Atmosphere was nice, though the tables and chairs were very light and had a substandard feel. Service was wonderful and attentive to allergies and dietary restrictions. Cocktails were tasty and accommodating to tolerance, Unfortunately, the menu itself was less forgiving and surprisingly small, even for an upscale place. I decided to order the Verdure Arrostito and Gnudi di Ricotta among other items. The Gnudi was very one dimensional and lacked the depth I was expecting. The Arrostito on the other hand was significantly more bland and flavorless. The calabrian chilis were lacking in spice and boldness. When combined with the oily texture of the food, I was reminded of the torture I endured during my capture in Syria. Other members of my table also expressed their disappointment in their food. Unfortunately, the nice atmosphere of the garden area and service would not be enough for me to give this place a second chance. I do hope others find the food closer to their palate. read more

Lost Letter - Italian Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Had my birthday dinner here a bit ago and me and my friends had a lovely experience. But there were a couple things I wish had gone differently. I had specifically requested patio seating, and was surprised when the hostess brought us to our indoor table. But it wasn't a massive deal. I was just happy to be seated as we had to wait about 20 minutes at the bar for our table to be ready. Our server was very nice, but the overall service I believe could've been a lot better, considering the kind of upscale restaurant this is. The food itself was great! I really enjoyed the steak tartare! But a few of the items we got didn't blow me away. I was expecting a bit more. The cocktails were outstanding! I loved the clarified Miami vice! The ambiance of this space was incredible. It truly felt like we were immersed in an experience. Overall, I am looking forward to returning and seeing what else they have to offer! read more

Lost Letter was an uneven experience. The drinks to the rock shrimp pasta were excellent. The service (I wish I remembered her name) was lacking quite a bit. Our server was nice but it seemed like she didn't want to attend to us much. When I was undecided with what was on the menu and didn't realize you had to order everything at once, the server gave us sometime to mull over our entree options. And that was fine until it took her like a good 15 minutes to finally take our order and I did not need that much time to decide what I wanted to eat. And I even tried waiving her down during that time and it seemed like she saw us but would turn around and go elsewhere. Then when everything was said and done, it literally took a good 30-40 minutes to get our entrees on our table. We also tried to order the beet salad to-go around 10:06 but she said the kitchen closed at 10 which is understandable but it would have been nice if she gave us a last call. And with the semi long wait time on our entrees it would have been nice if she gave us some sort of complimentary dessert. All in all the food was great but the service was okay at best. The busser was great though, he was always there to refill our water glasses. read more

Some of the best Italian food/pasta I've had in Richmond, with a wonderful ambiance - we sat outside in their garden patio. Service was great, and we shared lots of appetizers sides and a couple pastas. Worth going for a special occasion or girls night or just because! read more

Lost Letter was an absolute treat. First, the restaurant is gorgeous. Very vibey - you almost forget you're in Richmond. I started with the fried olives. Perfection! I'm not even an olive fan! It was perfectly breaded and fried. Super crispy! I got the rockfish as my main. I was a little shocked at the portion but it was the right amount. The skin on the fish was perfectly crisp. While the rockfish was still meaty and moist. For dessert, I got the bunet which was rich but not overwhelming. The bartender recommended a drink to go with the dessert. I sat at the bar and had a great time with the bartenders. They were great! Friendly but not overwhelming. They made amazing recommendations and interacted with the bar patrons. Really great experience! Can't wait to go back! read more

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Lost Letter was a great find in Scott's Addition. The interior was nicely designed, and our server was friendly and gave us great recommendations. The La Tur al Forno was very cheesy, but still light and paired well with the crispy focaccia underneath. The polpetta was a highlight, never had a meatball that was so soft and also didn't expect meatballs and sauce to be a stand alone dish by themselves. Papardelle had great al dente and thin pasta, the sauce/lamb was good but not amazing. I've never had a dish like the gnudi before, it had such a unique soft texture and flavorful sauce that surprised me. Finished with the tiramisu which is one of the better ones I've had in Richmond. They change the menu over time and will definitely plan to stop by again with new items to try. read more

Incredible, truly. Lost Letter was a place I somewhat stumbled upon by accident, and it has become one of my favorite restaurants ever. The atmosphere and ambiance in Lost Letter really feels like such an intimate, special dining experience, and the servers are so awesome and personable. They have a way of creating nuanced flavor in their dishes that are rarely, if ever, one note or bland. Their servers and sommeliers are also always able to recommend a good wine pairing. I've tried a handful of dishes here. The ones that have stood out the most were - Gorgonzola Pasta. Flavorful without being overly salty. Roasted delicata squash. I was actually stunned by how amazing this was, complemented by sweet and spicy notes. Ricotta gnudi with pesto, walnut, and lemon. I literally savored every single bite of this, I can't explain how good it was. Octopus appetizer. I'm actually generally not the biggest fan of octopus, so this really speaks to how well Lost Letter does it. It was extremely thinly sliced with a basil oil and capers (I think?) and some spice. It was so lovely, as well as beautifully presented. Even the bread and butter here is so good. I think the only misses for me were the mushroom risotto (which was not quite hot when it was served to me, and not as flavorful as their other dishes), and the chocolate hazelnut tart, which felt overly sweet and a little unbalanced. Even so, these dishes were not bad, just not as good as the others. read more

Mixed (mostly good) reaction. Cool place - nice vibe. Service was overall excellent. Apps and drinks: Drinks were insanely expensive. If you're going to charge $15 for a simple rosé at least make it a reasonable pour. And charging an extra $ for the coke in the rum-and-coke is an irritant. It's also an irritant when you have to pay for bread. We split the olives and insalata. Both very good. The pork shank was outstanding. The accompanying polenta so-so. My wife got the pasta which was also excellent. We passed on dessert. Overall I'd say it was very good and I'd be willing to go back. But just be aware that you're going to be paying $100/person for a couple of drinks, apps and entrés. read more

Okay this place is all the good things about fine dining! The prices are on the higher side but not unreasonable for the amount of work that goes into each dish. The best thing is the portion sizes. We got 6 dishes to split and four drinks total and I was full and boozy by the end of the meal. The highlight was the La Tur Al Forno & Speck. Imagine the best crispy thin bacon wrapped around the richest meltiest cheese in the world on top of crisp yet soft pillow like bread! I might have to come by my self for a drink and that dish at the bar. The Carne Cruda was some of the best raw steak I have ever had. Highly recommend if you're looking for a fancy dinner with absolutely exceptional flavors! Worth the money for sure! read more

Lost Letter - Prosciutto, burrata, and Carne Cruda - Italian Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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A cute restaurant in Scott's Addition. It's very small so I highly recommend making a reservation, otherwise you might not get in. The service is good. I just sat at the bar and got a cocktail but it was delicious! read more

Absolutely fantastic fresh pats, slow cooked meats, and ambiance. Solid cocktails and an impressive wine list elevate the experience. Easily the best Italian food in Richmond. read more

Just an amazing experience. @lostletterrva , thank you for the fantastic date meal experience today. Both @jackieestherj loved every bite. A culinary dance, in a beautiful restaurant with world class, attentive service and the highest professionalism. Team @lostletterrva , I salute you. Very reasonable value for the quality and execution. Go there. I'd rather they become too busy for my last minute resy but be successful as a business, than they go away. RVA, we need to support places like this. L-R: Octopus Carpaccio. Perfectly cooked with perfect herbed olive oil, marigold, chives. Prosciutto di Parma, black mission figs, marigold. Pappardelle with pork & beef bolognese. Pork shank over polenta. read more

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We had our first visit (11/2025) with another couple. We shared several appetizers and somewhat surprisingly, each couple shared an entree and dessert. The food was very good, and the service was impeccable. Nice ambiance. read more

Outstanding food accompanied by curteous and well-trained service in a business casual environment with modern ambiance. What's not to like? First of all, this Italian restaurant's sign is so faint that you just may miss it. We did! Once inside, it's not your mama's trattoria but rather fine dining at its best in Richmond. Is it worth getting a sitter for date night? Absolutely. read more

My gf and I went a few weeks ago and it was wonderful!! I highly recommend getting a reservation though, we luckily went on a whim and they had 2 seats at the bar. The service was great and food came out on time. The ambiance is dark if you like that kind of thing. We ordered the chickory salad and tartar. Both were expectational! For my entree she got the lasagna and I got the beef cheeks. Mine was sooo delicious and tender. We also got the tiramisu and highly recommend getting that as well! Definitely must try place!! read more

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Everything handmade, exceptional atmosphere and flavors. Exceeds expectations every time. Exceptional service and wine pairings as well. In my mind, the best restaurant Richmond has to offer. read more

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A cute restaurant in Scott's Addiction. Reservations are necessary as the place is small. A lot of staff so service is strong. Limited selection of wine by the glass, four choices, sparkling, white, rose and red. $14 a glass which is steep. A large selection of wine by the bottle. The cocktails looked great and seemed to be what most people ordered. We opted to just have a drink at the bar since the menu wasn't enticing to one of my friends. Great for a foodie, not great for picky eaters. Everything smelled great. read more

Decided to give this a try with a friend on a whim. You are met with a modern dining room lay out and bar when you enter. They have a nice garden patio as well and in the back was an open kitchen area. We didn't have a reservation and snagged a seat at the bar on a Thursday evening. The service at the bar was pleasant but a little slow. We started with a couple antipasti and bread and olive oil. The bread was nice because they gave you two different types of bread. For entrees we tried the pork shank which was phenomenal and the bucatini with clams. The bucatini was a little bland and soupy for me. Great date night spot and overall the food was great. read more

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Lost letter is a sweet little spot. A sophisticated yet simple and welcoming vibe is found once you open the door. While in Lost Letter you feel as if you are in a different world where you can find a bit of peace, ease and relaxation either enjoying a solo meal at the bar or a dinner with close friends and family at the tables. The staff are all very kind, attentive and welcoming. The food is great and overall I enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the anchovy dish in the salsa verde with fresh bread for dipping and look forward to trying other things on the menu. I was looking forward to the bucatini with the meyer lemon sauce but was underwhelmed as it wasn't as flavorful as imagined and at the moment can't compete with Bar Mezzana's exceptional lemon and prosciutto spaghetti which so far is one of the few restaurants that can make a simple lemon sauce pasta, a standout dish on a menu. The wine and cocktails list is great yet I wish they had a few more options for Lambrusco over just serving it from the can. Overall very pleased and will return to see how this restaurant continues to flex their innovative dishes. read more

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Fantastic drinks, food, atmosphere, only small improvements I hope for next time. The drinks were delicious, my partner doesn't drink and the mocktail was awesome. It wasn't just a cocktail minus alcohol, it was an actual crafted drink. The wine selection was also extensive without being overwhelming. We ended up getting bread, two appetizers, a pasta dish, main meat dish, and a dessert. It was plenty of food for two of us and overall everything was great. The appetizers were SO good, honestly better than the main dishes we got. The pasta (butternut squash with Gorgonzola) was delicious and unique. The pork shank was very tender, but the polenta wasn't very warm and was just okay. The gelato was so smooth and the perfect amount of sweet. I think next time, we would get two apps and two pastas. We made a reservation a few weeks ahead of time and had our choice of times. I would absolutely come back, it's a very romantic spot and I would love to eat in their outdoor patio when it gets warmer. read more

Excellent service and food. Everything we had was well balanced and delicious; portions were perfect, (really not sure why so many reviews mentioned the portions as an issue). If the meal was $20 less I would be back often. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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I have been given a gift certificate to go to this restaurant so we went in with a very open mind and not too worried about cost. The atmosphere is fantastic! It's sort of has a speakeasy to it although from the outside, it would be very easy to walk right past it and not see it. He definitely want to know where you are going. We arrived a little early and so the dinner crowd had not yet filtered in. We had a very attentive server who checked on us multiple times during the dinner and we were able to get out in a reasonable amount of time after finishing up. Now, the food! We started with an olive dish that I had never had before. The olives were fried, and there was a Gorgonzola spread on the container that the olives were presented with. Delicious! For the second course, we had an appetizer that was some sort of Barada cheese wrapped in spec served on a grilled piece of focaccia bread. Also delicious and very rich! For the main course, I had the rockfish over top of black rice and fennel sausage and my spouse had a pasta that had lemon and pinenuts with it. Both were delicious and well flavored. The lemon was a little odd at first, but once you dialed it in. The pasta was quite good. The total bill for the food mentioned above as well as a glass of wine was about $115. Perhaps little pricey, but for a special night out, I would definitely come back. We are so fortunate in Richmond to have such a vibrant food scene, and I hope that people will continue to get out there and support their local chefs! read more

I was very excited to try this restaurant after all of the reviews that I've seen. I was sorely disappointed. My husband and I had the Burrata for an appetizer, and that was very tasty. I had the Halibut for an entree, and I didn't care for it. I didn't realize it was spicy, and I do NOT like spicy. My husband had the pork shank and said it was ok. My daughter had the lemony pasta and it was again, ok and a little small in portion for the price. My son had the pork shank and wasn't impressed, and his wife's portion of Agnolotti for $28 was absolutely a joke. My husband kept saying that it had to be a joke that this was considered an entree. He kept expecting someone to come out with a nice large bowl. It was less than a cup of soup that you get for an appetizer at any other restaurant. I really enjoyed the tiramasu. Sorry, I'm a foodie and I won't ever return. read more

Lost Letter - Completely unacceptable Agnolotti entree. - Italian Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This restaurant is expensive for the sake of being expensive. This was one of the most expensive restaurants that I have been to in years, and my wife left hungry. The quality of the food did not match the price. The beef tartare was enjoyable. I had the braised pork shank, which had an ok portion size, but lacked flavor. My wife had the Agnolotti for $28. Please see the comically small portion size in the photo below. The tiramisu was ok, but wasn't boozy enough for my taste. We will not be back. read more

Lost Letter - Full portion size of Agnolotti for $28 - Italian Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

FINALLY!!!! Good Italian food in Richmond! The atmosphere is amazing and the drink menu is just as good as the food menu. My pesto was so fresh and the octopus app was amazing. The people next to me ordered the pork shank and it made me so jealous. I need to go back 1 million times. read more

My boyfriend and I went to Lost Letter last evening for dinner. No special occasion, just wanted to treat ourselves to a nice evening out. From the moment we walked in, it felt like something special. It smelled good, the lighting was perfect, it was cozy, and inviting. We were greeted immediately and chose to sit at the bar and have the best cocktail ever served by a cheerful and talented bartender. It had fresh rosemary and oranges and limes and Mezcal. It smelled and tasted amazing. We were seated at a cozy table for two in the back of the restaurant with a view of the open kitchen. It was intimate and lovely. The service was impeccable, not rushed, not overbearing, just the right amount of attention. Our waitress had good suggestions when we asked about the menu and the wines. We split a bottle of Nebbiolo, which was amazing! We shared their version of a Caesar salad, I had the beef cheek ravioli, and he had the rock fish. For dessert we had the Nutella gelato (ahh-maaaaa-zing) and some Prosecco. It was hands-down the best meal I've had in Richmond. The food was phenomenal! We ate slowly, savoring every delicious bite and sip! We never felt rushed, we enjoyed our time together over exquisite food, delicious wine, and romantic ambiance. Although on the pricey side, it was worth it for a truly amazing experience all around. Thank you, Lost Letter! We will be back! read more

A fancy little dinner spot tucked away in the heart of Scott's addition. We love to come here for a special occasions. The service is top-notch and the food is delicious. A must try if you like fancy dinner spots in Richmond! read more

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We stumbled upon Lost Letter almost by accident. We walked in and were easily able to get a table on a Friday night. The tables in the back have a beautiful view of the kitchen and then have full length glass walls looking out onto the patio. The food was good, but not the best I have ever had. The pasta was a little bit tough but the sauce had great flavor. I would come back. read more

What a great Italian concept restaurant in the front of the Longoven space. A nice menu of Italian cuisine with a mix of pasta, meats, poultry and fish. All the food we ordered was well prepared and very tasty. The pasta portions might be considered on the smaller side. The special spumoni cake dessert was huge and tasty but it was $15. There's a full bar and a decent wine list as well with some Italian beers. The host greeted us immediately and brought us to our table with menus. The server soon followed with some water and was very pleasant. Our food order was spaced out nicely so we did not feel rushed or left stranded. The dining areas are very stylish, spaced properly and comfortable. The patio is super nice and it doesn't even seem like it's outside, very classy and cozy. There's street parking and since it was a Sunday there was no issue finding a spot. This was a good experience and will probably return to explore more of the menu. read more

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Lost letter was recommended to me for my first year anniversary dinner with my boyfriend at the time in early 2024. We had their special wine and the food was amazing. I had the roast chicken dish. The bread and olive oil appetizer were yummy. The restaurant provided an intimate spot for a special occasion. read more

My friends and I made a reservation, but were seated 30 minutes after. They did give us water and allowed us to order drinks while waiting for our table. The waitress was very kind and attentive. The beef tartare and the burrata cheese were delicious. I ordered the Tajarin Al Ragu (pasta) and it was a bit bland for me, especially with the price point of ~$20. We also ordered the roasted chicken and braised pork shank which were okay. The roasted chicken was attractive but was nothing impressive or memorable. The braised pork is pretty heavy and I recommend ordering greens or salad on the side to balance it out. The limoncello tiramisu was pretty sour which I really liked but my friends thought the sourness did not match the tiramisu. We sat in the patio area which was very nicely decorated and aesthetic. Overall, great date place to go to and is well-decorated inside. Though, for the price point of the food with mediocre tasting, I probably won't go back. It's a modern spin on Italian food, but I think I just prefer more authentic Italian food. read more

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service is everything in an industry like this and lost letter doesn't have it. We had an unforeseen circumstance of a delay in travel and called to let them know we couldn't make the reservation and they still charged us $100 and said they don't make exceptions to their policy. At the end of the day, exceptions can always be made and the host continues to treat us with negativity and a lack of understanding. The cancellation fee is not a make or break for keeping the restaurant open, but their decision to not make things right is definitely a deterrent from wanting to go back. And people should be aware of that. read more

The experience here is always top notch. From service to food to ambience. I personally love sitting near the bar or on their outdoor patio space. However, sitting in the main dining room is really fun to see the chefs at work. Food is outstanding and interesting flavors without being too crazy or unaccessible. You MUST get the bread, it is fantastic! Some nights that have a sommelier on staff, I don't drink but what a nice touch for those that do! You will not be disappointed coming here. read more

Lost Letter - Italian Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Our experience here was certainly better than Longoven. We didn't leave hungry! The starter courses were the highlight. The calamari was bright, fresh but had a really nice depth of flavor. A sardine and pepper dish went nicely with the focaccia bread. The Ragu was beautiful but a little under seasoned for me. My wife had a monstrous pork shank which was tender and delicious. Two things kept this from being great. #1. They have very few wines by the glass. For instance only 1 glass of white wine and 1 glass of red. The bottle list looked ok but what if you want white and the wife wants red? I can't recall another nice restaurant ever having such a spartan list. #2. The service is very cold/clinical. Everyone is polite and professional but it makes the experience feel lacking in personality. Overall I would consider going back but rank this below favorites like Lemaire, Stella's, l'opposum, Grisette. The food is on par of a place like Shagbark but that place has a killer wine list and friendly, happy waitstaff. read more

Doesn't look like much from the front of the building, but this new concept on Scott addition takes up the front part of the original long oven restaurant. It's theme seems to be speak easy/cocktail bar/ Italian restaurant. The vibe is a bit unusual but the bar is well stocked and the bar tenders are really good. I think the menu offerings are few and very pricey. For vegetarians it's not the best place to get dinner. Only three stars because I would have expected a more robust menu highlighting produce from long oven and a more inviting vibe. read more

From start to finish what an amazing experience! The food and spectacular and the drinks were out of this world. Felt like you were in a michelin star restaurant. read more

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Lost letter has been the best experience in RVA for dinner. Great food, great vibe, great service. There's not many unique upscale restaurants in RVA and this fits perfectly in Scott's. read more

Very expensive for what you get . Sat at one of the worst tables by front door . Service just ok . Ordered the bread which was delicious . Beef tar tar was salsa consistency with two pieces of bread to dip in . Pasta dish tiny for $28 . My son was still starving . Ordered soft shell crab special . Was full of crab meat but very bland ! No flavor . Left paying $260 for three people Nd husband and son still hungry . Go somewhere else . Difficult menu without many choices ! read more

If you're looking for Italian fine dining this is the spot. Sampled lots of the antipastos and pastas. Worth the splurge for a special occasion dinner. read more

Lost Letter may be the best restaurant in Richmond. We've visited three times with different people, and the restaurant always performs. Service has been impeccable, the perfect mix of friendly and professional. We have yet to have a disappointing dish. On a recent visit, grilled octopus, rockfish and pork shank were all standouts. The wine list is excellent, offering interesting selections from affordable to top end. Cool space with understated ambiance... read more