This is a special occasions venue that my husband and I both love. Consistently excellent food, very good to excellent service, and lovely ambiance. I always end up getting whatever pasta they have because it is homemade... and it's hard to find homemade pasta in this wonderful little city. I wish they would bring back their happy hour at the bar. read more

I went with two colleagues since we were in the area for a work trip. The place is super vibes and gorgeous. We had one of the best waitresses we've ever had. We asked a lot of questions and she was able to help us and provide wine pairings. The pasta was delicious! We would definitely recommend going here and we'll definitely come back the next time we're in the area. read more

Lovechild Restaurant - Strozzapreti - New American Near Me - La Crosse, Wisconsin

Unfortunately, I have to start at a lower rating because it gets so loud in here. Admittedly, we've only ever eaten/sat at the bar, so I admit my review may be a bit skewed. But we won't sit down here because when I want a nice dinner, it won't be somewhere this loud. The arancini...is heavenly. Service at the bar has always been great. They have unique drink options and they are usually really good (a few have been misses, but we've also had some of our favorite cocktails here - I'm looking at you strawberry basil Althea Saturn). I do wish they had some N/A mocktails too. We've been impressed but unfortunately won't sit down here due to the noise (and admittedly a bit because of the wait for a table). read more

Overwhelmingly good... like in every way. Ambiance, selection, service, a delightful reward to my tastebuds after a long day of racing... I was simply not prepared for my experience at Lovechild. My buddy and I sat at the end of the bar and hammed it up with a couple of the bartenders while we perused the extensive drinks menu. I was craving a reward after doing better than expected in the gravel nationals race across the river earlier that day and decompressed with a dram of 1792 12 year... oh boy was that smooth and worth every drop. Their menu changes seasonally, so the dish I had won't be available by the time this review posts, but I can assure you that anything you order from their eclectic menu will be fabulous. I had one of their beef cuts with fresh seasonal vegetables and there was not a single morsel remaining by the time I finished. I will absolutely keep this one bookmarked for my next return to La Crosse and would urge anyone reading this to make reservations as well! read more

There are not a lot of good restaurants in La Crosse, but LoveChild is worth it. The space is super cool with a large welcome bar with vaulted ceiling. The service we received from Larson was attentive and professional. The food was quite good. I am always interested in to try Tuna Tartare on a menu and it did not disappoint. The apple salad was good, but the presentation and plating lacked creativity. The halibut entree was good, slightly overcooked, but the dish had many different flavors that worked well together. It was the only fish offered on the menu, which was quite meat forward. Just be aware. Overall a good experience and I would go if ever in La Crosse again. read more

This place is super fancy if you're wanting to spend an evening in a well decorated ambience. Or if you're trying to really impress a date. The wait for a table is long if you come anytime after 5 PM, and the service staff does not appreciate you standing, even if there are no seats available to sit. They would rather have you wait outside than clog up their entry. Which was sad, because I saw several open tables That never got sat. I hear they have a rotating menu, I was not impressed with the limited offerings that they had. The best thing was the lamb skewers, but everything else was very bland and lacked any kind of flavor. We decided not to stay for dinner and left after paying for the apps. Drink menu was pretty extensive considering how few food items were offered. Be prepared to spend well over $15-$20 on a drink that is probably about 8 ounces. Considering the area, restaurants and bars that have really great cocktails for under $7-$8, this was a huge disappointment. read more

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We had a group of 3 for a nice dinner The couple I was with has dined here several times and it was my first. We tried 3 apps very nice but nothing I need again I ordered the lamb shank and it was cooked to perfection 5* The others had the ribeye and the rigatoni pasta and both said delicious. Vanilla creame brûlée was average and the donuts were light and refreshing finish to the meal. Our waiter was fantastic with service read more

Fantastic restaurant in LaCrosse!!! The food was spectacular! We shared the burrata and the lamb appetizers and they were phenomenal. We were a party of four and they were perfectly shareable. For main, I ordered the lamb shank and it was spectacular: falling off the bone, perfectly seasoned. I wish there was a better proportion in terms of risotto amount to the amount of meat that came on the dish. But that is a super minor detail. Dessert was also amazing! I ordered the lemon creme brûlée and sweet and sour were perfectly balanced! Service was also great. They don't take reservations for parties smaller than six. It was quite a wait for a Saturday night, and totally worth it. The ambience is amazing. The decor is welcoming. The restaurant itself is big, with tall ceilings and the decor makes it super cozy and warm. Great for the WI winters! read more

In our last visit to Lovechild I gave this restaurant one of my strongest, most positive reviews. Our second visit did not disappoint! We were warmly greeted for our reservation - made by the Charmant Hotel (a unique benefit of staying there) - and ushered to a semi-circular booth near the center of the restaurant. Our server, Albana, was excellent in every way - prompt, attentive at the right times, responsive to our requests, and spot on in her menu recommendations. For starters we went with the Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad with toasted house-made croutons and pistachios. Superb! Albana coupled that with her recommendation for a lighter red wine to pair with our menu choices of pasta and fish. Her tastes were excellent in recommending the 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo. A wonderful bottle! I returned to my favorite from my last visit - The Pappardelle with Gorgonzola cream, pistachio, sage, and garlic. Simply a beautiful, artful plate of pasta. My wife chose, off Albana's recommendation, the Baked Halibut with salmoriglio sauce, Calabrian chilies, and a flavorful summer vegetable fregola. It was a divine seafood dish that was gorgeous to the eyes. We finished our meal with a pistachio crème brûlée topped with fresh raspberries and paired with two savory cookies. Lovechild hasn't lost a step. The vibe, the service, the food - all still top-rate! read more

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Lovechild is an elevated dining experience in La Crosse. The atmosphere is quiet, dark, and romantic with an open kitchen. The service is impeccable. It's prompt and professional. I felt like I was in a large metropolitan city. The Arancine appetizer was delicious. It was a serving for 2 and was a traditional Arancine with rice, cheese and a marinara. What made these unique is that there was a sausage component. delicious. We had two pasta entrees, both were delicious. The rigatoni had a scrumptious marinara and sausage, with a bit of a spicy kick. The bolognese was delicious with a mild spice. This place is on our must stop list while visiting La Crosse. read more

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Lovechild has a good thing going and they know it. We dressed up as suggested (coat and tie) and went early (5:30pm) and immediately learned there is no longer a dress code and you can walk in and be seated right away. The furnishings are very nice, large tables, comfortable padded booths and spacious bar seating. Our table was directly in front of the kitchen, which is large with many, many staff. We were in the catbird seat to see just about every dish that came to the floor. We started with the Triple Cooked French Fries as an appetizer. Very unique dish. Almost a short tube of mashed potatoes deep fried like a tatter tot. Soft middle and light crunchy coating. Served with a superb horseradish sauce. Very rich For entrees we ordered the halibut with a sardinian pasta and the lamb shank with risotto. The halibut portion was generous and was dressed with an attractive bread crumb topping. The presentation of the fish was very nice, but the fish itself and the taste were off. The fish was too moist and too much salt was used in preparation. In retrospect, it is highly likely that the fish was too wet prior to cooking. It was overly soft and kind of mushy. Easy mistake to make. The heavy salt load was hard to overlook. The lamb shank looked beautiful - perfectly roasted. It was large, meaty and super savory. The Demi glaze was rich, but it too was over salted. Everything about the shank was superb except the saltiness. The risotto was smooth, buttery and adorned with scallions. Every bite was delicious. We ended the meal sharing the warm apple crostata with bourbon caramel sauce . The dish not prepared correctly by the kitchen. I will not go into the details. We mentioned the problem to our server who removed the item from our bill. Note: I would normally down grade my rating for a situation like this. The saltiness of our meals is a big deal. That being said, the restaurant is very nice, the staff are superb and their offerings are unique. read more

If you don't like an overly dark and excessively cold atmosphere then this place is not for you! Service was great, but food was mediocre.

Great food and service, just good old fashion dining experience. Like it should be. Worth the visit.

Let me start by saying we went on a Wednesday evening just to have a nice meal with my mother. The drinks are to die for!!! Even though the waiter was hesitant with my full glass and spilled a bit of the drink- it was still delightful. I think the chicken was better than the filet if I'm honest; the spices in the skin were spicy but not overwhelming. The potatoes that came with the fillet were disappointing.... They were just breakfast potatoes that seemed frozen. Also, the fillet was not served rare and it came out medium. So for the cost - I feel 4 stars is appropriate. read more

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The experience here was *chef kiss*. From the service to the food, everything was hands down amazing. When my husband & I walked in, we were greeted with a warm smile & bright welcome. Our server Mia was excellent. We loved seeing the passion and authentic enthusiasm in her face when she spoke of the food; she answered all our questions and made me feel genuinely giddy to eat. We got the lamb skewers, lobster pasta, and lamb shank all of which were out of this world. We will be back to this hidden gem next time we're in town! read more

YEARS ago I had written a review for Lovechild and it seems to have disappeared. Lovechild is hands down the best restaurant in La Crosse, but it seems that they don't need me to sing their praises; the long line of people who wait outside the door until opening time is testament to the fact that they know what they're doing! I've never had anything that was less than excellent. And though locals sometimes balk at the prices, it doesn't take long until they realize that you get what you pay for. And just one trip out of our little Wisconsin enclave will quickly teach anyone that the prices at Lovechild are well within reason, and even moderate in any other city. Be sure to try the apple salad/appetizer... But don't miss the lamb chops, either. Frankly, I would love to make a meal just from their appetizer selections, but that would mean, I would have to forgo the pasta dishes, which are out of this world. My husband raves about the chicken thighs... But be sure to save room for the Portuguese donuts that are served with lemon curd; Honestly, they are like little pieces of heavenly clouds! The servers are all beyond excellent, being respectful and helpful without ever making us feel like we are taking too long or asking too many questions. Whoever trains them should get an award! I know that I'm running the risk of being too complimentary, but I promise you that I'm not related to the owners or chef in any way. Actually, I think that the chef IS the owner, which might account for the obvious pride that they take in their presentation. I'm just going to say that we're very lucky to have them in town! read more

One of the best dinners we've had in a very long time. From beginning to end was top-notch service, excellent cocktails, and unbelievable food. Husband had the beef tenderloin and said it was one of the best meals and cuts of meat he's ever had. (THE POTATO PAVE WILL HAUNT MY DREAMS. It was that good.) I had the shrimp pasta dish and it was a perfect summer dish. The real show stoppers was the sweet corn and tomatoe salad, the triple-cooked fires. God, I want this meal all over again. read more

In La Crosse, this is our go to place for a great meal. Try it for any occasion and enjoy delicious food in a romantic setting.

So good, we came back twice in one week. Every local we encountered told us to try Lovechild and it did not disappoint! Gabby & Nick took our experience to the next level. Starting with a craft cocktail I had the "Bee Back Soon" and my date had a local brew- War Pig. We had the Apple Manchego chive salad to start as recommended by Gabby. We shared the Grilled lamb spinedini and Oh. My. Gosh! I had the linguini, marinated tuna and artichoke pesto. Zero regrets! Gabby was a perfect host and tempted us to return one more time before we had to return home to Dallas. Two nights later, we showed up to have a semi repeat. I had another "Be Back Soon" because, WOW! And my husband had another local brew - Spotted Cow. We couldn't resist the apple manchego salad or the lamb so we repeated those apps. Nick enticed us to try his favorite pasta, rigatoni sausage, n'duja paired with a glass of Nebbiolo. Again, wow! He tried to talk us into the chocolate cake, but there was simply no room. The ambiance, the flavors, the service, the experience, 10 out of 10! Thank you Lovechild from two Dallas foodies! read more

I went to Love Child with a few of my girl friends when we were visiting our friend in LaCrosse! When we went it was about an hour wait at about 7 on a Saturday night, and they text when your table is ready, so it's perfect if you want to get a drink before somewhere near by. Once we got back to the restaurant we were seated right away! We started with beef carpaccio and the triple Cooked French fries and both were delicious, the fries were different and yet so great, the horseradish sauce was a nice touch. I love that the carpaccio had burrata and a fresh chimichurri sauce to bring together the flavors perfectly. I really loved the freshness of the apple manchego salad as well, everything is cut up the same so you don't know if you're going to eat the cheese or the apple, I thought it was so fresh and delicious!! For the main meal we had the halibut which was cooked perfectly, the pappardelle which was also great and the sausage rigatoni was probably my favorite of the night! I could have eaten so much more of it!! It was a little spicy and so flavorful. I highly reccomend coming here for a girls dinner or date night! The staff was so helpful and the place is beautiful. read more

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My absolute favorite place in La Crosse. Service is attentive, polite, and warm. The owner is proud of the restaurant she and her husband have created. Ambiance is amazing. AND I haven't even got to the food yet... I nearly always order the Arancine fried risotto appetizer, the Spicy Shimp Spaghetti with arugula, and of course, their signature Portuguese cinnamon sugar doughnuts with lemon sauce. Trust me. The best. FWIW, the chicken thighs with toasted croutons are a close second favorite. Everything I've sampled here is top shelf. Including the cocktails. Just amazing. Thank you LoveChild team! read more

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Atmosphere is very much a date night. Wished I was warned how long it would be to get the lamb shank with risotto as it was nearly 30 minutes between appetizer and main dish. Also, the risotto in the main dish did not have much flavor and did not do anything to enhance the flavor of the lamb, it was kind of pointless. read more

Lovechild Restaurant - Lamb shank with risotto - New American Near Me - La Crosse, Wisconsin

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We came here for our 4th wedding anniversary. The food and service were fantastic. I also really liked the beet cocktail that I got. We enjoyed everything about our experience at Lovechild Restaurant, and cannot wait to dine here again. It is a great place to come for a special occasion or just a nice dinner. We had the Apple/manchego salad, lamb skewers, filet, rigatoni with sausage, and the donuts and they were all delicious. I also really appreciated how busy they were but the lighting and noise were at perfect levels for us to have a pleasant experience. read more

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The best restaurant in La Crosse!. Outstanding service and specials. ......... Thanks Recommended by many of my foodie friends. Several I really trust in making recommendations. read more

The staff is exceptional and they are so careful about dietary concerns. Our waitress noticed that I was ordering from the gluten free menu and made a substitution for an item I ordered that normally has a bread side dish without me asking. They are so attentive and the food is INCREDIBLE. This is the best place in town and my husband and I enjoy date nights here when we can, even if it's just drinks and dessert at the bar. read more

This was the best restaurant I have ever been to in La Crosse. As an Eagle Alumni, I have been to a lot of restaurants and this one is top tier. Our server, Zachary Kenneth, was of profound talent. His character was not only outstanding, but the service he provided was immeasurable. I left Lovechild feeling at home again. read more

Lovechild Restaurant - New American Near Me - La Crosse, Wisconsin

Excellent service. Ecclectic and diverse food choices. Tagliatelle Bolagnasewas excellent as was the steak, Arancini and Jamaican Mango salad. Waitress (Morgan) was very professional and approachable. read more

Everything is good here. My husband and I came for dinner back in June and loved the pasta dishes (we had 3!) and the tres leches dessert was mind-blowing, like heaven. I don't think I've ever had anything better in my life. Definitely worth coming back for- and we did the very next night lol! SOOO GOOD read more

Wonderful experience, excellent atmosphere! Starter: Triple Cooked Fries with Horseradish Sauce - fries are HUGE! Entree: Mezze Rigatoni, outstanding dish... was told, after I finished, that half the fun was stuffing the (outstanding) sausage into the rigatoni and eating Service: Kayla was an outstanding bartender and very attentive server (my glass was always full!). Bonus: What a wine selection! read more

Lovechild Restaurant - Triple Cooked French Fries and Horseradish Sauce - New American Near Me - La Crosse, Wisconsin

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The pasta and potatoes were delicious, I recommend!! The staff were very friendly and kind. read more

Lovechild Restaurant - Crispy potatoes - New American Near Me - La Crosse, Wisconsin

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The food here is amazing!!!! It was so delicious. It does live up to its reputation. But knocked down 2 stars because the service was horrible. We received our appetizers immediately but waited over an hour for our main dishes. Is this normal for fine dining? I don't remember waiting that long at Waterfront.. just saying. And it didn't seem too busy, most people were done eating or eating dessert. Not once did our waiter come over to apologize during the wait or ask how we were doing. He did apologize once he brought out our dishes. We had a sitter for the kids and it was already way past the time we said we'd return. Therefore we just had them pack our meals once they arrived. Birthday dinner ruined. Flavorwise: steak was a little salty but I like it like that. The steak was cooked perfectly to my liking! Every bite was so juicy and flavorful. The pork rib was very perfect too! I could taste the pesto and panko crumb on every bite. We had the pea bruschetta and lamb bites for appetizers. I honestly didn't care for them. (Forgot to take photos of those.) Overall, ambience is great. Very romantic and moody. Food is delicious but service is bad. Because of bad dine-in experience, most likely won't return to dine-in but will do takeout! read more

Lovechild Restaurant - Ribeye steak - New American Near Me - La Crosse, Wisconsin

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The food was so good I would like to eat there nightly. Apple salad and pear salad were great starters. We had the trout and pappardelle entrees, and flourless cake and donuts for dessert. The staff is super friendly. Expect a wonderful experience when you dine here read more

Lovechild Restaurant - Donuts - New American Near Me - La Crosse, Wisconsin

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This was one of the best fine dining experiences I've had in a very long time. The service is outstanding. The ambiance is classy. The food and wine were excellent. I highly recommend Lovechild. read more

Ahhhhhhmazing! We had our Family Valentines Dinner here. The food was delicious! One of our starters was the lamb and it was a table favorite. I had the braised lamb shank it was tender and very good. The crème brûlée is to die for, don't miss out on that! Definitely a must try in Lacrosse! read more

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I would recommend Love Child. At first glance of the menu, it seemed limited and expensive but the dishes served were excellent. My husband had the chicken thighs and I had the pork chops. The meals are served with their own side dish that compliments the meal. We both had a couple cocktails and those were excellent also. In the end we spent less or the same there that we do at any other restaurant. Service was good. read more

We visit the La Crosse area often. We like the area and visiting different restaurants. Lovechild was the restaurant of choice for our latest visit. They are easily the top restaurant in the La Crosse area. The service was impeccable, the food was sublime. We started our meal with triple-fried French fries as an appetizer. They were crispy on the outside and smooth as silk, soft on the inside. The Horseradish/yogurt dip had a gentle bite of heat that did not overwhelm. I had the braised lamb shank. Tender does not describe the beauty of how this meat was cooked. The red wine/olive reduction was outstanding. Served with this was a scallion risotto that was absolute heaven. My wife had the grilled swordfish. She said it was easily the best grilled swordfish she has ever had. She noted that the chickpea fries were an excellent side. Dessert was the Pistachio crème brûlée served with bits of Pistachio crisps on the side. The top was browned to a perfect look and texture. The creme underneath was smooth and satisfying. Zach, our waiter, was welcoming, pleasant, and amazingly attentive. Questions regarding the menu options were answered with great explanations. After each course, he or another member of the waitstaff cleared our table, including wiping it down to remove all crumbs, etc. Before each course, we were presented with new utensils. read more

I consider myself a regular when in La crosse at this gem! When you enter Lovechild, expect to be filled with a warm, romantic, feeling. This is a place to have a romantic dinner but also a place to stop at the incredibly beautiful bar. Staff is always charming, professional and observant. When dining at this level, this is a huge plus! The menu is inventive (the beet salad with this delicious farro comes to mind) yet keeps the star dishes like the pappardelle and spiedini! For vegans and vegetarians, there are definitely options. Now dessert is certainly worth sharing! Recently my obsession has been the rice pudding! Creamy, not too sweet and everything a rice pudding should be, it is the perfect way to end a perfect dining experience. Thank you LoveChild. read more

Wow, this is the best restaurant in La Crosse, they do not take reservations for less than 6; so we came at 5:15 and got a table in the front and had the best people watching experience ever!!! The food was great the chicken thighs were so flavorful and the tenderloin was awesome. I never have dessert, but the Apple Tart was outstanding. read more

Fantastic. Immaculate. Scrumptious. Comfortable. Cozy. Insert any other adjective you want, this place is a gem. The vibe there was exactly what we were looking for. Very chill with awesome cozy sofas and chairs to dine in. I got the pan seared rainbow trout and I should have ordered a second plate it was that good. My wife got the beef short ribs which were also incredible. The serving sizes were medium to big so I definitely didn't have room for dessert. Prices were a little up there along with the drinks. Had to get a brandy old fashioned and of course it was delicious. read more

Lovechild Restaurant - Brandy old fashioned - New American Near Me - La Crosse, Wisconsin

Great meal in pretty Venetian style setting. Smart and attentive service, interesting and inventive cocktails, nice assortment of wines. We enjoyed the apple and Manchengo salad, house-made pasta, and the dish special. read more