Lugano Restaurant

My favorite foods are mexican, greasy-spoon burgers, and all sorts of asian. I hate[d] italian. My wife and I did not try Lugano for years after moving to Salt Lake.

Big Mistake.

This is best establishment in the state. I love Takashi, and the Red Iguana is unreal, but everything I have ever tried at Lugano is sublime. I especially recommend whatever lamb dish they are serving. Shanks, chops, whatever... It is outstanding. For an italian resturaunt, Lugano is also outstanding at properly cooking salmon (a skill that escapes most high-end eateries in the valley).

All of this, plus the best service in town (you will leave a 40% tip and not think twice about it), plus online reservations. This is also an excellent spot for a mid-week night out.

In defense of chocochoco's review they are mistaken. It's not the restaurant that adds the tip it's the bank. Wells Fargo is the worst for this. Somehow the bank knows when you make a purchase at an establishment that might have a tip added. So it adds one on just to make sure there is enough cash in the account for the restaurant, cab, cruise line, to add a gratuity later. Some add up to 30% just to be safe. Checking the online account doesn't do any good. Wait a few days and when the establishment has had time to post the actual amount and it will clear for what you've actually signed for. IF it is different then call the restaurant. They will resolve. I run a restaurant in Park City and we get these kinds of calls often.

As far as Lugano: It has been one of my top 4 faves in the Salt Lake area for years! Keep up the good work!

Well, food was good. Went back home and checking some card expense in online banking...found that this restaurant pre-charged the amount INCLUDING 20% gratuity. I've seen restaurants doing that, but I couldn't believe this place with this reputation does that. Usually, I see pre-charge that doesn't include tip, and the amount is revised later that includes tip. What if I don't want to pay 20% tip? They assume all of customers pay at least 20% tip anyway? I thought it was sort of arrogant way of business. Tip is something we agree to pay for good service, not forced to pay by the service provider....I think.

Their is no dress code, however I felt a little under dressed. Other then that my wife and the company we were with LOVED IT. It was a little expensive I knew that going thier but the food and service was well worth it. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves great food.

We headed to Lugano for Valentine's Day (we are both vegetarian). We arrived a bit late for our reservation, though we were assured it was no problem at all & were seated in 15 mins. The standard bread and olive plate arrived in good order. We ordered the wine pairing for $39 each which started with a full glass of Prosecco Veneto which was a fun start.
The Amuse Buche was hand-pulled mozarella with a basil leaf and infused tomato. In this cold winter, it was a very welcome reminder of a sun soaked day in summer. We had the Parmesan/parsley gnocchi with wild mushrooms & porcini cream sauce. This was my favorite course by far. It came with a Trentino Pinot Grigio which was very drinkable but unremarkable. Then Potato leek soup for my husband & Arugula salad for me. The salad was a bit boring, though crisp & fresh. The soup was luke-warm & would have been better served in a hot plate. It came with a Motepulciano Tufaliccio which was not the best pairing for either of our dishes.
The entree options were a bit challenging for vegetarians. Our server suggested a chick pea cake with broccolini for me & offered my husband a pasta dish with eggplant & smoked cheese which was delightful. We have always found Greg's pasta light and perfectly cooked and this was no exception. Our entree was accompanied by the best wine of the night - Cesanese del Pigilo, Hyperius. (Alas, the wine store no longer offers it.) It was deep red with strong fruit flavors of black cherry and grape. It was not too tanniny.
I ended my feast with Tiramisu. I could taste the hint of coffee in the recipe though I wish someone in Utah would put real rum in Tiramisu! It seems slightly unfinished without it. Nevertheless, it was still excellent. My husband had the vanilla bean & brown sugar creme brulee with fresh berries. Fantastic flavor and light and creamy. This came with a Moscato d'Asti which was not too sweet for the desserts.

Delightful meal & service all around!