Luna By Giada — Restaurant in Scottsdale

Let me start by saying that we're huge fans of Giada; therefore, came in with great expectations. We went to Luna for dinner twice (two weeks apart) during February and our second visit was more disappointing than the first as far as food goes. The service was awful on our first visit with our server touching me in a very intrusive way (even poking my belly at one point) every time he stopped by to check on us. He was attentive, but in an annoying and intrusive way. Our second visit was better with a friendly, helpful, and attentive server who waited on us without being overbearing and annoying. So I guess service can be good or bad depending on where you are seated. The place is nothing to write home about, modern and well decorated, but noisy and parking at the venue can be difficult. We parked at the Mall parking lot and walked across. Oh and be prepared to pay for a Venue Fee of 3.5% of your bill. I can't tell you why or what for, but it is added to your bill. There was music playing during our second visit which was loud and distracting (perhaps this is the justification for the venue fee). No thank you! Now the food... Our first visit was to try the pasta. Her being Italian and with all the shows we watched her cook, we thought we were going to be in for a treat. The pictures on the website look great, but don't be fooled by good marketing. We ordered the Focaccia (very delicious and perhaps the best item on the menu), Caprese Salad (very ordinary), Crab Arancini (flavorless and someone should have invited the crab to join the party), Lemon Spaghetti (good, but not great), Tripolini Pasta (sour sauce and just a faint flavor of short rib), and Citrus Ricotta Cheesecake for dessert (soggy and spongy flavorless mess, but pretty to look at). We were told that the citrus ricotta cheesecake was made with a shot of limoncello in it, but they either ran out or forgot to mix it in because there was no citrus flavor in the cheesecake at all. Our second visit was to try the pizza. After all anyone can have a bad day in the kitchen and perhaps our persistence would be rewarded with great pizza to rave about to friends and family. Well... sometimes persistence slaps you in the face like you stole something... Our second visit was more disappointing and frustrating than the first. We ordered an Arugula Salad which promised crispy pancetta and candied lemons, but the lemons did not join, the pancetta was very cold and very hard, and the arugula looked wilted and tasted as if it had been plated and refrigerated from the day before. Then we ordered the Bacon Dates (chewy bacon with an awful tasting red sauce). The portion is 5 to a serving and we only ate 2, but the nail in our coffin was the pizza. We ordered a Margherita Pizza (my favorite) and a Lemon Pizza (novelty and never had it before, so why not?). Well... the Margherita pizza was burnt (the dough was bitter and charred, the sauce was very sour, and the mozzarella was scarce - like eating a burnt and sour piece of soggy cardboard). The lemon pizza wasn't as appalling, but it was flavorless with a taste of sour milk when one bit the part that had the lemon mixed with the cheese. This pizza needed some salt and and additional ingredient to liven the flavor, or at least to give it flavor and not just a warm, greasy, sour milk flavor on pizza dough. It is pretty sad when one can get better pizza from one's local high end grocer, than from a high end restaurant from a celebrity chef. In closing, the food is way overpriced for the quality. The pasta should have been the best pasta we ever had for the price, but one dish was good, and the other was mediocre at best, and the pizza was the most offensive assault on the human palate ever contrived. That being said, we wouldn't return to Luna if Giada herself extended an invitation. We can't in good conscience recommend this...

If we have been Yelp friends for while, you would know that one of the things I hate the most in this world is for my arch-nemesis, Jon H., to be right. On top of that, he has been going off, non-stop about how disappointed he was over my man, Bobby Flay's, restaurant. So when I tell ya I came into Luna by Giada, Giada De Laurentiis being Jon's honey-babe, just waiting to hate on this place, you best believe it. I will now sit here and say that I'm not even a fan; I'm an air conditioner!

The four of us ordered two beers (Huss Blonde Ale and The Shop Crispy --- Yay to Arizona drafts), a bottle of Duckhorn wine, the Arugula Salad, The Citrus Caesar Salad, all four pizza offerings, Limoncello Souffle, and the Mascarpone Brownie Cheesecake.

Arugula Salad (Crispy Pancetta, Candied Lemons & Parmigiano Reggiano): This has pancetta. What else do you need? You can't go wrong with a peppery arugula salad.

Citrus Caesar Salad (Citrus Caesar Dressing, Parmigiano Reggiano, Focaccia Croutons & Crispy Capers): Had I been wearing a skirt, this salad would have made it flip. This is the salad that I would order for myself and eat it with a side of fries. Flavorful, cheesy, and oh so good. That subtle brightness of the citrus is oh so pleasing.

Signature Margherita (Roasted Campari Tomatoes, Basil & Mozzarella): I judge a pizza place by their margherita. It's a simple and classic combination and if you can do this right, you know the rest will be amazing. This was perfection. The sauce had a pleasant sweetness that you just can't compare.

Lemon Pizza (Mozzarella, Garlic Creme Sauce & Caciocavallo Cheese): My favorite of the four pizzas easily. I love a good pucker and this pizza is all about balance. Cheese on cheese on cheese, garlic, cream, lemon... these are all my favorite things on a perfectly charred crust. My mouth has turned into a waterfall just typing this out.

Mortadella Bianca (Parmigiano Reggiano, Shaved Mortadella & Pistachio): We learned that they will be taking this off the menu soon for a mushroom pizza. Sad. Jon H. was going on and on about how he had a hankering for some Oscar Mayer bologna after eating this. ;D I kid. If I were to be honest, out of the four pizzas, this one shined the dullest. I was expecting it to be the winner as another pizzeria in town does a similar pizza with pistachio, parmesan, and red onions and it's one of my favorites. The Mortadella Bianca wasn't bad. Girl was just got lost in a star-studded pizza family.

Spicy Sausage (Roasted Peppers, Scamorza & Oregano): Now that's a spicy meatball! (Jon H.: No one Italian really says that, Joyce!) It's not really spicy for a walking chili pepper like me but I like a bite. If something bites me, Imma bite back! This was my second favorite slice of the night.

Limoncello Souffle (Blueberry Anglaise & Candied Lemon Biscotti): Get your camera out and be prepared to record. What my girl Giada and I lack in height (short girls unite), this souffle makes up for. Is this a skyscraper!? The taller the souffle, the closer to God. Great flavors and good balance. A dessert that's light and not too sweet? It's my kinda dessert.

Mascarpone Brownie Cheesecake (Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, Brownie, Espresso Caramel & Mascarpone Whipped Cream): We were told this cheesecake gets sold out nearly every night and I can see why. As a big cheesecake fan, this hit all the right notes. Speaking of notes...

Every time a gentleman in a sharp suit walked by, the sensual notes of a saxophone permeated the air. I later found out that Kenny G is their manager. KENNY G! Don't believe me? Ask the staff! Tell them Jon H. said so! ;D

The food was spectacular and the staff was amazing. A big shout out to Jay and Damian for the...

Truly a 5-Star Dining Experience!

For a starter, the BUGATTI FOCCIA bread board is a must; I think anyone will tell you that! The focaccia bread is served with a lemon-marscapone butter, fresh pesto, and a balsamic & olive oil mix--it was an extraordinary start. Our server, Shereese, suggested spreading a touch of the creamy butter on the bread before dipping it into one of the other dishes, and that truly elevated the experience. I can see why Giada's olive oil and balsamic vinegar are famous, because the pesto and the "balsamic & oil" dips were both on a whole different level. I'm planning to return with my friends and make a meal of that and the Caprese Salad!

The CAPRESE SALAD was phenomenal--an absolute must-try. Instead of mere mozzarella, it featured creamy stracciatella cheese, and the bite-sized wedges of multicolored tomatoes were incredibly fresh. An amazing balsamic and pesto drizzle surrounded it, with balsamic molecular gastronomy pearls literally bursting with incredible flavor.

For my entrée, I had Giada's SIGNATURE LEMON SPAGHETTI, which was perfectly twisted in a creamy mascarpone cheese lemon sauce, with crispy capers (which I absolutely loved), and two shrimp. As Shereese placed it before me, she said, "Chef Giada recommends tipping the pasta over into the sauce." My little tip is to have some freshly ground pepper added (from their cool 3-foot-high pepper grinders). My husband had the SCALLOP RISOTTO. The risotto was perfectly cooked and delicious, with peas, asparagus, Maryland crab, and topped with two scallops. Both dishes were generously sized and filling.

They offered several unique cocktails, many made with gin. I opted for "The Moderno," which included Smoke Wagon small batch bourbon, Giffard orgeat syrup, lemon juice, Bigallet China China liqueur, with a splash of Super Tuscan wine floating on top. Personally, I would have preferred more fruit-forward options that weren't as strong, so given the cocktail price of $21, I will order a soft drink next time. However, if you enjoy creative, well-crafted, strong cocktails made with premium spirits, you will find excellent options here.

Our server, Shereese, made the dinner so special & memorable. Not only is she impeccably professional with honest recommendations and a deep knowledge of every detail of the menu, but she also possesses a genuinely poised and clever personality. She checked on us so many times and always at the perfect moments (even though the restaurant was packed). Her phrasing was so refined yet full of refreshing personality, like when she said, "I feel like I'm stealing your plate, but it looks as if you are finished," instead of asking, "Are you finished?" or when she said, "I won't hold you hostage; I'll get you the check," always in such a clever but respectful manner. She just exuded joy & positivity.

For dessert, Shereese brought us their famous round cheesecake-on-brownie, beautifully decorated and garnished. It was so incredible that we ate as much as we could at the restaurant and the rest at home.

Paul, the general manager, was incredibly personable and came over to wish us a happy anniversary after we received the check. He ensured that we enjoyed everything and that the dessert was comped, which Shereese had already taken care of.

They obviously informed the valet when we were ready to leave, because our car was waiting at the door, and one of the (all very special) valets said, "We appreciate you, Sir."

Everything (and everyone) was exceptional, but requesting Shereese as your server is a must.

We will...