Casa La Luna — Restaurant in Cleveland

I was excited to have a fine dining experience celebrating the end of the fall semester. We were seated right away but then sat with no one attending us for about 10 minutes. Then when we were addressed, we were given a menu and left again for quite a while. We sat there with no water or bread, no explanation of the specials, no wine menu. We wanted an appetizer and wine to go with the meals we would eventually order. When the server finally came back, she asked what we wanted. The style of this server would have been better suited at a fast paced, plate slinging diner as opposed to a detail oriented fine dining restaurant. We immediately ordered an appetizer and asked for water and a wine list so we could order a bottle of wine. We also asked for the risotto of the day to which the server finally listed the plethora of specials they had that evening. We finally got water as we waited for our appetizer, and to order our wine. We watched other tables get served and enjoy bread and herbed oil which we did not receive. Finally the server took our wine order and we waited another 10 minutes to be told they did not have that bottle of wine. In the meantime, a bus person did provide bread. Finally when we reordered a different wine and received it. The server asked again about the appetizer. She had not put it in. We had now been here for 40 minutes. We were happy to just have wine and bread at this time as we were hungry. Both the wine and bread were lovely. The herbs in the dipping oil for the bread were delicious and the bread was fresh and warm. So we consumed what was there and waited. After we got our appetizer, salmon carpaccio which was delicious, we ordered dinners. I ordered the special sea bass meal which was supposedly sea bass with crab on top but I'm pretty sure it was halibut with crab and it came out mushy and undesirable. Determined to have a good time celebrating, I decided I could repurpose the meal into a left over and smiled when the manager checked on us. I had scarfed the bread when it had finally arrived and was happy to save the fish. We also ordered the dark chocolate mousse for dessert. This came out as a fudge log as opposed to a light airy mousse. Another miss for the evening. In the end, I felt the service was not of fine dining caliber. Was the server having an off night? Did she forget about us? Or was our value as a customer judged upon entry and therefore we were neglected service? I don't know. I won't be returning to find out. Maybe that was the point? To shun younger customers and keep them away? We paid our hard earned money and still left a 20 percent tip because I've worked in the service industry on and off my whole life and support the workers, but I won't support that...

June-2025:

There is a good reason why this restaurant has been around for so long - great food and great service. Love the outside patio here and its in a very good part of the Flats.

Started with the complimentary bread basket (great warm bread). We had the Ribolita soup (I would say its their take on the minestroni soup), Kobe Carpaccio for appetizers, Red Snapper special, Sacchetti and Lamb Chops. All were very good. Since it was our daughter's birthday, the restaurant gave us tiramasu (which we were planning to order, so that worked out perfectly) - it is still one of the best in the city.

It is an upscale restaurant so be prepared to pay more with slightly smaller portions. But a great experience overall

One downside is being charged $10 for valet. I think for a level of restaurant, they could skip that.

It has been sometime since we have been here and I am glad that my daughter has chose this restaurant for her birthday.

The restaurant and the views are spectacular, patio is fantastic and its heated so on a cool night, they turn on the heaters and its great (the downside to the location is parking. So you find a street parking and walk or get a valet for $8).

They start you off with the fresh bread and oil. Bread is fantastic, its so good, we had to send it back so we don't stuff ourselves.

We tried 4 appetizers - Beet salad (fantastic), Tomato and Mozzarella (great), Kobe Beef Carpaccio (it was okay) and Ahi Tuna Carpaccio (one big miss of the night, it wasn't bad but definitely expected more from it)

For main courses, we went with Sacchetti Al Tartufo Bianco (absolutely fantastic), halibut (excellent) and Filet Mignon (it was cooked great but they put too much sweet sauce on it so it kind of defeated the purpose of Filet Mignon). Both halibut and Filet Mignon came with sides of Brussel Sprouts and potatoes and they were both very good.

For desserts, because we were celebrating a birthday, restaurant gave my daughter a tiramisu, I think is probably one of the best in the city, hands down. We also ordered 3 desserts - Chocolate Mouse (excellent), Panna Cotta (I never had one so always wanted to try it but don't think I would order it again. It was good to try once but not a second time) and their ice cream of the day (coffee - very good). All their desserts are made in house and it definitely shows.

Kudos to our server (Sadie, who happen to be restaurant owner's niece), she definitely did a great job!

A great experience overall. Couple minor misses (unfortunately enough to take it down to 4 stars) but absolutely a restaurant...

On a scale from 1 to 10 ....... 7.5

The food was awesome!!! Wonderful taste, good portions, nice variety! It is very, very good food!

The hostess/maitre 'd/wine stewardess was friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating.

However, the waitress - not so good. My party wondered if perhaps she was overtired or intoxicated. She was not friendly, very slow, did not check on our dining, and also made mistakes on our order - if this was Olive Garden I wouldn't care (as much) BUT a high end restaurant where our bill for 3 people was nearly $400 (well-over that after our tip) (also worth noting with two bottles of wine) I expect the wait-staff to be hospitable, happy to serve, accurate, and attentive. --- MAYBE she was having a bad day and normally is a delight, but she adversely affected the dining experience.

The location provided a great view of the city but unusual parking. This is to be expected based on Cleveland and this particular location -- but I will say, the valets were inside at the Foyer of the restaurant -- all of them (4) on their phones... when a nice touch would have been to open the door for the customers, greet the customer, etc. especially since it was raining outside

The facility was clean and well-decorated. However, even with a great deal of advanced notice, we were seated on the covered extension to the building. Being outside (more or less), there were heaters that were very hot and blasted heat to an uncomfortable level - my party's faces were red, and all were very hot. They also had the wrong number of guests in my party, even though reservations were made weeks before and confirmed.

The prices were about $15 - $20 for appetizers, $11-$15 for salad/soup course, $28 - $38 for pasta course, $28 - $48 (for seafood and delicacies at market price) for the entree course, and desserts $11 - $25. The wine list was quite extensive, and the costs varied accordingly.

Overall... (Scale of 1 bad to 10 excellent)

CLEAN = 9 SERVICE = 5 (it would have been lower if not for the good service of wine steward/hostess) PRICES = 8 (a little high, but the food is very good - service not great) FACILITY = 7 (too hot, small tables) PARKING = 7 (it is what it ) AMBIANCE = 9 (great view of the city) FOOD = 10+ very well prepared, flavorful, good portions)

OVERALL = 7.5 it would have been eight and a half or nine if not for the waitress and the uncomfortable seating

I would happily try again because the waitress might have just been having a bad day. I would request indoor seating at a good-sized table. The...