Lume West Village

“We started our meal with the fried calamari and grilled octopus. The calamari batter was light and cooked to perfection, simply amazing. The octopus on the other hand was overcooked giving it a slight rubbery texture. The sauce and potatoes that accompanied the octopus were perfect. For main dishes we ordered the Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, Spaghetti Alla Carbonara, Rigatoni Alla Provenzana, and the NY Strip. All three pasta dishes were undercooked perhaps another minute or two and they would have made it to al dente. The portions were also smaller than expected. The Cacio e Pepe was dry and overly peppery even for this dish. The rigatoni dish looked and tasted like it was sitting while the other dishes were being prepared. The NY strip was cooked more medium than what I ordered, medium rare. The steak was covered with a tasteful pistachio crust however the steak itself was lacking some salt and pepper. The restaurant itself was perfectly decorated we really loved the lighting specially once it got dark out. They dimmed the lights and brought out candles to the tables. It was unfortunate that the food didn't complete our special occasion.”

“I came here after seeing so many videos praising the ambiance, and while the space was nice and the staff was friendly, the overall experience fell short of expectations. Service was slow throughout the evening. We waited a long time for our waitress to check in after the initial welcome, drinks took a while to arrive, and our food came out lukewarm, as if it had been sitting before being served. Unfortunately, this took away from the experience, especially since this was meant to be a birthday dinner. I noted on OpenTable that it was a birthday, but there was no acknowledgment at all, which was disappointing. I understand these things aren't guaranteed, but a small gesture or mention would've gone a long way. The food itself was okay, though not memorable for the price. I also wasn't aware the carbonara used an Italian-style bacon, which threw off the dish for me personally. Overall, not a terrible experience, but not what I expected based on the hype. With more attentive service and better pacing, I think this place could be much better.”

“I was pleasantly surprised by this place. It's a fantastic little cozy cafe-restaurant with such a welcoming atmosphere. The avocado toast was outstanding, and since we asked to replace the egg on top, they added mushrooms instead. I never imagined that combination would work so well, but it was absolutely excellent. Truly impressive. Compliments to the staff for the great service, comfort, and delicious food.”