Editor’s Note: Fork & Dagger is 828newsNOW’s anonymous restaurant review series, written by our independent Grub Scout—no freebies, no press perks, no agenda. Grub Scout pays full price, visits unannounced, and takes notes on food, service, atmosphere, and value. Each review reflects a recent, honest experience rated on our 1‑to‑5 fork scale. We aim to help you discover standout dining spots—from casual diners to white‑tablecloth affairs—one bite at a time.
I had been anticipating Luminosa for quite a while, but it’s been difficult to get a reservation when I’m free to visit. Within minutes of being seated, I discovered why.
What was immediately striking was that our server was brilliant. As soon as he greeted us and began the pitch, it was apparent he implicitly knew the menu; however, this was delivered gracefully and not in an arrogant manner. He offered the ideal amount of charm and dignity.
We began with beverages. There were four of us.
The Siesta — which was mezcal, Blanco tequila, red aperitivo, grapefruit and lime — was an absolute delight.
The Chemist coffee — a cup of espresso, orange chocolate gin and whipped cream — was perfectly balanced.
The traditional coffee was quite tasty. It had a classic diner aesthetic, which I always enjoy.
I suppose the server thought we should explore even more of the beverages because he surprised the table with a complimentary cold jasmine green tea infused with lemon oil. This was astoundingly good.
A short time later, we were off to the races.
The lemon pizza had smoked mozzarella, ricotta, fennel, arugula and thinly sliced lemons over a crispy wood-fired crust. I found it to be wonderful.
The focaccia and gravy were another very special offering. A soft and springy Italian bread with golden crust, topped with sausage gravy, Parmesan, hot sauce and an over-easy egg, was something I’ll be coming back for. A clever take on a traditional concept always impresses me.
Steak is not something one would ordinarily opt for at an Italian restaurant, but the chef’s cut with salsa verde and an egg was excellent, especially with the masterfully cooked and salted fries.
For dessert, we tried the zeppole, housemade doughnut holes with fig jam. These were a real surprise, a traditional concoction of deep-fried dough filled with ricotta cheese and dusted with powdered sugar. The ricotta gave them a creamy yet fluffy texture that we were all rather fond of.
The decor of this place really did it for me. The decisions all seemed to be based on the location being within the Flatiron Building on Battery Park. I felt like I was in some private Manhattan club in the 60s. Every time I glanced over my shoulder, I almost expected to see Dean, Sammy and Frank. The best part of this environment is that it is not at all cheesy. It’s classy … but not too classy, with an elegant simplicity.
Before the check was delivered, the server even offered us a complimentary muffin to go with our leftovers. Genuine generosity in a restaurant is hard to come by. There is a true appreciation for their patrons.
The dinner menu is very intriguing, as are the wine list and cocktail options. I cannot wait to experience this on an evening very soon. I am extremely excited about Luminosa, and I hope that now, you will be, too.
