it's aight you could go to an authentic spot with italian portions and service for half the price, still not bad for a performative italian restaurant. read more

Wow, simply wow. I'm impressed. I came hungry and curious. I've left more than satisfied. I tried several small dishes rather than the usual pasta panini and pizza. Don't overlook these delicacies. The arancini have a crispy crust and a wonderfully gooey cheesy inside. They are seasoned well. Accompanied by a red and pesto sauce that pair well. The pesto was especially tasty and begs for a pasta dish with the same sauce. I also ordered the Matuffi Lucchese. The polenta is fantastic and the hearty wild mushroom ragu is seasoned to perfection. The butternut squash soup was light. It was the weakest dish and I feel lacked salt. The faina was the most surprising item and I am so glad I tried it. . This chickpea pancake was slightly crispy at the edges with a luscious center. Ignore the butter in the photo. It was offered with olive oil and I always prefer butter, but it did not need either. The cannoli were amazing. Whipped mascarpone was genius. I've often found ricotta heavy. These were very light. I must note. I am gluten intolerant and watch what | eat. The menu is very gluten free friendly with notations and substitution possibilities (including the cannoli shells made with almond flour). My server, Gustavo, was the best. He timed my dishes perfectly and accommodated all my requests graciously and efficiently. He was the cherry on the top of a memorable meal. read more

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Friendly service and a clean, nicely decorated venue. I'm not a fan of couches in restaurants and the layout in this restaurant makes you feel like you're eating with the people around you. It's not very intimate. The menu is small/limited. The food was good. An interesting take on Italian but not quite our style. We ordered the polpette cacio e uova. It was good but very rich. We also ordered the gnocchi and chicken piccata. Both were good but very light on the seasonings and sauces. The gnocchi was not cooked consistently (some were more dense and the sear was not even). Overall, it was good and I'm glad we checked it off of our list but will not be our "go to" for Italian. read more

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Great service, and the food was amazing the strip was cooked perfectly. Quiet atmosphere and great experience. Highly recommend! read more

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We went here for our anniversary and the restaurant itself was beautiful. The decor and atmosphere were really nice and perfect for pictures. Unfortunately, the food was extremely salty to the point that it was hard to enjoy the meal. Overall, place looked nice, but the food definitely did not match the experience. read more

Pretty good Italian food for Lexington, KY! Good service nice atmosphere. Make sure to order the focaccia bread with the whipped ricotta! Yum yum yum read more

ItalX - Delicious focaccia with whipped ricotta! - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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The drinks, the food and the service were all incredible. My carbonara was so good and rich. read more

ItalX - A look into the restaurant. Great atmosphere - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Great service and very good food! I couldn't pronounce half the stuff on the menu, but my meal and my fiancé's meal were very tasty. read more

ItalX - I forget - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

The ambiance, the service, the food, ItalX hit the nail on the head with it all!! 10/10 would recommend!!! Every single thing put on our table was delicious! read more

Came here for a belated Valentine's Day dinner with my fiancé. I recommend making a reservation as this place definitely gets packed! The service was great and the servers and hostess were very attentive. We ordered for appetizers the calamari and focaccia with whipped ricotta. Both are a must get. The calamari with banana peppers was a great touch as it cut the greasiness of the fried calamari. The focaccia was fresh and the cold ricotta was a great contrast to the warm bread! By the time our meal came out we were pretty stuffed but the pasta was also amazing! The bolognese was rich and meaty and the gnocchi Quattro formagio was creamy and delicious! Would recommend again for a date night out! read more

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Nice chill spot on main street to grab some food and drinks. Great atmosphere. Great scenery and great service. Definitely a great spot! A must try place in Lexington after a game for a night cap read more

So we came for my birthday and it was a surprise for me. I hadn't don't any research since I didn't know this is where our reservation was. The ambiance is nice and not too upscale. There are areas to sit where you can look outside at folks walking by and see traffic. It's really not a big place. The food was good. We had ravioli and spaghetti with appetizers. I wouldn't choose this spot for a birthday dinner again but it is nice for a date night. Our server was great but I forgot his name. read more

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My wife and I stopped in for dinner without a reservation. They were able to find us a spot. We decided to split a plate and ordered the lasagna. We left room for dessert and had the tiramisu. Both the dishes were fantastic and we will be back. Things to note: - Free parking is not available - Make a reservation. We got lucky read more

We went Friday 9/19 for an early dinner The restaurant looks nice and service was friendly Food was beyond disappointing For appetizers we ordered the meatballs ( pretty good) , focaccia and absolutely tasteless arancini The two girls decided to get pizza. Embarrassing gas-station pie with gross cheap 'mozzarella'. My GF decided to try the gnocchi and added chicken. What she got for $34 was a tiny portion of 4/5 weird looking' 'gnocchi' and chicken that looked like leftover from a nearby Chinese restaurant My pasta - don't remember the name- with meat sauce was ok. The desserts were another fiasco. Whoever made that 'tiramisu' has probably no idea of what tiramisu is. The 'cannolis' were some tasteless ' lab made ice cream in a sad hard shell 'tube' Never again read more

I realize that rent is higher downtown but for the cost the portions were small and honestly Bella Notté is better in every way. Our waiter was good. Ambiance was just above average. Our first and last visit. read more

Ambience was fantastic and our bartender Sterling Cadence was very amazing and very attentive and our lasagna as well as our Parpadelle was to die for great place. Highly recommend. read more

We walked in on a packed Friday night without a reservation, fully expecting a long wait. Chris, the maitre d, quoted us 90 minutes (totally fair for a place this popular) but got us seated in just an hour-- a win in itself. While waiting, we grabbed a cocktail at the bar and met Cadence, the brilliant mixologist behind all the House recipes. Her drinks were next level - balanced, creative, and honestly some of the best we've ever had. Once seated, the experience only got better. From appetizers to salads then first and second courses every single dish was a standout. It's rare for a restaurant to hit every note perfectly but this place did. It was like watching someone win the triple crown-- fitting since we're in Kentucky. Huge shoutout to Gustavo, our server who guided us through the meal with warmth, knowledge and impeccable timing. Every part of the night was unforgettable. We can't recommend this place enough. read more

Fabulous location and ambience. Friendly staff Amazingly good food! This atmosphere is insta worthy! read more

ItalX - Carbonara with scallops! - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Best pasta I've had in a long time! Nice restaurant with great service. The host was super nice and accommodated us even though we had no reservations. Carbonara was fresh and super tasty. Portion size was Just the right amount . Recommend 100%! The limoncello spritz which was delicious For desert had tiramisu, which was good. Definitely will return if I'm passing through Lexington. read more

ItalX - Carbonara with shrimp - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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My fiancé and I came here for the first time for a belated Valentine's dinner and it was spectacular! Our food was high quality and flavorful. The lasagna was probably the best we both have ever had in a restaurant - it just melts in your mouth! The other dishes and desserts were also delightful and worth having again. Our server was kind and attentive, and the general staff were friendly and accommodating. The ambiance of the restaurant is excellent for a date night, the lighting is romantic, the decor is modern Italian, and the vibes are amazing! I can't wait for our next trip back! read more

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I have given my self several month before writing this review so that I wouldn't write something rash or overreact. However several months have passed and I still feel exactly the same way. Here is my experience. I made a reservation well in advance for my brother and sister in laws anniversary dinner before a show at the Kentucky Theatre. When we arrived the host greeted us and asked if we were still 5 tonight. My husband had gotten sick that same day so I told him no we were unfortunately just 4 due to my husband being sick. Host made a face. Said we will seat you soon. Host finally comes over to take us to our table and he takes us to the back left corner where they have a wall dividing the rest of the restaurant from this tiny section by the kitchen. Two tables and chairs from a hotel convention center. Zero ambiance and totally excluded from everything. We made a comment about wanting to sit in the restaurant with everyone else and the host stated "well you could ask nicely" and "you would have had a better table if you had all 5 people in your party". He immediately took us across the room to a beautiful table by the window. So there were other tables available than the one he sat us at originally. We sat down, he scoffed and turned away. Our waiter was lovely. The food was great. But that's not important when one of you gets food poisoning and it's so bad you barely make it to the restaurant bathroom. It also ruined her time at the comedy show because she had to be in the bathroom through some of that too. Will not be coming back. I am big on customer service and ambiance. So trying to stick me in a corner with a dividing wall and being rude when asked to move tables ruined this place for me. read more

I don't usually think of pasta as a "lunch" food, because most of the time the servings are huge but the quality is just meh, and I don't usually want to carry leftovers etc. But this place had the perfect size portions and really great quality, so it worked out really nicely. We went in for an early lunch, so the place wasn't really busy. The service was awesome, food was served quickly, which is important for lunch meetings as we were on a schedule, and the food was great. Really great overall experience, would absolutely come again. read more

Food just not good Nice atmosphere and well maintained. But had apps and entrees. Just no taste. Sorry for bad review

My husband and I made reservations for dinner on a Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. We ended up arriving about 20 minutes early and figured we'd go ahead and let them know we had arrived in case anything was already available. They sat us immediately and had our table ready with a lit candle and waters. The weather was nice that night so they had the doors/windows open and it created a great atmosphere. It was busy that night and it seemed like everyone was having a great time. It was a little loud, but it's expected when the restaurant is packed. Our waiter was very nice and answered all our questions. He even made a few suggestions and they were great. I had lasagna and my husband had the carne pizza. We looked at the dessert menu but decided we were too full from appetizers and dinner for dessert. We did see the waiters bring dessert to a few other tables and everything we saw looked delicious! read more

ItalX - Carne pizza. - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Service and food were fine. We liked the calamari alot. The bread wasn't impressive and our main dishes were just average. The restaurant it self was very cute. I won't be making a special trip to eat here again, however, I would eat here again. It was fine. read more

We went for a friend's birthday. We had a wonderful time. As foodies, my husband & I have been to the most expensive places in Lexington, Caribbean, Florida, Colorado & DC. The food was very good, service excellent & ambiance nice & relaxed. We throughly enjoyed all four of our meals!!! read more

The food and atmosphere was generally good. Appreciated the wine list and the attentive service. Some bad timing on the appetizers and meal delivery and the pasta was over cooked and then obviously sat under a heat lamp for too long. To sell authentic Italian food you have to work a little harder and serve the food "quando sarà pronto" (when it's ready) The fish was great and I appreciated the local take on a few classic dishes. read more

The food is excellent. You can tell everything is fresh. We sat at the bar and the two girls were knowledgeable about the menu and fun to talk to! Great vibe inside. We're from out of town and glad we stopped bits hard to know where to eat. Don't skip this spot! read more

This was a spur of the moment trip when the hubby found a reservation for that evening on open tab So happy we made the effort to roam downtown for this unique experience. Loved the vibe of this place with the open air to main street you got to have the feel of the city without sitting on the street. The food was delightful. I had the special mushroom pasta (that might have had a different name) but I loved every bit of the sheet pasta a wonderful mixed mushroom sauce. The hubby's chicken piccota was interesting, the flavor profile was just different that way he is used to. His very favorite in town is Giuseppe's and as food tastes go, that might not be the best but it is what he likes. We wanted the arancini and they were out, and I love that they make things daily, so we had the focaccia that had a great taste and texture. If you are a visitor walking to dinner this is a great choice. If you are a local looking for something Italian it is a solid choice if you want to pay to park in a clean garage with an elevator that will drop you off at the door! We will be back. read more

Lasagna and salmon salad. Lasagna was not bad,not great. I like a cheasy lasagna, and the sausage should be sweet. She enjoyed the smon salad Service was good. read more

ItalX - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

SO overrated! Pasta dishes taste like frozen meals - very bland! Wouldn't recommend...unless you like underwhelming dishes

I finally had the opportunity to try ItalX and it did not disappoint. Absolutely everything is made in-house from pastas to desserts, even the cannoli shells! It's a very chic restaurant with a sophisticated vibe. I appreciate the mix of old and new with the penny tile floors and brick arches. The brushed brass fixtures and soft lighting give a warm glow to the space. I began my meal with a negroni, the classic Italian drink. Let me tell you, they make a great one! Strong too! The calamari is delicious with a crispy batter. The lemon-basil aioli is less tart than the usual, but it's the perfect partner for the peppery arugula and pickled peppers that accompany the dish. For the entree' I chose gemelli bolognese with a beef, pork, and lamb ragu'. Pasta was not overly sauced and since the meats are not ground all together, each stood out on its own. It's a repeat for sure! The vanilla bean gelato and pignoli cookies were a hit as well. Cookies are a soft texture with a hint of amaretto, covered in toasted pine nuts and a very light sprinkling of salt enhancing all of the flavors. They are made of almond flour, so they're gluten-free if that's important to you. Our waiter was outstanding. He was extremely knowledgeable about the food, cocktails, and wines. He was also very honest and thorough with his answers. Upon eying a different pasta dish and discussing it with him, I opted for an alternative dish which was the right decision. Treat yourself by giving ItalX a try! read more

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Didn't get pictures of every dish because some were inhaled. The atmosphere in the restaurant is wonderful. It is super cute inside. The food was unbelievable. The chicken in the chicken piccata was cooked and seasoned so perfectly. It was so tender and delicious. The veal Marsala was phenomenal. The ricotta and spinach dumplings with the crispy artichokes were better than I could have ever expected. It was just a wonderful experience. I will ABSOLUTELY be back. Also FYI, the menu on the website is from Dec2022 and a little different right now. So many amazing things. read more

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We were very excited about trying this restaurant. The atmosphere looked lovely and was perfect for our date day. But I was a bit disappointed. Their lunch menu appears to vary so it did not match what was uploaded to their website so there weren't as many pasta options as I anticipated. I requested the Bolognese with spaghetti noodles however my pasta was way over cooked and was extremely mushy. My husband ordered the pollo panini which was good but seemed to miss that "pop" of flavor so it was semi bland. The potatoes and sauce it was served with was delicious though. My favorite part of the meal was the focaccia. Very fresh bread. The atmosphere was beautiful but pretty disappointed in the taste of food. read more

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Italx has the perfect ambiance for date night! This was our second trip to Italx (first being with a large group) and we enjoyed our visit. Our server was very attentive and brought us multiple samples so we could pair the right wine with our meal. The fig salad (while small for the price) was absolutely delicious. We enjoyed the lasagna (perfect size for sharing) but it wasn't particularly remarkable. There was only one downside to the meal - I had an espresso martini for dessert and it was probably one of the worst I've ever had. Way too sweet and syrupy - very disappointing for the quality of the bar. read more

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Lovely lunch (weekends only) at Italyx with friends. Everything was excellent. See my photos. A picture is worth a thousand words. Our waiter Shane was top notch and even took a video for us of the pasta being made in the kitchen. 135 read more

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In town visiting and got the recommendation to try this place out - it's in the heart of downtown, the parking garage took a minute but we got it. Smaller restaurant but very nice. It was a spring day (but also Thursday rush hour) and they had windows and doors open to the street so it was very loud even in the back of the restaurant. A bunch of ambulances and motorcycles - if you're looking for a quiet place it's not here. Ordered drinks and wine - for apps we got the Arancini and the Proscuitto di Parma - both were great but loved the Arancini. Table ordered 2 lasagnas, a bolognese and the cacio e Pepe. All great but the bolognese was the least tasty of the 3. Still would be happy to eat them all any day. I got chicken on the cacio e Pepe and it was dry, I'd skip it next time - the pasta is all you need. Would definitely be back! TL, DR - food amazing, can be loud if eating with doors and windows open, service pretty good. Worth it for the food hands down read more

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ItalX is an upscale but not pretentious Italian eatery with great service that went out of its way to make our large party feel at home. Due to a combination of the start of Horse racing and UK basketball, it was almost impossible to find a reservation for our large group. Not only did ItalX find room for us but saved us a large private table in the back of the restaurant for our party. It was really appreciated. Of course, the food was good too, a solid menu of Italian fare. Their take on Cacio e Pepe was very unique to me: long tubes of candele pasta with the requisite pepper and cheese. Some may think it's sacrilicious to add protein to the dish but I liked the fact I could order it with chicken or shrimp. Thanks again ItalX for a great meal to kick-off a weekend in Lexington. Pro Tip: ItalX is located on the retail ground floor of the Residence Inn by Marriott Lexington City Center, the entrance is a door located between the restaurant storefront and the main hotel entrance on Main St. read more

ItalX - Candele Cacio e Pepe - Italian Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Great atmosphere but extremely small plates. The focaccia bread appetizer and the calamari were amazing. The pasta dishes were on the small size and nothing special. The tiramisu was good. The portions were fine for the ladies but all the gentlemen in our party were hungry upon leaving. read more

If I could give this place more stars I would! This is hands down the best restaurant I've eaten at in Lexington. From the time we walked in until we left the service was on point. We had everything from drinks to dessert for a special 35th anniversary(which we didn't tell them we were there for) and it was awesome. The focaccia bread was amazing! I would go back just for that The restaurant is beautiful and very well maintained. I love this place and will definitely be back. read more