LUCCAChicken Cobb Salad divineService was best. From Hostess, to Waitress to Bus Service. All attentive, nice, just right. Loved the suggestion of the Cobb Salad with Marinated Chicken. Lovely Patio....will come back for wine tasting events as well. Overall, great lunch.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSo grateful to live down the streetI love this place! My husband and I try to come once every couple months or so. They have a new (at least since we were last here) summer menu that is phenomenal. Wild tuna pasta - yum!6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMCasual yet sophisticatedWe have been to Lucca twice now and both times it was excellent! We shared a few starters - the pork belly was delicious - and then each had a main. Portions are a good size- not overwhelming but filling. Matthew was our server this time and he was great. Visible when we needed him but he didn't hover. Ambiance is energetic yet not too loud. We will definitely be going back.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service and food was excellent.The service and food was excellent. I will go back for sure.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful EveningIf you enjoy fresh, quality food that is beautifully presented by thoughtful servers, this is a place to try.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMArray of Menu ChoicesThere is always an interesting selection of entrees and appetizers that excite the taste buds. The chef works with the season's offerings of fresh fruits and vegetables to offer delightful and innovative food offerings with interesting combinations. My son had a great steak with black berry and chipotle sauce cooked to perfection. The wine selection and assortment of beers adds a nice complement to whatever is your food preference. Desserts are also a wonderful surprise using seasonal fruits. The rhubarb pastry with ice cream and strawberry short cake for two are prime examples.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of OC's bestWe really love Lucca. Breakfast, lunch and dinner - they do it all and do it well. Their food is fresh and their menu imaginative.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMOther than the noise level,Other than the noise level, I and my lunch partner enjoyed another memorable experience at this restaurant. Superb cuisine and excellent service.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day DelightThe Mother's Day Buffet at Lucca was a perfect fit for mom, grandma and my two young adult sons. Lots of breakfast and lunch choices including made to order omelets, which were ordered by selection sheet at your table and delivered to your table. Much better than the traditional omelet line where you watch the folks ahead of you trying to decide what they want to include their creation. Carving station included prime rib and turkey. Many healthy choices (fruit, mix vegetables, egg whites) as well for those so inclined.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day Brunch was Great!We visited Lucca for Mother's Day, and the brunch buffet was fantastic. The service was prompt and polite. We were pleased to find a wider variety of food than we expected for a brunch buffet, especially with regard to the vegetarian options. Thanks, Lucca!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day BrunchMy family went to LUCCA for Mother's Day Brunch. The food was excellent, and the servers helpful albeit busy with so many diners. My one complaint is they offered eggs to each person, cooked however you would like, but didn't have an egg whites only option. My daughter and myself never eat egg yokes. Not because of a health issue, but because we truly dislike the yoke taste. It was disappointing when we were told that they couldn't accommodate our small request. Otherwise it was a great brunch and food was spectacular!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently the best there isTo celebrate a birthday and anniversary. we chose Lucca's knowing that the food and service would be impeccable. True to form, we had a marvelous meal. The new lamb chops are perfection.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMjust lovely :)The wine list is carefully crafted and the food is brilliant..5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways great!I love LUCCA for great food, and they never let me down!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFine Mediterraean-Style DiningFor those of us on the so-called Mediterranean Diet, this elegant restaurant is a special find. The menu features lots of seafood and lean meats as well as other tasty Italian specialties at in varying portions and at reasonable prices. The textures and flavors are superb, and the wait staff is extremely friendly.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMTwo Couples At a Fine MealLucca Cafe is consistently great. Service is always attentive without being overbearing. The food is always great.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent quality food andExcellent quality food and very attentive service. My only complaint is that the noise level of the restaurant is excessive. A great deal of business is transacted at this restaurant, and the patrons shouldn't need to shout to have their voices heard.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had great service and myWe had great service and my chicken sandwhich was AMAZING!4/28/2013 12:00:00 AM43rd AnniversaryWonderful evening. Reservation honored and seated. Flowers ordered ahead of time brought to table without prompting. Pork tenderloin and Sand Dabs were excellent as well as the Lucca salad and lemon tieramasu Have been here numerous times and never disappointed.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat new Spring MenuAdam Yarter was our server and made excellent suggestions as to which foods we might enjoy and then the wine to go with it. The new "Burger" on the Spring menu is a combination of 4 types and cuts of meat that are hand cut. The tomato jam that comes on it gives just the right amount of sweet and salty tomato taste. DO get it with the house made bacon and egg on top. Also new for Spring is the Veal Marsala with wild mushroom pasta. This was flavorful and light for a pasta with meat. Chef Cathy Pavlos designs dishes that have individual flavorful ingredients that blended together are even better than on their own. All we can say is WOW!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMBackground MusicOver the past few year I have noticed that many businesses, including upscale restaurants like Lucca Cafe, have started playing recorded music that I believe to be inappropriate for the venue. A: the music played is often too loud. B: has words. As a result, what is suppose to add to the overall atmosphere and experience becomes a distraction by making conversation of the diners difficult.
Many years ago I managed several restaurants and the selection of the BACKGROUND music was something of which we gave much consideration.
I would suggest you think about the background ambiance you are trying to create to make the overall visit even more enjoyable.
Otherwise, we had a real nice evening.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was amazing!! MyThe food was amazing!! My husband and I wanted to lick the plates. Each dish was carefully planned and every element complimented the other components beautifully. We'll be going back again and again!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMQuick In/Out off 405, and linger...We had the spring salads and they had scrumptious ingredients, perfectly dressed and yummy! Love this place!4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMI took a client on their recommendaI took a client on their recommendation.. Fantastic Food. I had the Chopped Steak Salad.. WOW.. Service was fast and Professional. Definitely recommend. Will go back. I made reservation hour and a half before my meeting on line. Super easy and quick.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicious andThe food was delicious and reasonably priced. The choices a little more adventurous than your typical italian restaurant. The server was helpful and knowledgeable about the wine. We'll go back!4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMBeing in the restuarant business,Being in the restuarant business, I tend to be a bit critical but we enjoyed our visit. Lucca's food was great. Fun plates to share. The Bolognese was really good. Spicy beet salad was great, took us a moment to figure out where the spice was coming from. Very tasty. It seamed to be a nice neighborhood dinner spot. They did seat us all the way in the back at a small table for 2 in a corner. Which was ok, we had a lot of catching up to do.
Server was good, not to intrusive. We ordered a bottle of wine and he actually came to the table with a bottle that had already been opened. Funny moment.
I will be back to try brunch.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was a new experience toIt was a new experience to be able to make reservations on the internet. most convenient.
great menu wonderful method of serving. it gives a relaxed and pleasent dining experence.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic Seasonal MediterraneanWe eat here often because the food is fantastic and the menu always changes with the seasons. Friday night we had an exceptional meal. It started with the polenta board. The consistency of the cheesy polenta was perfect. It really complimented the shrimp and sauce. It was on a thick cedar board that had been charred which added a nice sweet, spicy and smoky flavor. Next was the best burger we have ever had. It was a hand chop of 4 different meats on a perfect brioche bun with a great tomato jam. The pork belly on pea puree with a green pancake and sauce was just the perfect taste and size. Chef Cathy Pavlos and her crew do a wonderful interpretation of different Mediterranean countries' foods and it is all so fresh and flavorful.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMParking is plentiful and easyParking is plentiful and easy access from the Freeway. Staff was very friendly and enhanced the experience. Cudos to Adolfo and the rest of the staff.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMLucca's is one of my favoriteLucca's is one of my favorite restaurants...The food is divine..The service excellent..The ambience very relaxed...I'll keep coming back...Thank You...3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWhenever working in Irvine,Whenever working in Irvine, I always make sure to make my way to Lucca with my guests. They never disappoint!3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food is among the bestThe food is among the best in Orange County...one of my favorite restaurants. I especially appreciate the extremely fine service from our server, Adolpho.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing FoodHave been here many times for lunch (which is always terrific), but this was the first time for dinner. We all had different entrees and everyone was very pleased. Had an out-of-town guest who was particularly impressed with LUCCA - the food, menu, wines, even the service was impressive - attentive but not pushy. I had the john dory fish and the whole dish was delicious, so much so that I didn't even offer tastes to anyone! This is a fine restaurant for lunch or dinner - no spectacular views, but the food and interior ambiance make up for the inland location. Great food and lovely decor - you'll enjoy!!!2/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA great findJust wish Lucca was closer to where we live. It is a fun place with wonderful eclectic choices. Love the tapas idea and this was a super example of just how good it can be.1/16/2013 12:00:00 AM