The Place
First, being in the suburbs affords the luxury of an ample parking lot and a complimentary valet is offered. Inside, the restaurant provides a feel that is certainly classy and inviting. White table cloths, some booth seating, rich wood, etc. etc. It's a good atmosphere.
The Food
I have been pleased with the fresh, comforting, Italian fare each visit here. This time I had the duck ragu with pasta; excellent. My date had a veal dish with mozzarella and tomato puree--it was also delicious. I have previously enjoyed both steak and seafood here quite a bit, too. In my experience, the specials & waiter's suggestions are worth listening to. Desserts are worthwhile here, with the Fantasia being a classic I've enjoyed a few times. It's a chocolate egg fill with a bit of cake, berries, and a little cream & raspberry sauce. Pictured below with a birthday candle.
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| From Drop Box |
The Wine
First, let it be known that Cafe Lucci's great wine program extends to their service and glassware. They decant, have multiple glass shapes, and generally just know how to treat wine.
Per actual wine, I took a young Barbaresco. Another time dining here we enjoyed various grape varieties, but it's hard to recommend anything away from the Nebbiolo grape. Langhe, Barbaresco, Barolo are key regions to look for. I've had a couple of Chiantis here that did work with a steak course, but Nebbiolo's acidity makes it work great with anything from a creamy seafood dish up to richly acidic tomato sauces on braised meats. Both the duck ragu and veal dishes enjoyed last week paired beautifully to the Barbaresco.
The Sum
This is a great restaurant. The help is knowledgeable and refreshingly, well, helpful! If you're lucky the loquacious owner Bobby will be around and visit your table--very friendly guy. Excellent wine service could actually justify bringing a special bottle in and paying the high corkage, but if such a large sum irks you then there are plenty of good bottles on the wine list and there are Mondays with no corkage. Talk to your server, find what they like, sit back & enjoy the comforting Italian experience of Cafe Lucci.
2005 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Torre - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (3/22/2010)
Nose of some rustic earthen tones, great soft floral/violet scents, and some rich red & dark cherries. Tasting brings in those earthy tones with clear, fresh cherry wrapped in a layer of vibrant acidity. Finishes with pulling tannins and strong acid, which slightly cover the flavors here (popped & poured, drank over 2.5 hours) but there is some length to all the elements. Certainly very good now, but there's more waiting down the road. 87-88 with plenty of upside.
Went great with duck ragu pasta (88 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
