Lucca

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Blogs
February 2, 2009
Italy's Ban on Ethnic Food Called "Gastronomic Racism"
I wished what this Times Online story had to say was a hoax -- that Italy didn't really start banning kebabs and other foreign food from its cities -- but it's too outrageous not to be true.The article states:The drive to make Italians eat Italian, which was described by the Left and leading chefs ... More >>
Features
October 19, 2006
Mark Axelrod
The Chapman University English professor shares some of his favorite things
Food
July 27, 2006
Gelato to the Rescue!
Cafe Lucca: Your summer oasis
Blogs
April 7, 2009
Reminder: Happy Hour Week Kicks Off This Sunday
Eat, drink and be merry! Happy Hour Week runs from this Sunday, April 12, to Saturday, April 18, with more than 60 local restaurants, bars, breweries and pubs offering drinks and appetizers at "very happy" prices all day, as well as prix fixe happy hour menus. Teetotalers needn't miss out, however: ... More >>
Blogs
April 28, 2009
Chocolate-Covered Cheese? There Is A God
I met Cathy and Elliott Pavlos, architects-turned-restaurateurs, and owners of Irvine's Lucca café and deli, during their Wine and Cheese Pairing 101 at Bloomingdales on Saturday. I had been envisaging a low-key gathering of shoppers and foodies (not that they're mutually exclusive, I hasten to add ... More >>
Blogs
May 6, 2009
Frittata Pans Be Damned! Treat Mom Right With Our Guide To The Best Mother's Day Menus in OC
Flipping through Real Simple last night, I caught a glimpse of what could be the most insulting ad ever.Sure, the visuals were mouthwatering--an enticing asparagus frittata, cooked to perfection and waiting for a fork to sink into it--but it was the text that nearly made me choke:"Mom deserves the b ... More >>
Blogs
June 15, 2009
A Trio of Treats for Dad This Sunday
Father's Day is this coming Sunday, June 21, so get booking!The Beachcomber Cafe at Crystal Cove is offering a "I'd Rather Have Beer" brunch, from 7:00am to 4:30pm, which includes a bottle of beer (or, alternatively, a glass of champagne, mimosa, bellini or orange juice, soda or coffee). The meal in ... More >>
Blogs
June 24, 2009
Recipe: Lucca café's Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin
This stunner, easy to make, is on Lucca's latest menu, served with a port wine reduction, caramelized onions in balsamic vinegar, a corn crème brûlée with sour cherries, and crispy leeks. In keeping with the café's "all-natural" ethos, chef-owner Cathy Pavlos uses hormone-, antibiotic- and ... More >>
Blogs
July 14, 2009
On the Line: Cathy Pavlos of Lucca Café
Enthusiasm and authenticity are the bywords at Lucca, the Quail Hill café/deli/wine bar run by Cathy and her husband Elliott. The couple both trained in architecture before turning to the restaurant trade--and we're glad they made the move. We grilled Cathy with our usual set of questions.1. ... More >>
Blogs
September 3, 2009
UPDATED: Paellaphiles Take Note: Lucca's Going All Spanish This Sunday
The cuisine of France may be dominating the culinary news this week, thanks to Julie & Julia, but those of us who love its neighboring country might want to make a beeline for Lucca in Irvine. On Sunday, August 9, the Italian restaurant/deli will be dishing up a four-course Spanish dinner (se ... More >>
Blogs
August 20, 2009
"No Scrimping" for Lucca's Fourth Birthday Bash On Wednesday
In a nation where restaurants shutter at an alarming rate, it's nice to see one thriving after four years. (The oft-quoted figure of 90 percent going under after 12 months is thought to be way too high, although the recession will no doubt have caused the more realistic 25 percent rate to go up.) ... More >>
Blogs
January 13, 2010
2010 OC Restaurant Week Participants Announced
The OC Restaurant Association came out with their final list of participants for the 2010 OC Restaurant Week taking place February 28th - March 6th. As it seems they signed on virtually every restaurant in existence, perhaps an easier thing to do would be to list who's NOT participating. ... More >>
Blogs
April 21, 2010
Greg Daniels of Haven Gastropub, Part 2
If you missed the first part of our interview with Greg Daniels, executive chef and partner at Haven Gastropub, you can find it here. If you've missed the fantastic "spaghetti", the burger par excellence and the great beer, you can find that just south of the Orange Circle. Meanwhile, back to the qu ... More >>
Blogs
November 17, 2010
OC Restaurant Thanksgiving Round-up
Clay Oven's Tandoori TurkeyThis is the post we do every year around this time. This is the part where I say, "Not planning to cook for Turkey Day?! Well, here's a few restaurants who'll do the cooking for you!!", yadda yadda. And this is the part where I add some funny quip about overeati ... More >>
Blogs
January 19, 2011
2011 OC Restaurant Week Participants Announced
If we're not inundated with food-truck events, there's always some restaurant week happening somewhere. We're in the midst of Irvine's Restaurant Week. But yesterday, OC Restaurant Week, arguably one of the most successful in our realm, announced its line up for this year, and it's a nice ro ... More >>
Food
August 25, 2011
Brunch a Bunch Across OC!
OC's best brunches: The ethnic, the gorgeous views and the bottomless booze!
Blogs
December 2, 2011
Ten Great OC Coffeeshops
Dave LiebermanWe're sometimes accused of being too North County-centric around here. We can't help it; even leaving aside the snark about Laguna Engabachada, the fact is the population's up here in the 714, and choice in restaurants tends to follow the population.Coffee, however, is a different s ... More >>
Blogs
February 1, 2012
Eat This Now: Crispy Pork Belly At Lucca Cafe
Mona Shah-AndersonWhen one thinks about the phrases "small plates" or "bar snacks", we visualize some simplistic dishes, like mixed nuts or maybe yakitori skewers. But Lucca Cafee ain't your normal tapas.Located in a strip mall just off the 405, Lucca elevates the utilitarian Quail Hill plaza wit ... More >>