Lucca Osteria & Bar — Restaurant in Oak Brook

Horrific service and not a family friendly environment. Our younger kids were yelled at by the wait staff, without any initial warning to the parents. Would not recommend taking kids or family. Manager was not accommodating to the issue. Very stuffy.

Edited after GM response below: It doesn’t seem fair that the restaurant GM gets to have the last word with his revisionist history so I edited my review here. As anyone can see below from the GM’s response, he was not accommodating and in fact argued with me in person that his staff did nothing wrong. He said that our children were asked “nicely” — that is false. Both of our kids asked me multiple times on the car ride home and at home who the mean man at Lucca was? Why did he tell me to stand there like a statue? I’m not sure what the definition of “nice” is, but clearly that didn’t happen here.

We specifically asked the restaurant for a table off to the side such that our kids wouldn’t be a distraction to anyone. That was to be thoughtful, as we were throughout the night of everyone at the restaurant. We have been to TONs of restaurants to eat as the same group and with the same kids, and somehow this problem has only come up at ONE restaurant, Lucca. You claim to be “family friendly” but instead of your staff or you talking directly to parents if there is any sort of issue, you speak to the kids directly in a negative tone.

The toys for tots box is a great example actually as that is sitting outside of your restaurant in the office building lobby. Our kids were not knocking it over or being rough, just asked what it was and got yelled at.

As for the other diners, there was one table by us of 3 younger women who were enjoying their drinks. We did not bother them and I even apologized to them when leaving for any commotion and they said it was all fine, it’s just kids. When I talked to John the GM, he told me other diners were complaining.

As I mentioned before, given the above experience that I went into detail on to respond to the GM, I would highly recommend NOT taking your...

When we finally sit after half hour waiting for hostesses to figure out 6 of us with reservations, server didn't show up more that 30 min. After she finally showed up, blond woman not sure what is her name, she start complaining how she didn't have time for us but she also didn't smoke, didn't eat etc etc ... 🤔 Trying to make unnecessary jokes, laughing histericaly, super weird and than she left with our drink and appetizers order. Ofc another half hour for my sample of wine but food is there. Food was good, super small portions but good. Music was beautiful, but tables are also close to each other and atmosphere is very loud for this tipe of music. After we waited for her another 45 mins to get our main dishes, glasses were empty, no any kind off checking on us for anything, she showed up, took order of half table and then run off on the middle of taking order and didn't showed up another 20 mins. That was literally ridiculous at this point. She didn't bother to apologize at all. After she returned, she said it was some kind of catastrophe. Yeah pretty hilarious! Took our order, never ever checked on us. After I complained to manager, he didn't bother to check on us as well. He was like " yeah she is busy bla bla..." After I told him that my girlfriend is waiting half our with literally empty glass, becouse no one is checking on us, and now we can't order as well he said he will send someone. Well she showed up apparently, this time without unpleasant jokes at least, with some bussers who btw when they were helping her with food, was giving us plates to put in front each others. For almost $800 bill, noone bother for any complementary $10 dessert at least for all this mess, not that we need anything but at least to offer to apologize, anything. I don't remember that I ever visited such a cute place with such a terrible service and management. Ever! Definitely will not be Back! Hopefully owner will do something about stuff becouse food is great and place as well....

While I initially wanted to give this restaurant a poor grade, in the end, I would say this place rates an: A

The reason for the opening statement was our reservation time was 7:45 PM, we arrived at 7:43 PM and checked in. Were told, it will be a 10 minute wait. That would put us at 7:55 PM. Ok, not the end of the world, sure. Wait, wait. at 8:00 PM, check in and were told: "They've paid their bill - it should be shortly." Ok - sure. 8:10 PM - re-check: "They're busing your table now. It should be any minute." Finally sat at our table at 8:22 PM - I took a screenshot of my phone with the time, but I won't post the picture. Ok - the toughest part was over, the GM came over and apologized for the wait. Our server informed us that a complimentary pizza Margarita was on it's way as a way to ease the pain. Ok, let's get into the food & beverage experience.

Pizza Margarita - Excellent. We're going to build a wood-fired oven in our new home and I would be super proud to have a pizza crust anywhere in the neighborhood of this pizza crust. Delicious -great bite to it and the flavor of the ingredients - spot on.

Calamari - added this appetizer to the pizza and very glad we did. The breading was very thin and the flavor was fantastic. So good, I didn't dip it into any sauce. Great stuff.

Cocktails - very good - I ordered a dirty martini.

Wine - I ordered a Michele Chiarelo red wine - delicious.

Mains: Fettuccini - made inside a wheel of cheese - delicious. Bronzino - delicious - pan fried and not oily and the fish was just perfect. Veal with mushrooms - excellent. Tuna - delicious. Veal Chop special - wow - great stuff.

Desserts were just as great.

In the end, once we were seated, the experience was just great. Food is fabulous and authentic. Cocktails and wine - spot on. Desserts - very good.

Even though it's not in the middle of a bunch of other restaurants, Lucca is absolutely worth seeking out. We will return...