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Lucca restaurant opened April 1st, 2003. During the course of the last 5 years, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to be mentioned in many newspaper articles- as well as featured in more than a dozen news and television programs shown throughout the Sacramento area.
Recently, Lucca's received the distinguished award by the state of California to be chosen as the restaurant to represent and illuminate the California Fresh Campaign; highlighting the benefits of locally grown and sustainable agriculture and emphasizing the bounty of California's farmlands. Serving as a backdrop to the Governor's speeches in Japan, the lushly gardened courtyard presented a lovely promotion of our beautiful and culinary inclined state.
We look forward to seeing you at Lucca,
Ron and Terri Gilliland
Owners,Lucca Restaurant
Voted in the Top Ten – Best of Sacramento Dining
Sacramento Bee December 26th 2004
Voted Best New Restaurant 2003-2004
California Restaurant Association
Best of Sacramento Readers Choice Awards – Best New Restaurant
Sacramento News and Review
Lucca Restaurant & Bar -- Modern Mediterranean
1615 J St., (916) 669-5300: The "official governor's restaurant" (according to a signed photo on one wall), Lucca remains attractive if somewhat loud, while the service staff has gained confidence and maturity. The food -- a contemporary blend of wholesome ingredients and vigorous flavors -- still offers several great buys.
3 stars/$$-$$$ -- M.D
21. "The buttery, garlicky and spicy roasted mussels that arrive crackling in a cast-iron skillet at Lucca Restaurant & Bar along J Street in midtown."
Mike Dunn- 3 months, 30 treats - Let's eat! - sacbee.com
The Food
“We started practically every meal with the appetizer of the year... a heaping platter of wispy, curly zucchini chips, fried to a fragile crispness and salted lightly.”
Mike Dunn: Bright Plates, Lucca Has Culinary Flair
Sacramento Bee, July 27th 2003
“when the chips arrive, all conversation and menu reading will stop, because the chips are unbelievable. Paper thin, almost transparent, not even an inch in diameter – they must have been cut from very young, slender zucchini. Crisp lightly salted, delicious”
The Dining Divas: Sacramento Magazine September 2003
“The menu has been expanded... and it still represents with an exuberant and graceful simplicity the fresh and sunny cooking of southern France, Italy and other Mediterranean cultures.
Mike Dunn: Second Helpings July 18th 2004 Sacramento Bee
“Lucca... is the kind of place where a group of people could order all six lunch appetizers to share , along with a house salad for each, and be happy”
The Dining Divas: Sacramento Magazine September 2003
“Our favorites? Everything”
The Dining Divas: Sacramento Magazine September 2003
“Personally I think Lucca does the best take on a Nicoise Salad around. Tender greens, barely grilled tuna, Nicoise olives, egg and green beans all tossed in a light dressing. During Sacramento summers, I could eat this everyday.”
Peg Tomlinson, Fork It Magazine Q1- 2004
The Atmosphere
“You cant walk past Lucca when the place is going full tilt and not want to drop in. We think the design of he place has a lot to with that... an airy dining room that proudly displays the buildings age – brick walls, open beam ceilings and Roman-style front windows. Best of all the windows slide open to the sidewalk.....”
Sacramento News and Review, Best of Edition. Lucca was voted best new dining room
“When people talk about the 'energy' of Vancouver, Chicago, New York, San Francisco etc., I think they are identifying the excitement we get to experience when creative entrepreneurs collect in cities and express their heart and souls upon the cosmopolitan palate. That genesis is happening now in Sacramento... Lucca is located at 1615 J street and for my nickel is the most stylish space in the city.”
Style-amento: Jay Cohen Fork It Magazine
“The space has daring art, beautiful glass light fixtures, jaw dropping gargantuan mirrors... and a lively buzz that is fun without being overbearing”
Style-amento: Jay Cohen Fork It Magazine
“It's 7:00 pm on a Wednesday and the weather is still sweltering in Sacramento. Inside the new Lucca Restaurant on J street it's hotter still. The air conditioning is working fine but the trendy restaurant is packed. Even midweek they are three deep in the bar...”
Teri Hardy, Night Life at Last – Sacramento Bee, July 13th , 2003
The Governor
“Governor Schwarzenegger likes this place a lot. In fact, when we stopped in the other day to check a few facts...- he and his entourage strolled in and headed straight for the outdoor patio... Lucca's quasi-Mediterranean menu, attractive service, jovial atmosphere and fully stocked bar may have something to do with its attracting the electeds and lobbyists.
Ed Goldman: Where to eavesdrop on the “electeds” , The Sacramento Visitors Guide
“And Lucca has acquired a couple of new fans lately, witness report- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver. The vary their orders, which run to low-carb eating, but he invariably calls for a plate of zucchini chips.”
Fast Breaks: Five Places to Spot Arnold
Lucca was mentioned as a restaurant to visit in the following periodicals:
The Washington Post,, Oct. 10th , 2004
“Sacramento the two day tour”
The LA Times, Nov. 30th , 2003
Sacramento Spotlight
The Sunday Oregonian, Oct. 31st , 2004
Travel Section
Sacramento Visitors Guide, Spring/Summer 2005