Ristorante Luciano

We had an 8:00 reservation and still waited 45 minutes. The hostess pointed to the 2 top by the window (that was just being served their entrees) and said that would be our table. What we didn’t know is she had also promised it to another couple so when we finally went to approach the table we were accosted by another customer!
After that commotion settled, we were seated at another 2 top by the kitchen. We were served bread, which was not warm. We had to ask for butter or olive oil and we were told olive oil would be $ 3 so we opted for the butter. I’ve never been charged for olive oil before. As for the entrees, my dinner date and I both got pasta which was ok. The prices were very high for very basic pasta dishes ($ 22+) I could have easily made something comparable at home.
The acoustics made conversation difficult and the overall vibe of the restaurant was one of commotion the night we were there.
When it came time for dessert they were out of the one we wanted, so we ordered the berry tart which was quite delicious.
When down the shore I’ll stick to The Concord, Chills, and Quahogs.

I don’t generally seek out traditional Italian restaurants, but this one is causing me to rethink my position on this. I will say it did not start out that way when we arrived and our table was right at the front by the hostess stand. I don’t understand why some restaurants are always trying to give you the worst table — particularly when you make a reservation weeks in advance.
Our party of four shared the calamari and the special appetizer of speck and burrata. Our entrees were all great. I had the veal piccata — sauteed perfectly with the exact right amount of lemon. All of the entrees came with a light and refreshing salad. We were warned the entrees did not come with any sides and I was thankful to not overstuff myself with a side of pasta!
Reservations are a MUST — several weeks in advance if you want a Friday or Saturday night in peak season. I was happy to find they use SeatMe.

Let’s first start off by saying that the service at this place is exceptional! We went to the restaurant on a Sunday night and there was not an empty seat in the house. I was with a party of 8 and had no reservation. They were so accommodating! We only waited about 10 minutes before we were seated. The food was fantastic! We ordered the bruschetta to start and let’s just say the New Jersey tomatoes really put this dish over the top. I had the gnocchi and they were superb I have never tasted anything like it. If you are in stone harbor eating at this restaurant is a must!

We had a lovely meal here last night. Our waitress, Jordan, was knowledgeable about the menu items and offered suggestions. We appreciated that it is BYOB which saves on the final bill. Our table ordered the mozzarella app, salmon, fettuccine Bolognese, chicken piccata, and stuffed flounder. All dishes were delicious.

Great service! Food delicious. Had the special appetizer of figs wrapped in prosciutto
with goat cheese. Four generous figs.
I was a little apprehensive when we were seated near the kitchen area, but there was no door
so it wasn’t an issue.
My only complaint would be one server tried to take my salad dish before asking me. I wasn’t finished!

We love Lucianos!

Just finished a wonderful dinner. Every dinner we have here has been wonderful. Our favorite restaurant. Be sure to make reservations early. BYOB is also great.
Mary B

The staff was pleasant but the feeling was HURRIED to get you in and out so they can get the next reservation in.
The salad was BORING!
It is summer could you possibly cut a cherry tomato in half to enhance the presentation of the salad?
The food was tasty, the chicken Rivera was good but if they added a half if a cup of pasta it would of enhanced the dish.

This place exceeded my every expectation! Last minute reservation for 10, 4 adults and 6 kids. They were great. A family owned BYOB spot that really loves feeding people great food and good prices. We ordered many things on the menu and all every great. The gnocchi is a must try. The desserts were amazing. I hope I get down to stone harbor to try this place again!

Always 5 star food and service!

SPECTACULAR cuisine! AMAZING service! WELCOMING atmosphere!
Luciano’s is our absolute favorite and always a highlight of our time in Stone Harbor. My spouse and I feel privileged to dine here, and marvel at how wonderful our experience is with each and every visit!
We are constantly impressed with every dish on the menu and dream about the desserts. We honestly do not know how it is possible to perfect every single dish – But Luciano has mastered all of them! He is truly a culinary genius. Everything we have ever enjoyed at this restaurant has been beyond superb!
This family owned business is beyond warm and welcoming — we honestly feel like family every time we are here. Can’t wait to see you again and again ! Thank You! !!!

Excellent! I had the homemade lasagna special which was absolutely delicious!

A wonderful dining experience with the best Italian food on the island. The hostess couldn’t be more gracious (Graziella). If you visit Stone Harbor or Avalon, don’t miss this one!
Carlo M

Our favorite Stone Harbor restaurant. First place we make a reservation each year. Not sure why some of the bad reviews, but sometimes seasonal restaurants need some time to train new staff every year — we have never had a bad experience. I even have them do some catering for us.

This is my favorite restaurant in the Stone Harbor area hands down. The atmosphere is intimate and its BYOB. The food is always top quality and delicious. During the summer season you can’t walk in and get a table so I recommend making a reservation in advance.

Bad bad bad customer service!
The restaurant was only half full and we walked in based on the positive reviews and delicious looking photos. Despite being seated right away, we were then ignored for over 10 minutes, not even given menus or greeted by any wait staff. The portly hostess who sat us, went back to her post in front of the door and continued to seat other patrons as they came in. She seated two other tables and we noticed that they were given menus right away while a waiter brought out water for them. Meanwhile we sat and watched them flutter back and forth across our table, glanced at us, and continued to ignore us while they walked right by us. Never in my life have I experienced such poor service or lack thereof. I’ve never walked out of a restaurant before but this restaurant deserved it.
As we got up to leave and walk out of the door, the hostess then asked us what the problem was… when I told her that we have been sitting right in front of her face for over 10 minutes without nary a menu or service, she proceeded to say «oh I didn’t know (we were right in front of her), you should have asked me for menus». WOW, seriously??? You seat the customers and they have to ask you for menus and for service!!! I felt like saying you don’t deserve my business, but I walked out a went a few steps down to Spiaggetta which was excellent!
If I could give this zero stars I would. Steer clear of this restaurant as from the looks of other 1 star reviews, it appears others have tasted the brunt of their disservice!

Don’t even bother. Felt a little racists here. Sat down for over 10minutes and no menu or anything. 2 other couple came later than us and they already got their drinks and order. We left and went to Spiaggetta instead. Smh

My meal alone was worth three stars, but the service and overall environment contributed to the four stars.
One of the greatest conflicts that I regularly face is the decision to order either eggplant parmigiana or gnocchi at Italian restaurants. Our waiter raved about the gnocchi — telling me that one of the owners wakes up every morning to make gnocchi herself — so I, of course, ordered that (w/​rosa sauce instead of the meat sauce). Maybe I set my expectations too high, but the gnocchi was just okay. I prefer my gnocchi to be dense and do not like a large amount of sauce, but the gnocchi here were very light and were overwhelmed with the rosa sauce. Another fellow diner got the gnocchi with the meat sauce and agreed about the gnocchi themselves, but absolutely adored the meatballs that accompanied them. I was too stuffed for dessert, but the dessert menu looked very appealing.
The service could not have been better. Our waiter told us about the woman who makes the pastas and desserts from scratch, and he had the soothing voice that one could find on a radio station ;) The interior, which included brick walls and old photographs, was absolutely adorable, but was also quite dark, although I did not mind.

Luciano’s was our favorite restaurant to meet friends and take family. The food is always great. The last time we visited the service was terrible and when we asked what wad happening we were handled very rudely. I guess we will not be eating there this season!

We took our well-​dressed party of seven to this snazzy place and I was impressed right away.
The interior is super cozy: wood paneling on the walls, warm candlelight, midnight blue tableware. We were seated relatively quickly and our wine (BYOB) was pulled out and poured right away.
The servers and host were all so friendly! I really felt like a guest in someone’s home. They engaged us in conversation and it made the experience that much more enjoyable.
The food is truly a delight as well. I ordered the Cheese Ravioli & Veal Meatballs. So scrumptious! Everyone at the table was absolutely silent when the food was served – we were too busy wolfing down bite after delicious bite to talk much!
This is probably my new favorite restaurant in the Stone Harbor area. I hope I get the opportunity to return one day.