Bottega Bistro
What People Are Saying About Bottega Bistro
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Tucked into a nondescript shopping center on Hugenot Road, Bottega's exterior doesn't cry "upscale eatery." Instead, it's the unique Italian food with a Mediterranean twist that keeps diners coming back. The casual dining area doesn't intimidate--and if you can score a table on the outdoor patio, you're in for a great dining experience.
What to Order
Yes, it's Italian, but you're missing out if you stick with plain pasta. Instead, opt for something like the chicken saltimbocca ($14.95) or the Caribbean spiced tuna ($17.95). The wood-fired pizzas are also excellent here.
Wine List
Bottega offers a full single-priced wine list; order by the glass or by the bottle. Champagne and dessert wines are also available.
Romance Factor
Excellent Italian food, wine, patio dining: It all makes for the perfect date destination. This won't be a cheap date, mind you, but the meal is worth it.
User Reviews
mmchen
September 24, 2008
I've never understood why this restaurant is still in business....this restaurant is overpriced and has poor service and bad food (let me emphasize bad food). The only enjoyable aspect of my experience was the dining atmosphere. However, I would not let this even be a reason to eat at this restaurant. There are plenty of other good Italian restaurants in Richmond to visit...
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annapurna5
June 29, 2008
We called ahead for reservations for a party of 6 for a young mans birthday. No one made any reference when we arrived or during the course of the evening. The service was horrible with the exception that after dinner, I asked for an espresso and was told that the machine was broken, the waitress snuck next door to Ruth's Chris and got me a cup. The food was forgettable if not downright inedible, and at these price points, it had better be memorable. We dine frequently at some of the best establishments from Washington to Savannah, and this is NOT one of them. I have had better pasta at an Olive Garden.
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hungrydrummer
June 11, 2008
Long story short, my wife and I head out to Bottega to have our first real meal out with our ten month old son. Couple glasses of wine, a basket of really chewy bread but fairly good service. Had the Calamari to start....huge portion, average quality. She orders the stuffed chicken off the regular menu and I decide on the $28 pork plate off the "Chef's Specials" page.....gotta be good right, the chef personally recommends it. So it turns out the pork is pieces of pork butt, AKA pork shoulder. The same cut people use to make pulled pork BBQ. A very tough, very fatty and very cheap cut if not the cheapest cut on the pig. There was more fat on the plate then meat and it was incredibly under seasoned. The dish was accompanied by a mound of again average mashed potatoes and a cluster of overcooked vegetables. Now I'm no chef but I have spent many a weekend slow smoking countless pork butts with much, much better results. My gripe.....if you're gonna charge people $28 for a pork dish either serve them a better cut of meat or tell them up front they're gonna get a plate of fat with cafeteria quality sides. On the way out we noticed everyone else was eating pizza. Maybe they'd tried the pork before as well?
read full reviewThe Details on Bottega Bistro
One of Richmond's Best:
Nominated for Best Italian Restaurant and Best Trendy Spot for its unique menu and outdoor dining area.
Reservations:
Suggested for big parties.
What to Wear:
Casual to dressy.
Noise factor:
Some noise, but not conversation-stopping.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Cash, Discover, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard
