Lemaire — Restaurant in Richmond

This will be an in-depth review of my husband's birthday dinner at Lemaire from beginning to end! Making the reservation was easy and I put in the notes that it was my husband's 30th birthday, which I was pleasantly surprised that it was printed at the top of the menu! There is not a requirement to put a card to hold the reservation on OpenTable. Parking was easy on a side street, though I do believe there is valet parking for a fee. The restaurant is on the right side as soon as you walk in through the main entrance. The Jefferson Hotel is remarkably stunning in its own right and is worth the visit all on its own. The restaurant follows this same genuine beauty in everything from lighting, architecture, decoration, cleanliness, et cetera. Top notch restaurant atmosphere. We were seated promptly by a window seat, which proved to be really chilly throughout dinner as it was quite cold outside. Although the candle on the table was really pleasant, we moved it away as the odor from it was making us quite nauseous. There was a large party in the room that was being really, really loud and as the music was so quiet and the space provides supporting acoustics, this was a little cumbersome. Our waiter, I think his name was Detaun?, was not personable in any way throughout our dinner. Every interaction felt rushed and unpleasant. Having both worked in the food service industry, we are incredibly understanding that food service workers can have some of the toughest jobs. We were polite and patient, but I do feel as though his demeanor was quite uncaring. He spilled water and ice pouring into my glass onto the table and floor and did not mention it or apologize. We asked for wine recommendations for pairing with our entree, and it felt bothersome. It was really a downer on what was quite the expensive and special dinner. The food was extraordinary. The crab cake appetizer was absolutely divine. The risotto was delicious, though we felt the sunflower seeds on top were very misplaced even from a texture standpoint. The scallop entree was some of the best food we have ever tasted. We did sub fingerling potatoes for cauliflower, which the kitchen was able to accommodate. The barnyard burger was incredible, however the collard greens were VERY salty (and I tend to like my food on the saltier side). In contrast, the Mac and cheese could have easily used some sort of seasoning as I felt it was really bland. The crumb on top seemed thrown on. The desert was literally out of this world and you must save room for dessert! For two appetizers, one glass of wine, two entrees, one side, and dessert, including tip, we spent $190.00. You could definitely get away with spending less, but you might leave hungry! Servings are delectable, but small. A pleasant experience all in all, though service does leave a lot to be desired. What service lacked, we feel the meal...

What a horrid experience dining at the Jefferson Restaurant last night with a group of wealthy Filipino women. When paying a $600 tab you'd think a better dining experience would be warranted. The manager, I believe her name was Melissa, was extremely abrasive,aggressive and unprofessional. Not only was the food bland, but the racial undertone of the other guest dominated our groups right to an enjoyable and comfortable evening. Being caucasian myself, on the way out of the restaurant I was accosted by an older blonde woman who confronted me and said, "You people, take to many pictures and it's quite telling what type of people you are and where you came from" Taken back by the comment, and I stated back, "Obviouly class and tack are not part of yours".

While leaving, I stopped to tell Melissa that I do not appreciate the undertone of the other guest and the manner in which she spoke to our group. Immediatly, she at face value, took the racial side of the complaining older white woman, as of the Asian minority status of my group deligitimized our position and right to a enjoyable evening.

I paid the measly $200 tab for the racially biased guest and left a note that stated, "Obviously class is not in your forte." Maybe our group was taken for illegal Latino's or some cheap one night out on the town club hoppers... but this could not be further from reality. Then again, sometime "you (us) people..." need a night out as well.

1 Star is a gracious considering the disgusting display of ostracized demeanor by the Manager and the wait staff. If someone is dining in the restaurant again, beware of the person in the photo. She does not particularly care of people...

We have been going to Lemaire for 20+ years to celebrate the holidays and decorations at the Jefferson Hotel with family Unfortunately, we had a poor experience and were treated rudely by the Hostess and General Manager regarding seating. Family from out of town was visiting and booked hotel reservations for 12/21 back in August, and table(s) at Lemaire for 7 people--no availability for one table so opted for 2 tables. We were assured no problem with tables close-by/together, however on arrival we were place in 2 disparate locations in seperate rooms at opposite ends of the restaurant. We we told repeatedly by the hostess that "so busy" and booked that there we no other options. Suprisingly, there we 3 four-top tables vacant next to each table in both rooms for the entire time (5:45 until 7:30 pm), so it would have been easy to place us together. The hostess repeatedly said no other options, and the General manager also indicated "too bad" when discussed with him--they had to "protect" the wait staff and balance as they were "so busy"--I am shocked that 40% occupancy and multiple vacant tables qualifies. The general manager indicated that we were just not going to be happy--what an awful way to handle a once a year, special family time at Christmas. We will never return to Lemaire, but rather do what most people do at Christmas--walk around the Jefferson to see the decorations, and...