Lucca - Rockland — Restaurant in Rockland

We were searching for a restaurant to go to for this past Sunday. My daughter and I reviewed the menu and the reviews and Lucca seemed like the perfect place to wet our appetite. Our server, Nicole, did not seem especially welcoming but it was Easter and they had a descent crowd. Our reservation was for 4:30 and we were prompt. We discovered from Nicole that she had come in at 3:00. Therefore, her shortness with us may have been her still adjusting to the weekend rush, yet still not a reason.

We ordered the olives and gnocchi with short rib for an appetizer. The short rib was mushy and the gnocchi was flavorless. We continued to snack on the olives and the herb baked bread (which was very salty), but it had been some time and our food had yet to come out and we were becoming quite hungry. Let me comment here on the disappointing amount of Italian entrees. The menu was significantly different than we had viewed when we made our dining choice.

Finally, after a significant wait time our food was delivered. My daughter had the pub steak with fried potatoes, her boyfriend had the pork chop with orzo. I chose the fettuccine with grilled chicken. My daughters steak was burnt (excessively charred) on the exterior, although the interior looked perfect, it was inedible. Even the potatoes were dry. The pork chop was dry and tough and the orzo was far overcooked and bland. My meal was perhaps the most redeemable, the fettuccine was cooked as it should have been, but the flavor, once again, was bland. Worse yet the chicken was so dry it was difficult to chew.

My daughter and her boyfriend waited patiently for Nicole to come to tell her about their meals. When she finally came beck, both of those meals were returned to the kitchen, barely touched. The funniest part was Nicole asking if they would like them to go.

I was totally surprised that the manager was not brought to our table to apologize for the quality of the food. The two returned meals were credited, but I can tell you I have had many fine dining experiences and never one such as this. Even an apology that they were lowv on staff would have helped. I wish Lucca's the best but we wont...

The way I try to rate restaurants is would I go back again? And the answer is no. Over all beautiful restaurant. It was very loud in the room we sat in. It has very high ceilings but honestly I believe it was more the tables we got sat next to. But what was frustrating is nothing was said to the tables. There were two groups who were yelling to speak to each other. I do not want to ruin anyone’s time but we were also there for a special occasion and essentially couldn’t have a conversation because it was so loud. Food: I got a steak which was decent at best definitely not worth the price could of cooked a better one at home and my husband got a pasta dish that was good but I would describe it as good not great. The Caesar salad app was worth it. Service: honest very poor. I get it was busy but yet again we were there celebrating a special occasion. She was very attentive to get our meal in (almost rushing us) but then completely forgot about us. And the table next to us who had a different waitress had the same issue. We finally got our food 45 minutes later and our waitress never checked on how it was. Which is annoying because I wanted a condiment they had forgotten. Finally after we finish eating and waiting for about 29 minutes (completely finished) my husband went outside and I had to flag someone down to find our waitress. She brought the check with no apology - I honestly don’t think she realized how poor of a job she was doing. So unfortunately we will not be going back. If you are looking for a good restaurant in the south shore this is not it. I hope this helps someone on their special...

Five of us had dinner at Lucca South Shore (Rockland, MA) last night as part of their pre-opening. The renovations they did are absolutely beautiful. Their new “Rockland Bar” just to the right as you enter is huge and comfortable all at once. They have a number of bar tables in addition to about 35 seats at the bar and a great “communal table” for 10 which I know we and our friends will try to snag regularly.

As part of the pre-opening they had a limited but great menu of apps and entrees. I had the beet salad to start which we delicious (see photo) and the cod special which was also excellent. Our son had the pork chop at the recommendation of our server (which he admitted he would never have ordered on his own) and while mine and all the other entrees were very, very good - the pork chop stole the show (photo).

In addition to the big bar, they also have a 15 seat “Hingham bar” adjacent to the main dining room which is classy and perfect for a couples date night (you can eat at the bar which we intend to do often!).

Julie, one of the managers came to introduce herself and really wanted to know how things were, what our opinions were and what they could do to make us feel even more at home. The owners were also there checking in and watching over every aspect of the night but from what we experienced- just like with their restaurants in the North End and Back Bay - these guys know how to run a restaurant and make you feel at home from the moment you walk through the door. 5 out of 5 stars - well done - we will...