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    LUCA

    4.4 (132 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

    LUCA Photos

    LUCA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Upscale
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - LUCA

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    Reviews With Photos

    Kristie D.

    Came here for a sibling dinner! Food and service was amazing we all did the three course dinner. I got the montauk Tina which was fresh and delicious, corn cappelletti and the filet all the food was clean and you could see the care in each dish that came out. We will be going again soon! The room was a little dark but nice and so clean the ambiance was definitely beautiful

    Halibut good good good!
    Lou D.

    5 plus-plus-plus Maybe one of top dining experiences in all of New York. Food excellent! Service excellent! Very comfortable seating and well thought out, tastefully decorated dining area. Outdoor dining area also very comfortable. The bar area too! Great premium cocktails and nice wine list. The food was excellent and portions are actually quite large! We had apps, 1/2 pasta, mains, and dessert! Come hungry and ready to take a doggie bag home! You can always order just a main or just a pasta, but u will miss out, cause everything is excellent! For apps we had lump crab meat and artichoke. We also had tuna tartar! Both quite good. The pasta course seemed like all perfectly cooked house made pasta expertly adorned with flavorful sauce. We had bolognese which had a delicious braised short rib flavor! Wow that was good! For mains we had halibut-perfect-fresh-and plentiful! We also had probably the best chicken parm anywhere! Its a full breast breaded and fried w the bone! Not easy to do, and perfect temp! Soooo good! We also had lamb chops, that also had some tender slow cooked braised lamb shank. Wow that was good! And big enough for 2 people! Do not skip dessert! For desert we had some delicious super premium pistachio ice cream. Really creamy and delicious! We also had Zabaione! Really really good, and you hardly ever see that on menus! From start to finish, Luca is a well thought out and perfectly executed premium dining experience! Luca well done! Bravo! We will return! Highly-highly recommended!

    Grapefruit Daiquiri
    Phuong H.

    Service: Wonderful. Our server gave us great recommendations for the menu. The concept is to curate a 3 course meal which consists of an appetizer, a 1/2 portion of pasta, and an entree. If you have a big appetite, have the three courses; if you have a small appetite, have one person curate a 3 course meal to share and a second entree. They did not ask about food allergies or come by to explain items served. I highly recommend taking a picture of the menu to remember the additional items on the plate. Food: Burrata and Snow Peas - Refreshing. The snow peas had a nice sweet crunch while the burrata was creamy. The dressing helped cut the creaminess of the burrata but it was slightly too acidic. Corn Cappelletti - Must get! The pasta was the perfect texture and the corn filing was slightly sweet. The lemon butter perfectly coated the pasta for each bite Tagliatelle Bolognese - Deep. A classic dish done right! The bolognese was deep and robust. I would highly recommend this dish. Duck Breast - Good. The duck breast was cooked medium but the skin was not crisp nor was the fat rendered enough. The orange jus was slightly sweet. I dont think the confit was needed. I wished there was more vegetables on the plate. I would recommend getting a side vegetable. Dark Chocolate Budino - Perfect. The smoothness of the chocolate pudding was paired very well with the crunch of the honey comb and the cocoa nibs! On to my next adventure...

    Linda T.

    We stopped by for Mother's Day without a reservation, and we were provided with outdoor seating. Spacious outside with just a couple of tables, big cozy seats with cushions. This restaurant has upscale vibes. If bugs are attracted to you usually, I recommend bringing long sleeves and/or long pants/cover up. We were informed that the portion sizes were not incredibly big. With that in mind, we decided to try several different plates: - Artichoke and Crab - Calamari (sneaky spicy! Doesn't taste that spicy initially but you taste it afterwards) - Porcini Mushroom Mezzaluna Pasta - Braised Rabbit Paccheri Pasta - Lobster Girasoli Pasta - Lamb Chops The bread came first, individually, with some spread. Delicious. A downside was just how long it took for the food to come out. Don't come here if you have plans strictly after, you won't make it. Granted, we were not in a rush anywhere so this was fine for us. Out of the 3, my favorite pasta was the Porcini. All of the platters were easily shareable, while not a lot, but even with a family of 4. The lamb chops weren't really it for me, I wasn't huge on the flavor. The bathroom was single stalled and very clean.

    Entrance

    This was an absolutely amazing dining experience! From the moment we walked in until we left after two hours of enjoyment, it was perfect. The restaurant itself is beautiful! The wait staff, the bartenders, the Owners as well as the other patrons...Excellent!! THE FOOD and DRINKS...off the charts! Highly recommended!

    Menu

    Excellent, 5 star quality. Meatballs were a great appetizer and chicken parm could have come directly from Italy! Dessert is not to be missed.

    thick whole wheat bread with choice of butter or spiced cream cheese
    Aba H.

    We visited the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame at the back of this small mall at 11:00 A.M., featuring a large Billy Joel exhibit, but were done by 12:30 P.M. and found Luca for lunch in front of the mall (on Main Street in Stony Brook). It's fine dining with a two-course lunch that, per couple, runs $100 including tax and tip (but sides and drinks will jack it up). Worth it! It's Italian food served in the style of nouvelle cuisine. While the bar up front is a bit dimmer, there's no large screen TV and a loud crowd, it's more sedate. The dining room was well lit (it was a sunny afternoon on a chilly March day), nice white table cloths, thick painted white tree trunks for support beams instead of walls or pipes, and all the servers wore the same aprons to carry their tools (bottle openers, pens, order pads). By 1:00 P.M., the room was almost full, but conversations were soft murmurs, so we didn't hear what anyone except us and our server was saying. My wife enjoyed her Gardiniera Salad, which sort of reminded me of a mini-cold antipasto. I loved my tennis-ball sized meatball appetizer, served in a bowl of tomato sauce (which they called ragu) and parmigiana cheese. It was very soft and juicy on the inside, with ricotta dripping off the top. They put out two (complimentary) very thick slices of seedless whole wheat bread with a little bowl of red cream cheese, but I requested another little bowl of butter, and ended up using the second half of my slice of bread to mop up the sauce left over in my meatball dish. My wife and I both ordered the same entrée, Sautéed Shrimp (four large for each of us) with zucchini, eggplant, sweeet pepper and tomato ... done perfectly. Very good chef! Very nice server! We were too full for dessert, but my wife ordered decaf coffee. She said it was okay, but it was more like an "Americano" (with espresso) than a light decaf. Still a great place and found it on Yelp!

    Mojito
    Alyssa M.

    Was really looking forward to trying this place as I have heard many people talk highly about it. The best part was the beautiful ambience. The interior and bar area, as well as that back patio area are gorgeous. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by the food, service, and drinks. The waitress was rushing us to the point where we said something (also had never had to do this prior to this). Our appetizers came out before we even got our drinks. When you're paying for a nice meal, you want to be able to enjoy it and not feel rushed. She also wasn't really friendly or engaging. Bus boys were very nice. The meatball appetizer was just average. Tasted like something I could get at any Italian restaurant or pizzeria. It is also just a single meatball. At high-end restaurants, I do expect smaller portions with a higher price tag, however, I feel like they could do better on a lot of their portions. The calamari appetizer was bland and the pieces of calamari were chopped up so small. I ordered the jalapeño pineapple margarita and it was the only drink I have ever sent back in my life. I love spicy drinks however this wasn't even palatable. It was overwhelmingly spicy and could not taste anything else except for spice. I was really looking forward to that drink and was quite shocked at how bad it was. I replaced it with a strawberry Mojito, which was actually good. For entrees I tried the filet mignon and pasta bolognese. I ordered my steak, medium rare and it came out well done which was very disappointing. It comes with a red pepper sautée thing on the side that was eh, just very average. The pasta bolognese tasted like a meat stew (no red sauce) and was eh. Desserts again weren't mind blowing. Likely will not return but beautiful space.

    Chicken Parmesan
    Karen L.

    FANTASTIC! I finally ate at Luca! Went with my team for a holiday lunch. This place is a class act. Upon entering, we were greeted very warmly by the hostess. I was struck by how light and bright the place was. The decor is simple and beautiful. We were asked to check our coats, which I LOVE. Pet peeve of mine is when you go to an upscale restaurant and everyone has their coats hanging on the backs of their chairs. We were taken to the table where I was given a tiny stool for my purse!! I'm in love! Every dish we ate was delicious. The excellent service continued throughout the meal. I loved that when they cleared our finished plates, a few waitstaff coordinated to remove them all at once. It's the little things. I loved my fennel and orange salad appetizer. I got the scallops for my main and they were delicious. For dessert, I shared the pistachio gelato (YUM) and the dark chocolate budino (double YUM). We were not rushed, but also not ignored. I would highly recommend Luca!

    New York strip steak
    Jackie L.

    What a wonderful gem in Stony Brook area! Came here for a celebratory meal and it definitely didn't disappoint. I would recommend coming hungry and getting the 3 course dinner for $79, which includes your choice of starter, pasta, and main. Highlights include the tuna carpaccio (not pictured), pork tenderloin (not pictured), and strip steak, but all the dishes we got were wonderful! Portions were very nice and we got plenty of food for the price! Drinks were also very good! Service was on par, no complaints! Decor is nice, elegant, and clean. Restaurant is in a little shopping area, so there is plenty of parking in front of the restaurant! Overall, definitely a great dining experience and would recommend for a special occasion dinner. Would come back to try other dishes!

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    3 months ago

    EXCELLENT!! the food, service, ambiance--perfect!! I will definitely be back. Loved it.

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    5 months ago

    Great restaurant, excellent service, wonderful food. We will be back again which is the best recommendation we can give!!!

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    Food was good, good presentation. Service was good too. But food and drink way overpriced. Ambiance is nice, nicely decorated.

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    Great food and ambience. amazing drinks. went for date and great for special occasion. Servuce was good and attentive

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    The Trattoria - Orchecchiette Pasta with House-Made Sausage & Broccoli Rabe Pesto

    The Trattoria

    (201 reviews)

    $$$

    Trattoria Saint James in Saint James, NY, is an absolute five star Italian extravaganza that had me…read moretwirling my fork like a conductor leading a pasta orchestra from the moment I stepped through the door until I waddled out stuffed happier than a meatball in Sunday gravy. This place is a cozy slice of Tuscany tucked into Long Island suburbia, with warm terracotta walls glowing under soft Edison bulbs that flicker like fireflies at a vineyard wedding, exposed brick that whispers old world romance, and tables draped in crisp white linens spaced just right so you can whisper sweet nothings to your date without the next table joining the conversation. The ambience is pure magic, a perfect blend of rustic charm and upscale elegance where the air swirls with garlic, basil, and the faint strum of Italian crooners that makes you feel like you have been transported to a Nonna's kitchen in Naples, but with air conditioning and zero chance of getting pinched on the cheek. Twinkling string lights over the bar add a festive sparkle, fresh flowers bloom on every table like edible centerpieces, and the open kitchen lets you peek at chefs tossing dough like pizza frisbees, turning dinner into delicious theater. The food, mamma mia, where do I even begin without needing a second stomach? We kicked off with the burrata that arrived like a creamy cloud from cheese heaven, draped over heirloom tomatoes so juicy they burst like summer fireworks, drizzled with 25 year aged balsamic that danced on the tongue sweeter than a love song. The arancini were golden orbs of risotto joy, crispy outside, gooey with fontina inside, served with a marinara so rich and tangy it should have its own fan club. For mains, the veal osso buco fell off the bone softer than a lullaby, braised in a red wine reduction that hugged the meat like a cashmere blanket, paired with a saffron risotto that glowed brighter than the ambience lights. My partner's seafood linguine was a briny ocean party, clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops twirling in a white wine garlic broth so flavorful I caught myself mopping the plate with housemade focaccia like it was my job. Desserts? The tiramisu was a fluffy espresso soaked dream layered with mascarpone lighter than air, and the cannoli cracked with a satisfying snap before revealing ricotta filling piped with chocolate chips and candied orange that tasted like Sicily in every bite. Portions are generous without being overwhelming, prices feel like a steal for the quality (entrees $25 to $40), and the wine list is a curated love letter to Italian regions with a Barolo that paired like it was destiny. Service was the cherry on this gelato sundae, no, the entire sundae stand, with a team that operates like a well oiled Vespa zooming through narrow streets with precision and pizzazz. Our server Marco greeted us with a megawatt smile and a complimentary prosecco toast "for beautiful people on a beautiful night," then guided us through the menu like a tour guide in the Colosseum, suggesting the perfect pairings with enthusiasm that bubbled like the sparkling water he kept refilling without us asking. Every course arrived at the ideal tempo, hot dishes steaming, cold apps chilled, and when I mentioned a gluten sensitivity he whisked away potential pitfalls faster than a Ferrari on the Autostrada, even surprising us with gluten free bread that tasted like the real deal. The manager swung by not once but twice, once to check on our experience and again to gift us limoncello shots "for the road, but sip it slow," turning a great meal into a memorable party. Busboys cleared plates ninja style, water glasses stayed full like magic, and the entire staff radiated genuine warmth that made us feel like VIPs at a family reunion we actually wanted to attend. Trattoria Saint James is the kind of gem that makes you want to cancel all future dinner plans and just rotate through their menu on repeat, a five star symphony of sensational food, enchanting ambience, and service that spoils you rotten in the best way. Whether you are celebrating an anniversary, wooing a date, or just treating yourself because you deserve it, book a table, bring your stretchy pants, and prepare for an Italian love affair that will have you shouting "bravissimo" between bites. I am already counting down the days until my next visit, this place doesn't just serve dinner, it serves pure joy on a plate!

    Excellent quality wonderful presentation. Impeccable service cost ambiance couldn't ask for moreread more

    Villa Olivetti Ristorante

    Villa Olivetti Ristorante

    (103 reviews)

    $$

    First, I would give this Italian restaurant 3-1/2 stars but that's not an option unfortunately…read more There were lots of good things but the inconsistencies makes it a 3-1/2 instead of a 4 star. Upon entering we were warmly welcomed. While we decided on what we would be having, we were given complimentary fried zucchini strips & bread. The wait staff is very attentive. Having never been here but using Yelp as my foodie guide, with its high star rating, I somehow missed that this establishment is prixe fixed so you cannot order a La carte anything. I honestly wish I had read more reviews instead of focusing on just the high-star rating. Anyway, the prize fixed menu includes appetizer, main entree, dessert and coffee for $38.95 with up charges for specific items that are clearly marked. Of course, both myself and my hubby chose entrees (veal parmigiana and meat lasagna) with a $5.95 up charge for each. On this Friday night, there was live music. It was very fitting for this Italian restaurant with its cozy Italian bistro/cafe atmosphere. It made it feel like date night. Hearing the music in the background was very enjoyable. Now the food, which came out in a nice even pace so we were not rushed. The appetizers of baked clams and eggplant rollatine were good. My veal parmigiana was absolutely delicious and prepared perfectly. My hubby's meat lasagna was good but in comparison to my dish it missed the mark. The desserts & coffee were fine, but certainly nothing overly special. I'm the person who looks at dessert first because I look forward to that extra special thing at the end of the meal. Overall a nice dinner out with my hubby.

    Came here for a retirement party. The room layout was a bit odd and not great for a large group…read moreparty. Service was okay. The food wasnt bad. I had the chicken marsala. The chicken was good but the sauce was really salty. The pasta could have been cooked another minute. It was extra al dente.

    Elaine's Restaurant and Bar - Oysters with caviar

    Elaine's Restaurant and Bar

    (124 reviews)

    If you're looking for a perfect night out on Long Island, do yourself a favor and book a table at…read moreElaine's. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was effortlessly elegant--soft lighting, cozy tables, and just the right balance of upscale without feeling pretentious. But the real star? The food. We started with fresh oysters topped with caviar that were beautifully presented over ice with all the perfect accompaniments--briny, crisp, and incredibly fresh. The cocktails were just as impressive--perfectly balanced and crafted with care (highly recommend going the martini route). For dinner, everything was cooked to absolute perfection. The filet was tender, rich, and melted in your mouth, paired with creamy mashed potatoes and a sauce that honestly should be bottled and sold. The chicken dish was equally outstanding--juicy, flavorful, and finished with a bright lemon touch that tied everything together. And just when we thought it couldn't get better, dessert arrived. A creamy, indulgent affogato with biscotti crumbles--literally the perfect ending. But what truly elevated the entire experience was our waiter, James. He was beyond fabulous--attentive without hovering, genuinely warm, and made us feel like VIPs the entire night. The kind of service that turns a great meal into a memorable experience. Elaine's absolutely nailed every detail--from food to ambiance to service. Already planning my next visit.

    Service - Nice. We were celebrating and it was very nice that they gave a complementary glass of…read morechampagne! The server was very nice and attentive and gave wonderful suggestions! Food - Clams Oreganata - piping hot! It was served right away to the point that the plate was still steaming. Wished it had more salt in the crumb. Pasta Carbonara - THICC. Flavor was good but sauce was so thick that and dense. As it cooled down more, it started feeling like paste. Pappadelle Bolognese - Delicious. The right amount of sauce to coat the pasta and a great cook on it too. I would pair this with something acidic to cut through the richness. Chicken Milanese - Crispy! The chicken cutlet was cooked well and the salad was nice and light with a hint of acidity. The salad was not drenched in sauce to make the breaded chicken soggy. Chocolate Budino - Classic. A simple chocolate pudding. Salted Caramel Affogato - great! the give you the ice cream and the coffee in separate cups so it wouldn't come to you melted. they were so kind to give me decaf! on to my next adventure...

    Pietro Cucina Italiana - Short rib pasta

    Pietro Cucina Italiana

    (160 reviews)

    Went here for a late dinner and my wife and I both got a seafood special in red sauce. Calamari,…read moreshrimp and scallops. The food was excellent. The bread they give you is fresh and warm. Environment is cozy. Would Definitely come back to Try more things .

    I recently had dinner here, and it was one of the most memorable Italian meals I've had in a while…read more From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming, with a cozy, elegant vibe that's perfect for a relaxed dinner. We started with the grilled octopus & the Burrata con Porcini, and it was absolutely fantastic. The octopus was incredibly tender with a perfect char from the grill, which gave it a nice smoky flavor! And the burrata was incredibly fresh and beautifully paired with figs & prossciutto. For the main course I ordered the beef osso buco, and it was easily the highlight of the night. The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender and slow-braised to perfection. The sauce was rich and comforting! You could really tell everything was prepared with care and attention to detail. To finish the meal, we tried their homemade limoncello, and it was the perfect ending. It had a bright, fresh lemon flavor and was served nicely chilled. The service is also excellent, attentive without being intrusive. The whole experience is relaxing and enjoyable. If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine with amazong flavors and welcoming atmosphere, this place is absolutely worth visiting. I'll definitely be returning to try more from the menu. Highly recommend!

    LUCA - italian - Updated May 2026

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