Luci Ancora
2060 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55105
Luci Ancora Menu
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Antipasti
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Insalata O Zuppa
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Primi Piatti
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Secondi Piatti
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I Dolce
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Bevande
Healthy Meal suggestions for Luci Ancora
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Antipasti
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Insalata O Zuppa
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Primi Piatti
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Secondi Piatti
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I Dolce
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Bevande
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2060 Randolph Ave
Saint Paul, MN, 55105 - Phone (651) 698-6889
- Website https://www.luciancora.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
- Mon : 5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Bryan E.
Luci Ancora is a great italian neighborhood asset! The atmosphere is comfortable with a fireplace at the end of the room and the accoustics are good for conversation. The food is amazing! During this visit we had the spaghetti alla siciliana which was nice and light and the olive oil, golden raisins, spinach, pine nuts, hot pepper flakes really do a number on your taste buds. The raisons are a great touch to this light fare. We also ordered the fish special of the day which was the Ono fish (light fluffy white fish) filet garnished with beets and pinapple. Can't say enough about these dishes! Good time!
(4)Sonja B.
What a fantastic little Italian place! As a vegan I almost always rule out Italian food as it is almost impossible to find without any dairy and usually chicken breast tops everything so when my mother suggested Luci I was a little concerned. However I indulged her and Boy! am I glad I did! Firstly the waitstaff was VERY knowledgeable about each dish and went so far as to outline for use which meals would work, which could be accommodated and which could not be. My true marker of a good server is what they know about the bread. Before I could even ask the waitress was offering advice about which bread had dairy and which didn't. It always makes my meal easier when the waitstaff anticipate my questions and remember my needs. Mother and I both had the pasta prima vera which was To Die For. As was the bruschetta which, I'll be honest with you, I've never had due to my avoidance of Italian food. About half way through the meal the chef sent out some basil oil he had found to add flavor to our meal...I know right, A-mazing. All in all fantastic place, VERY vegan friendly. If you've been avoiding Italian because of dairy issues this is the place to go!
(4)Meghann F.
I've always driven by and wanted to go here. Recently purchased a "living social" deal so thought it was the perfect time to check it out. The ambiance is nice, white table cloths, cozy atmosphere. We were seated right next to the fireplace - even though it was steamy outside - it was perfect inside. I had the mussels - which were decent, but not the best ever. Split a salad w/ my friend, had some good wine and then split the pasta. The pasta had mangos and jalapenos in it! It was definitely a nice touch. I thouroughly enjoyed that. We had the flourless chocolate cake for dessert, and that was also excellent. Overall good food, but not quite up to what my other faves are. So 4 stars, definitely worth a trip.
(4)Rebekah K.
Lovely little spot with attentive servers and craveable food. Went for their Thursday four-course tasters special and was not disappointed. My favorite was the pasta. Perfectly cooked spaghetti (cannot be overrated, IMO), with a smokey spicy tomato sauce. After about two bites I decided I wanted to come back and order a big bowl of that pasta next time! I just couldn't get enough. Another surprise was the Mixed Salad that was served with a very tangy Dijon vinaigrette. It was a punch of flavor from the first bite. My dinner partner and I each actually made an exclamation upon tasting it. Also had the tiniest little tomatoes. Our water was constantly refilled and server was always swinging by to clear plates and make sure we were set. My only real complaint is that both the steak and salmon were slightly overcooked and dry. Not unpalatable, but an aberration to an otherwise nice meal. I hope to return for that big bowl of pasta!
(4)Tom K.
New favotie place - Tueday and Thursday evenings offer a 4 course tasting menu for $20 per person. Suitable size portions, making a generous, filling meal. 1st course - Terrific, grilled polenta sitting atop braised lamb and juices - crisp, golden outside and creamy inside... perfecly delicious! 2nd -, had mushroom/potato soup (puree), and also ordered a small Ceasar (true test of the chef's skill... Honestly, the BEST I've had, period! 3rd course-mushroom risotto with braised beef atop...OMG! 4th - frilled fish - a new species for me - like a flakey grouper with pureed potatoes awash in dairy...so good. Friend had the other choice, the Kobe beef, and really enjoyed it. Service impecable! I couldn't leave withour tasting the creme brulee. "Burnt' tableside, and great! - Beautifully intimate, with Tuscan color scheme Back 2 days later for lunch with sister - We split a Ceasar. and split 2 entrees. Again, everything was exceptional...but not as good a value as the tue.- Thurs. tasting ment. Really enchanted by every aspect of this place. Qyality everything! Added treat - Bigg picture window face St. Kate's campus (Across the street - who's huge pines are densly saturated with blue lights, for the Holidays...Stunning!
(4)Catherine P.
Bland. Both the food and the experience. :(
(2)S R.
Absolutely the best Italian food I have ever had. I come from a predominantly Italian neighborhood (east coast) and I have tried my share of various pasta sauces and noodles but none as good as Ancora Luci. It is a delightful place with knowledgeable and friendly wait staff. The ambiance of the restaurant is very pleasing for romance or just relax and spend quality time with friends and family. It was a little pricey but the quality of food was worth the price and more. Hands down the best Italian in Twin cities. Cheers.
(5)Kaye M.
I have dined here a few times with different groups of people. The food is really consistent, always delicious and fresh. The ingredients used have a GREAT flavor! It does don it self for more of the "blue hair" crowd, but I like the mellow smoothness of it myself. Really, it's a great value for what you get! It's a place where you go to enjoy a meal for 2 hours, certainly not an in and out kind of deal. A stand out quality is the PHENOMENAL wait staff! I never have to ask for more wine or water or bread (which is yummers). One time I took my dad and step-mom there and the waitress was SO kind to be willing to split the taster's meal THREE WAYS!!! My dad is super cheap and thought that was 100% ok and the waitress didn't have to do anything special and he tipped her terribly. Luckily, the next time I went back I had the same waitress and I could make up for the terrible tip. Anyway, the point is, while it's a blue hair favorite, it really has some delicious food, and some great atmosphere. Positively a must try!!
(4)Ryan B.
Nice little place for some romantic company. Great pasta. Good service. Make reservations in advance if you want a table.
(5)Elizabeth H.
This place is within walking distance of my house. Nothing like a stroll through the gorgeous St. Kate's campus to work up your appetite. The past few times I've eaten here, I've been underwhelmed, which makes me sad because well...see above. Most recently went here with a party of four at the request of my father-in-law who (used to) love the place. The salad was tasteless. The bread (which is from St. Agnes bakery and usually awesome) was stale. The tasting menu fettuccine arrived with 2 shrimp. Now I know there are reduced portions with the tasting menu, but two shrimp seems skimpy when you are paying $36. My mother-in-law (who ordered another dish) picked at her pasta like a 3-year-old and did not request a doggy bag, which was her polite way of saying, "yuck." Our waitress was neither very knowledgable nor friendly, but she did bring food and clear plates effectively. Hopefully a robot will not take over her job before she moves on the bigger and brighter things. I had made reservations online several days prior indicating it was my father-in-law's 70th birthday and no one at the restaurant said anything. I reminded the waitress and she said, "Happy Birthday" reflexively. I was not looking for a hand-out (he's 70 not 7), but some special recognition or showmanship, or having the manager come over or something would have been nice. We did share a bottle of delicious St. Innocent Pinot Noir. That was the best part of the meal. I don't see a reason to come back any time soon, which makes me sad because part of the appeal of living in the city is walking to places. But why walk into disappointment?
(2)Tony K.
It's a very nice place, but the food is just OK. I had the tasting 4 course dinner (it was Tuesday, so only $25!). The shrimp cake was all rice. The pasta course was teensy and tasted like ground pork with cream of mushroom soup. The fish (salmon) course was perfectly prepared, but not exceptionally flavorful. I rarely get dessert, but got the panna cotta. It was very good. However, I am not rushing to go back.
(3)Heather S.
Food was okay at best. Service was slow, especially for being three tables of people in the restaurant. They were out of tomatoes, which was odd. On a Sunday night when they're open from 5 to 9 bit, they didn't seem prepared for dinner service at 5:30. A few of the desserts "weren't ready" at 6pm, whatever that means. We just weren't impressed. The upside, the ambience was nice and our server was friendly enough.
(2)Ruki R.
Looking over the reviews posted here and at other restaurant pages, it's quite obvious that the average Minnesotan has an unsophisticated palette. That said... Our group had a very nice Father's Day dinner here. Good bread, good Caesar salad, fried risotto balls w/scallops, spaghetti aglio e olio, pollo brasato e saltati, costine di manzo brasato, pesce del giorno (White Salmon), Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee and Belgian Chocolate Flourless Torte. All very good. Some reviewers complain about the portion size. It is typical for a restaurant of this type, especially when they're using better quality ingredients and putting more care into the cooking, to serve smaller portions. The average American is used to large portions of mediocre industrial food. I'll most definitely return here or to Ristorante Luci.
(4)Matt G.
I recently made a point to come to Luci Ancora because I had a faint memory of a birthday dinner a few years back. So I talked my buddies into making a bro-date out of the affair. Now we knew there was something off right when we walked in and it wasn't the fact the three young handsome men want to enjoy a nice meal at a nice restaurant for once. The problem was that our cumulative age may have been just over the median for the room. This was an important omen for the food ahead as the restaurant obviously caters towards this crowd. For the food, we all went for the fixed menu, which had a strong start and a weak finish. I had a pork cutlet for my antipasto, which isn't really traditional, but very good. The insalata was a simple yet good Ceaser Salad with plenty of anchovy. Once again, it was not very Italian, but more American. Now when they hi t the Italian food seems to be when they faltered. The Pasta Puttanesca was very bland and lacked the saltiness I normally associate with it. The secundo was a beef fillet that was cooked properly, but was once again a bit on the underwhelming side. All told, when the bill hit I was satisfied but not impressed for the price. Almost everything was ably done and good, but just not quite there in my book. In my opinion, Luci Ancora needs to some research into the cucchiaio d'argento to get back to the Italian in Italian food.
(3)Justine L.
I'm very loyal to Luci Ancora, since I live in the hood. It's my favorite "comfort" restaurant to go to when I'm splurging on really good food. It's also only 1 of 2 restaurants that I choose to go to celebrate my birthday. I prefer eating there the nights that Chef Jim's in the kitchen (the other I have found to be slightly too salty and oily). The butternut squash ravioli is out of this world (albeit slightly oily). The pasta dishes are also amazingly creative: who combines mango and hot peppers in a pasta dish? The service is good: not overly attentive, but decent. I also love the ambience - quiet, romantic, but you can still go in "casual." You can't beat this place on a cold, wintery, Minnesota night. The fireplace (while not heat-releasing) creates "the mood." The cons: 1) I've had hit or miss desserts there, with some being pretty dry and disappointing. 2) There's a lot of old people there, and I feel like the only hip yuppie there at times (it's like being at the symphony - "Look, a young person!"). 3) They have way too much salmon on the menu (the constant special) I've tried their sister restaurant (Ristorante Luci)... but my heart (and palate) belongs to Luci Ancora.
(4)Amy R.
Met a friend here for dinner. We were both impressed with the food, service and atmosphere. It is a nice alternative to some of the other choices in St. Paul. I ordered the Fettucini romana which I normally don't care for, but this was good. The sauce wasn't so terribly heavy and it was good left over. My friend ordered the same. We were there early, so it wasn't terribly busy which was nice to sit and talk. We both commented that we should stop back for some of there prix fix tasting specials. Quaint neighborhood Italian place. Good food and reasonably priced.
(4)Melaney S.
I wish I could give this place a 4th star. The food is very good, but portion sizes are very small, and the prices are not. My friend and I had a glass of wine each (the wine list is truly great) a plate of pasta each, bread and olive oil (they charge extra for) and some olives. our bill for lunch over 60.00 and we left hungry. The decor could use an update. The service was ok but not what you would expect when paying this much. I would only go back if my dining partner just had to try it.
(3)Nora B.
My husband and I eat at Luci Ankora fairly often. I love the bread, service and ambiance. My only complaint is the few vegetarian choices without onions (I'm allergic). I would love to be able to order risotto or ravioli without meat or onions.
(4)Mike S.
good stuff. pleasant setting. good service
(4)Mary B.
We decided for our 50th wedding anniversary to try Luci and were not disappointed. The service, ambiance (nice romantic setting next to the fireplace looking out to St. Cates) and and food quality were all excellent. Thanks to the staff for making our evening every enjoyable. We will be back.
(5)Teele S.
My boyfriend and I stopped in during restaurant week because we enjoy little hole-in-the-wall Italian places. What a cute spot! It's very small, so reservations are quite necessary. For an appetizer I had the warm mozzarella with tomatoes and capers that was divine. My boyfriend had a Caesar salad. For our main course, I had the fettuccine with pesto and zucchini that was to die for. The portion was perfect and the flavor was amazing. My boyfriend had salmon with goat cheese on a bed of risotto. He absolutely loved it. For dessert I had the vanilla bean crème brûlée. I probably could live on that for the rest of my life. It was perfection. My boyfriend had the salted carmel gelato that was fantastic as well. Our server was very attentive and we thought all of our courses were spectacular. I'd highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Jenn S.
Celebrating my mom's birthday, eight of us met at Luci Ancora after finding it on Yelp. The experience? Eh. Food? Quite good. Service? Inexperienced but a good attempt. The restaurant is cozy which adds to the classy ambience. They oddly had no music playing in the background, the room was chilly but the place looked as I expected. Our server tried but didn't know much about the food. She did help my sister find GF options (which she loved!). My party had: ribs (good stuff), scallops (eh), fettuccine (good), Kobe beef with potatoes (a must), a GF pasta with apples and ham (she refused to share, said she was pulling a Joey from Friends ;) ), mussels (good) and the risotto (num). Skip the Caesar salads. It was overall ok, but we will probably not be returning customers. Moving on ;)
(3)Nadine G.
Gorgeous place for a special date night. Food is amazing and I love their tasting menu because you get to try some yummy bites and while they could be considered smaller portions, I like that you don't feel overfull when you're done. I love Luci's and this is one of my favorite gems in the Twin Cities...and their wine dinners, a must try!
(4)Sean C.
Girlfriend and I decided to spend a Friday on date night. We had driven by Luci Ancora on numerous occasions, always wanting to stop in. The decor is nice, intimate and good for a date night. Our waitress was attentive, but not overly annoying. We both decided to do the fixed 4 course meal. Both of us started with beef medallions, which were served in a chili sauce and with fresh greens. Neither of us were expecting the beef to be cold, so it took us a couple bites to get over the fact that the meat was served that way. It was tasty, but not exactly my cup of tea. She then moved onto the Caesar salad, while I had the Tuscan Egg Drop Soup. She said the Caesar was tasty, and that everything tasted fresh. My Tuscan soup was also good. A little greasy/oily on the surface if you will (imagine an ingredient was olive oil) but it was spicy and tasty on the whole. Our third course was a pasta, based in a cream sauce served with mushrooms and Gorgonzola. I will say, that I was very impressed with this dish. I'm normally not a big fan of mushrooms but these were some of the best I have ever tasted. The only downside was that the portion was pretty small. The last course was a Alaskan Halibut for me, which was the pinnacle of the night. It was so rich, and tasted so fresh that I haven't had that great of Fish in a long long time. The potatoes that came with it were simple, but perfectly prepared. My girlfriend substituted the fish for Kobe Beef, which was also amazing. Her only gripe was that one of the portions was undercooked. The only reason I am giving 4 stars is that for the price, the portions are very small and I was not the biggest fan of the Beef Medallions.
(4)Gina D.
We have never had a bad meal here, Tuesdays and Thursdays they have a special on their Prezzo Fisso menu. If you do not eat seafood they will substitute their American Kobe Style beef for the seafood dish on this menu, and the beef is so tender you could cut it with a butter knife. Everything is flavorful, and the menu changes from one time to the next. Bravo! We have been less happy across the street at their sister restaurant, Ristorante Luci, although that was still fine.... just a disappointment in comparison.
(5)Maggie J.
Went for an early (and rushed) dinner here and was pleasantly surprised. We only had about an hour to order, eat, and pay, so our server kept that in mind and helped us move along. None of the 1st courses were appealing to us, so we got some of the super small dishes to pair with the (amazing) bread. Artichoke hearts and very ripe tomatoes seasoned well were a great start. We split a large salad, which was ok but not memorable. For a main course, I had ravioli with short rib on top. So, so good. For around $15 the handmade pasta and perfectly fall-apart short rib was a great, delicious deal.
(4)Roxanne E.
Good service seems harder and harder to find at restaurants in the Twin Cities. It is so refreshing to dine at Luci Ancora and receive excellent service. From the moment I walk in the door to the moment I leave, the service is excellent and professional. Tonight, I had dinner with two associates from out of town. In all, we were there for two hours and not once did we feel rushed by our server. She was attentive, but not over bearing. She was knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list. We all had the four course tasting menu which consists of smaller portions of the night's specials. The antipasti course was a piece of shaved pork with some onions and radicchio. One of my companions was not a fan of the dish, but I think it was the radicchio. Personally, I love radicchio so was very happy. The Zuppa course was a generous bowl of a lovely tomato soup in a chicken stock base. It was warming and comforting on this snowy winter night. I would go back just for another bowl of this soup. The Primi Piatti was a pasta with walnuts and dried apricots. It was the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. I think the smaller portion for the tasting menu was the perfect size. It was interesting, but I wouldn't want a larger portion. For the Secondi Piatti I chose the Kobe beef with risotto and truffle oil. The risotto was perfectly cooked as was the beef. Of the four courses, this was the least interesting. Still, it was very good. All for $33. A reasonable price for a lovely meal. We each had a dessert to complete the meal. My companions had the carrot cake with the salted caramel. They raved. I had the flour-less chocolate cake. Excellent.
(4)Emily G.
For me, Luci Ancora is decent, but not exciting. This is the kind of place you go when your great-aunt or grandma or people from out of town want to take you out to dinner. Everyone will find something on the menu they like. Solid food, but not surprising or remarkable in any way. They do use really good ingredients, which helps. It would be a good place to go with people who are used to Olive Garden-type restaurants and you want to nudge them into something a bit better. They do have some specials that are a really good value: Currently, on Tuesdays and Thursdays you can get a four-course tasting menu of the day's specials for $20 per person, if two people order it.
(3)Lauren M.
I've been to Luci's Ancora about 10 times or so and have had an amazing experience every single time. The menu is always changing which is nice and makes each dining experience unique. It really is a fine dining experience. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the food is phenomenal. The first time I went I was expecting more of the traditional red sauce Italian food & pizza but this is anything but that. It's fine fish, meat, pastas, salads. All the ingredients are very fresh and everythign comes together perfectly. I would reccomend getting the sampler dinner -- you get a lot of different courses and feel like you're havin ga very complete meal. For dessert I absolutely reccomend the flourless torte. This is a great place, a great atmosphere, amazing food, and a fabulous dining experience.
(5)Sen H.
Atmosphere: 4.5 What one generally thinks of as a slightly higher end, classic Italian restaurant. Romantic, dimmed lights, there was even a small fireplace in one corner. The decor was simple, but classy. All in all, nice, but a little on the small side. Service: 5.0 Perhaps we were lucky to get a vegan server, but she, of course, certainly knew her stuff. She was very polite (even when one member of our party made quite a few complex orders), and was very attentive. Food: 4.5 Quality-wise, the food was formidable. Unfortunately, there were not too many options available to vegans, but the restaurant in general seemed very accommodating to us (and the special was vegan as it was). Both the dishes I had were delicious, fairly classic and not too creative -- but both had a bit of a flair (for the salad, the very remarkable olives unlike most I've had, and for the pasta, shredded fried potato as a garnish). Keep away from the bread, however, as our server mentioned it having milk in it.
(4)Josh W.
We checked out Luci Ancora for New Years Eve and were quite happy with our choice. Not only was the prix fixe menu complete with diverse choices, but it satisfied all members of our party (two being quite picky). The food was well prepared and the wine selection was fabulous. We will definitely return to Luci Ancora for a regular menu night.
(4)Kristi C.
Popped in for dessert. Unfortunately they were out of Tiramisu by 7:30pm on a recent Wednesday night. Decided on the Butternut Squash Ravioli instead. A delicate sweet and savory, buttery treat. I prefer the sister restaurant kitty corner across the street, Luci Ristorante, a bit quieter atmosphere there. Service was attentive, but not overly so.
(3)Chandler P.
While this restaurant was stellar in the customer service department, it lacks in the FOOD department. I threw a birthday party here and the event was a huge success and everyone had a great time. The restaurant catered to our every wish, and I couldn't have asked for a better amount of service, but almost every attendee said their food was "okay" or "not too good". As the host of the event, that was a little embarrassing. I suggest whichever manager is reading this to please re-look at your cooking staff and up the ante on flavor and presentation as the place has all the potential to be a 5-star experience.
(3)Rich F.
We had a dinner gift certificate , and heard good things about Luci , but we were not impressed. The service, atmosphere and quality of food was good, but we were expecting a little more than average Italian food. My wife had the special , " penne with squash" , which turned out to be penne with traces of squash and little flavor. My dish was okay, but nothing special ; a sausage and pasta dish that was good, but not any better than a Green Mill or "dare I say" Olive Garden?! Italian food is tough to pull off , in a fancy way, after all , pasta is pasta! But to separate yourself as a fine dining establishment , you need to stand out with creativity and flavor! I miss Campiello!
(2)Zachary S.
Decent. Solidly so. Had a groupon. I may really enjoy the smaller storefront sister across the street though...
(3)Tracy H.
My husband and I have eaten and Luci Ancora twice in the last few months. I am vegan and usually find going out to eat at a non-vegan restaurant can pose some ordering challenges. Not here. Both times the servers were great at getting me fed. The kitchen whipped up some tasty meals for me. I will definitely be back!
(4)Marci M.
My hubby and I went there last Friday night because we wanted to try somewhere new. We started off with the gorgonzola bruschetta - it was ok. I had the caesar salad which was wonderful and hubby had the melon soup special. For entrees we both had pasta - he the mussels and linguine and I the butternut squash ravioli. The pastas were good but nothing special. The pace of the meal was wonderful (usually we're out with our 2 1/2 year old so we're in a rush) so it was nice to move at a meandering pace and have enough time for each course. Service was wonderful and we used our MPR membership to get 2 for 1 entrees. I think we'd try it again.
(3)Lindsay C.
Took the parents and a friend here before a show at the O'Shaughnessy. Small, quaint, delicious. Started out with the Pizzetta and the table ordered a wide variety of entrees: beef, pork, ravioli, and pasta of the day. Portions are smaller than may be expected, but priced just right. FYI: I had a case of wine in my car I just bought so asked if they allowed this with a corkage fee, they do not. Bummer. All around great experience. Will go back.
(5)Jared B.
Luci Ancora and Ristorante Luci are the best restaurants in the Twin Cities. We've been eating at both restaurants for years and have never had a bad meal. And the staff is wonderful too!
(5)Michael P.
This was my second visit here, but the first was 5 or more years ago. This is a simple room consisting of one large seating area. From the looks, it seems like it could get a bit loud, but on our night it was not despite being pretty full. The service was great! The server was knowledgeable about the food and helped choose our wine. They were attentive and the meal was paced wonderfully. Despite being a busy Friday, there was no rushing. Each course came out at the right time, we were not in a hurry and appreciated a nice slowly paced meal. My Caesar salad was great and my mushroom risotto was fabulous, prepared perfectly. The chocolate desert was also very nice. I walked out wondering why I had not visited in so long and to make sure my next visit is soon.
(5)Lacey P.
I was pretty impressed. The pasta is handmade. Wow. That makes a difference. The salad was delicious. The waiter knew what he was doing and what he was talking about. And when the people I was with tasted the bread and exclaimed "Wow, this bread is so good!" I thought, it's just bread, how good can it be. But I tasted it and it was handmade too, and delicious. I will be back.
(5)Lindsey H.
Love this neighborhood spot. I've dined here a few times and am a big fan of their tasting menu. The menu is always different and dishes are creative and delicious. Luci Ancora reminds me of restaurants I dined in on a trip to Italy a few years back. While I am no expert on Italian cuisine, the experience at Luci is so similar to what I experienced at small local restaurants in various cities in Italy that I can't help but believe that Luci Ancora should get high marks in the authenticity category. While everything is great, from antipasti to dessert, I have been especially pleased with the Secondi Piatti selections - absolutely delectable meats and seafood. I encourage people to move past the idea that Italian food simply means PASTA and try the excellent meat and seafood items on the menu. The ambiance is lovely, especially if you are able to sit near the fireplace, and the service is also excellent.
(5)Teele S.
My boyfriend and I stopped in during restaurant week because we enjoy little hole-in-the-wall Italian places. What a cute spot! It's very small, so reservations are quite necessary. For an appetizer I had the warm mozzarella with tomatoes and capers that was divine. My boyfriend had a Caesar salad. For our main course, I had the fettuccine with pesto and zucchini that was to die for. The portion was perfect and the flavor was amazing. My boyfriend had salmon with goat cheese on a bed of risotto. He absolutely loved it. For dessert I had the vanilla bean crème brûlée. I probably could live on that for the rest of my life. It was perfection. My boyfriend had the salted carmel gelato that was fantastic as well. Our server was very attentive and we thought all of our courses were spectacular. I'd highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Bryan E.
Luci Ancora is a great italian neighborhood asset! The atmosphere is comfortable with a fireplace at the end of the room and the accoustics are good for conversation. The food is amazing! During this visit we had the spaghetti alla siciliana which was nice and light and the olive oil, golden raisins, spinach, pine nuts, hot pepper flakes really do a number on your taste buds. The raisons are a great touch to this light fare. We also ordered the fish special of the day which was the Ono fish (light fluffy white fish) filet garnished with beets and pinapple. Can't say enough about these dishes! Good time!
(4)Matt G.
I recently made a point to come to Luci Ancora because I had a faint memory of a birthday dinner a few years back. So I talked my buddies into making a bro-date out of the affair. Now we knew there was something off right when we walked in and it wasn't the fact the three young handsome men want to enjoy a nice meal at a nice restaurant for once. The problem was that our cumulative age may have been just over the median for the room. This was an important omen for the food ahead as the restaurant obviously caters towards this crowd. For the food, we all went for the fixed menu, which had a strong start and a weak finish. I had a pork cutlet for my antipasto, which isn't really traditional, but very good. The insalata was a simple yet good Ceaser Salad with plenty of anchovy. Once again, it was not very Italian, but more American. Now when they hi t the Italian food seems to be when they faltered. The Pasta Puttanesca was very bland and lacked the saltiness I normally associate with it. The secundo was a beef fillet that was cooked properly, but was once again a bit on the underwhelming side. All told, when the bill hit I was satisfied but not impressed for the price. Almost everything was ably done and good, but just not quite there in my book. In my opinion, Luci Ancora needs to some research into the cucchiaio d'argento to get back to the Italian in Italian food.
(3)Justine L.
I'm very loyal to Luci Ancora, since I live in the hood. It's my favorite "comfort" restaurant to go to when I'm splurging on really good food. It's also only 1 of 2 restaurants that I choose to go to celebrate my birthday. I prefer eating there the nights that Chef Jim's in the kitchen (the other I have found to be slightly too salty and oily). The butternut squash ravioli is out of this world (albeit slightly oily). The pasta dishes are also amazingly creative: who combines mango and hot peppers in a pasta dish? The service is good: not overly attentive, but decent. I also love the ambience - quiet, romantic, but you can still go in "casual." You can't beat this place on a cold, wintery, Minnesota night. The fireplace (while not heat-releasing) creates "the mood." The cons: 1) I've had hit or miss desserts there, with some being pretty dry and disappointing. 2) There's a lot of old people there, and I feel like the only hip yuppie there at times (it's like being at the symphony - "Look, a young person!"). 3) They have way too much salmon on the menu (the constant special) I've tried their sister restaurant (Ristorante Luci)... but my heart (and palate) belongs to Luci Ancora.
(4)Jenn S.
Celebrating my mom's birthday, eight of us met at Luci Ancora after finding it on Yelp. The experience? Eh. Food? Quite good. Service? Inexperienced but a good attempt. The restaurant is cozy which adds to the classy ambience. They oddly had no music playing in the background, the room was chilly but the place looked as I expected. Our server tried but didn't know much about the food. She did help my sister find GF options (which she loved!). My party had: ribs (good stuff), scallops (eh), fettuccine (good), Kobe beef with potatoes (a must), a GF pasta with apples and ham (she refused to share, said she was pulling a Joey from Friends ;) ), mussels (good) and the risotto (num). Skip the Caesar salads. It was overall ok, but we will probably not be returning customers. Moving on ;)
(3)Sonja B.
What a fantastic little Italian place! As a vegan I almost always rule out Italian food as it is almost impossible to find without any dairy and usually chicken breast tops everything so when my mother suggested Luci I was a little concerned. However I indulged her and Boy! am I glad I did! Firstly the waitstaff was VERY knowledgeable about each dish and went so far as to outline for use which meals would work, which could be accommodated and which could not be. My true marker of a good server is what they know about the bread. Before I could even ask the waitress was offering advice about which bread had dairy and which didn't. It always makes my meal easier when the waitstaff anticipate my questions and remember my needs. Mother and I both had the pasta prima vera which was To Die For. As was the bruschetta which, I'll be honest with you, I've never had due to my avoidance of Italian food. About half way through the meal the chef sent out some basil oil he had found to add flavor to our meal...I know right, A-mazing. All in all fantastic place, VERY vegan friendly. If you've been avoiding Italian because of dairy issues this is the place to go!
(4)Meghann F.
I've always driven by and wanted to go here. Recently purchased a "living social" deal so thought it was the perfect time to check it out. The ambiance is nice, white table cloths, cozy atmosphere. We were seated right next to the fireplace - even though it was steamy outside - it was perfect inside. I had the mussels - which were decent, but not the best ever. Split a salad w/ my friend, had some good wine and then split the pasta. The pasta had mangos and jalapenos in it! It was definitely a nice touch. I thouroughly enjoyed that. We had the flourless chocolate cake for dessert, and that was also excellent. Overall good food, but not quite up to what my other faves are. So 4 stars, definitely worth a trip.
(4)Rebekah K.
Lovely little spot with attentive servers and craveable food. Went for their Thursday four-course tasters special and was not disappointed. My favorite was the pasta. Perfectly cooked spaghetti (cannot be overrated, IMO), with a smokey spicy tomato sauce. After about two bites I decided I wanted to come back and order a big bowl of that pasta next time! I just couldn't get enough. Another surprise was the Mixed Salad that was served with a very tangy Dijon vinaigrette. It was a punch of flavor from the first bite. My dinner partner and I each actually made an exclamation upon tasting it. Also had the tiniest little tomatoes. Our water was constantly refilled and server was always swinging by to clear plates and make sure we were set. My only real complaint is that both the steak and salmon were slightly overcooked and dry. Not unpalatable, but an aberration to an otherwise nice meal. I hope to return for that big bowl of pasta!
(4)Nadine G.
Gorgeous place for a special date night. Food is amazing and I love their tasting menu because you get to try some yummy bites and while they could be considered smaller portions, I like that you don't feel overfull when you're done. I love Luci's and this is one of my favorite gems in the Twin Cities...and their wine dinners, a must try!
(4)Elizabeth H.
This place is within walking distance of my house. Nothing like a stroll through the gorgeous St. Kate's campus to work up your appetite. The past few times I've eaten here, I've been underwhelmed, which makes me sad because well...see above. Most recently went here with a party of four at the request of my father-in-law who (used to) love the place. The salad was tasteless. The bread (which is from St. Agnes bakery and usually awesome) was stale. The tasting menu fettuccine arrived with 2 shrimp. Now I know there are reduced portions with the tasting menu, but two shrimp seems skimpy when you are paying $36. My mother-in-law (who ordered another dish) picked at her pasta like a 3-year-old and did not request a doggy bag, which was her polite way of saying, "yuck." Our waitress was neither very knowledgable nor friendly, but she did bring food and clear plates effectively. Hopefully a robot will not take over her job before she moves on the bigger and brighter things. I had made reservations online several days prior indicating it was my father-in-law's 70th birthday and no one at the restaurant said anything. I reminded the waitress and she said, "Happy Birthday" reflexively. I was not looking for a hand-out (he's 70 not 7), but some special recognition or showmanship, or having the manager come over or something would have been nice. We did share a bottle of delicious St. Innocent Pinot Noir. That was the best part of the meal. I don't see a reason to come back any time soon, which makes me sad because part of the appeal of living in the city is walking to places. But why walk into disappointment?
(2)Ruki R.
Looking over the reviews posted here and at other restaurant pages, it's quite obvious that the average Minnesotan has an unsophisticated palette. That said... Our group had a very nice Father's Day dinner here. Good bread, good Caesar salad, fried risotto balls w/scallops, spaghetti aglio e olio, pollo brasato e saltati, costine di manzo brasato, pesce del giorno (White Salmon), Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee and Belgian Chocolate Flourless Torte. All very good. Some reviewers complain about the portion size. It is typical for a restaurant of this type, especially when they're using better quality ingredients and putting more care into the cooking, to serve smaller portions. The average American is used to large portions of mediocre industrial food. I'll most definitely return here or to Ristorante Luci.
(4)Melaney S.
I wish I could give this place a 4th star. The food is very good, but portion sizes are very small, and the prices are not. My friend and I had a glass of wine each (the wine list is truly great) a plate of pasta each, bread and olive oil (they charge extra for) and some olives. our bill for lunch over 60.00 and we left hungry. The decor could use an update. The service was ok but not what you would expect when paying this much. I would only go back if my dining partner just had to try it.
(3)Amy R.
Met a friend here for dinner. We were both impressed with the food, service and atmosphere. It is a nice alternative to some of the other choices in St. Paul. I ordered the Fettucini romana which I normally don't care for, but this was good. The sauce wasn't so terribly heavy and it was good left over. My friend ordered the same. We were there early, so it wasn't terribly busy which was nice to sit and talk. We both commented that we should stop back for some of there prix fix tasting specials. Quaint neighborhood Italian place. Good food and reasonably priced.
(4)Heather S.
Food was okay at best. Service was slow, especially for being three tables of people in the restaurant. They were out of tomatoes, which was odd. On a Sunday night when they're open from 5 to 9 bit, they didn't seem prepared for dinner service at 5:30. A few of the desserts "weren't ready" at 6pm, whatever that means. We just weren't impressed. The upside, the ambience was nice and our server was friendly enough.
(2)Tony K.
It's a very nice place, but the food is just OK. I had the tasting 4 course dinner (it was Tuesday, so only $25!). The shrimp cake was all rice. The pasta course was teensy and tasted like ground pork with cream of mushroom soup. The fish (salmon) course was perfectly prepared, but not exceptionally flavorful. I rarely get dessert, but got the panna cotta. It was very good. However, I am not rushing to go back.
(3)Nora B.
My husband and I eat at Luci Ankora fairly often. I love the bread, service and ambiance. My only complaint is the few vegetarian choices without onions (I'm allergic). I would love to be able to order risotto or ravioli without meat or onions.
(4)Mike S.
good stuff. pleasant setting. good service
(4)Mary B.
We decided for our 50th wedding anniversary to try Luci and were not disappointed. The service, ambiance (nice romantic setting next to the fireplace looking out to St. Cates) and and food quality were all excellent. Thanks to the staff for making our evening every enjoyable. We will be back.
(5)Roxanne E.
Good service seems harder and harder to find at restaurants in the Twin Cities. It is so refreshing to dine at Luci Ancora and receive excellent service. From the moment I walk in the door to the moment I leave, the service is excellent and professional. Tonight, I had dinner with two associates from out of town. In all, we were there for two hours and not once did we feel rushed by our server. She was attentive, but not over bearing. She was knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list. We all had the four course tasting menu which consists of smaller portions of the night's specials. The antipasti course was a piece of shaved pork with some onions and radicchio. One of my companions was not a fan of the dish, but I think it was the radicchio. Personally, I love radicchio so was very happy. The Zuppa course was a generous bowl of a lovely tomato soup in a chicken stock base. It was warming and comforting on this snowy winter night. I would go back just for another bowl of this soup. The Primi Piatti was a pasta with walnuts and dried apricots. It was the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. I think the smaller portion for the tasting menu was the perfect size. It was interesting, but I wouldn't want a larger portion. For the Secondi Piatti I chose the Kobe beef with risotto and truffle oil. The risotto was perfectly cooked as was the beef. Of the four courses, this was the least interesting. Still, it was very good. All for $33. A reasonable price for a lovely meal. We each had a dessert to complete the meal. My companions had the carrot cake with the salted caramel. They raved. I had the flour-less chocolate cake. Excellent.
(4)Emily G.
For me, Luci Ancora is decent, but not exciting. This is the kind of place you go when your great-aunt or grandma or people from out of town want to take you out to dinner. Everyone will find something on the menu they like. Solid food, but not surprising or remarkable in any way. They do use really good ingredients, which helps. It would be a good place to go with people who are used to Olive Garden-type restaurants and you want to nudge them into something a bit better. They do have some specials that are a really good value: Currently, on Tuesdays and Thursdays you can get a four-course tasting menu of the day's specials for $20 per person, if two people order it.
(3)Lauren M.
I've been to Luci's Ancora about 10 times or so and have had an amazing experience every single time. The menu is always changing which is nice and makes each dining experience unique. It really is a fine dining experience. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the food is phenomenal. The first time I went I was expecting more of the traditional red sauce Italian food & pizza but this is anything but that. It's fine fish, meat, pastas, salads. All the ingredients are very fresh and everythign comes together perfectly. I would reccomend getting the sampler dinner -- you get a lot of different courses and feel like you're havin ga very complete meal. For dessert I absolutely reccomend the flourless torte. This is a great place, a great atmosphere, amazing food, and a fabulous dining experience.
(5)Sean C.
Girlfriend and I decided to spend a Friday on date night. We had driven by Luci Ancora on numerous occasions, always wanting to stop in. The decor is nice, intimate and good for a date night. Our waitress was attentive, but not overly annoying. We both decided to do the fixed 4 course meal. Both of us started with beef medallions, which were served in a chili sauce and with fresh greens. Neither of us were expecting the beef to be cold, so it took us a couple bites to get over the fact that the meat was served that way. It was tasty, but not exactly my cup of tea. She then moved onto the Caesar salad, while I had the Tuscan Egg Drop Soup. She said the Caesar was tasty, and that everything tasted fresh. My Tuscan soup was also good. A little greasy/oily on the surface if you will (imagine an ingredient was olive oil) but it was spicy and tasty on the whole. Our third course was a pasta, based in a cream sauce served with mushrooms and Gorgonzola. I will say, that I was very impressed with this dish. I'm normally not a big fan of mushrooms but these were some of the best I have ever tasted. The only downside was that the portion was pretty small. The last course was a Alaskan Halibut for me, which was the pinnacle of the night. It was so rich, and tasted so fresh that I haven't had that great of Fish in a long long time. The potatoes that came with it were simple, but perfectly prepared. My girlfriend substituted the fish for Kobe Beef, which was also amazing. Her only gripe was that one of the portions was undercooked. The only reason I am giving 4 stars is that for the price, the portions are very small and I was not the biggest fan of the Beef Medallions.
(4)Gina D.
We have never had a bad meal here, Tuesdays and Thursdays they have a special on their Prezzo Fisso menu. If you do not eat seafood they will substitute their American Kobe Style beef for the seafood dish on this menu, and the beef is so tender you could cut it with a butter knife. Everything is flavorful, and the menu changes from one time to the next. Bravo! We have been less happy across the street at their sister restaurant, Ristorante Luci, although that was still fine.... just a disappointment in comparison.
(5)Maggie J.
Went for an early (and rushed) dinner here and was pleasantly surprised. We only had about an hour to order, eat, and pay, so our server kept that in mind and helped us move along. None of the 1st courses were appealing to us, so we got some of the super small dishes to pair with the (amazing) bread. Artichoke hearts and very ripe tomatoes seasoned well were a great start. We split a large salad, which was ok but not memorable. For a main course, I had ravioli with short rib on top. So, so good. For around $15 the handmade pasta and perfectly fall-apart short rib was a great, delicious deal.
(4)Tracy H.
My husband and I have eaten and Luci Ancora twice in the last few months. I am vegan and usually find going out to eat at a non-vegan restaurant can pose some ordering challenges. Not here. Both times the servers were great at getting me fed. The kitchen whipped up some tasty meals for me. I will definitely be back!
(4)Sen H.
Atmosphere: 4.5 What one generally thinks of as a slightly higher end, classic Italian restaurant. Romantic, dimmed lights, there was even a small fireplace in one corner. The decor was simple, but classy. All in all, nice, but a little on the small side. Service: 5.0 Perhaps we were lucky to get a vegan server, but she, of course, certainly knew her stuff. She was very polite (even when one member of our party made quite a few complex orders), and was very attentive. Food: 4.5 Quality-wise, the food was formidable. Unfortunately, there were not too many options available to vegans, but the restaurant in general seemed very accommodating to us (and the special was vegan as it was). Both the dishes I had were delicious, fairly classic and not too creative -- but both had a bit of a flair (for the salad, the very remarkable olives unlike most I've had, and for the pasta, shredded fried potato as a garnish). Keep away from the bread, however, as our server mentioned it having milk in it.
(4)Josh W.
We checked out Luci Ancora for New Years Eve and were quite happy with our choice. Not only was the prix fixe menu complete with diverse choices, but it satisfied all members of our party (two being quite picky). The food was well prepared and the wine selection was fabulous. We will definitely return to Luci Ancora for a regular menu night.
(4)Kristi C.
Popped in for dessert. Unfortunately they were out of Tiramisu by 7:30pm on a recent Wednesday night. Decided on the Butternut Squash Ravioli instead. A delicate sweet and savory, buttery treat. I prefer the sister restaurant kitty corner across the street, Luci Ristorante, a bit quieter atmosphere there. Service was attentive, but not overly so.
(3)Chandler P.
While this restaurant was stellar in the customer service department, it lacks in the FOOD department. I threw a birthday party here and the event was a huge success and everyone had a great time. The restaurant catered to our every wish, and I couldn't have asked for a better amount of service, but almost every attendee said their food was "okay" or "not too good". As the host of the event, that was a little embarrassing. I suggest whichever manager is reading this to please re-look at your cooking staff and up the ante on flavor and presentation as the place has all the potential to be a 5-star experience.
(3)Rich F.
We had a dinner gift certificate , and heard good things about Luci , but we were not impressed. The service, atmosphere and quality of food was good, but we were expecting a little more than average Italian food. My wife had the special , " penne with squash" , which turned out to be penne with traces of squash and little flavor. My dish was okay, but nothing special ; a sausage and pasta dish that was good, but not any better than a Green Mill or "dare I say" Olive Garden?! Italian food is tough to pull off , in a fancy way, after all , pasta is pasta! But to separate yourself as a fine dining establishment , you need to stand out with creativity and flavor! I miss Campiello!
(2)Zachary S.
Decent. Solidly so. Had a groupon. I may really enjoy the smaller storefront sister across the street though...
(3)Tom K.
New favotie place - Tueday and Thursday evenings offer a 4 course tasting menu for $20 per person. Suitable size portions, making a generous, filling meal. 1st course - Terrific, grilled polenta sitting atop braised lamb and juices - crisp, golden outside and creamy inside... perfecly delicious! 2nd -, had mushroom/potato soup (puree), and also ordered a small Ceasar (true test of the chef's skill... Honestly, the BEST I've had, period! 3rd course-mushroom risotto with braised beef atop...OMG! 4th - frilled fish - a new species for me - like a flakey grouper with pureed potatoes awash in dairy...so good. Friend had the other choice, the Kobe beef, and really enjoyed it. Service impecable! I couldn't leave withour tasting the creme brulee. "Burnt' tableside, and great! - Beautifully intimate, with Tuscan color scheme Back 2 days later for lunch with sister - We split a Ceasar. and split 2 entrees. Again, everything was exceptional...but not as good a value as the tue.- Thurs. tasting ment. Really enchanted by every aspect of this place. Qyality everything! Added treat - Bigg picture window face St. Kate's campus (Across the street - who's huge pines are densly saturated with blue lights, for the Holidays...Stunning!
(4)Catherine P.
Bland. Both the food and the experience. :(
(2)S R.
Absolutely the best Italian food I have ever had. I come from a predominantly Italian neighborhood (east coast) and I have tried my share of various pasta sauces and noodles but none as good as Ancora Luci. It is a delightful place with knowledgeable and friendly wait staff. The ambiance of the restaurant is very pleasing for romance or just relax and spend quality time with friends and family. It was a little pricey but the quality of food was worth the price and more. Hands down the best Italian in Twin cities. Cheers.
(5)Kaye M.
I have dined here a few times with different groups of people. The food is really consistent, always delicious and fresh. The ingredients used have a GREAT flavor! It does don it self for more of the "blue hair" crowd, but I like the mellow smoothness of it myself. Really, it's a great value for what you get! It's a place where you go to enjoy a meal for 2 hours, certainly not an in and out kind of deal. A stand out quality is the PHENOMENAL wait staff! I never have to ask for more wine or water or bread (which is yummers). One time I took my dad and step-mom there and the waitress was SO kind to be willing to split the taster's meal THREE WAYS!!! My dad is super cheap and thought that was 100% ok and the waitress didn't have to do anything special and he tipped her terribly. Luckily, the next time I went back I had the same waitress and I could make up for the terrible tip. Anyway, the point is, while it's a blue hair favorite, it really has some delicious food, and some great atmosphere. Positively a must try!!
(4)Lindsey H.
Love this neighborhood spot. I've dined here a few times and am a big fan of their tasting menu. The menu is always different and dishes are creative and delicious. Luci Ancora reminds me of restaurants I dined in on a trip to Italy a few years back. While I am no expert on Italian cuisine, the experience at Luci is so similar to what I experienced at small local restaurants in various cities in Italy that I can't help but believe that Luci Ancora should get high marks in the authenticity category. While everything is great, from antipasti to dessert, I have been especially pleased with the Secondi Piatti selections - absolutely delectable meats and seafood. I encourage people to move past the idea that Italian food simply means PASTA and try the excellent meat and seafood items on the menu. The ambiance is lovely, especially if you are able to sit near the fireplace, and the service is also excellent.
(5)Ryan B.
Nice little place for some romantic company. Great pasta. Good service. Make reservations in advance if you want a table.
(5)Marci M.
My hubby and I went there last Friday night because we wanted to try somewhere new. We started off with the gorgonzola bruschetta - it was ok. I had the caesar salad which was wonderful and hubby had the melon soup special. For entrees we both had pasta - he the mussels and linguine and I the butternut squash ravioli. The pastas were good but nothing special. The pace of the meal was wonderful (usually we're out with our 2 1/2 year old so we're in a rush) so it was nice to move at a meandering pace and have enough time for each course. Service was wonderful and we used our MPR membership to get 2 for 1 entrees. I think we'd try it again.
(3)Lindsay C.
Took the parents and a friend here before a show at the O'Shaughnessy. Small, quaint, delicious. Started out with the Pizzetta and the table ordered a wide variety of entrees: beef, pork, ravioli, and pasta of the day. Portions are smaller than may be expected, but priced just right. FYI: I had a case of wine in my car I just bought so asked if they allowed this with a corkage fee, they do not. Bummer. All around great experience. Will go back.
(5)Jared B.
Luci Ancora and Ristorante Luci are the best restaurants in the Twin Cities. We've been eating at both restaurants for years and have never had a bad meal. And the staff is wonderful too!
(5)Michael P.
This was my second visit here, but the first was 5 or more years ago. This is a simple room consisting of one large seating area. From the looks, it seems like it could get a bit loud, but on our night it was not despite being pretty full. The service was great! The server was knowledgeable about the food and helped choose our wine. They were attentive and the meal was paced wonderfully. Despite being a busy Friday, there was no rushing. Each course came out at the right time, we were not in a hurry and appreciated a nice slowly paced meal. My Caesar salad was great and my mushroom risotto was fabulous, prepared perfectly. The chocolate desert was also very nice. I walked out wondering why I had not visited in so long and to make sure my next visit is soon.
(5)Lacey P.
I was pretty impressed. The pasta is handmade. Wow. That makes a difference. The salad was delicious. The waiter knew what he was doing and what he was talking about. And when the people I was with tasted the bread and exclaimed "Wow, this bread is so good!" I thought, it's just bread, how good can it be. But I tasted it and it was handmade too, and delicious. I will be back.
(5)