03/29/07

Feel and price of a trattoria, food of an osteria. Truly a diamond in the rough.

by longestjd

I have eaten there several times as I have lived within walking distance. I have never had a single bite at this restaurant which I would consider average.

Its only been 2 weeks since I have come back to Richmond from Villa delle Fornaci in Rome, and it is as genuine as you will experience here (though it isnt closed between 2pm and 7pm).

When you go, get the 6 course meal ($48 per person I think), and get a bottle of wine. Dont expect to be rushed your food. Its not the olive garden, its more traditional Italian paced, where the meal is the nights entertainment. After dessert, when you think your going to explode from all the food, get some grappa, its a digestivo, and is good for stomach.

If you want fast service, hot buttery prefrozen bread sticks, and egg noodles with ketchup and garlic salt... go to olive garden. Im going back to amici, getting my 6 course meal, and getting surprised by the delicious meal the chef created for me, and I'll be delighted as the waiter explains the amazing things Im tasing.

• Pros: The entire experience
• Cons: I dont get to go enough

12/14/05

The locals must be crazy!

by tgetten

We had dinner at Amici in a large group recently and the food went from average, to bad, to terrible. The service was sub-par with the waiters carrying around sarcastic attitudes all night and the food being some of the worst I've experienced. Avoid the steak, pasta, and the panna cotta (sp?). Avoid at all costs.

08/18/05

Best Italian in Richmond

by tgmhoo

Food consistently above average; Service delightful; "whole package" well worth the valu -- love it when it's not freezing or sweltering hot b/c the patio is super!

08/17/05

Never a bad meal

by richmond83

I've eaten here numerous times and have not once had a bad meal. I highly recommend the tasting dinner if you have time, the chef is very good at matching courses to make outstanding dinners.

• Pros: Scrumptious
• Cons: Parking

07/15/04

Dont waste your time or money

by khall1234

This place is horrible. On our last 2 visits saw an older italian man who I am assuming is the owner yelling at the employees while this one lady sat behind the bar doing absolutely nothing but walk in circles and order the other employees around. This ruins an experience, I don't care how good or authentic they claim the food to be. I wouldn't go back again and will tell everyone I know to stay away, I do not feel that people who treat their bread and butter, their employees, this way deserve to be in business.

• Pros: none

05/24/04

Perfect Italian Resturant

by cptsternn

Quite possibly one of the best Italian resturants in Virginia. They offer traditional Italian fare along with a grand atmosphere. Perfect for a date or for a few drinks with your collegues after work. I loved eating on the heated patio and was impressed with their wine selection. You can't go wrong anytime you visit here, in the heart of Carytown - along side the best shops in the city.

• Pros: Excellent food, Excellent service, Excellent location

04/19/04

Not La Grotta but same people

by uvachief

I think the same people that own La Grotta also own this Italian restaurant. For some reason, the food tastes better at La Grotta. Ambience is a little better here I think. Can't lose with either one. Skip Cafe De Annoying and come here or La Grotta.

• Pros: Food, Ambience

08/18/03

Northern Italian gives new meaning to a night in Carytown.

by Contributor

The Scene
Settle in for regional Italian at this unassuming Carytown townhouse. Muted shades, subtle artwork and a totally professional staff provide a quiet background for stunning food and presentation. Expect close quarters-- but the payback is having a peek at the composed, beautifully garnished plates as they arrive from the kitchen.

The Food
Carlo and Antonio perfected their talents in small Italian villages and DC's finest restaurants before opening shop in Richmond. The bread basket (three choices, baked in-house) paves the way for a simple but superb dining experience. Grilled Portobellas have a layer of fragrant basil and melted Fontina cheese, the veal chops, rack of lamb and roasted quail (stuffed with sausage) are all presented with fragrant branches of herbs and fresh flowers. Choose between six different pasta dishes (homemade fettuccini with mixed wild mushroom ragout). For a sweet finale, the Cr?me Carmel amazingly outshines the Tiramisu.

• Pros: romantic spot

11/11/02

Not worth it

by kitybear

I've had great Italian food, and this is not it! First, our server was very short with us, and forgot that we existed, even if we asked for something. When our food came, my dad had asked if he could have chicken on his pasta, and it arrived without. The waiter said that the only chicken the kitchen had was premade for another dish. So the food isn't even made as you order it, yet it takes forever?? And it was awful. I couldn't finish mine, and I'm not a picky eater. Go to La Grotta or Chianti instead! I will never go back here!

• Pros: nice atmosphere
• Cons: service, food

09/17/02

As close as you get to a 10!

by manningnc30

What can I say, INCREDIBLE! From the service to the food. Having lived in Jersey for a year and being spolied with trips to Little Italy, its impossible to give any place a 10, but this place comes oh so close. Sat outside and enjoyed a wonderful bottle of Merlot along with out dinner (linguine with crab and asparagus and a perfect salmon dish). Having made some rounds in Richmond and the outskirts this place is hands down the best around. Even with a $35 bottle of wine, the tap was $100 with the tip...now if only I coould live without the wine and its an inexpesive date...naw, well worth every dime!

• Pros: perfect protions, great service, wine list is A+