Elegant European-style dining on Southport Avenue? Yes, you read correctly, and no, the prices are not sky-high. In fact, specials like half-price wine bottles on Mondays and an eight-ounce NY strip steak with mashed potatoes for $10 on Wednesdays happen quite often. Inside this handsome, wood-paneled restaurant, the tables are covered in starch white cloth, the silverware is set for dining and the specials will steal your last Andrew Jackson.
Expect a generous mix of Mediterranean and Italian fare on the menu. The eggplant parmesan, a lightly breaded eggplant covered with marinara sauce and layers of Italian cheeses, will get you in the mood for la dolce vita, and for only $16, this dish is way cheaper than a trip to Italy. If you're feelin' fishy, try a $17 salmon entree, grilled in the oven and served over spinach with a light saffron wine sauce. Meat options won't cost over $26, and sides all average about $5. With all this saving, you can easily fork over for a bottle of Italian or Californian red wine.
Lest Lucca's forget its sports-hungry Lakeview neighbors, on Sundays this place turns into a dude-focused hangout. Open at noon, Lucca's serves up special bowls of $6.50 "football chili" topped with onions, cheddar and sour cream. Since sports fans need their carbs, Lucca's treats them to $10 pasta dishes. And beer? That's covered with $3 domestic beers and $3.75 import beers. With Lucca's in the running, the millions of neighborhood sports bars in the 'hood should consider serving more than just pub grub.
Centerstage Reviewer: Alicia Eler
