Luciano's

The chef's menu is such a treat. And they've been innovative with sound dampening drapes between the tables to make each area feel intimate even when the restaurant is busy. They accommodated gluten and dairy free extremely well, and all the food was fantastic.

Short Version: If you are traveling along Interstate 35, this is absolutely worth the 4 mile detour to have either lunch or dinner. Especially, if you want to avoid fast food and low level franchise food chains as much as we do. They can accommodate gluten-free and do have a gluten-free pasta! They also do a masterful job in balancing the Italian sensiblity that is about providing high-quality ingredients and smaller portions to taste many flavors in a meal with the American need for large portions. Extremely Good! Estremamente Buono! Long Version: My husband and I are always seeking out unique finds in our travels. This is one of those places. Luciano, the proprietor, has settled in Mulvane, Kansas from his birthplace of Italy where he grew up in Viareggio with his six brothers and sisters. A place in northern Tuscany, Italy, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. After meeting an American, who he confesses as the love of his life, he immigrated to the United States settling in Mulvane, which is located just 26 miles south from Wichita's city center, as it reminded him of the wheat fields and sunflowers of his Tuscan home. As we approached the town of Mulvane we were struck by the Mayberry-esque feel. The neat and clean main street had evidence of the town's beginnings featuring Italianate architecture, a quaint park with large stature trees, as well as a train museum. It all makes sense since the town was laid out in 1879 at the junction of five Santa Fe rail lines, and later incorporated in 1883. Most likely an intermodal of sorts. After a long day of travel we arrived at the beginning of Luciano's dinner service. We walked past a cat sleeping on the front stoop who had no interest in accommodating us and our entry to the restaurant. We carefully stepped around her as she yawned. Then we were immediately greeted by a lovely young lady and seated. Our waitress greeted us within a beat or two of sitting down. We began by viewing the wine list and asking about their standout dishes. When she was stumped by a wine question and about to seek assistance, a gentleman arrived by her side and quickly answer all our questions. We choose a glass of montepulciano and we started with the Antipasti - Antipasti Misti di Parma which featured two types of fresh mozzarella cheese, imported prosciutto, kalamata olives, olive oil & salt, and Calamari al Vino Bianco which featured sliced calamari sautéed in garlic, white wine & olive oil served over greens & topped with lemon, herbs & spices. Eleven and Nine dollars, respectively. Our next course was pasta. I had Quattro Formaggi - shredded Italian cheeses blended with real cream & bits of fresh asparagus & carrots, served on farfelle (bowtie) pasta. The farfalle tasted like a high-quality dried pasta and not homemade/handmade, but I would absolutely have it again. My personal preference would be to order it with much more asparagus & carrot in the future. The flavor was very good. My husband had the Mottola Sugo di Carne which is one of Luciano's family recipes. When it first arrived, I know he thought it should have had more meat, but by the last bit he said it was "perfect". He had it served over the gluten-free pasta and parmesan cheese. Both dishes were only ten dollars. You can tell their dishes are made to order, and with high-quality ingredients. Based on the extremely affordable prices the dinners were outstanding and WE WILL BE BACK. We concluded with an espresso. We would have had a lemoncello if that had been available. Fino al Nostro Prossimo Incontro! While eating dinner we witnessed the local "justice of the peace" pull over a car headed for the restaurant. We understand the driver rolled through a stop sign. So their "Sherrif Andy Taylor" is on duty, but we think he really a nice guy too, since the driver only received a warning. Then strolled through the park for a few minutes after dinner. Tip: Ask for a seat in room to the left of entering. You would have a view of the park I mentioned earlier.