Cucina Lab Torino

I hate to leave bad reviews, especially for a family-operated restaurant where the staff were all very nice, but it feels warranted in this case. Value & Pricing The food is just not good, and definitely not good enough to justify their absurd $90-per-person tasting menu price. I would gladly pay $90 or even more if the dining experience matched the cost, but this was not the case unfortunately. Food Quality & Presentation The best of the five dishes served was just okay, and others were downright bad. Two of the five courses were aesthetically unappetizing, you would think that a restaurant that only offers dinner service twice a week would have the sense to think about their plating and the look of the food they are serving. A small piece of bread with cheese spread and steamed vegetables being one of the courses on a $90 tasting menu is beyond pathetic. I genuinely hope ownership reads this review, evaluates the value proposition they are currently offering, and takes steps to fix it. If they don't see any issue, then frankly this place should not remain open. Atmosphere The setup of the restaurant is also somewhat strange, it felt more like a fast-casual vibe than a fancy restaurant offering an expensive tasting menu. A Note for Non-Italian Diners If you are a non-Italian and are considering booking a reservation here, please take note: THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF ITALIAN CUISINE THAT MOST PEOPLE ENVISION IN THEIR HEAD, and I mean that in a bad way unfortunately. Why I Wrote This I wrote this review for two reasons: (1) to warn people considering booking a reservation here for a special occasion that they are most likely going to be disappointed if they've ever eaten good food in their lives, and (2) genuinely in the hopes that ownership/management reads this and takes it to heart, not as an attack, but as constructive feedback. If you continue operating as you currently are, first time customers have no reason to return.

What a unique amazing experience! We started the night at vino lab, the wine bar next to the restaurant, and love the staff, wine selection, atmosphere and offerings. Dinner was an amazing 5 course dinner with incredible Italian flavors. Sommelier walked us through a perfect wine pairing to complement the meal at every stage. Can’t say enough about the staff, food and atmosphere, you really have to go and experience it.

A rare gem!! We had the best food and wine during one of their Thursday tasting menu nights! The staff and open-kitchen layout make it feel as though you are about to receive an incredible, home-cooked meal among friends, but the caliber/quality of the dishes far exceeds that. We will be back soon!

I really wanted to enjoy this experience, but unfortunately it fell far short of what the price and concept promise. At $90 per person for a five-course meal, I expected a refined, high-end dining experience. Instead, every course arrived cold, and the food overall was very bland, lacking depth, seasoning, or any memorable flavors. Nothing felt elevated or thoughtfully executed in a way that justified the cost. The pacing was another major issue. Keep in mind it takes 30mins to wait for the next dish which arrived cold. A long, drawn-out service can work when the food and atmosphere are exceptional—but in this case, it only amplified the disappointment. This restaurant clearly aims to offer a curated, upscale dining experience, but execution is critical at this price point. Temperature, flavor, and timing are fundamentals, and missing on all three makes it hard to recommend. I hope the owners take this feedback seriously, because the concept has potential. That said, while some people may come once to try the experience, I can’t see many guests returning unless significant improvements are made

The ambience was great so was the service but unfortunately the execution of the dishes was poor. You cannot charge a certain amount for dishes that are mini palate teasers and the main is also a small plate.for example, slithers of pork with few potatoes and greens. The flavors were there but I would consider portion size and price. The sommelier was great, but only if they could pair the wines on time with the meals.

Loved the vibes here! The restaurant is family owned and operated. Everyone there is super sweet and friendly. The food was so good! I can't wait to go back and try it again. I missed the call from them to go over the menu the day before. I would advise future guests to make sure to discuss with them in case the protein isn't something you prefer! One of our guests don't prefer turkey and would have wanted chicken but it was my fault for not calling the restaurant back. Overall, loved our experience and will be back soon!

My wife and I dined here for the first time with another couple on a Saturday in November. There is a $20 fee per person to make a reservation. They have two seatings for dinner on Saturday, one at 6pm and one at 8pm, we selected the 8pm slot. There is no menu and they serve a five course meal, which sounded really interesting to all of us and was one of the reasons we selected this place. Someone from the restaurant called us on the Friday before our reservation and mentioned they are fully booked for the 6pm seating and there is a place they own next door named Vino Lab where we could go and have some drinks and they will come get us when ready to be seated. We arrived 30 minutes early and hung out in the Vino lab which was nice, it’s sort of an Italian market kind of place with a modern wine bar. All the wine they serve are Italian, we really liked it and the staff are friendly and helpful when selecting wine. As stated, they came and got us when it was time to be seated for dinner. The restaurant staff are all super friendly and welcoming. They asked us if anyone had any allergies or couldn’t eat certain food. The bartender came over and asked what we wanted to drink. Since there is no menu, they explained what each course was when they placed it in front of us. Every course we had was delicious and we enjoyed all of them. We must have interacted with about 6 people while dining here and every one of them had pleasant personalities and seemed to really like working there. The chef came to our table when we were about to leave and asked how everything was. I highly recommend this place for a special occasion or just a great evening with friends. None of us had any complaints about this place and we will definitely go back again.

We recently did the Thursday evening tasting menu with wine tasting. Not only was the food delicious, (THE FOCCIA BREAD 🤤) there were tons of unique items that I wouldn’t normally order for myself. They were all delicious and the variety was great. The restaurant is clean, quiet, and the staff are so kind and accommodating. 10/10! 🖤

In my book, this is currently the best Italian restaurant in metro Detroit. Everything from the ambiance to the food felt like being back in Italy, and my wife's Italian family agreed. Every single thing we tried was delicious and well-plated, but for me, the star of the show was the purple pasta (cabbage?). So yummy and perfectly salty. The wine list was very good, too, and well-priced for a restaurant setting. I did wish that our servers knew a bit more about wine as I asked some questions they couldn't answer, and the owners were busy, but it was fine -- I'm a bit of a wine nerd and just ended up going with an option I knew instead. Overall, fantastic experience and I can't wait to go back!

The best hidden secret in suburbia. This family run business is a true gem and special as it looks. Quietly situated in Troy at Crooks and 17 mile in a little plaza, you'll see twinkling lights and a patio around the back. Plenty of parking. The ambience is cool and classy. Comfortable and chill. Elisabetta is the owner and head chef. She and her family have created little Italy in Troy. Robert is always our server. He's great. Elisabetta's daughters are always busy behind the bar making limoncello, plating dishes or rolling pasta. Everyone works hard here, but with a smile. The nightly events are clever here. Wednesday is drinks only I think. I have not been that night. Thursday is Appertivo Night and I have been three times. For $45-50 you get a glass of house red or white wine and several courses of appetizers. They accommodate all diets. We have never had a problem getting delicious vegan food here. They also make homemade limoncello (in chocolate, rosemary, lemon) and vermouth. It's all incredible. They will mix cocktails with these libations too. The wine list is hand crafted and thoughtful. Friday and Saturday is dinner only and is pre-fixe. You need reservations due to the size of the space and special dishes created. I can't say enough good things about this establishment. So lucky to have it minutes away!

Wonderful dinner in a cozy, comfortable atmosphere. The drinks were divine and the courses were each a delicate balance of flavors that did not disappoint. We throughly enjoyed our meal and will be back again soon!

Excellent atmosphere, food, and service. The whole staff is so friendly and knowledgable about every little detail. Wine pairing with the tasting menu was perfect! Thanks Gregg! Will be coming back.

Amazing dinner last night. Five course fixed menu offered a delicious surprise with each plate. Excellent service (thanks Matilde!) and Greg, the sommelier, was very knowledgeable and friendly. The owner stopped by the table to say hello and was very gracious. Will definitely recommend to friends and will for sure be back for the next menu surprise.

Took my husband here for his birthday dinner. I was able to tell them that he doesn't like shellfish or olives prior to us coming. We sat at the chef's table and really enjoyed watching them prep the food. The food and service were excellent. They even made my hubby a little cake which was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed a limoncello spritz and some homemade rosemary liquor.

This is my third time here and I have loved it every time. Kind staff and great food and drinks. Such a great experience! Thank you for bringing such an amazing experience to Troy!

Do you like authentic Italian food? Do you like being presented with a perfectly curated meal that is lovingly prepared? If so, Cucina Lab is for you. On Friday and Saturday nights you can reserve a table that will make you feel like you are in Torino. The lab also offers cooking classes on Tuesdays and Wednesday and Thursday are special too. Check out their website for more information. I really enjoyed how the meal was served with lots of small tastes that were very satisfying. Everyone in our party loved everything we were served. We plan to return soon

Absolutely delicious! The service was warm and inviting. The chef's daughter and chef spoke with us extensively like we were in their home. Each of our dishes were prepared to perfection. The smaller plates to the large plates and wine pairings were phenomenal . The homemade limoncello transported me back to Capri and the gluten free chocolate birthday cake for my friend was the best! Don't walk please run!!!!

Such an amazing experience. There is nothing that warms my heart like a true family business and this is one of them. The son and daughter were wonderful as part of the waitstaff, the gentleman helping them was also great. The owner, the chef, made sure to come out and say hello, which was wonderful because we had the chance to thank her for an amazing meal. Now, on to the food... the courses were perfectly spaced out... each course was more delicious than the next. Out of 9 of us, every single person liked every course, and we are all major foodies. The pictures don't do the food justice, but truly, everything was perfect. The presentation, the taste, everything. We can't wait to do this again!

What a treat to experience! Delicious food and excellent service given by this family run restaurant. We got to try so many different dishes and definitely felt taken care of. I highly recommend.

4 of us went a few weeks ago and sat at the chefs table. The owner/chef was incredibly friendly and it was cool to see it was a family business where her daughter also was working there. I really wanted the dinner to be amazing based on the environment but there was a lot left to be desired. It was cool to see how careful they set each plate up but unfortunately had discrepancies. Some had a big cracker with the cod and others had a very little piece. When we got to desert two of our friends were missing a fruit piece and they were explaining it and looking directly at their plates where it was missing, it was just shocking. Also they served risotto with strawberry sauce and it was just weird. I like when things are unique and not your average dish but this didn't work well together. Lastly they fried up thin slices of beef with cheese and prosciutto but 3 of our meals had raw beef. The chef was not cooking them long enough at all. The owner did apologize and took 10% off but the bill was still very high for our experience. I just didn't think the dishes were worth what they are charging. I think the 4 of us left with paying $500 (including tip) with 10% off. We don't mind paying that at some places but it clearly wasn't worth it here. They did greet us with a cake for our birthday but even the cake tasted more like bread. It was very nice for them to surprise us but couldn't believe how the cake tasted. Maybe they had an off night but don't think we'll be back any time soon.

When I learned of this new non-chain Italian restaurant opening in Troy, I looked forward to checking it out. Due to Covid-19 in-dining room restrictions we decided to order their "Italian Aperitif to Go!", $25.00 The fresh charcuterie box was filled with delicious meats, cheese, dried fruit, and crackers. There was a wide variety of wines to choose from. We decided to upgrade to a $20 bottle of hearty red wine. Then we headed home to enjoy. The sliced meat was very tasty, and truly the Italian version. A variety of 3 different cheeses. Dried apricots, figs and something we couldn't identify, but was very tasty. Walnuts and crackers competed the box. The portions were perfect for the 2 of us. Loved the red wine they selected for us. I look forward to trying the soup and panini sandwiches from their lunch menu.

Hidden gem in Troy. Authentic Italian, food was excellent and service was fantastic. Get here for a night out with your significant other, spouse, friends, family etc....

This is such a wonderful restaurant run by the nicest Italian family. When they called to confirm my reservation, i told them i didnt want to know what was on the tasting menu, i just wanted to be surprised. They also accommodated my husbands preference for no seafood. We arrived right at 6 and the restaurant is small but very cozy and smells so good when you walk in. We were given a small bowl of bread but some butter or olive oil would have been nice to dip it in :) we ordered a bottle of wine and waited for the meal to start. The wine menu is almost all italian wines so i had to google them to see what they were. All of the plates were sooo delicious. I really savored every bite. Such unique flavor profiles and combinations. The chef really takes pride in her work and knowing what you think. For the main plate, i was served ahi tuna so they made a pork tenderloin dish for my husband who didn't want seafood. It was very good until he realized it wasn't cooked through and completely raw in the middle. It was off putting for him and he was not able to finish eating it. The plate sizes are very small so we both still felt hungry when we left. For $75 a person, we hoped for a bit more food :) but other than that, it was a really nice fun date night and I'd definitely return to try another tasting menu.

Used them for our company holiday party and spent thousands for cold lasagna and bite size, tasteless finger food. Prior to the event, I asked several times if our staff would be full from the food selected, and she assured me they would. Our staff ended up going out after the party because they were starving. When I reached out afterwards to tell her of our disappointment, I never received a response. Nice lady but will never use them again. :(

My husband, family, friends and business associates have been coming here for years and have NEVER been disappointed with the unique, delicious and amazing food that Elizabetta's family and staff provide. Not only does Cucina Lab Torino serve up amazing fresh REAL Italian food, they also are conscientious of customer's dietary restrictions and preferences. They also have an incredible wine selection and the customers are always welcome to watch Elizabetta and her incredible staff cook your meal, in front of your eyes. It doesn't get any fresher than that! Elizabetta's family and friends will take you in like family and give you an experience to remember. If you want, you can sit on their couch, relax and have a drink. Check out the pictures on their website! You will feel like you've been invited into the owner's home. We have been to Italy many times and this is the ONLY place in our area that truly makes you feel like you are back there. So authentic!! You will not be disappointed!

Where do I start!? Do you like a clean and beautiful atmosphere? The best Italian food outside of Italy? Staff that makes you feel like family? Fresh food shopped for daily? Well, you found your place. It's tucked away, but still requires reservations. I've had dinner countless times, birthday parties, and recently my baby shower. From reception, to staff, to food, to events - I know I don't have to do anything to trust it's going to be an A+ experience. Even my babyshower and birthday guests made reservations before leaving my events! They even have cooking classes & appetizers/drinks on set nights (listed on their website). This restaurant was recommended by a friend and I can't say I've been to a better all-around restaurant in NYC, LA, Chicago, etc. If you're lucky enough to get a dinner reservation - you won't regret it!

This was such a cute place!! We went for the first time and sat outside in the greenhouse! It was such a cute setup. Decorated with a lot of attention to detail -had small blankets on each chair so it wasn't too chilly. There was also a heater and speaker so you could play your own music. The staff was so nice and accommodating. Multiple family members were working together and you could tell they really cared for their patrons and wanted to ensure we were enjoying our meal. There were multiple appetizers. Homemade focaccia was AMAZING! Loved the pasta- vegetarians in our group got tomato sauce and my friend said "I could eat this pasta for the rest of my life." Non vegetarians got squid ink pasta- so salty and delicious. Branzino was so tasty. The desserts were delicious. We had espresso, chocolate liquor, and limoncello as well- all so good. And the red wine we had with dinner was great as well. Inside- loved the decorations. Bathrooms were cute and clean. Overall loved it and can't wait to go back!! Would love to sit out in the greenhouse again!

Amazing food in a great location. Worth every delicious bite! Would recommend for an authentic Italian meal.

Amazing service, food, and everything in between! We have never been more satisfied after a meal. The staff are amazing. Detailing and ensuring each person being served are taken care of and know the history behind each meal. I would recommend this to anyone. Stop by and enjoy freshly cooked meals from the heart!

Fantastic. Great little slice of Italy in a place you wouldn't expect it. Service was tremendous and knowledgeable. Chef was engaging and generous. Highly recommend for a date night or a small group of friends!

I'm so mad at myself that it took me so long to try Cucina. Made reservations which was a pretty easy process. Sat down right away, I love the decor and the atmosphere, you can have a conversation and not have to yell at each other. Drinks right away and the the food came slightly after. I loved the pace of the food for the testing menu. The food....it was perfect in every way. The ingredients are top notch. The taste is superb. The amount of food is enough to make you feel satisfied and full, without feeling stuffed. I will be back and will dream of the food until I do. Well done!

We love this restaurant! The food is 5-star and the family feel (because it is family) makes you fell incredibly welcome. I've had serval dinners here, it's a chef's menu (they will adjust your meal, if needed), and everything is beyond delectable! I recently took a cooking class, it was intimate, knowledgeable, fun and yummy! They have some grocery items that will make your home cooked Italian meals delicious. I consider myself a Detroit area foodie and this restaurant is one of my few top places! Enjoy!

This place is amazing, the family that owns it are the nicest people i've ever met it is a very cool experience going here, but most importantly the food is the most authentic Italian food i've had and i've been to Italy. The inside of the restaurant is so cool, I really love this restaurant i highly recommend going here!!

We dined here in December, right before the owners were off to their family holiday in Italy. Everything was top notch and delicious. It is truly a family run authentic Italian restaurant and I look forward to returning in the near future!

I do want to start by saying that we are 100% Italian. Overall very disappointing. The ambience in there was very weird, it was super bright and not intimate, it was also not Italian in any way inside. They state that you will get 5-7 courses but of course, we only got 5 and our friends that went before also only got 5 courses. All the food was very plain and average, nothing crazy at all. Some of the dishes were bland and didn't have much taste. For our pasta portion, they said it was homemade pasta but we watched them pour in a box of pasta into the pot. When we got our bill they charged us for a bottle of wine even though we didn't get a bottle of wine. I don't recommend this place especially because it's $80 per person and you can go get an incredible dinner else where for the same price.

Wow! What an amazing little secret this restaurant is. It is tucked away in a plaza. But, if you make a reservation, you will be treated to an evening of courses to savor. It is more than a dinner. It is an event!

What a delightful dining experience! The menu changes weekly, you will get a call ahead of time with the details and you can give any dietary preferences and restrictions at that time. We had a party of 6 with a few different dietary needs and they handled it with ease. The staff was all so lovely and warm and it was obvious they took pride in the food they were serving. I loved not having to think about what I was going to eat! Plates just kept coming and everything was delicious. The restaurant is very cute but we did have a little difficulty finding it. I think everyone in our party drove past it bc it's at the back of the building. Just look for the dental office sign and pull in there.

Chef Elizabeth is so sweet!! The food was absolutely delish and she supports my school Troy high so much!!! 10/10

We've enjoyed dinner in this beautiful space twice this year and both experiences were wonderful. The food is fresh, healthy, beautifully plated, and served with pride. This is a chef-selected dining experience (prix fixe), so no menus (except drinks.) Make a reservation, and you'll receive a call the day before with a menu run-down. If you have any special dietary concerns, you can share them during this call. Chef prepared a beautiful vegetable tart for me in place of the main meat course. While I'm not a chef, it's evident that Elisabetta possesses a true talent for selecting the best ingredients and preparing them in such a way that the flavors and textures not only satisfy, they bring pure bliss. We enjoyed a Negroni before dinner, followed by a delicious glass of wine, and ended the night with a perfectly prepared cappuccino with dessert (I know...it's more of a morning drink but we love them.) Our dinner was delicious and service from the moment we walked through the door made us feel welcome and comfortable. The waitstaff are kind, work together as a team to serve, and ready to answer questions about the food or wine. It's a treat to be so well looked after at the end of a busy week. Looking forward to our next visit.

Great experience! Highly recommend! They accommodated 11 of us for my dad's birthday and everything was delicious. They were so friendly and kind, it was a pleasure!

If you are looking for a true taste and experience of eating at a local restaurant in Italy, this is it. What a wonderful family, and I do mean family, run restaurant. The mother is the inspiration and head chef. Her two daughters and her son make up a large part of the staff and they are a joy to talk to We shared some stories about Italy where they grew up. They were never in a rush or too busy to have a chat and they were so appreciative of our compliments. To say that they all added to the experience would be an understatement. My initial feeling when I arrived was was that going to Cuccina Lab Torino is a bit like going to your family or friends for a seven course dinner. That impression was only solidified throughout the evening. You do not come here to gobble down food and leave. This is an evening out. It is a pleasurable experience in the tradition of any good family restaurant in Italy. You are treated like their guests. The wine which we had not run across in three trips to Italy was also terrific and really very reasonable. By the way, the food was OUTSTANDING! Each course was just as good if not better than the last. We finished off our evening with some home made Limoncello. It was so good that that we took a bottle home. We will be returning for sure. Grazie! Phil and Patti Serafini

I have been to many Italian restaurants and this restaurant doesn't disappoint!! Ive been here several times with many friends and they have gone back with their friends, and it's become one of their favorite places to dine. Everything is on point!!! Love, love this place and the owners and staff treat you like family. Vitaliano T

Fantastic food everything I've had has been amazing and they have a beautiful space with a great atmosphere highly recommend

If your 're hungry and want to enjoy a buffet style setting,, DON'T bother coming here. They will serve you snacks.

This is one of my favorite new restaurants! We have been ordering to go dinners regularly and love pretty much everything that we ordered. The fresh pasta is squisito (really good) and the desserts are sublime (love the tiny cannolis)! It's a small, well-executed menu and everything is made in house! We attended a wine tasting last month and enjoyed lovely appetizers with each pour. It's a beautiful, well-lit restaurant and I can't wait to go back!

There's a lot to love about this restaurant. It has a different concept compared to most restaurants with its seasonal menu that changes often, but the nice thing is that you're able to try something new each time. No matter what we were served, it was obvious that a lot of time and energy went into preparing each dish, even the most simple appetizers. What I loved most about this restaurant is that everything tasted so fresh and you're able to really enjoy what you're eating. Unlike a lot of "Italian" restaurants that have over-cooked plates of pasta filled with cream and sauce, this restaurant really focused on the basics of true Italian cuisine and cooking. It's something I can't find at other Italian restaurants in the area so I'm really glad I found it here. The restaurant also has wine nights and cooking classes and I can't wait to go back for both of those and dinner again. This place is definitely one of my favorite new restaurants and I'd highly recommend people try it!