Next Sunday's review
When people first heard that someone connected to the much beloved Matthew's Pizza in Highlandtown was opening a restaurant in Locust Point, they expected a sort of Matthew's West. That's not what Luca's Cafe is at all.
It does have pizza, but a thin-crusted kind with very different sorts of ingredients. And pizza isn't even the star of its bistro menu.
Luca's fills a gap in the Locust Point dining scene. (Imagine saying those words a decade ago.) To find out more, you'll have to wait for my review in next Sunday's Arts & Life Today section.
(Picture of Shrimp on Fire by Monica Lopossay/Sun photographer)
Comments
Unless the chef decides to chose this week to leave due to his four month contract coming to an end! Sorry, I could not help myself.
Posted by: Regina | April 27, 2008 5:02 PM
Regina said: Unless the chef decides to chose this week to leave due to his four month contract coming to an end!
Hey, that's not very fair! Unless unbeknownst to me the chef at Luca's is Joshua (sp?) Hill.
Joshau. Believe me, I've taken grief about this, but that's how he spells it. EL
Posted by: Hal Laurent, VoR | April 27, 2008 8:04 PM
Can't wait for the review. I had a wonderful experience at Luca's and am curious if it's consistent since not much chatter on it elsewhere. I also think the location is perfect. Another sign that Baltimore is turning out smart neighborhood resturants? New Yorkers are gonna freak!
I hope you'll tell us more about your meal either here or on my Monday Morning Quarterbacking the next day. It is odd how nobody seems to be talking about it. EL
Posted by: SGI | April 28, 2008 8:32 AM
We've had one odd experience at Luca and one excellent one.
http://pigtown-pigout.blogspot.com/2008/04/some-tidbits.html
Posted by: Fairfax | April 28, 2008 10:35 AM
I had an early mid-week dinner at Luca's Cafe a few weeks ago. We were seated downstairs which was surprisingly comfortable. One of the first clues to the fact that I knew I was going to like it was the mixed crew of chef/wait staff/bartenders all taste testing desserts. Everyone was listening and respecting one another's opinions.
I got the Mediterranean pizza and dining companion had the goulash. Although pizza seemed the obvious choice the goulash came recommended by our waiter. Additionally, goulash isn't something one comes by on a menu in Bmore every day so it seemed an obvious choice. Although tasty, there was food envy for my pizza. The goulash was a heavy duty entree that should probably be seasonal. It's served over gnocchi and would go best with a couple of beers on a Tuesday night in January...if you know what I mean. Our waiter later told us that the Mediterranean pizza is one of the restaurant's most popular items and for good reason - it was light, had a nice balance of flavors and was satisfying all in one. My one complaint is that I would like to see a simple cheese pizza on the menu. Personal opinion but I believe there's nothing like a cheese pizza to test the skill and mettle of a pizza maker. And, I LOVE cheese pizza. I know...very selfish.
Drinkwise we ordered a bottle of wine. Initially, we were each going to order a glass but the prices were so reasonable that we decided to go with a bottle. The bummer is that the list is weak. Either way, we still received classic tableside wine service which was much appreciated. I absolutely think the service exceeded expectation given the price point, menu and general atmosphere. Major kudos!
Overall, I think Luca's is a solid neighborhood restaurant that fills a need in Baltimore.
Posted by: SGI | April 28, 2008 12:23 PM