4. Restaurants

Lemaire Restaurant

101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA, 23220
  • (804) 649-4629
  • Store is closed

Lemaire Restaurant Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Sithara N.

    It was my boyfriend's birthday and I wanted to surprise him by going to the Lemaire; it was the first time for the both of us. The restaurant definitely lives up to its reputation of being fancy and the ambience is quite good for a romantic dinner. The server was pleasing, helpful and diligent. We were seated next to the window, with a view of Franklin street. The menu has several good items to choose from. We ordered the sushi grade ahi tuna for our appetizer - this was excellently yummy! My boyfriend ordered a Manhattan cocktail that was quite strong. We also had the blackened grouper, which was a special that night and also the jumpo sea scallops for our entrees. I must admit I would like to go back to lemaire just so I could have those scallops again. They were too scrumptious for words! The desserts looked tempting, but we were stuffed. Beside these, the other pro was that the place setting was neat and proper. Impressive. The few things that weren't quite so five-star rate - the bread they serve you - it was cold, tough and certainly not fresh. I was particularly surprised since a friend of mine had praised the bread here and it just wasn't upto par. Secondly, the server kept interrupting us every 30-45 seconds while we were there. I appreciate attentive servers, but this one hovering about our table and asking us every few moments whether we were "enjoying the first/last few bites" of our meal was ridiculous. I couldn't enjoy a good conversation. On the good side, this constant interruption did ensure full glasses of water the entire time and a refill on the bread, without having to ask for it. The bill came out to be $90 before tip. Not bad. Definitely worth the food and the ambience. The service on the whole was alright. Bottomline: Definitely worth going back for the food and the atmosphere. 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Meredith B.

    Dinner here was a joint gift from myself and my siblings to our father one Christmas, and one day, I will make it back. A love of food is unquestionably one of the traits my parents cultivated in their children and it was a way of saying thank you, perhaps, with the aid of a talented chef and a lovely waitstaff. I cannot now recall everything that was ordered- there were four of us and the meal was a complete one, with appetizers and entrees and desserts, glasses of wine, cocktails and a lot of chatter. Each course came with a tiny, but perfect amuse bouche- I particularly recall the demitasse cups filled with mushroom bisque, a perfect amount as it turned out since more of the exceptionally rich stuff might have been too much for the palate, and the small plate of assorted, house-made truffles and quarter-sized tartlettes that came with dessert. It is a place worth every cent you pay and more.

    (5)

  • Jess H.

    I really really love when a venue can be classy and elegant but not at all pretentious, which is why I really really love Lemaire. We came after dinner and I had a bellini along with a lavender and vanilla creme brulee with pink sea salt and a tiny cinnamon bear claw. Yummy! And even though this would be the type of place I might expect to see a harpist plinking away in a corner, instead there was a Bulls game on the tv. Sold. On top of all that, service was phenomenal. I really look forward to coming back here again and again.

    (5)

  • Bz W.

    I've been to Lemaire a few times, and I have fond memories of the previous visits, which I'd probably give a 5. However, our latest visit was disappointing, and probably deserves 3 stars. So, I'll average them out to 4 and maybe update this at some future date when I go again. Previous experiences included dining in the great dining rooms, which have the fine dining ambiance that you are expecting for the price, and exquisite food that you also expect with the price tags on the menu. Our most recent experience included a few drawbacks that are not expected at such a high calibre restaurant. First, we had reservations for 10, which we made 2 months in advance; but, when we arrived, they had the reservation for only 2 people. This could be a case of a noisy phone call, however, when making the reservation we asked for the largest reservation possible, which they said was 10. So to me, this was a significant mistake, and we were not comp'ed in any way for the extra wait. We also were sat in the bar area, which is just not the same dining experience as the side dining rooms. Once we were sat, the service was very good. We had somewhat of an indecisive group, and this did not phase the waitress. While we were waiting for our table, I had a mint julep, and it was clear in color. This was odd to me, and when I tasted it it was clear to me (pun intended) that it was mostly simple syrup. I don't usually get cocktails, but I figured Lemaire would be able to do a mint julep well; I was wrong. I had a bisque to start and my date had a beet salad, and both were great and met expectations. For the main course I had the crab cakes and she had a salmon dish (both right around $30). They were both very good, and others at the table were raving about the dishes. However, I thought the crab cake dish portions left a lot to be desired, and I wasn't blown away by the taste enough to make up for that fact. At this point, I was a little disappointed and didn't opt for dessert. However, my date got a ($11) coffee with amaretto, which was good, but nothing special. I had never been to Lemaire with a large group, and the rest of the party appeared to enjoy the meal, but I probably won't go back unless it's with a smaller party.

    (4)

  • Denise T.

    I agree with some yelpers who say this is not a place for the under 30 crowd. My girlfriend and I are definitely foodies. She took me to Lemaire for my birthday. We are new to Richmond and wanted to try out the best Richmond has to offer. The food and cocktails were definitely delicious; however, the atmosphere was a bit "stuffy" for our taste. I ordered macaroni and cheese assuming I was going to be disappointed, but it was amazing.

    (4)

  • Neill C.

    Lemaire is just a wonderful all-around experience. From hostess to final check, this is the way that restaurants should treat customers. I can't add much to what other's have written. The food was excellent, our wait staff great, wonderful wine list, local foods all over the menu, and a very class and elegant setting. This is clearly one of Richmond's finest, a splurge for sure but worth the money for a special meal. I was afraid I would be disappointed because of the build-up, but Lemaire delivers the goods.

    (5)

  • Edward O.

    Many of us truly enjoyed the "old" LeMaire, but to be honest, it was pricey. The Jefferson's makeover hits a home run: virtually same great food but much more affordable. And they brought that to their wine list, which is both extensive and reasonably priced. And the new bar area is lively with talented and engaging bartenders!

    (5)

  • Christin C.

    If you want to sample the restaurant Lemaire at the Jefferson but don't want to break the bank I suggest going during their happy hour. It happens Monday thru Friday, 4pm to 7pm, and they have a late night happy hour from 10pm-11pm. They have a deal 3 apps for $20. The apps are slightly smaller than the regularly priced apps but you still get a great portion. They also have drink deals throughout the week, each day of the week has a different happy hour special, check them out on their website. Another deal they have started is fried chicken Tuesdays. On Tuesday night, (until the fried chicken runs out) for 19.99 you get a salad course, then a Fried chicken dinner with collard greens and mashed potatoes and then banana pudding for dessert. I haven't tried this deal yet but it's on my list. :) I went to happy hour the other night with a friend. We did the 3 for 20 and ordered the BBQ quesadilla, the fried pickles and the pimento cheese. The quesadilla was great, had a great flavor. The fried pickles were okay, they were a bit thick and didn't have enough coating, and the coating wasn't as crispy as I thought it should be. The blue cheese dipping sauce it came with was very good! The pimento cheese was great and I would recommend trying this! They make it in house, and then it comes out surrounded by olives and with some toasted bread. The bread is great and is the perfect match to the pimento cheese. They also serve smoked peanuts and marinated olives as bar snacks and these had great flavor. We also tried 2 of their desserts and man were they good. Such nice flavor! The Almond Joy cheesecake and the Banana peanut butter pie a la Graceland are amazing! Check them out!! All the bartenders are awesome, they were so nice and attentive but without making you feel that they were hovering. The bar itself is beautiful and the seats at the bar are comfortable. They have TVs at certain spots, they aren't big TVs so if you aren't wanting to watch whatever sporting event happens to be on you won't be distracted. I love this bar and will be going back!

    (4)

  • Katherine A.

    I loved this restaurant! It was elegant, the service was great, the wine was wonderful and the food was very good. The only bad thing was that the portions were small. I would recommed it for a special occasion and I'm sure it is beautiful during the holidays. Being located in the Jefferson Hotel is a big plus! Overall it was a wonderful experience!

    (4)

  • Leah M.

    Love the bar for martinis and people watching, plus some tartar and beautiful architecture. Dinner is great before the opera and divine for intimate dinner parties. Lots of good wines for $30 - so you can enjoy all courses. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • A L.

    The Jefferson Hotel's web page shows that Lemaire won the AAA Five Diamond Award annually from 2001 through 2007 and the Mobil Four Star Award in 2001, 2002, and 2003. It hasn't won, or sought, awards from AAA or Mobil since then. The quality of the service could be a reason. The hostess coughed into her hands when she greeted us, used her coughed-into hands to grab a wine menu, coughed more into her hands as she walked us to our table, handed us the wine menu anyway without a thought, and used her coughed-into hands to remove an extra place setting from our table. She never even made a pretense of getting a tissue or handkerchief. I hope that the extra place setting was being removed to be washed rather than just put at another table. The server did a satisfactory job of helping us select a wine and explaining the evening's selections to us. She also continually interrupted our dinner conversation. Whenever she returned to our table to take our drink orders, our dinner orders, our dessert orders, or to just see how we were doing, she never once began with "excuse me." She just asked her question in a voice much louder than we were talking in to each other. One does not come to Lemaire at the Jefferson for this, especially when you have a guest that you would like to impress ("This is one of Richmond's finest restaurants," we had told him!). The server did not leave a basket of bread at the table. Instead, a separate server had the job of serving us bread, using tongs to take bread from a basket that he was holding and then placing the bread on our bread plates. A nice touch, perhaps, but because the server did not return when we needed more bread, this is more pretentious than it is a nice touch. And we ran out of butter, which was never replenished. These are signs of what separates the service in a five-star restaurant from other restaurants. The food was very good, but not excellent. Excellent food at a restaurant can make you forgive a lot of things. I remember, and miss, the old Lemaire. By the way, I'm a fan of TJ's, the other restaurant at the Jefferson. The quality of the food there is just as good, and the service there is excellent.

    (1)

  • Lisa G.

    This is THE place to go for a very special experience. You will not be disappointed. The staff takes good care of you and makes sure that your dining experience is memorable. Oh, then there's the food, of course. EVERYTHING is delicious. This place has it all. Expensive, but worth every penny.

    (5)

  • Tony H.

    Still my favorite restaurant, I have had nothing but superb dining there for years. The wine.list has improved. Local ingredients are still one of the secrets, The preparation is still wonderful. There are three other places to eat that are close, but no cigar. Pun intended. Simply a great dining experience.

    (5)

  • Alison M.

    I hit up the bar at Lemaire the other night as a stop on my personal classy night on the town bar crawl of sorts, and let me say that the Jefferson really knows how to class it up. The bar is very old worldy with strong marble columns, but the ballgame on the TV doens't go along with the James Bond vibe. The friendly, knowledgeable bartender served us up some extremely strong signature cocktails. This was great, but the one problem was that these drinks have the power to kick your butt and being sophisticated and wasted don't go together all that well. I loved that all the drinks came with an obscure history lesson. All are named after an event in the history of Richmond or the Jefferson Hotel. Very cool. Drinks at the bar are served with small plates of smoked peanuts and fancy olives. This definitively helps take the edge off a drink in a classy way. If you've never had a smoked peanut, do try. They have a really unexpected taste.

    (4)

  • Brian O.

    I brought my family here a couple of weeks ago to celebrate my wife's birthday based on Yelp reviews. I left an after hours phone message for a reservation request, which was responded to and confirmed the next day. The restaurant is in the historic Jefferson Hotel, and is a beautiful space. We were seated in a lovely dining room with high ceilings and nice trim - very traditional and comfortable, and reasonably quiet. The service was professional, friendly, and well paced. We all enjoyed our food. It was skillfully prepared, with creative use of local ingredients. We shared some appetizers, and the crab cakes were standout. The squash soup had a hint of cinnamon and was rich and smooth. We had fish, meat, and a vegetarian pasta dish, and everything was tasty. Call it "nouvelle-southern". While the prices aren't cheap, I consider it moderately priced for fine dining, and a good value. The bar was cracking, and looked like a great place to have some drinks and snacks. There is dining adjacent to the bar area. TIP 1: If you want quiet, ask for one of the side dining rooms, not a table adjacent to the bar when making the reservation. TIP 2: Arrive early, and wander around the hotel, maybe having a pre dinner cocktail at the downstairs bar, and enjoy what is a very beautiful and unique place. While I've only recently moved to the area, a couple of years ago, this was far and away the best restaurant we've visited in Richmond. Happy dining, gastronomers!!

    (5)

  • Dylan B.

    Some people might find the clientelle a bit stuffy. lots of suits and ties. lots of grey hair too. the food is excellent and the service was great. waitress had a great sense of humor. the alcohol free cocktails are excellent. the cheese platter was great. i loved the "midnight moon" cheese, goes great with the grapes that accompanied the platter. My steak was perfect, very tender and cooked exactly how I ordered it. the only small blemish is that the capuccino was a bit cold. overall, very well worth it.

    (4)

  • Joseph T.

    PREMIER! Perhaps a bit too upscale for those under 30, but for special occasions, it's pure luxury. Great professional service and I've yet to try a menu item I wasn't blown away by. The presentation is incredible. 5 star chefs. The last meal I had there included butternut squash soup and the best venison filet I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Mos D.

    Tonight I had the Charcuterie plate and a glass of Rioja so this review is only based on that. Not that it's a huge problem, but I'm pretty sure the prices on the menu don't match the prices that end up on your bill. Someone should double check that. As for the food... it was sub par. I know it's a simple charcuterie plate, but that demands more perfection than most things on the menu. One of the sausages had at least 2 chunks of bone in it. I broke a tooth in Mexico once one an unexpected bone, but I wouldn't hope for the same at Lemaire. Additionally, the items on the plate were simply boring. Mushy olives, slightly older than should be white anchovies, flavorless cabbage, over toasted bread, and sausage that required cutting but didn't come with a knife sharp enough to do anything but squish it down. All in all not happy with the plate. Atmosphere is of course nice, service was friendly however I wish it were a tad bit friendlier and not so smug (with the exception of the hostess, she was a delight.) Anyways I still prefer Juleps, Millies, or Bull and Bear over Lemaire.

    (3)

  • Barry P.

    Mostly a Happy Hour/Bar Review here folks: Little known, under advertised and awesome happy hour specials. Every weeknight is a different drink special, my personal favorite is Fridays with $5 Manhattans or Martinis. There are rumors of $10 bottle-of-wine Night-Wednesdays, but I have yet to personally confirm this. I thought they were discontinuing the 3 for $20 appetizers, but according to other recent Yelps, apparently not. A special for sure, a great way to sample the culinary skills of the Lemaire Kitchen Crew without breaking a fifty dollar bill- go Tuna Martini if you're into Sashimi. For something a little more solid try the Pimento Cheese and Banquettes. Always a great selection of cheeses for the cheese plate. I really like taking my special lady to the Lemaire Bar for an after dinner drink and desert date. If you catch the wrong night, the place could be over run with an over-entitled and over-endulged wedding party or Corporate Conference crowd. But most nights, the Bar/Lounge is quiet after 10pm, plenty of quiet nooks to lounge in, while you enjoy a great dessert and a grown up cocktail and some good conversation. Music and ambiance is perfect. As for Dinner, I always ask to sit in the "Conservatory" which is the glassed in porch that over looks Franklin Street, on the back side of the bar. A little noisier perhaps but much more to look at. The other side rooms, with names like "The Library" are too stuffy for me, and ring a little to loudly of "the Old South." The food varies from good to excellent. Chef Bundy's penchant for Meat means there will always be great fresh choices like Bison, Venison and Lamb Chops. However, the ultra fresh, and often very Local Fish is not to be overlooked either. Overall, a good place to go if you are looking to impress. Whenever we have friends visiting from out of town, we always take them to Lemaire to get a good taste of Richmond.

    (4)

  • Megan M.

    So, I went back here for my birthday dinner, so I'm giving dinner an a-okay and updating my review. As others have stated, the atmosphere here is very nice, particularly the bar. I kind of wish they'd do some more with the lighting in the dining room. It was really bright and I think a dimmer atmosphere would be nice. Service was really good, but began to lack toward the end of the meal. We ordered ports to go with our dessert, but unfortunately they arrived after we were mostly finished with the dessert. Ah well, it was good otherwise. The food: there were hits and misses. We started with the pork belly and the fois gras. The pork belly was fantastic: full of flavor served with flavorful greens and pureed butternut squash, it was an awesome starter. The fois gras: not so much. It was served with a maple custard and brandied asian pears and the flavors just didn't meld. I also just didn't love that the fois gras was served hot, when I've had it cold elsewhere, so maybe it just wasn't my thing. For our main courses, the bf got beef tenderloin. It was perfectly cooked and served with really good traditional Southern cheesy grits and creamed swiss chard. My rockfish? It was mushy and literally flavorless. Even with the very good accompanying white beans and pork plus a lot of salt and pepper, this fish couldn't be saved. I left it on my plate after about 2 bites and it was taken away without a word. We debated on dessert but decided to go for it since I thought the Jefferson had a dedicated pastry chef. Our peanut butter semifreddo may have been handcrafted, but it tasted pretty generic to us. Nothing bad, but nothing special either. The food here in all was just fine, but not what I was hoping for, especially for a special dinner. I would probably go back for some of the nightly drink specials and the 3 apps for $20 daily specials, but when selecting a special dinner I'd pick another restaurant in town.

    (3)

  • Deb N.

    I dined at LeMaire on a recent Sunday evening. The restaurant was full but not packed. Service was excellent as usual, but I was somewhat discomfited by their newly relaxed dress code. The minimum per person will be $50, and call me "old fashioned" but I'd prefer to see diners in nice clothing rather than sweat pants and t-shirts. The ambience has changed from distinctly formal to somewhat relaxed casual chic, and I was also surprised they have removed the spoonbread from their menu. This was always a personal favorite, as well as a fun food to suggest to "northerners" as a welcome to Southern style cooking. The main courses were delicious and chef Bundy should be credited with delivering an up to date interesting selection of primarily locally harvested foods. Dessert was just ok. My main suggestion would be to bring back the spoonbread and enforce some form of more respectful dress code. It is still a special event restaurant, so why not live it up and get dressed for the occasion?

    (4)

  • Jerry S.

    Was in Richmond on business; checked out my Yelp reviews, and decided to try Lemaire. Honestly, not impressed. The Fois Gras app was tiny and not as delicate as I am accustomed to. Tried the 'maple glazed pork chop' and was very disappointed. Doesn't glazing mean there is some moisture to the dish? I received a dry chop with no hint of maple, at least to my palette. Was tempted to send back, but was mollified by the excellent wine list. Had a great 2007 cab that rescued the night.

    (3)

  • Chris S.

    Classy place this is and yummy food they serves! This was fine dining at its best in Virginia in a traditional Victorian decor inside the traditional Jefferson hotel. Service was beautiful and the food was pretty darn good. The tuna compote was fresh and well seasoned and the chicken oysters were crispy good (Non-Southern folks there is no chicken in the chicken oysters...it's just a southern way of saying that they batter the oysters like a fried chicken... Hence the waitress said as a joke "why of course there is no chicken in chicken oysters"....coming from Cali who knew! I had the scallops for dinner and it was cooked to perfection which is hard to do. Lastly, they have a huge wine list....I mean pages and pages....kinda puts Cali restaurants at a shame that they have such an extensive list.

    (4)

  • Heather M.

    On the day of our wedding, almost 7 years ago, my husband and I ate at this restaurant. It was fantastic, romantic, and sentimental to us. We went back every year on our anniversary to celebrate. It was "our" spot. So when we heard it closed and went through a renovation I was upset, and scared to loose "our" spot. We recently went back for Valentines day after a 2 year break from Lemaire and it was everything I remembered. The food is wonderful, Creative, & fancy. The staff is accommodating and the atmosphere despite the renovation has not changed, It is truly Romantic & Sentimental. We will be continuing our yearly anniversary celebration at Lemaire. I recommend you try it for your next special night. .

    (5)

  • Bobbie O.

    My husband and I tried this restaurant's "early bird" special of three courses for $30. This option offered a choice of two appetizers (a soup or a salad), three entrees, and two desserts. We each chose the cream of Vidalia onion bisque for starters. The presentation was lovely: each bowl came with a dollop of bacon and crab in the middle, around which the waiter poured the soup from little pitchers. It was absolutely delicious ... very Vidalia-y. My entree was the petit filet, which I requested medium rare. I should have remembered that to a top-notch chef, medium rare is pretty darn rare, and I probably should have asked for it medium. It wasn't actually bleeding though, and it was tender and tasty, delicious actually. The accompanying garlic-buttermilk mashed potatoes and green tomato chow chow were quite good as well. My husband chose "sustainabily raised Loch Duart salmon," which was among the best salmon I have ever put in my mouth. His sides were Carolina rice "pudding" and grilled fennel. We both had lemongrass brulee for dessert, which was scrumptious. They were so big that neither of us could finish ours, which was amusing since the first and second courses were not large portions. The salmon from Scotland not withstanding, this restaurant does emphasize a farm-to-table approach, with more of its ingredients coming from local farms, which is an approach I applaud. The service was remarkable. Our waiter and bus girl were never in evidence, and yet when we finished each dish, one or the other of them was right there at our elbows! We began to think that the large mirror at one end of the room was one-way and that they were lurking behind looking just waiting to appear at the appropriate moments.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    I've been to Lemaire once on a regular dinner night, and also went to a wine-tasting. I can't remember the specific foods we ate during the wine dinner (save for sweetbreads, the first time I got to try them and they were ridiculously good) but all of it was superb and the wine pairings were flawless. As for the regular dinner experience, we started with the Foie Gras which had the perfect texture and was very tasty. We also had the beef tartare which was cool, soft, and and very flavorful. For our entrees, I had the beef tenderloin which was cooked perfectly and tasted the same, and the buttermilk potatoes it came with were done just right. My girlfriend got the sea scallops which were simply the best I've ever had. Alot of places get scallops wrong andmake them chewy, but these just melted in your mouth. The dessert was unbelievably good. We had the chocolate bread pudding and the creme brulee. I don't really know how to describe them save to say that they were the perfect ending to a phenomenal meal. The waitstaff here are very friendly and un-pretentious and are eager to ensure you have a pleasant dining experience. i'd recommend this place to anyone looking for an upscale meal in Richmond.

    (5)

  • Arlington M.

    Stayed at the Jefferson for some sightseeing and had breakfast at Lemaire as part of the History Repeating Itself package. Great food, great service, and a modern take on a historic classic! You must eat here when in Richmond! I personally recommend, for breakfast, the Spiked Brioche French Toast with Whiskey and Bourbon or the Chocolate Chip pancakes. If you like Poached eggs, theirs are very good. Try the chesapeake which has two poached eggs and a lump of crab meat! Hope the review was helpful in the planning of your dining in Richmond! Be sure to check it out!

    (4)

  • Pall A.

    I have never given 5 stars before - ever. My family took me here for my Birthday. Lemaire is quite simply top-notch. We sat at the tables behind the bar by the windows and ordered from the 3 courses for $30 menu (a little known secret from 5-6 pm). Everything was fantastic from beginning to end. The service was prompt and classic. The atmosphere is great as well. Also, parking is a breeze and they even validated!

    (5)

  • Ross T.

    Beautiful setting, exceptional food and nice wine list. Nice emphasis on local, classic-yet-innovative Southern cuisine. One of the best restaurants we've been to this year!

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    Great locally sourced food, perfectly prepared. Our attentive and knowledgeable waiter, Matt, suggested delicious wine pairings for our Rockfish and chicken dishes. Oyster starter was fresh and superb. Final bill was very reasonable. Only complaint is that the meal had to end!

    (5)

  • J H.

    Five stars for the barnyard burger alone!

    (5)

  • Brian G.

    Very upscale and a great restaurant. Excellent service and presentation but the atmosphere is a bit 'tight' as some have noted. Great spot for a special occasion as well. Food is great, I ordered the beef tenderloin with asparagus and mashed potatoes and it was all delicious. Certainly expensive, but very well worth it.

    (5)

  • Courtney R.

    A solid three-star meal, but the mad skills of the pastry chefs earn Lemaire a fourth star. Our service was great. Carlos was our server, and he was attentive and informative. I'm not a wine junkie, but the list seemed long and had a vast section of bottles under $30. Overall, Lemaire is a great bargain. My family of five does a good job of damaging daddy's wallet when we dine out and that was pretty difficult to do here. The five of us, complete with starters, cocktails and a bottle of wine, tallied up a measly bill of $366 (before tip). Lemaire's chef Walter Bundy earned his wings in regional fare as a native Virginian. He's studied under Thomas Keller (French Laundry), so the menu raises expectations---and disappointments have a higher pedestal to fall from. Keep that in mind. I ordered the cauliflower soup which was very tasty (even if the texture was a bit too thick for me) and the pork chop (accompanied by creamy mac and cheese and collard greens). The pork chop was done "coca cola bbq" style, and I must say it was delicious. The greens were great; the mac and cheese was borderline vile. My parents had the scallops--very delicious (I tried one). The cocktails are awesome, creative, southern-twisted and well-priced to boot at $8. I tried the "two grapes" and my brother had the "bee's knees," amazing with its layered flavors and smoked honey. The prom queen here was definitely the pear frangipane tart with blue cheese ice cream. Funnily enough, it was the one dessert we almost didn't order (we ordered five to try five, since there were five of us at the table.) This desert blew my mind. Everything, from the flaky pastry crust with a burst of vanilla to the anally arranged, perfectly poached pears to the face-melting blue cheese ice cream dazzled my taste buds. And not just mine--my little brother agreed this was the best dessert he's ever had. The blue cheese ice cream was delightful in that it just tasted like pure vanilla and cream until about 10 seconds after you take a bite, slowly and subtly a hint of blue cheese reveals itself, complimenting the pears ever so awesomely. We also tried the buttermilk cheesecake (average), creme brulee (above average), a peanut butter/chocolate pie (average) and the hazelnut torte (delicious). Hats off to the pastry chefs here, whoever you are. if you haven't already, you're destined to do great things in the culinary world beyond Lemaire.

    (4)

  • Barbara M.

    Really fabulous. Excellent service-- we sat in the Conservatory rather than the main restaurant. The catfish was incredible as was the calamari sofrito. Great Wine list. Draw back-- the tobacco smoked peanuts.

    (4)

  • Anh N.

    Good food, very good service. but pricey. The atmosphere is great, many young career focus people there, great place to hang out for people who are older than the college scene, but younger than the family oriented. Back to the food. The appetizers are very good.

    (4)

  • Jay Rand B.

    Everything works well here. Great service, great food, great location. I had the lamb special and my wife had the salmon. Both were nicely seasoned, well paired and nicely presented. Top 5 in metro Richmond (along with L'Opossum, Magpie, etc).

    (5)

  • Don M.

    Pleasant evening at the bar with my girlfriend. We already had appetizers elsewhere so we were looking for a quick meal. Service: - Bartenders - Great! Put down olives, peanuts, and water without us saying a word. Meal: - Crabcake sandwiches - Average taste, size, and price. I thought the mayo they put on it was a bit overpowering. The fries that came with them were perfect though. Crisp, crunchy, freshly hot. Overall, I'd come back for a full meal.

    (4)

  • Jason O.

    One of my favorite places for great cocktails and snacks & dessert! Head to the lounge for a classic vibe and a beautiful bar. Leans to being upscale, but not pretentious. Cocktail recommendation: "I am for Richmond, first and last" Great name and walnut bitters add a nice depth to the flavor.

    (5)

  • Robert T.

    Lemaire is a Richmond landmark as restaurants go, but I wasn't sure what to expect after they had been closed for so long. I was a little nervous since they just reopened, but booked reservations for my parents and I to celebrate my father's birthday... I'm so glad I did! What a wonderful dinner! The dining room is much lighter than I remember it, and the food is all new, made mostly from what seemed to be local foods. We started by splitting a fresh fruit salad, with various fruits and Camembert over dandelion greens, covered with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. All the fruits were at the perfect peak of ripeness... except the figs, which were dry and not very good. All in all, though, a very good start. I had the tilefish, and my parents got the scallops and crabcakes respectively. While my fish was good, they definitely chose more wisely than I did; samples off their plates were phenomenal - mine was merely good restaurant food. What stole the show on my plate was a side dish made of white corn, andouille and baby shrimp... I don't know what it was called, but it was absolutely stunning. Keep the fish and bring me a bowl of this! For dessert, I got the flourless chocolate torte, which was amazing. I felt like I was dying of too much chocolate (is there such a thing?), but every bite was so good I kept eating. My mother had the lavender crème brulee, which was so strongly flavored with lavender it almost didn't work... but it did work, and after a moment with the unfamiliar taste, it was delicious. My father's dessert took first prize - he got the "Blueberry Soup", which was a chilled concoction of pureed blueberries and cream served over vanilla ice cream in what looked like a Pho-inspired dish... Words cannot do this dish justice. Hands down, this is the best restaurant dessert I've tasted in years. The service was excellent, very attentive and yet unobtrusive. The wait staff seemed to work well together, and the entire experience was well worth repeating. I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Leslie C.

    I have only eaten a full meal here once, but I love their bar for after-work drinks with friends. They have great specials almost every day of the week and it's a perfect place to go if you want something a little nicer than hitting your neighborhood joint. Great cocktail menu and beer selection.

    (4)

  • Joe S.

    The peanut soup is always a favorite.

    (5)

  • Marco H.

    Great fresh seafood. I tried the salmon, brussel sprouts and rockfish. All good. Nice wine selection. Unfortunately I was too stuffed to try the desserts. A nice dinner date place.

    (4)

  • Anonymous P.

    I have dined here once at the bar. The bartending and service were good. I thought the complimentary smoked peanuts and marinated olives at the bar were a great touch. Indeed, the smoked peanuts may be the thing I remember most about this meal. The food was prepared with a lot of skill, up to big-city fine-dining standards. Though there were lots of interesting ingredients, I found the food slightly bland overall. (The magic of a little bit more salt might have made all the difference.) Certainly you can't go wrong with this restaurant, however. If you're on a business trip, you should seek out this restaurant given its location in the memorable Jefferson Hotel.

    (4)

  • Cj A.

    The Jefferson Hotel is beautiful. How grand it is to hand the valet your keys and walk through the magnificent entrance... We were seated in one of the smaller dining rooms at a window table. Twice during our dinner, we heard guests seated near us griping to the hostess that they weren't seated in the adjacent "main dining room". Unless the food there tastes different, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. I liked our quiet little room just fine. For our first courses, I tried the sweet potato bisque, and my date had the fried green tomatoes. That bisque was out of this world. He felt the same way about his fried green tomatoes and actually seemed to like the large portion of smoked sausage succotash better than the tomatoes themselves. I wanted to try their sushi appetizer, but at around $14 I couldn't really justify it when the soup was just $7. My entree consisted of handmade tortellini generously stuffed with goat cheese surrounded by a tasty coulis that gave the dish the kick of flavor it needed to complement the goat cheese. His entree was the coca-cola glazed pork chop with traditional collards and truffled mac and cheese. He did everything but lick his plate. It was after entrees were cleared that we discussed making dinner at Lemaire a standing monthly date. A manager came over to take our dessert order. Our desserts were excellent, but the our previous courses hit their respective marks so dead-on we were quick to forget our third. I had the lemongrass creme brulee; it was everything a creme brulee should be, and the unique flavoring kept it interesting. He got the peach cobbler -- thick slices of fresh peaches a la mode. It was his birthday, and the kitchen wrote him a birthday message on his plate in chocolate sauce at no extra cost. He ordered one of their specialty cocktails; I had a sip and it was delicious. Classy presentation. The bar itself looked like a very cool place to hang out. Lined with huge windows and exposed to Franklin Street, it's a cool, modern update to the more traditional dining rooms in the other parts of the restaurant. I think my next move is to go back to Lemaire and sit there. On our way out, my date commented that it was the best meal he has ever had at a restaurant. Despite its sky-high quality, the meal wasn't even that expensive all things considered. None of the entrees exceeded $30 in cost, although I consider paying over $14 for an appetizer a bit expensive. Desserts are more than reasonable at $7 a pop. Next time, we'd split a dessert as we were very full when they arrived. The restaurant no longer has a dress code (I was wearing nice jeans), but I'd recommend at least business casual look if you don't want to look out of place at the Jefferson. Most male diners were in coat and tie -- and dresses and heels for the ladies of course. All in all, Lemaire is classic for the Richmond dining scene -- true Southern hospitality with food that is clearly made with care.

    (5)

  • Quang N.

    Great restaurant and the premiere hotel in Richmond. The atmosphere and food are definitely upscale, and you understandably pay a little bit extra for the presentation, not just for the quality of the food. The pork chop and the beef tenderloin were absolutely fantastic, as is their mac and cheese. Definitely pick this place if looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion.

    (4)

  • Patrick G.

    My wife and I had dinner with 2 couples and loved the atmosphere and food. The menu was unique and well done with something for everyone in our party.

    (5)

  • Nicole P.

    The best part of this restaurant for me was probably the ambiance. I just wanted a nice place to go out with my boyfriend and this place had good reviews so I was like, why not? We had a window seat which was great b/c the outside of the hotel had lights on the trees (like at Christmas time) and I love that. But the place wasn't crowded for a Saturday night. We made reservations to be on the safe side. Now the food: I took someone's advice about the fried green tomatoes. I tried them for the first time and they were delicious! No complaints. I had the porkbelly as well-just ok. The presentation was beautiful though. I tried the bisque: not a fan at all although my boyfriend thought it was good. He had the duck which I tried and thought was really good. The entire experience was nice. Our waiter wasn't the most observant in the world but not bad. Not crazy about the whole giving you bread from tongs idea and then taking the bread basket back to wherever location you brought it from but ok. Would I come back? Yes. But I like to try different places so I'll probably try a different restaurant when I'm back in town.

    (3)

  • Max M.

    Our party of three dined here in mid-December 2012. It was our second visit to Lemaire within a year. No doubt we were able to get at a table at this four-star restaurant on a Friday evening because we were willing to eat late: about 9:30 p.m. Sadly, once again the quality of our meals did not measure up to the high ratings of the restaurant. Our sea scallops entre was too salty and on the dry side - creating the impression that it may have been prepared earlier and re-heated. The grilled rockfish entre was average in its preparation, as was the third entre, the red snapper. The décor and atmosphere of the restaurant , located in the imposing historic hotel The Jefferson - is elegant and inspiring, although the noise level at our table was a bit high, perhaps because the table was located too close to the bar. The entrance to the restaurant via the hotel lobby with exquisite Christmas decorations is impressive. Go for the atmosphere, go for drinks, or even try a dinner, but don't be surprised if your meals are not four-star quality.

    (3)

  • Jackie B.

    We (my husband two young adult sons) LOVED everything about this restaurant. First of all, just going to the Jefferson Hotel where it is housed is a great experience, but this restaurant is first rate. I definitely agree with several of the reviewers that point out that while the restaurant is definitely upscale and sophisticated it is completely unpretentious Everything we had was great, excellent cocktails and wine list. We live in New Jersey but want to go back to Richmond just to eat here again!

    (5)

  • Daniel R.

    very nice decor, the hotel is very period and lemaire itself is an attempt at a modern flair. the menu was good and all dishes at a southern accent either in style or local ingredients. my farther had the rockfish and loved it; my family is from new england and striper fishing was a hobby of my dads and he said the fish was fresh and perfectly prepared. i really enjoyed lemaire's strive to have congruent flavors and they succeeded very well though the sweet potato ravioli was slightly too sweet and the frangipane had too much vanilla. a highly recommended item is the blue cheese ice cream, very nicely done!

    (4)

  • Jason L.

    The Lemaire restaurant is excellent. It is located inside the beautiful Jefferson Hotel, which has unbelievable architecture and ambiance. I was there with a group of six coworkers and we received excellent service. Appetizers - We ordered Lump Crab Cakes, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Fried Oysters. All of them were great. However, I found the FGT to be the best. They were served over a black bean relish that really complimented the dish. Main course - Our group ordered several items ranging from Seafood, Steak, Burgers, and Pork. I personally had the Maple Brined Pork Loin. It was unbelievable. It was served with Brussel Sprouts that were complimented with small pieces of thick slab bacon, and a side of grits. All in all, every meal hat was ordered was finished with compliments! Desert - Our group was pretty full, but the presentation of the Turtle Cheesecake was great and the flavor was even better. I would definitely recommend Lemaire!

    (5)

  • David H.

    Food is satisfactory, nothing spectacular and not worth the price. Service is painfully slow, portions are extremely small. As I'm writing this my rating decreased the bread they start with is forgettable. The appetizers we got were tiny and also pretty forgettable. shrimp and grits ($28) - only thing I really enjoyed on the plate were the grits. The shrimp didn't taste great, the tomatoes were slightly cooked tomatoes nothing crazy there, and that chorizo was easily the saltiest I've ever had. The desserts weren't made fresh, and I wouldn't get them again The restaurant/hotel themselves are very nice

    (2)

  • Katie B.

    I have been to The Jefferson many times but this was my first visit to Lemaire. We went for Happy hour and sat at the bar. I was a little disappointed they didn't have fun girly specialty cocktails and with the beer scene in Richmond I expected a little more selection but that is my ONLY complaint. Maybe I missed them? The food we ordered was AMAZING. I ordered celeryroot and cellared apple bisque and crab cake appetizer and my husband had the crab cake sandwich. The hotel is unique and always a wonderful experience. Service is definitely on point. Definitely don't be intimidated by the fine dining appearance. People came in wearing jeans! I wouldn't but it's definitely still a comfortable experience even though it's super fancy.

    (4)

  • Huy H.

    I've been here twice recently, both for smaller things like drinks and dessert and their happy hour and both were excellent experiences! They have a very affordable dessert menu with most items at $7 which I thought is very reasonable. They have an extensive wine selection and an interesting cocktail menu, mostly around $10-12. Their happy hour on Wednesday is $15 bottles of select wine and $20 for three small plates. We got the fried pickles, oysters (4 instead of 6 for happy hour), and their charcuterie plate. While it would be easy to spend quite a bit here, the food is good and so are the drinks. The bartenders are attentive and the atmosphere is nice.

    (4)

  • Steve D.

    An RVA classic hotel / bar. Just a classy nice relaxed place to go. I was afraid you would have to be super dressed up. Not so - I mean you shouldn't wear sleeveless shirts or wife beaters but you can wear shorts and a t shirt. Nice drinks. Good prices. I have been a number of times. And it's always a good experience. Staff is good and drinks are strong. Good job!

    (5)

  • Carter S.

    What a beautiful restaurant! I have been here twice, both for celebrations. I still take a moment to look around me as I walk into the Jefferson Hotel, and the restaurant (located just inside) is no different than the historic hotel-- just gorgeous. Our waiters have always been more than gracious and accommodating--southern charm to a T. When making our waiter aware of my boyfriend's nut allergy, the chef went out of his way to alter an appetizer for us and also asked us to refrain from certain desserts. Last time we dined there, our waiter gave us two glasses of wine on the house for "taking a bit to long in the kitchen." Luckily for us, we never noticed such time lapse and were smug and happy with our extra "treat." Thank you, Lemaire!

    (5)

  • Rich G.

    Dinner for two ran around $185. Food prep and service were excellent. Comfortable seating. Nice ambiance. Quiet. Romantic. Beatiful 20' ceilings Period-correct artwork line the walls. The only nit I have is that I'd recommend skipping the crabcake appetizer; it was very tasty but a much smaller portion than I had anticipated. I had the tenderloin entree and it was expertly prepared -- and also very filling. My wife is vegetarian and was happy to see tons of options on the menu.. plus the chef will make substitutions on virtually any of the entrees to accommodate vegetarians. I was delighted to see some Franciscan wines available at a reasonable markup. We wrapped with creme brulee to share. Perfect size for 2. Our server was very attentive -- always nearby, but never in the way. Excellent service. We'll be back. I'm tempted to give 5 stars.

    (4)

  • Jane S.

    Nice, but I'm not sure what all the fanfare is about. We came for our anniversary. We sat in a nice little room and our server was very attentive. The food looked gorgeous on our plates. They even drew happy anniversary on our dessert plates in chocolate! I find the decor a bit old, but I know that's what Richmond is crazy about.

    (4)

  • Benslie B.

    Really enjoyed the ambience and the service was prompt and respectful. Got a Barnyard Burger, which was well-cooked, and loved the truffle sauce that came with it. The beet salad was visually appealing but quite small and not particularly flavorful. The house chive potatoes were good as well. All the food was very good, but did not blow us away, which is what we were expecting given the meal's price tag. Would definitely come again, but not the top of the list when thinking about dinners to splurge on.

    (4)

  • Annie R.

    Although the decor is excellent, the food was lacking in flavor and was merely average rather than excellent. The best part to the dinner was the dessert, notably the blueberry cobbler. Despite an average dining experience, the staff was very kind and attentive.

    (3)

  • Tina K.

    There are not enough superlatives for Lemaire. When making the reservation, I explained that it was our wedding anniversary. When we arrived we were seated in front of a fireplace (thankfully it was not producing heat since it was June). Our waitress could answer every single question we had about the menu and cocktail list. The cocktails went down easily, the food was plated beautifully and tasted absolutely divine. We never felt rushed. Our water glasses were quietly refilled throughout the evening. When our dessert arrived Happy Anniversary was written in chocolate on the plate. (I love that stuff!) It is a beautiful space and worth every dollar you will spend there.

    (5)

  • Troy S.

    (To preface this review, I'm writing this a month or two after I ate there. So I've forgotten specific details, but that in no way means that this place was forgettable.) We started off with the nutmeg scented butternut squash bisque and the sushi grade ahi tuna crudo. The bisque was AMAZING and probably the best that we've ever had. It had the perfect amount of spices and the custard was a great touch. The sushi was not my favorite, but having spent 2 years in Japan I hold all sushi to a higher (snobbish) standard than most people. My wife and I both ordered specials (not on the online menu). I ordered the Parmesan crusted trout while my wife ordered the most expensive thing on the menu...which I can't remember specifically what it was, but I want to say it was the sirloin steak. I tried to go with the most "southern" style and had cornbread, grits, and some type of veggie. I was very impressed with my meal and the sides I chose; however, after tasting the sirloin I had a Michael Bluth "I've made a huge mistake." moment and wished I'd ordered the sirloin. It had great marbling and was perfectly cooked at medium rare. My wife's sides were an asparagus and garlic potatoes which were both great and matched the beef very well. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR. Get dessert. Doesn't matter how full you are, it's scientifically proven that when you see Lemaire's dessert menu that your stomach expands. I ordered the hot chocolate creme brulee which was THE BEST CHOICE I MADE ALL NIGHT. My wife ordered the pecan pie which was pretty good too (just not as good as the creme brulee). Definitely suggest this restaurant to anyone in the Richmond area.

    (5)

  • M E.

    Beautiful Restaurant inside one of the nicest hotels in Richmond. Wait staff is always friendly and the food is delicious. They have a nice happy hour and I especially enjoy sitting outside in their outdoor seating area when it is warm.

    (4)

  • Lynda C.

    Went there for Easter brunch 2014! Spectacular and Fabulous. The buffet was awesome, impeccable service from the wait staff. The mimosa's were sooo good, and kept flowing!!!

    (5)

  • Denise R.

    Great food and wonderful service. We each ordered something totally different and were all very satisfied with our entree. One of us had beef, I had fried oysters, and the 3rd had fish. All of us ordered salad and dessert too. Everything was wonderful. Would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Matt B.

    Top notch food consistently comes out of this kitchen, but candidly it can be a bit dated and drab in the newly modern Richmond dining scene.

    (4)

  • Claudia R.

    Lemaire is The Jefferson Hotel's fancier restaurant, but you can take advantage of its delicious menu and impressive cocktails without spending a fortune by dining at the bar. It's a wonderful setting for a date or just to enjoy sipping on delightful drinks while sitting at this beautiful historic hotel's lobby. *If you're a fan of whiskey and bourbon--they have awesome cocktails permanently on their menu, and you also make your own Manhattan. It's around the same space--but around the bar when you walk in are several tables where you seat yourself and order from the smaller bar menu. During happy hour (until 7pm) you can get bubbly drinks for $5. These are always light and refreshing. There is also a food happy hour when you can get three appetizers from bar menu for $20. I've eaten here a couple of times, and I've always noted how fresh and well-done the dishes here are. Last time we tried the ahi tuna "martini," artisanal cheese plate and BBQ pork quesadillas to split--they were all so good. I also recommend the Virginia country ham and pimiento cheese sandwich. You certainly won't be disappointed by the food here, but if you order drinks and entrees from the main dinner menu, it will be costly. It's worth checking out it just for a drink and appetizer, and definitely take advantage of happy hour bar menu!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth F.

    DH brought me here for our 10th anniversary dinner. What a lovely setting to celebrate a special occasion. We started off with a smart cocktail in the bar, which was packed with all sorts of folks. Their happy hour featured retro cocktails straight from Mad Men. So DH decided to have an Old Fashioned. But I stuck to my current favorite, a Sazerac, which they can make as well as any New Orleans bar-keep. When we we seated for dinner, we were delighted to see many of our favorite things to eat featured on the specials menu. However, we were very disappointed to find that by 6:15pm they were already out of their pork belly appetizer special (minus half a star for that). For dinner, we opted to start off with oysters (half-shell and fried). For my meal, I ordered the lamb loin special. Served medium-rare, it came with a variety of seasonal local vegetables, including fiddlehead ferns, and large grain couscous. Frankly, my meal was so incredible, I cannot even remember what DH ordered. I think it may have been scallops. But I do remember he thoroughly enjoyed it but was wishing he, too, had ordered the lamb. At then end of all this goodness, I had no room for dessert. Service at Lemaire, as you would expect, is exceptional. The staff are attentive without being intrusive and knowledgable about all food offerings. When the bill arrived, it was $115 (we had paid for drinks separately at the bar). While that is not inexpensive, we have paid $70+ for 2 of us for mediocre food at plenty of places. So DH and I decided that maybe we should do fine dining a little more often than once every 10 years.

    (4)

  • Laurie F.

    I used the Library Room at Lemaire for a very small private wedding ceremony and dinner and it was a perfect venue! The Lemaire's event coordinator, Melissa Warner, paid careful attention to every detail and made certain that the restaurant fulfilled every expectation. Both the food and the service by our main server, Andrew, were superb! Every guest felt well cared for throughout the evening. I would definitely recommend this venue for a small wedding or other event where details count!

    (5)

  • Johnny B.

    I went here on my 5 year anniversary dinner and I can say that it was okay. Just okay. When we first came in the hostess was very nice and offered to seat us but went to bar first. The drinks were really good but the bartenders could not care less that people were at the bar. So we went to the table after 1 drink. The food was underwhelming. We started with the beef tartar and it was flavorless. The second code was the best part of the meal. The rabbit epinadas were fantastic and have me hope for the main course. Unfortunately it was bland. My gf got a fish dish (can't remember what kind) and I got the pan seared duck breast. No flavor. Maybe my expectations built up the meal too much. The presentation was great though and the waiter was amazing. He was very nice, accommodating with substitutions, and informative.

    (3)

  • Myron S.

    Beyond blown away by the food the service the ambiance. My girlfriend and I came here to celebrate her birthday, we were just very impressed with everything. From the time we pulled up to the hotel and everyone opened our doors for us. To offering o take our coats for us. Bruce our waiter was amazing and was on his A game. He made sure that we were always doing well. The food came out very fast. Being a chef myself ticket times were under 10 minutes which just put a huge smile on my face. We started off with the rabbit strudel which blew us out of the water. The lightness of the whole dish the way the favors sit on your palate for quite some time. The complexity of the winter greens and the rabbit and the jus just started my night off on the clouds. My girlfriend got the grilled tenderloin and I got the pork loin chop. Both of these dishes were something that I could sit and savor for the whole night. I could write pages about both plates. The execution of the plate designs and flavored were just off the charts. I want to thank chef and the sous chefs that are in charge for making our night so enjoyable. Also another thanks to Bruce for just being outstanding.

    (5)

  • Kari G.

    This is a wonderful restaurant within the Jefferson Hotel. My husband and I had dinner here on the first night of our honeymoon. It was lovely. They have more casual style seating at the bar, but as this was a special occasion we chose to be seated in their back room. We got a lovely table right by the window and could look out at the blooming cherry blossoms. We shared a fried oysters appetizer, then had a hard time choosing from the menu. Everything looked yummy! My husband got the Virginia buffalo creek beef strip loin with sweet potato purée, swiss chard, caramelized onions and the neatest marshmallows sorghum molasses. I had the rosemary and garlic grilled beef tenderloin with smoked gouda ashland grits, asparagus & baby carrots. Both were delicious and we were each convinced that ours was the best. The creme brulee dessert was amazing and we really enjoyed the fun drinks they offered. Wonderful dinner, beautiful location, great service!

    (4)

  • Bryce C.

    I really don't understand the hype for Lemaire. I've gone here about a dozen times since moving to Richmond in 2009, but I've just come to the realization that it's a meh restaurant in a fabulous hotel. I've gone for dinner multiple times, but would say the majority of my time here has been spent at the bar for happy hour. I have done the 3 for $20 appetizers multiple times and I always feel let down. On my last trip I tried the pimento cheese, tuna, and the mussels. My boyfriend and I found all of the dishes to be severely lacking in seasoning and the bread served with the pimento cheese was beyond stale. We also did their $5 white cosmos and the drinks taste like a $5 drink. The cocktails are no different than a rail drink at a Fan bar. I've tried their regular priced cocktails many times and they've never blown my socks off. If you're looking for a craft cocktail, this is not the place. Also, I do not think Lemaire is the most visually appealing either. It's bit of a 1990s interpretation of old southern grandeur. I really think I've had my Lemaire fix for a long time.

    (3)

  • Liz J.

    This is the place to go for happy hour after work with the girls, or even with coworkers. If you're looking for something a little fancier than your typical bar packed with people looking to score cheap drinks, this is the place to go. Although the Jefferson itself is pretty fancy, happy hour at Lemaire doesn't require you to be dressed to the nines, and it won't burn a hole in your wallet. The sparkling cocktails are only $5 during happy hour, and they are bubbly, sweet, and delicious! Wine and beer also has a special happy hour price, so there is pretty much something for everyone. Lemaire also has a nice touch by serving smoked nuts and marinated olives with your drinks. Smoked nuts aren't my cup of tea, but the olives were perfect with my champagne drink. It's comfy, with lots of different seating, and plenty of space. It's definitely worth going, especially if you've never been to the Jefferson - happy hour is a great excuse to look around!

    (4)

  • Peter S.

    I have been to Lemaire many times for dinner and for Happy Hour and it has always been nice. Last night was a great experience! I made a reservation for our anniversary, upon our arrival we were seated at a nice quiet table and the hostess wished us a happy anniversary, VERY nice touch. Our server was Sean and he was PERFECT he was extremely attentive but not in the way at all. They actually had Happy Anniversary printed on our menus that we got to take home with us, again very nice touch. We just had a bottle of wine and two entrees, the wine was very nice and the duck entree that was one of the specials was perfectly prepared. We had a very nice time and decided we would make it a tradition to go for our anniversary every year as long as we are in Richmond.

    (5)

  • Tatyana M.

    It was one of the best food experiences in Richmond. Everything was just a perfection. Old wealth beautiful historic ambiance, very tasty interesting and creative food, surprisingly nice and professional without any stuffiness or pretense (which is a rare case in these kind of places) service, and absolutely great value of the meal won our hearts completely. Whenever we are back in Richmond we definitely planning to come back.

    (5)

  • Erika F.

    I've been here SO many times for their 3 for $20 happy hour special and they have never disappointed me. First of all, they have wonderful drink specials during happy hour. $5 glasses of house wine is what I usually get and I'm definitely a fan of their house wine (even though I know it comes from a box, lol). As for the appatizers, I've tried most of them and ones that stand out the most to me are.... The pulled pork quesadilla The meat/cheese tray The ahi tuna These three make a wonderful meal when put together and it looks so pretty on the plate. Everything just tastes SO good. The pulled pork quesadilla comes with a BBQ sauce on the side and some delectable coleslaw. The meat and cheese tray comes with some olives, pickles, three different types of meat, and some cheese and fruit to go along with it; not to mention the little pieces of bread that are toasted to perfection. The ahi tuna comes in a wine glass and tastes wonderful. The tuna is nice and fresh and there are little pieces of seaweed salad to accompany it. If you're in the area and want a nice, classy, tasty, and friendly atmosphere to go after work or for dinner, this place is definitely one you need to try. You will absolutely not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Seth D.

    Very high end dining experience in beautiful, historic hotel, less expensive than one would think. Very imaginative and classic drink menu, again less expensive than the trendy restaurants nearby. Contemporary versions of menu items

    (5)

  • Barry C.

    Lemaire is certainly deserving of all the praise that's been thrown it's way. The restaurant manages to find a balance between welcoming southern comfort and fine dining at the highest level. I can think of fewer places better suited to take a date for a special occasion, or an (expensive) treat. Be prepared to take those dollar signs to heart, they're for real. The menu is laden with southern-inspired classics that are given modern flair. The staff were accommodating and more than knowledgeable about the menus. A part of what makes Lemaire so special is the fact that it's nestled into The Jefferson Hotel. There is a classy nuance to really take in here, especially around Christmas time.

    (5)

  • Jerry C.

    A marvelous restaurant in a five star hotel: The Jefferson. I booked our dinner reservation on Open Table and requested a window table away from any drafty vents or bus stations. They delivered, although we were seated in a rather small dining room rather than the main dining room. Our waiter, Josh, was a pleasant young man who was clearly still learning his trade. He was prompt with bringing our bottle of wine, he opened the bottle expertly and did not "over-pour" our wine glasses, which I appreciated. I had the soft shell crab with orzo as my starter. While the presentation was beautiful, I found it rather overly greasy...but then again, my digestive system is sensitive to fried foods. My wife and I both had the freshly caught Cape Hatteras grouper prepared with shiitake mushrooms, fiddle head ferns, asparagus and arborio rice. While it was superb, it was a thick and meaty piece of fish that wasn't quite done throughout. Nevertheless, it was delicious. Pricey dinner but worth the splurge.

    (4)

  • Steven A.

    Best in Richmond. More expensive than the average restaurant, but well worth it. The atmosphere is great, service is spectacular, and the food was amazing... Great place to go if you're tired of restaurants that appeal to the hipsters.

    (5)

  • Noa N.

    My husband and I recently stayed at The Jefferson and enjoyed our dinner and breakfast at Lemaire. We did not realize/expect for reservations to be required on a Saturday night at a hotel restaurant so for dinner, we came around 6PM and found a table around the bar. Reservations are needed for a table in one of the adjoining rooms but it is first come, first serve at the wrap around bar and the tables, lounge seats around the wrap around bar. I thoroughly enjoyed my mocktail - the Monument Avenue that includes white cranberry juice, soda water, lime, and lots of fresh mint (very refreshing!) . My husband was less impressed with his Manhattan - we didn't pay attention to the fine print on the menu that Manhattans are served straight up unless requested otherwise. The Manhattan was also served in a Martini glass which was different for him. The ginger beer that he had later in the evening was much better - it's non-alcoholic, house made and very refreshing with a touch of lemon but definitely the ginger dominates in the drink. I think it would be nice if they garnished the drinks - like a candied ginger garnish on the ginger beer and a lime on the Monument Avenue but I know that's just tiny details. My husband ordered the oyster appetizer - it seems like when in Richmond, you got to have oysters. He said they were pretty good except for the last one which smelled bad (why did he eat it then!) and also tasted bad. We let our server know - she said she has no idea how to tell a spoiled oyster from a fresh one but she took the shell back to the chef and brought out another one as a replacement. Luckily my husband did not get sick that night and he was able to enjoy the rest of our meal. We shared the beef tenderloin with gouda grits, asparagus, and carrots. We liked how Lemaire split the dish onto two plates for us, presenting each beautifully as a separate dish. The beef tenderloin was cooked perfectly and the grits, asparagus, and carrots were the perfect sides for us that night. I definitely recommend getting one of the dinner entrees and splitting it. Our breakfast the next day also tasted great. I definitely recommend splurging and getting the poppy seed beignets or the gingerbread along with another breakfast dish if you love breakfast. We initially ordered the beignets but after ordering them the waitress said they were having problems with the fryer so they offered the gingerbread complimentary and in the end we ended up with both treats. The poppy seed beignets come with a clementine glaze and red wine sauce - they're hard on the outside and fluffy on the inside and the glaze and sauce sweeten the beignets up ever so slightly. The gingerbread was incredible - it was the right balance of sweet and gingerbread flavors. My husband enjoyed the low country benedict - the bacon cheddar scone in place of the English muffin was unique along with the pulled pork. I had the Jefferson omelet but replaced the goat cheese with cheddar. The omelet was good - not the best omelet ever but not bad. It was the beignets, gingerbread, and fresh oj that made our breakfast at Lemaire special. Service at breakfast was excellent. Service at dinner was good.

    (4)

  • Teresa K.

    Amazing as always!!! Love the service, the food, the atmosphere! Anyone looking for a special night in Richmond should make this their first and only stop!

    (5)

  • Sonia P.

    Went here for an event and had a very pleasant experience! For a fancier happy hour, you really cannot beat Lemaire's deal of 3 small plates for $20. I ordered: the artisanal Virginia cheese platter (nice selection of hard cheeses, wish I knew the actual names) , slow braised "BBQ" pork quesadilla (2 portions which were quite filling), and hearts of romaine (deconstructed Caesar salad with whole anchovy filets, Parmesan cheese, and lettuce). All three options were generous portions and mighty tasty. Wednesday nights are wine nights so they have discounts for certain bottles but I kept it simple that night with a glass of white wine. We had a large group sitting in the outdoor patio area (happy hour also applies to the outdoor seating - score!) which wasn't totally ideal since the outdoor tables are small and heavy but service was very prompt and they were very accommodating with our large party. The decor is obviously gorgeous, it IS the Jefferson Hotel, afterall! For a chic happy hour that's appropriate for adults of all ages, Lemaire has you covered.

    (4)

  • Jennifer N.

    This is my favorite spot in Richmond. I used to go here every other month for the Creme Brulee and their happy hour specials (for food). The service is impeccable, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is great. This place is a little pricey and if you plan to get full from your meal, then think again. The portions are small but they are amazingly Delicious. If you ever go here, I 100% recommend the Creme Brulee!!

    (5)

  • Reinhard K.

    It was my first time eating at this place, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The pictures were really nice, and I knew that the hotel was a fancy place. I do have to say that didnt have any expectations walking through the door. They are a farm to table restaurant. The burger was really amazing. They have a soft shell crab dish (May 2013), which was amazing with an arugula salad. Def. a good place to take someone you love. Dimly lit ambience along with efficient, well trained, and hospitalble waiting staff make this place a great place to go to. Average price of dinner ($35)

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    This review relates to the bar only. I ordered a Manhattan. When it arrived, I was disappointed that the cocktail glass was just over halfway full. Moreover, the drink was room temperature. I raised the issue of the quantity with the waitress and that I felt that I'd gotten short changed. After all, the drink is not cheap at this place. She told me that "everything is measured" to get the ratios/proportions correct and they "use a jigger." I was surprised to get such a response from what should be a top notch bar, and I was even more surprised that we were charged full price for a half-full drink.

    (2)

  • Blanche N.

    The atmosphere was very romantic. We loved the pumpkin soup. The service was great. I would go again for a special occasion.

    (4)

  • Alice G.

    I am giving LeMaire five stars for breakfast. Decadent southern breakfast food -the best I've ever enjoyed. From shrimp and grits to an amazing Low country Benedict in which they use pulled pork and an apple cheddar biscuits and mmmmmmm mmmmm! The waitstaff additionally was so friendly this was an exceptional breakfast experience

    (5)

  • Reuben G.

    we had reservations. its a good idea. the bar makes a perfect Manhattan on the rocks. the wine list was very reasonable and filled with great wines at great prices . the menu is small and that's a good thing. the staff are very knowledgeable about everything including the wine list and where the oysters were from. I had monkfish and she had the red snapper. both fish were cooked fine ( more crispy skin would have been nicer) the veggies that came with it were varied nicely but sort of ho hum. the snapper came with a Gorgonzola risotto I think that was over powering. deserts were nice. I had pecan pie and she had a pumpkin spice cake. both nice. we had a great time though.

    (5)

  • Duke G.

    Great food, great staff...you always feel welcome.

    (5)

  • Tawheed H.

    It was impossible to get a drink, forget about trying to order food. At first I understood, they were busy- holiday parties and holiday crowds. Then when the crowds left I took a seat at the bar. The male bartender never even looked my way, I let it pass figuring I was in a different bartenders section. A female bartender took the couple, sitting 90 degrees to my right and right next to me, order and then disappeared. 5 mins later she showed back up (the male bartender continued to ignore me) but looked right past me and asked for the order of the people standing behind me, who came waaaaay after me. I interjected and said I've been waiting for service and gave her my beer order. She glanced at me while I said it but continued to take the order of the people standing behind me. She returned without my drink and then was like oh yeah, seriously??!! The couple sitting adjacent to me and the gentleman sitting to my left were all astonished at the service. I chatted with the couple, they were from MD, and were in town for shopping and decided to come to LeMaire because they were referred by a friend but were not happy with the service. The gentleman to my left was a hotel guest and also not happy with the service, the bartender never returned for his food order. All four of us had empty drinks in front of us. The next time I saw the female bartender walk by I asked for my bill and decided to go to an establishment that wanted to take my $$.

    (1)

  • Todd P.

    Like many guys in Richmond, I proposed to my Fiancee here. They made the experience fantastic. When making my reservation they asked if we were celebrating anything special, then after I explained my plans, the hostess worked with me to make dessert something special. We started with the mushroom soup and butternut squash soup. Both were poured table side and fantastic. Our dinner was great as well, I wish I could remember what we ordered, but I do recall it was delicious. We ordered dessert and prior to it coming out I proposed. Lucky for me, it went well. They brought our desserts out right on cue, as well as, a couple of glasses of champagne. In the excitement my fiancee couldn't eat her creme brulee. I was able to try my peach crisp, which didn't disappoint. A couple weeks later we went back just for drinks and dessert. I will say that the caramel macchiato creme brulee is very good. Possibly the best creme brulee we have had in Richmond.

    (4)

  • Jonah P.

    Wonderful meal, start to finish. The atmosphere appears stuffy at first, and it certainly is in some respects, but do your homework on The Jefferson, keep your eyes peeled, and the historical aspects become apparent. This isn't a "Tuesday night out" kind of place, considering most entrees are around $30, but the quality of the ingredients and expertise in their handling make Lemaire a solid choice for a special meal. The highlight of our dinner was the pork chop, which I'd normally glaze over on a higher-end menu, but am so glad I was push toward by our waiter. Dessert was only fair, but by that point we had had such a great night out, it didn't even matter.

    (5)

  • Dalton B.

    Amazing food, great romantic atmosphere, and great service. Worth every dollar spent! I had the pekin duck which was the chefs featured item. My girlfriend had the pumpkin seed salmon and instantly fell in love with it! Amazing experience Would recommend for any special occasion or business lunch.

    (5)

  • Lisa N.

    **Reviewing HH only** I was really excited to try out this HH that's advertised on their website. Not only was there a large selection of food listed, there were also cocktails for $5/glass. However, to my disappointment, almost everything we ordered was subpar. The peanuts tasted like charcoal. I'm not sure if they were supposed to or if the cooks over did them, but none of my party of 6 could eat them. The drinks were way too strong (esp the Mint Julep). The appetizers (which range from $5-$8) were TINY. The tuna tartare and calamari were good, but everything else was not. The hummus had a weird flavor, the quesadillas were nothing special, and the oysters were expensive for HH prices (4 for $7). Furthermore, the service was awfully slow. I will attribute this mostly to the fact that it was HH and the bar was pretty crowded for a Friday night. Our server was very friendly, however. Finally, the other customers were rude (not the restaurant's fault). We were having a good time laughing and celebrating our friend's birthday in the bar area (which is normally loud) and an older gentleman came over to shush us =( Since Lemaire is a large restaurant, they have a cocktail/bar area for HH and the rest of the restaurant is for quiet/classy dining... maybe the restaurant should seat their customers better or let them be aware of the fact that there are 2 separate areas and that the bar is generally louder.

    (2)

  • Lemuria C.

    I was treated to dinner here by a few professors at VCU during a visit to the university. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful. The food is also good, although not as good as the atmosphere. I had the scallops, which were good but nothing special. The dessert however was fabulous: carrot cake bread pudding. Who knew that would be such a great combination! I would recommend this place for a special occasion. It's a beautiful place with good food and wine.

    (4)

  • Johanna Q.

    Went with a good friend to Lemaire as we wanted an excuse to dress up and treat ourselves to gourmet. We were not disappointed! The service was attentive, friendly and professional. We couldn't decided on just one delicious plate, so we shared several of the small plates - what a culinary treat! The only disappointment was the ahi tuna presentation (the flavor was great just the presentation lacked) - cubed tuna on a bed of seaweed jam packed in a martini glass. The wine selection was excellent and the atmosphere is incredible (the Jefferson hotel is a wonderfully preserved piece of history). We also really enjoyed that all the food was locally sourced (they even have beehives on the roof of the hotel to get their honey). Portions are decently sized.

    (4)

  • Jessica L.

    --3.5 stars-- I read reviews about happy hour at Lemaire and was a little hesitant to come here, but my longing to try French cuisine encouraged my boyfriend to make reservations here for our anniversary. And as it turned out, dinner here was wonderful! T

    (3)

  • Mark H.

    The atmosphere was a little bit noisy, but I believe it was primarily due to the loud group next to us. The food was very well prepared and the service was good not great. We went here with some out-of-towners who enjoyed dinner and the hotel.

    (4)

  • Lee H.

    Exceptional cuisine and service, gorgeous surroundings (the restaurant and the hotel). Our favorite place to go in Richmond!

    (5)

  • Linda F.

    Not only is this restaurant in one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever seen it is also operated in such a way that it is an incredible experience in it's own right. The Jefferson Hotel is a gem. I suggest you arrive early for your dinner reservation and take a stroll around the interiors of the first and second floors. Then, stop by the bar. We started with happy hour drinks of Cosmos and Manhattans at $5 each. The drinks were accompanied by an olive selection and wonderful roasted peanuts (made on premises) that had a hint of bacon flavor -- how do they do that? Our food was exceptional, only surpassed by the service provided by Sue, our waitress. She was patient with us as we spent over 3 hours dining and enjoying each drink and dish. The dining room is such a pleasure for dining, relaxing, and chatting with friends. The infinity mirrors could be distracting if there wasn't so such attention on the star of the show in this restaurant -- the food. We started with appetizers of friend green tomatoes and a salad of Virginia grown Asian pear and Roquefort blue cheese, Surryano ham, grilled scallions, frisee lettuce, red sorrel, and spicy candied pecans salad. Each of us had a different entree (rock fish and black cappallini, cornbread crusted organic loch duart salmon, and pan roasted swordfish loin) and each was fabulous. We shared dessert of southern pecan pie with butterscotch ice cream, salted caramel sauce, and toffee. Some people may think this is a high priced restaurant but the quality of the food and service is deserving of the price. Fine wines at around $10 a glass and entrees under $30 makes this a place to visit often, not just for special occasions. Skip the run of the mill restaurants and treat yourself to a gem! Unfortunately, I am not a resident of Richmond -- if I were you would see me at Lemaire often.

    (5)

  • Jordan C.

    Went for an anniversary dinner. It was a Wednesday night. We had drinks at the bar first. Loved the interior of the hotel- and the fact they have valet. Drinks were fresh and well made. I had a Bellini, which was delicious, and my husband had an old fashion. Both were great. We were seated right on time. We were the only people in the entire room (dining is sectioned off into rooms) for the most part of our meal. The waiter was attentive and knew the menu. We had a great red wine called Honig. It was excellent and well priced. My husband for the burger. It was huge! It was a bit overcooked. However, the fault lies with us because we didn't send it back. I think if it had been cooked to order (medium) we would have given it 5 stars. I had a fish that was outstanding. The portions were huge. No room for dessert. Overall, it was a great atmosphere for a more formal dinner. I wouldn't go here on a typical Saturday night (we are more down to earth than that). However, I would go back. I am trying to include some photos from our dinner.

    (4)

  • Don S.

    Rarely do I give 5 Stars - but they deserve it. Four of of ate there and we all agree on the 5 Stars. 1. FOOD - (Grade: A) The appetizers/salads/main course/dessert was just so tasty and enjoyable. Everything had a wonderful flavor to it. Our choices were the steak, scallops, and mesquite chicken - all delicious. 2. SERVICE - (Grade: A) From the very beginning while entering the Jefferson Hotel, everyone is polite. J. W. Marriott (Marriott Hotel founder) did a study and found peoples impressions are being made in the first 30 seconds - well, the Jefferson Hotel and Lemaire Restaurant have done it. 3. ATMOSPHERE - (Grade: A) A beautiful hotel and Lemaire Restaurant inside is also beautifully decorated. The hotel is very large and old and just a interesting place to walk through even if you don't stay there or eat there. 4. PARKING - Either on the street or valet parking. The valet parking at the hotel front is very pretty with a nice fountain (they humorously put an alligator statue coming out of the water, nice touch). BOTTOM LINE: WE WILL VERY HAPPILY RETURN

    (5)

  • Stacey S.

    Lounging at Lemaire after a long day, sipping on great wine, and eating some really well prepared, locally sourced food is becoming my new favorite thing to do. Seriously it might become a problem. It feels like a special occasion but doesn't always have to be special occasion prices. A couple glasses of wine, bar nibbles, a charcuterie plate - it's all very satisfying in both quantity and quality. The pimento cheese is the best I've had (but I would be happy to judge other examples in a Richmond pimento cheese competition!) I love the fact that their house wine is from Virginia and most of their brews are local too. Service is pretty decent - sometimes great, sometimes just fine. I don't care - give me a seat at the bar or a cozy seat by the window watching Richmond pass me by, keep the food and drink coming, and life will be perfect.

    (5)

  • Alix E.

    Great atmosphere and food. I've had a few great experiences here. I would definitely recommend for anyone looking to fine dine.

    (5)

  • Han V.

    Happy hour: Located in the Jefferson Hotel, the grandeur of the hotel adds to the atmosphere at Lemaire. I went during their Thursday happy hour when their "classic cocktails" were $5. The special is only available in the bar area located at the back of the restaurant. They had a good number of items on their bar menu with most items under $10. However, everything we ordered was underwhelming. Their peanuts tasted like cigarettes and everyone had to drink a lot of water to flush the ash taste out. The drinks were very strong and us group of girls had a difficult time finishing them. The portions of the food that we ordered were small and burdensome to share. The only item I liked was the tuna tartare but again, it was very small. Service was also crawling when we went and I understand that it gets busy during HH but the bar area is pretty small compared to the rest of the restaurant. Essentially, the food did not make up for the slow service and I will probably not return for their happy hours. Food: 1 Value: 1 Service: 3 Dinner: Went back to eat dinner with my boyfriend for their prix fixe $30 for 3 courses special [only from 5-6pm]. I had a completely different experience! Our waiter gave wonderful descriptions of the food and I just wanted to have everything. Their attention to detail in the service and food made the experience really special. Their butternut squash soup was a particular stand out for me. It had a lot of depth and had a great creamy texture. We had a wonderful meal and I will definitely come back for special occasions. Food: 5 Value: 5 Service: 5 Lemaire is obviously more focused on their main restaurant but they should take note that a poor HH experience reflects on the entire restaurant.

    (3)

  • Peter L.

    Only came for some drinks but the prices were reasonable, the drinks were good, and the service was fast.

    (5)

  • Whitney S.

    I love this place for a girls night out or for a romantic date night. It's tucked inside the Jefferson hotel which only adds to the charm and ambiance. The wine list is great and you can order a quartino versus just a glass which is a nice touch. Each night they have different HH specials which is great and the food has to disappoint. Must go for the atmosphere alone!

    (5)

  • juan g.

    Damn this place is nice all around. Went back today for an early dinner to try out the 3 appetizers fro $20 dollar happy hour special they have everyday from 4pm to 7pm. Lemaire does not disappoint. We had the fried mac and cheese and it was so good especially when dipped in it's accompanying sauce. We had the cheese plate and the local charcuterie and both plates were very well presented and the quality was excellent. Lemaire is so close to being 5 stars but it's just the little things that keep it from that elusive 5 star, today it was just that little extra attention from the wait staff. Come on Lemiare you are so close to that 5th star...

    (4)

  • david b.

    Gorgeous room, fine food, attentive service. Relax in the dining room or hang out at the lively bar. A must in Richmond

    (4)

  • Jamaal C.

    Perfect for a special occasion. Wonderful service with great pacing of the meal. Great presentation and execution. My fiancee's risotto made me jealous while my pork was excellent. Solid cocktails to boot. Definitely one for the RVA bucket list.

    (5)

  • Rebecca R.

    To celebrate our 10th anniversary we decided to go with our instincts, and Michelle A.'s recommendation, and take the opportunity to get a little dressy and go to Lemaire. From beginning to end we were thrilled with our experience. So many restaurants in Richmond are so cozy and tight that you often end up meeting the people next to you. Not so here where we had the space to feel intimate and romantic. We started with delicious cocktails and the fried green tomatoes, which were perfectly breaded and amazingly crispy. For dinner I had the halibut and hubby had the scallops. Both were cooked to perfection and delicately seasoned but oh-so flavorful. We had two desserts because 1) we are adults and we can do that and 2) we wanted to prolong the experience. We started with the cheese plate which tasty but a little underwhelming. So many Richmond restaurants are presenting really great cheese plates right now that if you are going offer it you'd better step up your game. Second dessert was the mint julep creme brûlée, which I still wake up in the middle of the night craving. When we called to make our reservations the hostess asked if we were celebrating an event. Hubby stated it was an anniversary. Our dessert was delivered with "Happy Anniversary" in chocolate and they gave us complimentary port to go with our cheese plate. Now that is the kind of classy move that makes them a favorite. Here's hoping that I don't have to wait 10 years for my next visit.

    (5)

  • Matthew B.

    Went here for happy hour on a Tuesday night. A group of four of us settled in the lounger area of the bar, our table overlooked Franklin Street. Our waitress was really nice, explained the happy hour specials and gave us a menu incase we would need to order dinner too. On tuesday nights, they offer $5 champagne specials. I order the French 75, which is gin, lemon juice, and champagne....it was so delicious I had to have five. Seriously. Along with champagne specials on Tuesday nights, Lemaire offers $5 house wine, and $2 & $4 beer specials. Another AWESOME happy hour special that they offer on week nights is ordering three appetizers for $20. We opted for this route. The first three we picked were the pimento cheese spread, oysters, and vegetarian quesadillas. -oysters were absolutely delicous and the remolade, perfect. -pimento cheese spread was good to share -quesadillas were.....ok, sauce for dipping was the best part After another round of cocktails, myself and another opted for a second round of the 3 for $20 special -Brandy peppercorn-dusted Beef tartare = amazing, I could eat it all day, everyday -Ahi Tuna "Martini" was pretty good, but I forgot to read the "martini" part -Prince Edward Island Mussels, small in size but big in flavor I would recommend this place for everyone...well not everyone...but i'll definitely be making this place a regular happy hour joint for myself and my friends! Take care and savor it up!

    (4)

  • Alistair H.

    Excellent service, convenient downtown location, good food. Restaurants in hotels can be hit or miss, but Lemaire did not disappoint. They happily juggled our ever changing arrival time (due to traffic coming into town). The wait staff was friendly and courteous. And they were more than happily and able to deal with my wife's dietary restrictions.

    (5)

  • Michelle A.

    I love this restaurant, though frankly my wallet hates it. However, since today is Valentines Day my husband and I treated ourselves to dinner here, and it was great. The menu is varied and features local ingredients whenever possible- oysters from a farm in VA, fresh lettuces, artisan cheeses, etc. I started with the goat cheese and striped beet salad, which was lovely- it was dressed with fresh local honey, and sprinkled with walnut halves. The beets themselves were sweet and the cheese was perfect- creamy and flavorful. A great salad, and definitely something I wouldn't think to put together at home. For dinner I had the bone-in ribeye, which was a special... it was served with polenta and shoestring onion fries, with a tomato/barbecue type sauce. The meat itself was awesome- perfectly cooked and not over-seasoned. The polenta was also well-done... the onion fries were cooked crispy and flavorful, but I don't like them much in general... overall, it was a great dish- more than I could make at home for sure... For dessert I tried the pear and raisin cobbler, which was served piping hot with vanilla bean ice cream on top. It was awesome- fresh and sweet. Unfortunately I was pretty full so I didn't get to eat all of it... oh well.

    (4)

  • Jamie D.

    If you're in the mood for an upscale happy hour, then you should totally check out Lemaire! Often regarded as purely a fancy restaurant, Lemaire's happy hour is much more affordable and definitely attracts a diverse crowd. I went on a recent Wednesday with a few girlfriends and the patrons ranged from the expected businessmen in suits to casually dressed 20-somethings to couples enjoying a date night. We arrived around 6:00PM (happy hour lasts from 4:00-7:00 Monday through Friday) and enjoyed $15 bottles of wine and 3 for $20 appetizers. Every weekday features a different happy hour special, with Wednesdays dubbed as "Wine Wednesdays," and the appetizer deal is a daily weekday offering. The appetizers were de-lish. The calamari was cooked perfectly, the raw oysters were super fresh, and the cheese plate included a variety of options (we were able to choose our 3 cheeses from a longer list). The service was phenomenal. When we arrived we posted up at a small cocktail table by the bar. Without requesting it, the hostess reserved us a larger alcove table to give us more room. I was impressed by her initiative, since clearly she was focused on providing the best experience for the customers. Additionally, The Jefferson provides free valet parking for anyone visiting the restaurant. The option to self-park in their lot is also available, of course, which eliminates the headache of searching for street parking. Definitely a "must consider" for anyone looking to class it up a bit, while still being kind to the wallet.

    (4)

  • Douglas F.

    Ate here a few weeks ago with some work friends. Food was excellent, service was exceptional, and ambiance was nice. The only thing I didn't particularly care for was that the wine list was a little too long.

    (4)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:00 pm - 12:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Valet, Street
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Classy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Lemaire Restaurant

Share with your social network

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.