Luce Reviews

Luce has gotten a lot of attention thanks to a big write up in Bon Appetit, ad if its not exactly the best Italian foodni've ever had, it's as good or better than a number of Italian restaurants I've been to in New York, with the simple, delicious Italian food matching the simple pasta shop environment. And the price for the quality if the food is astonishing.

This restaurant was truly a reminder of Italy and its family dinners. We ordered a few appetizers to share. Everyone oohed and aahed at how tasty the all were. All meals were super delicious. I had pesto ravioli with tomatoes in olive oil. It was by far the best I'd ever tasted. This will be our #1 Italian restaurant every time we visit Portland.

It is true the waiter didn't stress, and there are no fancy menus or glamour about the seating etc. However the food is great, the service is what you need and the atmosphere is relaxed. Don't go if you are in a hurry, but when you have enough time to enjoy all of their small delicacies, dishes and great wine!

We took our mother out to dinner here when she was in town for the holidays this year. After a 30 minute wait, we were seated right by the door on a cold evening in Portland (there is no separation/foyer from the street) and every time someone came in, we got chilled. The three of us were squished into a two-top. The wine list is mostly Euro and we didn't love the options. We settled on a bottle of red, ordered some antipasti and a pasta dish for each of us. The antipasti portions were incredibly small, yet our waitress didn't tell us this when ordering. The salad was delicious and the pasta dishes got mixed reviews. My mother's dish was so spicy she could barely eat it (again no warning from the staff) and my sister's portion was so small, she left feeling hungry. Perhaps they could communicate more details about the menu to new customers...?

We particularly like to visit Luce for a late lunch. We've never been disappointed. Usually there are only one or two other tables taken in this small Italian restaurant. Order anything that the server recommends and you will be delighted. All the food is prepared simply and well. Nothing is fancy. Just delicious. The pastas are excellent. Most recently our party had rabbit saddle, rolled and wrapped in Prosciutto, and stuffed with a mixture that included pistachios then backed and finished in a pan; fresh pasta shaped like silver dollars in a marjoram pesto; tagliatelle with meat and pork sauce; grilled asparagus; and cabbage seared in olive oil Everything was excellent. The food transports you to Italy,

Gorgeous, simple, authentic Italian food. Luce has a somewhat limited menu, but everything served to our table was delicious. The tagliatelle was feather-light, the pork ragu tasty. The marinated antipasti veggies were tangy and fresh. The decor is a bit spare and dusty, but I will go back again to enjoy Luce's uncomplicated, flavor-filled dishes!

My overall meal was great. The service was super nice and fast, the restaurant is open and clean although it feels more like a store because it is so bright rather than a restaurant but very cute. My only complaint would be that the portions are very small, so even though you pay a decent amount for the meal you will probably leave a little hungry...we did.

This was about a 15 minute from where we are staying in the Sunnyside neighborhood. We were in the mood for italian after a long day of walking around Portland. We loved the country white decor, very relaxing, felt like we were in someone's kitchen. I had the stuffed trout, which was excellent. I'm usually not a fan of the whole fish thing but was in the mood for seafood, My wife had the past with seafood. We thought the restaurant was very good. Service was friendly and excellent.

Small local in the SE section of Portland. Some very good renditions of veges, like the sauteed cauliflower with diced anchovies (hey, I don't normally like anchovies, but this was subtle in a good way). Terrific house-made pastas. The reason for the low rating was the wine. Though a long list of vines by the glass as well as bottles (all from Italy), most were harsh, one was "over the hill". In fact, the 4 of us tried many wines and found almost all "middling" , and most bad enough that you didn't finish the glass. Go for the food, NOT the wine, and you will be more than satisfied.

There are no good Italian restaurants in Portland - save one. "Luce". There are 2 others in the USA, that I personally know of - Pino Luongo's "Il Cantinori" in Manhattan, and Judy Rodgers' (RIP) "Zuni Cafe" in San Francisco. (please trust me on this as I have traveled in Italy and all over the US for over 40 years - in search of good places to eat.) Luce (Italian for light) is in fact light, airy, unaffected and only focused on what great Italian cooking is about - simplicity and the use of the best ingredients. This, the opposite of any other so-called Italian restaurant in the New York wannabe restaurant-centric city of Portland - where high prices, in-crowds, and turn-the tables "New Yorky" eateries abound. The local rag "The Oregonian" notes Luce (which "Bon Appetit" rated as 2013's 4th best new restaurant "in the United States") as "... with more modest expectations, this is a fine place to go ...". Faint praise from our status-crazed critics who one would expect to sniff at a little place where genuine food reigns, and theater does not.

A small, unassuming Italian restaurant in Portland, Luce offers the kind of dishes you want to share with friends and family as in, "Wait, taste this!" The anti pastas, particularly a cauliflower polpette, is a perfect prelude to an extensive menu that offers dishes prepared with the care of a home-cooked meal. About a dozen pasta dishes feature pasta made on the premises; the vegetables and sides are fresh and richly prepared with cheese, garlic, oil and lemon; the wine list provides an expansive selection of Italian wines, many of which are stored in boxes lining the walls of the restaurant. The price is reasonable for the lovingly-prepared food and smart, snappy service. A great find any day!

Can you imagine been transported to Italy as you enter a place? This is the place. Perfect, simple, authentic, great fun. We just ordered some plates to share, the cabbage was great, the octopus perfect, the clams pasta amazing, and so on, and on, and on...we finished with cake. Perfect finish. Service is good and we can see that all people working there enjoy and have a good time. Lovely place to go back.

Portland has a great dining scene but on a recent visit Luce stood out. It is small and the decor is simple but the pasta dishes coming out of the kitchen made me think I was in Florence. Italian wine fans will enjoy the wine list, which has some lesser known regions of Italy represented on it. The service was very good too.

We were a group of four. We ordered a couple of bottles of wine and appetizers to start. Keep in mind, the starting plates are quite small, so I would plan to get several for tables of larger than two people. The menu is small, but everyone should find something they like. It's simply prepared and very good. The wine list is overwhelming but gives the opportunity to try something you might not otherwise. Our server was a little short on interaction, and seemed to warm as the evening progressed, but I kind of feel like it's the wait staff who set the tone for the establishment. A server who is warm and inviting makes me remember the place as warm and inviting. This is a tiny place with maybe 15 tables? If we were in the neighborhood and someone suggested eating here, I would go, but I don't think I'd make the trip across town to return.

We had heard Luce was a good place for Italian, We walked into what essentially is a store front with about 10 tables and a couple of spots outside to sit. It wasn't crowded at 5:30, so we were seated right away. Our server was friendly and brought us a couple of small glasses of wine. We ordered the tagliatelle, the garganelli, the fish special and a gnocchi type dish that was more like cheese balls. All the food was very good, hot, fresh and flavorful. The cook/chef is very good. the place itself has no real charm or ambiance, but that isn't unusual in Portland

We stopped here for dinner on a recommendation from a local chef and absolutely loved the experience. The pasta is simple, delicious, and available in half and full portions. This ranks up with some of the best pasta dishes I've had. With an appetizer, 2 half portions of pasta, and a dessert, I felt like the total bill was a complete steal, coming in under $40 before tip.

If you want good pasta, this is the place to go. I loved that they offer half and full size orders. This enabled us to order a few dif ones to share. We got two half size pastas at $10 each (full was just double the price), a salad (was huge enough to share), a dessert and corked a bottle of wine we brought ($17); cheap corkage if you ask me. This dinner came to a whopping $69 before tip and we left pretty full. This place is relatively quiet and is just outside of the downtown area; we didn’t drive but looked like there was a lot of parking nearby. An uber from DT was about $8. Service was great but I unfortunately forgot our server’s name. I would definitely come back here again and try their other pastas.

Our family went to Luce for a meal and had a dining experience. Very small place but the food id big time. Love it an will go back again and again when in Portland

My husband and I took a friend to Luce for lunch because we had been there before and thought it was quite good. This experience was very poor. The restaurant was full and there was only one guy working. The service was extremely slow. The pasta was mediocre. They really need to hire more help.

I've been there twice in the past two months. Both times, the food was excellent and the service was above average, but... The place is small and the tables are close together. Maybe in the summer it would be OK, but in January and February it was uncomfortably cold. Every time the door opened, it took five minutes to get back to almost not too cold. ( The space heater under the front table only helped a little.)

It's worth it just to taste the olive oil. The focaccia was the best our group of four had ever tasted. Delicious olives. I had a fennel and mint salad that was divine. All their pasta is freshly made, and their vegetables purchased from local organic farms. I ordered the nettle ravioli with broth, just to try something different. I thought the nettle was a bit bitter. My friend ordered the duck and pasta which was superbly flavored with wine. The olive oil cake was divine as was the panna cotta.

On a trip to visit our son who recently moved to Portland, we ate dinner at LUCE. It is a very small room with about ten tables and an open kitchen set in an old storefront on East Burnside. The staff was very courteous and competent. The food was delicious. We had arancini with a nice crust and filled with cheese. I had the pappardelle with rabbit which was one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had. My wife enjoyed the tagliatlle with beef. Other offerings included , pork ravioli, garganelli with lamb and saffron fennel, rabbit, rout and spare ribs. The linguini with crab was enjoyed by one of our party. The olive oil cake for dessert was fantastic. They really know how to cook in this little place. I expect they will expand soon given the demand for their food. We definitely will return when we next visit our son. I only hope they are not too full of customers for us to make a reservation.

Last night we went to LUCE for dinner. They don’t take reservations so we came early to get our names on the waiting list. We waited for a little bit over an hour. Across the street is a dive bar where you can play pool and drink a beer. LUCE called us to let us know that our table is ready. I didn’t mind the wait at all. Let’s talk about Luce: the service is impeccable and the food a delight for your tastebuds. What to order: octopus salad, broth with tiny pasta filled with lemon & ricotta. So yum! Main course: Linguini with Shrimps and Tagliatelle with beef & pork. Everything was delicious. Dessert? Go with the Chocolate walnut cake. It’s fluffy and delicious.

My first impression of this restaurant was from a red-haired waiter who when asked if we could sit at a particular table responded by telling us that he was going to make us wait for a while first. We stood in the cramped entryway trying to avoid bumping into other diners for 15 minutes as he shuffled around the restaurant incompetently. He then directed us to the exact table that I asked to sit at to begin with. Why we couldn't sit there when we walked in the door I don't know. The table was clean and set. I just think this guy has an attitude. He got more abrasive from there. It was a rather hot day and I asked if I could have a little ice for my water as it was rather tepid. He implied that having ice available would be distinctly not authentic Italian. I don't know, but I have had no problem getting ice when traveling in Italy. The other issue I had is that there was no other sugar-free Libations available except for water. Again, the waiter took the holier-than-thou, "that's not authentic Italian", attitude. And again, I have had more selection of sugar free drinks in Italy than I had at this restaurant. This place offers some rather interesting appetizers / Antipasti. We found most of them to be palatable although not exceptional. I'd like to point out that these folks make all their pasta fresh, in-house, and it showed. Without a doubt it's one of the finest pastas I've ever had. Light and tender. Not that Raw, chewy Al Dente crap you find at some of the other places that think they serve great pasta. Each different pasta variety we tried had two distinct texture and chew the differentiated it from the other. I thought this to be amazing There was however, one huge caveat. It would seem that somebody accidentally tipped a bucket of salt into to each of the dishes as they were being prepared. My son, living on his own and too lazy to cook, exists on a diet of high sodium fast food selections. He is used to exorbitant amounts of sodium in his food and he complained that his lamb Ragu was so salty he couldn't taste anything else. Same thing with the clam sauce. The real down or was beef and pork Ragu that was also unbearably salty and was made from ground beef and pork. Not in all my years have I ever seen a ragu that was made from ground meat and I believe this is decidedly NOT authentic Italian. When I mentioned this to the redheaded snobby waiter he stammered a bit, shrugged his shoulders and walked off. I really had high hopes for this restaurant as it was rated in the newspaper as being some of the best pasta in Portland, which it is. Just order your pasta with no sauce on top and this claim will be true

We absolutely loved this place, it was the best pasta I've eaten. I had the spaghetti with garlic, hot pepper and clams, and my wife enjoyed the broccoli fettuccine. The wine was very good and well priced.

Luce is a quaint little Italian place that we visited in Portland. The food was simple, tasty, and had deliciously fresh ingredients. They offered a great selection of wines, all from Italy. The service was just right.

Seriously, this place had lousy ambiance and the noise level was so bad we couldn't hear each other talk (old building with high ceilings and lots of tall glass windows). I hated that they followed the trendy two person table where someone has to stare at the wall! Otherwise, the italian food was very good. I had the pesto pasta. Extremely small half portion. In fact, we laughed. It was a rip off. Don't bother. Order the full size because it's not that big either. Rather expensive for serving size. We aren't big eaters, but a bowl of pasta with pesto for $18 seems a bit high. Should have been around $12. We did not find it romantic. And, please don't bring your kids! Not a kid friendly place. There was a Indian family of 6 who allowed their kids to play in the standing room waiting area. It was so annoying! we had to step around them to leave.

Three of us ate dinner last night (4/29/17) at Luce, which is the sister restaurant to Navarre. It is an intimate space with large windows and a great wine selection. It appears that they carry a small selection of Italian provisions (lemon olive oil, polenta, etc..) Although the menu is small, the pastas are all home made and delicious. There is also a nice selection of vegetable items which was great for our companion who is vegetarian. I will definitely return!

Luce has a warm ambiance, very casual and welcoming, made romantic by candles glowing from tables and shelves. Service was very good: Share plates were given, and we were greeted warmly Our waiter gave us samples of 3 wines to help us choose a bottle to purchase. The wine list had decent range of well-priced Italian bottlings, and those we tasted were complementary to the meal. Instead of stemware, only tumblers were provided, like so many neighborhood restaurants in Italy, which gave it a ring of authenticity. Our appetizer of choice was the goat cheese-fig mousse crostini. It was tasty, but just 2 small finger-sized sticks for $2, more an amuse bouche than a first course. We tried two pastas: tagliatelle and papparadelle. Both were based on excellent noodles, obviously homemade because of their delicate texture. The Bolognese sauce with beef and pork was good, seasoned adeptly, but not great. However, the mushrooms with tagliatelle, represented as porcini but more likely domestic whites, were undercooked, limp, and lacking in the distinctive earthy flavor these funghi usually have. Our mains: Braised chicken with capers that tasted like it had been done in a pressure cooker. It was tender but with flavors so blended that the dish resembled chicken soup, and the usually tangy caper flavor was all but lost. Hanger steak grilled medium rare was cooked to order, dressed in a garlic oil, but only a tasting-size portion and nothing memorable. We have had much better steaks in Portland. The mains were served without any accompanying starch or veg, so we ordered a side of sautéed fennel. It was cooked to mush, totally lacking in anise flavor, and swimming in oil. All in all, we'd give the place a 3 out of 5 to be generous, a 2 to be brutally honest. (And someone really needs to coach the waitstaff on pronouncing tagliatelle with a silent G!).

New Years Eve prix fixe menu can be disappointing, but we took the chance and tried the well-regarded Luce. The menu was absolutely wonderful. The five-item antipasti included a perfect farro gorgonzola salad with other unique nibbles that created a visually-appealing presentation. The first course, main dish, and dessert each offered 4-5 choices, nice for a prix fixe. Highlights were the garganelli with shrimp and pesto, the sausage with cabbage and (mouthwatering) polenta, and the most amazing roasted fennel with chili. The service was personal and engaging. We also selected the wine pairings with the meal. These were original choices, including a rich Italian white with the first course. The overall impression is that someone has amazing intuition about what can be done with food and how tastes will blend. In regard to the one comment, "Bring your ear plugs," this is a more continental-style seating arrangement, and since Americans tend to be much louder (especially in groups) than their European counterparts I can see how this could be an issue. However, there were several large groups when we were there, all celebrating the holiday, and we conversed easily and without distraction. Finally, I like to rate the (Experience + Food/Cost) to come up with my own value quotient. Using this rough method, I give Luce a very high value quotient.

My husband and I return again and again to this jewel of an Italian restaurant - exactly what we love most about Italy. A variety of small antipasti, unique and flavorful, plates and salads that can be ordered in half sizes. Our favorite is the grilled octopus - amazingly tender and tasty. The focaccia is superb, the rabbit excellent and the desserts (in most restaurants we abstain) are out of this world. Add in the professional and courteous service and totally reasonable prices as well as great wine selection. What's not to love? Wish we could find such a combination in Paris.

This snug little restaurant/shop is a beautiful find for those looking for excellently crafted Italian food. I do not have enough knowledge to know if these recipes are related to any particular region of Italy, but in any case every dish seemed to be thought out and fit perfectly into the overall menu. The antipasto are small, but at about $2 apiece, you can easily experience amazing and unique flavors without spending too much or filling up to much before the main course. The pasta dishes are largely made with housemade pasta and can be half or full dishes, which is great if you want to better control the size of your courses. The feeling that you were enjoying this food in an Italian kitchen further rounded out the wonderful dinner and sealed the deal that we will be back for more.

Great meal, good service. Portions were spot on, prices seemed ridiculously reasonable. Pasta done really well!! appetizers good....and salads were excellent!! A little too close for comfort on seating, but not a big issue..

This spot was recommended by the shopkeeper across the street at Palace. House made pasta was torture for this gluten-free reviewer but looked beautiful and my dining partner swore it was delicious. I was able to happily indulge in a crunchy-yet-tender juicy chunk of white fish and roasted cabbage with olive oil that came to the table as a golden wedge of perfectly done steamy goodness. We also enjoyed the Swiss chard with garlic that demonstrated perfectly balanced flavors. Actually, if I had to say only one thing about this marvelous little gem, it’s that: flavors are perfectly balanced. Delicious!

Believe Bon Apetit, which named Luce one of the 10 best new restaurants in 2012. The food is simple, and simply fabulous. We got half portions so that we could try more dishes; they were all excellent. The fig and goat cheese mousse on bruschetta was a rich, fruity beginning (from the antipasti menu). The smoked octopus and potato salad is one of the best dishes ever. The fennel, celery, and mint salad was large and fresh -- a perfect accompaniment to the octopus. We tried two pasta dishes. The best was a linguini with crab, which was divine. The tagliatelle with beef and pork ragu was very good -- an excellent ragu and perfect pasta, covered in parmesan shavings. For dessert, we had the flourless chocolate cake, which again was excellent. This fabulous meal cost under $50. The setting is simple, somehow both comfortable and crisp. Our waitress was lovely and warmed up as she realized we were really interested in and enjoying the food. Luce is on our very short list of great Portland restaurants. We can't wait to go back.

My wife and I went to lunch at Luce with our daughter, Laurs Kemp, the emerging fashion designer, on our annual trip to Portland last fall. We had roasted beets and goat cheese, a salad and minestrone soup. My wife had the pasta entree. The soup was too watery with not enough substance like I am accustomed to with minestrone. I was underwhelmed with Luce's lunch. For being selected as one of the top ten new restaurants in the country in 2013, I wondered how they achieved the recognition based on what they served for our lunch. I would rate it as average pursuant to our visit.

I wanted to try this place as a friend went here and it looked appealing. I enjoyed my glass of red wine that was suggested by our server, even if it came in a minature glass, however other than the company I was with, I cannot say I was impressed. It took so long for our wine to be delivered, I thought our server was pressing the grapes herself. We ordered the salt focaccia. It came to our table cold and with no olive oil for dipping. I asked to have it warmed, but the server seemed unsure they could accomodate us. Luckily, they realized just putting it in an oven would do the trick and it was a subtle improvement. Our meals came... and although it is nice 1/2 portions are offered, I think I counted seven noodles total and my friend got a whopping four tiny raviolis. Neither dish was all that and again, not impressed. We ordered the cabbage, which we did enjoy, good taste, and it was a lot larger than both our plates of pasta put together. We tried to have them redeem themselves and ordered the chocolate hazelnut cake. So... the cardinal rule is if your food is not that great, at least nail the presentation, but nope... strike three, or four... I can't keep count. Here was this dry piece of tastless cake. A little drizzle of something would have helped and perhaps putting it on a larger plate for a nicer presentation, (see picture). Our server also seemed like she was either tired, or maybe it was her first night, but we did not get the sense she in her A-game. Also, don't come here if you want to have a conversation with the person you are with as even hanging halfway over the table, I had a hard time carrying on a conversation. So basically, this place was not a huge hit with me, it actually wasn't a hit at all and I won't be returning. Perhaps they had an off-night, but it was enough to lose my business.

I have an ongoing pet peeve. Why is it that on any given night, at the famous Italian chain restaurant, there's an hour wait (or more)? The food there is expensive, it's not good, and instead of a knowledgeable server, you have an electronic gizmo on the table. Instead, you could go to Luce where you can walk in right now and get a table. Your server can make recommendations and will treat you like you matter. The chef made the pasta and paired it with just the right sauce. You get a full-on Italian experience, all made with local ingredients at this neighborhood restaurant. You get all this at about the same price as that chain restaurant. Why are people right now witting in a crowded lobby with one of those pager/buzzer thingies instead of getting a real, high-quality Italian meal? I don't have an answer. Luce is amazing and you should be taking your "Tour of Italy" here.

The food was tasty, but for what you pay, the portions were miniature. Putting a fist sized portion of pasta in a large bowl does not make it a large order. Paying $20 for 25 cents worth of spaghetti with infused olive oil and grated parmesan on it is out of line. However, as I said, the flavors were good. The service was good, but the restaurant was almost empty. The decor is not one that would lend itself to a romantic dining experience; it's slightly elevated above the average Starbucks. Would I eat here again? Since there are so many other options in Portland, probably not.

Came here on a recommendation and was satisfied! The appetizers, or you can call them small plates, were not very good. We had several and didn't like any of them. The actual entrees were very good though. I had the beef and pork ragu and though the portion size was extremely small, it was still very good. I also tried the ravioli and that was fantastic. Just make sure you order the WHOLE order though or you will be greatly disappointed.

This restaurant has potential,but needs to take some of the advice mentioned from various reviewers. My main course, the hanger steak was very good, but lacked presentation.The fennel and mint salad was good except the dressing was a little too tart. The turn off was that they don't offer bread and butter at the beginning of the meal unless you ask and pay extra. At those prices, a great, fresh bread should be included. I liked the hazelnut choc cake, but the presentation was sloppy. The potential to serve a great meal is there ... with just a few changes!

What did work out in this restaurant? First of all, no ac- the hot sun bearing down on us is we sat right up next to the window. Two things kept coming to me about their customers - 1) they are the least important to please and 2) the wait staff were much more knowledgeable about what you SHOULD eat rather that what you want to eat. They are NOT Gluten Free - and seem quite proud in an arrogant way that they aren’t. One of our members who had a severe gluten intolerance asked if he could have some of the sauces put on vegetables or lettuce - since none of their pastas were gluten free. The answer - a very strong and complete NO! Their cook will not adjust food for any reason and it needs to be served exactly as written in their ‘trendy/sketchy’ menu. NOTHING can be changed. So - my suggestion to anyone else w Gluten issues - run, don’t walk to the next Italian restaurant.More than half of Portland’s gluten free (gf) have gf pastas - we thought this one did. They also have much friendlier staff. One other thing - we all thought this place was very pricy. Also, the food comes in small - SMALL portions. ( for a LOT of money. ) First and last time at this restaurant for us. I hope your experience is much better than ours.

Delicious wines, wonderful bread, fresh, tender pasta, perfect sauce ... all at an incredible price. Don't miss this gem. I highly recommend anything with the fresh walnut pesto.

Small, open and minimalist. Great food we had salads followed by fresh pasta and for me fish stew. Great Italian wine selection. Limited seating and bookings only for 8 or more!

I came to Luce at the invitation of my daughter and I must say, I owe her one! I loved walking into a light-filled, cozy place which was simply and tastefully decorated. Every detail was covered, from the layout to the decor. We were seated promptly (we didn't have reservations) and studied the menu to match up our expectations of "Italian" with their definition. I was very impressed by the variety represented: appetizers, starters, entrees, and desserts all had unique offerings. My daughter ordered Trout w/ a 1/2 order of pasta; my husband had short ribs and minestrone soup, and I ordered a variety of veggie sides for my main course. We also tried 4 different appetizers and 2 salads. We all shared our plates, which is highly encouraged here. There are tasting portions, half portions and full meal portions to be eaten as desired. For dessert, we ordered 2 to shared among us 3. Every bite of the entire meal was a delight and a wonder. I simply loved my experience here. It was Italian out of the box. Bravo, Luce!

I had walked past this tiny Italian restaurant during the day and checked out their menu, which looked great. I was on my own for dinner that night and decided to try it. The atmosphere was intimate due to the small dining room and low lighting but I felt perfectly comfortable and very well attended to by the servers. The food was the best part! A beetroot appetizer, followed by a green salad with a vinaigrette dressing that I loved. Homemade pasta with rabbit for my main course. You know that moment when you take the first bite, close your eyes and say "Mmmm." It made me so happy I could have wept. Everything was so delicious that I ordered dessert (something I rarely do). Again they delivered another lovely plate: a panna cotta with pomegranate seeds. I left feeling very satisfied and hoping to return.

Luce is a fantastic restaurant with a varied, creative menu. The creativity knows no bounds--expect to be surprised. My wife's duck, my son's rabbit pasta with a fancy Italian name and my trout with another fancy Italian name were terrific. The atmosphere is just right--although the staff should keep in mind that the large windows on two sides in a smallish space make for a high noise level. A few slightly sound-deadening textiles on the walls would make for near perfection. Near perfection.... ...except for the overheated use of salt. Stop, Mr/Ms Chef! your dishes are already excellent! Maybe your taste buds get jaded from tasting every evening. But believe me, tonight you-all over did the salt. And... ....one more minor quibble. You have an excellent choice in tea by using Smith's brand teabags (Smith is a renowned Portland tea entrepreneur). However, this is all ruined by the excellent server bringing a cup of not-quite-hot-enough water in a cup and a lonely tea bag on the side. It's basic tea service to bring a teapot of near boiling water for the diner to pour over the bag. You can't get a good cup of tea by dipping. When asked, the server said Luce has no teapots. I'm shocked! shocked! to see Luce has no teapots. You won't go wrong by going to Luce. Note: reservations for parties of 5 or more only. Just a dozen or so tables. We found success by arriving at about 6:25 pm. Enjoy!

We happened upon Luce after a fun day in Portland (including a massage) and it was a great way to end the evening. Our server was friendly and helpful and the food was delicious. The focaccia was amazing (we tried the one with raisins) with the Farro & Parmesan Pie and spiced mussels. We could have ended there and been happy!! But we moved on to the clams and linguini (a little spicy but good) and the hanger steak with leeks and parmesan. The setting is romantic and intimate and we both agreed we needed to visit Luce again. A great fine in a fun neighborhood.

Simple decor, impeccably clean, warmly inviting, Luce entices you to come in with its appealing simplicity, intriguing display cases of specialty Italian cooking items, and friendly staff. Each table had a small vase of fresh flowers - one of many nice details of this cozy, intimate place (they have an adjacent large room available for events). If you know Navarre (further down Burnside on 28th), this is another restaurant by the same owners. We went for lunch, so we ate pretty light - but we were impressed, and we WILL be back! I love Italian wines, and they had an excellent variety from which to choose. The selection of wines by the glass and bottle was impressive; the waitress was very knowledgeable, suggested pairings with our food, and offered tastings to help with our decision. Our waitress gave us amazing service that was personal and attentive without being intrusive. They offered two luncheon specials (both incredible!!), offered at $15 without wine and $18 with paired wine - a real bargain - as well as a soup/salad/fococcia special and multiple small dishes. We settled on appetizers and a few orders of Fococcia (served with deliciously fruity flavourful olive oil) that was enormous, and the best fococcia I have eaten outside of Italy. It was light, cooked with plenty of olive oil and coarse sea salt topping. We were delighted with the potato salad (we ordered another helping!) in a light dressing of olive oil and herbs, the meatballs, the deep fried risotto croquettes, the salad (fresh and local greens), and the sausage plate. We'll be back to try supper - and I suggest you should, too!

I waited about a half hour for 6 other friends and was taken care of extremely well by the gentleman server. Then, and once the whole group arrived, he was so incredibly attentive, caring, and helpful that he really set the tone for the whole evening. Each part of the meal was wonderful, with the lemon pasta and the mushroom pasta dishes standing out; it rivaled what you will find in the best Italian restaurant (including my own grandmother’s:), and great wine options. The only dish that could use some work was the ricotta cheesecake. Otherwise, this wasn’t just dinner, it was a memorable experience.

We stopped for lunch at this impeccable restaurant and were rewarded with top-notch Italian food and excellent and friendly service. The pasta dishes are authentic and fab. Wine list is well chosen. The restaurant is simple in its decor which helps to focus your attention on what’s important: the great food and wine. BTW, you need to look no further than the house wines to accompany the food. Go!

My first time experience as an invited family member of six. Two types of portions and two prices. I am a world traveler, a previous chef and restaurant owner, and frequent restaurant diner. My critical observation of this establishment, should hopefully be received by the owner/manager as suggestions for quality improvement. The menu offered limited choices with high prices. For example, ala carte spaghetti was listed $20. We had a choice of ordering half portion for $10. Appetizers were expensive and very small. "When you charge so much, at least cover your cheap looking tables with cloth and place more comfortable chairs". I asked for ice in my water and was told that they do not have ice in the restaurant. Then the server said, "I could go to the gas station and get some for you" , a very uncalled and silly comment. The house wine, was served in a three-four ounce cheap Libby style glass for six dollars. The flavor of "meals" served was good. Also, it is not a big burden and expense to place salt and pepper shaker on the tables.

This place was recommended by my foodie sister and it did not disappoint, it was all around excellent. The setting is quaint and simple, almost missed it as it is in an odd location for such a fabulous restaurant. I did appreciate the quiet simplicity and great small plate menu including very good seafood options. We went for lunch and it was not crowded.

We met two of our friends here last night and it was really a wonderful experience. We arrived promptly at 5:30, because we know it was a small place, has a good reputation, and would be busy. Well, we were the only ones there for about five minutes, then all the sudden the place was packed with a line. So get there early. The food is fantastic. Our server, Robbie, was super helpful with the menu, had great recommendations on wine and food. I had the stuff trout and I would highly recommend it, it was freaking ridiculous. Everyone else around the table was really enjoying what they had, so much that no one shared what they had because it was so good. Prices are extremely fair and they have a really nice wine selection here. We will definitely be back. Parking was easy on the street. It's a smaller space, semi-casual, but very nicely decorated. Go check it out! A+

Luce was recommended to us by a our wine shop nearby. Very googfresh pasta and great selection of antipasta. Wine list extension but a little light on wines under $40.

First of all, the prices are reasonable and certainly don't contain a markup for ambiance. It's a very simple store front restaurant served by a pleasant waitstaff that know their product. Illuminated in a dark night primarily by candlelight, it's hard to read the dimlycopied menus and wine lists. (Doesn't Luce mean light?) After all of that, there's a lot to like. First of all, the menu lists half portions of items such as salads and pastas. That's great so you can order half of a salad (serves 2), a half order of pasta and go on to the 5-6 main courses. And it's all priced reasonably. The food itself ranges from ordinary to very good. You can order small appetizer plates for $2 per plate. You get small bites of crostini and other antipasti. These were just so-so. The salad we had was good, nothing more. However everyone at the table enjoyed the pastas (I had the onion and guanciale pasta -- really good but a bit salty). I ordered seabass for the main course which was delicious but just a bit tough. We all skipped on dessert. One of the twenty best in Portland? Probably not. Rather, go for a simple, good honest dinner with good Italian fare (no red sauce dishes here). Enjoy the low key setting, the dining and the pleasant, helpful waitstaff.

Very good menu selection with fresh made pasta and attentive service. Nice to have half portions that are nice when one is not too hungry. With good food, good service, and fair prices, I'll be back.

Since one of us is an authentic Italian, we searched out some Italian options in Portland and came upon this little gem. The restaurant is small and simple, but has a nice sweet quality that made us feel right at home. The pastas were fresh and delicious and the focaccia with olive was amazing. They also had an extensive wine list for such a small restaurant. After we visited as a couple, I brought my daughter back for a yummy lunch and she loved it as well.

I took my daughter here for an early birthday dinner while I was in Portland. Everything we had was really good, from the rose' and a large sampling of various appetizers, to my favorite-the octopus salad and a pretty soup/broth with delicious homemade ravioli. We had more homemade pasta with a ragu that was delicious. And a fish dish that was also great. Oh, and the cabbage, you must try the cabbage, it's SO good! We were too stuffed to try dessert, next time I'll be sure to save some room! The service was wonderful and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions, and we wouldn't change a thing! I look forward to going back very soon.

If I had to pick one word to describe Luce, it'd be "comfortable." I had a nearby late meeting so decided to give a local spot a try rather than fighting traffic, and Luce looked like a good bet. It's small; the decor isn't special but it's also not pretentious - it's a local spot that doubles as a small Italian grocery and a nice spot to grab a bite, have a glass or two, or have a leisurely dinner. I walked in a little before 6; if I'd been 15-20 min later I'd have been waiting (they do take reservations). They make their breads and pastas, and offer a range of meat, fowl, fish, and veggie dishes. I particularly liked the fact that pastas and salads were listed in half and full portions, which allowed me to sample even as a solo diner. I started with a little bread and oil (focaccia OK, oil very good), and had half-plates of the rabbit (above average) and duck (way above average) pastas - first time in a long time that I've had corzetti ("coin") pasta. House white and red were good enough that I didn't need to venture, but there were plenty of choices. Even when full, service was very good, and staff knew what they were talking about. The grocery component was handy: I bought a couple of cans of Italian cannellini beans. If I had wanted meats, baked goods, or oil to go, I had those options as well.

Pronounced "lew-chay". Great, small restaurant with a large room next door for parties. Authentic Italian dishes,nice wine list, friendly staff. We've been here twice and will go back for sure.

Just ate here with my daughter and husband (who owns his own restaurants in Palo Alto). Small and intimate. Lovely servers and a great little menu. Everything executed to perfection. We will be back!

This small corner restaurant was filled with small tables and the smell of great food. The meal was terrific. A shrimp with linguine was prepared with a sauce profound with rich shrimp flavor from a shrimp shell stock. I was impressed my my dish as I was with the warm octopus potato salad my cousin chose. The wait staff was excellent and attentive. The wine selection was well curated. My only complaint was with the way the fans were installed blowing directly onto tables rather than an indirect way of creating a gentle air flow. Given the food quality and super preparation, I will return soon. Bravo

My niece had a rehearsal dinner in the reserved room at this restaurant where the two families could meet. It was magical! I can't say enough about the wonderful service we received from the two lovely sisters that waited on us! The food was simple, elegant PURE Italian! This is what food is meant to be! Where else can you have a course of spaghetti with olive oil served to you and it taste so satisfying? The trout was great, the vegetables were prepared perfectly, and the last time I had new potatoes with lemon was in my grandmother's kitchen. Wonderful! The flourless chocolate hazelnut cake with simple dusting of confectioner's sugar was the perfect ending. The atmosphere was just magical and it was a beautiful evening where the two families could melt together. Bellisimo!

A few years ago a well known national food magazine rated this place as one of the best new restaurants in the US. This must have caught the local food critics off guard, as we had never heard of Luce. Shortly thereafter several foodie friends from around the US and I visited for lunch. It was everything the magazine had reported and then some! Most of our group had visited Italy numerous times, and we agreed that this was like eating Italian food in Italy. For our 43rd anniversary, my wife and I decided to go again. We shared a mousse/pate and spicy mussels for starters, my wife had octopus for a main, and I had the skirt steak. We've had similar dishes in Italy, and once again, we agreed that this is as authentic as it gets. The service was welcoming and informative, and for some reason we were comp'd a wonderful panna cotta. Yes, it's minimalist, very small, informal, and a bit noisy - all which make the experience very faithful to its genre.

Just ok for Italian. Long wait on Saturday night wasn’t worth the wait. Server was nice. Hostess was ok. Space isn’t very welcoming as it is quite small and you have to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom. The items we ordered were just so so except for the boar ragu which was tasty as was the stuffed trout. The cabbage side was good but lacked flavor depth as did the goat cheese and date crustini and the blood orange salad. I’ve eaten excellent Italian food in my life and this was average at best and pricy for the food quality. I doubt I’ll return.

After nearly a year since I'd been to Luce, I had lunch there this week and was happy to find that it has outdone itself, offering up sensuous, satisfying food that won't leave you disappointed. Simply pick up your fork and get ready to moan with delight. My friend and I arrived just before noon. By 12:15, this small, corner restaurant was filled with regulars, faces bright with anticipation. We kept it simple. We each had 1/2 plate of ravioli stuffed with roasted turnips and parsnips in a lemony light cream sauce. The first bite was heavenly, not too rich but full, deep flavors. We rolled our eyes, we longed for the chef. The house wine at $7/glass was perfectly fine and just right with the ravioli. In 2012, "Bon Appetite" named Luce (meaning "light") one of the 10 best restaurants in the country. It has lived up to its promise. Since it was my friend's birthday, the climax for us was a panna cotta that was liquid silk, topped with an elegant, rich pine bud syrup. The waiter was smart, warm and well informed. Better than sex? Not sure about that but I can't think of a more satisfying substitute.

We stayed in the SW area of the city but fell in love with the dining in the SE thanks to places like Ava Gene's...but then we randomly decided to get lunch in the NE....and just walked past Luce....lets just say it turned out to have the best pasta we've eaten since we were in Italy....authentic italian food done to perfection....the salads...the soups...EVERYTHING....dont miss this place!

I am a regular Bon Appetit reader and an avid foodie who, with my husband, loves to try new restaurants. Along with another couple, we had attended an afternoon concert and decided to take a chance on an early Sunday evening arrival in hopes of getting a table. No one is kidding when they say this place is small -- less than 10 tables. My husband and I were delighted to arrive and find 3 tables empty. We were told, rather gruffly, that we would not be seated until our two friends arrived. Unfortunately, our friends were lost driving from the Rose Garden. So, we watched as others arrived and all the tables filled up. The couples who got the last table were obviously embarrassed and apologized to us -- it wasn't their place to apologize. I understand this restaurant has been overwhelmed by "visitors"; but, seriously -- this is Portland -- we have hundreds of choices, and you won't trust me to sit and order a bottle of wine (enforce some purchase, if you have to) until my friends find the place?! I would have gladly left and never returned, but we were unfamiliar with the area and other opportunities, my husband had a redeye to catch, and our friends had a 90 minute drive home -- so, we waited -- and waited -- and waited -- and bought wine. The food was good -- excellent fresh pasta, good prices, and perfectly sized plates. But not great. Both the kitchen and service was slow -- overwhelmed would be the word I'd choose. They'd be far better off if they took reservations -- refuse to "hold" them for more than 20 minutes -- and have happier, returning customers. We have too many other options. We won't go back.

It leaves you wanting more because the portions are so small! More on that later. This is a very small restaurant located on the east side of Portland. Parking is on street and not easy to find. The decor is pleasant and the service is attentive. Everything we tried was good to excellent. Ingredients are high quality and fresh. We visited at lunch time. I had two appetizers, roasted beets and chicken liver on crostini. The beets were a tad overcooked, but the flavor was good. The crostini was almost burnt on the edges but the chicken liver with fig mixture was very good. No livery taste at all. I had a half portion of a simple pasta, fettucini with cherry tomatoes. It was excellent. Finished up with the panna cotta with pine bud syrup for dessert which was also excellent. Portions are very small across the board especially when you factor in the relatively high cost. So, while I really enjoyed the food, $24 plus tip seemed a bit much when I had to go home and have a snack because I was still hungry!

This tiny store front restaurant serves a lovely plate of pasta and more. We enjoyed a very nice dinner last night and I would both go back and recommend Luce to others. We had a delicate carrot and ricotta ravioli, hanger steak and roasted chicken. My only "issue" (if you can even call it that), is the chicken was on the bone and I find it so clumsy to eat with knife and fork. Other than that, it was super tasty and nicely presented. We had the panna cotta for dessert and it was divine, as well as the olive oil cake which was delicious! Prices are very reasonable. Go! Enjoy!

Despite another review, we brought our kiddo to Luce. They didn't bat an eye at our child, which we appreciated. Kids need to eat too and we were all kids once. Our kiddo had a half order of the tagliatelle with beef and pork sauce but her eyes strayed to the adult pasta. Adult = tossed in hot peppers steeped in EVOO = has a kick. She loved it. There's no reason not to bring a child here, as half portions are perfect for kids. There's a lag time between sitting and ordering but that comes with the territory of being a popular eatery. Luce has no waiting area, but we were lucky to not have to endure a wait.

Casual atmosphere, lovely fresh pasta. Reasonable prices. All in all a great find in SE Portland, Division area, I think. Not as impressed with the wine list as the food but certainly serviceable. Found it odd, though, that you'd serve Italian food with lovely, delicate sauces and not serve bread. Even the meat appetizer came without bread or olives or anything but a fork. You could buy bread but then all they had was cinnamon bread. With salumi? Didn't get it. But that's probably a nit. You'll get a lovely meal and that's what's most important.

We loved this spot. It's in a funky SE neighborhood location, with a fun (but very basic) atmosphere. Fun because of the people who go there and the simplicity of the place. We tried at least 12 different dishes family style. Three of us reveled in trying many tasty dishes, ending with the delectable pasta dishes. We were too full for desserts, so we cannot comment on that, but the food is wonderful, with unique flavors that we had not experienced at other Italian restaurants. We highly recommend Luce and we will go back whenever we are in Portland again. Prices were also very reasonable given the quality of the experience.

What a great restaurant concept! Family-style Italian food in a modest corner location in Portland's "Restaurant Row," a roster of intriguing antipasti for the unheard of low price of $2 each, homemade pastas served as either half or full plates, and affordable entrees in the $10 range. The house wine at five bucks a glass is served in the same straight tumblers we use for juice at home. This was good enough to earn Luce a heady ranking as the fourth best new restaurant in the U.S. from Bon Appetite Magazine. We were a party of six and and we each took a couple of whacks at the appetizer list. Although the waitress did let us know that the portions would be "tiny," we were surprised when the entire appetizer array arrived on a single dinner plate. They were tasty enough, although the arancini (rice balls) were a bit over-cooked and crusty, but not nearly enough to be passed around. No complaints about the pasta dishes, however. They were the highlights of the evening. The entrees, as a group, were swimming in oil and loaded with herbs and salt. This made them flavorful, but in a way that covered up the original intent. All in all our meal at Luce was a fun event, and under normal circumstances we would have no problem recommending the place to others. But our enthusiasm was tempered by the lofty expectations caused by recognition bestowed on the establishment. We found ourselves constantly saying "This is good, BUT there's no way this is the fourth best restaurant in the country." Maybe when the dust settles Luce can go back to being a modest little gem in Portland's cornucopia of great places to eat.

some friends and i came here for lunch today...i had the lunch special onion focaccia, mixed green salad with herbs, and the lentil soup...my friends had some anti pasti, some pasta, steak, and salad...everything was so delicious...the focaccia was so moist and flavorful, the best i've ever had...the server was very friendly and informative...lots of options for varied eaters...thx

We tried Luce based on the Bon Appétit ranking of No. 4 new restaurant in the US, but our group of six was sadly disappointed. The actual housemade pasta was good, but the sauces were either bland or watery. Best ones were the papparadelle and linguine with clams which meant they were average. Braised chicken was tender, but not quite restaurant worthy. Best item was the Luce cake, good custard and not too sweet sponge cake, bumping up an extra point for the food. As the previous reviewer noted, the crostini was so small it was laughable. The space was cosy and cute, but the servers were not that friendly which is unusual in super friendly Portland.

Ate here on valentine's day, a fixed price dinner for $65 each. Was excited to try this restaurant, but was disappointed. The appetizer was very so-so, my wife's entree of polenta lasagna was very bland and tasteless and my entree of the fish pie was very tasty, but too dry. The pasta dishes were quite good - spaghetti with anchovy sauce and cauliflower with some sort of pasta. There is no excuse, in my mind, to run out of something when few options exist, but they ran out of one of the desert options, leaving only 2, one of which I would never order. Cookies were good, however. The waiter was barely adequate. Barely spoke to us, no personality. Never asked how we were enjoying our dinner or if he could assist in any way.

Food is familiar yet different and better for it. Portions are not too large. Bright and cheerful space makes for a fun meal.

A little place on Burnside that has some pretty good, inexpensive drinks and food. Everything we tried was so good, we ordered lots more. The service was not that great, but the food made up for it.

We were at Lloyds center and wanted to have a lunch Italian style. This restaurant is located around 25 min. walk from Lloyds mall. It's small and very authentic. The food feels homey as well as whole environment there. Products are all Italian. Great wine menu.

The three of us had a lovely early dinner at Luce. The restaurant has a sort of bistro / market feel with an open well-lit seating area, large windows, and an attractive assortment of wines, oils, sweets, etc on built-in shelves. The antipasti and pasta are the stars of the menu, and in particular Luce specializes in a variety of hand made pasta. We started with one of each of about a dozen small antipasti offerings, and this was for me the highlight of the meal. The crostini, beets, marinated carrots, and arancino were my favorites, but all the antipasti were very enjoyable without exception. Luce offers half-portions of their pasta dishes, and we found that the antipasti combined with a half serving of pasta was an ample meal. The pasta was relatively simply prepared and very tasty, with the fresh noodles being the focus on the dish. I had the garganelli with pork shoulder and porcini, and loved the garganelli although I wish the porcini had been a bit more prominent. We also had the fettuccini with pecorino and the spaghetti with chili flakes and clams, and both were tasty and well done without undue ornamentation. We also ordered the cabbage with garlic oil side dish, which consisted of a good wedge of white cabbage, well brushed or maybe quickly bathed in light garlic oil and then roasted until starting to brown - very mild and quite delicious. We at quite early, around 5:30 PM, and the restaurant was fairly quiet. Service was friendly, informed, prompt, and generally excellent

This is a cute place with 4 tables outside and about 10 inside…. my kind of place! The servers here were friendly and very attentive. We started with focaccia, olives, farro and Parmesan pie (very good but a little salty probably from the Parmesan). For entrees, we ordered stuffed trout, fettuccine with mushroom and garlic scapes. The trout and scapes were topped with large salt crystals (too much for me), but I was able to scrape them off. The mushroom sauce on the pasta was very good. The trout was beautifully done with crispy skin. The garlic scapes were delicious. The stand outs for the whole night was dessert: panna cota with pine bud syrup, Orange Cake, and miggliaccio. Miggliaccio is a cheesecake from the Naples region made with semolina and ricotta. The cake and miggliaccio were outstanding. The dessert course made the meal! I see comments about prices being high. I have to disagree…this is Portland BTW. The full size pasta may be a bit high, but the very low price on other items like starters ($3 for focaccia, $2 for pie) and $3 for cold brew coffee balanced things out.

Came here for lunch one day at 11:35 am, so we were going to be the first and most promptly-served customers. There was one waiter, and one person in the kitchen. By the time we were done at 1 pm, there was a line out the door, and it took us 15 minutes just to get our bill--I wound up going to the counter and standing there so I could get the check and pay right there. What was particularly disturbing is that this staffing level is apparently not unusual--when I said it looked like the restaurant was a little short of labor with only two people working, the waiter said, "actually, this is not unusual. It typically works out fine unless we get too many people coming at one time." Good food, but I would recommend only if you have a couple of hours to spend on lunch and no hungry people in your party.

Although the restaurant looks like a deli don't pass it by. Pretend you're in a village in Italy and walking into a storefront/bistro. I The food is very good and so is the wine list. On a recent visit the stuffed trout and housemate pappardelle with porcini mushrooms were fantastic. The antipasti was very good, as was the polenta and braised cabbage with garlic oil. If you're in the neighborhood give it a try for lunch or dinner and you won't be disappointed. This is a place to keep an eye on as they evolve into an even better bistro.

Visiting Portland for the weekend, and had seen Luce mentioned in a list of good city restaurants. They wouldn’t take. Reservation, but we were told to come and put our name on the list. The young, hostess told us it would be about 45-60 minutes, and to walk around the area. On our return in 45 minutes, she chastised us , telling us that she had said an hour! She had us sit in an djacent area that they use for group events. One of us ordered a glass of wine from the list. It was completely indrinkable, with a sour vinegar taste. When this was mentioned to the hostess, she was very rude, and when we asked for an alternative,,,,she never returned ! We finally decided to leave, after 90 minute wait. Luckily, our Uber drive had another suggestion for a place to eat good Cajun food. The wait would have been fine, but there was no excuse for the very rude, and unwelcoming attitude of the hostess. I wish I knew her name, so that I could send a note to her manager.

Went for a casual late lunch on a Sunday and what a wonderful culinary find ..... The pasta was just delicious .... the ability to order reduced potions is great and was the right portion for that time. The pasta dishes were just so varied and tasty .... it felt very "handcrafted". Very nice ! the staff was very engaging and certainly welcomed questions and comments. The pasta is home made and hand rolled by one very talented lady ! The rabbit Pappardelle was just yumminess !!!! I think maybe we went at a good time when it wasn't too packed however I would wait for this if I had to .... it's really good

I went to Luce on a FREEZING cold day in January 2013. No one was outside. My friend took me to this small hole in the wall restaurant called LUCE. Best handmade Italian tagliatelle pasta with 2 different meats in it. Warm broth soup with little round cheese pasta floating in it. Someone's old china from the 50's that added an element of Martha Stewart warmth. Incredible sponge dessert that was an original recipe. And we had coffee and fig/cheese antipasti and all for under $45 for 2 people!!!

Came here one Wednesday afternoon for desserts, and we were quite content. We had tea, and split two desserts. We asked the server which one was best, and he didn't hesitate. Service was a bit eccentric, but we liked him in the end. Place is small, so going on an off hour was nice given that we wanted to chat and not feel pressured to give up our seats. Wouldn't mind coming back for a more substantial meal!

Luce was recommended to us by a bartender at another resturant & we are glad we listened to him. This is a tiny food store/resturant. Luce combines half orders of pasta, lovely fish/meat choices, small plates with an extensive Italian wine list. We started with an antipasti of cold, spiced mussels & marinated mushrooms. The mussels are bright, fresh with just a touch of heat. We opted for the warm olive focaccia bread & glad we did. For entrees we split a half order of the lamb ragu tagliatelle & the stuffed trout. The tagliatelle is house made & melts in your mouth. The lamb ragu is a pleasant surprise with a touch of saffron in a light, non tomato based sauce. The fish was fresh, fully boned and lightly stuffed with herbs, breadcrumbs and grated cheese. While good, the cheese added a saltiness to the dish. We couldn't pass up dessert and ended with a buttermilk pannacotta with a pine bud syrup. This was silky & fragrant & delicious. The pasta is the standout here & we can't wait to return.

Cute Burnside cafe with all the charm of a Italian bistro but that is where it ends. Looks are very deceiving in this case. Stumbled by this place as I was in the neighborhood for something else. From the appearance I was sure the food was going to be amazing so I was very disappointed. First the woman that waited on us was very difficult to hear as she spoke in a whisper and would not look at us. The dishes come very much like tapas so we ordered a crostini with goat cheese and figs also roasted beets to start with. The crostini was very burnt but I will saw the goat cheese fig combo was tasty so it's a shame it was burnt. The beets tasted as if they were out of a can, not roasted in house. We both then order pasta dishes one was a tagliatelle with beef ragu and I don't recall the other. Both were not very good and way over salted. I would not try this place again .

I had spaghetti with clams and it was one of the best iterations of that dish that I have ever had. The pasta and the clams were very fresh. The brothy sauce was outstanding. We went for a late lunch, so we were the only ones in there, so I can't comment on noise level.

Worst for almost every aspects to be determined as a good restaurant. Cold focaccia, over cooked pasta noodle, messed up of serving order, long waitingn line not care till we came up there, wrong order receivig and no willingness to be fixed. Strongly recommand not to come this place.

This spot is definitely ideal for date night! The lighting is set a little low, the restaurant is fairly small- so it feels intimate and the food is DELICIOUS. I will 100% be returning to Luce for some Italian ambiance in the near future and I definitely recommend it to anyone either looking for a great plate of pasta or looking for a decently priced date night.

We were going to another restaurant on Burnside and there was a waiting line to get in and we happened to walk by Luce on our way to the other restaurant and I remarked to my hubby how chic and warm and ....just a cool little neighborhood restaurant. So we left the first place and went to Luce. What a great surprise. By 7, it was packed ( I think it seats only 40). We had so many choices that we both liked. They offer 1/2 order or full orders. We tried quite a few. Octopus salad with olives and potatoes was fabulous. We ordered 1/2, but ordered an additional 1/2! I had a kale and bean soup that was perfect for a wet, cold nite. I had the trout(outstanding, stuffed, crisp on outside) and even tho I'm not a trout fancier, I am still drooling for it again! My husband had a crab and pasta entree, also perfectly cooked and the final was chard with parmesan on top. This dish could make you a believer in veggies! We are from Ariz but look forward to our return in 6 weeks! This is not a fancy, get dressed up place. It's very pleasantly done in black and white and comfy!

I went there with wife before the success that Bon Appetit triggered in this little place. The food is really amazing. Try all the appetizers especially arancini, hmmm delicious! And pasta is made fresh every day. My gran father passed me a recipe for egg noodle from Bologna but Luce ones are better, more delicate. They change often their menu so more things to try out. A little secret: ask if they still have the grappa sorbet! One thing I would change is color and temperature: more warmth. But the food is what it matters. Viva il cuoco!

we love Luce - they have consistently excellent dishes, and great service. We go fairly often as a family, and have also met friends for a meal here -- they can usually accommodate larger parties as well

We stopped in this sweet restaurant and small Italian grocer In October last week. We ordered takeout as we were on our way back to the hotel. We ordered the beef and pork tagliatelle, fresh herb salad and olive focaccia bread. Everything was freshly made including the pasta, the bread was made on the premises, and the salad had a lovely herby vinaigrette. We raced back to our rooms and had the best tasting dinner!! My son loved it! The hubs loved it, and I loved it!! They have a small menu, and you can order half or full orders. We ordered the full orders for both the pasta and salad. Perfect portions for three people. We will definitely return and try the eat in experience next time!! Mange!