Luce - PERUGIA

Absolute worst meal I've ever had in Italy, and I've eaten in michelin star places in Milan and Venice, spent time all over the country. To start with, the brea... read more Absolute worst meal I've ever had in Italy, and I've eaten in michelin star places in Milan and Venice, spent time all over the country. To start with, the bread was terrible, sour combination of spelt rye, which made it bitter and unenjoyable to eat. Olive oil was pretty special too, and not in a good way. The glazed eggplant starter wasn't tasty, with a weird aftertaste, possibly due to the glaze used. I've had some mind-blowing japanese eggplant dishes in my time, and some transcendental eggplant parmigianos, but this dish was just out there where the buses don't run. The pasta/truffle dish was incredibly bad, paste not aldente, kind of crunchy, and sauce not balanced at all. The risotte was almost like a soup, with the rice almost floating around. ???? Had to eat it with a spoon. We couldn't get out of there fast enough. Now I know why it wasn't full during the Jazz Festival week. Avoid this place like the plague.

One more restaurant right in a historical building in the center of Perugia with romantic vaulted ceilings 1 minute walking distance from Duomo. Quite extensive... read more One more restaurant right in a historical building in the center of Perugia with romantic vaulted ceilings 1 minute walking distance from Duomo. Quite extensive wine list. This is about all good words I can find for Luce. To start with, we were waiting for 1 hour 10 minutes for our first courses to arrive. My wife ordered Spaghettini with carp and ricotta. The pasta was completely underdone (not to be confused with al dente), sticking to the teeth. The fish was nowhere to be seen, but the ricotta sauce smelled like somebody died couple of days ago. No questions asked when we were returning a plate about completely untouched. Neither about what is wrong, didn’t she like it or – God forbid – suggesting to replace it for something else, like any self respecting restaurant would always do. For the main course she ordered guinea fowl, supposedly boiled breast, which came pink. First time ever I see white poultry meat served not well done. In the end of the “meal” we asked for a list of sweet wines by the glass, which was also quite expensive – just like general wine list but about 60% of the items were not available “at the moment”. All in all, if you consider booking a table in Luce – think again. Quite a few places in Perugia where you can spend your money much much better.

The restaurant is very stylish, but the ambience is very relaxed. And the staff are so welcoming and helpful too when it comes to choosing the really good wine.... read more The restaurant is very stylish, but the ambience is very relaxed. And the staff are so welcoming and helpful too when it comes to choosing the really good wine. But the evening was made by the food which is just terrific very much to our taste, consistently imaginative without trying too hard or hiding the flavours of the main ingredients. Just excellent from the appetisers through to the petits fours. Probably the best meal we 've had in Italy for a while. Hugely enjoyed. (And not least, we ate so very well for no more than half what a comparable fine dining evening would cost at home ...

A dining experience which is not very common. The decor and the branding of the restaurant is exceptional. Food was great as was the service. The main course pi... read more A dining experience which is not very common. The decor and the branding of the restaurant is exceptional. Food was great as was the service. The main course picked was the deer which when compared to the rest of the dishes was not very special.

Wowza this place is the real deal. The chef is very talented and has a real point of view. His idea is to blend natural flavors for the most interesting takes o... read more Wowza this place is the real deal. The chef is very talented and has a real point of view. His idea is to blend natural flavors for the most interesting takes on things without using a lot of salt or sugar. There is some salt used of course, but not like a lot of Italian cooking where something sits in a pot for a long time, cooks down and gets super salty. The white wines were really interesting too Nothing is “basic” here but it’s also not fussy or cantilevered into weird shapes. It’s honest real and familiar tastes done in a new unique way. Really wonderful surprise and service was terrific too.