Lemaire at The Jefferson HotelA GemLemaire remains a favorite spot for special occassions - quality food and superb service, and one of the few places where you can concerse in a normal tone of voice and be heard.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways greatYou will never have to worry if you are going to get a great meal with quality ingredients when dining at Lemaire. Pricey but worth every penny!6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMspecial placeWe had a nice meal for my husband's birthday. The chef wrote Happy Birthday on the dessert plate and sent it out with a lit candle (chocolate bread pudding with a small scoop of dark chocolate ice cream). The waitress asked for a change in my meal and it was perfect - I don't like spicy food or arugula so the peppers were left off and asparagus was substituted. The only complaint I have is the temperature of my meal - it was acceptable but should have been warmer. The portions were just right and the service was excellent. The decaf coffee took a while so we weren't charged for it. The restaurant is so elegant.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful dining experienceThis restaurant is lovely, grand yet welcoming. The service is great, attentive but not overwhelming. All of the dishes we ordered were delicious and cooked to perfection. It was an elegant and satisfying experience that I would highly recommend.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Anniversary DinnerMy wife and I enjoy new, trendy up and coming restaurants. But there are times when going to a place like LeMaire where the service, location and food hit all the marks at the same time, is exactly what you want. It's rare when a restaurant can do all three all the time, at the same time, like LeMaire. So this was a perfect spot for our 10th anniversary.5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent dinner for newlywedsMy wife and I went here for dinner a day after our wedding and was blown away with the customer service and food quality. The seafood we ordered was excellent, fresh, and sides were delicious. Every server was polite and friendly and food was delivered quickly considering how well it was made. Would defiantly recommend to someone who is looking for a place to eat for special occasion.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMmake it a special nightMy husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and our night was celebrated in the comfort and care of elegant dining, delicious food, superb wine and special service.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMDelightfulWe had a lovely time. Service & ambience could not be better. We loved the outdoor patio but when it got too chilly, we were moved inside without a blink. The food was good, but we all agreed a tad on the salty side.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful as alwaysWe've been to Lemaire many times, both before and after its renovations. I love the focus on local produce, love the breadth of choices on the menu, loved our dinner, loved our service. Everything was great EXCEPT an odd bump w/ our reservations. We indicated we'd like to eat on the patio; we were told that is first come, first serve. Ok, that makes sense. But when the temperature was in the 50s and windy, the patio was not a very appealing choice. We were told we could eat at a small table in the conservatory -- cocktails really would be tight there -- or wait until 8:45. Hmm. 7 o'clock reservations. A lovely group was kind enough to switch tables w/ us so it all worked out. But I was disappointed this was an issue.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMI love Lemaire!My favorite restaurant when I want great food and service in an elegant, quiet place. Everything was terrific. Thank you!5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMOur 25th AnniversaryThe waitstaff were superb. I had flowers awaiting my wife as ordered---I commend the staff for carefully getting the flowers out in front of us as we had arrived an hour early,.. The appetizers were most excellent and the Chef prepared a complimentary portion of the Fried Green tomatoes---a party in my mouth===Thanks so much for helping the occasion be special.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous birthday dinnerA wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMFood and service great. AtmosphereFood and service great. Atmosphere very energetic. Romantic with an uptown feel!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Reataurant! Food wasGreat Reataurant! Food was prepared excellantly and service was impecable. I got the scallops that were cooked to perfection (they can be over cooked but these were not). The vegtables were also very well prepared. My wife got the strip streak that was cooked exactly how she liked it and had an excellant taste.The wine list was extensive and organized very well. But we still needed help from our server to choose a wine. He chose 1 that was in our price range and was excellant! We loved that much of the food served came from local producers. We felt the prices were reasonable for the level restaurant this is (mid $20s to $30). This was our first visit. It will not be our last.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMwonderful anniversary dinnerEverything was wonderful--the ambiance, the service, and especially the food--elegant, innovative, and delicious. We will be back!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA wonderful and elegant eveningA wonderful and elegant evening -- beautiful venue and good food.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat First Tme ExperienceThis was our first time at the Jefferson Hotel and our first time at Lamaire and both prsented a very impressive experience.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFrankly my dear ...The Leamire Restauraunt was the perfect location for our Mothers' Day dinner. It's nice to go out to dinner where people dress up for fine dining. The hotel has that 'southern' charm with lots of marble, high ceilings, and columns. The price is upscale, but the servers ensure you get your moneys worth. The table was available exactly on time. The barkeep did an excellent job with the 'out-of-the-ordinary' cocktail. The food wax exquisite. The entree had the right flavor combinations. The presenation was superb. The timing was such that we never felt rushed, but the temperature of the food was just right. Highly recommend for a special occasion.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience! Food wasGreat experience! Food was excellent. Lemaire staff was very professional and accomodating to our party of three. We ate there before going to a play and then returned later for dessert.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMVery impressed with the decor,Very impressed with the decor, the food and our waitress. Can't wait to go back.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMTJ would salivateA meal fit for a king (and queen). Unique appetizers, well presented meal with near perfect portioning. And the taste... the waiter was extremely well versed but not officious.
Of course, there was the check--hefty, but not totally outrageous.
Will remember this evening for a long time.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were a party of five withWe were a party of five with three "out-of-town" guests, who had never been to The Jefferson. All were very impressed with Lemaire. We had a wonderful relaxing meal. Atmosphere was perfect, not noisy or distracting. We enjoyed good conversation - it's always nice when you don't have to shout or strain to hear someone from across the table. Great time. Thanks.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways goodFood was good, as always. Service was attentive and friendly but not intrusive. Too much noise from the bar -- too many conventioneers misbehaving. Chicken fried oysters appetizer and German Chocolate bread pudding were amazing.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellenceExcellent. Will not come to Richmond w/o reservation to Lamarie.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWorth a special tripThe restaurant is ensconced in a magnificent, grand hotel. The cuisine was creative, delicious, and artistically presented. Good flavor combinations. We were very impressed with the level of inventiveness, which was never overdone.4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThere are so many positiveThere are so many positive things about our experiences here, I barely know where to begin. We dine early on Sunday evenings and receive the advantage of a menu with smaller portions which really works for me. We are frequent diners at this restaurant and they immediately recognize us and have a table prepared with our preferences for location, dark napkins, etc. All servers are very knowledgeable and do a superb job of taking care of their diners. Truly an outstanding experience each time we go.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMLemaire restaurant was featuredLemaire restaurant was featured on both the cooking channel as well as the food network. Since I am a junkie of the food network, I wanted to experience Lemaire for myself. I have to say the food was fantastic and so flavorful. I was impressed with the variety of selections and the portions were perfect. I enjoyed the entire experience from appetizer to dessert with some friends - thank you Chef.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had an excellent diningWe had an excellent dining experience. The beef was local and very fresh, as were the accompaniments. The service was first class. We will definitely be back for special occasions.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a magnificent place toWhat a magnificent place to dine. It was a little noisy but the ambience, service and food made for a wonderful dining experience for our 30th anniversary. They accomodated my request for flowers on the table and when we decided to split the oyster appetizer they brought it to us split on separate plates...each with beautiful presentation. The portions were just right...leaving room for dessert! That is something we rarely order.
I highly recommend Lemaire for a special personal occasion or to impress out-of-town guests. The Hotel Jefferson is one of the most impressive hotels that I have ever seen and it should not be missed. Thank you for a wonderful anniversary.4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were there for a dinnerWe were there for a dinner meeting, and the servers accommodated us well. The visitors to Richmond spoke highly afterward about the food and the experience.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMA wonderful restaurantWe came to Richmond specifically to eat at this restaurant. My wife and I ate there about four years ago and were so impressed that we planned a vacation week to include a meal there. On this visit we were too early in the season to have produce from their private gardens. Perhaps on the next visit we will be able to do so.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMDefinitely One of Richmond's BestMy boyfriend and I went on a Sat. night for our anniversary and got the 3-course $30 seasonal menu, which is available from 5 pm to 6 pm only. The cream of sunchoke bisque wasn't anything extraordinary, but the presentation was great. They poured the soup at the table so the goat cheese fritter, which was excellent, would not get soggy. The grilled black angus beef tenderloin, in contrast, was incredible, and I've been to a lot of nice Manhattan steak houses. The best part about Lemaire is definitely the impeccable service. Our waiter was very attentive without hovering, and the entire staff definitely knew what they were doing. I've been disappointed with a lot of "nice" Richmond restaurants, but Lemaire did not disappoint.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMgluten freeThis is one of my favorite places to eat. The service is always excellent, the food is always made to order with fresh local ingredients.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWaiter excellent. Specials were greFoods and service great as usual. Disappointed we could not get reservation after8pm as there were many tables vacant at this time. Our reservation was7.45 and that was latest offered by open table4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMVery lovely place to eat.Very lovely place to eat. The hotel is so elegant as well as the dining room. There was a 4 foot cooling vent beside our chair and the server turned down the a/c so it would not be uncomfortable sitting there. The food was very tasty and the presentation was nice. The Bailey's creme brulee was a little disappointing. I thought the flavor was very bland and average. Overall we really enjoyed our experience.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, service, andExcellent food, service, and location. Lemaire is perfect for a special occasion.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways amazingLemaire never disappoints. The food is superb. The service is outstanding. We go often and it is consistently phenomenal.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMMy wife and I visited LemaireMy wife and I visited Lemaire on 4/2/13 to celebrate our anniversary. We have been there several times in the past and we found everything to be up to their high standards. The service was timely but not rushed and our server did not miss a beat when a table of 10 was seated in our section.
The food (salmon and beef loin from the regular menu) was excellent and well presented. Serving sizes were just about right. We did feel that the menu could use a little pepping up with some creativity and/or adventure.
Everyone from hostess to water girl to dessert chef wished us a happy anniversary.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMA venue that shouldn't be missedThis was our 6th visit and once again we were not disappointed. We selected off of the 3 for $30 menu as we were there pre-theater. They offer this from 5-6 pm and it is just right for those in a bit of a hurry. Portions on the 3 for $30 are a bit smaller than from their standard menu, but suit us perfectly. I enjoyed the three 3oz pours of wine for $15. Our waitress did an excellent job pairing 3 different wines with my three menu selections.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThe staff does a great jobThe staff does a great job and you are taken care of from the time you arrive. The menu selections are excellent and the food is even better.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMCelebrated our anniversaryCelebrated our anniversary and had a wonderful evening and a delicious dinner!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMexcellent food, pleasant atmosphereexcellent food, pleasant atmosphere, efficient and knowledgeable wait staff3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMA most excellent restaurant.A most excellent restaurant. Food and service were superb.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent restaurant and food.Excellent restaurant and food. Service was spectacular.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMQuiet Monday Night DinnerWe went to Lemaire at the Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond VA for an very early dinner on a Monday night in March. Dining room was quiet...only a few table occupied. We were seated promptly at a table for two by the window. Our server Matt was very pleasant...staff is attentive and obviously well trained here The only issue was having to request the menu for the tasting meal (offered only between 5 and 6 pm)...we arrived at 5:30 pm. Courses were small but perfect for our needs...both Angus tenderloin and risotto main courses were delicious and well presented. Dessert option were creme brulee or a german chocolate bread pudding....both good. Ambiance is what you would expect at a historic five star hotel dining room in the South.3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWe go here rather often andWe go here rather often and our evaluation is always the same. Service, food, courteous staff, always outstanding. We particularly enjoy the 3 for $30 menu that is offered early on Sunday evenings. Portions are just right for me and offer the same top quality that you would receive with larger portions.2/10/2013 12:00:00 AMLemaire remains a favoriteLemaire remains a favorite for us in our area. Nowhere else do we receive the consistent service and recognition of our frequent dining in the restaurant. I particularly appreciate the 3 for $30 menu offered for early diners because the portions are just right for me. I also enjoy the wine sampling with the courses. Food is fresh, delicious and nicely presented. An excellent restaurant!2/3/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time at re-inventedFirst time at re-invented Lemaire. Different yes, improved not so much. Excellent inclusive wine list, menu fairly standard with little flair. Service knowledgeable yet not intrusive to a fault. Ambiance less special; no feeling of privacy or club exclusiveness. For a hotel of character such as the Jefferson, the experience was disappointing. Yet will I return, of course; where else to go for special holiday feeling?A former fan12/9/2012 12:00:00 AM