Italian
Luca
436 West James Street, #101, Lancaster. 717-553-5770 or Lucalancaster.com
Hours of operation: Tuesday-Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 5 p.m.-12 a.m., Sunday, 4-9 p.m. Kitchen closes one hour prior to closing.
If you enjoy rustic “Old Country” Italian cuisine made from fresh, vibrant and locally sourced ingredients, then Luca is the place for you. The Food Network’s Alton Brown gives it rave reviews. Come in for a casual meal or a celebratory dinner at this neighborhood restaurant.
Owners Taylor and Leeann Mason lived in St. Helena, California – the heart of Napa Valley – for a few years and brought a piece of what they experienced to Lancaster, such as impressive top-notch hospitality and a love of the land.
Luca’s menu changes often. Simple dishes, which aren’t necessarily what you will find at other Italian restaurants, are created in the open kitchen. During the spring and summer, lighter dishes are offered; whereas, during the fall and winter, heartier meals are served.
This past winter, guests dined on small plates such as handmade Burrata, Pear & Smoked Prosciutto, Chicken Liver Bruschetti, and Wood-Grilled Beef Tongue. Vegetables and salads included grilled Broccoli Raab, Wood-Roasted Cauliflower, Little Gem Lettuces and more. Entrées featured Wood-fired Seafood, Coal-Roasted Lamb, Heritage Pork, and Herb-roasted Chicken.
The restaurant is home to a wood-burning hearth and handmade Neapolitan oven. Luca specializes in Neapolitan-style pizzas, handmade pastas, salumi and antipasto, simple roast meats and seafood, and an Italian-focused beverage program.
