I am truly not sure what the hype is about this yesterday. I worked in the plaza where this restaurant is years ago when it was just a regular pizza/sandwich/normal Italian restaurant. Now while it is in the same small plaza it is now considered one of the best in the area. The ambiance is nice but the restaurant is still small with tables right on top of each other. The menu in my opinion is not your usual but you can find something as we all did. The Rice Balls were good. The Cesar Salad was just OK. Loaded with cheese and saturated with dressing with no real taste to it. We all liked our entrees and they were a decent portion. The prices are very high for everything on the menu. I have been to some of the best in New Jersey and for a small restaurant in a small plaza they are very expensive in my opinion. I wanted to try it and perhaps I will go back since it is a local place for us but not for a long time. It is BYOB so that is a savings and we did see people eating Pizza but we were not given a menu that listed that so be aware if that is what you want you need to ask for it. I remember it as having excellent Pizza and the owner now has 8 restaurants so he must be doing something right.
Jennifer L
Awesome Gem! Everything we ordered from appetizers to dessert was excellent. The atmosphere and service were phenomenal. We will be back!!
CaptainSteveG
Delicious custom-made Italian specialties in a cozy restaurant that feels like a family dining room. The service is exceptional, the portions generous, and the food is so delicious that I didn't want to leave. A true gem of a restaurant just around the corner.
Travelingirl4
The food here is delicious. You just cannot eat here frequently because it is so expensive. The veal chop special, while I’m sure it was amazing, was $59!!! The pasta is homemade and the sauces are yummy and their homemade bread is yummy but it was $400 for 4 adults and a kid. I’d love for this to be one of our favorites but it’s a special occasion place only.
Antonio P
We had a Valentines' day special. Octopus salad, figs as appetizer. Ossobuco and cocoa Agnolotti (stuffed with butternut squash) as entrée. Delicious salad and figs. very good and properly cooked meat for the ossobuco. Great authentic espresso.
nickmD5392DV
I love Andrea for providing a place where I can welcome at the table like a brother. They took my my leftovers, made a sandwich for my trip the next day, and added to it to make sure I’d be well fed. Thank you!!
indirahg2021
I’ve lived in North Brunswick for 17yrs and this is def a hidden gem. Really quaint BYOB restaurant with really good food. Great apps and dinner for sure. The genovese, the Luca, the eggplant app and tiramisu are my go to’s. I’ve been there numerous times over the years and recommended them to many. Unfortunately they’ve lost my business today and left me with a sour taste in my mouth. I’d placed an order for tiramisu online and then realized perhaps I should order a second dessert and ordered the pompei. I screenshot the confirmation to my son and had him run in to get it. When he came out he had just the plastic container of tiramisu. No bag and no utensils, which I thought was odd. I sent him back in because I realized he’d only shown them one confirmation. This time he came back out with the second dessert in a bag. Once home and ready for dessert I was concerned with what I saw. I called to express concern over one of the desserts(Pompei) I’d purchased to go. It kinda came slopped in an aluminum tray, which I semi get. If it comes in a skillet or something of the like, okay, but it just didn’t look pleasing to the eye and quite frankly, not what I expect of them. However, my main concern was the Madagascar Vanilla gelato. They put it in a to go ramekin that you would use for marinara dipping sauce which is bizarre. And I thought perhaps it was a mistake. Once the manager was on the phone I expressed my concerns, to which end he replied with statements like “it’s dessert to go, what do you expect,” “we’ve been in business for 28yrs and serving gelato like that for 6 or 7yrs.” My husband got so annoyed with his lack for customer service he told him he didn’t want the dessert anymore and he’d like to bring it back for a refund. The manager said a refund would not be given, we already have the dessert. My husband said he was gonna come in and bring it anyway, the manager said you can try but the door would be locked. My husband the said “do you hear yourself… do you hear how you talking to a customer? The manager then disconnected the call. Very disgraceful. Had this been an easy conversation, in which the manager actually problem solved instead of disparaging my concerns, I would still patron this restaurant. It makes me sad that I can’t eat there anymore, but there is a certain respect that you should speak to a customer. Before writing this review I called back and asked the female host working tonight on 9/9/2021 for the male mangers name. She giggled, said hold on and disconnected the line. So disappointing. They will never get the opportunity to disrespect me again. Hopefully someone above the male manager I spoke with tonight, will see this review and retrain that manager. I honestly think I’m owed and an apology and then some. All I wanted was some good dessert, from a town favorite to go with my champagne. Disgusted & night ruined.
Jane D
Reservations needed! Came after a Rutgers football game. The restaurant was packed at 8:10 on. Saturday night, but luckily we had a reservation. The homemade bread basket is melt in your mouth. Our entrees were delicious and filling. Shared gelato for dessert. Love this place!
JoeGloria P
We recently moved from CA to NJ and were looking for a local Italian restaurant. We were fortunate that Luca's was our first experience. The atmosphere was comfortable and interesting and the food excellent. We had 3 dishes, one fish, one pasta and another chicken and all exceeded expectations. We have eaten at many regional Italian restaurants in Italy and all over the US so this was quite a find (Ischia).
WINEandTRAVEL
This is such a fabulous restaurant, in an unlikely location. If you are lucky to find out about it (which is why TA is so valuable) that's all you need. They just go about creating fantastic chow and don't seem to care about anything else. Their standards are super high... only the best will do here. My first visit and I'm hooked. It's obviously a labor of love, the chef/owner does't compromise, and it shows in everything he does. The ambiance with art and trinkets from their hometown... Ischia, Italy, the professional and caring service from Alex, the amazing chow, the BYOB policy... the attentiion to detail. We loved everything about Luca. The bread is not your typical bread basket. A selection (which I'm told changes) of delicious treats. My favorite was one with melted cheese inside. We started with Crab and Corn Chowder, made to order... awesome. My brother loved his Veal Parm served with pasta. I ordered the LUCA Seafood dish... shrimp, crabmeat, scallops, asparagus, capers, roasted tomatoes with linguine in a creamy white wine sauce... loved it too. We finished with a Creme Brulee and espresso... both great. Booking with Open Table was difficult as the credit card guarantee didn't seem to work, so after trying a few times, had to call the restaurant to book. I could see needing a CC on the weekends, but during the week was surprising. Wish that wasn't the case so it is easier to book. Can't wait to get back here!!! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I am truly not sure what the hype is about this yesterday. I worked in the plaza where this restaurant is years ago when it was just a regular pizza/sandwich/normal Italian restaurant. Now while it is in the same small plaza it is now considered one of the best in the area. The ambiance is nice but the restaurant is still small with tables right on top of each other. The menu in my opinion is not your usual but you can find something as we all did. The Rice Balls were good. The Cesar Salad was just OK. Loaded with cheese and saturated with dressing with no real taste to it. We all liked our entrees and they were a decent portion. The prices are very high for everything on the menu. I have been to some of the best in New Jersey and for a small restaurant in a small plaza they are very expensive in my opinion. I wanted to try it and perhaps I will go back since it is a local place for us but not for a long time. It is BYOB so that is a savings and we did see people eating Pizza but we were not given a menu that listed that so be aware if that is what you want you need to ask for it. I remember it as having excellent Pizza and the owner now has 8 restaurants so he must be doing something right.
Awesome Gem! Everything we ordered from appetizers to dessert was excellent. The atmosphere and service were phenomenal. We will be back!!
Delicious custom-made Italian specialties in a cozy restaurant that feels like a family dining room. The service is exceptional, the portions generous, and the food is so delicious that I didn't want to leave. A true gem of a restaurant just around the corner.
The food here is delicious. You just cannot eat here frequently because it is so expensive. The veal chop special, while I’m sure it was amazing, was $59!!! The pasta is homemade and the sauces are yummy and their homemade bread is yummy but it was $400 for 4 adults and a kid. I’d love for this to be one of our favorites but it’s a special occasion place only.
We had a Valentines' day special. Octopus salad, figs as appetizer. Ossobuco and cocoa Agnolotti (stuffed with butternut squash) as entrée. Delicious salad and figs. very good and properly cooked meat for the ossobuco. Great authentic espresso.
I love Andrea for providing a place where I can welcome at the table like a brother. They took my my leftovers, made a sandwich for my trip the next day, and added to it to make sure I’d be well fed. Thank you!!
I’ve lived in North Brunswick for 17yrs and this is def a hidden gem. Really quaint BYOB restaurant with really good food. Great apps and dinner for sure. The genovese, the Luca, the eggplant app and tiramisu are my go to’s. I’ve been there numerous times over the years and recommended them to many. Unfortunately they’ve lost my business today and left me with a sour taste in my mouth. I’d placed an order for tiramisu online and then realized perhaps I should order a second dessert and ordered the pompei. I screenshot the confirmation to my son and had him run in to get it. When he came out he had just the plastic container of tiramisu. No bag and no utensils, which I thought was odd. I sent him back in because I realized he’d only shown them one confirmation. This time he came back out with the second dessert in a bag. Once home and ready for dessert I was concerned with what I saw. I called to express concern over one of the desserts(Pompei) I’d purchased to go. It kinda came slopped in an aluminum tray, which I semi get. If it comes in a skillet or something of the like, okay, but it just didn’t look pleasing to the eye and quite frankly, not what I expect of them. However, my main concern was the Madagascar Vanilla gelato. They put it in a to go ramekin that you would use for marinara dipping sauce which is bizarre. And I thought perhaps it was a mistake. Once the manager was on the phone I expressed my concerns, to which end he replied with statements like “it’s dessert to go, what do you expect,” “we’ve been in business for 28yrs and serving gelato like that for 6 or 7yrs.” My husband got so annoyed with his lack for customer service he told him he didn’t want the dessert anymore and he’d like to bring it back for a refund. The manager said a refund would not be given, we already have the dessert. My husband said he was gonna come in and bring it anyway, the manager said you can try but the door would be locked. My husband the said “do you hear yourself… do you hear how you talking to a customer? The manager then disconnected the call. Very disgraceful. Had this been an easy conversation, in which the manager actually problem solved instead of disparaging my concerns, I would still patron this restaurant. It makes me sad that I can’t eat there anymore, but there is a certain respect that you should speak to a customer. Before writing this review I called back and asked the female host working tonight on 9/9/2021 for the male mangers name. She giggled, said hold on and disconnected the line. So disappointing. They will never get the opportunity to disrespect me again. Hopefully someone above the male manager I spoke with tonight, will see this review and retrain that manager. I honestly think I’m owed and an apology and then some. All I wanted was some good dessert, from a town favorite to go with my champagne. Disgusted & night ruined.
Reservations needed! Came after a Rutgers football game. The restaurant was packed at 8:10 on. Saturday night, but luckily we had a reservation. The homemade bread basket is melt in your mouth. Our entrees were delicious and filling. Shared gelato for dessert. Love this place!
We recently moved from CA to NJ and were looking for a local Italian restaurant. We were fortunate that Luca's was our first experience. The atmosphere was comfortable and interesting and the food excellent. We had 3 dishes, one fish, one pasta and another chicken and all exceeded expectations. We have eaten at many regional Italian restaurants in Italy and all over the US so this was quite a find (Ischia).
This is such a fabulous restaurant, in an unlikely location. If you are lucky to find out about it (which is why TA is so valuable) that's all you need. They just go about creating fantastic chow and don't seem to care about anything else. Their standards are super high... only the best will do here. My first visit and I'm hooked. It's obviously a labor of love, the chef/owner does't compromise, and it shows in everything he does. The ambiance with art and trinkets from their hometown... Ischia, Italy, the professional and caring service from Alex, the amazing chow, the BYOB policy... the attentiion to detail. We loved everything about Luca. The bread is not your typical bread basket. A selection (which I'm told changes) of delicious treats. My favorite was one with melted cheese inside. We started with Crab and Corn Chowder, made to order... awesome. My brother loved his Veal Parm served with pasta. I ordered the LUCA Seafood dish... shrimp, crabmeat, scallops, asparagus, capers, roasted tomatoes with linguine in a creamy white wine sauce... loved it too. We finished with a Creme Brulee and espresso... both great. Booking with Open Table was difficult as the credit card guarantee didn't seem to work, so after trying a few times, had to call the restaurant to book. I could see needing a CC on the weekends, but during the week was surprising. Wish that wasn't the case so it is easier to book. Can't wait to get back here!!! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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