Il Lusso — Restaurant in Tallahassee

Edit: A few days later, after finding out about my experience, the manager gave me a call, apologized, and invited me back for a do-over and this time I brought 3 people. We had the nicest server I have ever met and we really enjoyed ourselves. The manager apologized again and told us changes were made. Although my friends and family didn't have the best experience at my actual birthday dinner, I really appreciate the lengths they went through to make up for it.

I would not recommend the Il Lusso to any one I care about! I selected this "fine dining establishment " as a place to celebrate my birthday last evening and was EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED!!! It is one of THE WORST dining experiences of my life! I secured reservations for a party of 14 about a week in advance and was assured that we could be accommodated. I should have suspected incompetence when I received a TEXT message a few hours before my scheduled event indicating that valet service may not be available and my guests would have to park several blocks away and walk. Two of my guests are pregnant and this "fine dining establishment " offered NO alternatives. Our reservation was for 7:30. Although seated fairly quickly, it was 8:45 before we entre orders were taken. Our server (Greg) took orders for some of the members of my party, but refuse to fill/bring any meals quickly as requested-- keeping in mind I had two pregnant guests who needed to eat in a timely manner AND we were ready to order and eat! There was 1 server for a party of 14 and service was poor at best! It was after 10pm before our dinner was served! Was it worth the wait??? NOT!!! The food received at this "fine dining establishment " was AWFUL! A couple of orders had to be returned and one was refunded because the chicken was extremely dry. (Not to mention I woke up with a stomach ache the next day). We tried to place orders for desert earlier in the evening as we waited for our meals, but our server (Greg) refused. By the time Greg "was ready " to take our desert orders at 1030pm..SURPRISE! They were all out of what we requested. We repeatedly asked to speak to a manager...no one came. By the way, 20% gratuity was automatically included.... with such horrible service, are you serious!!!! I was forced to tip for POOR treatment. As we STOOD at our table waiting for our corrected bills ( yes, our bills had numerous errors!) No manager or anyone in authority came! They have my number and I had hoped for a call back...NO ONE CALLED! Obviously, this "fine dining establishment " doesn't care about its patrons. What else am I left...

We showed up for our 8:30 reservation at 8:33. We are not from Tallahassee and had no idea about this “mask mandate” that was in place because of the COVID-19 virus, that is apparently responsible for .0003 deaths nationwide. All that being said, we did not have masks. We were instructed upon entering the restaurant to put our masks on, but again, we did not have any. The hostess was unable to answer any of the questions that I had so immediately left to get one of the managers. Keep in mind we could’ve already been seated at our table that was all of 10 feet away by this point.... When this individual came back he started talking about mandates, policies and giving me an educational piece on coronavirus in general and how it was a law to have a mask on. As all of this was going on, I took a look around the restaurant to see that no one was actually wearing a mask with the exception of the staff. People were even mingling back-and-forth at the bar all with no masks on. When I pointed this out, he then told me that we were required to wear mask from the door to our seat Or we could not be served. He then told me that they had masks that I could BUY or I would have to leave. If you are looking at this review, then you know the price point that this restaurant sells its dishes at, so I’m sure My date and I we’re probably going to drop close to $300 on this meal but because of how they handled this and merely offered to SELL US a mask they lost out on that revenue. I would hate to know that I had an employee that would turn someone away when they could’ve just given us the mask that cost them all of $.25 and lose out on that additional revenue! I will say that I spoke to the head manager on the phone later and he was very polite and hoped that we would give them another shot, but unfortunately the damage was done. Poor people skills by the assistant manager along with the inability to relay information will get you every time. Being a business owner myself, I will never say the customer is always right, however common sense and understanding will always pad your pockets while also being fair to your customer base. From here on out, IL Lusso is going to be a hard...

Updated from 1 star because the experience was worth adding 2 more! Went with a party of 16 who made reservations a week in advance. Upon arrival for our 7pm reservation were told 2 tables are ready but on opposite sides of the restaurant. Not exactly what was expected so we worked with the manager to accommodate. We agreed to wait 40 mins while they secured seating together in one location. This took over an hour but we could wait inside and order beverages from the bar. Once seated around 8:15pm we placed orders within twenty mins then waited, and waited, and waited. Shortly before perishing at 10pm our party was served and able to eat. The food was great, amazing really. I had the bone in veal. (highly recommend so long as its take out) Finally after 4 hours confined to the restaurant we received our checks and agreed to the amounts then submitted payment. When the waiter brought the checks back for signature we were aghast that the price had almost doubled. This is the moment that all of the prior issues began to pay off for the restaurant. The manager was requested to discuss the last minute price increase. We were greeted by a smug young chap who essentially said deal with it. The net cause/effect reaction bestowed upon the manager was not well received regardless of how deserving it was. Thus an easily preventable downhill spiral commenced. In the end the manager corrected the overcharge mistake. We expressed excitement that we were finally free from the belly of the beast which blessed us with the gift of never being welcomed back to this undeserving place. For the memorable evening I give this experience an undeserving 4 stars and thank them for banishing our party from any future subpar endeavors. I truly believe this restaurant is simply ill prepared for large parties and cannot imagine having the same experience here as a date night spot or small dinner setting. Management should consider the shortcomings on large parties and adjust...