Lost Letter

My friends and I had a delightful girls' dinner at Lost Letter, and it was an experience worth sharing. We chose to sit in their charming outdoor covered patio area, which felt like a secret garden tucked away from the bustling city. The ambiance set the perfect mood for our evening, starting with the appetizers, which were simply amazing. Each dish was a burst of flavor, setting high expectations for the rest of the meal. For my main course, I indulged in the clams, which were nothing short of fabulous – cooked to perfection and seasoned just right. We couldn't resist sampling a few of the desserts, and each one was fantastic, making it hard to pick a favorite. We also split a few bottles of wine, and the staff's recommendations were spot-on, complementing our meal beautifully. Our waitress was a highlight of the night – upbeat, happy, and attentive without ever making us feel rushed. Her positive energy added to the overall enjoyment of our evening. One thing to note: the restaurant sign is very small on the window, so you might think you've missed it, but don't worry – you're in the right place. Lost Letter provided a wonderful dining experience, and I can't wait to return for another enchanting evening.

The food was okay. I saw the other reviews about portion size but the portions were fine. I wasn't a fan of the menu options. Not a very gluten friendly restaurant if you have dietary restrictions. The restaurant has great atmosphere and if you are looking for an elevated drinks and appetizers spot then this is your place!

🤯 We have lived in Richmond for just over 20years & Lost Letter was recommended by a friend because they knew that I’m a foodie 😊 Lost Letter is Absolutely the best Restaurant in Richmond Virginia in our opinion. After eating here a month ago and then again tonight it confirmed it. We spent 3 weeks in Italy 🇮🇹 for our 25th wedding anniversary. That being said it’s the Best Italian food we have both ever had. The lay out of the restaurant, the impeccable service & cleanliness is spot on!! But hold on!! The mixed drinks we had tonight were soooo perfectly made!! There wine selection & the recommendations from there sommeliers were spot on!! All that being said when you have a menu with less than 25 items on it, highest quality of ingredients & chefs 👨‍🍳 that look like they really enjoy there jobs then there you have it!! We both look forward to many more experiences in the future!! Thanks LL for mind blowing experiences!!!!

Absolutely perfect, this experience was one of the best we’ve had. Food was 10/10 - wouldn’t change a single thing. Delicious from the starters to dessert Drinks were 10/10 - they have a great bartender with very good taste Service also a 10 - our server was kind and personable but not putting on a show, and she had the right amount of presence at the table. We were celebrating our anniversary and Sophie and the staff helped me prepare a surprise gift in the perfect way. Couldn’t have had a better night

We visited with two other couples last night for the first time. First and foremost, the service, people, and quality of food was top notch. Some of the best in town. Props particularly to the staff and we felt like we were well loved. We have one negative more related to the atmosphere. In our mind, easily fixable items: 1.) We were seated outside on a 30 degree evening even with a reservation. When we booked the reservation, they said it was a fully heated patio but it was still quite chilly. Something not super enjoyable when you’re celebrating a special night and a four figure tab. 2.) It would have made all the difference during a 3 hour dinner to have cushions on the patio wicker seats. The folks sitting on the bench had a nice cushion and sat a good 10-12 inches above the rest of the table. For the rest of the table, we were sitting in cold wicker chairs with zero cushions and felt like little kids sitting a table too high for most, and I’m over 6’ ft. We joked about it. Again, these are small things which can be very easily fixed. It’s simply constructive criticism for the team striving to achieve the otherwise 5 star experience they provide to guests. We’ll hopefully be back!

A friend and I were in town for a few nights and booked our Lost Letter reservation a month out. It was a great experience from start to finish, with amazing food. I especially loved how many vegetarian options there were, I never felt like I was missing out. The staff was friendly and personable too.

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.

Had a great experience here. Very sleek and modern interior and ambience. They had outside dining spaces that looked charming too. All of our food was SUPERB, from the bread to octopus carpaccio and lemon bucatini. The pasta was so simple but so incredibly delicious! Would definitely come back just to have it again. Service was a touch slow but the food was so worth it.

Incredible, truly. Lost Letter was a place I somewhat stumbled upon by accident, and it has become one of my favorite restaurants ever. The atmosphere and ambiance in Lost Letter really feels like such an intimate, special dining experience, and the servers are so awesome and personable. They have a way of creating nuanced flavor in their dishes that are rarely, if ever, one note or bland. Their servers and sommeliers are also always able to recommend a good wine pairing. I've tried a handful of dishes here. The ones that have stood out the most were - Gorgonzola Pasta. Flavorful without being overly salty. Roasted delicata squash. I was actually stunned by how amazing this was, complemented by sweet and spicy notes. Ricotta gnudi with pesto, walnut, and lemon. I literally savored every single bite of this, I can't explain how good it was. Octopus appetizer. I'm actually generally not the biggest fan of octopus, so this really speaks to how well Lost Letter does it. It was extremely thinly sliced with a basil oil and capers (I think?) and some spice. It was so lovely, as well as beautifully presented. Even the bread and butter here is so good. I think the only misses for me were the mushroom risotto (which was not quite hot when it was served to me, and not as flavorful as their other dishes), and the chocolate hazelnut tart, which felt overly sweet and a little unbalanced. Even so, these dishes were not bad, just not as good as the others.

Tucked away in Scott's Addition, this Italian restaurant is a true hidden gem. I did not expect to find New York-quality Italian cuisine here, but this place delivers just that, and then some. A welcome change to the no-frills, homestyle Italian places my family has frequented for 30 years. I'm not dissing them - they are wonderful places too; Lost Letter is for the grown-ups though. The moment you walk in, you're struck by the contemporary setting--sleek lines, modern art, and a chic vibe that feels worlds away from traditional Italian decor. It's a surprising contrast to the rustic, authentic dishes that come out of the kitchen, but it works beautifully. The service is top-notch, with staff who are knowledgeable, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. They guided us through the menu with ease, helping us choose dishes that would best showcase the chef's talents, and best of all, avoid over eating. Yes, looking at the Pork Shank in front my neighbor and wondering, "are you sure that would be too much..." Thank goodness she said so because we were stuffed without it. The food was simply outstanding. Every bite transported us to Italy, with flavors that were both robust and refined. The burrata was a creamy delight, paired perfectly with beets, carrots, and pistachios. Next came the best Bruschetta whose heirloom tomatoes, ricotta, and fresh basil sang an aira like Maria Calas. Our pastas were two of the best I've ever enjoyed - Gnudi di Ricotta with a creamy pesto basil and walnuts, and Tajarin al Ragu with a presentation so perfect I didn't think it was real. Essential: save room for the large piece of Tiramisu to share. Arguably in the top three I've ever had, and best flavor with the use of liqueur. My perpetual sweet tooth will guide me back here again and again. This restaurant might be unexpected for Richmond, but it's a very welcome surprise. It combines the sophistication of a contemporary dining experience with the heart and soul of rustic Italian cooking. If you're in the area and craving a meal that rivals the best of New York's Italian scene, this is the place to go.

Fantastic drinks, food, atmosphere, only small improvements I hope for next time. The drinks were delicious, my partner doesn't drink and the mocktail was awesome. It wasn't just a cocktail minus alcohol, it was an actual crafted drink. The wine selection was also extensive without being overwhelming. We ended up getting bread, two appetizers, a pasta dish, main meat dish, and a dessert. It was plenty of food for two of us and overall everything was great. The appetizers were SO good, honestly better than the main dishes we got. The pasta (butternut squash with Gorgonzola) was delicious and unique. The pork shank was very tender, but the polenta wasn't very warm and was just okay. The gelato was so smooth and the perfect amount of sweet. I think next time, we would get two apps and two pastas. We made a reservation a few weeks ahead of time and had our choice of times. I would absolutely come back, it's a very romantic spot and I would love to eat in their outdoor patio when it gets warmer.

My husband and I were truly blown away by our experience at Lost Letter. They've got it down to a science, excellence in every last detail. You can expect crumbing of the table and for your linen to be nicely folded upon your return to the table from the restroom. The restaurant, bar, patio, and restrooms are absolutely gorgeous. The place has a modern look and feel with natural colors, elements, and dried flowers. Towels are available to dry your hands in the restrooms as opposed to paper towels. It's the little things! The food and beverages are absolutely delicious. We were so happy with everything we ordered. We had the beef tartare, the bread (pro tip: you'll want extra bread for the beef tartare), and the prosciutto with pepperoncinis (which was my favorite). The proscuitto is freshly and thinly sliced and the pepperoncinis are the perfect size. The beef tartare was delicious too! We would certainly order all three again! The cocktails I tried were Venetian Blinds, Capri Son!, and their Negroni. All three were absolutely fantastic. They know what they are doing for sure. For dinner, we tried all of the pasta options on the menu, the Tajarin Ragu, Bucatini with lemon and parmesan, and the Agnolotti with pork and veal in veal broth. My favorite was the Agnolotti although it came to us just room temperature (my only complaint from the entire visit). I can only imagine how delicious it would be when it's nice and hot. The Tajarin Ragu was my second favorite and the Bucatini was good, but the most plain to me, so that was my least favorite of the three. I would order the first two again. Although I am hoping to try the chicken upon our next visit (it sounds so good!). Pointer: - Don't stack your plates. They will ask you to stop. This is mostly because I think they want you to relax and enjoy yourself and allow the work to their team. Their timing is pretty on point so you can expect the dishes to be cleared in a timely manner. Just resist the urge to "help" and you'll be just fine! For dessert, we had the Tiramisu and it was divine. We only had half and took the rest home to enjoy a second time and it was just as delicious as the first. Would definitely reorder this one again, too. I would definitely make a reservation to dine here and dress up a little bit as I found it to be really nice without being stuffy. The staff is very helpful and friendly too. We had such a wonderful time and look forward to returning!

Okay this place is all the good things about fine dining! The prices are on the higher side but not unreasonable for the amount of work that goes into each dish. The best thing is the portion sizes. We got 6 dishes to split and four drinks total and I was full and boozy by the end of the meal. The highlight was the La Tur Al Forno & Speck. Imagine the best crispy thin bacon wrapped around the richest meltiest cheese in the world on top of crisp yet soft pillow like bread! I might have to come by my self for a drink and that dish at the bar. The Carne Cruda was some of the best raw steak I have ever had. Highly recommend if you're looking for a fancy dinner with absolutely exceptional flavors! Worth the money for sure!

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.

I went to Lost Letter to celebrate my birthday. Everything from the food to the ambiance to the service was impeccable. Every dish we ate was sheer perfection. The service was courteous, welcoming & attentive. Our server made sure our dining needs were met & even acknowledged me being there for my Birthday by providing a scrumptious gelato for dessert. This was my second visit to Lost Letter. I look forward to a very long & satisfying culinary experience with each future visit.

I'm going to say it loud and clear: APPS and BREAD! The ambience is beautiful, quaint...perfect for a date night or girls outing at the bar. The homemade focaccia and sourdough alone are worth the trip. The cocktails were perfectly crafted as well - highly recommend the passion fruit & rum (forgot the name). Main courses leave much to be desired. I might recommend the beef cheeks, but it's a toss up. The risotto was overcooked a bit and chef was a little heavy on the liquid smoke. I'm guessing it must have been a day, bc anybody that can make focaccia like that has gotta have some real skills! The brassica dish (please don't order if you aren't familiar with the terms brassica or cruciferous, you'll be disappointed to learn it's cauliflower & broccoli) almost got sent back. It looked exactly like the Trader Joe's bags of cauliflower at the front of the store - which I cook almost nightly for my children bc it's quick, easy to add flavor, & a quick, healthy weeknight option. I didn't even try dessert bc I was so let down...and I always leave room for dessert, but I didn't want to be disappointed any further. I'll recommend for ambience, service, antipasti, and cocktails.

My husband and I really enjoyed Lost Letter. The menu is smaller, but the food was delicious. We got the Rock Fish, Pork Shank and the Knife cut pasta to share. It was all great. The restaurant looks similar to how it did when it was Longoven. Ironically, I think my husband and I sat in the same spot. I think it is a good change to Lost Letter as the meals are more abundant and affordable vs when they were serving Longoven's menu. Can't wait to go back and check out their change in menus.

Everything handmade, exceptional atmosphere and flavors. Exceeds expectations every time. Exceptional service and wine pairings as well. In my mind, the best restaurant Richmond has to offer.

A cute restaurant in Scott's Addition. It's very small so I highly recommend making a reservation, otherwise you might not get in. The service is good. I just sat at the bar and got a cocktail but it was delicious!

Lost Letter was an absolute treat. First, the restaurant is gorgeous. Very vibey - you almost forget you're in Richmond. I started with the fried olives. Perfection! I'm not even an olive fan! It was perfectly breaded and fried. Super crispy! I got the rockfish as my main. I was a little shocked at the portion but it was the right amount. The skin on the fish was perfectly crisp. While the rockfish was still meaty and moist. For dessert, I got the bunet which was rich but not overwhelming. The bartender recommended a drink to go with the dessert. I sat at the bar and had a great time with the bartenders. They were great! Friendly but not overwhelming. They made amazing recommendations and interacted with the bar patrons. Really great experience! Can't wait to go back!

One word: Ragu. I'm not even a big meaty pasta fan, but their Ragu with knife cut pasta is off-the-charts delightful. I've been twice in the past couple of weeks, and I've loved that dish the most both times. Lost Letter is housed in the Longoven space. They have a small interior plus the patio; I've dined inside both times but the patio looks really pretty. Service was great both visits too; both servers were friendly and helpful with the menu. For drinks, I've had the self-care cocktail, which I didn't love, and the Menabrea blonde lager, which was okay. It's cool that they have some basic Italian beers on the menu. In terms of food, in addition to the amazing ragu pasta, I've also had the salad with peas, pesto and ricotta 2x (love!), the pesto pasta (pretty good but the amount of pesto was inconsistent between the two visits), and some cheese and speck dish that I do not recall the name of. It was really good, but salty! My friend and I also split the rockfish, but neither of us were impressed with it. I'd skip the main entrees and just order a selection of apps and pastas here. Don't skip the bread either, and they'll bring olive oil out for it if you ask. The budino dessert was also good -- nice, light, and refreshing. I'm sure I'll be back.

Some of the best Italian food/pasta I've had in Richmond, with a wonderful ambiance - we sat outside in their garden patio. Service was great, and we shared lots of appetizers sides and a couple pastas. Worth going for a special occasion or girls night or just because!

We were greeted as soon as we walked in and were seated promptly. Tables/seating is comfortable and well spaced (I hate over crowded Tables - it is an automatic star loss) Our server was friendly and knowledgeable taking the time to answer our questions. Regularly filled our water glasses. Food came out pretty fast and is plated nicely Appropriate value for homemade, fresh ingredients What we ate: Tajarin al Ragu - knife cut pasta piedmont ragu Agnolotti Pisselo - peas, ricitta Agnolotti, spec broth Carotta Arosstitti - roasted carrots with romesco sauce Spumoni Cake Other notes: Beautiful garden area, Unisex bathrooms, they take resy reservations My star rating rationale: +1 Service +1 Food~Taste/flavor/quality +1 Presentation +1 Atmosphere/vibe +1 Value

What a great place to go for special occasions! We celebrated Mother's Day there and it was the perfect mix of elevated yet relaxed! The patio was so dreamy and felt like you are transported to the Mediterranean! The food was out of this world! We started out with a baked cheese starter and then had a delicious home made pasta! The servings where just right! It is also a great place to order multiple things and share as a table. The drinks where also amazing! I got the Self Care which was a gin drink with the perfect balance of floral to sweet. It was the perfect late spring drink! The only reason it has a four star rating is because though the staff was absolutely lovely, it did take a while to get orders and food! It definitely didn't change the fact that it was an overall great experience and I can't wait to go back!

Lost letter was recommended to me for my first year anniversary dinner with my boyfriend at the time in early 2024. We had their special wine and the food was amazing. I had the roast chicken dish. The bread and olive oil appetizer were yummy. The restaurant provided an intimate spot for a special occasion.

Decided to give this a try with a friend on a whim. You are met with a modern dining room lay out and bar when you enter. They have a nice garden patio as well and in the back was an open kitchen area. We didn't have a reservation and snagged a seat at the bar on a Thursday evening. The service at the bar was pleasant but a little slow. We started with a couple antipasti and bread and olive oil. The bread was nice because they gave you two different types of bread. For entrees we tried the pork shank which was phenomenal and the bucatini with clams. The bucatini was a little bland and soupy for me. Great date night spot and overall the food was great.

Excellent service and food. Everything we had was well balanced and delicious; portions were perfect, (really not sure why so many reviews mentioned the portions as an issue). If the meal was $20 less I would be back often. Definitely worth a visit.

Just an amazing experience. @lostletterrva , thank you for the fantastic date meal experience today. Both @jackieestherj loved every bite. A culinary dance, in a beautiful restaurant with world class, attentive service and the highest professionalism. Team @lostletterrva , I salute you. Very reasonable value for the quality and execution. Go there. I'd rather they become too busy for my last minute resy but be successful as a business, than they go away. RVA, we need to support places like this. L-R: Octopus Carpaccio. Perfectly cooked with perfect herbed olive oil, marigold, chives. Prosciutto di Parma, black mission figs, marigold. Pappardelle with pork & beef bolognese. Pork shank over polenta.

Lost Letter may be the best restaurant in Richmond. We've visited three times with different people, and the restaurant always performs. Service has been impeccable, the perfect mix of friendly and professional. We have yet to have a disappointing dish. On a recent visit, grilled octopus, rockfish and pork shank were all standouts. The wine list is excellent, offering interesting selections from affordable to top end. Cool space with understated ambiance...

A cute restaurant in Scott's Addiction. Reservations are necessary as the place is small. A lot of staff so service is strong. Limited selection of wine by the glass, four choices, sparkling, white, rose and red. $14 a glass which is steep. A large selection of wine by the bottle. The cocktails looked great and seemed to be what most people ordered. We opted to just have a drink at the bar since the menu wasn't enticing to one of my friends. Great for a foodie, not great for picky eaters. Everything smelled great.

Lost letter is a sweet little spot. A sophisticated yet simple and welcoming vibe is found once you open the door. While in Lost Letter you feel as if you are in a different world where you can find a bit of peace, ease and relaxation either enjoying a solo meal at the bar or a dinner with close friends and family at the tables. The staff are all very kind, attentive and welcoming. The food is great and overall I enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the anchovy dish in the salsa verde with fresh bread for dipping and look forward to trying other things on the menu. I was looking forward to the bucatini with the meyer lemon sauce but was underwhelmed as it wasn't as flavorful as imagined and at the moment can't compete with Bar Mezzana's exceptional lemon and prosciutto spaghetti which so far is one of the few restaurants that can make a simple lemon sauce pasta, a standout dish on a menu. The wine and cocktails list is great yet I wish they had a few more options for Lambrusco over just serving it from the can. Overall very pleased and will return to see how this restaurant continues to flex their innovative dishes.

This restaurant is expensive for the sake of being expensive. This was one of the most expensive restaurants that I have been to in years, and my wife left hungry. The quality of the food did not match the price. The beef tartare was enjoyable. I had the braised pork shank, which had an ok portion size, but lacked flavor. My wife had the Agnolotti for $28. Please see the comically small portion size in the photo below. The tiramisu was ok, but wasn't boozy enough for my taste. We will not be back.

I have been given a gift certificate to go to this restaurant so we went in with a very open mind and not too worried about cost. The atmosphere is fantastic! It's sort of has a speakeasy to it although from the outside, it would be very easy to walk right past it and not see it. He definitely want to know where you are going. We arrived a little early and so the dinner crowd had not yet filtered in. We had a very attentive server who checked on us multiple times during the dinner and we were able to get out in a reasonable amount of time after finishing up. Now, the food! We started with an olive dish that I had never had before. The olives were fried, and there was a Gorgonzola spread on the container that the olives were presented with. Delicious! For the second course, we had an appetizer that was some sort of Barada cheese wrapped in spec served on a grilled piece of focaccia bread. Also delicious and very rich! For the main course, I had the rockfish over top of black rice and fennel sausage and my spouse had a pasta that had lemon and pinenuts with it. Both were delicious and well flavored. The lemon was a little odd at first, but once you dialed it in. The pasta was quite good. The total bill for the food mentioned above as well as a glass of wine was about $115. Perhaps little pricey, but for a special night out, I would definitely come back. We are so fortunate in Richmond to have such a vibrant food scene, and I hope that people will continue to get out there and support their local chefs!

Absolutely fantastic fresh pats, slow cooked meats, and ambiance. Solid cocktails and an impressive wine list elevate the experience. Easily the best Italian food in Richmond.

A fancy little dinner spot tucked away in the heart of Scott's addition. We love to come here for a special occasions. The service is top-notch and the food is delicious. A must try if you like fancy dinner spots in Richmond!

I was very excited to try this restaurant after all of the reviews that I've seen. I was sorely disappointed. My husband and I had the Burrata for an appetizer, and that was very tasty. I had the Halibut for an entree, and I didn't care for it. I didn't realize it was spicy, and I do NOT like spicy. My husband had the pork shank and said it was ok. My daughter had the lemony pasta and it was again, ok and a little small in portion for the price. My son had the pork shank and wasn't impressed, and his wife's portion of Agnolotti for $28 was absolutely a joke. My husband kept saying that it had to be a joke that this was considered an entree. He kept expecting someone to come out with a nice large bowl. It was less than a cup of soup that you get for an appetizer at any other restaurant. I really enjoyed the tiramasu. Sorry, I'm a foodie and I won't ever return.

We were sat outside in 30 degree weather. We were freezing. The waitress was super sweet though. Our special night was not as special as we hoped it to be.

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!

I was very excited to try out this new restaurant but unfortunately i had a very sub par experience. Alexus was our server and one could say she was very lack luster... I don't usually write below average reviews but i felt a need to give my feedback. Two of my friends were told that we needed to get out of the bathroom when we were only in there a few minutes, and i wasn't aware there was a bathroom time limit... interesting. In general the employees seem a little rigid and uninviting, the food was alright and it was cute inside. Eat before you arrive.

service is everything in an industry like this and lost letter doesn't have it. We had an unforeseen circumstance of a delay in travel and called to let them know we couldn't make the reservation and they still charged us $100 and said they don't make exceptions to their policy. At the end of the day, exceptions can always be made and the host continues to treat us with negativity and a lack of understanding. The cancellation fee is not a make or break for keeping the restaurant open, but their decision to not make things right is definitely a deterrent from wanting to go back. And people should be aware of that.

The experience here is always top notch. From service to food to ambience. I personally love sitting near the bar or on their outdoor patio space. However, sitting in the main dining room is really fun to see the chefs at work. Food is outstanding and interesting flavors without being too crazy or unaccessible. You MUST get the bread, it is fantastic! Some nights that have a sommelier on staff, I don't drink but what a nice touch for those that do! You will not be disappointed coming here.

We decided to try Lost Letter on a Saturday evening before a concert. Even though we were running a few minutes behind our reservation, the hostess was so gracious and made us feel unhurried. The food was delicious and we opted to try a few different things to share. The grilled focaccia with baked la tur cheese wrapped in speck was outstanding. Gooey and delicious! We moved on to a delicate short rib ravioli which was beautifully presented and so flavorful. For our main we chose the pork shank and it didn't disappoint! In hindsight we chose 3 pretty hearty dishes to share with nary a salad or green veggie in sight, but everything was delish and we can't wait to come back. Our only note would be the service was a bit too relaxed, especially when we knew we had a tighter timeframe to make our event. Tho in an era where you're often made to feel rushed, was nice not to be hurried. Note to self, come back on a night when you can take your time and enjoy!

We walked in and there was a line for tables but multiple bar seats open. I asked the group of standing patrons if they were waiting for table or bar, all of which they said they were waiting for a table so I assumed bar seats were first come first serve (as most are) and started walking towards them. At that point I was almost physically pushed back by the host who told me I needed a reservation whether it be bar or table. He was exceptionally rude and made feel incredibly unwelcome as if I had done something wrong by assuming open seats were available but NOT for ME. I've heard amazing things about the food and beverage at this place but based on this experience I would NEVER go back and would not recommend.

We stumbled upon Lost Letter almost by accident. We walked in and were easily able to get a table on a Friday night. The tables in the back have a beautiful view of the kitchen and then have full length glass walls looking out onto the patio. The food was good, but not the best I have ever had. The pasta was a little bit tough but the sauce had great flavor. I would come back.

My gf and I went a few weeks ago and it was wonderful!! I highly recommend getting a reservation though, we luckily went on a whim and they had 2 seats at the bar. The service was great and food came out on time. The ambiance is dark if you like that kind of thing. We ordered the chickory salad and tartar. Both were expectational! For my entree she got the lasagna and I got the beef cheeks. Mine was sooo delicious and tender. We also got the tiramisu and highly recommend getting that as well! Definitely must try place!!

Ambience was great, overall service was friendly however, portions are very misleading and incredibly tiny (even though the server said it would be filling) 8 pieces of tortellini for $28! We left hungry. Flavor pairings of the dishes was somewhat refreshing and unique but still lacked a lot of seasoning. You'll have to spend overall 200 to be full here.

Very expensive for what you get . Sat at one of the worst tables by front door . Service just ok . Ordered the bread which was delicious . Beef tar tar was salsa consistency with two pieces of bread to dip in . Pasta dish tiny for $28 . My son was still starving . Ordered soft shell crab special . Was full of crab meat but very bland ! No flavor . Left paying $260 for three people Nd husband and son still hungry . Go somewhere else . Difficult menu without many choices !

Everything. The manager seems to be in over his head. And my apologies. I meant to type "wait person" in my review.

Food was ok but not great. Very expensive. Portion size was small to ok except for one in our party of 5. $28 dish that could have been consumed in one large bite. $420 + tip for 5 people.

If you're looking for Italian fine dining this is the spot. Sampled lots of the antipastos and pastas. Worth the splurge for a special occasion dinner.

Our experience here was certainly better than Longoven. We didn't leave hungry! The starter courses were the highlight. The calamari was bright, fresh but had a really nice depth of flavor. A sardine and pepper dish went nicely with the focaccia bread. The Ragu was beautiful but a little under seasoned for me. My wife had a monstrous pork shank which was tender and delicious. Two things kept this from being great. #1. They have very few wines by the glass. For instance only 1 glass of white wine and 1 glass of red. The bottle list looked ok but what if you want white and the wife wants red? I can't recall another nice restaurant ever having such a spartan list. #2. The service is very cold/clinical. Everyone is polite and professional but it makes the experience feel lacking in personality. Overall I would consider going back but rank this below favorites like Lemaire, Stella's, l'opposum, Grisette. The food is on par of a place like Shagbark but that place has a killer wine list and friendly, happy waitstaff.

What a great Italian concept restaurant in the front of the Longoven space. A nice menu of Italian cuisine with a mix of pasta, meats, poultry and fish. All the food we ordered was well prepared and very tasty. The pasta portions might be considered on the smaller side. The special spumoni cake dessert was huge and tasty but it was $15. There's a full bar and a decent wine list as well with some Italian beers. The host greeted us immediately and brought us to our table with menus. The server soon followed with some water and was very pleasant. Our food order was spaced out nicely so we did not feel rushed or left stranded. The dining areas are very stylish, spaced properly and comfortable. The patio is super nice and it doesn't even seem like it's outside, very classy and cozy. There's street parking and since it was a Sunday there was no issue finding a spot. This was a good experience and will probably return to explore more of the menu.

From start to finish what an amazing experience! The food and spectacular and the drinks were out of this world. Felt like you were in a michelin star restaurant.

What a great combination of ambience and food. Staff were extremely professional and everything was very well paced. The food was really good too!

My friends and I made a reservation, but were seated 30 minutes after. They did give us water and allowed us to order drinks while waiting for our table. The waitress was very kind and attentive. The beef tartare and the burrata cheese were delicious. I ordered the Tajarin Al Ragu (pasta) and it was a bit bland for me, especially with the price point of ~$20. We also ordered the roasted chicken and braised pork shank which were okay. The roasted chicken was attractive but was nothing impressive or memorable. The braised pork is pretty heavy and I recommend ordering greens or salad on the side to balance it out. The limoncello tiramisu was pretty sour which I really liked but my friends thought the sourness did not match the tiramisu. We sat in the patio area which was very nicely decorated and aesthetic. Overall, great date place to go to and is well-decorated inside. Though, for the price point of the food with mediocre tasting, I probably won't go back. It's a modern spin on Italian food, but I think I just prefer more authentic Italian food.

Great food, atmosphere, and service. Attention to details and just all around a great place! Finally some quality in Richmond. It's so hard to find a place that does all three well. I definitely recommend this place!

Best meal I've had in Richmond in quite a while. Felt like I was in Europe. From the greeting at the front (getting us a table inside due to quick thinking regarding a no-show), to the sommelier, to the waitstaff all were warm, attentive and professional. Complimentary anniversary sparkling wine was a nice touch. Amazing wine list & recco. Cocktails invective and delicious. Vibe was cool but not too cool. Meal, presentation, quality and flavor amazing. 2 people can easily rack up over a $300 bill but I'd you're ready to splurge it's worth it. Only ding would be the chicken which was nice but a bit too salty. Depending on your income level Lost Letter is a splurge but a memorable one. Pretty darn spectacular.