I came here for my 30th birthday and had the best time! I was looking for a spot open on Monday evenings and Adarra had an opening. I booked a table for four. The green building is unmarked so it took us a second to feel confident about going inside. It's located in Oregon Hill so there is some street parking around. We live nearby so walked to it. I had the best culinary experience with my favorite people. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a very dark and moody restaurant, great for intimate or romantic moments.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They recommend you do family style. We ordered five dishes for our four person group. Someone in our party was gluten free and it was not hard to accommodate that. I believe they cook almost all the meals on a open fire. The menu changes with the seasons and I wish I took a picture to share the proper names of what we had, but here is what we tried: Cocktails: We each got one and they are very creative cocktails. I love how experimental they get with them. I tried a clarified strawberry mojito which wasn't too sweet and easy to drink. A friend of mine got a mojito old fashioned that was strong and had nice bitters. I'm blanking on my fiancé's drink, but it was my favorite for its sweetness and carbonation. My best friend got a unique martini-like drink with onion and salt she loved. Asparagus Salad: This was refreshing and perfect for the spring day we had. I loved the cream and strawberry components. Scallops: These were so tasty. I loved the bed of salt they were on, it really brought out the flavors. Octopus: This was my favorite dish of the evening. The flavors were GREAT. I started with the potatoes and spinach part and was already in love with the dish. I was so happy that they cooked the octopus to perfection. Drum: This was at the bottom of the list of what we had for me, but still really yummy. The silky fish was a bit plain without it's very tasty crunchy skin, but if you combined the two it was good. Trout: We devoured this. This was the star of the show for my fiancé. It was huge and great for four people (considering we ate a bunch of other plates before). The oil it came is was so yummy. It was a good fish y'all, good fish is good fish. Basque cheesecake with olive oil drizzle: My birthday cake choice for the evening. The olive oil was a little overpowering for me, but the cheesecake was still yummy. We loved our experience here. It seems like a lot of recent reviews have some issues with the timing, but it worked lovely for our group. We got there at 5:30pm and left around 7:30pm. We wanted a more relaxed experience and loved our conversation so it did not feel this long. But it is worth being mindful about timing. We did take a while to order drinks. Overall, it was a tasty and lovely time here. It's a pricier restaurant, but totally worth it. This has been on my want to try list for a long time and I am beyond happy I finally tried it. read more

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I visited Adarra for the first time recently. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambience, service, drinks, wine selection and food - all wonderful.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I commend them for going after the top end of the market. I tried one of the specials that I now see pictured in every restaurant review - butterflied trout. I admit it was phenomenal and I'm shocked how anyone can get a trout to take up so much space on a plate! My only regret is that I did not ask for the price before ordering. I'm glad I didn't inquire, otherwise I would not have ordered it. It was fantastic.- I think $70 for a trout entree is a reach. Even though it was a special, at that price point I think the servers should tell you the price regardless of whether you asked. I truly appreciate great food; both cooking it and it and eating it. We are fortunate to have so many great restaurants in Richmond. Adarra is not in my price range for very frequent visits in spite of them doing everything exceptionally well. I will go back, but I can't justify it being part of my regular rotation. read more

Restaurant Adarra - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We recently went to Adarra for the first time in their new location, and I'll start with this. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space is absolutely stunning. Warm, beautiful, and clearly thoughtfully designed. It sets high expectations the moment you walk in.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to the setting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The biggest shift from what Adarra used to be is the menu and pacing. The small plates format feels gone. Instead, you order everything upfront and they course it out for you. In theory, that works. In reality, this is where things really fell apart. There was at least 20 to 30 minutes between each dish. Not once, every single course. After two and a half hours, our final dish, the rockfish, still had not arrived and we ended up boxing it to go. That is just too long, especially when the restaurant was not particularly busy. If the concept is fire driven cooking and a slower pace, that needs to be clearly communicated upfront so guests know what to expect. Food wise, it started strong and then steadily declined. The smoked trout and fennel salad was the standout. Absolutely fabulous. Bright, balanced, and memorable. The cheese plate was good but underwhelming. Three cheeses served with standard Carr's crackers, honey, and apple jam. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing that justifies the price either. About 25 minutes later came the octopus. Nicely cooked, but the spicy potatoes felt unnecessary and heavy. The best bite on the plate was actually the combination of the smoky octopus with the pickled onions. Another long wait brought the prawns, which were a miss. Mealy, almost cottony texture, likely overcooked. The saffron broth was not for me, though I can see others enjoying it. And then more waiting. Over 30 minutes later, the rockfish finally came, but by then we were done and had it boxed up. To be fair, the wine was excellent. We splurged on a bottle and it was one of the highlights of the night. Service wise, I know some reviews call it pretentious, but that was not our experience. The staff was professional and pleasant. The issue is not attitude, it is pacing and execution. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Overall, beautiful space and good-ish food, but the timing is brutal. Dining should not feel like a test of endurance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Coming from the Charleston, SC food scene, which is probably the best in the country, food, service, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]ambiance were all excellent at Adarra.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We sat at the bar as we usually do and enjoyed chatting with the server/bartender. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. Food was outstanding as they took the time to course out each order. We will be back when I am back in town. read more

My wife and I adore Basque food. We spent over a week in Donostia/San Sebastián, fell in love with the pintxo culture, and came home evangelical about the region's ingredient-first, clean but creative, quietly perfectionist cooking. That's why Adarra was such a disappointment for us. After a single tapas plate we looked at each other, closed the menu, and decided we were done. Basque cuisine, at its core, is about freshness and restraint. Great products are treated simply so their natural character can shine. Our octopus plate did the opposite. The octopus wasn't the freshest or most tender I've had, and then it was buried under loud, competing flavors, including a bright orange spicy sauce that read like the "spicy mayo" you find on an Americanized sushi roll. Whatever delicacy the octopus might have had was drowned out. Ironically, the best thing on the plate was the bed of black-eyed peas, which were well seasoned and comforting, but hardly the star we came for. For the price, the portion was modest; most diners would need two plates to approach a meal. Conceptually, the menu felt oddly un-Basque. A large share of the offerings were conservas. I like tinned fish and eat it happily in Galicia and Portugal, but in Basque Country the point is immaculate freshness: sardines that taste as if they were still shimmering in the bay an hour ago, which goes great with a crisp txakolina. Seeing familiar brands of conservas at a hefty markup where I expected pristine product made the whole experience feel more Iberian-tourist-shop than Basque tavern. If you want a glass of wine and a tin of seafood at a premium, Adarra may scratch that itch. If you're hoping for the spare, ingredient-driven clarity that defines Basque cooking, it will likely miss the mark. We paid the check after the octopus and finished our evening elsewhere. The staff were understanding. read more

Restaurant Adarra - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We haven't been to Adarra since it was located in Jackson Ward, but decided our anniversary was the perfect opportunity to check out its newer location. We are so glad we chose so! From the moment we walked through the door, each person we spoke to was welcoming and very helpful. Truly, their attention to detail was outstanding, We enjoyed their grilled oysters, pork belly, and that evening's special of blue crab with corn and okra. Everything tasted so savory and delicious. We opted for the polenta cake and walnut ice cream for dessert, along with a glass of very nice sherry. Our meal was brought out in a timely fashion without making us feel rushed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The design of the restaurant itself is cozy and very inviting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Overall, we both enjoyed a lovely, celebratory night out, thanks to the brilliant team at Adarra. read more

Restaurant Adarra - Rice with summer vegetables and blue crab - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Sublime cuisine. Everything we ordered from the curated menu was delicious, especially the red drum fish and prawns. We enjoyed the professional service but there is room for improvement in that front. One example, we asked if it were possible to get some juice and the server responded "No, this is not a cocktail bar." Yet, the restaurant had a fully stocked bar directly to the right of our table. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance is understated and elegant with beautiful paintings on the walls.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Where do I begin? I have never been to this restaurant in the past, so when I parked I didn't know what I was looking for. I stood there looking at the address listed here and on maps, and the non-corresponding address numbers above the door. There is literally no signage whatsoever. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The building and interior are absolutely magical! Lots of gorgeous wood and romantic chandeliers and paintings.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] That is what the extra star is for. Otherwise they would have received only two. I was seated immediately and the server approached to get my drink order. First off, the menu is super limited and know up front there are absolutely NO SUBSTITUTIONS. My friend has a number of serious allergies so she only had the option of a single entree, one vegetable option or the cheese plate. I'm not really sure why we weren't contacted and warned that maybe this wasn't the right venue for her. In ordering drinks we asked if an ingredient could be left out, and were promptly told the drink is made to be experienced only in the way it was intended. I asked if the server could ask if it was possible to leave out or if it wasn't an allergen and was just told no (we were worried the ingredient was a possible allergen). My friend was offered to taste something else for a drink but they instead just poured a whole glass rather than letting her try it. The server came back after all of this just to let us know that the ingredient wouldn't have been an allergen, after we both already had drinks. Waste of time. The experience was the most pretentious one I have had in all of Richmond. We got the cheese plate (weren't allowed to know which cheeses were possible and it's the chef's choice) shishito peppers, a heaping bowl of just ok peppers and the sausage which was the only decently tasty thing we got. The food is not bad, it is solidly in the good range but not mind blowing. I just am not sure I want to be told what I am to like whilst paying a lot for food. Generally I feel that you have an expectation that there will be some amount of accommodation. I don't expect Burger King, but I do expect human decency especially when anaphylaxis is involved. Will not be back, like ever. I just don't really need another abusive Richmond restaurant, even if they did take over the old Mama Zu location. read more

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We got a reservation at their new location in Oregon Hill. The property is very beautiful. You might want to get there a little early to find parking because the parking lot is for deliveries. Only we wish there was a little bit more explanation of the menu it is shared plates. The serving staff was very professional. Some of our favorite dishes were the non-meat dishes, including the carrots and the beet salad without at least two of the dishes were a little bit too similar for our taste, but still had a very good taste. We should just go with several people so you can try more dishes. read more

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Just go, already. You know you've heard good things. And based on the folks from whom you've heard these good things, you know you're in for an experience. I will say that for the quality of the cuisine and the experience, expect to pay more than the usual tab for "fine dining" in the market, but it's worth it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance? Check.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Quality service? Check. Amazing food? Triple check. Everything's cooked over open flame, and from the tuna to the lamb to the mussels to the bread, every bite of every dish will enlighten you. The family style/shared portions approach encourages camaraderie and engagement with your fellow table mates. Cocktails are what one would expect from such an establishment. Wine cellar is impressive of that's your bag. Just go, already. read more

The bestSpanish tapas restaurant around. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The new location on Union Hill is to die for so elegant and upscale the feeling is that you're someone else of great importance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]a visual open kitchen that is next level[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] and of course the food transports you to another part of the world. Do yourself a favor and to ones you love make this place your next home. read more

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Grabbed a quick drink at the new location! The old Mamma Zu's spot (miss them so much). Crazy to think Mamma Zu's was in here once upon a time. They made some incredible improvements. Honestly, I kept having vibes of a speak easy. We were able to grab a couple drinks after our dinner at L'Opposum. Neat spot, I look forward to swinging by for dinner! read more

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Richmond's food scene has really been improving, and you can find hidden gems in the neighborhood that is out of the way. This is a great place if you enjoy seafood and tapas. a lot of anchovy dishes and variety of seafood. it's a bit of over priced but the quality of food is amazing. the service is top notch. the razor clam appetizer taste fresh, just the portion is a little small. my favorite is shrimp , great flavor and the shrimp taste really fresh. the otopus is very tender and mix well with the white beans in the bottom. crab risotto has great flavor just a little bit too salty. the lamb paella can avoid, it's overpowered by the amount of parsley. read more

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**3.75 I was a frequent flyer of the original Adarra location in Jackson Ward. This was my first dining experience in the new spot in Oregon Hill. Greeted at the door by the friendly, always welcoming owner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Coat check is new and a nice touch.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The new space is exceptional. My wife and I dined at a table this round and will look forward to bar seating next round to see the spot from a different vantage point.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The menu is refined a bit. There are less "tinned" options. We were craving the razor clams! Quality of the food remains in tact. Every round was fantastic. Beautifully prepared, plated and delicious. Two gripes: 1) Service was below our expectation of what we had grown used to with dining at Adarra. Wait staff was friendly and helpful, but the fluidity of the experience that we came to know was not there for us. Periods of time with empty cocktails, empty plates, etc. It seems they could have benefited from a third server. While it may seem like I am nitpicking, let me be very clear, by no means was our service bad, we have just come to expect the very best from Adarra. I'll chalk this first run for us in the new space up to growing pains. 2) [[HIGHLIGHT]]The foyer just inside the front door needs a cold/wind curtain, bad. I was seated at the second table from the front door, chair side, and was blasted by the nearly 32° air our entire dining experience every time the door opened, which was often[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. I overheard our neighboring table speaking on the same matter. Ok, I'm done complaining. At the end of the day, we love Restaurant Adarra. We are proud of where they came from and what they have achieved in their new space. They have far too many positive deposits in my bank for my "gripes" to spoil them for me. We will look forward to being back again soon and seeing how they are settling in! read more

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PRETENTIOUS! Thinks it's a Michelin restaurant, but it is NOT! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Atmosphere is lovely[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], but food is overpriced and unimaginative. Snooty server actually told us that we did not order enough after we selected a 3-cheese appetizer, scallops, beets, and sausage. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Excellent service, beautiful ambiance and the dishes emphasized local food from Virginia[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. I especially liked that we never felt rushed. The cocktails were delicious and, yes the wine list was short but it made choosing your wine simple. The deserts were surprisingly very good. We ate them all, when we usually eat only a bite or two. We will be back. Thank you Adarra Team! read more

From my Mai Tai cocktail to the smoked clams to rice pudding for dessert, the flavors here were unique and perfect and true to this coastal region. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The spot-on ambiance didn't hurt, right down to the wafting smell of the smoker when I left.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I loved my dinner here. read more

Restaurant Adarra - Cocktails and candles - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

A Disappointing Dining Experience at Adarra We recently had the opportunity to dine at Adarra, the Spanish-inspired restaurant that relocated from Jackson Ward to the former Mama Zu location in Oregon Hill. Unfortunately, my experience left much to be desired. Atmosphere and Ambiance The new space, while an ambitious renovation, feels more like a missed opportunity than a triumph. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The decor features dark woods, coffered ceilings, and uninspiring wall art, creating a somber and uninviting atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant's compact size contributes to a noisy environment, making conversation challenging.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Despite the significant investment in the space, the ambiance falls short of expectations. Service and Wine Selection Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly and seated promptly. However, the service experience quickly declined. The absence of a wine list was perplexing; instead, we were expected to discuss our preferences with the sommelier. This process was time-consuming and lacked transparency, as we were not informed about the wine regions or pricing, making it difficult to make an informed choice. Menu and Food Quality The menu was sparse and uninviting, offering little to excite the palate. We opted for two appetizers, both of which were uninspiring and lacked the finesse one might expect from a restaurant of this caliber. For the main course, we chose the special of the day: a full trout. The trout was presented on a white plate with a significant layer of oil, making it greasy and unappetizing. Attempting to crisp the skin by placing the fish in a hot pan of oil resulted in a failed endeavor. Additionally, the trout was stuffed with an overwhelming amount of rosemary, overpowering the delicate flavor of the fish. Dessert The cheesecake, while not exceptional, was the highlight of the meal. It offered a brief respite from the otherwise disappointing dining experience. Value for Money The total cost of the meal, including tip, was approximately $550. For that price, one could enjoy a refined dining experience at a Michelin-listed restaurant in New York City, such as The Leopard at des Artistes, which offers elegant decor, a thoughtfully curated menu by a renowned chef, and impeccable service. Conclusion Adarra's relocation to Oregon Hill has not translated into an improved dining experience. The lackluster ambiance, cumbersome wine selection process, uninspired menu, and high prices make it difficult to justify a return visit. Richmond's dining scene offers numerous other establishments that provide better value and a more satisfying culinary experience. read more

The waiter tried to force us to order 3-5 dishes. Felt pressured by him and actually ordered 2 dishes, which we couldn't even finish. Expensive and not worth it. read more

Easy enough to make reservations. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Friendly welcome, great ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The waitress was super patient, kind and easy going. She suggested a sommelier to help choose the wine I would appreciate. It was a skin contact wine. Super interesting and different. I was pleasantly surprised. The request that you order everything at the same time and the will space each dish out. We chose the octopus salad, winter greens and the braised lamb. Everything was delicious and each dish had such a unique flavor. We ended the evening with an homemade custard that was so different but a great way to end the evening. Truly a perfect spot for someone seeking food to hit every tastebud. We will definitely be going back! Easy enough to make reservations. Friendly welcome, great ambiance. The waitress was super patient, kind and easy going. She suggested a sommelier to help choose the wine I would appreciate. It was a skin contact wine. Super interesting and different. I was pleasantly surprised. The request that you order everything at the same time and the will space each dish out. We chose the octopus salad, winter greens and the braised lamb. Everything was delicious and each dish had such a unique flavor. We ended the evening with an homemade custard that was so different but a great way to end the evening. Truly a perfect spot for someone seeking food to hit every tastebud. We will definitely be going back! read more

Restaurant Adarra - Braided lamb - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Everything was awesome!! We had a bar reservation. The hostess was super friendly upon arrival and the bartenders were also very friendly, helpful, and attentive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was really cool in there, giving a like, luxury cabin vibe. I loved all the metallic items, silver, and candles. Artwork was really cool.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We really liked the IPA and the white wine. The menu changes everyday so it was very intricate and unique. Some words I didn't know, the bartender was quick to answer any questions. We ordered the pork terrain, prawns, and rockfish. We shared them so each dish came out one by one which was nice. Everything tasted AMAZING. They gave us bread to dip in the prawn sauce which was so good. I look forward to going back. read more

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Unbelievably and ungodly pretentious. Ordering wine is a farce. There is no list and the owner/sommelier purports to be an expert. My husband knows quite a bit about wine so he described several types that we might want with dinner But she just brought out whatever she had on hand. Our weight was was pleasant but the service was abysmal. We were there 45 minutes before we had a drink in front of us, and it was a Monday night! Food is is ridiculous, expensive and really bad. The warm trout salad actually turned my stomach and smelled like vomit. The whole trout was god-awful and overpriced. It came out swimming in oil and had an entire rosemary bush stuffed inside of each. So much for tasting the fish itself. We couldn't wait to get out of there. Ordered two slices of the Basque cheesecake to take out. And it still took forever to get to us. We returned home to find the cheesecake burned all over. My husband's slice had something taped to the cardboard box. I realized it was a ridiculous cheap candle. Our bill came to $500 But rather than treat him to a birthday dessert they taped some cheap candle to the outside of the takeaway box. read more

We had dinner at Restaurant Adarra a few weeks ago when we were visiting Richmond for the weekend. It's small Spanish restaurant - elegant, but understated. The service was very good. We shared the sardinas escabeche (sardines in spiced sauce with butter, lemon, and toast); one of the specials (a salad of thinly sliced raw mushrooms with olive oil, herbs, and shaved Idiazabal cheese); another of the specials (mushrooms, lamb, herbs, and rice); and a dish of octopus, beans, and romesco). We tried some of their beverages (wine and two cocktails). Everything was very good. I'd happily return! read more

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Adarra came highly recommended online and by several locals so I had to check it out yesterday. The service was great and the staff were very professional. I recommend getting at least 3 items as its tapas style. I started with Clams served with chips and hot sauce and it was quite good. The Octopus with White Beans was also excellent as were the White Anchovies with bread. They also had a great Albarino Wine that one of the staff recommended. read more

Restaurant Adarra - Octopus - Modern European Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Unbelievable food, service and ambience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They went above and beyond to make this night unforgettable for us and kudos to the kitchen, FOH staff, bartenders and host. This place blew us away tonight and we will be back any chance we get. (The octopus and the lamb dishes were total insanity and I mean that in the best way imaginable). Probably one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had in RVA and that is not conjecture. read more

I has the pleasure to celebrate my girlfriends birthday here, and I must say it was awesome. The service was absolutely amazing. We sat at the bar where the bartender was not only knowledgeable about every menu item, but had phenomenal suggestions for cocktails. I told him the spirit I wanted to drink and he brought me some delicious one of a kind drinks perfectly paired with the meal. The atmosphere was classy with a touch of modern. Music was a wide reading misfit mix of modern songs to promote conversation, but also to fill any empty silence. The lights were adjusted perfectly as the sun started to set. read more

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Restaurant Adarra was one of the restaurants we wanted to check out in Richmond. For dinner, our party ordered one of the specials, Guiso Gallego to share, which was a stew cooked for 40 hours -- consisting of lamb shoulder, cauliflower, peppers, rice and lots of mushrooms. Per our server's recommendation, three more dishes would be a sufficient amount of food for our party of three. So we ordered the Jamon Iberico, Pintxos Gildas, and Calameres en Tinta to share. The Guiso Gallego was definitely the highlite of the dinner, the flavors were incredible. Also worth checking out is the Pintxos Gildas, which is the first pintxo ever to be created in San Sebastian in the 1940s. Here, this is served with a little serving of sherry. Restaurant Adarra is a good place to try Basque cuisine, as Basque restaurants are rare and hard to come by. The owners are also very nice and welcoming. read more

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Wonderful food, service, ambiance. The staff really know what they are doing with a small curated menu, quality ingredients and very effective preparation. Everything was top notch! We will be back when they open at their new location in Oregon Hill. read more

The ambiance is romantic and low key. While the themes of Spain reverberate through the food, there are some obvious American changes. First, I tried the baked Olives, in Spain these are fresh and flavorful, Adarra tries the American version with vinegar and falls short of the original recipe. read more

This is one I wish I could give 3.5 stars... food was good but for the price I'll stick to other places. We knew the menu was small but it was very small when we went. Service and drinks would have gotta a 5 but food was 3-3.5. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great spot in the old (and thankfully renovated) Mamma Zu space in Oregon Hill.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is an intimate and comfortable space with excellent food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I've been several times, and each time the menu was different. They have an eclectic wine selection, and most of the food is cooked over an open fire. The bartender really knows his stuff, and makes awesome cocktails. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I liked the old space in Jackson Ward, but this is definitely a step up![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Every dish was fantastic! Bay scallops, prawns, octopus, and basque cheesecake - one amazing taste after another. So glad we found this spot on Yelp. read more

Restaurant Adarra in Jackson Ward knocked it out of the park during a recent date night. My wife and I loved Nota Bene when it was still a thing (RIP), and thus were pleased to learn that the executive chef here is an alumnus of that restaurant. The food at this place tastes similarly awesome. We ordered five items (two conserva and three from the "plates and bowls" section) and all excelled. The conserva menu represents Adarra's riffs on classic, tinned Spanish seafood. Though canned food comprises the basis of these dishes, the seafood is high quality stuff served with cheffy, flavorful accompaniments. We adored the razor clams, as the tender mollusks arrived swimming in an addictive, zesty tomato-butter broth that begged to be sopped up with toast. The sardines en escabeche satisfied too with meaty, assertively fishy filets in a spiced oil. The three hot dishes we ordered also left a favorable impression. We started with a lamb belly special which brought a generous hunk of crispy, meltingly tender meat atop a hearty lentil and mushroom stew. The dish was enlivened by a zippy salsa verde which cut the richness of the meat quite well. We next sampled the snails, which arrived swimming in a slightly creamy yet zesty broth studded with garlic and Dijon. The snails themselves delivered a chewy yet soft texture which reminded me of hearty clams, and the broth tasted comforting. Finally, we ended with the gnocchi. The delicate clouds of dough paired wonderfully with expertly braised, mild rabbit and a comforting ragu of mushrooms. These dishes tasted soulful yet had exciting ingredients and deft seasoning. Drinkwise, my wife and I enjoyed a unique glass of Croatian Syrah and a funky saison beer, respectively. The space is small, dimly lit, and intimate; perfect for a date night. The servers here all seem very well trained and demonstrated great knowledge of the menu items. Similarly, the service was accommodating but unobtrusive. Overall, my wife and I had a stellar meal here that offered memorable flavors and quality, unique ingredients. We will gladly return for some more awesome tapas and highly recommend Adarra for a night out. read more

Well, where do we start? As I entered the restaurant (my husband was parking) and was deciding where to sit at the bar, I hesitated as I tried to sit where I thought was open seating for 2 ( because there was a reserved sign on the bar) the bartender said ( in a not-so-polite voice) " I am trying to figure out what you are doing" ..we then my husband arrived and ordered his martini and the bartender rudely interrupted him to ask my order...( as if to say to my husband, let your wife order first) The bartender needs to stay in his own lane. We proceeded to order a salad and 2 main dishes ( 2 fish dishes) Now, beginning to understand that the bartender has an attitude, my husband and I began to fear asking him for anything special or even for the olive oil when the bread came. The salad arrived and then ONLY one of the fish dishes. We assumed the other main entree (rockfish) was coming. We sat and ate the one main and the salad and finished just about everything and still no rockfish. Finally, we alerted a server *( the staff didn't come and ask us what we wanted or if they were to clear our dishes or what? ) to ask where our rockfish was and it was now clear to us that the rockfish order was never put in to the kitchen. So I now ask, if we have felt we have had to tiptoe around the bartender and the other server with their rude attitudes, why can't they just simply admit that they FORGOT to put our 45.00 rockfish order in and either SAY THEY WILL NOT CHARGE US or that THEY FORGOT to place the order and do we still want it??? We sat and waited another 20 minutes for the fish and at that point, neither of us are really hungry. When it finally arrives, my husband decides to eat some of the rockfish and asks for pepper. The server with the attitude looks at him and explains.." your fish is already peppered." Do we have to beg for pepper? I might also add the bartender with the attitude was now tiptoeing in the background....probably because he knew he messed up and forgot to put our order in. Because I am a nice person and because I know what a tip means to folks, I tipped them nicely. But with a meal over 210.00 for 2 people, I would ask- why the attitude? why the pretension? Why not admit your wrongdoing? Why not offer to take the fish off the menu? Why not make the folks at the bar feel comfortable? Isn't sitting at the bar supposed to be a fun experience? The sad truth of it all is that the food was delicious but the evening was spoiled by 2 servers with attitudes who forgot what service means. What a shame that the staff can ruin an evening and while the food is tasty, the staff leaves a bad taste in your mouth....in a very expensive restaurant which should know better. read more

Nice atmosphere, great service. Had the smoked mussels, shrimp, and gnocchi & lamb among some others. All the dishes were excellent. Definitely want to return to try more dishes. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Restaurant Adarra brings it all: a cozy space, top notch service and some of the best food in Richmond.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The wood paneling and paintings make the place feel like an old club.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was helpful, friendly and attentive. And then there's the food. Everything we ordered was simply delicious. The roasted oysters were the best I've ever had, still plump, juicy and flavorful after roasting. The rockfish as excellent, too. We tried a few of the wines by the glass and were pleased. Definitely a special restaurant... read more

Fabulous food, service, and ambiance! Highly recommend Adarra! Perfect for a quiet, intimate, culinary experience!

Tried Adarra for the first time a couple days ago! I generally recommend for the interesting food and drink concepts :) Things I really enjoyed: - The waitress was extremely knowledgeable and very descriptive of all of the dishes and drinks. Helped me out a lot given that I wasn't familiar with most of the dishes we ordered! :) - The cocktail menu while short hits it. Loved to see so many vermouth cocktails. Highly recommend Basically Sherbert. - Loved the ambience and vibe. Intimate without feeling over-draped or stuffy. It was a little empty but it was also a Wednesday. - Fav dishes of the night were the Smoked Mussels (fresh, tangy, in a chilled "soup"), the Gnocchi (saucy, pillowy although more spongy than gnocchi I've had before?, rabbit cooked perfectly), and the basque cheesecake (I love cheesecake, this was next level savory dessert. Cheese forward, a little bitter from the flambé, a little salty) Room for improvement: - The lamb "paella" was very brothy. While the flavors were great (so many mushrooms!!) it was a bit challenging to eat in small plate fashion. - The roasted octopus was over cooked and way too tough. I'm not sure if they purposely left the skin on? Net net, will be going back to try some more! read more

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Food / Drink : while the food was tasty Adarra offered little options for gluten free. ( the waiter advised that potato chips in replace of bread was available but he recommended against them because it didn't compliment any of the dishes we ordered). Prices were steep for "conservas" or Canned food". Mussel dish was our least favorite and a bit acidic and the orzo was a little watery. Octopus , Anchovy and mushroom Gnocchi were all very balanced. Drinks we put together nicely but a little pricey. Dinner for two with tip: 212$ and my gluten free wife was still hungry. Service: we were the first 2 top in the restaurant and it took 1.5 hours to get all of our dishes. ( 2 conservas , 2 small dinner plates and 3 large dinner plates). This is tapas so most dishes were small. Please eat something prior to going to this restaurant if have a big appetite. Ambiance: very comfortable. read more

Hostess/owner was unfriendly on walking in which was surprising. Our waitress was good although was a bit strange when I asked for a wine list. All courses were fine although overpriced and tasted all quite similar. We had the razor clams, octopus, pork belly and ended with rockfish. I wish it were less pricey and the hospitality a bit more pleasant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a beautiful space and we have always loved the restaurant when it was in Jackson Ward.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more