Lucca Ristorante

Final visit before leaving Pittsburgh, I can never speak highly enough of my favorite pappardelle bolognese. The chocolate cannoli takes the top spot on the dessert memu, which is the best version I have had so far. The tiramisu is also a must try, which tastes smooth and not cakey or too sugary.

This was my first time coming to Lucca. I had been wanting to go for some time because im on a personal quest to try every Italian restaurant in Pittsburgh. Upon walking in I paused and just gave myself a second to feel the ambiance. It felt cozy--even thought I wish they incorporated a little better lighting. Our waiter was very kind, respectful, and generous when giving recommendations for dinner. We got an appetizer and I got the tagliatelle bolognese. I wasn't too impressed with the tagliatelle personally but it wasn't awful. I think it was the specific spices they used that didn't really fit the flavor profile I was looking for. The drinks were just okay as well; however, I did not go in expecting greatness when it came to my drink selection. I was more concerned with the food. Overall, I'm glad I tried it. I just wish it would have been a little better.

The Health Department issued a consumer alertAn inspection on Monday September 9, 2024 revealed mouse droppings in a silverware holder, on top of a pan, on the counter holding the deli slicer, on the counter holding the pasta maker, on the shelf holding a grinder, in a container holding sauce bottle, at the server station where the glass racks are, on the shelf holding cutting boards in the kitchen, and a shelf above the 3-bowl sink.Mouse droppings also were found around the perimeter of the basement kitchen and upstairs dining room, in all cooler evaporators in the kitchen, under the 3-bowl sink and food preparation sink and in the cabinet at the server station.In-use tongs were sitting in stagnant water on the cook line. An in-use ice cream scoop was sitting in stagnant water on top of the microwave. Scallops were observed resting on a dirty wiping cloth.Old, dried food residue was present on the blade and guard of the deli slicer and on the can opener blade. The ice machine was encrusted with a black mold-like substance and the inside of the microwave was soiled.The inside of both walk-in coolers encrusted with old food residue, including the shelves, walls and ceilings.

Imagine Pittsburgh in 1998 ... oh wait, but you don't have to. You can just come to Lucca Ristorante, where the restaurant and bar appears not to have been remodeled since the Lewinsky scandal and the chairs have 26 years of sag in them. Speaking of scandal ... how about risotto made with Birds Eye frozen peas and carrots? Reminds me of what my mother use to throw together on a Wednesday night before Catechism class. Or the bruschetta ... the level of scandal here puts the Lewinsky affair to shame ... the bread was soft and rubbery because it had been toasted only slightly and was probably stale ex-ante ... also, cumin enough?Speaking of ex-ante ... our meal could readily be characterized by the before times and the after times -- that is BEFORE the loud wedding party came in and cackled, chortled, and drunkenly cavorted in the back room before saying some god-forsaken prayer everyone else in the restaurant had to sit through. AFTER they came in nobody could hear anyone but them, which is probably fine because who wants to constantly be listening to people complain about their food, the atmosphere, the ambiance, etc. At least they all appeared to be enjoying themselves, though I didn't pin them for the type that would know any better ...But seriously Pittsburgh ... could we get some decent Italian restaurants? It's as if everything is still stuck in the plastic-covered-sofa era, and the food so imbued with poverty, one can almost taste the steel mills of yesteryear closing ...I'll give it a 2 because we used a $50 OpenTable voucher, so at least we didn't pay full price.

Had a wonderful work holiday meal at Lucca! I didn't even know this place existed. Everyone's food looked great and everyone enjoyed their cocktails as well. The service was good - she was very busy and could have used a hand when there were several parties and we were a bigger party. I had the sausage and mushroom risotto which was delightful! I really enjoyed the sundrjed tomatoes on top and felt like it could have been throughout for a little brightness, just because it was so rich. Also thought it was a little light on the sausage. I enjoyed the hazelnut crunch cake but wasn't wowed by it. I might be back if someone else is paying! A little steep to be a regular!

I would give it 4 stars. But the staff toom away from the experience largely. Our server was not very attentive, and not very professional. We traveled an hour and twenty minutes to eat here. Knowing it was move in weekend for several colleges right next to the restaurant my husband called and asked about parking. We showed up. Parked down the strew and it was getting ready to storm so we headed in. We were early but happy to sit at the bar and have a date night cocktail. We explained this to them at the door and they were kinda of snappy with us and pointed to the bar that had stuff all over it and said they could just seat us now. They took us to a table that you would have on your personal patio we had to play Tetris to have stuff on it. My left overs had to sit on the floor. We got fresh bread which was delicious and ordered the meatball appetizer. They were great. The bread that comes with it could break your teeth. It was while we were eating our appetizer someone called on the phone and also inquired about parking. When they hung up the staff a man and woman started making fun of the caller and the woman started saying things like "how about you be a big boy and figure out parking when you get here like everyone else" and other phrases like that. It was not pleasant to hear and I'm sure they made the same comments about our call but we were driving anHour and a half to eat here we needed to know parking. We got our entrees I did the Asiago chicken gnocchi the gnocchi were amazing the chicken needed a saw blade. Husband got the salmon the lemon risotto was the winner here. His salmon was sub par and like warm. We finished with the almond cake which paired with the espresso martini were perfect the martini was the stand out of the whole meal. The food was good. The service needs worked on.

Absolutely what we were hungry for... homemade noodles, tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce, made with veal and pork. Noodles were delightful. Another entree was the gnocchi, covered, and I mean covered in marinara sauce with bites of tomatoes. Added was slivered Parmesan cheese that melted with the heat of the sauce. The gnocchi are soft and light, I love them.This is not our first time here, and the Italian bread was as good as I remembered, hard and crispy outside and soft and moist on inside. It is served with olive oil, and my only request would be butter. Ted was perfect and so was our wine, by the way! Very enjoyable evening. Can't wait till next time.

The food was quite good. My wife's brussels sprouts were overcooked, but they promptly replaced them. We had an outstanding server. My one star overall rating is because someone who identified himself as a "manager" was unbelievably rude. I asked about changing tables because it was hot where we were sitting under a heat lamp, and he made a point of explaining in an abrupt and dismissive tone that it was Valentine's Day and that we couldn't move. I have never been spoken to so rudely in a restaurant. When I asked him to stop, his response was simply "leave my restaurant." I asked him if he was the owner, he said no. He then said he would bring the owner to our table, but he never did, nor did he return. His behavior was appalling and unacceptable.

Tried it a year or so ago. So comically bad we thought they were just having a terrible night. Used to be a lovely, elegant place called Cafe Azure.Decided to give them second try. Same deal: Dry, ill prepared food. Very slow and indifferent service. Can't sit in the pretty room. Wildly high prices. And now dingy and unkept. Everything about the experience screamed "we don't care."Run.

Stay Away from This Restaurant if You Are Concerned About Your Health and Longevity!I was shocked to learn about a consumer alert issued by the Allegheny County Health Department just two months ago, only days after our family dined here around college move-in time. According to the inspection report, the restaurant had serious health violations, including rodent droppings found throughout the kitchen and dining room, stagnant water used to store in-use utensils, and mold in the ice machine. These violations suggest a concerning lack of hygiene and food safety.How is this place allowed to operate under these conditions, and did they even post the required yellow warning sign? It's alarming, especially considering how many families dine here during college move-in week. Cleanliness issues aside, I'm so shocked that I can't even bring myself to comment on their rude staff.