Giglio (Lucca, Italy)

We made sure we booked a reservation for this spot as we heard this used to be a Michelin star restaurant (before they asked to remove their star to maintain a more laidback vibe). We’re so happy we did because the restaurant was packed for lunch! There were a lot of local diners which is always a good sign. The food was absolutely amazing! We tried the seafood salad, the veal, and the risotto. They were all so good that we decided to order 2 desserts, the meringue and the profiterole, and they didn’t disappoint. The homemade sourdough was also really good, along with the amuse-bouche they provided at the start. Service may be a bit slow since they’re so busy. We had our 7.5mo infant with us and we typically try to eat fast and get out within the hour maybe an hour and a half max but we stayed here 2.5 hours, just because we had to try the desserts. Thankfully, we stayed right next door at the Grand Universe hotel. My husband, bless his soul, alternated back and forth with our son to change his diaper, nap him, etc in between the dishes while waiting. It ended up working out well for us, and the food was so so worth it!

This was our second time here. First time was 7 years ago and was much better. This time the service was awful. The guy who served our table didn’t offer a wine list and took our food order first and when I asked him about the wine list he said he’ll bring it after the food order is placed as if it was a normal practice. I tried their Menu a Mano Libero for €65 which included three random appetizers + a choice of main + desert. My wife ordered one main a la carte and two french fries for the kids. If we were to order the exact same items from the menu a la carte, the total cost would be €107. They gave us a check for €130 for food, which was adjusted down after I brought up the concern but followed by some rude explanation from the server. I’ve never received a desert which was supposed to be included in the Menu a Mano Libero. When we tried ordering a second round of french fries or some other version of potatoes, the server refused claiming the chef will not do it because it’s too late (was around 14:30) and it will take 30 minutes to make (first order of fries took 20 minutes at most). Overall poor service considering the Michelin designation. Aside from service, we were disappointed by the dated interior as nothing was invested in the restaurant over the past 7 years, some decor elements have disappeared. It’s not a very pleasant atmosphere and I wouldn’t be back.

Let me start by saying that the food is so amazing that I had to give it 5 stars in total - BUT the service here is below subpar for a restaurant that prides itself on the michelin star it used to have. The service is probably a big reason why it doesn't have that star anymore. The waiters seemed to be very busy and some staff members were straight up lying. Small things like forgetting to remove the bread crumbs from our table, a glass that was broken on the rim where you put your lips and forgetting to come back to explain the food we just got. The part that made it very bad was in particular one waiter who came with the food and just said "enjoy" without explaining what food was, twice. The first time he did it, I asked him what dessert we just got - he said "it's ice cream". I asked him what kind and he said "vanilla ice cream with strawberry on top". We tasted it and didn't taste like that at all. I asked another waiter what dessert we got and it turned out it wasn't a dessert at all, but a pallet cleanser - a type of ice cream that was smoked on wood with olive oil etc. which gives it a sense of cheese mouthfeel. Either way - the first waiter had no idea and decided to just explain what the dish looked like instead of saying "I don't know but I'll find a waiter who does" or something like that. My wife was pregnant and so her food was well done - that waiter could have probably mixed up the dishes which could have been bad. Either way... The taste and creativity makes up for it. But as I said, if they want their michelin star back they need to fix the waiter situation first.

Heated rumors of a great tasting menu. Read their philosophy about menus and made a reservation the next day! Loved it. Paired wines worked perfectly. Portions were perfect so that you were satisfied it not over full. Flavors and combinations were creative and evoked memories. A perfect sensory experience. Service was friendly and professional. Don’t hesitate. Come enjoy the creativity