Amuse Restaurant VMFA

Our experience at lunch was perfection. Cat, our waitress was wonderful, the food was perfect. Good recovery from our dreadful chk in experience downstairs!!!

One of the most underrated restaurants in Richmond. Every revolving menu has been great, but this Frida Kahlo inspired menu was phenomenal. The oysters, potatoes, crab cakes and lamb were amazing.

Service was horrible. It took over 30 mins before we saw our server. Our server recommend a special but never told us the price. When my drink came my friend tried to ask a question and was dismissed. The only good thing about the restaurant was Miss. Liz the host she was very pleasant. Our server was Max.

Fancy, artsy, wonderful views. Although the decor is rather sparse, there’s a wall of windows overlooking fairly spectacular lawns, gardens, sculpture and architecture below. The Cuisine is New American and not extensive, but they have a full bar and decent list of wine and beer. Unfortunately, the happy hour offerings from Bruton reduced to one wine, one beer, and no food. [March 2025]

Was waiting at the hostess booth for several minutes and was not acknowledged by any staff, despite them walking back and forth and seeing me waiting there. They did not acknowledge me, or tell me that the hostess would be back soon or make an effort to find the hostess. Terrible customer service. Brown people apparently not welcome. Bartender was great. Food was bland.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 1

Service: 2

Small but exquisite menu, extensive spirit and wine list and intimate atmosphere. Definitely feels exclusive when you dine here. Great customer service. Seasonal menu that rotates. Great place for a special occasion such as an anniversary or birthday.

Dietary restrictions: Plenty of gluten free and dairy free alternatives

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Lovely space for having a relaxing lunch. The art displayed was peaceful. The food was delicious. My daughter and I were visiting Fine Arts and Flowers, watched arrangements in progress and placed with pieces of art. Wonderful flowers and art.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Lunch with Fried Oysters

Today Amuse is getting 4 stars instead of the usual 5. We showed up to our reservation 10 minutes early and could not be seated at our table (which was available) because the kitchen was busy. ?? Once we got seated had been approached by the waitress (who was quite busy) for our food order, we had to ask her to come back because we had not have time with our cocktail and decide on our meal. We ordered the duck breast and the New York strip steak. Both were of the excellent quality and tasty that we have come to expect here. However neither dish was hot except for the French fries. It seems that Amuse all around were having timing issues and not handling the pressures of lunch service. Had this been our fist visit, we would have second thoughts about coming back.

What an incredibl experience for special occasions. Amazing restaurant in the middle of a museum, and they do it right. The menu itself is inspired by the current museum events. The cocktails were super flavorful , food eclectic and the setting superb.

Our second visit. Extraordinary. Their cocktails are inventive and flavorful, not exotica for its own sake. I had oysters to start then the mushroom and cauliflower curry. My wife had the octopus salad then the steak frites. We were seated on the lovely outdoor balcony with a view of the grounds and sculpture garden but even inside the nearly full dining room was quiet and comfortable. Love this place. Staff is flawless.

I was bringing an out of town guest to Amuse for lunch. My selection couldn't have been more perfect! My guest thought that the setting, the food, and the ambience were just fantastic. The service was impeccable! I was so proud to have chosen this particular restaurant. I've been there many times before, and I will continue to be a loyal patron!

Went here for a date night you cannot have a more romantic setting in the Virginia fine arts museum both inside and out is just beautiful we enjoyed the exhibit went for dinner. It was really awesome that they incorporated the Japanese theme into the menu. The food was 10 out of 10. We cannot wait for our next date night here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Pleasant surprise. The food was exquisite. We went in for a late lunch. It felt like we were the only ones in the place. Excellent quality ingredients, prepared well, presented beautifully, served courteous.

I was pleased.

I was treated for my birthday, so I didn't pay any attention to the cost, but I'll return.

Parking: Parking in Carytown is always a crapshoot. You may have to walk a couple of blocks, but big deal. The shop windows and the denizens of the neighborhood are eye candy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Everything was perfect. The food was fresh, innovative & delicious. The service was very professional and efficient. And the location of the restaurant, with its big windows giving out to the sculpture garden, was relaxing and beautiful. We all enjoyed the brunch and we'll be back.

The creativity of the menu is great, but the execution is sometimes a bit short of expectations. The special broccoli and beef dish that accompanied the museum's Samurai exhibit was unique and exceptionally tasty, but suffered from steak that was fatty and grisly. Service is excellent and the ambience is lovely. A delightful setting with a great view of the museum lawn with its sculptures. Wonderful spot!