Special Occasion Dining (Richmond, Jefferson, Ashland: how much, school, restaurant)

[fester600]

Hey RIC!

My in-laws are taking me out to dinner this weekend (Saturday October 25th). Can anyone recommend a good place to request?

Thanks!
Matt

[mrstewart]

How much are your inlaws willing to spend????

LeMaire is wonderful for fine dining.
Iron Horse in Ashland is nice.

Then there are always White Dog, Juleps, Rowlands...

Have fun!!

[richmondpics]

Anything in particular you are looking for?

[whynot?]

It would help to have more info: downtown v. the 'burbs, level of formality you'd enjoy/price range they'd appreciate, kinds of food you particularly like or dislike.

Also, I wish I could agree with mrstewart about Lemaire, but I was there last December and neither the food nor the service were very good. It was my fourth or fifth visit over the past five years, so it possibly was an "off night," but I haven't been back and am not likely to go until I hear there's some sort of major change there. Unless you're planning to stay at the Jefferson, there are too many other good options to risk it.

[PickPatrick]

depends on part of town......food choices

[lovelongboatkey]

I love Chez Max on Patterson Ave but be warned you need reservations for a Saturday night. Go to their website and check out their menu.

[fester600]

I am looking for something unique to Richmond, not a chain.

A good steak place, maybe Italian?

[richmondpics]

Italian - La Grotta or Sensi... I'd say Mama Zu's or Edo's Squid because the food is fantastic but the atmospheres are... different.

Julep's is pretty good as well.

Many people often suggest the the Tobacco Company

Some other suggestions... Verbena, Can Can Brasserie, Old Original Bookbinders (in Tobacco Row)

[whynot?]

For steak, I'd recommend Hondo's at Innsbrook, maybe Buckhead's at Parham and Patterson. (Be aware these are both suburban, in the West End: Hondo's is on the edge of an "office park," and the atmosphere at Buckhead's is kind of 70's strip mall "done nice.") They are both local, though.

I'd skip either The Tobacco Company or Old Original Bookbinders -- especially for steak. Bookbinder's is an expansion of a Philly restaurant anyway. Both are kind of institutional and so-so on the food part. I didn't like Sensi, but I went only once. I had "Kobe" beef. They didn't seem to know the difference between Kobe and wagyu, but I see richmondpics listed them for Italian.

For "nice" Italian, there's also Azzurro on the corner of River and Huguenot, just "behind" Uof R. I like La Grotta downtown, too. (I don't want to seem too disagreeable to richmondics.) It has a very different "feel" -- more old-school Italian with the brick walls, while Azzurro is like a mini-pallazo with tile, Venetian lamps, and the fireplace. Both are "nice" without being stuffy.

Neither Italian nor steak, we always enjoy Zeus Cafe (near Carytown, casual -- almost bustling, but outstanding food and wine, especially their filet and crab cakes) and the newer Verbena (in The Fan, another urban spot, kind of noisy and busy, but a newer place that emphasizes local foods -- and has outstanding desserts, even though I'm not a dessert person). I'd get a booth at either to minimize the noise (which is not overwhelming, but these are not Morton's-type hushed places either).

[richmondpics]

Haha there's nothing wrong with different opinions. I haven't been but have heard that Azzurro is very good as well.

To be honest, I'm perfectly content with a great meal at Tarrant's or Comfort or a bowl of soup at Zuppa.

Millie's is another local favorite.