| rev:text
| - Italian cuisine that transcends the ordinary, with impeccable service and an ambiance that demands romance make for a great dining experience, especially with your someone special.
The Mrs. and I strolled in on a Friday night at the start of restaurant week. Thankfully, "rush" is not a concept here and, even from our initial greeting and coat check with the hostess, we were pampered throughout the evening.
The dining room is low lit in the evening, but not dark. Plaster walls, travertine floors and mostly small tables along the walls. A small bar sits off to the side, but seemed filled with regulars before the evening's end. I'll agree with others- this is a place for date night, not a corporate function.
Wine list is ample and will cover most palates. A drink menu holds a small selection of cocktail options. While you peruse the menu, there is fresh-made bread with a white Italian whole-bean dip that we eventually had to push away lest we spoiled our appetites for the entrees to come.
The menu seems to change but you really should listen to the specials of the evening- there is usually a fish of the day and a risotto and pasta of the day that all sounded worthy on our evening. Our waitress took her time and seemed very knowledgeable about the menu. While there are a few Italian staples here, like lasagna, there is a noticeable effort to focus on more Tuscan-style offerings that play on fresh vegetables and proteins light on sauce but skillfully chosen to complement the other ingredients.
On our night, I had pistachio-crusted Salmon alongside a risotto flavored with citrus and cardamom. It was wonderful. Salmon was cooked to order and light, while the risotto was rich and savory. The Mrs. had a veal and risotto dish that was accented with truffle and was equally amazing.
While we ate, it seemed all the staff stopped by to ask if we were enjoying our meal and whether we needed anything else. Glasses never got close to empty and I got the feeling that our disapproval of anything would have resulted in immediate rectification. In other words, the team-based service approach was seriously spot-on here. The Italian accents by most staff were a pleasant surprise as well. Pacing was appropriate and we were comfortable the entire time.
Dessert menu was small, but what we picked out worked very well. Chocolate lava cake and a pear tarte were both single-sized portions, but just enough to savor and cap off what had already been an exceptional meal.
Bill was promptly delivered but we were never rushed. Parking validation at the table was nice. Even upon leaving it seems the floor staff made a point to wish us a good evening. When the hostess refused our tip for the coat check, it just sealed the deal that these guys take customer serious seriously. Refreshing.
Luce not only has some excellence in their kitchen, but it flows out to the floor staff as well. This was a great choice and is a worthy contender for a romantic night out with one's significant other.
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