Luce - Nob

Been looking for a great restaurant in Norfolk. Luce is it. Some of the best Italian food in the States I have had. Seafood is prepared expertly. they make most of there own pasta. highly recommended.

Food: Polpo Cannellini beans to start…a delight! Large enough plate to satisfy your need for more of the flavour but small enough not to ruin the next fabulous course. Oh My! The next course. Scallops with fennel sambucca risotto. Out of this world delicious! Umami flavour doesn’t even cover it! You could have served me the risotto alone and I would have been in heaven. I usually avoid a risotto as it is something I often cook at home but glad I went against my rules this time. The sweetness of the fennel the saltiness of the scallops and the rice was cooked to perfection…dreamy. Dessert was not as impressive and maybe I should have quit while I was ahead but obviously my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Service: Sat at the bar. Bar tender was conscientious and had good knowledge of the food menu to give recommendations etc. He was also able to go off menu to cater to my preference for classic cocktails. He mixed a great dirty gin martini. Also paired a lovely wine for my dinner choice which I could have happily drank food or no. Atmosphere: Small outside area for seating but it is on the road and only for pairs. Good amount of bar seating. Generic decor/art. Generic music. But to be honest the food and drink was so good the surroundings hardly even registered.

The apps were very delicious, I would definitely come back just for the octopus. The entrees, on the other hand, fell a little flat for me in terms of flavor. I'd be willing to give it a another shot in the future.

What a gem! First time visiting Norfolk and we were looking for a nice meal after a seven hour drive into town. We prefer to dine at locally owned businesses, and Luce did not disappoint. The service was excellent and everything we had was superb mushroom roast, gamberi limon, rigatoni e fungi, fantastic drinks. We'll definitely be back the next time we're in Norfolk.

The food was delicious but my favorite part was the dessert. Our waitress recommended that chocolate hazelnut cake with added scoops of espresso and coconut gelato (sourced from Italy). I would come back for the coconut gelato.