Amour Wine Bistro

This restaurant has the best wine menu in Richmond. It also has some of the best chefs and the best sorbet I’ve ever had.

I dined here twice. This is a nice French bistro however pricey. It’s 3.5 stars
First visit I ordered the SALADE AMOUR WINE BISTRO $ 8 — manakintowne mixed greens, roasted butternut squash, beets, goat cheese, walnuts, honey balsamic vinaigrette, this was fresh and and had good flavors, for an entrée I had the CANARD AUX PRUNEAUX $ 26 seared duck breast with armagnac infused plums, fingerling potatoes, red cabbage, apple, duck cracklings. The duck a little overcooked and the duck and veg were lost on the plate. Not s huge serving. I ordered 2 glasses of wine which came to $ 23. Good thing to know is Wednesday the restaurant allows you to bring your own wine with no corkage fee.
My second visit was on a Wednesday evening. I was Abe to bring my own wine which cut the expense.
This visit I ordered again the A SALADE AMOUR WINE BISTRO $ 8 ;manakintowne mixed greens, roasted butternut squash, beets, goat cheese, walnuts, honey balsamic vinaigrette. Very good even better the 2^nd time. For an entrée I had the POISSON DU JOUR $ 28 which was salmon champagne sauce and salmon roe, served over ancient rice and vegetable ribbons. The salmon was it overcooked and tasted dry. Not sure how fresh this was???
They have this spread made with goat cheese, cream cheese, roasted garlic, and chives which is phenomenal
All and all decent restaurant but need $$$.

I never write reviews, but was disappointed enough with our New Year’s Eve 2015 – 2016 meal to warrant typing one. Having adored the chocolate crème brûlée and escargot in the past, we were excited about trying the pre fixed meal.
There were two seatings: 5:30 and 9:30. We did the 5:30. I understand that it is a holiday and that gourmet food takes time, but there was no sense of pacing to the meal. We waited an hour and twenty minutes (seriously) for the first course. First course was oysters. Pretty tasty! We rallied and prepared ourselves for the other courses to come. The second course, however, was just sad. Three paper thin slices of cold, raw scallops plopped on a plate. There was absolutely no taste to them as they were uncooked and the raw bits of red pepper and grated lemon zest did nothing to enhance anything. Even a squeeze of lemon would have helped. I don’t understand serving cold scallops. It’s not a protein like tuna that shines when eaten raw. By then, my husband and I were beyond starving. About two hours into our seating, we were finally served dinner. The filet mignon did not look like or taste like filet. Mine was two stringy pieces, not a nice little round medallion. The potatoes were under cooked and there were a few tiny slices of cooked root vegetables. It didn’t seem like Amour’s usual quality. Dessert was tasty (a small glass of chocolate mousse), but the diced up pear in the mousse distracted. We left exactly three hours and twenty minutes later, and went home and decided to make a second dinner like we were hobbits. The four course dinner just wasn’t filling. It cost us $ 150 (including three drinks) and we had to eat more when we got home? That is disappointing enough to note on Unilocal.
To be fair, I have always enjoyed the proprietor of the restaurant, and this meal was no exception. He has impeccable manners that one sees of restaurateurs in France: greeting, toasting, and seeing his customers off when they leave. I don’t know if I would return again after being so hungry and underwhelmed by the food, but for those reading, perhaps on a non-​holiday night, you would receive the normal Amour experience.

Amour is a wonderful, upscale restaurant nestled in the heart of Carytown. It is very quaint & romantic without being at all pretentious.
Paul (owner) is very gracious and really knows how to make you feel right at home.
Paul is a true artist at pairing fabulous wine with amazing food so, you can never go wrong with any of his recommendations.
The staff are all attentive and knowledgeable.
If you have not yet tried Amour, you must go there.
If you have already had the pleasure of visiting Amour, then you know you want to go back!
We Will!!!

Went to Amour Wine Bistro with some friends, one suggested going to a wine bar and Unilocal pointed to this one. No reservations but we were seated pretty quick. Ordered the sausage and shrimp with polenta and a glass of semi-​dry riesling, the others got the duck special. The entrée was good but nearly $ 30. That and two glasses of wine came out close to $ 50. Very pricey, and something to do for a special occasion only. Amour really wasn’t my cup of tea.

Just meh.
We went for brunch. The place was totally empty and there was no ambiance. No music. Not even a bread basket was brought. The waitress was kind but not involved and spoke super fast and low. English is not our first language but we never have trouble understanding staff, except here.
The food was mediocre. The bloody Mary was extremely thick and the mimosa was totally forgettable. We had eggs Benedict (the hollandaise was a little bland and the onion jam tasted too much like vinegar) and duck hash (the saddest dish you ever saw… It looked sad and it tasted sad)
We ended up going to the bakery across the street for dessert and we don’t regret it. For the prices I was expecting at least a memorable meal.
We’re never going back.

My friends and I went here for restaurant week. I wish I could give it «0» stars. The salad I had with duck cracklings was the best thing I ordered, sadly. The coq au vin came with a whole piece of chicken and pasta. Um. OK. I had the cheese plate for dessert. It cost extra and came with one type of baguette (the same as the bread basket) and no accoutrements. No honey. No grapes. Nada.
So, why the one star you ask? There was a hair in my entrée that didn’t belong to anyone at my table and I barely received an apology. No one offered to bring me a new dish, and they actually charged me for it! I understand that these things happen, but I find that kind of customer service inexcusable. If I lived in Richmond, I’d never eat here again.

Amour is precisely the type of restaurant that C and I seek out while traveling (or locally, for that matter).
Ambiance: 5 stars
Food: 5 stars
Service: 4 stars
Our server, CIA trained, was knowledgeable, polite, and helpful. The owner, Paul, was ever present in the room, stopping at every table to chat. This made a big impression. It’s obvious that he gives this place all that he has to give and it shows. By the time we left, we felt as though we had a new friend.
If only Amour was near us (i.e. Chicago), we’d be regulars.

Fantastic meal at amour in Carytown.
Appetizer of foie gras that melted in my mouth. The special was a trout that was pan seared perfectly with an asparagus medley and followed by three different sorbets. Kiwi grapefruit and strawberry. The grapefruit was my favorite. We had order envy so ordered another dessert, the chocolate mousse.
Now I can’t move.
Everyone should try this treasure.

This is the go to place in Richmond to take friends, family, to celebrate. Monsieur Paul and his pairings of food and wine are a treat for Richmond, VA. Straight from Paris and wanting to share love of all foods, wine, and great conversation. Hands down highest recommendation. Forever on my top list for visiting, celebrating, enjoying life/​food/​wine/​friends!

My husband and I stopped to look at the menu in the window at Amour on our way to Can Can Brasserie. It was a Sunday so the only option was a prix fixe menu. It looked intriguing so we stepped inside. Atmosphere is quaint and attractive though the space could do without the modern mirror down the most of the length wall.
Our server was excellent, discreet and helpful but not overly hovering. I ordered the seared tuna appetizer with soy and siracha sauce and the braised lamb shank as my main course. My husband had the salad with raspberries, goat cheese and sweet potatoes with his main course as the seared scallops wrapped in bacon. We also opted for the Savor wine pairing which was the middle of the road pairing between Discover and (I believe) Premium. We really enjoyed the owner Paul’s description of each wine he brought to us and his explanation of why he chose that particular wine.
My husband’s salad was delicious and his wine pairing (forgive me as I can’t recall the names of each wine) was good. My tuna appetizer was ok-​with the searing a little too much. There was still a deep pink center but I prefer a light searing vs. searing that cooks a third of the tuna. The tuna also had the faintest hint of «fishy-​ness» that indicated to me that it was a touch too old. My wine was ok, definitely more sweet than I normally order but did complement the tuna.
The next course was sublime. The braised lamb shank was to die for, so tender that when I touched it with my fork and before applying the knife, it fell off the bone. It was tender and juicy without that touch of gaminess that lamb sometimes has. My red wine was perfect-​juicy and robust with a smooth finish. The lamb was a very large portion and my husband finished half of it.
His entrée was excellent, with the scallops seared expertly and the bacon adding a delicious touch. Many places have a tendency to overcook scallops but these were perfect. He had a very quaffable Sancerre that was a nice accompaniment to the scallops.
We opted for the same dessert-​a chocolate and sea salt crème brûlée with a side of homemade raspberry sorbet. To. Die. For. We eat out a lot and this was the best crème brûlée we’ve ever had. It’s too small to share (IMO) but perfect for one. I believe we had a port as part of the tasting for the dessert. It wasn’t to my taste (no port is) but my husband enjoyed his.
Our bill was $ 125.00 before tip and while a bit pricey, we enjoyed ourselves and will return. We really appreciate discreet and non-​intrusive service and the owner’s pairing service was marvelous. All in all very nice, not perfect but definitely worth a return visit.

Amour has a strong dedication to service quality and atmosphere; it’s definitely cozy, so I’d not recommend coming with more than a group of six. Paul’s wine service is certainly the best option to go with in terms of drinking, although the Provence cocktail is a nice brunch treat.
For food, the entrees are good, but I think that the appetizers and desserts are what make Amour really rise above. There is an Alsatian onion tart that is phenomenal, as well as escargot in pastis-​butter that will make you do some quick calculations of how much bread you can afford to soak in the rich savory goodness before you’ve compromised your appetite. For your first time, you should definitely try the coco sorbet with orange zest, but there are usually very intriguing seasonal options as well, from vanilla rice pudding to poached pears.

I am more convinced than ever that this is Richmond’s best restaurant! Do to a family emergency, we had to cancel our New Year’s Eve plans. Before heading out of town, we made our way to Amour on ¹²⁄₂₇. Paul recreated the NYE experience for us. Everything was perfect! Please try the Amour Wine Bistro. You will swear you are spending the evening in France. Thanks, Paul for a great evening. You and your staff are the best!

We stopped in here on a recent road trip after reading other reviews. We really enjoyed the cozy atmosphere although the décor was interesting, a mix of Paris bistro with 80’s glass mirrored walls and provincial wood tables and chairs. The seats were a little uncomfortable as the cushions spill out over the edges of the actual chair. We had a Kir Royal apéritif and ordered the meat/​cheese platter to start. Three of the cheeses were amazing: boucheron, fourme d’ambert and one other but a surprisingly disappointing comté which tasted like it came straight out of the Costco case; nothing against Costco but I expect higher quality at a French restaurant. The meats were nothing to write home about, either. We also had magret de canard with Toulouse sausage and duck leg confit over white beans. The sausage, white beans and duck leg all tasted great but the breast was lacking. I’ve definitely had better elsewhere and I feel that it was sliced way too thinly. I feel like it was obvious that the only thing they were cutting here were corners. Otherwise, we had a very enjoyable dining experience in the hands of our server who could not have been more polite and attentive. Paul, the owner, also checked in on us a couple of times. Overall, I give three stars for the quality of the food, especially given their need to compete with their neighbors. I would give this another try in the future, however because of the good wines, atmosphere and service.

This place is fantastic, one of my favorites in Richmond. There is attention to detail in everything. The food is always wonderful and extremely fresh. The atmosphere is perfect. You are never rushed but encouraged to slow down and enjoy your meal and time spent with family/​friends. But the owner, Paul, is truly the best thing about Amour. He is so kind and welcoming, you feel like a guest in his home rather than just another restaurant patron. And it is so much fun to ask him which wine to pair with your meal! I have never met anyone more knowledgeable, he gets it right every time.

So, I went here on a first date, and I’d have to say, gentlemen, this is not a first date type restaurant. The place was very quiet, we were the only table the entire time we were there. It was a little stuffy as well.
However, the food was impressive. We got the escargot, a fish entrée and a duck entrée, and a berry puff pastry. The escargot was probably my favorite of the evening. The alcohol suggested was also very good. I was impressed with the portion sizes, as I felt that they were just right (not too much, not too little).
I’d suggest the restaurant for an anniversary or nice birthday dinner, but I’m not fancy enough to feel comfortable on a first date here.

I went there for brunch. I made the mistake of not ordering something French like French toast. I got the waffle. Had it not been so over cooked, I think it would have been good. I certainly had better at IHop. The price was way too much for a hard, over cooked waffle. The chef should never have sent it out to me. Bad on him. I know it’s a business but I won’t go back because of this so no future sales there. There are numerous other places all around there to try.
Staff was polite. Eating outside was nice but it doesn’t make up for the bad food. That’s why I’m there, to eat good food.

…there are no words to express how much I enjoyed my experience as a whole at Amour. I felt like the owner let me into his house, shared his wine and food with me, and became my friend all in one, excellent night out.
Matt and I went here last night for Restaurant week and we were blown away! As you can see from the pictures, the dishes were lovely to look at and even more lovely to eat. The taste of everything was just absolutely spot on! The best surprise that I had last night was the wine and food pairing option. For an extra $ 30/​pp, we were able to have wine pairings with each of our courses. Not only did the owner know his wine inside and out, but he was able to pair the flavors of the wine wonderfully with what was on the plate.
Paul Heitz came over to the table each time to explain the wine — where the grapes come from, how the flavors will infuse with the food to make both parts taste better and better with each bite.
My favorite pairing was the wine and the french cheese tray. There were four different types of cheeses and he gave me a lovely red (haut medoc château meyre) to pair with it. I can’t even describe how much I enjoyed the symphony of flavors that happened. It was sweet, tangy, and delectable while being savory and bold… it was everything I could have ever imagined and more.
Please, please, please take my advice and go to Amour Wine Bistro with an open mind and an empty stomach and be ready to be amazed. You’ll leave feeling full, happy, and with a new and (for me) improved palate. I would keep gushing but I don’t think it’s necessary.
A+++++++++++!!!

Day 1 of RVA restaurant week, and I’m glad that this was the first stop. I emailed a last minute request for reservations and was quite pleased with their speedy response to confirm a reservation.
For the 3 course meal, I started off with the «Olli Salumeria Wild Boar Salami, P’tit Basque, Polyface Chicken Liver Pâté w/​Roasted Peppers & Baguette Toasts». To those willing to try something new, this meat and cheese plate provided a great foundation to try out the chicken pâté, which was well balanced in texture and flavor. I had the filet mignon for the main entrée. The meat was cooked just as requested (medium), and the potato gratin and winter greens were well seasoned without overpowering the meat, and not too salty. For dessert, I chose the dessert of the day, which included vanilla ice cream and a pear/​apple/​pine nut bread pudding. I am personally more of a savory than sweet kind-​of-​person, and this dessert matched my preference!
I also chose the ‘discovery’ option, which for an additional $ 15, a wine was paired with each course. As a fervent advocate for Virginia wine, it was a refreshing experience listening to the sommelier’s descriptions of the French wines, and especially learning to appreciate the grapes from another country :)
I would certainly recommend this establishment to anyone looking for a worldly dining experience.

I came to Amour during Carytown Restaurant Week for lunch. I had emailed Paul, the owner, to place a reservation earlier in the week, but since my reservation was for 11:30AM (the restaurant’s opening time), the restaurant was actually empty when I arrived. Still, Paul was super friendly and welcoming.
Our server/​host (there was only one worker) was very accommodating, and generally very nice throughout the meal. He was super attentive. We picked a seat close to the window, which provided plenty of natural light. I loved the lights than ran along two wire tracks on the ceiling, as well as the paintings on the wall. The bowls/​baskets of fresh fruit (in addition to the watermelon remnant from Sunday’s Watermelon Festival) in the back near the bar caught my eye too. Our table had a nice vase of flowers as well as a random bottle of pink wine.
The menu for restaurant week was simple. Pick two dishes from three categories (either appetizer and entrée, or entrée and dessert). I decided on the garlic flat iron steak and sea salt crème brûlée. My dining companion ordered the shrimp and frog legs.
The water for the table came in this cool glass bottle with a fun hooked cap. =) The complimentary bread was also delicious, slightly warm with a crunchy crust. It came served with a goat cheese spread, which was tasty, but a little strong for my tastes.
Both entrees were delicious! I really liked all of the garlic with my steak. The side of beans and carrots + asparagus was nice and light as well.
The highlight of this meal though was definitely the dessert. The crème brûlée was sublime. Crème brûlée is one of my favorite desserts, but this one was an all-​chocolate custard topped with an amazing crust, a raspberry, and a pinch of sea salt. The waiter advised me to eat about a grain of salt with each bite to enhance the flavor, and it was a great recommendation! The other dessert truly WOW’ed me as well. It was the «dessert du jour,» which happened to be fresh blueberry served with whipped cream in a phyllo dough cup with sprinkled hazelnut. The blueberry paired with the crispy phyllo was TO DIE FOR.
Paul came to our table personally at the end of the meal with a complimentary scoop of orange sorbet with almond crackers since it was my friend’s birthday, complete with a lit candle. It was a very generous gesture!
I had an amazing experience at Amour taking in the all the sights, fun music, and scrumptious food! =]