Luna Di Luna — Restaurant in Bloomington

Parking was easy and available next to the restaurant. While entering the place, we realized that they are open only until 8:00 pm from Monday to Saturday. We had no reservation. We were greeted at the entrance, and the place was almost full, but luckily we found a table.

The design of the place had nothing to do with an Italian restaurant, it reminded us of European taverns or pubs, but it was a cozy place with lots of wooden decoration and photos.

While waiting, they brought each of us an oil mixture and warm bread in the middle. I asked about the components of the oil mixture, and it is a mix of extra virgin olive oil, olive oil, and vegetable oil with different spices and herbs. I tasted mainly thyme/oregano and pepper. The bread was crunchy outside and very fluffy inside, coated with a thin layer of oil, salt, and pepper. I missed this kind of presentation and it reminded me of some restaurants in Istanbul.

Then, they brought us caesar salad. Apparently, it was another menu item that cost $3.00, but they integrated it into the main dishes and increased the prices of the main dishes. Caesar salad was enjoyable, with flakes of parmesan cheese on top.

The main dishes on the menu were all pasta, bad news for the pizza lovers. I ordered “Tetrazzini”. As expected, the dish was quite American with lots of cream. Shrimp was cooked well, Linguine pasta was well suited to the dish. However, I barely tasted the garlic in the cream and I would prefer less cream, more pepper, and garlic.

My expectation visiting the place was to eat Italian-style food. But the menu items and what we received as pasta dishes were very American style. I would much prefer less offensive sauces in the pasta, and even if there is cream in the sauce (ideally there should not be), use it less. Portions were American style as well, quite big. The price of the pasta dishes was $18-19. Given the salad, the bread, and the portions, the price might be considered OK, it is certainly on the expensive side.

Each of us tried House Wines, I ordered Sauvignon Blanc. It was in a small glass, more like a champagne cup. The wine was enjoyable, nothing very interesting or disappointing. It cost $8, which is also on the expensive side.

I found the items around $3-4 more expensive than they should have been compared to other restaurants I have been to. Overall, the food tasted OK, the place was nice to be in, but nothing impressive. If you want a big portion of American-style pasta dish and you are OK with the prices, you can give it a try. But do not expect an Italian-style pasta or decoration, because it will...

Open the door to this hidden Bloomington gem and step into the world that is Luna Di Luna. This boutique, traditional Italian restaurant is perhaps the most incredible italian food I have eaten since my days growing up in the Italian neighborhoods on the upper East Coast.

The food is prepared from scratch, mixed with delicate flavors, and delivered with bold expectations. During dinner service, each main course comes with a fresh salad and the most wonderful homemade bread you have ever tasted.

As Italian music plays in the background, the charm and warmth of this little restaurant instantly transport you into another time altogether.

Their wine selection is top-notch with other beverages available upon request.

Don't be alarmed by the simplicity of their menu. Trust me, food doesn't need to be complicated, and Luna Di Luna serves just the right selections to satisfy any craving you might have.

After speaking with the owners, I had the chance to learn that every dish is made from fresh ingredients. Whether you are looking for a robust dish with red sauce or their silky smooth savory alfrado dishes, Luna Di Luna will have your mouth singing amorè, amorè.

And don't forget desert. Most restaurants these days serve desert as an afterthought. Not Luna Di Luna. Their Teramasu is to die for. Made with layers of Italiany goodness and drizzled with chocolate liquor, this made- in-house desert will melt your heart as each bite explodes with flavor.

Luna Di Luna is priced slightly more than your average Italian chain restaurant, and it should be. The owners take immense pride in what they serve. What you get in return, however, is a meal and experience you will brag about for...

Don't trust the reviews.

This is maybe the worst meal I've ever had. Their clientele is mostly older suburban people, from a different generation, who have no clue what Italian food is. This place gets good ratings because of its location and cool interior, it's a converted taco bell.

They have 8 things on the menu, so I had high hopes. However looking at the old boomers around, like suburban church going crowd, I got a bit suspicious. Looking at the food on their tables, it was sad and bland.

I ordered the "seafood pesto" pasta. When it came it was is like this soupy mash of like fats, cream and cheese, with like defrosted shrimp thrown in. Honestly, it was disgusting in consistency, fatty (like eating pure fat and grease), but somehow without flavor. There isn't even salt and pepper on the table, I requested some, it didn't make a difference. Other dishes on the table were very bland, but not as bad as mine.

They are Italians running the place, but I tbink they know their clientele and know they can get away with tastes like defrosted food.

If it was cheap I'd be like "ok you get what you pay for" but at $20 for a plate of pasta, it's a complete ripoff, like to a cynical degree. You can make this stuff at home, even if you buy a pre-made jar of sauce, it's a million times more flavorful than this.

I'm a very like pro small business and eat local advocate, but this place is a total scam.

5 stars for the concept and service, but I'd give a 0 for the food. It's a scam. Worse than like a bag of pre-made frozen pasta kit that you'd find in the...