Luce

While I was on work travel I went here twice. The cutest little bar with very few seats and it's definitely worth the wait. I had the Halibut (with a spicy crust in a chutney) one day and another day the wild boar ragu with the glass of their happy hour wine. It was amazing. The bartenders were very interesting and attentive and had a fun and upbeat perspective. I really enjoyed sitting at the bar. However the ladies who work there, the hostess, was not as friendly. But the bartender made up for it.Highly recommend.

I had dinner here with a group of 6 people on 11/04/2024 at 7pm. It is a small restaurant with great service, great food at a good value.We had an excellent server this evening that was very attentive. We had a lot of food, and I don't think we had anything that was bad. It was all so delicious.I started with the mushroom toast, which was oh so yummy! I also had some samples of a charcuterie board that someone else at the table got. For my main entree, I had the Pollo Pazza, which was a delicious chicken breast with peppers, pancetta, mozzerella, and a rose cream sauce. Yum! For dessert, our entire table shared some Tiramisu and the Chocolate Caramel Crunch Cake.I can tell you that everyone liked everything, and I would definitely return again in the future!

If I could give Luce a Michelin star, I absolutely would! This charming little restaurant in Norfolk offers a dining experience that feels both intimate and vibrant, with the bar ambiance creating a cozy yet lively atmosphere. The romantic two-person tables are perfectly arranged, making it an ideal spot for a special night out or a memorable date.The small size of the restaurant enhances the feeling of exclusivity, and having a bar right next to the dining area only adds to the experience. It's a place where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of fellow diners savoring cocktails, while still feeling the warmth of a personal dining experience. Our waitress was incredibly attentive, ensuring that every need was met without being intrusive. The level of service truly elevated the meal.We began with the Calamari served with a delightful tomato pepperoncini salsa. The calamari was light, crispy, and perfectly fried, showcasing a soft, tender interior that was a joy to eat. The accompanying tomato-based sauce was vibrant and flavorful, cutting the oily, richness of the calamari, making each bite a delight.Next, we indulged in the Steamed Clams in broth, which we ordered with extra slices of bread for dipping. These clams were fat, meaty, and cooked to perfection, offering a rich flavor profile that was beautifully complemented by the broth. Dipping the bread into that savory liquid was a highlight--there's nothing quite like it.For our main courses, I ordered the Hunter's Sausage Pasta, and I was blown away. The pasta was cooked al dente, and the sausage paired perfectly with it, delivering just the right amount of sauce to enhance the dish without overwhelming it. Additionally, the special of the day, the Veal Parmigiana, which featured a HUGE bone-in veal chop. The savory tomato sauce and cheesy mozzarella created a classic dish that felt both comforting and sophisticated.And then came dessert! The Chocolate Sponge Cake was nothing short of phenomenal, with rich chocolate fudge cream and a glossy chocolate ganache that made each bite decadent. We couldn't resist adding scoops of Coconut Gelato and Coffee Gelato, both imported from Italy. The gelato was creamy and luxurious, perfectly rounding off our meal.Luce proves that great things come in small packages. It's amazing what the chefs can accomplish in their small kitchen. From the attentive service to the impeccable food, every aspect of our dining experience was stellar. This is a place I would 100% return to and recommend to anyone looking for an extraordinary meal.If you're in Norfolk, make it a point to dine at Luce--you won't be disappointed!

This was my first time visiting this restaurant last night. I was in the mood for Italian food and this place definitely delivered just that. The place was so small and intimate. I dined in and had the Mussels app and oh my goodness it was so delicious. I was definitely full from just that. I also had the Tiramisu for dessert. Tiramisu is my favorite dessert and this one is at the top of my list. The bartender was so nice and the customer service was amazing. I don't know why it took me so long to visit this place but I'm glad I did. I will definitely be back

Small cozy place in central Norfolk. Plan ahead because reservations can be tight. We enjoyed our meal. I thought the highlight was the appetizer, tuna tartar with truffles and sweet cherry juice. I think that combination of flavors is hard to make work, but the chef nailed it. Bolognese atop home made rigatoni was also very good, deep flavors in the Bolognese. Pork shank was OK, perhaps a little greasy. Nice wine list. Worth going to in Norfolk.

This was a great dining experience all-around! Pros: Easy to make online reservations (make sure to make one a few weeks out) Extremely nice staff from the hostess to our waitress they were great. Great cocktail and wine list. Husband loved his glad of wine. The basil-lemon infused water-refreshing! Food-all the dishes we tried were so good and freshly made. We had the rig & goose and added chicken-.great flavor! The special of the day was a slow roasted beef ragu which was so good over fresh pappardelle pasta. We also started the night with the mushroom appetizer which was so flavorful! Dessert was the hazelnut cake with espresso ice cream-so yummy! Cons: Nothing! Just a few things to note: It is a small restaurant but it feels nice and intimate inside. Most of the seating is high top or bar seats. There is one table for 6 but most of the high tops are 4 tops. The bathroom is shared with the building and is a little bit of a walk. Nothing bad! Can't wait to go to their Chesapeake location for more of their amazing food!

What a charming, local Italian place. Very large bar and then some high top tables. They have a great cocktail menu with fair prices and a fantastic wine menu. We got the goat cheese and pesto appetizer and it was full of flavor with whole cloves of roasted garlic and seared sourdough bread. I got the smoked salmon Arrabbiata. It was so spicy and flavorful. I enjoyed it with a glass of Montepulciano. Prior to that I had a wonderful vodka-based drink with grapefruit. My girlfriend had a mushroom rigatoni and a slightly creamy sauce that she thought was fabulous. We skipped dessert. If you were in this area staying at a local hotel or live in this part of town, make sure to put this on your list. They do take reservations. Enjoy!

Such an exceptional dining experience. The food and drinks were amazing. The service was above par.

Made reservation a month ago and was set at bar beside door on a cold night next to take out pickup Doesn't matter how good food is it is getting cold and we are having to deal with cold drafts We were given Bar Top you offer walk ins We wanted a relaxing dinner with comfortable chairs not bartop and cold drafts So disappointing after a long work week

The food was amazing and the service was great. I live in Florida and I'm glad I found this restaurant.