101 W Franklin St, Richmond, VA
An opulent and remarkable standard is set for the historic Jefferson Hotel and its fine dining restaurant, Lemaire. Upon merely stepping foot inside you're treated with luxe marble columns, complementing the marble floors beneath them. Traditional print graces the plush carpeting running down the hallways and throughout the main entry rotunda, which is complete with a decadent glass mosaic ceiling.
One who sort of happens to trot into the Jefferson Hotel without the financial freedom to think about booking a room for an evening or two may entertain the idea of lounging around the bar at Lemaire. That is what happily suits a layabout much like myself anyway. The bar is first come, first serve and was quite open on a Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed the sporadic seating situation as we devoured our rich butternut squash bisque and Caesar salad topped with salty, addictive little anchovies.
Having made its debut in 1895, the Jefferson Hotel has deep roots in the hotel industry and in history as well. Lemaire was introduced in 1986 and boasts elegant rooms with high ceilings to dine in. The lounge in Lemaire is equipped with a wrap around bar and vintage sofas seated around small dining tables. After enjoying our lunch (and espresso martinis AND a dessert we had to order in French: black sesame financier), we galavanted around the hotel, becoming giddy after hearing a dial tone when picking up the archaic phone on the wall (pictured), and the pretty chandeliers lining the ceiling (also pictured).
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