Outstanding food with lots of options. Very shareable plates and that's how you should enjoy it because that way you get to taste all the different flavors. The wine experts are very friendly and know how to cater to what you're looking for. Great cocktail menu too. Atmosphere was quiet, but not too formal. Perfect and casual. The prices were also fine.
I loved dining at Adarra thanks to its perfectly curated menu of small plates. But I nearly knocked a star off for the lack of ease in contacting the restaurant - emails kicked back as undeliverable, and then phone calls went unanswered until thirty minutes before we hoped to dine. When I finally got ahold of someone, they assured me there was seating available and to come on in - but when we arrived, the host was icy and didn't seem like she wanted to seat us at any of the open table or barstools (which were never filled). It was all a bit odd, but thankfully delicious Moral of the story - know that you want to eat here in advance and book a reservation, I guess.
Nestled in historic Jackson Ward, this restaurant exudes an elegant ambiance. From the impeccable service to the artfully presented dishes, each element contributes to an exquisite dining experience. The menu, a symphony of flavors, showcases a culinary mastery that transcends expectations. A haven for those seeking refined gastronomy, this establishment seamlessly marries opulence with a tasteful dining atmosphere.
Went there without a reservation: ordinarily would have tried to make one but it was a last minute decision to go out. I’d recommend one. Sat at the bar for our date night. Amazing experience. Food was very unique in options and taste. Cocktails were some of the best I’ve had in RVA. Bartender was professional and answered my numerous questions. I was especially surprised and intrigued by their curated liquor selection. I’d especially recommend the razor clam dish on the appetizer menu. Very much an underrated restaurant in RVA.
Street parking wasn’t difficult to find. Danny, the bartender was great. Ambiance was lovely. Thank you!
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A tailored, personal dining experience with some of the tastiest food in RVA.
TLDR: If your looking for a unique experience while dining, coupled with a catered personal touch, then this is the place. Premiere menu items developed, explained, served, and paired with drinks by the owners Lyne and her husband. Your table will share the dishes and experience the flavors together. Fair warning: can get costly ($100 per) if you go for everything.
Food: I normally go into depth here but I'm going to keep it simple. The chef has some truly amazing dishes here. Flavors are fully developed and expertly prepared. Egg yolk with mushroom, shrimp, iberico ham, and squid in ink were our favorite. Lyne will go into wonderful depth and detail about each dish, where it's sourced, and what to expect. That's part of the joy of eating here.
Drinks: Hand selected wine choices by the owners (both certified sommeliers) pair wonderfully. The bar makes very, very good cocktails. Selections are high end.
Atmosphere: A small, quaint, personal dining experience. I had the sense of being treated to a special dinner with friends, curated by the owners. Really enjoyed it.
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WOW!
Where does one begin? Well, if you don't have the money to travel to the Basque country of Spain, go to Adarra for an authentic taste of this land in the western Pyrenees. My companion and I opened the restaurant. Line (sp), one of the owners, greeted us and sat us by the window. To start, I had the martini cocktail and Molly a Scotch old fashioned. The bartender has skills! Line then explained that the menu is mainly small plates. A few meat offerings, but this is seafood at its optimal. All their fish is sourced from Galicia in the northwest corner of Spain. The plates are really enough for two. We had the two sardine plates, one spicey, the other not. We also had cockles (Cockles and mussels, alive, alive oh). First time. Sweet little clam-like things in an amazing broth. All the dishes came in their own unique sauce. Next, delicious spices prawns, and the pièce de résistance, smoked mussels thinly sliced in the most delectable sauce. To go with this Line suggested a bottle of white from that area. Perfect pairing. It is a small, intimate, cozy beautiful space. Well worth the trip to Jackson Ward.
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Experience: Home-run both time we were there. 👍🏼
Located in Jackson ward, close to the art infused neighborhoods along W Broad St, Restaurant Adarra feels like a house on the street that happens to serve food. It’s presence highlighting the sense of community that you see in many places around Richmond (think Sub Rosa on Churchill).
On the eye: Being Basque-inspired meant some of the menus are tapa-like — in smaller bowls and plates that forms a picture of adventure, bringing delight for the diner. Colors are never dull nor added without purpose, most distinct would be the different peppers and beans.
Taste: labeled as Modern European, it shakes off any potential “New American” branding in its carefully curated dishes — crafting flavors that are unique to the region and yet carries with it an air of creativity. Many bringing out wonderful flavors without being stingy on the portion, allowing you to taste and fully enjoy each plate.
Drinks: Cava is the “champagne” of the land and it’s presence is indicative of their priority — a drink menu focused on imports from Spain that draws a great authentic undertone for the meal.
Service: The service were casual yet confident. On both visits we were impressed by the knowledge of the server with both the food and drink menus. It’s hard to miss their pride in the restaurant and all that it provides.
Definitely a gem in Richmond.
Went to the dry run at Restaurant Adarra. Food was delicious, super savory and rustic. We had the fresh shaved Iberico, Octopus Stew, Basque Risotto with smoky Idiazabal sheep cheese, and Olive Oil Cake with Smoked Hickory Ice Cream. They have Dealers Choice cocktails where you provide your spirit and a couple of descriptors. I choose Bourbon, Citrus, and Floral. Carey choose Tequila, Spicy, and Fruity. 👍👍 Wine list 💯
Adarra was a dreamy, romantic venue for a date night. The dark accents, sultry music, and low lighting made us feel transported out of Richmond and into a moody clubhouse or lounge. The dishes were very unique and adventurous (and mostly seafood), and we were wowed by most everything we ordered. The server gave us helpful guidance and described dishes in a way that lifted them off the page and helped us make choices. I adored the cheese plate which came with a delicious pumpkin purée and local honey, the lamb gnocchi with mushrooms which was earthy and balanced, and the coconut panna cotta which was light and floral and gently topped with a crunch of hazelnuts. The only downsides were that the bill really adds up, even for upscale dining, and it can get crowded in the closed quarters.
I personally love when great service, food, atmosphere, and cocktails meet and that is what your have at Adarra. The menu felt purposely limited and immaculately executed. I highly recommend
Leigh Everette Milligan
+5
My husband and I ate here tonight while visiting Richmond. It was fabulous! The jamon, almonds, sardines were so good and the last dish (stuffed 🦑 squid) was one of the best dishes I’ve ever had. We highly recommend this place. The staff was so kind and the owner personally took care of us and told us the story of how the restaurant came to be. We loved it! 👍
honestly, the best restaurant in town. really incredible, fun, impressive, thoughtful wine list. service is great. get whatever the specials are + the seasonal rice dish.
Lovely little place for a date night or small group dinner! Adarra is a small plates restaurant, mostly tapas and conservas (tinned seafood) and a big focus on wine. We ordered for the table and the kitchen coursed it out. All of our orders were excellent, and as a mushroom lover I would especially highlight the gnocchi with ricotta and mushrooms and the lamb guiso. Ask your server to help you with a wine pairing (and with picking from the menu!) as they were the most knowledgeable servers I've encountered in a Richmond restaurant.
Keep in mind that it's a small storefront, so it's dark and loud inside. They probably wouldn't handle a huge group very well. The street parking can be a little tricky, and it's in the Jackson Ward permit zone, so watch those parking signs.
Went in for a cocktail, ended up staying 3 hours and ordering 5 plates talking to the owners and staff. Everyone was super down to earth, and the food was spectacular, I recommend the razor clams!! What a great place with awesome drinks, food, and service. Definitely will be back to Restaurant Adarra. Check it out RVA peeps.
Chef Doetzer never disappoints. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Make sure to ask for the perfect wine for pairing
having left rva many years ago, i was pleased to see a basque restaurant with natty wines. clam herb soup was so delicious w great bread and chorizo. YUM.
Simply incredible! Our dearly departed chef from Nota Bene (and his absurdly charming, sommelier wife) has his own place, and the gloves are off. Some of the best food you'll find in the RVA, regardless of cuisine. Food, drink, service, and music are all on point.
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