Sam & Luca Italian Bistro

Review summary

1. G

   Greg

   San Francisco

   24 reviews

   5.0

   24 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   First time for us. A very pleasant experience in what we would call a neighborhood eatery. We're right down the road. Service was excellent. Our server (Gloria) was on top of things and very good with customers. The calamari was crispy, tender and very tasty. She had the chicken picata and loved it. I had the wine braised ribs and thought it outstanding. So good I'd like to try it at home. The manager, who I later learned was the owner, was everywhere taking very good care of his customers and his business. A "go getter" young man who is definitely succeeding. Kudos to the entire operation. Two minor comments: 1) the lighting was a bit dim, and 2) it made it difficult for an elderly type like me to read the menu fine print. On a personal note, please put osso bucco on the daily menu and add Wild Turkey 101 to the bar selection. Nit picky I know. But...highly recommended and we will definitely be back.
   

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2. M

   Michelle

   Phoenix

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food they have a good value for Happy Hour!
   

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3. G

   Gil

   Western NC

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Fabulous restaurant. Been there multiple times. Every time is great. Every employee is friendly and attentive. Food is wonderful, service is spectacular. Had Gloria tonight she did a great job all around.
   

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4. M

   Mary

   VIP

   Phoenix

   46 reviews

   5.0

   46 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful experience! Food terrific, service exceptional! The lasagna is the best in the valley! The only complaint? They need to serve more slices of the homemade appy bread! I could make a meal of that bread and a glass (or two!) of wine!
   

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5. G

   Gerald

   VIP

   San Francisco

   14 reviews

   5.0

   14 reviews

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Very nice place very good service. The food was delicious and the waitress did a great job timing all of our meals as far as bringing the food out when we wanted it.
   

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6. T

   Tracey

   Phoenix

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 3

   The food was good, but I have to be honest, the previous Chef from the previous owners was outstanding. They kept some of the same dishes but the way they are cooked isn't as good. Example is the Shrimp Scampi. The use to get the large shrimp and grill them, then mix it with the past and pasta sauce. Now the shrimp is a bit smaller and cooked in the sauce. Not as good as before. Same goes for the Chicken Picatta. No sauce whatsoever on the chicken, only on the noodles that are next to the chicken. Making it very dry. I will come here occasionally but not like I did before.
   

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7. S

   Sheri

   Phoenix

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on 11 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   Food is not as good as it has been in the past. Our server was fine but the manager handling of sandy, gritty clams was not handled correctly. This meal was comp’d but the new shrimp meal that my son had to eat alone as we were all done eating should have been comp’d too. We then ordered 3 chocolate chip cannolis to find out that there is only enough filling to make 1 so we ordered a tiramisu too. Both desserts should have been comp’d due to clam dinner issue and not enough dessert. But this did not happen. We are not sure if we will visit again at this point. Thanks!
   

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8. B

   Bill

   Phoenix

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 8 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The food was outstanding, drinks were great ,service was excellent overall wonderful experience
   

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9. S

   Suz

   VIP

   Minneapolis

   110 reviews

   4.0

   110 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The waiter staff is always awesome here. Friendly and professional. I had the rustica salad 1/2 size which was still a good portion, and pasta with Marinara and meatballs. All good and had to take some home.
   

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10. L

    Lee

    Phoenix

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on 6 December 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    The food and service was excellent. It always is. The portions on the short ribs and clams in garlic sauce seamed smaller than I remembered, but both were delicious, according to the people who ordered them. I had the lamb chops and portions were as I remembered, and again excellent. Fourth person has filet mignon and said it was excellent. We often dine at Sam and Luca's and would recommend to anyone who likes Italian food. Also it is one of the few restaurants that you can talk to members of your party without trying to yell over the noise.
    

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