Vivace lived up to its reputation. Absolutely delicious food in a beautiful atmosphere with either valley or Mountain Views. We shared the burrata appetizer and the Branzino. The fish was hot, perfectly prepared and a good portion. Another highlight was switching the fish side to a vegetable pasta. That pasta was sheer perfection. So darn good! Service is relaxed so if you're in a hurry best tell them. We'll be back soon! read more

Vivace - Branzino special - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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This place is and always has been my favorite Italian spot. Everything on the menu is amazing I have yet to have a bad thing there. I love this place and the service is always great. Vibes are immaculate Thanks Vivace for years of consistent delicious food and service read more

Vivace - Chicken Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Great bartender in the little bar if you are waiting for your table. Dinner service: Service very slow. Soup was cold at the top and warm below - sitting too long. Soup too salty. Waitress was rude. Entrees were ok, not spectacular. Ragu tasted like pot roast. Eggplant lasagna had an odd off taste that we couldn't identify - very unpleasant. Vegetable side dish was ok - too much garlic ((overwhelming) but vegetables were treated appropriately. Ignored by server for most of the evening. Seated 7:10pm. Entrees served at 8:15pm. Not recommended. read more

What an outstanding celebration dinner we had at Vivace. We had actually not been here in years, since they were at their old location. We were seated promptly and lucked out in getting the most engaging server I have had in a long time, Elise (sp?) Fancier restaurants tend to have servers that are all business (at times pretentious) with limited humor but Elise was able to balance a great sense of humor and engagement that was so enjoyable. We had some delicious cocktails from the bar, I was a big fan of the Cosa Nostra cocktail - so much so that I had two. We were a table of three and ordered some Caesar salads to start (the dressing was on point). Recommend two can split the dinner version. I had the Chicken stuffed with seafood, my husband had the Seafood Soup and my brother had a short rib ragu/penne. The food was absolutely delicious and full of flavor. After inhaling the salads and that delicious bread they put on the table that comes with fabulous pesto I could not fully finish my chicken. It was a birthday, so our server brought over a Creme Brule that we split three ways and it was scrumptious. The entire meal, service and ambience/views were totally worth the drive from Vail. read more

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Delicious food, lovely ambiance with a nice patio and stellar service. The vegan bolognese was amazing! Hearty flavorful sauce, pasta cooked perfectly and big portion size. And their bread? Best ever! The pesto it comes with is delicious. Highly recommend! read more

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Amazing service! I was seated almost immediately even though I was like 20 minutes early to my reservation! I loved the decor and lighting they had inside created a very unique and welcoming atmosphere. If double digit menus don't frighten you this is the place to eat. Perfect essence of elegance in Tucson without paying 100$ a plate read more

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Everything was super salty and oily... wanted to love this place but the food missed the mark, the service was insanely slow, and it felt overly old school. See photos: escargots drowning in oil, and stuffed pork chop oozing oil. The escargot combination with the artichoke hearts was strange, and the artichoke hearts were fibrous. read more

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Came here for dinner. Hadn't been here in a while and this time I had the Short rib ragu. It wasn't bad. Candace was our server and she was attentive and helpful with the menu. The Bread was good with the pesto sauce. Good place for a date night. Nice view. We had a reservation for 7pm and was seated immediately read more

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Really wanting to try this place for awhile so happy we could make it out for my birthday. The ambiance is very romantic & open. Loved the outside seating area & beautiful view of the skyline. Great for date nights or special occasions. Food was not what I was expecting for the incredibly high prices. I personally ordered the penne and thought it was perfectly fine. At a $28 price point I was a bit disappointed. Best dish was the special of the night (not pictured) but it was delicious!! It was a white fish with mushrooms & vegetable rice. Service was fine, it took over an hour to get the food & sometimes felt like it was taking a while to get some things done, but staff was friendly & offered free dessert for birthday. Overall, the food was good but the price point is hefty to say the least. Would try again for a special occasion! read more

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We came to Vivace to celebrate my husband's birthday, and everything about the experience was amazing. The food was absolutely delicious, honestly a 20/10. Every dish was full of flavor and beautifully presented. You can really taste the quality and care that goes into each plate. The service was excellent from start to finish. Our server was attentive, friendly, and made the night feel special without being overbearing. They truly helped make our celebration feel memorable. The atmosphere is elegant and cozy, perfect for a special occasion like a birthday, date night, or anniversary. It feels upscale but still warm and welcoming. If you're looking for a place for a celebration or just an incredible Italian meal, Vivace is a must. We will definitely be coming back. read more

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Incredible flavor in the seafood soup! The staff/bartenders are very attentive at the right times! read more

Vivace - Seafood soup with linguine - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Love their spinach souffle !!! Great ad and appetizer or a meal with spinach salad read more

We still don't get the hype. We went for my birthday and were seated in a very full dining room with nice views and a nice enough server. She was busy so our service was slow. Dinner for both of us was just okay. Husband had the stuffed shrimp which that he qualified as unremarkable, with bland, uninteresting sauce - he wouldn't order it again. I had the penne with sausage, it wasn't bad, it just wasn't really good. In our view, a real 5-star restaurant should have both outstanding food and service. This had neither. Best part of the meal was the comped dessert but the meal and the experience were not memorable. read more

Meet with friends over lunch, amazing views inside or out. Generous delicious offerings and libations. Server was a well seasoned asset of knowledge of the history and culture behind the wonderful experience that Vivace offers ! Make a reservation well in advance. read more

Vivace - Tiramisu,pistachio gelato - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

It's kinda geared towards old people. They say it empties out by 7pm, so if you're looking for a private eating place here you go. But because it's for old people you may need to ask them to up the seasoning. I'm sure they will be happy to oblige. We had the souffle, which wasn't really a souffle, but a nice egg dish. Then the seafood soup pasta and the short rib pasta, we asked for the pepper and they were great. The serving sizes weren't small either. Sure it's a high end place but the prices aren't ridiculous like more nicer places. The service was fantastic and really made the evening better. They even got wind we were there for a birthday celebration and brought by a treat. read more

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Always an amazing meal! Everything I have tried on the menu over the last 11 months has been fantastic! I'm new to the area and so happy I found this gem. I love the ambiance and the jazz playing in the background is so relaxing. The service at the bar is impeccable! Eli, Jeff, Matt and Zack are wonderful. They remember what I like and they take the time to ask how I am, no matter how busy they are. And they are VERY busy most nights! I frequent this establishment because frankly, the service cannot be beat. But the food and drinks are spot on as well! read more

Vivace - Shrimp and Crab Cakes, my favorite!!! - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

First timer for friend's birthday luncheon. Ambiance and setting is bright, airy, large high ceilinged wood accented dining room with open courtyard, and bar right as you enter. There were several steps to enter if that's a hindrance for mobility, not sure if there is a walk around ramp. Large parking lot for easy parking. Service was great, 2 baskets (5 of us) of very fresh, crusty, warm and pillowy chewy white bread, like a French loaf actually, draped in white napkins with a well balanced basil garlic aoili without the garlic burn but plenty of its flavor, came out quickly. It was delightful and nourishing as we awaited our fifth guest. 5/5 Prices sting for Lunch so go big and have leftovers for 2nds ;) !! Waiter rec the Chicken Marsala $23.95 over the Seafood Mushrooms/salad $21.95 in part as more substantial and one of his faves. Although Marsala definitely present, I found the sauce with mushrooms to be a little light in depth and thought vegetable noodles meant the noodle was made of veggies. Instead slivers of snow peas and carrots laced the noodles like an Americanized stir fry oddly. Would much preferred a side of steamed veg vs the noodle sprinkling. My mind kept reading lo-mein haha. The noodles were delicate and likely house made which was a pleasant plus and I took a demi portion home with the leftover bread/ aoili :) Didn't check off my hankering for Chix Marsala so Rating 3/5* Tasted friend's Shrimp Crab Cakes $23.50 but not salad. Lovely crisp exterior, tad fishy but she loved them and also got creme bruleed on house for her birthday, nice touch with spoons all around. Vivace would be a special occasion spot that I may re-visit but with several others to try, Round 1 may not have been impressive enough to overcome the price point and jaunt from Vail. read more

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My husband and I absolutely loved Vivace! The bartender / server Jeff was so personable and elevated the experience that much more. The wine menu has something for everyone and the food was chefs kiss! We ordered the pork chop & barramundi and absolutely loves them both. We never order desserts but Vivace knew how to get us weak in the knees so we got a half bread pudding, half crème brûlée, and half almond something or other ‍ All of them were phenomenal and we didn't feel bad one bit for ordering not 1 but 3 desserts. We highly recommend Vivace and will definitely be back next time we're in Tucson. read more

Vivace - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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Appetizer was good Shrimp and cab cakes, the Seafood soup smelled way too fishy and broth/soup was bland. Portion was huge, I guess they thought that would make up for the taste. I sat at bar and it seemed that the regulars, got all the attention when it came to getting food brought out. Table came in after I did and finished before I got my main course. I'd pass on this place read more

Anniversary dinner. Always amazing! Great service and beautiful old French Bostro Ambiance. Great to be back. See pics for story... read more

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My wife and I have been wanting to eat here for years. We had heard and read so much about it that we were really looking forward to the experience. We decided to have lunch for our first meal to make sure it was all it was hyped up to be. We reviewed the menu online so that we would be prepared to order when it was time. The waitress, who did a great job, was very friendly and made us laugh more than once. My wife ordered the gluten free Eggplant Lasagna and I ordered the Pork Parmigiano. We were both served a small salad and bread to start the meal. The bread was delicious and the salad consisted of lettuce and a light dressing. So far, so good. When our main courses were delivered, we were pleasantly surprised to see a healthy portion on our plates. Both were covered in a red sauce. First bites were pleasing but as we continued, it became clear that the dishes were over salted. By the end, the salt was the defining taste left in our mouths. Both meals were prepared well, my pork was fork tender and lightly breaded while my wife's lasagna was otherwise tasty. We assumed it was the red gravy that was over salted. We finished with a half portion of the creme brulée which was very tasty. My only minor complaint was that it seemed like it had been prepared earlier because the brulée was chilled. Most good restaurants will not brûlée it until it is ready to serve so that it would still be warm. Overall, a less than satisfactory meal. The ambiance in the restaurant was quite nice, with mountain views quite prevalent. A final note: It was my wife's birthday which we mentioned when we made the reservation. when we arrived we were asked whose birthday it was and we told them it was my wife's. It never came up again, and while most restaurants will provide some kind of recognition for an event, they did not. No big deal, but worth mentioning. In summary, Food - 2-3; service - 5; Ambiance - 5. Total bill with tip under $70. read more

We had a lovely meal here -- the staff was very friendly and attentive, and the overall experience was enjoyable. The ambiance is warm and elegant, and it definitely feels like a place for a special outing. A couple of items I was hoping to try weren't available that day, including the short rib rigatoni and the wild mushroom risotto, which was a bit of a bummer since those were my first picks. I ended up going with the pork Parmesan. The flavors were nice, but the meat itself came out a little dry. On the other hand, the deep-sea scallops were fantastic -- tender, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. If I had one critique, it would be the plating. Some of the dishes came out looking a little messy with sauce spread around the plate, which took away from the presentation a bit. That said, everything tasted fresh, and the service really made up for the small shortcomings. Overall, a very good dining experience -- I'd happily come back and hopefully catch the dishes I missed out on this time. read more

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Great Italian food but much more traditional. The ambiance is so pretty here as the restaurant looks over the whole city. The Caesar salad was delicious, however the seafood soup seemed like it needed more spice or flavor. It is a large dish and great for sharing. The chocolate lava cake was great and definitely worth the wait. Make sure you plan ahead with reservation. read more

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Our last visit to Vivace may have been an off-day but our experience was definitely not up to the standard that we have previously experienced. Our evening started out well the usual great service from the parking lot attendant. We were escorted to a table on the opposite side of the floor from where we had requested. We noticed empty tables in the more desirable area that we had requested. The noise from the large adjoining "group" celebrating a birthday made any conversation difficult at best until they left. Considerable time expired before we received waters and had our drink orders taken. Further time expired before we had our order taken. Whenever the waiters were present, they seemed rushed. (Not our usual experience) After having had veal for our previous two recent visits, we decided to go for the grilled beef tenderloin. Both plates arrived luke warm. The filet was extremely tender and cooked perfectly. The asparagus was a disappointment - large, woody & stringy. If young tender asparagus is unavailable, maybe consider substituting fresh green beans? The chewy bread and fragrant pesto were, as usual, a pleasure. Service was acceptable, if sub par. In this price point, reputation, view and ambiance are insufficient to ensure customer loyalty. Details matter & the experience ( timing plus a friendly hostess greeting, and an attentive, yet, unobtrusive waitstaff), is almost as important as the food. We have seen similar comments made by others & hope management will take note. When we return, we look forward to being able to raise our rating. read more

Located in the foothills, surrounded by beautiful mountain views, is Vivace. Totally recommend making reservations in advance as many people celebrate special events, including me and my husband (our anniversary). They were very busy on a Saturday night, so the server and service was slower. The food was good, they cooked my scallops well, but it didn't blow my mind. They did bring us out a crème brûlée to share for our anniversary, which was a nice touch. It's definitely a nicer restaurant to dine out for celebrations. read more

Vivace - Fettuccine with Seared Scallops - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

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I went on a date night yesterday with my husband to Vivace Restaurant. I moved to Tucson a little over two years ago and have been wanting to try this restaurant ever since. With a long background in fine dining, I was especially looking forward to an elevated experience. Because of my experience in the industry, I will admit I may have a keener eye when dining out -- but I can forgive a lot if the customer service is exceptional. With a restaurant of this caliber and so many positive reviews, I expected thoughtful service and well-trained staff. Unfortunately, the experience was lackluster from the start. When we arrived, the two women at the front desk were pleasant but not particularly welcoming. I immediately noticed a plate of food and a beverage sitting on the hostess stand, which felt unprofessional and concerning from a health code standpoint. We were 14 minutes early for our reservation and were told we would not be seated until closer to our reservation time. That is understandable -- however, we were not directed to the bar to enjoy a drink or shown where we could comfortably wait. We ended up sitting awkwardly on a couch near the restrooms, as that seemed to be the only option. While waiting, I observed a server enter the restroom still wearing her apron, which is another health code concern. It also made me wonder if there is a designated staff restroom. When our table was ready, the hostess walked quickly into the dining room with us trailing behind, without ensuring we were following her. Upon being seated, I immediately noticed the tablecloth was upside down and unevenly placed on the table. The silverware was wrapped in a roll-up, which, while common in more casual settings or at lunch, felt out of place for an upscale dinner service. Typically, in fine dining, the table is properly set and unused silverware is cleared as courses progress. Our server did nothing outright "wrong," but there was a noticeable absence of polished service. He introduced himself, briefly mentioned that bread and water would be coming, and dropped off the wine and food menus without much engagement. There was no warmth, no small talk, and no effort to guide us through the menu or make recommendations. At one point, my chair was bumped by a food runner despite there being plenty of space, and bread and water were silently dropped at the table. When drinks were delivered, they were not served on a tray, which felt inconsistent with fine dining standards. There was no attempt to upsell, suggest pairings, or inquire whether we would like appetizers. I likely would have ordered another cocktail and possibly a starter, but without engagement, we chose not to extend the evening. The food arrived in a reasonable amount of time and tasted good overall. However, when our entrées were delivered, the server accidentally placed another table's check and credit card on our table. He also set down a dirty steak knife beside my plate. I pointed out the dirty knife and had to wait for a replacement. I do not recall being checked on once we began eating. We did order dessert. Although the bread basket was removed, the unused silverware from the initial roll-up remained cluttering the table. When dessert was delivered, the small dish that had held the bread spread was simply moved next to me rather than being cleared. Nothing was particularly disastrous about the evening -- but nothing stood out in a positive way either. For a restaurant with such strong reviews and a reputation for fine dining, I was surprised by what felt like a lack of training and attention to detail. This level of service would be acceptable at a casual restaurant, but not at this price point. The ambiance was excellent, and I truly wanted to love this place. However, when you spend this kind of money, you expect to feel taken care of and transported. Instead, we left feeling disappointed. Unfortunately, I cannot justify returning at this price in hopes of receiving better service. read more

We came here for dinner last night (a Wednesday in September), and the food was hit or miss. I really enjoyed two of the appetizers we tried: the escargot with artichokes and the seafood-stuffed mushrooms. The burrata was just okay. However, there were only four pieces of escargot, and the rest of the dish was mostly artichokes. The crab-stuffed chicken was a bit plain but also felt too rich and heavy. The salmon was overly buttery, and while the spinach was bitter, the shrimp topping was delicious. I had two Passionate Saints during the meal. The first, made by the regular bartender at the beginning, was excellent--nicely balanced, not too sweet or spicy. The second, made later by a different bartender, tasted off and wasn't nearly as good. As for the other drinks, the Negroni wasn't as bitter as usual and leaned slightly sweet, which I didn't care for. The Purple Haze had a bitter taste that I didn't enjoy, and the Flirtini, unfortunately, reminded me of medicine. read more

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Treson was a great waiter and even let us order a lunch dish during dinner. Crab cakes are incredible and I recommend those. Probably the best crab cakes I've ever eaten. My wife had the Seafood Lasagnette and said it was delicious! The skyline at night was beautiful and next time we are going to visit during sunset. We even spent a few minutes with the owner, Daniel, and he was very gracious taking time to speak with first time patrons. Will definitely return! read more

Recently went and had an overall pleasant experience! The service was good, the ambiance was that of classic elegance and it wasn't stifling it was just nice! The food was pretty good! I had one of their shrimp crab cakes and that was tasty! The seafood soup was also great and a generous portion size! The real stars, however, were the dessert! The bread pudding and tiramisu were to die for and the drinks were strong! read more

I have been trying to contact this restaurant for a week now to make a reservation for a private dinner. They are either closed or unaware that when you call there number you either get a recording that the call can not be completed or one that says that the person can not answer the phone because they are busy. Please fix your phone issue. read more

I started writing this review a few weeks back and never finished! My husband and I went here at the end of January in a Friday night. I called before and was able get in a last minute reservation which I was happy about. That changed after being seated and having preeeetty slow service. The server was so great and I believe trying her best, but it really affected the experience to be sitting for such long periods. One thing I really appreciated though was how helpful she was. I asked for a mock tail and after asking me what I liked (sweet and fruity), she said she'd have the bartender whip up something. The drink she brought back had a grapefruit flavor. When she asked about it, I let her know and she brought back something to mix jn which helped a little. She was really adamant about me liking it and let me know that if I didn't, she would take it back for a new one. I told her it was fine. This kind of service really helps when experiencing other lows like mentioned above. Anyway, last time I ate here I really liked my meal and it was over a year ago so I thought I'd try it again. The chicken risotto for me and stuffed mushrooms appetizer. The stuffed mushrooms were okay and the risotto dish disappointed. There were crunchy bits. My husband got a pasta that he felt lacked flavor, however I liked it, a lot better than my dish. Overall a disappointing experience from a restaurant I previously held in high regard. read more

Vivace - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

The food and service at Vivace is about as good as any you can find in any restaurant in Tucson. It is expensive, but you are paying for all-around top quality. Tucson offers no better. The ambiance is very agreeable and welcoming. You cant go wrong at Vivace. It's generally a good idea to make a reservation for dinner. You can drop in for lunch. read more

My wife and I went here for my birthday. They hooked us up with a great table with an excellent view over the valley. The server was friendly and professional and answered all questions easily. The food was great and had enough to take home for another meal. High;y recommended for a special night out but reasonable enough to eat anytime! read more

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Amazing service and good food. I wish we had been seated by the window overlooking the great view. It was our first time there, and I chose to have dinner there for my birthday. For a Wednesday night, the place was full. That's why a reservation is a must. They also have a dress code. It was a pleasant experience overall. I will definitely return. read more

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Everyone is understaffed, so I always appreciate the service staff who are working. Remember they're busy because they're good. This restaurant still has that old time feel it's a definite classic type vibe. It's in the sense of good food and high quality. It has that atmosphere of any old school restaurant in any major city. You walk in and the restaurant has a very nice.You're a nice atmosphere. There are great views if you can get em. I was dining alone and early and I found that there is a seat at the bar. Vivace established in 1993 So they have been open for over 30 years. They serve Northern Italian Cuisine. I have been there several times probably four over the last few years and i'm always Is impressed by the staff the bartenders and the consistency and good quality of the food. They have great Cocktails and wonderful wine list. They have great appetizers and salads that can make for a wonderful lunch or light dinner Every main course is served with style and grace, from pasta, to Fish to steaks. It's a fine dining experience. read more

Nice restaurant overall, but the space feels a bit dated. The food was good, though the portions were small for the price, which made it feel overpriced. On the positive side, the service was excellent--very attentive and professional throughout our visit. read more

Vivace is truly exceptional--classy atmosphere, stunning views, and absolutely outstanding Italian cuisine. Every dish was perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. A wonderful dining experience from start to finish--highly recommend! read more

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Some of Tucson's finer dining, with a hilltop view, exemplary service, and an extensive wine list. If you call yourself a foodie and you live in Tucson, you have to give it a try! What I loved: The complimentary bread and pesto is outstanding and really sets the tone. Overall, there's no mistaking the high quality of the entrees, either. I had a pork chop, stuffed with fontina and spinach. Perfectly fried and sitting in a salty, rich demi-glace. Also tried my girlfriend's crab-stuffed chicken--the seafood is clearly a cut above the rest here. What I liked: A variety of memorable desserts, particularly their take on spumoni, with walnut gelato replacing what would usually be pistachio. The creme brulee was straight lavish--the taste was so brilliant I forgave them for not torching it long enough. The cocktails are really nifty too, they're pricey as your average high-end craft cocktail bar, but also come with a neat little bonus reservoir containing a second helping. Just one white negroni and I was buzzed. What needs work: Dishes are missing a bit of a kick. I should have taken the hint when servers offered freshly-cracked black pepper while presenting our dishes, and I still kick myself as I write this review for refusing! This place has the stuffiest of boomer clients and I heard one complain about the black pepper being too spicy, so I get it. Also? The cocktails portions are generous, but they are actually not that good--there was nothing in the white negroni to substitute for some campari so the whole thing tasted like peach schnapps. Overall, the heavy-hitting cast of entrees are so good they'll make you forget about the less important aspects of your experience. Come here for a date night, or when you just want to feel classy! read more

Vivace - White Negroni - Italian Near Me - Tucson, Arizona

Came in for our anniversary dinner. This restaurant is located directly across from La Encantada mall and sits high up. There are city views from the inside of the restaurant but if you want outdoor seating, there's garden and mountain views. The inside is nice and spacious with many windows. Best thing about our dinner here was definitely the service. Our waitress was so friendly and gave us wonderful service. Her name was Jameela and you could tell she cared about giving you the best dinner experience. We started with soup of the day which was shrimp bisque. It was very good! Next, we ordered an appetizer (a baked soufflé). It wasn't very tasty, as it just tasted like egg and cheese sauce. It was lacking something! Next, we shared a Caesar's salad and it was good. For entrees, we ordered the meatballs and beef tenderloin. Meatball dish was super cheesy and meatballs were practically tasteless. The beef tenderloin was tasty. For our anniversary, they brought us creme brulee & THAT was delicious! Overall, the food was average. read more

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amazing italian food with a great view of tucson, perfect for any celebration! Haven't had anything here I don't like. The service is great and everything is delicious. read more

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