Lara's Fine Dining — Restaurant in Richmond

Oh, my dear friends, allow me to regale you with my delightful experience at Lara's Fine Dining in Richmond, California, a true hidden gem nestled on the water's edge, graciously overlooking the picturesque Marina Bay. One could scarcely imagine a more splendid setting for an evening of indulgence.

From the moment you step through the opulent doors, you are transported to a world of sophistication and refinement. The decor exudes an air of timeless elegance, reminiscent of the bygone era of high society gatherings.

Now, let us talk about the pièce de résistance – the cuisine. Lara's offers an exquisite fusion of American flavors with a healthy dose of sumptuous seafood. I must admit, my taste buds danced with delight as I savored the delectable calamari, perfectly crispy and bursting with flavor. It was but a prelude to the culinary symphony that followed. Each dish that graced our table was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece. The artistry in the kitchen is truly commendable.

And let us not forget the libations! The bar at Lara's boasts a wondrous array of cocktails and wines, ensuring there is something to satisfy every palate. The mixologists are truly skilled artisans, and I would recommend sampling their creations to enhance your dining experience.

Now, a unique and charming touch that Lara's offers is the dessert tray, elegantly wheeled to your table. It makes choosing the perfect ending to your meal an effortless pleasure. It's a sweet, decadent crescendo to your evening.

However, I must mention a minor quibble. The parking lot, oh dear, it's rather snug, almost too small to accommodate both Lara's Fine Dining and the neighboring restaurant. Be prepared to exercise a bit of patience as you navigate this small inconvenience.

To top off an already enchanting evening, the entertainment was simply divine. A pianist and singer serenaded us with timeless classics, adding a touch of melodious magic to the atmosphere.

In conclusion, Lara's Fine Dining is an exquisite haven for those who appreciate the finer things in life. The stunning waterside location, delectable cuisine, well-crafted drinks, and the overall ambiance create a truly unforgettable experience. I can only encourage you, my fellow connoisseurs, to bask in the splendor of Lara's and elevate your evening to one of sophistication...

We dined at Lara’s Fine Dining for the first time, and upon entering, we were greeted by a nice atmosphere complemented by live singing. However, the main female host appeared less than cheerful, leaving us uncertain about whether to follow her for seating or wait for further instructions. We opted to follow her lead and were seated at a lovely spot with a view of the bay.

As we settled in, we noticed waitstaff bustling around, attending to other tables while completely overlooking us, despite our proximity. After about 15 minutes, we decided to call over a waiter, only to be met with a disgusting and disturbing look directed at my husband that felt discriminatory. Ironically, the staff were fellow Latinos, and the disdainful glance suggested that my husband’s presence at the restaurant was unwelcome. This left a bitter impression, and I suggested leaving, but he wanted to stay, so we persevered.

When I lifted my napkin from my glass, I was dismayed to find dust inside. I brought it to someone’s attention, but my concern was dismissed. The only bright spot was Marcus, a waiter who was genuinely kind and attentive but unfortunately wasn’t our waiter. Eventually, another staff member took our order, and while the food was satisfactory, the real letdown came with the salmon entrée, which was poorly prepared. I attempted to locate our original waiter but had to summon another to return the dish for proper cooking. Upon its return, it was evident that it had likely been microwaved, as the presentation remained unchanged. Disappointed, I chose not to eat it.

When the meal concluded, we faced another long wait just to settle the bill, giving the impression that the staff was indifferent and simply eager to finish their shifts.

In summary: Location and view: 5 stars Food: 3 stars Cleanliness: 3 stars Service: 1 star

Overall, I would rate our experience as 2 stars. A considerable enhancement in staff quality is necessary at this location and discrimination must be eliminated. It is deeply disrespectful to look down upon your own...

I can't say enough how impressed I am with this place has the most clean friendly atmosphere I've ever experienced! The service is absolutely amazing here! When I first walked up the lady was extremely kind and gave us the entire tour of the restaurant and gave us a little Back stories and names of each rooms. We found an amazing seat by three open Windows next to a fireplace overlooking the water and sailboats absolutely breathtaking. We ordered the Catch of the Day and the crab shrimp raviolis and we couldn't eat them fast enough so unfortunately I couldn't even take pictures. We tried several cocktails that were extremely professionally made perfectly Blended. If I could give this place 10 Stars I will give it 20 Stars. I will definitely be coming back to this place as much as I possibly can I am new to the area and this is hands down my favorite place! Everyone here was extremely professional and friendly when we came to dessert time they rolled up with an extremely beautiful well-designed organized cart with all the options for desserts freshly made so you can see exactly what you're getting my mind was absolutely blown at this point they also had absolutely great recommendations that I took each and every one of them and was extremely impressed with all of them. I highly recommend bringing anyone here from kids to family to loved ones you will not be disappointed can't wait to come here at night before they have a beautiful light displays all around the restaurant.

Also in this review I want to give a huge shout out to our waiter Alex who was an absolute pleasure! This guy must live and breathe find on him because I was extremely impressed with his professionalism and presentation! He was able to give us the best recommendations some stuff was not even on the menu! This was our first time and this guy blew my expectations out...