entrees would come out right as we finished the soups. But then there was still a noticeable gap between our soups and entrees. And a gap between their arrival and checking on how everything turned out. Just felt a bit odd, almost untrusted or unwelcomed. While convenient when in the Hilton, I will probably not return.
Christopher Townsend
I am sad to say that I will not be back here after coming for many years. In years past I would have recommended La Grotta as the go to Italian restaurant in Richmond. Unfortunately, this establishment has gone downhill! Recently I went for Valentine’s Days with my wife and the charm has vanished, the servers seemed more interested in scurrying us along, and food was sub par at best. I ordered the veal medallion special for $55 and it was like a hockey puck. Gross! Way over cooked, and the side of mashed potatoes might as well have come from some box at food lion. The waiter was not attentive at all, and we were packed in like sardines. The area is also not so safe any longer. There were sketchy people hovering around outside and feels very unsafe after dark. We were basically harassed on our way to the car. Please do yourself a favor and spend your hard earned time and money elsewhere now. End of an era :(
It is clearly a special occasion/event meal as the prices are quite high. Making good quality Italian fare does not cost that much to warrant $40 and $50+ entree prices even considering current inflation.
TimS
La Grotta is one of the best Italian Restaurants in RVA. We dined before the Richmond Ballet performance and had plenty of wiggle room to just walk over to the show after our wonderful meal. Wines can get a bit pricey but any choice is a good one!!!
CaseyN
We had a reservation for Valentine's Day, and were lucky enough to get Roger as our waiter. Roger ruled. Very kind, knowledgeable, and played a crucial role in the dining experience. He was quick to refresh our drinks and bus the table, the food was served at a fantastic pace and we never had to ask for anything. We weren't his only table by any means, but he sure made us feel that way. Plus, the food was amazing. We did the 3-course wine pairings menu and went with their recommendations. I have to eat gluten free and Roger went above and beyond to make sure I was accommodated and received equitable (and delicious) substitutions when needed. We couldn't have been happier with everything we ate and drank. Wonderful experience. We can't wait to go back.
Sammy
The food, service, and ambience were excellent. Waiter was a lot of help in finding and recommending gluten-free items as my wife is celiac. The only complaint I have is that my filet mignon was a little undercooked. No other complaints than that.
Ryan
Incredible food, comparable with high end Italian found in NYC and DC. Simple, not overly reductive. Wait staff is attentive and knows the menu back to front. Try the specials, the veal shank and pheasant ravioli were unreal.
We went for our anniversary. The food was phenomenal. We both did the four course meal which comes with good portions. Our server was Marco with a "C". He was absolutely awesome and took great of us. We can't wait to return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If I could give 100 Stars, I would! This restaurant was amazing. We had our wedding dinner there last Tuesday. All our guest raved about the service and food. The chef his wife and the whole staff was just AMAZING! can't wait to go back for our Anniversary dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is exactly what you imagine fine Italian dining looks, smells, and tastes like.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great experience! Someone in our party is gluten free and there are many options available. Parking is nearby. Will return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I went here last night. Everything about the place was delightful. The servers were incredibly friendly, the atmosphere was beautiful, and the food was absolutely delicious. I ordered the cheese and spinach raviolis and asked the waiter to give my compliments to the chef. My only problem was there weren’t more of them.On the downside, it’s pricy. My wife and I ordered appetizers, wine, entres, and dessert, but stuck to the cheaper items on the menu. Still, it cost us $170 plus tip ($210 for the final price). And being in Richmond, you’ll probably have to park a few blocks away, which wasn’t fun considering it was raining last night.Still, La Grotta was a wonderful experience for fine dining. I would highly recommend it.Vegetarian options: Only a few items were vegetarian. I did not see any vegan options, so if you don’t eat animal by products, this probably isn’t the place for you.Kid-friendliness: It’s expensive and more of a fine-dining, date night establishment, so it’s probably not the first place I’d bring a kid. But if your kids like Italian food and you don’t have a problem shelling out over $200 for them to eat, by all means bring them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Cake
Best, most authentic Italian food in all of Richmond! Family owned. Kindest and most accommodating staff, amazing wines, incredible daily specials, and very generous portions. Our very favorite dinner spot, hands-down!
My boyfriend and I decided to go here on the recommendation from one of my coworkers. My first impression was wonderful. La Grotta has a great ambiance and service. It looks like a great place to go for a special occasion or date night. Our server was very professional and knowledgeable on the food and wine list. We decided to get the calamari as an appetizer and then my boyfriend decided to get the fish special and I got the shrimp and scallop pasta. The appetizer was wonderful. It was probably the best calamari that I've had in Richmond. My boyfriend also loved his entree. He consumed every bit with gusto. I tasted the fish as well and it was exceptionally cooked. I wish it was on their permanent menu. Unfortunately, my pasta entree was EXTREMELY salty. Honestly, it had to have been a cooking error. I couldn't taste the flavor of the seafood at all because of how salty it was. It tasted like an entire jar of salt was accidentally dumped into the pasta sauce. It truly was disappointing. I understand that mistakes sometimes happen in the kitchen but I hope in the future someone tastes the food before it comes out. Because of how exceptional every other aspect of our meal was, I'm assuming it was some sort of fluke.
We had an amazing experience for a girls night dinner! Derek, our server, was incredible. He provided excellent service and good recommendations for wine and food. Will definitely be back.
Food was solid good to very good, depending upon the item. Service was inconsistent. When there, kind and attentive, but disappeared for stretches. Also was frustrating we wanted to order the special soup, and collect our thoughts for entrees. We were told that wasn't allowed, we had to order everything at once. Part of the rationale was so entrees would come out right as we finished the soups. But then there was still a noticeable gap between our soups and entrees. And a gap between their arrival and checking on how everything turned out. Just felt a bit odd, almost untrusted or unwelcomed. While convenient when in the Hilton, I will probably not return.
I am sad to say that I will not be back here after coming for many years. In years past I would have recommended La Grotta as the go to Italian restaurant in Richmond. Unfortunately, this establishment has gone downhill! Recently I went for Valentine’s Days with my wife and the charm has vanished, the servers seemed more interested in scurrying us along, and food was sub par at best. I ordered the veal medallion special for $55 and it was like a hockey puck. Gross! Way over cooked, and the side of mashed potatoes might as well have come from some box at food lion. The waiter was not attentive at all, and we were packed in like sardines. The area is also not so safe any longer. There were sketchy people hovering around outside and feels very unsafe after dark. We were basically harassed on our way to the car. Please do yourself a favor and spend your hard earned time and money elsewhere now. End of an era :(
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
It is clearly a special occasion/event meal as the prices are quite high. Making good quality Italian fare does not cost that much to warrant $40 and $50+ entree prices even considering current inflation.
La Grotta is one of the best Italian Restaurants in RVA. We dined before the Richmond Ballet performance and had plenty of wiggle room to just walk over to the show after our wonderful meal. Wines can get a bit pricey but any choice is a good one!!!
We had a reservation for Valentine's Day, and were lucky enough to get Roger as our waiter. Roger ruled. Very kind, knowledgeable, and played a crucial role in the dining experience. He was quick to refresh our drinks and bus the table, the food was served at a fantastic pace and we never had to ask for anything. We weren't his only table by any means, but he sure made us feel that way. Plus, the food was amazing. We did the 3-course wine pairings menu and went with their recommendations. I have to eat gluten free and Roger went above and beyond to make sure I was accommodated and received equitable (and delicious) substitutions when needed. We couldn't have been happier with everything we ate and drank. Wonderful experience. We can't wait to go back.
The food, service, and ambience were excellent. Waiter was a lot of help in finding and recommending gluten-free items as my wife is celiac. The only complaint I have is that my filet mignon was a little undercooked. No other complaints than that.
Incredible food, comparable with high end Italian found in NYC and DC. Simple, not overly reductive. Wait staff is attentive and knows the menu back to front. Try the specials, the veal shank and pheasant ravioli were unreal.