La Grotta - Richmond

Wonderful meal, excellent service, and the perfect ambiance

All in all it was a very nice experience and the food was very good. We were all out off a bit by our waiter. He seemed to be very out of sync and totally out of touch with dynamics of the table. He was clearing food before we were done and almost pressing us to finish it so he could clear it off. I specifically annotated in the reservation that it was my daughters 16th Birthday dinner, but there was no mention to her or the typical special candle on a complementary dessert.

Diners were well spaced out and staff were following COVID Safety measures. The food was delicious and the wine was great too. Prices were great for what the food was... on the fancier side but not too expensive. We would definitely visit again if we lived in the area!

Authentic Italian Cuisine cooked to perfection... Quiet relaxing atmosphere made for a very enjoyable evening!

I had dined at La Grotta in the past and have a very nice experience. However, this past weekend was very different. My wife and I were pleasantly to find out upon arrival that it was restaurant week. This is typically when restaurants bring out their best to try to capture new regular customers. What my wife and I were served was mediocre by Olive Garden standards:

* Appetizers - actually started out ok with friend calamari
* Main course - we both got the filet mignon - fatty, tough and salty at the same time. One of the worst filets that I've ever had. Broccolini side was extremely salty
* Desert - cheesecake with blueberries was covered with some type of film. Nasty. Cheesecake itself was not as good as Kroger's

All around, it was a subpar experience. We won't be going back.

We absolutely love this restaurant. The wine list is extensive, the food is incredible and the service is absolutely outstanding. Thanks John for making both dinners wonderful.

Great food, great service and wonderful atmosphere.

Lovely restaurant, upscale ambience, excellent service, great wine selection, and very good food. My husband and I had a lovely romantic dining experience.

Good Italian food and a comfortable surrounding. The service was excellent.

It was for our anniversary and John, our server, was phenomenal! It is expensive but totally worth it! I highly recommend this place for any special event or for when you are just feeling fancy!!!!!

We cannot say enough about this restaurant. What an amazing dining experience. The service was above and beyond expectation. The appetizers, entrees and desserts all exceeded expectation on presentation and taste. We enjoyed the wine selection and the time taken to share the knowledge. We were celebrating a birthday and the additional personal touch with the dessert was greatly appreciated. This type of pride in culinary art and attention to detail is not easy to find today. We'd highly recommend this to anyone interested in a true dining experience.

la grotta has become one of our favorites. the food and wine are always outstanding. the owner (tony) always comes out to help us select the wine and some of the food.
this time, we selected a wine that had a funny finish to it. tony asked us how we liked it and we mentioned this. after tasting it, he returned with a replacement bottle: same grape, better quality. and we didnt even ask for this!

Fantastic service...excellent food...no complaints!! Great place for an intimate dinner or family Gathering!!

As always, LaGrotta never disappoints. The Owner is so welcoming, and is always such a learned help with choosing perfect Wine pairings. . Likewise, the service is attentive without being overly invasive. The food is always fresh, tasty, and beautifully presented. In essence, LaGrotta is the upscale Italian Restaurant choice, for those occasions when you deserve the best Richmond has to offer.

I typically do not go past the Stars when reviewing, but I feel it necessary to give this restaurant all the kudos available. Our server and the owner/chef were both incredibly friendly and attentive to our needs. The complete meal/desserts were excellent. I highly recommend this establishment and will be frequenting on a regular basis moving forward. Great job!!

Always the highest quality food and service!

Dining in La Grotta is always a special occasion particularly in Covid time!! We dined prior to the Richmond Symphony Masterworks concert!! Dinner was fresh, delicious and professionally served!! My husband had delightful homemade pasta with lovely light cream sauce, Caesar salad fresh & crispy, carpaccio d’ Manza delight!! Then fresh delectable coconut cake!!

Covid restrictions were handled very well with placing of tables and service. Our dinner was delicious as always and the server made sure we six were served in time to make our 7:30 symphony plans at the Carpenter Center.
La Grotta is one of our favorite restaurants in Richmond.

Felt like we were in Italy
Very intimate dinner.

Celebrated by son's 30th at La Grotta Saturday night. Had to change the reservation time once and the number of people three times, but restaurant handled in with no attitude or problem. The chef attended to our table and was super awesome. He recommended a perfect wine, with plenty on stock for our complete party. The food was fabulous, from appetizers (try the octopus carpaccio!!) to desserts, it was all stellar! The night could not have been better.

Great food!

During this time of COVID-19 social distancing, missing gathering friends and strongest ever emphasis on cleanliness, dinner with La Grotta is a perfect gift to guests!!
Food, wine cocktails ambiance friendly professional service each superb!! This was our at least our 5 th visit since their reopening end of July!!

Still liked the old place better for the ambiance but the food remains outstanding as always!

The food is fabulous and the wine list is very extensive. But what makes la grotta truly wonderful is the overall service, and specifically the personal attention of the owner and chef. He helped us to pick the right wine and pare it with the appropriate food. This was not our first visit and it won’t be our last.

Food and service were Fabulous! The Wine selection was tremendous.

Service was great, food was nice but was expecting more based on the reviews we read. Honestly service made up where the chef came up short. Would I go back, yes in hopes the food be more flavorful!

Our first night out, in a restaurant, since COVID and this was my first time visiting La Grotta. Everything stood out as exceptional, will definitely be back...especially for the tiramisu!

Great experience! Starting with the cocktails (martinis) and ending with the trio dessert (pick three) ... the food was delicious. The entrees were outstanding and our waiter was knowledgeable and the perfect level of attentiveness. All told, had a great time and will definitely return.

Everything was great as usual. Server was a little inexperienced as if this was the first time doing this.

My wife and I have been to this restaurant in the past, and the food was much better than this last time. I think the quail were in the freezer too long. My wife's gnocchi was very good. So were the escargot and salad.

I have eaten at La Grotta on several occasions over the last five years, and on each occasions the food was excellent.

Due to Covid-19 we haven’t been on a real dinner date night in a while, La Grotta was just what I needed, a beautiful simple, yet elegant experience. I was happy to be dressed up in a real restaurant setting again.

AMAZING! How did I not know about this place? Thank you, Open Table for making us aware. The food, the atmosphere, everything about this place was top shelf. Would highly recommend. Can't wait to go again.

Excellent! Always good experience!!

Wonderful
Service and food! We would definitely eat here again.

Such a wonderful evening as my wife and we’re celebrating our two anniversary. The service was excellent from the time we walk through the door until we exited to conclude our evening their. The team was always available and very helpful.

I eat here every year with my wife on her birthday and it is absolutely amazing I could not recommend it enough.

Every occasion is Special these days!! Las Grotta is becoming our Thursday night treat with friend! Perfect in every way from pasta to salad to meat & fresh seafood we’ve tried it all twice being served by the Chef/owner!! Food & drink are delectable! Excellent social distancing and sanitizing!! Thank you all!!

Wonderful anniversary dinner! Remains my favorite special occasion place.

Great meal with great service. Only downer was that it was a bit quiet with only a few tables dining. To be expected i guess in today's climate. But food was excellent and waiter was great. Would definitely go back.