La Grotta Ristorante

White table cloths and male staff do not automatically make a fine dining experience. It was a bustling Saturday. Our waiter tried but fell short. No fresh pepper for my salad. Asparagus came very late and should have been comped. Had to ask for more water. Twice Sad to say, the bread was the best part of the meal. The fresh tomato and basil for the bread had more flavor than our entrees. Just like the tablecloths, the entrees were all show: well plated, short on flavor.

Roger was our server and he was fantastic. His pairing options for wine with our dishes were spot on and he made the entire experience so pleasant. Our food was perfect and we will definitely be returning!

I wish I could give this place 6 stars. This is a bit of a delayed review. I ate here last month in December. It was my 6th time eating here. Every experience at this establishment has been amazing. Extremely good service but the food is next level. In my opinion this is the best Italian food in Richmond. The ambiance is also excellent and is just very warm and cozy. Last meal here was a chef special with lobster in a Champaign sauce and tiramisu. Chef kiss all around and couldn’t be happier with this amazing meal. My only regret is that I do not come here often enough, but intend on changing that in 2025!

We went on December 28th after you get tired of Xmas food 😊 My Daughter ordered the chef special, Lobster with linguine topped with shrimp in a wine sauce. I ordered Salmon , mashed potatoes and Veggies. The food was exceptional and the wine was tasty We will be back 5 stars for me The waiter I believe was Marco but not sure He was attentive and friendly Great service 5 stars as well The restaurant it self is beautiful and has a great ambiance made me feel like was in Germany 🇩🇪 Thank you 🙏

The family rented this restaurant for a private wedding rehearsal dinner. The staff was absolutely wonderful! The food was amazing! We had an amazing time celebrating our bride and groom at La Grotta!

Our server was Marco. He was amazing. We could tell he was an expert server. we came on Valentine’s Day and it was busy, but we felt very attended to. He told us options for dinner and wine. We had a great experience. The food was 10/10.

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!

Best birthday or celebratory dinner I have ever had. Everything was wonderful. My husband picked this place and saw photos of a dish he thought I would love. He stopped by a couple of days prior and found out it was not on the menu, they said no problem we can make it. I have never had a better dish. The service was fantastic, Jason got the best tip we could afford. We will be back. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!

Updating my review since this was my first visit to the Broad Street location. La Grotta Ristorante is a true Richmond classic, and after a recent visit with a large party, I can confidently say it lives up to its stellar reputation. From the moment we walked in, the warm ambiance and attentive service set the tone for an unforgettable evening. I opted for the evening's specials: octopus carpaccio and venison medallions--both were nothing short of spectacular. The octopus was delicate, perfectly tender, and beautifully balanced with citrus and herbs. The venison medallions were cooked to perfection, rich in flavor yet elegantly presented. Each bite showcased the chef's skill in highlighting the natural flavors of the ingredients while adding just the right creative touch. Our group had a variety of dishes across the menu, and not a single plate disappointed. Whether it was handmade pasta, seafood, or one of their signature entrées, everyone at the table raved about their choices. The service was impeccable--gracious, professional, and incredibly attentive without being intrusive. Despite the size of our party, every dish arrived promptly and at the perfect temperature. La Grotta is an ideal spot for an elevated dining experience in Richmond. If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine with top-tier service, this is the place to go.

My friends and I went this past Saturday and had a wonderful experience! We originally had plans to have dinner at another restaurant close by and unfortunately, the service was so bad that we left. Thankfully, La Grotta had space at the bar for my friends, and I and they served all of us an amazing meal. The octopus carpaccio, shrimp & sea scallop polenta, and the halibut were all absolutely incredible. On top of that, the service was wonderful. I've always had a great meal here and Saturday was no different. Highly recommend!

They brought the wrong wine but tried to convince me it was right. Food was fine. It was very loud and our table was not in a good location.

Had a great meal recently at La Grotta. Though we only stopped by for pasta, I'm looking forward to exploring their wine list and dessert menu. Both looked amazing! There was a great selection of bread, focaccia, and mini breadsticks to dip in what seemed like a red pepper dip. The restaurant was quaint, and well decorated, giving it an upscale feeling. Service was nice, and felt authentic. The one downside is parking, it's complementary through the hotel valet, but the easiest way to park was to pay at the lot next-door. All in all, it was a great experience!

Friendly, capable service. Elegant atmosphere. Nice menu selections. Location was very convenient to the Richmond Convention Center.

Great food and the service was great also. Don't like going downtown too much but this place is worth the drive. Always very accommodating and food is good and consistent!

Came in as a walk in and was sat quickly despite the restaurant being very crowded. It took awhile for our table to be greeted but thankfully we had our drink and food order ready to go. Our server was phenomenal though, Enzo, I believe. He really made the experience-confident and good at creating rapport. I loved how he easily answered questions without hesitation. We started with a salad of baby greens and Gorgonzola- this was not impressive at a 15.95 price point. The tomatoes were so pale, two random endive leaves were included, and the walnuts appeared to be just raw walnuts. This salad would be much improved with fresh pair slices in lieu of tomatoes, lose the random endive leaves and toast the walnuts. I ordered the rockfish special, the rockfish and the sauce were phenomenal. I did not like the flavor of the baby shrimp at all-they had an almost chemical-like flavor frozen shrimp sometimes have. I thought the red peppers and fava beans didn't pair well with it either, but I did like the textural aspect of the fava beans along with the fish, which may have been the reason for the inclusion of them. The Swiss chard or bok choy was enjoyable and the mashed potatoes were good. The mashed potatoes were topped with a singular chip which could have used some salt. Overall, it was very enjoyable despite the above mentioned. My husband ordered the buffalo ribeye and highly enjoyed his meal noting it was cooked perfectly but he would have preferred a little more salt, which he requested. We noted the table next to us who ordered the NY strip also requested salt. Our server recommended the sour cherry panna cotta dessert special which we both very much enjoyed. Overall, I think the food is very good although some of the dish compositions could be improved upon particularly given the price point to dine here.

La Grotta Restaurant in Richmond, VA, is a true gem in the culinary world. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in an atmosphere of sophistication and warmth. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the dining experience, from the elegant decor to the impeccable service. But it's the food that truly steals the show. Each dish is a masterpiece, expertly crafted with the finest ingredients and bursting with flavor. Whether you're indulging in their signature pasta dishes or savoring one of their mouthwatering seafood creations, every bite is a delight for the senses. And let's not forget about the wine selection - it's simply extraordinary. The sommelier is incredibly knowledgeable and can expertly pair the perfect wine with your meal, elevating the dining experience to new heights. But perhaps what sets La Grotta apart is the passion and dedication of the staff. From the moment you walk in, you're treated like family, and every effort is made to ensure your dining experience is nothing short of perfection. In short, La Grotta Restaurant in Richmond, VA, is a culinary destination not to be missed. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a night out, La Grotta promises an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you counting down the days until your next visit.

I had high high hopes for this place but left feeling robbed, like $$$ for THAT! Let me start by saying don't go here without a reservation. They barely greet you when you arrive because the servers and hosts are busy! I think we would have waited a long time had we walked in but I am purely speculating. The server was attentive. The vibe is a bit stuffy for my taste. I couldn't tell if I was talking too loud because even though it was packed, the place was pretty quiet. I can get through all of the above if the food was banging but it was meh. I ordered the special a house made crab/scallop ravioli that tasted more like a Chinese wonton with uncooked crab meat. The sauce was watery. My man got the sole which was tastier for sure. I won't be coming back but the place stays crowded, maybe I just came on a bad day so check it out for yourself. Perfect for date night!

If you want Italian cuisine in a fine dining setting in Richmond, replete with impeccable service, unforgettable food, and a great wine list, La Grotta is your clear cut choice. It is elegant but not stuffy, and the chef pays attention to small details to make each dish perfect. Great for special occasions, closed Sundays.

10/10 !! Food was very good . Old fashion & espresso martini tasted amazing , La Grotta has a great wine collection , ambiance was very pretty & warm lighting was a fine dining touch . Roger was phenomenal , provided excellent service & hospitality . Successful 26th birthday dinner !

La Grotta gives off a great ambiance on a higher end level. Their wine list is elaborate but they have a bar that is willing and eager to make you anything you wish. They serve delicious breads and everything on the menu is made in house. We got the ravioli and duck fettuccine and both were delicious! They also have homemade desserts that are the perfect way to end the delicious meal. I highly recommend for a nice date night or celebration!

Highly recommend. From food quality, atmosphere, to the service.. 5 star experience for me. We did a 4 course meal (salad, pasta, entree, and dessert) with a bottle of wine. Excellent experience

La Grotta is a favorite of ours in Richmond! A great date nice spot with consistently impressive service and specials! We ended up getting the 3 course wine dinner which was a fantastic idea. The calamari and oysters were a great start and had a delicious wine pairing. We both loved our pastas but I highly recommend their Lobster seafood pasta, which had a lot of seafood in it! We always finish dinner off with their tiramisu as I have yet to have another in Richmond that is better. Highly recommend La Grotta for any occasion

It was a crisp Tuesday evening on October 18th in the year of our lord two thousand twenty-two. My wife and I were downtown to attend the timeless Yacht Rock maestro Christopher Cross. We needed to find a restaurant that could match the soothing soft rock sounds of Mr. Cross. To our amazement we found La Grotta. Some might argue it was only due to vicinity, but I would say it's the name; La Grotta. Which translates to 'The Cave' in Italian. A cave being a large natural hollow in rock or in earth. This cave however offers an incredible wine selection along with rich Italian cuisine. We were a party of four and were taken care of by Jeremy. Jeremy was first class all the way and had a great sense of humor. In this post COVID-19 era of crippling depression it's refreshing to finally feel a friendly vibe from our cameriere. Jeremy was cool and accommodating. He handled everything from gluten free options, to suggesting a salad with my main course. He also suggested great wine parings for our table, and it all came together perfectly. Our night started with bread and wine naturally, followed by some polenta with shrimp and scallops. Next was our salads, which were crisp and delicious along with more wine. For the main courses I had the pasta special which was lobster and scallops in a sauce so rich and delicious I'm pretty sure it owned a yacht. My friend had the fish special which he enjoyed. Our wives both had the three-course wine dinner. My wife chose the torretta (tower of homemade mozzarella, roasted bell peppers, marinated eggplant with oregano, fresh basil, and touch of extra virgin olive oil) which was to die for. Her main course was the Gamberoni e Cape Sante Con Polenta Fra Diavolo (Sautéed jumbo shrimp and sea scallops with crushed red pepper, saffron in a tomato cognac sauce) and to finish the course classic Tiramisù. We dusted off a bottle of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a bottle of Chianti classico from San Felice and several pours of Pinot Noir. Overall, every course was delicious. All the food that night was perfect. The wine paired well and it all just came together.

Just a quick review. I was debating 2 stars b but things did improve some. I was there on a Monday night before a show at the Dominion Energy Center. The reservation was for 11. An earlier reply on Yelp from the owner said it's their policy to not do separate checks for parties over 20. We asked for separate checks and were told they couldn't do it. When we questioned it we were told that if we didn't like it we were free to leave. That brought my rating down a bit. After a group discussion and the fact we had a show to see we decided to stay. Things improved and the service was good. Not sure the food warranted the prices but this is an upscale restaurant.

Fabulous quality fresh food. Atmosphere first class with excellent service. Wonderful place to impress and very good for special occasions.

This place is delicious!! I whole heartedly recommend the 4 course menu option, it's a lot of food but you definitely get your money's worth. All of the pastas were good with fresh, homemade noodles and the portions are generous. The service was very good, the waiter was charismatic and welcoming - the ambiance is quite peaceful as well.

Party of four with two birthdays. Saturday 7pm reservations. Seated promptly. Friendly and attentive server. Food and wine was amazing!

I've been to La Grotta twice now and I have to say that it's just ok overall. It's a nice looking place, has that date night or business dinner crowd vibe. I felt like the service was good, in fact our server gave us some limoncello when I had asked if they had it and it took a little to bring the dessert menu, so points for that. The 3 stars is because the food wasn't as high caliber as I want it to be. Not terrible just not amazing. The fettuccine was good but filet was a bit disappointing. It was a sizable portion but I was expecting a very thick cut. It was probably less than an inch thick and folded over (you can tell in the pic). It has a green peppercorn sauce but the flavor was maybe a little too peppercorn-y. Mixed feelings on it. When I do Italian, I generally prefer pastas over meat entrees but since we were celebrating our anniversary, I wanted to try the filet but it just didn't meet expectations.

We chose the four course dinner. My dish was an up charge of $10 because I ordered the dish with black truffles. The soft shell crabs were delicious. Spouse's Salmon was very rare. He prefers medium. But we both got full quickly. So took home left over entrees to leave room for dessert. Dessert was good. The tiramisu was excellent the strawberry cake was bland. I had an OpenTable coupon but the restaurant couldn't get it to work for them so it was not used. This happened before at another restaurant but that restaurant gave the discount anyway. Overall not as good as in the past. Won't be back. Oh also, the bill showed charges for the desserts. They apparently forgot that dessert was part of the four courses. So we had to wait while they took the desserts off the charge. Had to pay for parking since there was no street parking.

Been here twice. Once on a Monday. If a restaurant is busy on a Monday, you know the food is good. This place was POPPIN' on my first trip. And the food was amazing. On my second trip, a Tuesday, the place was sufficiently busy. The first thing you will notice is the service. They are all about the customer experience. The second thing you will notice is the home-like feel of the place. Lastly, the food is incredible. This time I had the Caesar salad with anchovies on the side. This after table shared carpaccio and calamari. All good!! Next I had a filet mignon with a peppercorn sauce. Delicious. The wine is also good. Cannot wait to go back!!!

Roger was our server and he was so kind. The food, Woof! So good, melt in your mouth Ribeye, and a stuffed full of lobster Ravioli :) So romantic and cozy inside too!

Super overpriced and underwhelming Caesar salad with shrimp. There were only 3, and they were tough. Smells were amazing throughout the restaurant, so they definitely get some things right, but I was upset paying $17 for what I got.

Made last minute reservations for La Grotta and I do not regret it! La Grotta is absolutely stunning. Definitely prefect for date night or anniversaries. The space is very intimate. The rich, dark woods. The extensive wine collection on display throughout. The chandeliers. The white table cloths with oversized windows overlooking plenty of historical buildings. The location was perfect. Within walking distance of my hotel. But I drove and there is a public lot right across the street. The parking is fairly pricey starting at $9 for an hour. And yes you do have to pay because there is someone coming around monitoring the lot. So if its within walking distance, I would recommend. I ordered a Caesar salad. Amazing. The crisp romaine was tossed in house-made dressing. Which the perfect mix of garlic and olive oil. The shrimp and scallop Fra Diavolo was superb. My absolute favorite and my go to. The linguine was tender. The tomato cognac sauce was divine. Just the right amount of spice (though I did add extra chili flakes to my pasta). The pasta was overflowing with succulent shrimp and plump scallops. I mean this dish was too die for. I legit tried to eat every noodle. My server was fantastic. Super personable. Nice. Welcoming. Extremely knowledge of the restaurant and their menu. Quick on his feet. I could barely bat my eyes before I had refills, food and my drink.

The atmosphere is really nice a little loud but not to bad. The service was good. We both had the Six course meal for $85 mine was $95 because I added the specials on. OMG it is a lot of food!!! I can say this was one of the best Italian restaurants I have been to so far. The server was very friendly and joking even those that brought the food out was so nice! There where people in jeans so attire is causal. The food was so good and I highly recommend the Moscato wine. I can say we did not have anything bad and the season was on point. My favorite was the stuffed veal. My husbands filet was cooked to perfection! Which is super hard since we like Pittsburgh rare. Overall if your in the area well worth the stop.

Consistency is the key and LA grotta year after year sustains that. Food and service was great as usual. Pheasant ravioli special was a nice surprise. Also place was packed, which was so nice to see. I feel like 15 years or more we have come to LA grotta at both locations. We'll done again.

Solid. Great service. Top to bottom. Full, very extensive wine list featuring many Italian wines. Authentic vibe. White tablecloths. The filet with peppercorn sauce was off the charts. Wonderful ravioli special. Vegetable soup w Italian sausage was a great starter. Frankly, downtown Richmond VA is a sh!thole, but this is a Diamond in the rough. Highly recommend.

Good service very professional Average ambiance Very difficult to get parking in this area Quail was ok the stuffing was very heavy Waiter choose a good white wine Pastas good with gravy not too heavy

Excellent food ,from North Italy to Richmond by chef Tony . Everything in this restaurant it's perfect ! Andrea and Chef Tony love what they do demonstrating their love and passion for food in their restaurant .

Came in about a week ago. Nice looking restaurant. Clearly going for a fine dining vibe. The food was good, not great. I had the salmon, good, but not great. But the reason I'm writing this review is because I saw another review who had a similar experience with the service. Our server was one of the managers and he kept trying to steer us towards more expensive wines. I've worked in the industry, and I understand upselling, but this went beyond. We felt like he was trying to sell us a car. It made us uncomfortable. Definitely discredited the experience.

We walked in and stood at the entrance for about 5 minutes being passed by staff who refused to make eye contact . Finally we were asked to have a seat by the door and wait a bit by who I assume is the owner. That start stayed with us through the meal. It didn't affect our impressions of the food, but it did detract from my impression of the restaurant. The Fettuccini Alla Papalina was incredible. Perfect pasta and light creamy tomato sauce. This is a must order. The salmon atlantico was just ok. Salmon was correctly cooked, but bland. Greens and mashed potatoes were likewise bland. Nothing was bad, but it didn't seem like it came from the same kitchen that made the pasta. Being seated was slow, service was slow, getting the check was slow, and paying was slow. It was not excessively busy, and they have a lot of staff. I'm not sure what vibe they're going for, but they don't have the food to back up that level of snobbery. One out of two dishes were good, and I would expect some other dishes to be good. I would consider a return.

My partner and I decided we'd stop in Richmond, walk around, explore the area. We walked by and the menu caught our attention. We were greeted and immediately seated. Jeremy, our server, came to our table soon after. It was our first time, so we were unsure of what to order. Jeremy was very patient with us both. He made a suggestion for the four course meal. We ordered the Calamari Fritti, Lumache alla piemontese and the Amarone Secondo Red Wine. The Instalata alla Cesare, Agnolotti alla Panna for the second course. Our entrees, Filetto AlPepe Verde and the chefs special, Lamb. For dessert, Jeremy made an amazing suggestion, forgot the name of (will attach a photo) and the tiramisu. The food, service and atmosphere were perfect. The food was delicious. Jeremy was very attentive and gave the best customer service I have ever experienced, here in VA. The atmosphere was beautiful, it truly is an intimate and special dining experience. I'd like to make a point to say we were both underdressed and had also walked into the restaurant minutes before they closed for the night. We were not aware of the dress code nor closing times. Not once were we pressured to make our selections. Jeremy took his time with us and delivered the best experience. I was very delighted to have received the service we did, even after keeping them for an hour and a half after closing. Perfect for date nights, business meetings or even a solo late night dinner. Jeremy did a phenomenal job. We will be back, this time with a reservation and with appropriate attire.

Having had such a great experience the first time we went here last year, we decided to make a reservation at La Grotta for my birthday dinner. They completely dropped the ball as far as service and our overall dining experience, although the food was still really good. We arrived about 10 minutes early for our 7pm reservation. The hostess was getting ready to seat a couple before us who didn't have a reservation. She went to seat them and came back without greeting us still, mind you and I guess the man dropped his hat and she asks me, "Where did this come from?" and I answered that I did not know. She left the hostess stand to go return the hat and as she was returning, she sees a man walking in with cupcakes and admonishes him for brining in outside food and that he cannot consume that inside their restaurant. He can bring them in but cannot open them. He agreed and went inside to meet their party that was already seated. At this point there was another couple that arrived behind us. All of us waiting, still no greeting from the hostess as she goes on to communicate with a waiter who was telling her about the guy with the cupcakes lol. They were really caught up on that! Anyway, after this, she finally gets to us asks my husband's name twice. We get seated, but she didn't wish me a happy birthday or anything. Husband had put in our reservation it was. Many restaurants we have been to in the past, upon arrival wish a happy birthday as it is noted in the reservation, but I guess it was not here? We get seated in Marco's section. This man went on to insult my husband multiple times during our dinner. First by suggesting my husband didn't know what kind of cocktail he was ordering (a Boulevardier) and grilled him about what's in it, etc and my husband was like the bartender should know. He finally left to put in the order and unfortunately, the cocktail wasn't good. Neither was my Hendricks martini. Anyway, when it came time to order our dinner (we did the 3-course with wine pairing), my husband ordered the stuffed quail as his main and Marco was like, "Have you had quail before?" He said he had, and he questioned him again saying well most people don't know it's gamey, etc. My husband insisted that yes, that's what he wanted to order. It was just nonstop with this guy. We did let him know it was my birthday. When it came time to bring out dessert, no candle in it (which I saw several other waiters bring out for others) and basically at that point, I was just ready to go. Timing was off with serving of the courses. We'd get the wine but no food for a while or get the food but no wine for awhile, it was just a mess. Marco did come back and say he forgot the birthday candle and offered us some limoncello. We accepted and it was good. Still was ready to just go home because overall experience and vibe was off. They really dropped the ball here.

La Grotta is my absolute favorite Italian restaurant in Richmond! Their homemade pasta is to die for, and I frequently crave the amazing Fettuccine alla Papalina. The food is always great, and it's very consistent. Unfortunately, the service isn't nearly as consistent as the food, and we've had a few issues over the years. Most notably is the time we had a reservation and were just starting to eat our entrees when we were told we had to move to a different table to accommodate a large party who added an extra person at the last minute. Not only were we not asked if it was okay to move (we were definitely told), but we also had to carry our own food and tableware to the new table, because staff was busy setting up for the large party. It was bizarre, inconvenient, and one of the oddest interactions I've ever had at a restaurant. Still, I can't not give La Grotta five stars, because the food is just so darn good. They could make me eat it outside on the sidewalk and I'd still excitedly come back.

This is a great choice for an Italian dinner right downtown near two major hotels The menu features daily specials and I sampled several My meal was to go and they added everything you need as well as som assortments of bread I'll be back

Didn't even get to eat a meal here... let me explain. 10 days ago we made a reservation at La Gratta for an after memorial service dinner. An event strictly for family and close friends. The original reservation was made for 16, which was made through the bartender when we called. The bartender said to call a few days before the reservation to add or subtract guests, which we did. Unfortunately, when we called back to increase the reservation number... we spoke with someone who said we didn't have a reservation. My mother who just lost her husband sat on hold for over 9 minutes before hanging up and redialing again. Upon redialing she was greeted by the restaurant manager, who was disrespectful, and behaved live a horrible human being. Her name in Andrea, and after my mother spoke with her confirmed our reservation. Unfortunately, 3 minutes after hanging up we received another call from Andrea, who informed us that it's there restaurant policy to not separate checks. By this point we have a reservation for 20 people, 3 days away from the date we would arrive. If this information would have been shared with us 10 days ago we would made other arrangements. By this point my grieving mother was nearly in tears, so I took the phone, and tried to sort things out. Obviously I was starting the conversation fuming given the series of events that I was preview too. Andrea refused to accept the responsibility for the situation, a situation where we the customers did nothing wrong. The bartender never informed us of this rule, nor did Andrea the first time we spoke with her. The conversation escalated quickly, where I said things I regret, but I was far from rude or disrespectful. However, Andrea didn't seem to like what I had to say. She said "I should be thankful that my mother is still alive", and then hung up the phone. In no world of customer service is this behavior acceptable. So I took a deep breath and called them back. By this point Andrea... the supposed restaurant manager was so irate and irrationally that I could barely get a word in. Even when she stopped talking, she would immediately interrupt me. All she kept saying over and over again is that our party of 20 shouldn't come to there restaurant, and she stressed her/my restaurant. I have no idea if she is an owner, a manager, or a host that picks up the phone. However, I for one will never eat there, nor will the 20 people we were bringing, mostly all local RVA residents, which is sad. We had no ill intentions, we simply wanted to make reservations for a party of 16/20 after the memorial service of my father. No one goes back to a restaurant where they received bad service, no one! Food might be 60/70% of it, but the experience is the rest. This is why we dine at our favorite restaurants, because of the experience. Imo, even if the food at La Gratta is a 10, after the service we've experienced before we've even eaten there... who would go back?

Amazing in every way, ambiance, service was top notch. I love jazz.... Music was nice. Food...authentic Italian at its finest! Our waiter Jeremy was awesome! We felt like royalty!!!!

Outstanding service, on point cocktails, and the food just hit the spot! A true Italian restaurant!

This is a lovely date night spot, or could be great for a special occasion. We were in date night outfits (dress & collared shirt), but if you wanted to go fancier, you totally could (we saw one woman wearing gloves!). The service was really fantastic. Enzo took care of us, and was on point with wine recommendations. They don't have a cocktail list (but, as he told us, a competent bartender and well stocked liquor selection), so they should be able to hook you up with anything you like, drink wise. The carpaccio was to die for -- flavorful beef, with high quality olive oil, capers, and slivers of parmesan. We both really enjoyed our entrees and dessert too. This will definitely be in future date night rotation! Lovely ambiance, great food, a great spot for together time.

Excellent pasta drinks and wine. Service was exemplary, our entire party loved it!! Lovely ambiance also

Thank you to La Grotta for a perfect birthday dinner for my mom! The food was delicious! Their pomodoro sauce reminded us of home (Rome, Italy) and my father's recipe. We ate so much food but it was all paced so well and so light and fresh that we didn't feel overfed or bloated. Our server Enzo was wonderful and attentive and made my mom feel special on her day. We loved the atmosphere. Ok so yes, we had to call an ambulance at the end of dinner because my mom (who is 80) passed out at the table. She's fine, she's good, they checked her out and all is well. Kudos to Enzo again for calling them for us and for checking on us. The EMTs said she had a blood sugar drop but I'm pretty sure that she just was overwhelmed at how delicious the food was. Other than that little snafu , our night was perfect! Una serata perfetta!! GRAZIE!

Very romantic dinner setting. Spectacular service with a wonderful menu selection. The ravioli we got was made fresh in the kitchen and was amazing! They have a full bar so you can order any drink you'd want. We also got an amazing Profiterole for dessert. Portion sizes a manageable instead of overly large like most Italian restaurants which means you actually still have room for dessert! Great experience. Would recommend.

This may be the fanciest place I've eaten at in Richmond. Everything was top notch. The service was prompt, the food was delicious and the experience was awesome. I had Gnocchi for the first time and WOW... would definitely get it again. Highly recommend this place!

My daughter and her friends came to the restaurant for dinner before their senior prom recently. While the food was fine, the server, in my opinion, took advantage of them and upsold to a point where their bill was almost $800 for 9 kids. They all ordered pasta dishes and when the server asked them if they wanted a salad with it, they assumed that it was included with the meal. The salads were an additional $12-$18 each! No mention from the server that there was an additional charge for the salads as they were not included. It was an expensive lesson for them to learn but when I called and spoke to the owner and the chef, he didn't care. If they wanted a salad to come with their meal they could've gone somewhere else. Needless to say, the customer service at this restaurant is poor and we will not be going back.

Great food with great service. One of my favorite places to go to in downtown Richmond. The Tiramisu is one of the best I have ever had. Only isue we had was finding parking as the nearby theatre had an engagement that took up a lot of spaces. Otherwise outstanding an experience.

I must say.. the food was amazing! For the appetizer I got a pasta trio and it had fresh handmade gnocchi. Never had a gnocchi but that was . The special seafood ravioli was definitely delicious (thought couldn't do it as a main course). For the main course the husband got the rack of lamb and I got the grouper. I must say that lamb was cook just right. Wasn't gammy and I understand why it should be cook medium. My grouper was . The fish breaks right of.. no seafood taste and the citric taste of the sauce definitely gave it a nice touch. For dessert.. their tiramisu was to die for. Most tiramisu the espresso over power taste of the desert but this one it was smooth, and one can definitely taste a hint of espresso. I really like that I can bit into a few chocolate chip..it was definitely fresh as the lady fingers was not soggy like it had be defrosted. Let just say my mouth was having a organism. Even my husband ate half his dessert and he's not a dessert person which he got some kind of strawberry cake. All in all the chef definitely pay close attention to detail and plating. The way the food taste one would almost think they was in Italy. Our waiter was super friendly.. definitely had a few laughs in. He even must had read my husband mind when he brought out the wine to show us and give him like the last bit.

I've been wanting to try La Grotta for years and it did not disappoint! This is definitely a place to save for a special occasion as it is on the pricey side but worth the $$. It's a perfect spot for a romantic night out, I can't wait to go back with my boyfriend! I'm a big fan of early dinners so it was overall pretty quiet inside during my visit even when it did pick up during prime dinner time. I ordered the 3 course wine dinner and I literally could not stop eating. I chose calamari as my appetizer with Pinot Noir (Your server can pair your wine for you if you wish). It was perfectly crispy and salted just right. For my entree, I ordered the Filetto Al Pepe Verde - cooked medium rare. The cognac sauce tied the dish together perfectly. For the finale, I ordered the strawberry cheesecake and wowee, no words. Our server was polite but a little too attentive, but our cups were never empty and our food came out in a timely manner so overall no complaints. Next time, I'm definitely trying the pasta! FYI - Reservations can be made through the Open Table app

Dined here with work colleagues on a business trip. Definitely a very fancy location. Not that you have to dress up or anything, but the menu definitely leans toward the fancy side. As an appetizer, they have frog legs. It was the first time I had them and they were not bad, although I have nothing to compare it to. A colleague said they were fine but had better elsewhere. I had their special which was a meat ravioli that was pretty good. Again, nothing mind-blowing but it was not awful. If you have a more, I guess, sophisticated pallet, give this place a try. If not, save your money and go elsewhere. Great service though, for sure.