Don't make the same mistake I did, check your to-go orders. They will rip you off. $19 for 11 skinny rings of calamari. read more

Lucrezia Cafe & Catering - $19 for 11 rings of calamari. Absolute ripoff. - Italian Near Me - Chesterton, Indiana

Small restaurant in Chesterton that is a very unique, romantic spot! It had just rained before we arrived so the outdoor dining space was closed. We had to wait 30 minutes for a table for two. We sat inside at a small table for two. We had an excellent server, Maureen and she was attentive. Food was excellent and my hub and I both had filets that were cooked to perfection. Topped it off with crème brûlée for dessert that was delicious. Would like to go back and try the outdoor seating! read more

Lucrezia Cafe & Catering - Lemon cheesecake - Italian Near Me - Chesterton, Indiana

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I went early for my reservation and in the bar the bartender Jade was amazing! Her mixology made the best cocktails I ever had and her dinner recommendations was exactly to my taste! Jade read more

Gave review about what transpired and had zero follow up. This is my 5th attempt to get a response from Lucrezia Our total bill was over 250 dollars for 2 people "pick up"order with a 20 percent tip NO response. read more

Lucrezia is a must stop on our annual dunes trip. The pasta is reliable and full of flavor. This time we got the sachetti, cavatappi with chicken, and the lasagna (a must try!). The lasagna was a standout with a crispy top and well balanced flavors. The sachetti was a lot of filling to pasta ratio for me personally. If you've never had sachetti, picture ravioli but instead of flat it's in a little sachet. The service is always outstanding. The staff is extremely friendly and attentive making sure you have everything you need and making an effort to make you feel welcomed. I've sat inside and outside. The patio feels very secluded with trees surrounding it. The inside is nice but not too fancy. I'd say sit outside if the day is nice. read more

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This place should be 5 stars all the way. I cannot believe the amazing quality of authentic Italian food we found here. We had the Pizza, tagliatelle and pasta primavera- all DELICIOUS! Even the bread and olive oil were awesome. Everything finished off with cheese cake and crème burlee- desserts were delicate and so tasty. Our waiter was awesome and anticipated everything we wanted and might be concerned about. Totally awesome Italian food. read more

To the owners shame on you. Your quality of food tonight was below terrible. We go there on average 3 times a year, so this was not a one off. I ordered the peppadew peppers wrapped in bacon, that was well cooked and amazing. The penne and meatballs in a spicy marinara was served with outright COLD meatballs, I sent it back and they just threw it all in a pan sending me back kind of warm meatballs, and penne pasta falling apart, so far past al dente, it was almost mush. My wife's potato's were not really hot and the lamb shank was severely over salted. I asked to see a manager and was looked at like I had three heads. I highly doubt we will ever return, and we had always recommended you for Italian food, that will never happen again. In case you think they were busy, we were there very early and the ONLY 2 PEOPLE in the place. read more

Maureen was our server and she was friendly, attentive and helpful. We started with Peppadew Peppers and bread &Tuscan olive oil. Both were wonderful flavors that we would definitely have again. Our 4 pasta dishes were all very nice. We didn't need it, but shared a Tiramisu and a blueberry-lemon cake which was the dessert of the day. The atmosphere was lively and surroundings pleasant. We will return. read more

Little hole in the wall itallian spot. Great service and great good. I had the boneless braised short ribs with mushroom risotto and the vegetable of the day (which happened to be a vegetable medley). I am not a vegetable person, but I absolutely ate the whole plate. The short ribs were tender, juicy, and delicious, sitting in top of the risotto, which was absolutely fire. I almost liked it more than the short rib. The vegetable medley was drizzled in a sauce that was smokey and sweet, I'm not sure what it was but it made me enjoy the veggies. Be sure to checkout this spot if you're in town. read more

Lucrezia Cafe & Catering - Braised boneless short rib - Italian Near Me - Chesterton, Indiana

Absolutely the best restaurant in Chesterton! The food is amazing and the Aviation martini is 100% on point! The service is always excellent and the atmosphere cannot be beaten! Everytime I come home, Lucrezia is always a must sto read more

Lucrezia Cafe & Catering - The Aviation martini and the grilled peach and blueberry salad. - Italian Near Me - Chesterton, Indiana

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Waiter was passive aggressive, was rushing my family to eat pay and leave, and giving us an attitude. We were a big group so I get it can be stressful but we won't be coming back! Crown Point location is better and has nice people read more

service great, but the rigatoni and sausage meal consist of all pasta and two tiny pieces of sausage. the meal was premade in the kitchen so they can not add more even if I paid for it. waiste of my money. read more

Came here with friends to sit outside front dinner and really enjoyed my experience! The waiter was very attentive to our needs, the food was delicious, and we just overall had a good time. Would love to come back if we were back in chesterton more often. However, absolutely enjoyed it here read more

Had dinner tonight outside was beautiful! Our server Marie was excellent! We hadn't been there before and will be back. We had the lasagna it was excellent and their mushroom soup and delicious bread. My husband had rigatoni and sausage and enjoyed . There weee nice touches like a carafe of iced tea and delicious olive oil for the bread . Try it and I think you will love it. read more

Your manager was my waiter and he completely ignored me after I placed my order. He never came back to my table to check on me the entire time I was eating. He was too busy attending to a large party seated behind me, so I was on my own the entire time during the dinner. When he finally showed up with my check, I spoke to him about my disappointment with his service. He just replied with his version of how he waits tables and doesn't like to "bother" people. That was a very lame attempt at trying to cover up for his total lack of attentiveness. I will not be returning because of this bad experience, and if he worked for me, we'd certainly have a serious talk about his future with Lucrezia. read more

Going to start off by saying our server here was terrible. He came by to get our drink orders and when we asked if we could put in our app orders then too, he responded by waving his arms and saying "I don't know, you tell me" and not in a way where he was trying to be funny (at least we didnt think so). Later, when we ordered our entrees, he started with me while I was still trying to decide between two pastas. He was little help in deciding and I said I needed another minute so he turned on his heel in an exasperated manner and walked away, even though everyone else was ready to order and I had only meant to come back to me at the end. We had to wait a while more for him to return, when the restaurant was only half full as it was after 8pm, past the dinner rush. That being said, the waitress bringing out bread and refilling waters was top notch, just hope you don't get the waiter we had. As for the actual food, the mussels, lamb, and sacchetti were very good. The spaghetti was awful and the stuffed pasta shells were so so. If not for the rudeness of the server, this would probably have been a decent dining experience but not too keen on coming back after that. Note to mgmt: this was a Saturday night (9/16) a couple weeks back and we were a party of six seated indoors. I do not have the server's name nor the receipt anymore. Perhaps he was having a bad day but these two exchanges with him did put us off quite a bit. read more

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Service is a problem here. They need to go to Cafe Borgia and take notes on how service should be. We almost walked out because nobody was waiting on us. read more

I took my wife to Lucrezia Café for our Anniversary dinner. It was the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving and the place was packed. They gave us a table after a short wait that was in the middle of three other tables. It was very tight seating, almost right on top of each other. We started with an Insalata Caprese salad, and it was ok. The tomatoes and cheese were cut thick and there was barely any onion. The cheese was very fresh. My wife ordered the Linguine Pescatore and I went with the special Cacio e Pepe, which was spaghetti with a light cheese sauce with black pepper. My wife commented how the calamari was not cut all the way through, so you had like 5 rings stuck together in one small spot, not a big deal, it was just different. She said the flavor and taste of her meal was good. She said that the portions were large, and she ended up taking half of it home. My dish was ok, after a while the pepper became overpowering, in fact I started to sneeze quite a bit and I really think it was from all the ground black pepper. The portion was perfect, but I don't feel it was worth the price charged. Our server was very attentive and responsive. This is a good place to take a date, but be prepared if they are busy, you will most likely be sitting really close to other people. I would have given them 5 stars if we were not so crammed together. read more

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I used to love this place. The prices were a little more, but it seemed to be worth it. I recently took my wife there for dinner and could not believe the prices of the food and wine. For two people with no appetizers and no dessert, Only two entrées and one bottle of wine. It was $125. Before tip. The wine itself was priced at $54. It is a $25 bottle of wine if you buy one and I know they buy multiple so the price obviously goes down. I will say the food was pretty good, but the spaghetti brought out in a small bowl. And the black and the swordfish was actually decent also. Our server poured the first glass of wine and then eventually our dinner came out what she brought out, and we would not have seen him again if I wouldn't of waived him down or when he brought the check. I guess long as short of it my gripe is the overall price of everything and then the tip. I didn't cheap out, I tipped 20% but it was not deserved or earned. I mean outside of pouring a little wine and dropping our food off. We basically served ourselves. Oh did I forget to mention when I asked for grated Parmesan cheese the kids working brought it over and it was moldy. So I don't know how many people ate that. And unless you read the menu closely, you now get one small loaf of bread and then you pay five dollars for each additional loaf. read more

Little gem in a little town. We sat a the bar and enjoyed conversation with staff and locals. Food was delicious. We basically ordered the specials. read more

One of the BEST dining/restaurant experiences I've had in many years! From the incredible martini made by the awesome bartender, Derrick... To the baked garlic + pasta primavera in a vodka sauce + the gelato! Yummy all around and will go back again! read more

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Small Fine dining restaurant that specializes in Italian food. Service was crazy amazing as they are constantly attending to all the needs of your table. I ordered chicken, green beans, and what I think was rice as I do not like Italian (I know, I'm crazy). The chicken and beans were good, not a fan of the rice myself but I'm sure others will love it. We also had a delicious tiramisu, some sweet moscato, and a lemon sorbetto to die for. Only downside: the place is incredibly too small for the amount of patrons. You are practically stacked on top of each other. Moving between tables for some wasn't easy. But you know the food is good if they are packing them in that way. read more

Lucrezia Cafe & Catering - Lemon Sorbetto was delicious! - Italian Near Me - Chesterton, Indiana

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I joined some friends who made the trip from Chicago to join me for dinner while I am working in the Michigan/Indiana area. We chose a central location and this restaurant seemed to be well reviewed and with nice vegetarian and pescatarian choices. We started our meal with heads of roasted garlic spread on soft Italian bread slices. It was a rich and flavorful way to start our meal. I then had a cheesy and rich eggplant rollatini with the prosciutto omitted, making it a vegetarian offering. Our server was more than willing to make the accommodation and was sure to confirm that the dish had been made without meat before presenting me the plate. I appreciated the attention to detail in the service. The polenta was staggeringly delicious. I took some home as part of my leftovers and it was still delicious the next day. We finished the meal with a nice cannoli filled with a light and fluffy filling and capped with crushed nuts on the end to enhance the texture. Overall, I was beyond pleased with food, service and a moderate price point. I look forward to enjoying a meal here next time I'm in the area. read more

Lucrezia Cafe & Catering - Eggplant rollatini with no prosciutto. Side of polenta and mixed veggies - Italian Near Me - Chesterton, Indiana

My husband and I decided to splurge a bit for dinner and picked Lucrezia because we wanted some seafood. We got mussels, salmon fettuccine, and linguine pescatore. The mussels were delicious. The salmon fettuccine was great, but the sauce was a little much. It was almost too cheesy. The linguine pescatore was incredible. Service was great and very fast. Recommend! read more

Lucrezia Cafe & Catering - Fettuccine Salmon - Italian Near Me - Chesterton, Indiana

Good service, my dish was served hot on the edges, cold in the center.. lasagna (which leads me to believe it made early/possibly frozen, warmed up and served. ) Waiter, offered me a free dessert.. I declined, a free glass of wine - I declined as I didn't need either. The dish was warmed up and served properly. read more

First time coming here, though, we have been aware of the restaurant since they first opened. We were hoping for so much better. Lots of staff standing around talking to each other in clutches on a night that was not all that crowded, yet, it was really hard to get the attention of our waiter. When the bussers came by they removed some things from the table in between courses, but left the table a mess with spilled food, drink toothpicks and straws, used servingware, and other various used items. One of our dishes came out barely warm, the asparagus was burnt to a crisp. Overall, the flavors were mediocre. Observing the staff I would say that most wanted to be anywhere but there. Too bad because it's a lovely patio and a nice menu. A restaurant that presents as tired and uninspired. As one other reviewer said, I think they need to up their game. I agree and really believe they are capable of it. read more

Been coming to this place for years, and liked the food and atmosphere. Was there last week and ordered some scallops as an appetizer. Didn't know that they were $10 dollars each until the bill came... $40.00 for 4 scallops? Such a rip-off!! Will not return!! read more

Tuesday afternoon/evening during the holiday season should be a great time to stop in for a bottle of wine with friends and some small plates. The bread was cold and stale. Stale. Even a talented home cook knows how to revive stale bread, if you want to... No salt or pepper on the table, certainly no cheese for dipping. Our waiter admitted that the reason they forgot a part of our order was because the chefs were in the basement and a kid threw together our order. I really didn't need to know that. The caprese salad was excellent. But really how difficult is that? The stuffed banana pepper (1) was meh. Roasted garlic was good but then there's that crappy bread. Hey, there's a Jewel down the street, maybe send the kid there to pick up some fresh. The wine was good and fairly priced. It'll be a while before we venture back. So glad we didn't order entrees. read more

Going to use the Yelp cliché, "I really wanted to like this place." However, I'm stuck on it being a 2.5-3 star, and say the other saying, "I wish Yelp had half stars." In any event here goes... We were greeted quickly and were asked if we preferred indoor or outdoor, being a beautiful day outdoor was the way to go. Wanting to be in the sun choices were limited on the small patio, really didn't want to sit in front of the server's station but the only other good table was on an angle and there didn't seem room to be able to move it. Otherwise, the medium sized patio was pleasant with trees and bushes blocking the view and noise from the street. We were asked quickly if we wanted something to drink a few times, just to the point where at least for me it felt like being pressured. The irony is when I did order something, it never arrived, perhaps more attention would've been made if it were a drink involving alcohol? Service was uneven, after we asked for a few minutes to go over the menu, it took a while to place the order, once in the food did come up quickly, my house salad was better than most and a proper portion. For my main I had rigatoni with smoked chicken, sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms, while the dish was delicious the portion size was on the smaller side for the price of the entree, even if it just was a little more pasta. Speaking of the pasta it was cooked a perfect al dente. The rest, I found it a little light on the chicken and mushrooms. Once we got our food, the server didn't come back around, I was looking to remind him of my drink I finally decided to let it go. Not entirely their fault, there seemed to be some tag teaming and maybe I didn't order it from our main server, two of them had a similar hair color and with masks it was hard to tell who was who. However, it took forever to get our check, perhaps one thought the other did it. I've found that tag teaming sometimes doesn't give a restaurant the coverage that's intended, instead it turns into, didn't he/she get that? I did go inside to use the restroom, it's a older small home, a bit cramped, darling but also needs some freshening up. The ladies room has seen better days. I think part of their success in the Historic part of Chesterton is that there isn't much else along the stretch for competition. read more

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Lucretia in Culver and Chesterton are great places for a sophisticated Italian dining experience. The menus always have intriguing and delicious specials, so the offerings are creative and excellent. The servers are knowledgeable and fun. We go to these restaurants whenever we are in either area. We are never disappointed. The ambiance is always uplifting. read more

Phenomenal chicken vesuvio...including the grilled vegetables on the side. The ambiance and assortment of wine is a plus

We have been going to Lucrezia's Crown Point location for years and decided that it was finally time to write a review! The food has consistently been excellent, with our favorites being the pasta and seafood entrees. One of the most important reasons that we have been loyal customers is because of Sheri, a long-time server. She is outstanding! Due to her wine expertise, she is now responsible for managing their inventory. Lucrezia has had excellent wines, but is even better now, with new selections on a regular basis. Sheri is also very knowledgeable about the food specials and we can always count on her to be honest about how good they are. Thanks to Sheri for many years of excellent customer service! She is the best! read more

What a magical little spot in Chesterton! I'd been to Lucrezia for dinner a long time ago (like, ten years probably) and just went back for a lovely patio lunch with my parents and fiancé. This restaurant is in a converted old house and totally lays on the charm. Go for date night or a nicer post-beach lunch. We split a bottle of red between the four of us and loved the complimentary bread and oil at the table. Dish-wise, the stand outs in the group were the mussels, stuffed eggplant, and veal meatballs. I'm not ever super into creme brûlée, but we ordered that as well and it was a huge hit at our table. I had the margherita pizza which was okay--it doesn't seem like pizza is totally their thing and next time I would order one of their more popular entrees. Prices are on the high side for Chesterton, so I'd save for more of a special occasion if you're looking dining on a budget. The service was super on top of it. There's a little shop next door that sells Lucrezia's fancy oils and vinegars, so be sure to stop in if you'd like a souvenir. read more

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Good people, good food, with a home style feel. Some of the best Italian food you will ever eat, and only 3/4 of a mile off the highway. A perfect pit stop on a road trip. read more

Lucrezia Cafe & Catering - Italian Near Me - Chesterton, Indiana

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Lucrezia Cafe is a small town family owned Cafe situated in an old house setup with limited seating inside and decent outdoor seating. They also have a small bar inside the place. At first when we arrived and asked at reception for the seating for 8 peoe including 3 kids the girl at reception asked us to wait with no definitive wait time which was odd as normally the people at restaurants tell you how much tentative time to wait. So we sat at benches outside the reception for almost 45 mins, but meanwhile we grabbed some drinks from the bar and went back to waiting and than we got confirmation for seating. Once we got comfortable outside we looked at the menu and ordered our food, we ordered four cheese pizza, minestrone soup, penne primavera, rigatoni with smoked checken,chicken and braised lamb shank. The food took a little extra time to come and when it came we realized why it took so long. Everything was fresh and cooked on order and I had one of the best braised lamb shank ever, it was cooked perfectly as if you cook lamb too short it becomes chewy and if you cook too long it dries out but chef has done a magic on this dish and was melting in the mouth. Also I noticed that people here will not try to move you out and that's why the wait times are longer as they want you to enjoy your meal and hang out there as much as you want. The only thing I will suggest to the management is to improve the engagement level of servers with the customers as I understand it's a tough job but if you don't smile often and try and talk to customers often it takes away from the overall experience of the small town restaurant other wise an fantastic food experience a must try place if you have patience for some extra wait time. read more

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The penne from the pasta flight was so exceptional that it has ruined all future pasta for me. We sat outside on the cute little patio and had the perfect lunch after hiking Indiana dunes. Highly recommend read more

Always delicious fresh made food. Wonderful service. Friendly attentive staff. Quality meal

We had a great early evening dinner. Staff is just amazing. The food was delicious. Just love the quaint atmosphere of this establishment.

Just visited last week for dinner. The outside dining area is very nice, surrounded by trees and bushes. The wine selection is fairly extensive, and the food menu offers a good variety too. I had the shrimp on red cabbage appetizer with lasagna for my entree. My wife had the salmon. Both were excellent. Service was attentive and quick to respond to any request. One suggestion would be to offer warm bread, not just room temp. read more

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AMAZING food! Just be prepared that it's a tiny place so the seating is fairly close together and it's a very popular spot it'll likely be busy! We always enjoy eating here and for the quality, it really is a good price. I do wish they had more non-alcoholic options to enjoy with your meal but, maybe our server just wasn't sure about what could be made! Overall, a very lovely spot and highly recommend!!! read more