Alright folks, if you're living in the Mac/Groveland or Highland Park area of Saint Paul, and you are just too lazy to drive out of the neighborhood to find some good Italian food, then this place will suffice. However if you're a money-conscious spender and want to get a good Italian meal with your hard earned cash, I'd highly recommend going elsewhere.\r
\r
After you buy entrees, an appetizer, drink, tax & tip, you'll probably spend around $60 - $80 here. It's just not worth it. I will say that the atmosphere is satisfactory (aside from the questionably close seating) and that the food is decent, but I think that as far as quality and taste goes, you'd probably be better off stopping at D'Amico's if you are looking for taste. The waitstaff seem to have good intentions but maybe need to pay closer attention to refilling drinks and bringing the check sometime within the 30-min timeframe after everyone has stopped eating. Had to go to the front counter and ask to have our bill after waiting for some time. \r
\r
Anyway, again if you're in the neighborhood and don't care to stray far, and want to get out of the house for a bit, then you might as well stop in and try out Luci Ancora. Hopefully you'll have better luck than we did. But just as a message to the restaurant staff, you need to make some improvements if you want to compete with other Twin Cities restaurants.
more