For apps we went all in: meatballs, calamari, arancini, and the charred broccoli. The broccoli stole the show ... didn't expect that much flavor from a vegetable side, but it delivered. I'm not usually a calamari person, but this version genuinely converted me. It was perfectly fried, not chewy at all. And the arancini? Hands down my favorite bite of the night with its crispy on the outside, creamy risotto center, sitting in a bright tomato sauce. We also got the mac and cheese with grilled chicken added, which was rich and comforting without being heavy. Every single staff member we interacted with was warm and welcoming. The restaurant was quiet but full of life. Will absolutely be back. read more

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We were genuinely thrilled when Luce opened its doors in Little Rock. Finding standout Italian dining in the area is always a high priority, so our expectations were set high. Unfortunately, that excitement was very short-lived. Between the steep price point, underwhelming execution, and overwhelming hype, this was easily the biggest dining letdown I've experienced in Arkansas. To start, the appetizer portioning immediately set a disappointing tone. We ordered the house bread, and paying six dollars for four tiny, one-inch squares of focaccia felt absurd. The entrées were equally frustrating: 16-Layer Lasagna: This dish was a massive misrepresentation. The menu promises 16 layers, but in reality, you get three sheets of pasta stacked on top of each other, a microscopic smear of meat sauce, and another three layers of pasta. It wasn't a cohesive, rich, authentic lasagna it was simply a dry "noodle stack." Chicken Alfredo: Another significant letdown. The chicken breast was dry and overcooked, and the sauce completely lacked depth, garlic, or seasoning. When a $20+ plate makes you wish you had opted for chain Italian like Olive Garden for better flavor, there is a fundamental issue in the kitchen. The sole redeeming quality of the meal was the pasta itself. It appears to be made in-house, and the texture of fresh noodles is hard to beat. However, fresh pasta cannot salvage flavorless sauces, poorly constructed dishes, and inflated prices. I cannot recommend stopping by. read more

This is one of those moments I get really in love with living in LR. A restaurant like Luce Italian Kitchen opens up and just ignites my passion for food. I'll be honest, the reviews had me questioning whether or not to go. This is a prime example of, "you be the judge". We collectively loved every bit of what we had...and we had a lot! I could easily say this is a traditional Italian restaurant. I loved how well most people dressed here. I think it's more than ok to dress up for dinner. This is one place where it should be. The atmosphere is very much relaxed but the ambiance says class. We loved the lightening, music, plating and glassware. The owners took time to give a presentable experience. We deserve at least a James Beard restaurant here in LR. So it's time we get one. Plus what Kevin has done for WLR, needs to be praised. From the smiled greetings of the hostess, the lovely Micah serving us, the dimmed lighting, and to my last bite of the Italian Sundae, a stellar experience. This may be my longest review. First, I get why people praised their old fashion. I don't like cherries in mine and I'm more of a whiskey guy than bourbon. My old fashion is always made with Jameson where ever I go. It was so good, like too good. I may have stronger feelings for theirs over brood's . I said what I said. I get why it's popular. For the food....the Focaccia, excellent. The Parigiano Mac, delicious. Lindsey's bolognese with added chile, perfection. My dinner special...the espresso crusted filet, mushroom risotto, and broccoli...stunning. Then we couldn't stop there...finally, the flight of gelato, Lindsey and Tess absolutely loved. My vanilla gelato, olive oil, and pistachio sundae...I needed more! It'll be easily said we will be regulars here. I can see this as our go to Italian....and steak spot. It'll be a family welcoming atmosphere for more dinners to come. Bravo guys...bravo! read more

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This place popped up on my Facebook timeline, and I took a gamble by taking my visiting friends, straight from the airport, without ever testing the food out prior to their visit. All five of us loved our meals. I will definitely be back. I wish they were opened for lunch! read more

I had dinner for the first time at Luce this past weekend. There was a large group of us (9 in total). We made a reservation. The atmosphere is nice there and the food was amazing. I should have taken pictures. The fried artichokes were delicious. I had the salmon and it was wonderful. The problem arose when we needed to pay. The sever brought one check. We asked for it to be split. The server initially said he could not split it. That it had to be indicated at the time of the reservation. The person making the reservation was not told that and no restaurant I have worked at has that policy. The one restaurant I have been to that didn't split checks was in Baltimore. The told you that when they Sat you and it was clearly printed at the top of the menu. Luce did not have that. One member of our group went and found the server and got him to agree to split the checks. The server then taking them 2 at a time to the register, take my payment and another's which the rest of the group realized the "auto gratuity" was added twice. The server fixed it for the rest of the checks but didn't to now what to do for myself and the other person that paid. No restaurants I've worked at would have just issued a refund. Corrected the check and ran my payment again. This wasn't offered. It took so long to get our checks I was honestly just ready to go so the extra $11. Was worth it to leave. But it bothers me a manger didn't come by. This should have been corrected but wasn't. The food was good but we have no shortage of good food places in central Arkansas, the service made it so I likely won't be back. read more

Luce Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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Amazingggggg food, super friendly staff, and great drinks! I also love that they have gluten free pasta options since my partner is gluten free! For an appetizer my table got, the fried artichoke and the focaccia - highly recommend both, the artichoke came with dipping sauce and was seasoned so well. For my entree I got the Salmon with gnocchi, and oh my goodness... the gnocchi were soooo good. Like cheesy and potatoey - perfect. I also got the blueberry bramble and that was really good too. Only thing is this place is pricey, so I'd recommend for date night and special occasions:) I'll def be coming back read more

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From start to finish, we had an amazing experience. Beautiful decor and a cozy vibe. We had the meatballs, whipped ricotta, and fried artichokes as appetizers. The meatballs were my fav, absolutely DELICIOUS! I got the lasagna which was super delish, my only note is that I wish there was even more of that yummy red sauce. Around the table we got the Vodka Cavatelli, Bolognese, Eggplant Parmesan, and Chicken Alfredo. I don't remember our servers name, but he was AMAZING! Super friendly and took great care of us. read more

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service was great, had the sweetest server & rest of staff seemed nice. i wish the lighting was different too, dimmer would have been a better feel. however, the food was a complete let down. the fried calamari looked and tasted like imitation crab, the house bread was overpriced for four very tough and dry pieces of "focaccia" along with the drink i had lacking any real flavor.. the entrees weren't described well on the menu - i got a dish that came with gnocchi but it menu lacked to explain that it's basically a deep fried tater tot. the pasta does not taste or feel handmade. the other dishes ordered to our table were both misrepresented on the menu. very overpriced for such basic italian food. i won't be going back. read more

We've been waiting for a spot like this in town. Amazing food, great ambience, and excellent service. Will definitely be back!! read more

Luce Italian Kitchen - Italian Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

Fresh, inviting, and exactly what the area needed--this new Italian spot delivers. The handmade pasta, thoughtful wine list, and beautiful atmosphere make it an easy favorite. read more

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We sat at the bar just for convenience. Wow, what an awesome experience. The bartenders were amazing with great recommendations and things to try. This'll be our go to weekly. The appetizer and food was amazing. Loved the atmosphere. read more

Wow/ not sure where to begin. Ravioli- 6 for $26, but instead of adding the food tax to the menu price, it is added at the end- so be sure to add approximately 4% to any posted food price.., so almost $6 per piece of pasty pasta, cold on the inside and DROWNING in lukewarm olive oil. That is not sauce you are looking at my friends. It was absolutely inedible, Owners (I think) were covering the bar because one of the owners was extremely rude to many of the staff and I guess the bartender was fed up and walked out.... The owner subsequently yelled "your fired".... Which wasn't necessary- pretty clear dude was fine no longer being employed there. Mind you, we are at the bar, both owners present, we are obviously not enjoying this mess we were served, and instead of something being done about it, we were given rude looks. Not a way to be endearing to your clients when you are starting a new restaurant. We are not people who complain, but the longer I sit on this horrific experience, the more irritated I got. I understand growing pains, but this is Unacceptable if you want repeat business. Yes the place was busy, but I think as the new wears of, this place will struggle if the food quality and attitude of the owners doesn't change. Will not be back read more

Luce Italian Kitchen - Overcharged for 2 drinks we did not have. And look at the added taxes (most incorporate this into the menu price) - Italian Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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Went last night around 6 with a party of 3. The wait was only about 5-10 minutes. The drinks took awhile to come. There was a limited menu. We had the whipped cheese and it was good, but the sourdough bread was burnt. I ordered the spicy cavatelli, It had good flavor. I tried the chicken dish as well and it was covered In olives. It was a powerful dish that I wasn't a fan of. I was disappointed there wasn't a free table bread considering it is an Italian restaurant. read more

Luce Italian Kitchen - Spicy cavatelli - Italian Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

If you like burnt bread and microwaved food go here! It was a costly and negative experience.

This place does not match the level of professionalism you'd expect from the atmosphere they try to present. Horrible experience tonight with hosts who don't know how to do their job. If you enjoy eating your dinner while watching valet boys spitting every 5 seconds from chewing zyn, this is your place to go. read more

Food was excellent!!! I ordered soup that never came, but that is minor. The happy hour prices are top notch and the drinks are too. I had vodka pasta, lemon parm shrimp, and the crispy artichoke. read more

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Great looking restaurant with above average service. Food, however, was nothing special. The artichoke appetizer was decent but overpriced for two pieces. The giant fried cheese/orzo "balls" were just blah and would be better served as smaller bites and with dipping cups of sauce. Our entrees were mixed. The lasagna was so salty that we sent it back, and the restaurant immediately brought a requested substitute. Most appreciated! The ravioli with mushrooms was decent but the mushrooms were rubbery. I hope that this restaurant is just experiencing growing pains and can grow and thrive! read more

A disappointing introduction to a new restaurant. Our almost burned crispy artichoke starter was hard frozen in the middle of all three Artichokes and had to be returned. I would expect fresh and not frozen at these prices for one thing but this spoilt the rest of the meal. Salads were acceptable if a little bland. Soup got good marks. Bolognese was unremarkable and a little watery. Service was patchy, drinks were not refilled for instance, and the experience was not one that would make me want to return. read more

The service was great! Layla was our server who checked on us reasonably! I say that because, sometimes when you say come back you have to hunt them down or they come back every 3 seconds! The food was delicious!! My husband had the special which was a sausage, mushroom and spinach. I had the Bolognese which had sausage and wagyu in the sauce. The prices are so reasonable!! You need to try it for yourself. read more

We made a reservation for an early dinner on a Saturday at 3 pm with family driving in from out of town to try out the restaurant. Upon arriving, we were extremely disappointed to learn that you can only order appetizers off the happy hour menu from 3-4 pm because the kitchen isn't open until 4 pm. It would have been nice to know this prior to having family drive an hour each way, as we would have made reservations for later in the evening. We ended up leaving because we weren't going to waste our time and money on appetizers. It's unfortunate, because we were really looking forward to trying this place out! read more

Just had my first dining experience at Luce with my wife and another couple. I speak for us all when I say, the experience (food, service, aesthetic) was amazing! Julia was our server and she rocked! If you love Italian dining, I highly recommend Luce! Ciao! read more

Luce Italian Kitchen - Bananas Foster - Italian Near Me - Little Rock, Arkansas

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Unprofessional staff. There were multiple tables cleaned and ready outside and they kept acting like there wasn't anything available wanting me to wait 2+ hours. I got there to be added to waitlist at 6pm and Bill kept demanding I have to wait until 8:30 pm. Once they caught on that I noticed the tables that are available outside they got irritated, making me very uncomfortable. Once seated, we were ignored and all we can see are the valet guys upfront spitting every 10 seconds from using zyn. Absolutely disgusting and unprofessional. Will never be back or recommend this place to anyone read more