"This place is the epitome of the idiom don 't judge a book by its cover. Nestled in the centre of a tacky little strip mall with a trashy bubble gum pink awning running the length of it. The kind of little strip mall where you expect that no matter which storefront door you enter, it 's going to open upon a dingy laundromat with one of its florescent lights flickering anemically while a woman who 's four days older than fire leers over her tabloid to mark your entrance, cigarette hanging from her mouth. But lo, doth outer appearances deceive — for behind the front door of Ristorante Lucano lies a delightful hidden gem! Past tastefully appointed little bar/lounge and host station, this lovely eatery is broken into three cosy little dining rooms. Linen napkins rest upon linen table cloths, alcoves abound with various assortments of wines, and the walls have that colour of Tuscan architecture with little frescoes and murals and esoteric collections of letters in the walls likely harkening back to some ancient Roman custom. The menu is well stocked with starters, numerous pasta dishes, and a third page of non-pasta entrées. The staff were friendly and professional. Our server, Ashley, informed us of numerous specials including bone-in ribeye, bone-in veal chops, a salmon entrée, sea scallops, and a few I 'm forgetting. After a couple of starters, I had the scallops with wonderfully perfect grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes. My friend had the rack of lamb with spinach and potatoes. We swapped bites and I can say that both dishes were executed marvelously. We stayed for desserts, a tiramisu and a berry tart, that were both very well done — paradoxically rich and light, sweet and refreshing. The interior of this place, its brilliantly prepared food, and its charming ambiance all leave one feeling like that exterior door in a strip mall that time, good taste, and god forgot, is actually some trans-dimensional portal to a pocket universe where its creator decided all the alien physics of that realm would exist solely to serve perfectly delectable food in a warmly inviting place."
