ItalX

Friendly service and a clean, nicely decorated venue. I'm not a fan of couches in restaurants and the layout in this restaurant makes you feel like you're eating with the people around you. It's not very intimate. The menu is small/ limited. The food was good. An interesting take on Italian but not quite our style. We ordered the polpette cacio e uova. It was good but very rich. We also ordered the gnocchi and chicken piccata. Both were good but very light on the seasonings and sauces. The gnocchi was not cooked consistently (some were more dense and the sear was not even). Overall, it was good and I'm glad we checked it off of our list but will not be our "go to" for Italian.

Wow, simply wow. I’m impressed. I came hungry and curious. I’ve left more than satisfied. I tried several small dishes rather than the usual pasta panini and pizza. Don’t overlook these delicacies. The arancini have a crispy crust and a wonderfully gooey cheesy inside. They are seasoned well. Accompanied by a red and pesto sauce that pair well. The pesto was especially tasty and begs for a pasta dish with the same sauce. I also ordered the Matuffi Lucchese. The polenta is fantastic and the hearty wild mushroom ragu is seasoned to perfection. The butternut squash soup was light. It was the weakest dish and I feel lacked salt. The faina was the most surprising item and I am so glad I tried it. . This chickpea pancake was slightly crispy at the edges with a luscious center. Ignore the butter in the photo. It was offered with olive oil and I always prefer butter, but it did not need either. The cannoli were amazing. Whipped mascarpone was genius. I’ve often found ricotta heavy. These were very light. I must note. I am gluten intolerant and watch what I eat. The menu is very gluten free friendly with notations and substitution possibilities (including the cannoli shells made with almond flour). My server, Gustavo, was the best. He timed my dishes perfectly and accommodated all my requests graciously and efficiently. He was the cherry on the top of a memorable meal.

My wife and I came here on Valentine's Day while we waited for our hotel check in time. What was a spur of the moment decision turned into one of the highlights of our night. We sat at the bar since they were completely booked. The food was amazing! It was probably the best chicken piccata that we had ever been served. What really made the experience memorable was the amazing bartender, Kat! The wild fig old fashioned she made was one of the best cocktails we have had! Her warm hospitality and willingness to share her mixology expertise was unique in our experience. She introduced us to our new favorite cocktail, the paper plane. Thank you Kat for helping us have a wonderful night!

An exquisite dining experience for sure. The food was made on site including the pasta. The atmosphere was a true memory maker. And the staff had customer service in their DNA. You must give this restaurant a try. I couldn't recommend any specific item because everything we had was perfect.

Stopped by with a group of friends for lunch and service was quick and friendly. I ordered the lunch special which was a margarita pizza with a house salad. Both were delicious. Atmosphere was inviting. Overall I enjoyed dining at Italx and am looking forward to going again.

Let me start by saying my rating comes in 2 parts. We took our daughter and her boyfriend to dinner when visiting Lexington from Chicago. We started with drinks which were delicious and we'll made. For appetizer we had the margarita pizza with sausage, focaccia breat with whipped ricotta and the meatballs. The pizza was delicious although I would have liked more of a browning on the crust. I have traveled all over the world , including Italy and have have a wood burning pizza oven at my home. The meatballs were outstanding, very soft and full of flavor. The focaccia was tasty and soft but a little salt flake on top would have made it over the top. I didn't like or dislike the whipped ricotta as it added little to the focaccia. For mains we had pasta carbonate, lasagna and bolognaise. All were outstanding and pasta was cooked to perfection. For dessert we has the cannoli and tiramisu. The cannoli was outstanding with the dark chocolate and orange zest. The filling was smooth and creamy. Definitely a must try. Now for my 3 star rating, the tiramisu. It was inedible and had a very sour taste. Normally i would think the Marscapone was bad but all other ingredients throughout dinner were very fresh and delicious. It definitely did not taste like Marscapone and there was a sponge instead of ladyfingers that were not soaked enough. I have had tiramisu in italy and everywhere i travel and this was the worst. If I had not tasted the tiramisu I would have rated 5 stars. For 4 people we spent $450.00 which was worth it other than the tiramisu. All in all it's worth giving it a try just don't order tiramisu.

Lovely meal I had the lasagna. It was perfect. My wife had some pasta with chicken that I can’t pronounce again. It was great but we drove four hours to get the amaretto sour. Their bartender is on point.

We met for dinner before a game, so location was nice. Wine selection and service were great. We had some excellent calamari. Loss of star for atmosphere and pasta. Both were alright but I’ll take Bella Notte over this place any day. Ambiance is cold and uninteresting. Pasta was not terrible but not something I’ll come back for.

Table was great. Jesus our server was rude and not attentive. Food was mediocre. I had the chicken piccata and it lacked flavor and sauce. The Arancini was about the only item I would recommend. First time there and would only go again in a pinch.

If I could give this place more stars I would! This is hands down the best restaurant I've eaten at in Lexington. From the time we walked in until we left the service was on point. We had everything from drinks to dessert for a special 35th anniversary(which we didn't tell them we were there for) and it was awesome. The focaccia bread was amazing! I would go back just for that The restaurant is beautiful and very well maintained. I love this place and will definitely be back.

Beautiful space, great service & vibe . Veal Marsala & Chicken Piccata were perfect . Great night out .

My fiancé and I came here for the first time for a belated Valentine's dinner and it was spectacular! Our food was high quality and flavorful. The lasagna was probably the best we both have ever had in a restaurant - it just melts in your mouth! The other dishes and desserts were also delightful and worth having again. Our server was kind and attentive, and the general staff were friendly and accommodating. The ambiance of the restaurant is excellent for a date night, the lighting is romantic, the decor is modern Italian, and the vibes are amazing! I can't wait for our next trip back!

Best pasta I've had in a long time! Nice restaurant with great service. The host was super nice and accommodated us even though we had no reservations. Carbonara was fresh and super tasty. Portion size was Just the right amount . Recommend 100%! The limoncello spritz which was delicious For desert had tiramisu, which was good. Definitely will return if I'm passing through Lexington.

I don't usually think of pasta as a "lunch" food, because most of the time the servings are huge but the quality is just meh, and I don't usually want to carry leftovers etc. But this place had the perfect size portions and really great quality, so it worked out really nicely. We went in for an early lunch, so the place wasn't really busy. The service was awesome, food was served quickly, which is important for lunch meetings as we were on a schedule, and the food was great. Really great overall experience, would absolutely come again.

We really enjoyed our meal at ItalX. The food and service were amazing. Definitely plan to come back!

Our first time there was a very good experience. We made reservations online: super easy and accessible. Arrived on-time. I ordered the Chicken Piccata and it didn't disappoint. My wife got her meal and she liked it. To be honest, we ordered the focaccia bread and oil, and the meatball app and we could have had just that and our drinks. We were very impressed. Atmosphere happened to be perfect, weather was sensational so the glass walls were open, made for a very celebratory downtown Lexington, dining experience. We will be back!

Came here for my girlfriends birthday. The server recommended adding spinach and sweet onions to my pasta along with shrimp. Absolutely fantastic dish with great flavor. When it gets dark outside the room lights up beautifully. This is the perfect spot for a date night in Lexington.

In town visiting and got the recommendation to try this place out - it's in the heart of downtown, the parking garage took a minute but we got it. Smaller restaurant but very nice. It was a spring day (but also Thursday rush hour) and they had windows and doors open to the street so it was very loud even in the back of the restaurant. A bunch of ambulances and motorcycles - if you're looking for a quiet place it's not here. Ordered drinks and wine - for apps we got the Arancini and the Proscuitto di Parma - both were great but loved the Arancini. Table ordered 2 lasagnas, a bolognese and the cacio e Pepe. All great but the bolognese was the least tasty of the 3. Still would be happy to eat them all any day. I got chicken on the cacio e Pepe and it was dry, I'd skip it next time - the pasta is all you need. Would definitely be back! TL, DR - food amazing, can be loud if eating with doors and windows open, service pretty good. Worth it for the food hands down

Easily our best meal in Lexington! Gold stars: focaccia, caprese salad, meatballs, espresso martini and the *Margarita Vesuvius* from heaven. There was limited lasagna left, so a few of us split a piece and it was SO good, would go back just for that. The budino do cioccolato was ‍ and I recommend it with a glass of ruby port to finish your evening. I am not a tiramisu person, but my dining partners were raving. Solid choices: calamari, Arabic I, and ceaser salad After a weekend of bourbon and food adventures, the meal was a highlight and worth repeating. Fantastic service, upscale yet comfortable vibe, and accepts reservations.

Service and food were fine. We liked the calamari alot. The bread wasn't impressive and our main dishes were just average. The restaurant it self was very cute. I won't be making a special trip to eat here again, however, I would eat here again. It was fine.

This was a spur of the moment trip when the hubby found a reservation for that evening on open tab So happy we made the effort to roam downtown for this unique experience. Loved the vibe of this place with the open air to main street you got to have the feel of the city without sitting on the street. The food was delightful. I had the special mushroom pasta (that might have had a different name) but I loved every bit of the sheet pasta a wonderful mixed mushroom sauce. The hubby's chicken piccota was interesting, the flavor profile was just different that way he is used to. His very favorite in town is Giuseppe's and as food tastes go, that might not be the best but it is what he likes. We wanted the arancini and they were out, and I love that they make things daily, so we had the focaccia that had a great taste and texture. If you are a visitor walking to dinner this is a great choice. If you are a local looking for something Italian it is a solid choice if you want to pay to park in a clean garage with an elevator that will drop you off at the door! We will be back.

This restaurant is a cute space for cocktail drinks and dinner before starting the weekend night out. The service is alright, but the ambiance is nice. This place can be a date night spot or dinner with friends and families!

The food, service, and ambiance were amazing! We will definitely be back! One of the best places to eat downtown!

Food was great however we have a nut allergy so the menu was very limited to us. It was pretty outside so the restaurant opened the doors which was a great atmosphere. Extensive wine list and the waiter was helpful on which one to order!

Food and service is always great! The staff are always very nice and attentive, and the quality of the food never disappoints. I would definitely recommend the veal Marsala (I usually get it with chicken instead, but both are great), calamari, and the spaghetti and meatballs.

Lasagna and salmon salad. Lasagna was not bad,not great. I like a cheasy lasagna, and the sausage should be sweet. She enjoyed the smon salad Service was good.

I had the butternut squash and mushroom Zucca Malfatti dish as my main course. It was 5-stars. Light, delicious, and full of subtle flavors. Carmelized onions, and the fluffiest "gnocchi-like" puffs of heaven. Because I was alone, I opted for some French bread with balsamic instead of the true "focaccia", and I'm kicking myself. Service at the bar was efficient and polite, and Christian is a true gentleman host/manager. This is a beautiful restaurant with excellent cocktails, wine, and spirits. Enjoy!

Food was excellent, service could have been better. We had to ask multiple times for things, and she never brought my after dinner drink, but she was friendly, just frazzled.

Great atmosphere but extremely small plates. The focaccia bread appetizer and the calamari were amazing. The pasta dishes were on the small size and nothing special. The tiramisu was good. The portions were fine for the ladies but all the gentlemen in our party were hungry upon leaving.

My wife and I ordered the Halibut and Chicken Piccata. Both dishes were came to the table like something you would see in a food magazine. Beautiful! The taste matched the appearance. The food was so delicious. The seating was comfortable and the overall feel of the restaurant was lively but not overly busy. We will definitely return to try some other dishes. We had a chocolate raspberry dessert that was absolutely a must.

Everything was excellent and great portion sizes. I don't like lasagna, but I loved my husband's lasagna at ItalX.

Didn't get pictures of every dish because some were inhaled. The atmosphere in the restaurant is wonderful. It is super cute inside. The food was unbelievable. The chicken in the chicken piccata was cooked and seasoned so perfectly. It was so tender and delicious. The veal Marsala was phenomenal. The ricotta and spinach dumplings with the crispy artichokes were better than I could have ever expected. It was just a wonderful experience. I will ABSOLUTELY be back. Also FYI, the menu on the website is from Dec2022 and a little different right now. So many amazing things.

The service was first class. Food was amazing. The meatball appetizer, lasagna, chicken piccata. Fantastic!

The food and atmosphere was generally good. Appreciated the wine list and the attentive service. Some bad timing on the appetizers and meal delivery and the pasta was over cooked and then obviously sat under a heat lamp for too long. To sell authentic Italian food you have to work a little harder and serve the food "quando sarà pronto" (when it's ready) The fish was great and I appreciated the local take on a few classic dishes.

We were very excited about trying this restaurant. The atmosphere looked lovely and was perfect for our date day. But I was a bit disappointed. Their lunch menu appears to vary so it did not match what was uploaded to their website so there weren't as many pasta options as I anticipated. I requested the Bolognese with spaghetti noodles however my pasta was way over cooked and was extremely mushy. My husband ordered the pollo panini which was good but seemed to miss that "pop" of flavor so it was semi bland. The potatoes and sauce it was served with was delicious though. My favorite part of the meal was the focaccia. Very fresh bread. The atmosphere was beautiful but pretty disappointed in the taste of food.

Italx has the perfect ambiance for date night! This was our second trip to Italx (first being with a large group) and we enjoyed our visit. Our server was very attentive and brought us multiple samples so we could pair the right wine with our meal. The fig salad (while small for the price) was absolutely delicious. We enjoyed the lasagna (perfect size for sharing) but it wasn't particularly remarkable. There was only one downside to the meal - I had an espresso martini for dessert and it was probably one of the worst I've ever had. Way too sweet and syrupy - very disappointing for the quality of the bar.

So good. Possibly my new favorite restaurant in Lex. Me and my two best friends went and ordered 3 different pasta dishes to share. All were . Espresso martini was also great.

The food is always amazing. I've been serval time and have never had a problem. Recently, I talked with the manager about a problem, and the manager wouldn't listen. He just accused me of making a scene. So I left and went back to my table. There was no way the manager was going to help me or listen to me. So I just left it. I will never go back!

I have enjoyed dining at the bar a handful of times. This classy, modern Italian restaurant is situated in the Marriott complex downtown. The decor is swanky and contemporary, with a warm touch of velvet furniture and cool tiles. The bar isn't extremely spacious, but the friendly bartender, Joey, makes sure all patrons are well assisted. They have wonderful homemade pastas here, I particularly enjoy the cacio e pepe! This dish is easy to make, but hard to master. I think Italx's version is divine. Thick, homemade oversized bucatini noodles with a rich cheesy glaze and potent cracked black pepper are simple ingredients but the classic flavors speak for themselves. I also enjoyed the caprese salad. It was maybe a little post prime tomato time here in Kentucky; but classic basil and mozzarella still insured a good salad course. The farinata accompanied this extremely well! It was my first time trying farinata- a chick pea based Italian crepe with parmesan and onion flavors. I enjoyed pairing this with the caprese for a bread like addition. I wish I visited Kentucky more often, I could see this restaurant being a staple on my list of local hot spots! Even so, I thoroughly enjoy my times here and can't wait to come back and try the butternut squash gnocchi dish!

staff is always friendly and helpful-- I have never received a bad wine recommendation from them and the food is always amazing. This has become me and my fiancé's go to date night spot!

Adorable restaurant in the heart of downtown Lexington. We got a bottle of wine for the table ($54 per bottle) which was more comparable for the group than getting single drinks. Appetizers were delicious. I had the Meatball appetizer as my entree. This was a busy night and the restaurant can get crowded and loud, especially if they keep the big outside doors open due to the main road the restaurant sits on. Service was professional. There is a parking garage close by, but I found street parking one street down (street parking free after 6pm). Easy walk to other downtown attractions and bars.

I finally had the opportunity to try ItalX and it did not disappoint. Absolutely everything is made in-house from pastas to desserts, even the cannoli shells! It's a very chic restaurant with a sophisticated vibe. I appreciate the mix of old and new with the penny tile floors and brick arches. The brushed brass fixtures and soft lighting give a warm glow to the space. I began my meal with a negroni, the classic Italian drink. Let me tell you, they make a great one! Strong too! The calamari is delicious with a crispy batter. The lemon-basil aioli is less tart than the usual, but it's the perfect partner for the peppery arugula and pickled peppers that accompany the dish. For the entree' I chose gemelli bolognese with a beef, pork, and lamb ragu'. Pasta was not overly sauced and since the meats are not ground all together, each stood out on its own. It's a repeat for sure! The vanilla bean gelato and pignoli cookies were a hit as well. Cookies are a soft texture with a hint of amaretto, covered in toasted pine nuts and a very light sprinkling of salt enhancing all of the flavors. They are made of almond flour, so they're gluten-free if that's important to you. Our waiter was outstanding. He was extremely knowledgeable about the food, cocktails, and wines. He was also very honest and thorough with his answers. Upon eying a different pasta dish and discussing it with him, I opted for an alternative dish which was the right decision. Treat yourself by giving ItalX a try!

A great Italian addition to Lexington. I really like the atmosphere in this restaurant. The spritz was great.

Lovely lunch (weekends only) at Italyx with friends. Everything was excellent. See my photos. A picture is worth a thousand words. Our waiter Shane was top notch and even took a video for us of the pasta being made in the kitchen. 135

Got the worst food poisoning of my life. Do not order the chicken, I have been sick for two days straight!

Hot take--go for some apps, drinks, and dessert. Skip the entree. Italx is obviously a beautiful restaurant, and that in itself has made it popular. Along with a stellar wine list and excellent cocktails, my favorite things here include the meatball appetizer, focaccia, and my goodness, the tiramisu!!! I would easily recommend this place to anyone, but truth be told I find the pasta dishes here to be inarguably good, but not mind blowing, especially for the price (and for some dishes, the portion size is limited for what you're paying for as well). Definitely quality food with great service and a lovely vibe! If we were going off of apps, drinks and desserts, it would be a 5!

I went to ItalX for the first time on Valentine's Day with reservations I made a couple of months in advance, because bookings go so quickly! I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant and elegant feel, my only potential complaint being that the noise level was fairly loud. We started off by ordering the Arancini to share, which came with marinara and a basil-pistachio pesto. It was delicious and a perfect start for the two of us to share! For my entree, I ordered the Cacio E Pepe, and added grilled chicken. I loved the fresh parmesan on top, and the dish as a whole was very flavourful. By itself, I didn't really love the chicken, but I still enjoyed it along with the pasta. My boyfriend had the Bolognese, which he really enjoyed as well. Our server was good, but nothing additional to note of being personable or attentive. I would recommend and visit again!

We were greeted warmly by the hostess and seated promptly. Our waitress Alissa was super friendly and attentive. The Caesar salad was very good (appreciated that they split it for us). We all enjoyed the lasagne, veal, bolognese, spaghetti and meatballs. I had the linguine with clams, which were made differently than most Italian restaurants- with a pinkish sauce and few clams. That dish was just OK. Oddly enough, this Italian restaurant does not have bread, which is kind of a head-scratcher.

ItalX is an upscale but not pretentious Italian eatery with great service that went out of its way to make our large party feel at home. Due to a combination of the start of Horse racing and UK basketball, it was almost impossible to find a reservation for our large group. Not only did ItalX find room for us but saved us a large private table in the back of the restaurant for our party. It was really appreciated. Of course, the food was good too, a solid menu of Italian fare. Their take on Cacio e Pepe was very unique to me: long tubes of candele pasta with the requisite pepper and cheese. Some may think it's sacrilicious to add protein to the dish but I liked the fact I could order it with chicken or shrimp. Thanks again ItalX for a great meal to kick-off a weekend in Lexington. Pro Tip: ItalX is located on the retail ground floor of the Residence Inn by Marriott Lexington City Center, the entrance is a door located between the restaurant storefront and the main hotel entrance on Main St.

I was surprised at how highly recommended this place came... Everything was just okay, other than my pasta which came so salty that I couldn't even eat it. When I complained to the waitress (which I never usually do), she just apologized but didn't take it off the bill or discount at all. Overall, I was unimpressed. The Chianti and pizza app was good though.

Holy cow this place is a pasta lovers heaven. This place is fantastic. The pasta dishes are flavorful and the portions are big. The appetizers are delicious along with the desserts. Their wine and cocktail list is an extensive selection of delicious flavors and kinds of drinks. The restaurant is classy, with low lighting and tables around the edges of the restaurant set up next to a big glass window that wraps around the restaurant. The service I have always received has been nothing short of excellent. Italx is my go-to spot for a nicer, delicious dinner. It is perfect for birthday dinners, date nights, pretty much any dinner night no matter the occasion. Make sure to go try it out if you haven't been already, I promise you won't regret it.

My wife and I have been to ItalX twice and have enjoyed both times. The food has been delicious, the wines and cocktails are priced relatively well, the staff service has been good. We'll go back for sure. It's a LOUD place. Both times. It's beautifully decorated with lots of hard surfaces, so sound bounces all over. You'll need to project across the table for conversation. If you can handle that, the food is worth the conversational effort. Give it a try!

Food here is excellent. Staff is very informed. Thanks to Cadence! Had the good fortune to actually have lunch at the bar one day (after having had many dinners prior.) She gave me a great recommendation on salad and appetizers. And then I was lucky to over here the details of mini custom drinks and how they were made. Great spot you should definitely try it.

First time there with another couple, had reservations made three weeks prior. Drinks were good - had a lemon drip martini with orange. Our friends for an espresso martini that was good. The restaurant is small. We were seated in an area in the back with one other table. It was quiet but there was an echo so it was difficult to hear the server. We asked for clarification on a few things and she copped an attitude. The menu is very limited and they don't like substitutions so just order as it's listed. The food was good but for $60+ per person I wasn't overly impressed.

Aubrey was an amazing server!! highly recommend this restaurant! Great service! The food is great and the environment is spectacular! Aubrey is such an angel

We began with the new item on the menu, the Caprino e Fichi - a salad made with figs, apples, arugula, goat cheese, hazelnuts, and prosciutto crisp, served with orange-white balsamic vinaigrette. Next, we enjoyed It's the Margarita Vesuvius made with tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a house-made spicy simple syrup. Next, my wife enjoyed the Spaghetti Carbonara. Made with guanciale, egg yolk, pecorino, and black pepper, topped with shrimp. I had the Verdure Panini made with fontina, and a fresh Mediterranean vegetable blend served with rosemary potatoes. We finished with the Peach Zabaglione, made with fresh peaches and served with savoiradi on the side. ItalX is located in the City Center on the corner of Main and Upper, in the heart of Lexington's downtown! The perfect location for weekend brunch or a night out with family and friends. They do require reservations. The place is impressive service with a solid Italian ambiance, making you feel like you are in Italy. High Recommended, we will be back.

Dined here for the first time with 7 others for a birthday dinner. At least two of us got food posioning. I haven't heard from the others yet. Just wanted to get the warning out. It was the worst food poisoning I've ever had. Beware.

I was really excited to try this place, I was so disappointed. The house old fashioned had a strange taste, the Caesar Salad had hair in it, the Spaghetti Carbonara was dry (not enough sauce). It is very loud, you have to pretty much scream at each other to communicate. The server was not attentive, I had to flag her down to take our order, etc. I expected more.