This is the place to go for a special dinner, when you are prepared to open up your wallet and not cry when you get the bill. The food is worth the price. Everytime we dine at Lulou's I have a type of food or something prepared in a way that I have never seen or had before. It is a very creative and beautiful dining experience. I have always found the staff to be well versed and on top of their game. I did notice on our last trip there that the portion sizes seemed to have increased, so for those reviewers who didn't think they got enough bang for their buck, you should give it a second go. I personally liked the portion sizes how they were, but I can't really complain that I had more Lulou's to eat at home the next day. read more

This restaurant was amazing we were seated in the backyard with the beautiful ambience trees surrounding us and lights hanging above us it totally set the mood for me and my girlfriends for your anniversary. After we seated we are greeted by the host and were given menus that had mine and my girlfriends name on them saying happy anniversary. This restaurant went above and beyond to make my anniversary more special than It already was thank you so much the people at Lulou's s for working this hard to make this day very special for us. The food there was also out of this world everything just melted in your mouth and all the flavors came together and tasted extravagant. Luckily enough for us we got to meet the owner who was super friendly and nice enough to check in with us to see how our anniversary dinner was doing. This restaurant goes above and beyond for their customers and shows how much they care about their clientele I highly recommend this for anyone who's looking to wow their loved ones. read more

LuLous is definitely back on their game! Reno is starved for fine dining venues so it is really sad when a great one has a slump. Our last dining experience was awesome from start to finish. We always feel a bit gouged with exorbitant wine list prices or $30 corkage but the meal and service was fabulous! read more

I don't write many bad reviews. Too busy. Tonight calls for an exception. My boyfriend and I were given a gift certificate. It'd been 10 years since the last time I dined in Lulou's and that time the service wasn't great. Amazingly, this was the case yet again tonight. This isn't a personal attack against the server. I am a bartender and therefore have an immense appreciation and patience for this industry. However, I do expect certain components of service that are dependent on the type of establishment. Our server did not greet us or introduce herself. She simply approached the table and asked us what we would like to drink. The busser would not say a word to us, such as hello, or excuse me, when he needed to remove dishes or refill water. It was more than awkward. We had a crab skillet as the appetizer. The bread it came with was burned. The dish itself was a bit fishy, even for crab. We had a few trial bites and didn't finish it. There were no questions about why it wasn't eaten. A NO POINT during the meal were we asked if we liked the food or if it was prepared to our liking. The dinner took a bit longer than expected but was slightly redeeming. The NY steak was prepared nicely (medium as requested) and my salmon was interesting and complimented by fried rice with lime and cilantro. Each plate was placed and removed without a word. The one time the server did say something, it humiliated my boyfriend. She set down a fork beside the fork that was already there and said, "salad fok". She felt the need to coach him on which utensil to use for his salad. My boyfriend said he suddenly felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman being taught table etiquette. We are young but eat out frequently and need no such direction. He and I have both worked in fine dining. Graceful service need not be distant and cold.The waitstaff we encountered were stone faced and unconcerned. The best aspect of this experience is that it is forgettable. read more

Had dinner here last Saturday with a group of guys (7 of us). We made reservations the same day and they were able to accomodate which was great. The place has an odd look from the outside - a pinkish orange color building. Could of been a hair salon. Inside, it is nice though with a modern feel. The bar area is pretty small and it is hard to tell what is a couch and what is a table. We had a pre-dinner round of drinks and were able to be seated earlier than our reservation since they were at about 50% capacity. Since the bar is so small and 7 guys are pretty loud it probably worked out for the best. Turns out saying the word "MUSTANG" loudly in Reno gets you some strange looks. Our waitress was very nice, but a little awkward and somewhat slow. When it came to ordering she wasn't sure about some of the dishes and gave some pretty thin answers. Not much management of courses either - apps came out late and a little off temp, entrees were brought out over the course of a couple minutes instead of all at once. All this may seem like nitpicking, but for the prices I would expect 5 star service. Since we had a large group we were able to try and share so here is a sampling of what we had all of which tasted great and had nice presentation- APPS- Seared Foie Gras w Raspberry Sauce Baby octopus on a beet Yellow Fin Cerviche Salad- Heirloom Tomato Naan w/ Greens & Proschiutto (HUGE PLATE) Entrees- Duck Breast Lamb 2 ways (The best dish in my opion) Salmon with foam Quail We also had two bottles of wine with dinner that were decently priced ($70). We had to switch bottles though as they were out of the 1st one we bought. And then comes the part that brings this down to a 3...We were there for a bachelor party and the guest of honor had brought a bottle of port from his cellar to share with the group to have with dessert. We had them decant this at the beginning of dinner and told them to feel free to have a taste (the bartender and waitress). When we got the bill - over $700 - I was shocked to see they charged a corkage fee of $30. Since we bought two bottles, even shared the port with them, and spent $700 it seemed a bit ticky-tacky. I believe the choices of fine dining in Reno are few so for the area it may be as good as it gets. In relation to other restaurants touting similar menus/prices outside of the area though, they could step it up on service and the overall dining experience. read more

UPDATE: We went to dinner tonight at Lulou's and it was nothing like the first experience. The minute we walked into the dining room the place smelled like a fryer. Not a dirty oil fryer, but a fryer nonetheless. The dress I wore is already in the dry cleaning bag. My goat cheese salad was pretty pedestrian and some of the beets were not cooked through. My quail was a greasy fried mess. I ate one of the three pieces and pawned the other two off on a dinner companion who said they were unremarkable. The truffle Mac and cheese should've been called mushroom Mac and cheese as there wasn't even the odor of truffle in it.The lemon dessert tasted like it had been sitting uncovered in the fridge and absorbed the refrigerator odor. My husband's octopus appetizer and duck entree were not anything terrific and our dinner companions never once made mention of their food. That's the polite thing to do when another couple is paying for your so-so but expensive meal. Side note: a friend said Saturday they had eaten at Lulou's recently and the meal was bad. I said it must have been an off night but I was wrong. read more

Food preparation and presentation was excellent. Correct portions, enabling us to enjoy a 3 course meal properly. Food was really fresh and a nice selection. Bar area ambiance and decor is modern, almost Swedish, it was a lovely dinner - a must if you are in town. The lady in charge, I assume restaurant Manager, was incredibly attentive, polite and made us feel like old regular guests -- she was awesome -- her conversation, attentiveness and good humour was part of the positive experience. (Went there New Year's Eve, no reservations but there was room at the bar). read more

Came here for a special occasion and this place delivered. Food is just great new American fare accompanied by a short wine list, which these days is something hard to find in a restaurant like this and I appreciated not having to comb through a "wine directory". I had a couple of old-fashioned's to start and even though they used the crappy ice (regular supermarket ice... I prefer one massive cube) the taste was there. 1 star off for the service. Although it was really good, I don't think it's right at the level of other fine dining spots. I'm nitpicking but I feel that you shouldn't remove the plates from the table when there are other diners sill working on their dishes. Plus, we had to flag our server to get more drinks a couple of times. Definitely the most high-end spot I've been to in Reno so far and seems like the only one in town. Happy to return here for another special occasion! read more

My husband took me to LuLou's the other night for my birthday. The food was excellent, as was the service. They have a nice variety on the menu, including wild game and unique salads. I can't wait to go back. read more

What a surprise LuLou's was! In a city of limited culinary options LuLou's stands out as by far the best restaurant in Reno. The food is surprisingly original, and the menu takes a few risks that generally work (e.g. the really spicy scallop dish). The emphasis at LuLou's is definitely on taste - nothing here is bland or boring. A few other reviews have mentioned poor service, and it's not exactly polished or prompt - but really nothing to get upset about when the food is so good. Get away from the slop they serve in the majority of Reno hotels and try LuLou's - it's definitely worth the effort and a must for anyone looking for something different. read more

Tonight was my second meal at this restaurant and I left yet again saying it was the best tasting food I've ever had. The portions are reasonable and the service was great. Very expensive, but totally worth it. read more

Almost very good. No specialty cocktails menu and the quail in the paella was severely burnt. Also the wines by the glass need some diversity. The hamachi appetizer is awesome as is the Chile relleno and shrimp one. read more

I ate here last night with one of my sales guys and have to be honest, are you kidding me???? This place is unbelievably over priced and the food left me wanting more especially after spending $200 for 2 people. I went here based on a recommendation from a friend, I have since questioned his taste on this place, he's normally spot on but this time I think he had too much wine. Luckily this dinner was expensed to the company, but now I feel like my company was screwed. read more

Came here with a large group of people so we were seated in the back, it was a little cramped as they tried to fit as many chairs as they could around our table. However, the service was excellent, they were fast and polite and very attentive. The food was delicious, it is a little pricey but its definitely a place that you can treat yourself to once in awhile. read more

I was hesitant after reading some of the recent reviews but we came here for a Christmas dinner with 14 people and it was amazing. We ordered off the regular menu. Not a pared down large group menu. Everything was incredible. From appetizers to dessert. We tried most things and not one thing was less than incredible. read more

Have been going to Lulou's for the past 10 years and it has been one of my favorites, until last night. The food was still very good but the service was horrible. Because of that I will never go to this restaurant again. Service is equally as important when paying the prices they charge. Even when I brought it to their attention they got defensive and didn't seem to care. read more

I was looking forward to this experience as a guest in Reno. Reputedly, the best (and most expensive) restaurant in Reno. The atmosphere is chic and modern with a hip interior. The building itself stands out in this part of Midtown with its clean lines and bright colors. I was part of a party of three and we had reservations and were seated quickly. I started with a Bombay Sapphire Martini extra dry, my favorite. Fot my appetizer, I started with a wonderful Porcini Mushroom Soup and bruschetta. It was delicious. This was followed with Roasted duck breast, foie gras and macaroni with truffles! It was quite outstanding and delicious. This ended with an incredible chocolate dessert that was both sweet and savory in a unique presentation. Service was impeccable, perhaps a little slow, and the presentation of the food was outstanding. We also ordered a wonderful red wine that I cannot recall the winery. All in all, amazing epic meal, and an amazing dining experience outside of the Bay Area. read more

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Service is great nine out of ten times. Owner is so welcoming and sweet. Chefs are amazing. Food is great!!! The rib-eye carpaccio is my favorite, the goat cheese salad is unmatched and best in Reno, the homemade ice-creams are delicious. They are amazing if you have kids and want a high end meal, the fries are out on the table immediately to keep kids happy :) We love it here. Great place to have drinks and appetizers. It is pricey, it is unique. Food definitely better than Campo. The flavors blend better at LuLou's. read more

Stay away! Apparently they are riding on their past reputation. Ridiculously expensive, very mediocre meal, all the rice in paella was burned black and not edible, very small portions. Rather flavorless. Not worth the price, will not return. read more

Second time I've been here and can't say enough about the food. Very creative, fresh and tasty. You will need reservations. We went early since we had theatre tickets and were able to get a table the same day. Not at all what you would expect from the out side. They do have patio seating but will have to wait until weather improves for that. Don't give five star ratings very often but this is one place I would compare to big city or Las Vegas restaurants. read more

We were the last seating at 8:30 on a Wednesday night. It started off a little awkward as we are most likely a pain in the butt group of restaurant owners who want to try lots, eat everything and were all throwing questions at our server in a unorganized manner. I don't think she was to into our group in the beginning but it got better with each course and ended well. The food was amazing in taste and presentation. We had lobster in escargot butter, calamari, foie gras. The foie was the best I've had. My dinner ala Joes Beef was the lobster spaghetti and was also amazing. Others in our party dined on the New York strip, lamb and a vegan dish the the chef prepared. Lamb is definitely recommended and the vegan dish was also very good. I could write on but really suggest you try out this restaurant. One of my top five meals of the year. read more

The food is great, sure, and this place is one of the few good fine-dining establishments in my fair city. But did you know about the martini bar? I just love sitting at the bar or the low seats and ordering a delicious martini. Great spirits selection. Delicious girlie drinks. If you're feelin' foo-foo and need a drink after work, meet your friends over here. read more

Just stopped in for a cocktail and light bite. Hubby had the hamachi ceviche and I had a wonderful salad.with bacon chunks, a poached egg and topped with potato chips. Not exactly what I envisioned from the description on the menu, but delicious and messy to eat. The hamachi ceviche was alices of fish atop avocado slices with a pungent sauce that complemented the dish. Only negative was the cocktail the bartender made for me which the chartreuse overwhelmed the flavor of st george botanical gin. The guy next to us at the bar ordered a crepe dessert with apple compote which looked killer. Maybe next tome we'll come by just for dessert...prices are steep read more

Overall, exceptional food and service. Not inexpensive by any means, but worth every penny. Good decor adds to the ambiance of modern. Good wine list, representing American, French, Italian and Australian. Service personnel knowlegable and friendly and properly trained. I've eaten here over the years and not been disappointed with the quality of service or product. read more

This is the best of the best in Reno. Everything they make so superb and would be difficult to repeat at home. Last night I had the fresh pea salad- super fresh and delicious; the lobster appetizer is a must every time we go; and the quail with macaroni was unreal. All four of love our deserts. If you are looking for a place to tear yourself this the the best place in town. It's not inexpensive but totally worth it. Service is awesome. read more

Pricey but worth the nice ambiance and first class service. I love the filet, it melts in your mouth and the potatoes are amazing as well.

Tried for the first time and was prepared for overwhelming prices but not overwhelming flavor and blends. Prefect complementary sides and beverages to accompany mouth watering entrees. The desserts were exquisite and not to rich or heavy. 10+ read more

This is our favorite restaurant in Reno. We always come here for birthdays or anniversaries. The food is excellent, it's the only place in Reno where you can get food that makes you think you're in San Francisco. read more

My wife, son and I went here July 22 2015 for my sons birthday dinner. This is a very uppity place to eat, ( felt a bit high tone and loved it). The whole experience was top notch. From sitting us quickly to timing the whole meal experience perfectly. Plan on a 100 per person or that's where I was, I guess you could scale down but why? Have fun for Pete's sake your not doing this daily. I can not remember what we ordered but none of us have any regrets about Lulou's. read more

A Reno staple. Great food, but you pay for it. The decor could use some updating, but I doubt anyone's noticed. If you haven't been there you should take a date and go. read more

Now we're talking. Eaten here several times. Service has been great to a touch slow...this is sort of the Reno theme with a rare exception or two. Nice decor, and spotless. Have eaten inside and on the patio, outside can get a bit noisy when the deisel trucks come by. Food...the food...Loved the deconstructed pork bun. Hamachi was fresh and firm. Charred octopi really worked with the beets. Have tasted at least half the entree menu and you know when your fork wanders over to someone else's plate when they are distracted? Ooops. I want everything. Pick the plate that sound good to you and then beg a taste of your dining partners. read more

One of the three best restaurants in Reno. Very hip decor, very gourmet menu, and do not forget: IT HAS A SECLUDED OUTDOOR PATIO! Also a little retro-modern lounge bar if you just want a very nice atmosphere for a drink. The food is not only exquisitely prepared, but also, cooked to perfection. I can't tell you how many times I ate something, maybe even something as boring as a side of squash, and got all excited because I didn't know how good it can be when cooked EXACTLY PERFECTLY. You get what you pay for and you are going to a premier restaurant. read more

One of very few five-stars in the Truckee Meadows area. For most, going there is an Event. The ambience is edgy, the space is New York loft, the kitchen is spotless and in clear view. The chef is brilliant and innovative, and they often serve seasonal food, thus their menu changes about every 3 months. And always excellent! If you're looking for American-continental experience with an efficient staff and friendly owners, this is the place to go. Food is definitely upscale American, often with international twists. read more

OK, so here goes... Date night, the amazing and incredibly hot, Christy and I, go on an undirected, non-planned out night to ourselves. We sometimes do this and end up going through a drive through and parking somewhere and people watch... or drive around. As this night seems to be headed in the same direction, I'm like hey! let's try Lulou's. I've told a ton of people to go there yet never been there myself. So we pull in... and here's the dig. I have an R2-D2 T-shirt on and my skull custom painted Vans by a local artist. This may be my rebellion side testing the waters on a high end restaurant and how they will treat a scrub like me... of course on the arm of the luscious Christy, I have no doubt we will be treated fine. :) So, we walk in, the place is pretty empty, cuz after all it's 5:30 on a thursday night... this is where I start to feel like I'm about to ask if they offer a senior discount, Ugh! Anyway, we get greeted like we aren't dressed better for a McDonald's drive-thru... we get treated like regular folks, huh! go figure, thank you Lulou's for being awesome right from the get go. OK, I order the Charred Baby Octopus, February Salad and the Elk. Christy gets the Carpaccio, Chop Salad and The Dry Aged Rib Eye. If you can't tell by now by my detail, I enjoyed every last second of this place... I tend to think of myself as a pretty seasoned eater. I've been to some of the top restaurants in the US cuz I love food... good food, exotic and tasty food and so I want to see what the fuss is about... not like "I want to watch broke-back mountain, to see what the fuss is about" but that I want to taste good food too, and not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm just trying my hardest to be funny.... so yea, anyways... I can say that this was by far one of my best ever meals. I won't rate it as one of my top five or anything cuz then it's just a rating, kinda like asking what my favorite movie is, IMPOSSIBLE, I have tons of favorite movies. There is no way to accurately compare a Chef's creations to another Chef's amazing concoctions. They are all amazing when done well. OH YEA! We also got dessert. I got Butterscotch Pudding and Christy got the Coconut Sorbet... as if you can add sugar to something that sweet and have it be any sweeter. (I so badly hope she reads this... this would be great for my point system) Let me end this review by saying Thank You Lulou's Chef's, Staff and Owners, for a tattooed couple to walk in your high brow eatery dressed like they were headed to AM/PM for Jerky and be treated well is a statement in and of itself, and for the rest of the evening to be filled with your best offerings, says so much for your character and your business. Thank you for making our unorganized Date-Night surprise a treat. This will definitely be on our Date Night rotation for the future. You truly are as good as it gets. read more

My mouth was so happy I almost cried!

We go here for every special occasion. Colleen is fantastic and always makes us feel special when we call for reservations. Their fried calamari ruins every other fried calamari you will ever have. In over 7 years we have yet to have a mediocre meal, waiters suggestions are usually reliable for food and wine. We don't need or appreciate huge portions and always leave LuLou's stuffed. Excellent food should be appreciated for what it is. Disagree with others who say the portions are really small, try going to some of the upscale restaurants in San Francisco for REALLY small portions! Maybe we spent too much time in the Bay Area, but we appreciate good food served in a professional manner. read more

We've been going to Lulou's for 13 years now....and are again booking reservations for Valentine's Day. We live at Lake Tahoe, so going to LuLous is always for a special occassion, and is ALWAYS such a treat. I cannot WAIT to eat there again, as no matter how large the party (we've been there with 8) or intimate (my hubby and I mostly love going alone), we are greeted with hugs and smiles from the owner Colleen, who remembers us no matter how many years pass since we were last there. I have NEVER found the service "snootie" as some have suggested, and I LOVE the decor, music, atmosphere...AND the bathroom! : ) I have never had a dish I didn't love, and they will gladly take special requests on each dish if you have them. IF we are ever in Reno late shopping, we might stop by for last call at the bar, as Troy (Executive chef at the El Dorado and owner head chef at LuLou's with wife Colleen) will ususally stop by after working at the El Dorado, and has often brought out a new dish or house cured proscuitto for us to try. For us, it is the very best Reno has to offer...and if you didn't like your experience, it can only be attributed to not appreciating impecable service and gourmet food. It's shocking that people complained that "They try too hard???" That is just a ridiculous statement, as they are perfectionists, and never take a customers dining experience for granted. Heaven on earth with every bite.... read more

This place is one of the top 3 best restaurants in Reno food wise- could be the best. The ambience is not really romantic but its just how i like it - kinda squished in with lots and lots of people watching. You would never know this little gem existed on ol' virginnie street. I dont remember the wine much but those things can get foggy. read more

My partner and I were in Reno last May. We had dinner at Lulou's. As always, it was amazing. The food, the service, it's always spot on. Looking forward to the next time we go to Reno and dinner at Lulou's. read more

The food here is amazing!!! Everything we ordered was delicious! We had a reservation at 8:15 but didnt get seated till 8:40; however, they were very apologetic and gave us the calamari appetizer for free which was really nice. Atmosphere is very nice and relaxing. No one was snooty at all. Other than the expensive price, it is the perfect place for a nice dinner and I will definitely go again soon! read more