Lupa Trattoria

Experience started well -- good antipasta and soup/salad. Main course took a very long time -- 40 minutes from time of order. Cooks seemed overwhelmed with three or four larger (6 - 9 people) parties. Our party was only two. I think they lost our order, but wouldn't confess it. When we finally received the entres, the nightly fish special (Sole) was mangled up into about a dozen pieces. We asked the chef and waiter if that food presentation was acceptable to them. The chef confessed it was not their normal way of doing things. A short while later, the chef came over to our table and asked us to leave right away and that dinner was complimentary. This place should be out of business! Pros: Antipasta - great, Caesar Salad - great Cons: Service - bad, Cust. Rela. - poor, Off the local list more

Lupa is consistently the best Italian trattoria in the city. After living in Europe for several years, I was dissatisfied with most Italian restaurants in the city until I found Lupa. The food is simple, flavorful, fresh, and well priced. Although relatively small, the wine list is full of well priced Italian wines and the waiters (who are also Italian) will help you with your wine selection. This is truly a great place for food. more

Lupa is a welcome addition on 24th St. in my book. I went for a Sunday dinner and had very good bucatini with pancetta for $8.50 (pastas cost $8-12). The cuisine was Italian rustic and did not offer the same old spaghetti carbonara and bolognese but instead offered pastas like papardelle with braised pork. The service was friendly and warm (the chef came out to see how things were going) and efficient. more

The meal started off great w/ some excellent starters... a light caesar salad, a robust fettunta w/ fava beans and cheese, and a fantastic carpaccio. Homemade pastas such as the spinach & (also homemade) ricotta ravioli - contrary to the editorial review - were subtly and deliciously flavored. The tortellini, one of the night's specials, was the true standout - served with prosciutto and cream sauce flavored w/ black truffles and bursting w/ flavor. Desert was great as well (as was the desert wine). The service was friendly, efficient, and earnest. Don't miss this place. Pros: Reasonably priced, Comfortable space Cons: Parking iffy more