Phenomenal food. Best Italian food I've had in Tallahassee. Take your significant other here; they'll feel special ;) read more

Il Lusso - Italian Cream Cake Baked Alaska - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

Food is great, portions are good. Service is nice, But if you go here on Saturday night be prepared to wait longer for your food. 5 starts! read more

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This place was on the verge of 5 stars until I got struck with the worst case of food poisoning Ive ever had. The steak was amazing, and the service was great, but when you eat somewhere at this price point, the last thing you should have to worry about is getting sick. Obviously I'm not going to get into the specifics, but let's just say I'm not in a good place. And to be perfectly clear, my roommate had some of my leftovers, and is also ill at the moment. This is the only common food either of us had eaten this week. read more

Il Lusso - Prime ribeye - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

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I wonder if ppl in Tallahassee lack taste buds because this meal was subpar. The service was lovely but my steak was not cooked to my requested temp and I could've made a better one at home. The brussel sprouts were soggy and their desserts were lackluster. read more

One of the best restaurants in Tallahassee. We had the pleasure of being taken care of by Josh as our waiter! 10/10 would recommend, he was kind, polite and knew the menu well. The service was impeccable. The atmosphere was breathtaking. The food... oh my! Some of the best combinations of flavors I've ever experienced. The pasta dishes came with half portions so we were able to try a variety of amazing dishes. My compliments to all the chefs involved in the careful crafting of the menu. The Wagyu beef tartar *chefs kiss* The presentations of dishes with the spectacular flavor make this a wonderful restaurant. Can't wait to come back and explore the rest of the menu. This restaurant has a special place in my heart as a true foodie read more

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Well worth the effort to stop by Il Lusso... great presentation from ambiance, to wine and drink selections to an amazing take on Italian cuisine. The restaurant presents itself with grace and fun. The hostesses are gracious, the wait staff is fully involved and the chefs are by all means fully qualified to compete at an international level. If you have occasion to be in Tallahassee and enjoy fine dining, then drop in and see if you can get Lucas and his teammates to host you. Pretty sure it'll be a blast. read more

The place has great aesthetics and food was very good. Enjoyed our appetizers ... bread, octopus, and burrata. I had the squill ink pasta. Lots of seafood, noodles were very good and the sauce had a kiss of spiciness. Was so full from dinner, we did not get dessert. Drink selection was also good. read more

Incredible! Home made pasta dishes were all perfection! The grouper piccata and carbonara equally as spectacular! The service was fantastic and the ambiance was decent. read more

We went to Il Lusso on a Thursday afternoon and it was wonderful. When we got there we were immediately sat down and the waiter brought over water and bread. The server wasted no time in coming over and greeting us. We started with charred octopus and the soup she recommended for us. I ordered two cocktails, one was called Vegas and the other had bourbon in it; both amazing. Then I ordered the pasta carbonara and my partner the wagyu beef. The wagyu beef melted in your mouth amazing, and a truffle mash potato accompanied it. Everything was phenomenal and we even ordered dessert (ate it before pictures could be taken). Will be coming back!!! read more

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This is one of the better dinner spots in Tallahassee. I've been here a few times before. I always start at the bar (1903) around the corner and then come here for dinner. The food is good, service is great. The setting is very nice. Over all it is a good dinner location. read more

Cypress closing sent us looking for a new restaurant in Tallahassee to gather. We are so happy to have found a new "home" in Tally. The service was attentive without being overbearing. The food was thoughtfully prepared by someone who has an in-depth knowledge of how ingredients work together. Thank you for a wonderful evening. We will be back. read more

Il Lusso - Bread service - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

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One of the best fine dining experiences in Tallahassee. The service is exceptional, and really know how to elevate the dining experience. This time I had Lucas, and in the past I have had Kayli and both are phenomenal. Lucas does a great job at describing the food, you can almost taste it. He is also so knowledgeable about wine and made great recommendations. To start we got a meatball and the soup of the day. The soup of the day was a rustic tomato soup with toasted pistachios and sous vide octopus. The soup was delicious and the flavors came together so well. The octopus was an excellent touch that I was initially scared to try. I have had the meatball before and it was phenomenal as always. For entrees we got a bunch of things to share. So we got the malfadine, cacio e pepe, bolognese, brussel sprouts, and Denver waygu. If you want the best brussel sprouts in town definitely come to Il lusso. The tomato and parm are phenomenal and they are always perfectly cooked. My favorite pastas were the malfadine and bolognese, The burrata in the bolognese was perfection and I just loved the noodles. Same goes for the malfadine the vodka sauce was to die for and I loved the noodles. I also thought that the fried basil was an excellent touch. The cacio e pepe was a little off, but I have had it before and it usually perfection. Lastly, the denver waygu. One of the best steaks I have ever had. Initially we were planning on getting the strip or the ribeye, but after hearing Lucas describe the waygu we had to get it. My mouth was watering just listening to him talk about it, and it definitely exceeded expectations. Lastly, we ended with the baked alaska which was delicious as always. Their meringue is always balanced and never too sweet. I highly recommend Il lusso for an upscale, elevated dining experience. read more

Il Lusso - Soup de jour - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

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So this is my 2nd review. What was different? Not the wait for your table. Reservation at 8:00am and didn't get seated until 8:20. What adds insult is that people who came in after us (2 diners) sat before us. Once seated our serves Lucas and Luis were amazing. Attentive and responsive. They made sure we had everything we needed and we would give them 5 stars! The food.... That crab cake had such a great sear, the actual crab was absolutely delightful. It was well seasoned and seemed to be of terrific quality. The carrot butter didn't taste very carroty but was fine. He said his Lamb shank was quite tender and tasty. The Veal Parmesan was average. It wasn't bad it just didn't make me happy when I ate it and i get very happy when I eat very good food and I just felt like I was eating. Nothing special. The sauce was so weak, not rich and tasty. Brussel sprouts were missing something. They were so acidic they caught in my throat. read more

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THE SINGLE BEST RESTAURANT IN TALLAHASSEE, hands down. In two words: culinary euphoria. ~ My girlfriend and I fancy ourselves amateur foodies, so we've tasted dozens of the local fares over the past several years. As locals know, Tallahassee is a fantastic food town. There are a lot of great spots. Il Lusso, however, takes the steak (so to speak). It has somehow gotten even better during this damn plague, despite many of its competitors descending into mediocrity. And it continues to impress. Every time. The most recent experience included the best single bite of food I have ever tasted (elk tartar). It was somehow even better than it looks in the picture! Make sure you get a forkful of all the ingredients. And make sure you are sitting down. Il Lusso nails the small things. Something as simple as an Old Fashioned, for example. This humble cocktail came to us in an ornate, oblong glass with two cherries - one for my girlfriend and one for myself. My girlfriend also asked our server, Kyle, to surprise us with a cocktail. It turned out to be the best mixed drink either of us has ever had. So complex and flavorful that we had to order another. You'll have to ask him to make it for you. He's the one with the ninja turtle mask! Kyle also spent about 10 minutes at the table explaining things to us throughout the evening. In the time between, my girlfriend and I were raving to each other about the food, ambiance, and general experience. You know a place is special when you can't stop talking about it, even after you leave. ~*EDIT~* Luis also slays. Kyle remembered us and affirmed his "Toucano" drink recommendation. Gets better every time. 6 stars because 7 is too theatrical. read more

Il Lusso - Divine elk tartar - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

The absolute best restaurant in Tallahassee. Definitely worth the price. The steaks here are cooked to perfection and they melt in your mouth they're so good. The taste is amazing. The Rigatoni Bolognese is one of the best I've ever had. Nice restaurant with a great bar and all of the staff is great from the minute you walk in. read more

Wonderful food. Hence four stars. A little iffy when you make advance reservations though. Doesn't ensure any priority over walk-ins apparently. Example: Last Mother's Day, my son & family came 250 miles to take me and mother & father-in-law there for early dinner. A party of seven. He made reservations in advance for specific time. Even so, there was a problem & they wanted to sit us outside, which was not my preference. I wanted to leave & go somewhere else, so ultimately after much conversation, they found room inside. All is well that ends well, I guess. We did have great food & service afterwards. And, a nice tip was provided. It was just an unnecessary hassle. read more

This review is for brunch only but it is the best brunch I have ever had in my entire 17 years of living in Tallahassee. I did not even feel like I was in Tallahassee, it was like stepping in to a cool, calm, exquisite world in another city. It was not just delicious food, superb service, but it was also an incredible value. I know this establishment has a reputation for being pricey, but I could not disagree more when it comes to brunch. It is on par with pricing at other popular brunch options around town but with far superior quality in both food and service. Plus all the little thoughtful touches just sets it apart as a joyful experience. The drinks: We decided to get Mimosa Service for 4. It came with a 1.5L Magnum of sparkling wine and gorgeous fresh squeezed juices. We chose Blood Orange, Pineapple, and Strawberry Basil. They were all perfection but the blood orange was just perfect with the sparkling wine. A few had coffee drinks but the bottomless house coffee was out of this world. They have their own in house roast and it really was a great balanced cup of well brewed coffee. We are considering purchasing a bag of their blend because I haven't stopped thinking about it. It was served luxuriously with cream and a pistachio cookie. We started with the frito misto which was lovely, well fried, and paired well with the sparkles. I had the eggs in purgatory as did another in our group. It had a deep rich flavor, a little kick of spice, the eggs were perfect, and the crunchy bread made my soul happy. Highly recommend. Another had the beautiful, decadent surf and turf eggs Benedict. The meat was perfect. The lobster claw was tender. The bite I had was perfection. Highly recommend. I did not try the beet cured salmon on bagel our other companion had but she said it was delicious and she returns regularly for it! The desert was a chocolate bar that was rich but smooth shared at the table. An excellent finish. The service was completely perfect. Well paced, catering but not intrusive, and genuinely friendly. They really made brunch feel special and that can be hard to do. We were impressed. I hope you are too. read more

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John our waiter was amazing. Everything he recommended was delicious from wine to desert. read more

Il Lusso - "Madre" means mom in Spanish and let me tell this is the "Madre" of wines - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

Had dinner with some family members; though this restaurant is right in the middle of down town, there is complimentary valet parking (the young man working that night was such a gentleman/very respectful); was genuinely welcomed from the moment we walked in the restaurant; very nice ambience; pleasant hostess; great staff; our waiter made us feel special; he was very attentive (and patient!); fabulous all around service; we enjoyed the food, though I didn't care too much for my brussel sprouts (a bit too greasy for me); menu items a la carte; sides large enough to share; overall, the dinner was great; really had an enjoyable time; will definitely return... read more

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Great food Great service Highly recommended Best restaurant in Tallahassee. Went there often and we were never disappointed read more

Great food presentation and ambiance the presentation was up to the mark and the ceviche was wonderful. Overall great..

Went with a group of six. Service is very good, the drinks are excellent. Had the osso bucco which is my regular. It was very good but could have been warmer. Some got the small fillet which looked great. Desserts were and they looked great also. read more

We had a wonderful experience Steven was an excellent waiter and made our birthday dinner a fantastic night! The blueberry martini was the best ever! Much better than Bonefish.. read more

One of the only places in Tallahassee to get a truly fancy dinner that feels luxurious and has amazing food. I've tried many of their pastas and appetizers. Their half portions of pasta are reasonably priced and hit the spot. The drinks are great too!! read more

Il Lusso - Carbonara in front, squash ravioli in back - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

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First, this is a great spot for a special occasion! Our server, Christian and the team, were first class. He asked if we were there for a special occasion and I said Yes, it is my anniversary- but my husband passed away. A little strange but I explained that this day is worth celebrating because of the wonderful family I got married to! (They were with me). I ordered a bottle of inexpensive Pinot Noir and I've forgotten what my sister in law ordered but it was beautiful! She is not a drinker usually but did drink the entire thing! Christian explained the appetizers that were not on the menu and they sounded great! I ordered the homemade Pork Belly Agnolotti that came with white acre peas and a Parmesan sauce. You could get it in a small order or large. Since it was an appetizer, I ordered the small. We also ordered the beautiful chilled soup with an avocado cream and the filet skewers - both of them not on the regular menu. Very good choices. I am glad that we were not rushed to order dinner right away and they waited until we finished our wonderful appetizers. The dinners we ordered were the Bucatini Alla Carbonara with pancetta, parmesan, english pea, black pepper cured egg yolk. It looked like heaven on a plate. We also ordered the Gulf Grouper Alla Piccata, which we asked to have the sauce on the side and not too lemony, which they accommodated. I had a hard time deciding between the Wagyu steak or the prime Delmonico. Taking The waiter's suggestion, I ordered the 10 ounce Wagyu Denver Steak that came with a luscious sauce on the side. I swooned right there! The steak was so flavorful. The texture was definitely to my liking. I also ordered a side of brown butter braised carrots. We had the Brussel sprouts and the savory creamed corn casserole. I could eat that corn every day! Unfortunately, we did not save room for dessert but will get some next time. There will definitely be a next time. Thanks IL Lusso for making this 34 anniversary special! read more

Il Lusso - Exquisite cheesy corn casserole. - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

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OH MY!! My husband and I strolled past this amazing place walking back to our hotel after FSU summer graduation ceremony. It was getting late. (For us) but we were hungry. We wanted something light but were tired of your typical sports bar fare. As soon as we entered, we were properly welcomed and informed we could indeed get full service at the bar. I inquired about the location of the ladies room and the thoughtful hostess escorted me to its location. It was very clean and well appointed. I joined my husband at their bar and found him enjoying a glass of Italian Cabernet recommended by the bartender. After trying it, I quickly agreed to a glass as well. The restaurant was busy but still running like a well oiled machine. The service was attentive but not intrusive. I lived watching the bartenders work their magic behind the bar. We opted to share the meatball appetizer which is served over a creamy delicious polenta and the panzanella salad. They were both delicious. I would order them again in a heartbeat. It was the perfect light bite to unwind from a busy day. I can't wait to return to Tallahassee to try even more!! Every drink, entree, and dessert looked delicious. A solid 10 out 10! I regret not taking photos, but I was just enjoying the moment! read more

Delicious Italian food and excellent service. The ambiance is inviting and elegant. If you want good Italian food in Tallahassee, this is the place to go. read more

What a great addition to the Tallahassee restaurant seen. Perhaps one of the best steaks I have ever had. Our server, who was over the top, suggested a great wine. Next time we are in Tallahassee this is first reservation. Let me not forget that the hostesses to the bartenders were the best. Thank you for an awesome evening read more

This was such a nice surprise. My son and I were in town for a college visit and running later than usual for dinner when we landed here and oh my! Meatball appetizer was divine. From there, it was hard to decide whether my son's filet or my risotto were truly my favorite. From the bread, to the sides, to the perfect desert we were so pleased. Our waitress was lovely, the place was beautiful, and it was an amazing meal. Well worth a little splurge with my favorite dude. read more

Absolutely fantastic. For those who may see the higher price point of Il Lusso and wonder if it's inflated, let me assure you that you are indeed paying for quality. I came for dinner and was pleasantly surprised by the huge glass windows. The decor is very modern, but the dark wood touches manage to maintain a more classic feel. The hostesses were incredibly friendly and bubbly so they certainly know how to give a great first impression. I met my date at one of the smaller tables that would've been fine for a single diner, not for 2 people and especially not me with a purse, but we were thankfully able to switch to a larger table with benches that also happened to be near the large window that gives a glimpse into the kitchen. So far so good. My waitress Cailey (sp?) was an absolute doll, so when she recommended the cocktail with kumquats from her garden, I had to oblige. I'm not personally a cocktail fan (my college partying days kind of overexposed me) but if you are, then I'd definitely recommend trying the ones at Il Lusso. Mine was perfectly mixed to where I didn't taste any of the liquor, but it also wasn't just a glass of sugar. I would write the name of it but I forgot it and Il Lusso unfortunately doesn't have a drink menu on their website. For a starter I had the charred octopus and listen...when I tell you it was one of the most delicious things I've ever had in my life, I'm not exaggerating. It's too easy for octopus to develop a chewy texture but that was not the case here. The texture was perfectly tender, akin to a scallop but only slightly firmer, just absolutely divine. The beans added a nice creamy richness to complement the tender octopus while the spicy sauce was a nice punch to offset the smokiness of the charred preparation. And then there were greens to add a bit of freshness. In learning about the sentience of octopi I decided to no longer consume them but I will make an exception for this dish; all in all a wonderful dish I really can't rave about it enough. For my main dish I opted for the wagyu steak; I'd heard rave reviews about this all over the interwebs so of course I was excited to try it. It's served with a brown butter sauce which, by itself tastes like a faintly sweet caramel, kind of off putting, BUT with the steak it's awesome. My date said his steak had a touch too much butter, I'm a fan of butter so I don't really believe in that sort of thing lol. Conclusion: if you're a steak fan, try the wagyu steak. Definitely worth the hype, but I wouldn't return to it only because I'm no longer a fan of red meat (I just try things once so I have the experience). As a side I had the root vegetable gratin, and it was the only thing I didn't like. The cheese crust was way too thick and way too dry. I thought maybe if I eat a bite with more of the creamy inside it'll balance it out but no--that ended up just being too creamy, and I was left with two disagreeable textures in my mouth. A shame, because the flavor was really nice; it was that warm, savory flavor of comfort food that we generally expect when it comes to Italian food. Maybe it was just slightly overcooked, maybe I'm just not a fan of au gratins? Idk, but you've been warned. My date had the crispy brussels and while I do think they had a touch too much parmesan, I did like them. Honestly if you've never cared for the taste of brussel sprouts I'd recommend them because to me, an actual fan of them, I kind of forgot that's what I was eating. They were tender and nicely flavored. I ended up taking a tropical baked Alaska to go, ate it the morning after and OMG. I've never had a baked Alaska so I have nothing to compare this to, aside from other delicious desserts which this very much was. The lime is a nice punch of tang that complements the sweetness of the passion fruit and guava, as well as the rich outer layer of cream, and the topping, I'm not sure what it was but it was crunchy and delicious and the whole thing came together AMAZINGLY. It's perfect if you want something that will satisfy your sweet tooth but isn't so sugary that you'll end up regretting it afterwards. And honestly, eating this the day after was just another motivation to return. I unfortunately didn't think to take any pictures, but no worries-- I'll definitely be returning to explore the rest of the menu. read more

Rude that's all I can say, the girls at the front were rude and very judgmental. It was my husbands birthday and we made reservations. He was asked to remove his hat.. he was wearing suit coat and I had a nice dress on. No where on the website it said anything about hats... so we decided to give a different restaurant our business. They rather him sit with messy hair.. dumb. I feel like instead of judge your customers you should be a little more classy. Good luck on business read more

I went here on a Wednesday night around 8:30 with my date. I was so excited to try this place and I really wanted to love it. The waiter was knowledgeable and energetic. Since I am a vegetarian, he recommended two different pastas for me. I also ordered the caprese salad which was beautiful. The two half orders of beige pasta were served on white plates. Presentation was seriously lacking on both. They both tasted quite plain as well and my date agreed. Also, all of the food seemed to lack any bit of salt. It just needed the slightest bit on top. My date was so disappointed in the bread. He said it had no flavor. He ordered the octopus and mortadella spiedino and the squid ink pasta. He neither raved nor complained about either dish. I will likely come back but order something else, or maybe... I'll just come for dessert and drinks! read more

Il Lusso - Caprese salad - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

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I applaud this restaurant, what a great place to dine! Il Lusso is a brand new fine dining restaurant located in downtown Tallahassee near government buildings and the Jim Moran Entrepreneurship School of FSU. I came here during Valentine's Day under a a reserved dining time. Their menu includes steaks, chops, pastas, etc.... I must say, I have had my fair share of up-scale steakhouses: Peter Lugers, capital grille, delmonicos, Ruth Chris just to name a few. What impressed me about their steak menu was that it hosted 28 day dry aged USDA Prime steaks that is $20-40 cheaper than the average upscale steakhouse. I personally ordered the USDA prime 28 day dry aged porterhouse steak which was only $70. A cut of that quality at say capital grille would run you $120+. I even ordered bone marrow as a topping on my steak. The waiter brought out a gourmet blow torch to melt the bone marrow right on my steak. Surprisingly this place also had the best brussel sprouts that I have ever had Their menu is very unique, they even have dishes such as lavender duck. The dessert menu is relatively inexpensive and is another experience in itself. Presentation, flavor, and the experience all make this place great. I will definitely come here again! Thanks for making our Valentine's Day great. This place is Michelin star quality. read more

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Would give this place 4 1/2 stars if possible. Great service and really good food. I got the squid ink pasta and it was amazing! I also got the wagyu soup which was okay. The aperol spritz was by far the best drink at our table which was surprising. Definitely a place you went to visit if you're in the mood for a nice dinner in the area. I got a half portion of the pasta and it was more than enough! read more

Il Lusso - Squid ink pasta - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

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Best steak EVER! Had the mushrooms, carrots and truffled mashed potatoes. Baked Alaskan was heaven. Everything was delicious! read more

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Best pasta and cocktails I've had. Ever. Corzetti was the dish I went and I'm so glad I did. read more

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It was a wonderful experience dining at Il Lusso. This restaurant had been high on my list to try, and I'm glad my friend and I finally got a chance to dine there! I will definitely return. The service by Carlos was exceptional (several others who assisted were also excellent including Nathan). The food was exquisite with beautiful presentation and fabulous flavors. One thing I loved is that were were able to order half portions of things so we could try different dishes. We ordered Seafood Mezzaluna pasta, half order of Bucatini Alla Carbonara, half order of Tagliolini Cacio e Pepe, sides of Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Fricassee of Exotic Mushrooms, and Crispy Brussels (pics and description of each of the dishes in the photos). Dinner also included a lovely rosemary bread with olive oil and olives. They make their pasta in house, and it's just as good if not better than pasta I've had in Italy! The restaurant ambience was elegant but not presumptuous. Since the global pandemic, I don't get out much...the last time I had dinner out was September. We dined outdoors at 5pm, and it felt very safe there with masks required and hand sanitizer provided. My friend is in a wheelchair with a service dog, and the staff treated his dog great including bringing him water. In the two hours we were at the restaurant, there were a handful of other people who arrived. One was a table seated outdoors far away from us, and the others were indoors. I highly recommend Il Lusso! read more

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Came here for a friends birthday and we were not disappointed. I ordered the Delmonico Ribeye it was the best steak I have had in Tallahassee, hands down. If you plan to come here I advise checking the menu before hand. Most of it is in Italian, so prepare to google away. Our server Roy was awesome at answering all our question. Some early reviews mention long wait times, however, all of our food came out very reasonably. Growing pains happen but our experience was awesome. Get the ribeye, it won't disappoint. read more

Il Lusso - Ribeye - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

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Food was very good and service was excellent. Good wine selection as well. Summer salad was very refreshing and pasta was solid. Will Return. read more

Phenomenal brunch. We got the Lump Crab Bruschetta, Mare E Moti Benedict, and the Eggs Florentine. * The Lump Crab Bruschetta may be my favorite brunch item that I've tasted in life so far. Il Lusso took avocado toast to the next level with this dish. A combination of the crab, avocado, and crisp heirloom tomatoes make this a perfect summer dish. * The Mare E Moti Benedict has Bavette steak and butter poached lobster with truffle hollandaise. It was outstanding. There was a garlic flavor that paired fantastically with the medium-rear steak and the fresh bread. * The Eggs Florentine was enjoyable too from what I tasted - I only got one bite of it from my wife! * I wasn't overly impressed with the breakfast cocktails we got though - we'll probably elect to go with mimosas next time as they squeeze most all their juices in house. read more

Il Lusso - Lump Crab Bruschetta - Steakhouses Near Me - Tallahassee, Florida

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