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  • Luce Ristorante

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Luce Ristorante
Luce Ristorante

Luce Ristorante Details

  • Dining Style: Fine Dining
  • Website: http://www.conterestaurantgroup.com
  • Email: manuel@conterestaurantgroup.com
  • Phone: (704) 344-9222
  • Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 11:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Executive Chef: Gabriele Grigolon
  • Dress Code: Business Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
  • Catering: Bring the flavors of Northern Italy to your home, office or special venue. Whether it’s a large hors d'oeuvres reception or an intimate multi-course dinner Luce can take care of it all. Pick-up or delivery is available, delivery fee varies upon location. For more information or to place an order call 704.344.9222 or email info@luceristorante.net
  • Private Party Facilities: Luce would like to personally customize your special and private events. We can comfortably accommodate eighty for a seated dinner and over one hundred for a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres event. We also have a seasonal patio that can seat up to forty for dinner guests and is the perfect venue for a summer evening cocktail reception. Luce is available for private parties, rehearsal dinners, receptions, showers and all of your special event needs. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions and we look forward to hosting your events.
  • Private Party Contact: Manual Camprese (704) 344-9222
  • Special Events & Promotions: Ask us about our monthly Italian wine dinners and special holiday events.

Getting there

  • Cross Street: North Tryon & 5th
  • Public Transit: You can use the LYNX Light Rail Blue Line and get off on the CTC/Arena station and walk towards 5th street. Walk west on 5th, one block, to the Hearst Tower located on the corner of 5th and College. Luce in located on the Tryon level of the Hearst Tower in the courtyard.
  • Parking: Public Lot
  • Parking Details: Luce patrons can park in the Hearst Tower parking deck. Entrances are located on 5th and 6th streets in between College & Tryon. We offer two hours free parking validation M-F before 5pm, after 5pm; on weekends parking is free with Luce validation.
A word from Luce Ristorante
The setting at Luce is romantic. The Murano Lights, Venetian Plaster and Travertine floors create an exclusive dining ambiance. Luce means “Light” in Italian and the restaurant clearly “glows” Luce provides an ideal dining experience whether you stop in for a quick lunch or settling in for a full… course dinner and fine selection of extensive wines from Italy. Luce offers fresh, authentic Italian cuisine rich in flavor and passion inspired by our Italian chef, Gabriele Grigolon. The attentive and knowledgeable staff always provides impeccable service allowing you to sit back and enjoy your dining experience. Conveniently located in the Hearst Tower Plaza in the business district of Charlotte’s Center City. Luce opened in 2002 and has achieved outstanding accolades. Helen Schwabb, Charlotte Observer Food Critic, gave Luce an “Excellent” rating. ZAGAT has given Luce an “Extraordinary” rating from 2004-2010. Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
  • Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
Diner Reviews
  • "We had the nightly special which was a duck lasagna with a white sauce which was wonderful. The calamari, salad, and desert were delicious."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "I now consider myself a regular patron at Luce's. The ambience, food and service always pleases our guests. Best in Charlotte!"
    Dined on 2/25/2014
  • "Another wonderful meal here......The food is marvelous. We cannot say enough great things about the place. We plan on coming back time and time again."
    Dined on 2/22/2014
  • "Best Italian food around. Food is made from scratch including the pasta and cheeses. Ambience is fantastic, small and quiet."
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Valentines Day Menu only-nothing online stating that. The sausage, short rib pasta- the bones should have been removed. Over priced appetizer (Shrimp and Calamari). Crem Bru Le should not have rosemary in it, terrible after taste. Service was okay, and wine list was average."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "Luce was more than what I expected. From the time we walked into the door till we left, we were treated like we were the only ones in the restaurant. Extremely friendly staff and outstanding food. Wine selection was phenomenal. A definite winner in my books!!"
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "We were able to book a last minute reservation on Valentine's Day after other plans fell through. While they had a limited menu on this night, the food was delicious. The restaurant is small and quaint. Despite having reservations we had to wait 20-30 minutes for our table. The servers were cordial but looked frazzled, as they may have been short-staffed due to the recent winter storm. We would go back as I'd like to order off their normal menu."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "We had a reservation for Valentine's Day. We were seated right away and the service was fabulous. The menu was slightly different than the normal evening selection, which we didn't anticipate, but it was still sufficient for our needs and we both had a wonderful meal, cooked perfectly and delicious. The restaurant itself is beautiful."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "It was our first time there. I was a little late for my reservation and the table they had available was near the kitchen not an ideal spot for a romantic evening. We request another table and had to wait a few minute. The manager gave you a complementary drink while we waited. With in 5 minute we are escorted to a new table. The rest of the night was great. My entre appetizer and dessert was fantastic."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "We were a party of 6, some of us ordered the half portion meal. Half portion was REALLY small-not enough for adult to eat. Some of us had enough food to eat. The place is not kid friendly, no kids menu, but they were able to put something together for my little one, which I really appreciated. I would visit again, without any kids next time. Food was tasty though."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "Great restaurant. The table service was fantastic and the good matched it. Friendly staff and for the place the prices are very reasonable. Highly recommend."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "As usual our Luce experience was excellent. Perhaps the absolute best osso buco to be had in Charlotte. The service was perfect."
    Dined on 2/7/2014
  • "The food was excellent and the service was great. We had not been to Luce in a long time, but I remembered how much we liked it the first time we went. Made reservations for my husband's birthday. We were not disappointed. It was fantastic."
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "We travel to NYC often and have the opportunity to try many of the numerous restaurants in Manhattan. Luce is right up there with some of the best Italian restaurants we've been to and then some! It's not a big place but has a very cozy and warm ambiance. It's a great place for a date or a special occasion. Now on to the food..it's to die for! Everything we tried was absolutely delectable and perfectly prepared. The service was impeccable and the prices are very reasonable. I can't wait to go again!"
    Dined on 2/8/2014
  • "We were very happy with our evening at Luce overall. The service is wonderful and friendly. We have found the pasta dishes to be the highlight of this restaurant. We ordered the ravioli this time, and it was excellent. The branzino was recommended by the server, touted as being similar to sea bass. I didn't get the similarity, and the fish was just cooked and served on top of fried potatoes and some mushrooms. It was plain and somewhat disappointing. We will definitely go back, but I think we will stay with the pasta dishes. Both times we have been to Luce, the pasta has been to die for."
    Dined on 2/6/2014
  • "Nice little restaurant when you are in Charlotte, with fresh pasta, well cooked meets, and innovative specials. While nothing blew me away on my visit, I would say everything met my expectations, and came away satisified."
    Dined on 2/5/2014
  • "I lived in and around Manhattan for 30 years and ate in some of the finest restaurants in that city. Luce rivaled any of them, providing lovely ambience, excellent and gracious service, and the best Northern Italian food I have had anywhere. It was a perfect evening and, given the overall superiority of the venue, quite reasonable."
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "Loved the pasta and fish, excellent service....wonderful desserts."
    Dined on 1/29/2014
  • "I dined at Luce with my mother during restaurant week and order the Fillet Mignon (medium well). It was cooked perfectly. My mom had the lamb which was also delicious (rich and full of flavor). For dessert we had the Tiramisu and chocolate mousse cake. Neither was not overly sweet, which is the way I like it. Our waitress was very attentive with a pleasant personality in spite of the volume of customers. The tables are really close together, which is my only negative."
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "It has been a few years since we went to Luce so we decided to give it a try for queens feast and we were so glad we did. Beautiful place and it feels as if you were in Italy. We loved the the food, the wine and our waiter was wonderful even speaking Italian. We told him to let Mr Conte know how pleased we were with his restaurant and before we knew he was at our table saying hello, I thought that was so sweet of him. We can not wait to go back and tell everybody about this incredible neighborhood jewel."
    Dined on 1/17/2014
  • "Delightful Italian with fresh ingredients and excellent service."
    Dined on 1/25/2014
  • "This is the best Italian food I have ever had in Charlotte--it brought back memories of my trip to Italy a few years ago. Absolute perfection"
    Dined on 1/24/2014
  • "Flank steak salad was too skimpy. The meat was excellent and a good portion, but the underlying salad was meager. For $16 they should give you a larger portion of the salad itself. I won't rush back for lunch."
    Dined on 1/21/2014
  • "My husband and I visited before going to the Opera and had a wonderful experience. The staff provided EXCELLENT customer service. I genuinely felt welcomed and like they were happy to have us there. We'll definitely be back for special occasions."
    Dined on 1/23/2014
  • "I ordered the shrimp with artichokes - one tiny piece of green does not an artichoke make - pasta was overdone and generally dish was tasteless. My friend ordered the crispy chicken and it was so salty you could barely eat it. Service was fantastic, but I can go to million restaurants in Charlotte with better food - and I will."
    Dined on 1/23/2014
  • "Not much more you can say. Terrific food, service and ambiance. Continues to be one of the top spots in town."
    Dined on 1/21/2014
  • "Our overall experience was outstanding. The food was excellent (the Braised Oxtail was the highlight of the meal). The service was professional and consistent, albeit slightly surly (that did not detract from our experience, it just didn't add anything). I will definitely be back and I will definitely recommend."
    Dined on 1/20/2014
  • "Luce is a fairly pricey restaurant located in the Hearst building in uptown Charlotte. We've had good meals there in the past & returned this year with a group of friends to take advantage of restaurant week. Maybe the effort to meet the discounted price explains our mediocre experience. The lobster salad did have a few chunks of tender meat but was otherwise only moderately fresh. My main dish of grouper was over-cooked. My wife's oxtail with pasta was over-oiled. Not these dishes were terrible, they just weren't up to the usual Luce standards. I wd dine at Luce again & hope for better. A repeat of this performance might close the book for us."
    Dined on 1/20/2014
  • "My girlfriend and I thoroughly enjoyed Luce, the food was great and the service was even better. Every item had a tremendous presentation, & I would highly recommend this restaurant to others."
    Dined on 1/20/2014
  • "We had not dined together at Luce prior to Restaurant Week this year. From the generous menu - imaginatively differing from their standard dinner menus (unlike many other venues) - to the engaging, professional staff, Luce was delightful experience. The wait service is very attentive and friendly. The fish of the day (pan-seared grouper) was scrumptious and the Linguine Fra Diavola was perfect. Presentation of salads, entrees and desserts ( all top-notch) was beautiful, and portions are ample. Luce evidently worked diligently to present a very special Restaurant Week offering; we'll have Luce on a list of more frequented restaurants uptown in the future."
    Dined on 1/19/2014
  • "Excellent food and wine. We went for Charlotte Restaurant Week and the menu was varied and complete. The food was delicious and the portions were sufficient. The pasta was cooked to perfection. It took at little bit of time to get seated even though we had a reservation, but it was Charlotte Restaurant Week and the restaurant was completely full. Overall, great experience and would recommend it to all."
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "We went for the first time during Restaurant Week. This will not be the last!!!! Wonderful food, service and ambience!!!!!!"
    Dined on 1/18/2014
  • "Nice upscale restaurant located in Up Town Charlotte."
    Dined on 1/17/2014
  • "One of the great benefits of Queens Feast is the motivation and opportunity to try new restaurants -great menu -lovely ambiance -will go again -great for pre-theatre at the the Blumenthal"
    Dined on 1/17/2014
  • "Our table for 4 arrived early, but the host said he would come get us when our table was ready. At 7:45 no one had spoken to us about our table so we had to inquire. We were finally seated close to 8pm. We ordered our drinks and waited at least 15 minutes to order. That seemed too long for a table that was late in seating. The large group behind us was extremely loud and followed by a second large (20+) group. Too bad they don't have a separate room for large parties. That being said, the food was excellent. The mozzarella and prosciutto appetizer was delicious. The mozzarella was extremely soft with very smooth flavor which paired well with the thinly sliced and salty prosciutto. The veal chop was tender and braised perfectly."
    Dined on 1/4/2014
  • "My husband and I ate here before seeing 'Book of Mormon'. Everything was great - food, service, etc. We don't eat out often at nice places anymore, so it was a relief to have a good experience that was worth the money. We tried the lobster bisque,homemade ravioli (I ordered the plain cheese, old-school version because I knew it would be good), osso buco (my husband always orders this if it's on a menu), and Chilean seabass (this used to be my go-to dish but since it's now overfished and politically incorrect I try to abstain). Accompanying risotto was good. My only complaint was that there were no veggies on the plates (although you could order spinach as a separate side)."
    Dined on 1/2/2014
  • "Excellent choice for a special night out. The food was incredible, wait staff courteous, friendly and knowledgeable, and ambiance just right! My only negative would be that the wine menu is a little pricey."
    Dined on 1/3/2014
  • "We were treated like royalty! The place was packed and yet our service was incredible and so attentive. As always, the food was out of hit his world. Luce is our favorite fine food restaurant in Charlotte."
    Dined on 1/3/2014
  • "This is an Italian gem, was very pleased and enjoyed all aspects of the dinning experience."
    Dined on 1/2/2014
  • "The food is good overall but I find the stafff brusk, we also had to send back a salad, lettuce padt prime I like the location pre theatre but I dont feel like its a great dining experience."
    Dined on 1/2/2014
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Charlotte Winners
  • Italian
  • Romantic
  • Charlotte Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Ambiance
  • Italian
  • Romantic
Learn more ›