Lugano Restaurant

Horrible service. We waited over an hour for our food once we had ordered and once it did finally arrive it was poor to say the least. Also, there was no Front of House manager working either which for a Friday night is bizarre. DO NOT eat here ... more

Great food!! Great service!! This was the best meal I have had in a long time! Very authentic and creative! We were very impressed!! more

My Wife and I dined out at Lugano last weekend and, as always, loved it. We had a GREAT bottle of Italian red (a variety I will not try to spell : ) ! ) Our server was good, knew the wine really well, attentive but not hovering and annoying (not to mention any place in paticular......the New Yorker, the week before) more

My husband and I went there for the first time last night. I love good Italian food (and Olive Garden is NOT good Italian food) so I was excited to try Luganos after hearing rave reviews. When the waiter asked what we wanted to drink and we said ""water"" he gave an exasperated look. (I'm sorry if I don't drink alcohol or soda because I'm invested in my health!) The bruschetta was so strange. It had way too much on it. I was disgusted with the oversized cauliflower, uncooked red onion, burned pancetta and gobs of goat cheese covering the bread. It left me feeling sick to my stomach. However, the spring garlic risotto was very good (although HORRIBLY overpriced at $27 for a mound of risotto, half a piece of chicken and three slices of zuccini) and my husband's chicken ravioli had a great smoky flavor. What made our experience bad was our waiter. He was unfriendly, slow and never cracked a smile. We even heard him complaining to another table how cheap all of his tables had been that night. I was annoyed because I had ordered the 2nd most expensive item on the menu and we had ordered appetizers and desserts. I won't come back because I can get good Italian food elsewhere with better service. Pros: Food is fresh Cons: Service is terrible more

Our first time and having grown up in N.Y, I know what good Italian food is and this was it. From the appetizer to the capucino, everything exceeded expectation. I tried that night's ""Big Red"" wine selection, which was great, I don't remember the name now. My girlfriend had gnochi and loved it, I had the spaghetti with seafood and it was outstanding. Pros: Great food, prompt service, friendly staff. Cons: Waited 35 minutes with a reservation more

I?m a pretty picky person when it comes to my dining experience -- especially when Italian food is involved. I?ve lived and traveled all over the United States and sampled the best Italian this country has to offer, so I know a good place when I find one. I?m not your typical Olive Garden-loving culinary layman. So believe me when I say that Lugano Restaurant offers the best Italian food in the Salt Lake area, hands down. As I don?t live in close proximity to the restaurant?s Holladay location, I don?t get to go that often ? but when I?m in Salt Lake, Lugano is the only option for me. The restaurant?s atmosphere is intimate and welcoming. The d?cor is charming and the lighting just dim enough to make you feel like you?re enjoying a romantic night out, but not eating in the dark. The staff is always polite, prompt and friendly, and their service is impeccable. I often ask my servers for recommendations when I dine out, and the Lugano staff have always provided excellent suggestions that I whole-heartedly enjoyed. The food is the real deal, offering an eclectic variety of authentic Italian dishes ? from delicious pastas to mouthwatering risottos to succulent meats. This isn?t just your average spaghetti-and-meatballs joint; the menu provides many Italian staples with a welcome twist to keep things fresh. The specials are consistently great and unique, especially the ?Risotto of the Day,? which is always a treat. From the appetizers (including some truly excellent bruschetta) right down to the desserts (an absolutely divine tiramisu, among others) and their extensive wine list, Lugano Restaurant provides first-rate Italian food and great service at a very reasonable price. Certainly not what I expected to find in an allegedly cultureless town like Salt Lake, but I?ll take it! Consider me enthusiastically surprised. Pros: Best Italian in the state, great service, reasonably priced more

We tried this place out with a group of friends and we were so disgusted. One of the couples was about 20 min. late and the owner threw an absolute tantrum IN FRONT OF US to the hostess. We were completely ignored by our waitress who told us we had to order right then because they needed our table for the next reservation...AN HOUR FROM THEN. You DO NOT say that. We literally glanced at the menu, then our drinks were never refilled and I asked 3 times for bread. The food was just ok and we know Italian. We just wanted to leave so we rushed through dinner and gave them 15 min. to spare. On top of that gratuity was added at 20%. What a joke. By law you can refuse the added gratuity for larger parties and that we did. We will not spend our money here again. Pros: ??? Cons: Incredibely poor service and ok food. more

We haven't been here in years, and went the other night with friends. Our waitress was very good, and the specials were wonderful. I had sea bass with polenta, and it was excellent. However, I tasted my husband's pork loin, and it seemed dry to me. The risotto was incredible. It's a bit crowded in there which makes it a little less cozy for a romantic dinner. Overall, a great place. Pros: great food Cons: a bit crowded more

I took my wife here for valentines day. We showed up shortly after opening time, there were a couple of other groups already seated. We stood up front for what seemed like an eternity. The wait felt very akward because there must have been 5 or 6 different employees look at us and pretend not to see us, some of them on two or three occasions. My wife asked me if this was some kind of private club, ""I feel like they would rather we leave."" Eventually we were seated by our waitress, it felt like we were saved from drowning and the lifeguard was not very happy she had to do so. After the waitress explained the specials to us she looked at us with raised eyebrows like she was hoping we didn't understand the fancy gourmet language. We ordered, the food showed up and holy cow it was awesome! This is the best Italian I have found in the state! The whole experience is almost tragic, tons of great food and employees leaving a bad taste in my mouth. This place needs some serious employee training and managing. I can't believe the employees were so horrible that I don't recommend you eat at the restruant that has the best food in Utah. (They do have take out!!) Pros: Best Italian I've had in the city Cons: The employees would rather you not show up more

Some friends and I gathered here for a dinner last weekend and had a great time. Our appetizers and entrees were tasty (we recommend the bruschetta), our server was very courteous and one of the chefs visited us twice for good measure. Pros: Food was awesome Cons: Parking is a joke, we waited for 20 mins despite reservations made 2 weeks in advance more

Although I wouldn't call Lugano the "best" Italian restaurant in the valley, it is definitely worthy of... more

My favorite foods are mexican, greasy-spoon burgers, and all sorts of asian. I hate[d] italian. My wife and I did not try Lugano for years after moving to Salt Lake. Pros: Food, Service, Wine, People, Menu, Atmosphere Cons: I will not nitpick Lugano, even though I am naturally critical more

In defense of chocochoco's review they are mistaken. It's not the restaurant that adds the tip it's the bank. Wells Fargo is the worst for this. Somehow the bank knows when you make a purchase at an establishment that might have a tip added. So it adds one on just to make sure there is enough cash in the account for the restaurant, cab, cruise line, to add a gratuity later. Some add up to 30% just to be safe. Checking the online account doesn't do any good. Wait a few days and when the establishment has had time to post the actual amount and it will clear for what you've actually signed for. IF it is different then call the restaurant. They will resolve. I run a restaurant in Park City and we get these kinds of calls often. Pros: Total Thumbs up Cons: Becoming more popular, harder to get in! more

Well, food was good. Went back home and checking some card expense in online banking...found that this restaurant pre-charged the amount INCLUDING 20% gratuity. I've seen restaurants doing that, but I couldn't believe this place with this reputation does that. Usually, I see pre-charge that doesn't include tip, and the amount is revised later that includes tip. What if I don't want to pay 20% tip? They assume all of customers pay at least 20% tip anyway? I thought it was sort of arrogant way of business. Tip is something we agree to pay for good service, not forced to pay by the service provider....I think. Pros: food Cons: pre-charge card including tip more

Their is no dress code, however I felt a little under dressed. Other then that my wife and the company we were with LOVED IT. It was a little expensive I knew that going thier but the food and service was well worth it. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves great food. Pros: Everything Cons: Nothing more

We headed to Lugano for Valentine's Day (we are both vegetarian). We arrived a bit late for our reservation, though we were assured it was no problem at all & were seated in 15 mins. The standard bread and olive plate arrived in good order. We ordered the wine pairing for $39 each which started with a full glass of Prosecco Veneto which was a fun start. Pros: Excellent food and wine pairing Cons: Location is unremarkable more

I tried to make reservations at Al Forno's and they couldn't understand that when the phone was ringing, they should answer it. Pros: Delightful food, great service, what else could anyone ask for? :) more

I received a gift card to this place, looked at the other reviews and was very hesitant to check this place out, but boy am I glad I did. We went on a Sunday night so there is a plus right there - open on Sundays. The hostess was nice. The service was great. The wine was really good. The apps were SO fresh and full of flavor. We have the hand stretched mozzerella and a flat bread with goodies on top, then the entrees arrived and they were just as amazing in flavor. My husband had the steak - it was HUGE!!!!! He ended up taking some of it home - a rare occasion when he orders steak. I had a pasta with mushrooms that was amazing!!! We had to save room for desert so we got our entrees boxed up to go and ordered dessert. The dessert was wonderful!!!!! I had a chocolate torte with mocha gelato on top - it was divine. My husband had the bread pudding that was fabulous!!! It was served warm with big plump fresh berries. Our experience was wonderful. I feel bad for those reviewers that did not enjoy themselves as much as we did. We will definitely return. The owner was there and I will note he wasn't too friendly with us - just with the regulars, so that was a little disappointing that he was so blatant in avoiding us. But I don't want to end on a negative note so go check it out the food really is good! Pros: Fresh ingredients, great service and location. Cons: Not much parking if a busy night. Flimsy paper menus that had spilled food on them. more

I was disappointed to read negative reviews, so I had to write my own. (So this is my first review). Lugano is a very good establishment. Greg, the owner, always says hello to customers and even apolgized to us for the wait on a busy Saturday evening. We just sat and drank wine and waited which was fine. The linguini with clams (I get it with extra garlic) is the best I've ever had. Try it. Unlike some local italian restaurants, you don't get kicked out after your ""hour reservation"" has expired. It would be nice if it had a bar or bigger waiting area, but that's ok. more

Food preparation was poor and delivered cold. Then they re-heated the food making it as tastey as leftovers from the fridge. The Owner/Chef Greg is uncaring and unwilling to fix a meal to high standards, or comp a poor meal. He actually doesn't even respond to negative situations. He repeatedly wouldn't take my calls to discuss the overall food and service for my party. The cost and hype for the restaurant is extremely high and undeserved, don't go, you won't miss it!! Pros: reservations Cons: management, food, service, ambience more