Luciano Ristorante Italiano - Fair Oaks — Restaurant in Boerne

WARNING Extremely POSITIVE review below. This is not a paid review nor am I affiliated with the subject business in any way.

NEW RESTAURANT IN BOERNE: LUCIANO RISTORANTE PIZZERIA 27650 I-10, Boerne, TX 78015

Just had lunch as the first customer at the new Luciano's in Boerne at the Napa Oaks shopping center near Fair Oaks. Today is their soft-opening.

As an extremely harsh food critic and Italian food-snob from New Jersey, I'd like a little credit in the accuracy of my review. An important thing to remember is to not think of it as the Luciano's at La Cantera as it's a completely different animal. They share a name, but nothing else. This restaurant is their high quality experiment.

Most of everything is made in house from scratch. I had the raspberry tea, the bruschetta, a sample slice of the Margherita pizza, a glass of wine, a cheese pizza with jalapeño and dipping ranch, a slice of chocolate cake and a cappuccino

The raspberry tea is not made from syrup, they puree the raspberries, or any of the other fruits you want for a tea flavor, fresh per order, while also not clumpy as it's strained.

The bruschetta was a pleasant surprise as the flavor was abundant and delicious without being harsh/sharp unlike some places and while crispy, the crust was not hard to the point of hurting the teeth/between the teeth. This is exactly what we look for in bruschetta.

The pizza was also surprising as while it is not traditional New York style, it was not so soft that the slice flops downward at the end. Crispy yet soft, flavorful, and the cheese tastes fresh and high quality. As an avid complainer about pizzas from Z's or Bella Sera, this should be your sign to go out and try it.

Wine is wine, but the selection is abundant and the bartender is knowledgeable. I had a delicious glass of prosecco that will now replace my go-to bottle.

For the cappuccino, while I can't comment on the beans themselves, the drink was soft in bitterness and heavy on flavor. The foam was perfect as well. Highly recommend.

I'm not a fan of sweets, and I've lost 60 lbs and hope to keep the weight off, but the chocolate cake was soft and the chocolate was not overpowering which again, is rare to find.

I went back and tried the tiramisu. The flavor was as explosive as it was sweet. You could tell the sponge was submerged in a very nice espresso and it wasn't a wet mess like most other places. This may have been the best tiramisu I've had.

Overall, I am uncomfortable leaving a perfect review as I am usually a very harsh and negative critic and know perfect reviews are typically seen as false, exaggerated, etc. However, no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to find something to complain about or have them improve on.

Even the prices are extremely reasonable especially in this economy, with most of the menu being around $12 to $20.

What else can I say? I am heading back for dinner to try the Ribeye.

Shalit Seal...

Luciano Ristorante Italiano – Where Memories and Magic Meet

Some meals feed the body; others feed the soul. At Luciano Ristorante Italiano, I found both. For me, meatballs are more than a dish—they're a cherished memory. As a boy, I spent some of my happiest days making meatballs with my Italian Grandma. I’ve never ordered them at a restaurant because, frankly, no one ever measures up. Waiters have tried to convince me otherwise, but disappointment always followed.

So, when our waiter, Carlos, recommended the spaghetti and meatballs, my wife Kari was quick to note that she'd never—ever—seen me order them. She asked if I was sure. Truthfully, I wasn’t. But something about the fragrance in the dining room whispered that I should trust my instincts.

And I am so glad I did.

One bite—just one—and my eyes flew wide, then welled with joy. Kari saw it. What I tasted was more than exceptional—it was transcendent. The finest meatballs I have ever enjoyed outside my Grandma’s kitchen (which, for the record, we fried just a bit longer for a more golden crust). Tender, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, they transported me back to childhood in the most unexpected, delightful way.

Kari’s Caprese salad was fresh and flavorful, though heirloom or riper tomatoes would have elevated it from good to unforgettable. And our Margherita pizza? Out. Of. This. World. Crisp, bubbly crust, vibrant sauce, creamy mozzarella—a perfect balance of simplicity and perfection. We enjoyed it so much that the leftovers are already calling our names for tonight’s encore.

All of this—along with a couple of drinks—came in at just under $65, which was a surprise as sweet as the meal itself.

The setting at Luciano is cozy, with ample seating but a relatively intimate dining room. Reservations are wise, especially on weekends. The restaurant boasts a full bar with a contemporary, upbeat vibe that complements the warm, inviting atmosphere. Parking is plentiful and free—another plus.

And then there’s Carlos—our exceptional waiter, whose attentiveness, kindness, and genuine care made our evening even more special. He didn’t just recommend a dish; he gave me a memory I’ll cherish forever.

So, would I recommend Luciano Ristorante Italiano? With my whole heart. It’s more than a meal—it’s an experience. And for me, it was a little bit of magic on a plate.

Grazie, Luciano. I’ll be...

Post graduation and early birthday celebration for 7 on Friday night. Making reservations allowed us to walk into Lucianos and sit at our prepared table. We were so fortunate to have Edgar wait on us. Professional; friendly, expedient and very helpful with food, wine and drink recommendations, Edgar reflected the quality service we soon found true in the delicious food as well. Our party ordered a wide variety from the versatile menu offerings. The buffalo chicken ranch pizza was a huge hit. The large Caesar was split to accompany the pizza and was a great meal for 2. Fettuccine Alfredo was "excellent". Based on the glaze of the large bowl missing afterwards, I'd have to agree. Shrimp Luciano was presented beautifully! One was purist style with the large shrimp beautifully battered/fried and posed atop pasta that glistened with the garlic lemon butter signature sauce. The shrimp were DELICIOUS. The cook on the shrimp was perfect highlighting the flavorful shrimp with a crunch of the batter. The other Shrimp Luciano was prepared with grilled shrimp. A healthy option for sure. Flavorful and a substantial portion on the dishes. I picked the star of the night however. When the Pollo Parmigana was presented in front of me, everyone was wowed. Arriving on a platter, the dish was prepared with an ample amount of al dente spaghetti with the perfect amount of marinara. This is NOT Ragu sauce! The chicken breast was butterflied making it the perfect thickness and omgosh huge! Chicken parm can get dry if the chicken is too thin or stringy if it's cooked in sauce too long. The crust was just right with an ample lable of marinara underneath the string pull of melted cheese that has the browned top...no fast microwaving here! Cheesecake was the selection for dessert. At least 3 inches deep, the flavor explodes when it touches your tongue. Delicioso!

Lucianos at Napa Oaks is a fantastic food choice. The neighborhood, smallish size limits the atmosphere, but to have casual fine dining is a great addition to our area! We will savor our leftovers! We may head up to see Edgar again tonight for appetizers and wine! This is a great find! Hope to...