Went before a show at Chrysler Hall. Service was excellent, food was fabulous. Highly recommend to anyone

I used to love this restaurant before they got a new chef. I was obsessed with the lobster fettuccine. However, it seems like the new chef changed the sauce. The sauce tastes more like a marinara instead of a seafood cream based sauce. It was very disappointing and I did not want to keep eating it Service was good. The restaurant itself has a very romantic ambiance. They do have a dress code so check that on the website before you go. I've had friends turned away for wearing ripped jeans. read more

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We had a marvelous dinner with friends Friday evening. Katie our server was wonderful and attentive. She was a real pleasure. The calamari we had for appetizers was perfectly cooked! My hubby had the lobster pasta which looked great. Our friend had the duck and really raved about it. Rockfish was a special and 2 of us ordered it and enjoyed the large portion with very tasty vegetables. The wine selection is nice here and they offer gluten free pastas which will try on our next visit. read more

Leone's Italian - Lobster pasta - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Upon entering the restaurant was very clean and busy. The lighting was the perfect vibe. We had a really nice waiter who constantly checked on our table but not in an annoying way. I ordered the steak (medium) with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The steak was so juicy and brought me to a higher standard of steak. It was drizzled with balsamic which was new to me but it added a nice touch! The asparagus was cooked to perfection. The mashed potatoes came in a large portion, they were so delicious the way you would make it at home, with the skin and chunks of potato. I can't wait to return ! Thank you for the wonderful service and food! read more

Leone's Italian - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Date Night Spot!! Whenever my Wife asked me where I wanted to go for an intimate romantic date night in Norfolk, I squealed, "Leone's!" I am in love with their spaghetti and meatballs, excellent service and grown & sexy vibe. We appreciate their designated parking lot as street parking can be tough. They don't have valet per se but a parking attendant is on duty and the lot is literally across the street from the restaurant. My Wife orders the popular Lobster Fettuccine dish, and we love to share a salad and calamari. Everything is fresh and so delicious. Absolutely comforting. For drinks a glass of Pinot Noir for me and tequila for the lady. Our preferred seating is cozied up next to the window, but they also offer rooftop seating, bar seating, some booths with privacy sectioning and of course main dining room tables. I love the way the servers chat us up a bit without ruining our romantic dinner. Signed, The Happy Hour Huntress read more

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Beautiful ambiance, they have a rooftop as well that I enjoy sitting out on when the weather is nice. All of the servers are attentive and always lets me know what the special of the day is. The food is very good, if you enjoy pastas, and italian dishes I'd definitely recommend this spot. read more

Leone's Italian - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I have always gone here for dinner before heading to a show. I think for the first time in 8 years I'm questioning going back. The service was good. I did try the Espresso Martini with a shot of Baileys so good. However I was left feeling that I just simply overpaid. I had a cooked lobster with a salad and 3 cocktails my bill was over 100.00 just me. I know things are going up but that's seemed steep. read more

Leone's Italian - Espresso Martini - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

My fiancé and I dined here on Sunday, and it was the worst chicken piccata I've ever had. The chicken was overcooked and difficult to cut, and the dish tasted primarily like buttered noodles. My fiancé's shrimp pesto also had a similar flavor, with mushy shrimp. There was no flavor of pesto whatsoever. Also, be aware of the hidden drink prices. read more

I was craving some Spaghetti and Meatballs. This is definitely the place for it. They do have a dress code so dress nice if you go here. This definitely hit the spot. My second time here and delicious. I sat at the bar and the employee behind the counter was so nice and the service was awesome. read more

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I've been eyeing this spot for the last month but have always stayed in town on the night it is closed. It finally worked out this week and I was able to pop in for some food. Super easy to make a reservation online. We were seated immediately and chose the patio out back. Our waitress came over and greeted us quickly and was knowledgeable about the menu. We ordered the bruschetta and calamari as appetizers and split the chicken Caesar and pesto shrimp. The bread and cheese that is served is so delicious! If you're trying to stay away from carbs, I promise it's worth the cheat. The bruschetta was not great (4/10). It was too heavy on tomato and onion and too soft on the balsamic glaze. The glaze was delicious and probably could have helped with the acidity if they just poured a little more. The calamari was yummy (8/10). But let's talk about shrimp pesto (10/10): I am a pesto snob and this was by far the best pesto sauce I have ever had in a restaurant. They really leveled up on this dish. The shrimp and noodles were cooked to perfection. Great atmosphere. Good wine selection. Amazing service. While the bruschetta was not good, the service and shrimp pesto more than made up for it. 5/5 read more

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One of a few Norfolk restaurants open on Sunday. No reservation but wife and I got a table immediately on arrival at 650p. Great ambience, good service from Megan N. Big drink menu but not a ton I was interested in. Pinot Noir from Italy ($13/glass) was surprisingly good. Wife enjoyed her Strawberry mimosa ($15). House bread and cashew butter served hot out of the oven was wonderful. Bruschetta (4/5 stars) was a good starter with crispy base and loads of tomato w strong basil notes (I like it). Calamari (3/5 stars) was ok. Jalepenos were different but too many tentacle pieces; sauce was the star. Sausage and Mushroom Gnocci (4/5 stars) was hot and rich, made richer by my love for fresh grated cheese. Wifey and I asked to split it, kitchen brought it in 2 smaller bowls; definitely needed the bread to help cut the heaviness. Chef's delight dessert ($12, 5/5 stars) was brownie cake with peanut butter mousse in the middle, covered with chocolate fudge and adorned with coca powder and marscepone whipped topping and a fresh strawberry. My wife had 4 forkfuls and tapped out, another rich offering. NO REGRETS!!! Parking on street and monitored lot next to 456 Fish. Gender specific restrooms in rear of first floor dining room. Yes, they have a rooftop level that's pretty cool at sunset. read more

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I arrived on a dark weeknight for dinner - there is parking across the street. This part of Norfolk is pretty deserted after the sun goes down, but Leone's was hopping with customers. I sat with my back to the wall so I could see all the people shuffling in and out. My plate of spaghetti was generous and hearty - deep red sauce with lots of noodles, just past al dente. I savored every spun fork full of flavor, sipping my drink and watching people. Good fun in downtown Norfolk - if you're looking for great Italian, go visit Leone's! read more

Leone's Italian - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Isn't at this place during Norfolk restaurant week and we were pleasantly surprised with how great it was. to start. We had the house meatballs, and a house salad. I had a dirty martini from the bar, which was great for dinner. We ordered off the restaurant week menu. I got the linguine and clams and my husband got the chicken marsala or Malisse all of it came out well seasoned hot and fresh. Definitely enjoyed this restaurant for dinner. I had a dessert cocktail cannot remember their name but it definitely hit the spot will visit them again. The ambience in service is great. The noise level was appropriate bathrooms and amenities were very clean. They do have outside seating. We chose to sit inside, but they also have rooftop seating. Check them out. read more

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Finally got to dine at Leone's after many years of trolling their social media. It was definitely worth the wait! Our server Neil was very courteous and attentive. The bread was delicious, and so good that we ate too much, and couldn't finished our meals. The gnocchi was amazing, the fish special (halibut) was perfectly cooked, and the bottle of wine we paired with our dinner matched our meals well. Can't wait to come back and try more. read more

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Leone's Italian is a gem! The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for a cozy dinner or a night out with friends. The star of the show? Their espresso martini--smooth, perfectly balanced, and just the right amount of indulgent. It's rich, velvety, and has that ideal kick of espresso flavor without being too sweet. I also have to shout out their linguine with clams--absolute perfection. The pasta is cooked just right, the clams are fresh, and the garlic white wine sauce ties everything together beautifully. Simple, classic, and done so well. Between the incredible drinks, delicious food, 10/10 service, and welcoming atmosphere, Leone's is definitely a spot I'll be coming back to! read more

Leone's Italian - Espresso Martini - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Always a good time! I dined here last month with my husband and another couple. I made reservations in advance via Open Table. We arrived about 15 minutes early and noticed the bar was wide open. We opted to dine at the bar instead of a table. So the secret here is, if you can, set your reservation a few minutes after the restaurant opens and this way you have first dibs at seating. Dining at the bar was a vibe, but anywhere inside is nice as well. Nevertheless, I always get the spaghetti here and it hits every time. My husband enjoyed his meal as well. He changes up, but is always happy with his meal. Now, the couple we dined with, the young lady did not care for her dish. I am not 100% sure what was wrong, but she took one bite and decided she didn't want it at all. Not sure of the outcome, but the restaurant was cool about it and wanted to turn her frown right side up. The cocktails hit too! My go to drinks here: red wine or old fashioned. Check them out :) Have fun and enjoy life! read more

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This was our first visit to Leone's. As fans of Luce, another Italian favorite nearby, we were eager to compare the two. Leone's is always bustling, so we assumed the appeal was justified. Our plan was simple: an appetizer or salad, entrees, dessert to share, and a sambuca nightcap. We arrived early and were seated promptly and politely by the host. Despite the dining room being about 50-60% full--a decent turnout for a Monday--the pace of service immediately felt sluggish. This set the tone for the rest of the evening. Our server was polite but seemed either rushed or to assume we were regulars familiar with the flow. While other tables had both sparkling water and bread, neither was offered to us. We eventually asked for bread and received it, and it was delicious, but this small omission set an oddly exclusive tone. Bread service is the universal olive branch of Italian dining, a warm, welcoming gesture. Here, it felt more like a secret handshake. Drinks, however, were a highlight. My dining companion's limoncello martini struck a perfect balance of tartness and alcohol. My bourbon-based cocktail, after being corrected from an initial miscommunication (I was handed wine at first), was equally well-executed. These were worth the wait. We shared a Caesar salad, which was well-prepared and satisfying. The house-made croutons and shaved parmesan elevated what was otherwise a classic, if generic, starter. For entrees, we ordered the lobster fettuccine ($39) and the grilled ribeye ($41). At these price points, one expects a certain level of precision. Unfortunately, the ribeye, requested medium-rare, arrived medium-well, its texture and flavor compromised. The accompanying gravy tasted suspiciously like Bisto instant brown gravy--disappointing for a dish of this caliber. The potatoes were fine, and the asparagus was nicely cooked, but the steak felt like an afterthought. The lobster fettuccine was more successful, though not flawless. The lobster leaned slightly overcooked, and while the pasta approached al dente, it didn't quite land there. To the staff's credit, they noted my largely untouched steak and promptly removed it from the bill after inquiring about the issue. However, the problem felt preventable. The steak was thin, making it inherently difficult to cook perfectly while achieving grill marks. This suggests an issue with sourcing rather than execution. Leone's strength lies not in its food but in its atmosphere. The segmented dining spaces, soft lighting, and features like the indoor waterfall partition create a cozy, intimate vibe. Despite a full house, the sound level was pleasant, and we never had to raise our voices. It's clear that careful thought went into the ambiance, and it works beautifully. However, the food and front-of-house attention didn't live up to the setting. Leone's seems better suited for diners seeking ambiance over culinary excellence. It's a fine place for a pleasant evening out, but those looking for a more polished dining experience may find themselves wishing for just a bit more. read more

Leone's Italian - Phenomenal limoncello-based cocktail - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Visited on Saturday, May 10th, party of 7. We were sat up in a small room with other large parties which was fine, just a bit loud at times. The room was nice and simply decorated. The service was excellent! Our server was on top of refills and was attentive to our needs. Everyone's food was good, for the most part. I ordered the chicken Marsala. The noodles and sauce were good. However, the chicken tasted as if it was previously frozen. Overall, the place was nice and everyone else enjoyed their plates. I will say the garlic bread and butter are addicting. read more

Nice place in a great part of Norfolk. Good ambiance and comfortable seating, especially the booths. The menu is very good with plenty of options. The food was ok to good... fried calamari was too dried out... the Veal Chop had a lot of promise, however, was way too salty. The burrata salad was great. Drinks were very good too. I'm from NY, so was looking for high end quality... I'll give this place another try next time and will hope to go from a 3 to a 4. read more

Wonderful food and service every time I come. Excellent Friday night with good friends and incredible food. Everything from the bread to the coffee was exceptional. The lemoncello martini was perfect. Really great cocktail menu and seasonal specials. read more

So. This place is awesome. Nice atmosphere even before walking in! Got greeted by a younger looking security guard wearing all the accoutrements who was super friendly and even noted my friend's wife's earrings that they were nice, which I thought was pretty cool of him! Very busy! Make a reservation for sure, especially on a show night. We were going to see Jerry Seinfeld at the Chrysler and picked this Italian gem due to it proximity and menu reviews. Waiter was great and had all the things you could ask committed to memory. Drinks were delicious, standard old fashioned, but there Sazerac had a twist with a little cider in it. VERY good, highly recommend. Fresh bread comes out warm with 2 different homemade butters. Let me tell ya, don't get an appetizer if you like bread and delicious butter because this is next level bread! Wifey got the gnocchi... she said it was so effing good...I mean that says it all! I got the linguine and clams, super yum. A little kick with the red pepper flakes but hit the spot for me being from Maine! Only downside was the risotto my daughter got. She wished it was a little more creamy. Taste was great though! All in all we'll definitely be back! My buddy had the duck and let me try it - very tasty and moist. read more

Leone's Italian - Linguini with Clams - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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First time at Leone. It is conveniently located down and to the Chrysler Hall. Despite the closing hours listed as 10pm, it closes at 10:30 on Friday nights. Very much appreciates being able to find a spot open after the concert we attended. The lemon drop martini was really good if you like your drinks in the sweeter side (which I do). The manager came around and checked on us and brought us bread which was nice. I ordered the lobster fettuccine and it was decent-not amazing but given the limited options in Norfolk and at that hour, I was very grateful. And to be fair, I flew in from out of town so I wasn't sure where my expectations should be and you may not want to listen to me. A New York 7 maybe a Norfolk 10 so take what I say with a grain of salt. read more

Leone's Italian - Lobster fettuccine-it was good. The presentation was great! The taste was ok. It could have used more flavor/seasoning. - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

The bartender was wonderful! Drinks, food and environment was excellent! The bartender learned what I like to drink and made me a special drink! The salmon was perfectly cooked! The bruschetta was perfectly portioned. read more

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Amazing for a special occasion! Just had Valentine's Day dinner here last night. Everything was beautiful. The rosé on the menu is one of my all time favorites! It's so gorgeous. The salmon piccata is melt in your mouth perfect. Lots of butter in that dish, so if you're trying to count calories, maybe don't order it. But it is so so good! Definitely so decadent. It's worth the calories girl! The lobster fettuccine is quite good as well. Lots of lobster! You definitely get your money's worth with this one. The portions are a decent size. I took home half of my salmon piccata and it was just as good for lunch today. Just wonderful. The service was good. Not bad, not amazing, but at the same time I feel like the server was juggling a lot. He had at like 6 2-tops at a time and he was constantly running around. I certainly don't think he's a bad server at all. It was a busy night, and likely going to get busier as the evening progressed. I don't think the server had the time to hang out and chitchat or recommend anything. It was sort of only order-taking, but hey when you're busy sometimes that's all you have time for. He was very efficient and seemed nice enough. He was helpful and the food came out very quickly. Everything was timed perfectly. This is certainly a pricier place, so don't expect the check to be less than around $80 for two people. This place is easily $50-$65 per person. So, come prepared! It is worth the money though. The ambiance is elegant and intimate. It's a really lovely gem of a place. If you order the cannoli it comes with two, so it's perfect for sharing! They were so good. Definitely top 5 cannolis I've had. Overall, what an experience! A couple even got engaged. It was wildly romantic! read more

Leone's Italian - Cannoli - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I had heard rave reviews about the Chicken Picatta at Leone's and as a huge Picatta fan, I was eager to come try it. I brought my parents when they were in town and we really did enjoy our experience here. Reservations are easy to make online and seem to be plentiful, however parking is NOT easy and definitely put a bit of a damper on the night. We ended up parking a bit far away due to their very small lot being full and not being able to find street parking. This is definitely something to take into consideration, because we were late to our meal. For appetizers, we had the Caesar Salad and the Calamari. The calamari was incredible. Definitely the best thing that we ordered and would absolutely get again. The salad was okay, but was lacking salt and flavor. We asked for some extra dressing and that did help a bit. For entrees, I obviously got the Chicken Picatta which was sadly the biggest disappointment. Again, salt and flavor were lacking greatly which was a huge surprise. When we added lots of parm and red pepper flakes, it helped, but it definitely didn't lead to an incredible dish. My dad got the Marsala, which was much better, but the real winner was the sausage gnocchi. It was delicious! Overall, it was a decent meal, but the atmosphere is what would probably bring us back. read more

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Excellent Italian food and specials. Wine list is thorough for all price ranges good service and ambience.

Great ambience! Calimari was delicious. Sauce was a little bland; would have liked to be spicier. Rockfish was grilled to perfection. Roasted potatoes were great. Very enjoyable meal!! read more

Last night we celebrated my son's accomplishments at ODU. He and his bride picked Leone's for the event. It was a great call! We enjoyed our get together (7 adults) in a smaller back dining area which soon became just us. Dillon H was our server and was amazingly attentive to our every need. The atmosphere was perfect, food was excellent, drinks were well mixed, and our night was wonderful! Huge thanks specifically to Dillon for great service AND the security guy in the parking lot for making accommodations for my larger SUV. Top notch. (Check #270557) read more

Ridiculously priced for the quality of the food -- don't waste your money. Service from the bartender was excellent though. Definitely will not be back and do not recommend the food. read more

Great service and great food!!! I had the special which was a T-bone and the meatball appetizer. The house bread is amazing also. My wife had lobster linguini deliciousness all over the plate. Topped of with the house made desert. Shout out to the chef for making my dish's with out mushrooms because I am allergic. read more

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This place was kind of a one and done for me. The ambiance is really nice, date night vibes. I loved the look and feel of the place. Other than that, all the food was good. Not great, nor fantastic, and definitely not "the best ____ I've ever had". But also, nothing was bad or off putting here. A solid "that was a good meal". Would I go out of my way to recommend this place to my friends? Probably not. But, you also won't be disappointed after having a meal here. Service was great! Parking: They have a small lot across the street that was free and for their patrons only. I do not know how they verify that...but of course we saw it and the sign after walking back to our car in the $10 garage -_- read more

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Duck was great. Drink was strong. Great lighting and not too loud was a good place for a date night. read more

Leone's Italian - Pan Seared Duck Breast - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Arrived at the restaurant. Beautiful ambiance. Perfect at date spot or spot a small family spot. Downstairs is definitely more lively - nice looking bar welcoming multiple types vibes for the evening. Was lead upstairs to a nice quieter ambiance. Had a little bit of wait for acknowledgement from anyone, but they're usually very good about it so I'll chalk it up to an isolated experience. I've been here a few different times and tried a few things: Favorite is definitely the Lobster fettuccine! I'm not the biggest pasta fan and I will devour this entire meal every time. I have to force myself to order other plates lol. Next favorite is the gnocchi - always a nice dish. Shrimp pesto is also a great dish - pesto dishes are usually a safe bet. They have my favorite calamari on granby street - they present it with these spicy peppers and it's the perfect compliment. Highly recommend you try it. However, I didn't care for their chicken Marsala. I was disappointed with the flavor and the toughness of the chicken. If you love Italian, you'll be glad you stopped by. read more

Leone's Italian - Lobster Fettuccine - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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My friends and I went to Leone's Italian restaurant in Norfolk to celebrate an anniversary and they did not disappoint! Our server Sarah was on point. She was timely, courteous, and attentive to all of our needs. Everyone enjoyed their entrées, drinks and appetizers. It was truly a wonderful dining experience. I highly recommend it. read more

What a beautiful rooftop, the view is of the street but still a great place to hang out on a cool night. I came with a few friends after I had just arrived in town. This was highly recommended by my friend who lives in the area. We ordered a few dishes to share among us. We ordered the calamari to start, it was crispy but too salty. Pasta pescatore - probably wouldn't order this again. The seafood was nothing special, the red sauce was bland, and the linguini was pretty overcooked. Sausage & Broccolini Orecchiette - i liked this more than the pasta pescatore. The sausage was delicious but it was very very salty. grilled ribeye - the ribeye was just ok. We ordered medium rare and it was inconsistently cooked. Different parts of the steak were medium, medium rare, and a large portion of it was straight up rare. How can such an upscale restaurant not grill a steak properly? mushroom risotto - the risotto was salty and the risotto was undercooked and hard in the center. The service overall was friendly but slow. Overall, I really expected more out of a place with this type of ambiance and upscale environment. The bread was probably one of the highlights of the meal. Everything else was inconsistent with the pricing and I don't understand the hype around this place. read more

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We went there yesterday as a group. The birthday surprise was ruined when the host mentioned "oh, the big party." We had a 3 course meal. The appetizers were fine. The 2nd course was either house salad or Caesar. I had a lot of high expectations for the Caesar. Both salad were ok. The 3rd course meal was fine. Many commented that the pasta was kinda plain. Even comments like "I've had better ribeye." We also had desserts options of tiramisu, cannoli, or gelato. Before having the main course (ribeye), I wanted to change my dessert from Cannoli to Tiramisu. Since my partner had requested the cannoli. We had to leave 30 mins before the party ended. So it was packed as to-go. Unfortunately, it was two tiramisu and no cannoli. Other than some alcohol delay, which isn't a big deal. But I was looking forward to the variety of dessert ordered. Waitresses were nice though. read more

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I tried Leone's for Downtown Norfolk Restaurant Week. The food was amazing! I enjoyed every bite from beginning to end. Michael provided fantastic service. I can't wait to go back. Plus, I found a place to park across the street from the restaurant. It was awesome! read more

This place was quite a treat- perfect for intimate get togethers and celebrations. I debated making a reservation since I didn't think I'd need one for a random Wednesday night but I'm glad I did because it was a packed house for dinner. The Caesar salad was a great way to start the meal; I believe it had some mustard seeds in it which gave it a unique flavor that I would definitely order again. The lobster fettuccine was divine. The lobster was cooked so well- it was soft and hearty. All the food was plate-licking delicious. The server was very friendly and accommodating when I asked for more of the delicious bread of the day with the caramelized onion butter. He was kind and made sure plates were taken as soon as the food was finished, leftovers packed, and waters were filled up without ever having to ask. read more

Leone's Italian - Caesar Salad - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Stopped in for a drink at the bar. Nice atmosphere and a cool rooftop dining area. The bar tender was friendly and nice. We didn't get anything to eat but the food looked decent. Will have to try food next time we go. read more

Leone's Italian - Inside area - Italian Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I went here for dinner last month with my mom and girlfriend. I had the lasagna. It was one of the best lasagnas I've ever had.