Six of us had a fabulous dinner tonight. First rate
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Stephens
Another stellar experience from the people that brought us Longoven (RIP...) Awesome food and cocktails, fantastic service and enjoyable ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mere
But for Google we might not have found the plain, unmarked door, but stepping inside is like entering an oasis. After a drink at the bar (we had a reservation but it was so beautiful, we asked to sit on the patio on arrival and they needed a moment to arrange it), we were shown out to the lovely patio area. Neatly walled off from the outside and with a roof to prevent the weather from ruining your meal, it's a pleasantly peaceful space - well lit even after sundown and spaciously arranged. The menu is reasonably brief but still difficult to choose from, and we finally settled on two antipasti and two 'pasta' dishes (the risotto lives in the same section) after we were advised they were perfectly entree sized.The burrata and beef tartare were delicious, especially the former with its blood orange, hazelnuts, and what I believe were slivers of fennel. I will confess a note of puzzlement, since neither appeared to come with its own bread (we ordered bread and olive oil separately) as if one were expected to eat it with a spoon- the potato listed as a tartare ingredient was definitely delicate crispy crumbs, not crisps as I expected. A second plate of bread was provided (and extra olive oil, though this was honestly wasted) without delay on request though.The mushroom risotto packs a heavy earthy punch. It's cooked well, and quite filling, perhaps heavier than might be expected. The Meyer lemon bucatini was a light, airy flavor, a touch sweet as opposed to savory, much like the citrus and burrata. I demolished it entirely, though I probably could have been satisfied with less than I did end up eating in total. Sensibly, I took the tiramisu home. It traveled well and was delicious once I had the space in my stomach to consume it.All in all a beautiful experience, the only thing ordered that wasn't consumed was a milk punch- Do not be fooled by the list of ingredients, it is extremely sweet, but the staff replaced it for me without protest, and my corpse reviver was immaculate. We would absolutely go back, though the price point is to be taken seriously, it is not a place to go on a budget.Vegetarian options: There are a number of things which are vegetarian (it's a small menu) and they are reasonably clearly marked. It is still probably wise to ask about things like the risotto, since you never know what broth is used.Dietary restrictions: There is a very short menu and no real room for substitutions here. Depending on what your dietary restrictions are, it may not be doable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Cake
Foto Fern
Celebrated my son's birthday at one of his favorite restaurants. There were five in our party and our serj1ver suggested we order several appetizers and several entrees and pass the dishes around the table so everyone could share. That was referred to as family style.. which turned out to be a great idea!!! We all enjoyed a wonderful variety of dishes and all were delicious and beautifully presented.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nathan Stover
I have been twice now. We sat in the restaurant once and at the bar the other time. The ambiance is solid. The wine selection is one of, if not the best in the city. I love that they offer coravin pours of large format bottles. Their menu is a comfortable approach to edgy. They push boundaries of normal while still satisfying grandma's need for a classic. Thankful to have something like this so close to home.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jonathan Z
Phenomenal, incomparable experience. Sheer Bar service and knowledge, paired with the sommelier’s expertise and professionalism, this is a restaurant that knows its craft and can execute the menu perfectly far beyond expectation. Everything is elevated by the atmosphere and the staff and their wonderful service. 10/10 experience, absolutely no comments, this restaurant is wonderful and the staff are beyond superb. Would recommend for any, from dinner on a weeknight to celebrating big events and anniversaries. Lost Letter will take you back in time and forward simultaneously. Excellent restaurant, superior food, phenomenal service. Hands down one of the best restaurants to contend within the city. Much love. Lost Letter rules. Xo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dominic Carpin
A fine meal of clams, chicory salad, beef cheek ravioli, 24 month prosciutto, a craft cocktail (the Via Lattea) and Pinot Bianco wine, marred a bit by the 45 minute wait between courses. The clam broth was very salty. The chicory salad is incredible. Nice touch with the white anchovies and soft-boiled eggs. 24-month prosciutto was excellent although perhaps sliced a bit too thick for my liking. My dining partner loved the beef cheek ravioli. My Italian friend whose grandmother came from Piemonte says the ravioli looks authentic to the region. Delicious Alto-Adige Pinot Bianco by the glass. I had a botanical craft cocktail before dinner. Can't remember the name. Very interesting. Dining alfresco in the garden is going to be more and more desirable as spring turns to summer and summer gives way to autumn. That's where we sat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Christopher Shust
Went with friends the other night and had a truly memorable meal. The service was excellent. Everything we ordered was prepared to perfection with amazing presentation. Or waitress was knowledgeable about all of the menu items and was able to provide meaningful opinions when asked. If you are looking for a special meal, this is the place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Cake
Matt
Went here with a group of 3 couples. The food was excellent and the atmosphere is very nice. We had reservations but the waitress and sommelier were very very slow with our beverages and ordering which is why service is a 3. It was a full 45 minutes from seating until we had a glass of wine. Luckily the food saves the review. We’ll try this restaurant again to see if the service improves.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
Halle Shourds
My boyfriend and I had dinner there last night. From the moment we walked in, everything was phenomenal. It has a romantic, lovely inviting atmosphere. We were served creative and delicious cocktails at the bar before we were seated at a romantic and intimate table in the back of the restaurant, with a view of the open kitchen. Service was impeccable, not rushed, but attentive at the same time. We shared their version of a Caesar salad, I had the beef cheek ravioli, and he had the rockfish. We shared the Nutella flavored gelato for dessert. We split a bottle of Nebbiolo wine at dinner, followed by a couple of glasses of Prosecco with dessert. Every bite, every sip, every moment was perfection. We ate slowly and savored the whole experience. Although on the pricey side, it is worth every cent for a memorable and special experience. Hands-down the best restaurant I’ve been to in Richmond. We will definitely be back!
My boyfriend and I went to Lost Letter last evening for dinner. No special occasion, just wanted to treat ourselves to a nice evening out. From the moment we walked in, it felt like something special. It smelled good, the lighting was perfect, it was cozy, and inviting. We were greeted immediately and chose to sit at the bar and have the best cocktail ever served by a cheerful and talented bartender. It had fresh rosemary and oranges and limes and Mezcal. It smelled and tasted amazing. We were seated at a cozy table for two in the back of the restaurant with a view of the open kitchen. It was intimate and lovely. The service was impeccable, not rushed, not overbearing, just the right amount of attention. Our waitress had good suggestions when we asked about the menu and the wines. We split a bottle of Nebbiolo, which was amazing! We shared their version of a Caesar salad, I had the beef cheek ravioli, and he had the rock fish. For dessert we had the Nutella gelato (ahh-maaaaa-zing) and some Prosecco. It was hands-down the best meal I've had in Richmond. The food was phenomenal! We ate slowly, savoring every delicious bite and sip! We never felt rushed, we enjoyed our time together over exquisite food, delicious wine, and romantic ambiance. Although on the pricey side, it was worth it for a truly amazing experience all around. Thank you, Lost Letter! We will be back!
Sara Poindexter
GM was welcoming and accommodating with our reservation when one guest was unable to attend last minute due to a sick child.Bar/Mixed Drink:While waiting for our table (about 30 minutes beyond our set reservation time) ordered a vodka dirty martini. When deciding between two options of vodka and despite asking, I was not given any guidance on the difference between the house vodka and the Japanese vodka flavor profiles. I decided to try the Japanese vodka as something new to experience. I learned that this particular one has a sweeter flavor profile so would not recommend for a dirty martini.App:Burrata app tasted great, interesting use of currants, honey and cheese into a spread. Really enjoyed the flavor palette for a starter. Portion was good for two to share. Downside was that it was only served with 3 small crostinis, which were burnt. Even if the crostinis had not been burnt, given the large portion of Burrata, there was not enough bread to finish the app so we had to *buy* an additional order of bread.Wine:By the glass selection was good. Was able to taste two before committing. Nothing exquisite available by the glass unless you wanted to spend $50/glass. Would be interested in the $50/glass option or a bottle in the future.Entree:My friend and I both had the halibut (Pesce Arrostito), which was great. Really enjoyed the flavor profile with the fennel sausage and black rice. No complaints, would order again.Dessert:Tiramisu was heavy on the cream and not particularly coffee flavored nor sweetened. Would not recommend if you are looking for the traditional version of this dessert.Service:Slightly pretentious vibe from the bar and wait staff. I would have been “ok” with it, but ultimately felt like it was unwarranted for the level of service. 1) Our leftovers were placed in the same bag. When we attempted to divide up the to-go boxes in the bag after we left the restaurant, we discovered that our entrees had also been combined into the same box. I would never expect my entree to be combined in the same box with anyone else’s when packaging it to-go, but I would especially expect a fine dining restaurant such as this to know better. 2) For an elevated restaurant bar, I would also expect the bar staff to have an intimate knowledge of everything they are serving and be able to give me guidance on the drink I am choosing. That was not the case given the limited knowledge of the Japanese vodka and the poor outcome of the dirty martini.Atmosphere:Was a fun, elevated, moody vibe with a pretty outdoor garden. I sat on a wooden bench against a hard wall several inches higher than my friend’s chair across the table. I would have enjoyed a cushioned seat with more back support closer to the same height as the chair across from me. The outdoor space appeared that it could accommodate the additional seating. I did enjoy being outdoors and how the garden was lit up as well as the beautiful greenery.Value for the Price:We spent $255 for a shared app, 2 entrees, shared dessert, 1 mixed drink each, 2 glasses of wine each. The alcohol definitely made this meal super expensive, but the app ended up being almost as expensive as an individual entree. Price tag did not match overall value and experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Sue Salvatore
Authentic
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Limoncello Tiramisu
Justin C
Incredible food and service! Paloma was a great server. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mare F.
The staff was incredible! From walking in the door to leaving at the end of the night, we felt completely taken care of. We split some antipasti, a primi, each had our own secondi and then finished with the bunet -- don't sleep on this! Everyone comes for the tiramisu, but this dessert hit a homerun! We will definitely be coming back.
Six of us had a fabulous dinner tonight. First rate
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Another stellar experience from the people that brought us Longoven (RIP...) Awesome food and cocktails, fantastic service and enjoyable ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
But for Google we might not have found the plain, unmarked door, but stepping inside is like entering an oasis. After a drink at the bar (we had a reservation but it was so beautiful, we asked to sit on the patio on arrival and they needed a moment to arrange it), we were shown out to the lovely patio area. Neatly walled off from the outside and with a roof to prevent the weather from ruining your meal, it's a pleasantly peaceful space - well lit even after sundown and spaciously arranged. The menu is reasonably brief but still difficult to choose from, and we finally settled on two antipasti and two 'pasta' dishes (the risotto lives in the same section) after we were advised they were perfectly entree sized.The burrata and beef tartare were delicious, especially the former with its blood orange, hazelnuts, and what I believe were slivers of fennel. I will confess a note of puzzlement, since neither appeared to come with its own bread (we ordered bread and olive oil separately) as if one were expected to eat it with a spoon- the potato listed as a tartare ingredient was definitely delicate crispy crumbs, not crisps as I expected. A second plate of bread was provided (and extra olive oil, though this was honestly wasted) without delay on request though.The mushroom risotto packs a heavy earthy punch. It's cooked well, and quite filling, perhaps heavier than might be expected. The Meyer lemon bucatini was a light, airy flavor, a touch sweet as opposed to savory, much like the citrus and burrata. I demolished it entirely, though I probably could have been satisfied with less than I did end up eating in total. Sensibly, I took the tiramisu home. It traveled well and was delicious once I had the space in my stomach to consume it.All in all a beautiful experience, the only thing ordered that wasn't consumed was a milk punch- Do not be fooled by the list of ingredients, it is extremely sweet, but the staff replaced it for me without protest, and my corpse reviver was immaculate. We would absolutely go back, though the price point is to be taken seriously, it is not a place to go on a budget.Vegetarian options: There are a number of things which are vegetarian (it's a small menu) and they are reasonably clearly marked. It is still probably wise to ask about things like the risotto, since you never know what broth is used.Dietary restrictions: There is a very short menu and no real room for substitutions here. Depending on what your dietary restrictions are, it may not be doable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Cake
Celebrated my son's birthday at one of his favorite restaurants. There were five in our party and our serj1ver suggested we order several appetizers and several entrees and pass the dishes around the table so everyone could share. That was referred to as family style.. which turned out to be a great idea!!! We all enjoyed a wonderful variety of dishes and all were delicious and beautifully presented.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have been twice now. We sat in the restaurant once and at the bar the other time. The ambiance is solid. The wine selection is one of, if not the best in the city. I love that they offer coravin pours of large format bottles. Their menu is a comfortable approach to edgy. They push boundaries of normal while still satisfying grandma's need for a classic. Thankful to have something like this so close to home.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phenomenal, incomparable experience. Sheer Bar service and knowledge, paired with the sommelier’s expertise and professionalism, this is a restaurant that knows its craft and can execute the menu perfectly far beyond expectation. Everything is elevated by the atmosphere and the staff and their wonderful service. 10/10 experience, absolutely no comments, this restaurant is wonderful and the staff are beyond superb. Would recommend for any, from dinner on a weeknight to celebrating big events and anniversaries. Lost Letter will take you back in time and forward simultaneously. Excellent restaurant, superior food, phenomenal service. Hands down one of the best restaurants to contend within the city. Much love. Lost Letter rules. Xo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A fine meal of clams, chicory salad, beef cheek ravioli, 24 month prosciutto, a craft cocktail (the Via Lattea) and Pinot Bianco wine, marred a bit by the 45 minute wait between courses. The clam broth was very salty. The chicory salad is incredible. Nice touch with the white anchovies and soft-boiled eggs. 24-month prosciutto was excellent although perhaps sliced a bit too thick for my liking. My dining partner loved the beef cheek ravioli. My Italian friend whose grandmother came from Piemonte says the ravioli looks authentic to the region. Delicious Alto-Adige Pinot Bianco by the glass. I had a botanical craft cocktail before dinner. Can't remember the name. Very interesting. Dining alfresco in the garden is going to be more and more desirable as spring turns to summer and summer gives way to autumn. That's where we sat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Went with friends the other night and had a truly memorable meal. The service was excellent. Everything we ordered was prepared to perfection with amazing presentation. Or waitress was knowledgeable about all of the menu items and was able to provide meaningful opinions when asked. If you are looking for a special meal, this is the place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Cake
Went here with a group of 3 couples. The food was excellent and the atmosphere is very nice. We had reservations but the waitress and sommelier were very very slow with our beverages and ordering which is why service is a 3. It was a full 45 minutes from seating until we had a glass of wine. Luckily the food saves the review. We’ll try this restaurant again to see if the service improves.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 3
My boyfriend and I had dinner there last night. From the moment we walked in, everything was phenomenal. It has a romantic, lovely inviting atmosphere. We were served creative and delicious cocktails at the bar before we were seated at a romantic and intimate table in the back of the restaurant, with a view of the open kitchen. Service was impeccable, not rushed, but attentive at the same time. We shared their version of a Caesar salad, I had the beef cheek ravioli, and he had the rockfish. We shared the Nutella flavored gelato for dessert. We split a bottle of Nebbiolo wine at dinner, followed by a couple of glasses of Prosecco with dessert. Every bite, every sip, every moment was perfection. We ate slowly and savored the whole experience. Although on the pricey side, it is worth every cent for a memorable and special experience. Hands-down the best restaurant I’ve been to in Richmond. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My boyfriend and I went to Lost Letter last evening for dinner. No special occasion, just wanted to treat ourselves to a nice evening out. From the moment we walked in, it felt like something special. It smelled good, the lighting was perfect, it was cozy, and inviting. We were greeted immediately and chose to sit at the bar and have the best cocktail ever served by a cheerful and talented bartender. It had fresh rosemary and oranges and limes and Mezcal. It smelled and tasted amazing. We were seated at a cozy table for two in the back of the restaurant with a view of the open kitchen. It was intimate and lovely. The service was impeccable, not rushed, not overbearing, just the right amount of attention. Our waitress had good suggestions when we asked about the menu and the wines. We split a bottle of Nebbiolo, which was amazing! We shared their version of a Caesar salad, I had the beef cheek ravioli, and he had the rock fish. For dessert we had the Nutella gelato (ahh-maaaaa-zing) and some Prosecco. It was hands-down the best meal I've had in Richmond. The food was phenomenal! We ate slowly, savoring every delicious bite and sip! We never felt rushed, we enjoyed our time together over exquisite food, delicious wine, and romantic ambiance. Although on the pricey side, it was worth it for a truly amazing experience all around. Thank you, Lost Letter! We will be back!
GM was welcoming and accommodating with our reservation when one guest was unable to attend last minute due to a sick child.Bar/Mixed Drink:While waiting for our table (about 30 minutes beyond our set reservation time) ordered a vodka dirty martini. When deciding between two options of vodka and despite asking, I was not given any guidance on the difference between the house vodka and the Japanese vodka flavor profiles. I decided to try the Japanese vodka as something new to experience. I learned that this particular one has a sweeter flavor profile so would not recommend for a dirty martini.App:Burrata app tasted great, interesting use of currants, honey and cheese into a spread. Really enjoyed the flavor palette for a starter. Portion was good for two to share. Downside was that it was only served with 3 small crostinis, which were burnt. Even if the crostinis had not been burnt, given the large portion of Burrata, there was not enough bread to finish the app so we had to *buy* an additional order of bread.Wine:By the glass selection was good. Was able to taste two before committing. Nothing exquisite available by the glass unless you wanted to spend $50/glass. Would be interested in the $50/glass option or a bottle in the future.Entree:My friend and I both had the halibut (Pesce Arrostito), which was great. Really enjoyed the flavor profile with the fennel sausage and black rice. No complaints, would order again.Dessert:Tiramisu was heavy on the cream and not particularly coffee flavored nor sweetened. Would not recommend if you are looking for the traditional version of this dessert.Service:Slightly pretentious vibe from the bar and wait staff. I would have been “ok” with it, but ultimately felt like it was unwarranted for the level of service. 1) Our leftovers were placed in the same bag. When we attempted to divide up the to-go boxes in the bag after we left the restaurant, we discovered that our entrees had also been combined into the same box. I would never expect my entree to be combined in the same box with anyone else’s when packaging it to-go, but I would especially expect a fine dining restaurant such as this to know better. 2) For an elevated restaurant bar, I would also expect the bar staff to have an intimate knowledge of everything they are serving and be able to give me guidance on the drink I am choosing. That was not the case given the limited knowledge of the Japanese vodka and the poor outcome of the dirty martini.Atmosphere:Was a fun, elevated, moody vibe with a pretty outdoor garden. I sat on a wooden bench against a hard wall several inches higher than my friend’s chair across the table. I would have enjoyed a cushioned seat with more back support closer to the same height as the chair across from me. The outdoor space appeared that it could accommodate the additional seating. I did enjoy being outdoors and how the garden was lit up as well as the beautiful greenery.Value for the Price:We spent $255 for a shared app, 2 entrees, shared dessert, 1 mixed drink each, 2 glasses of wine each. The alcohol definitely made this meal super expensive, but the app ended up being almost as expensive as an individual entree. Price tag did not match overall value and experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Authentic
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Limoncello Tiramisu
Incredible food and service! Paloma was a great server. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The staff was incredible! From walking in the door to leaving at the end of the night, we felt completely taken care of. We split some antipasti, a primi, each had our own secondi and then finished with the bunet -- don't sleep on this! Everyone comes for the tiramisu, but this dessert hit a homerun! We will definitely be coming back.