"Baby on Board" Restaurant Review: Lucca's

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 23, 2007 6:26PM

Lucca’s is just what you want in a neighborhood restaurant: the classiness of white tablecloths in an environment comfortable enough for tired parents to wear jeans. Sunday is “family night.” The restaurant is open for dinner between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. to accommodate even the most volatile of nap schedules. Couple this convenience with a trip to the South Lakeview Playground, one block away, and you have the recipe for a great night out, family-style.

This Italian Lakeview eatery offers classic pasta, seafood and meat dishes with enough variety for everyone from your toddler to your picky husband. We chose the shiitake mushroom pancakes ($7), which were surprisingly rich and savory, and eggplant parmesan ($14), three layers of thick eggplant topped with mouthwatering mozzerella and spicy tomato sauce.

Lucca’s was empty when we arrived, and we were easily able to pull our stroller up to the table. Our waiter was attentive, offering to hold our baby while we ate our appetizer. We were served quickly and had enough time to enjoy coffee before our child became bored and cranky. Only one other family came in as we ate. We became fast friends with another mom and traded stories of our babies recent firsts.

Its elaborate decor, from the beautiful Chicago-styled art on the walls to the thick, dark wood accents, might lead you to mistake Lucca’s for a romantic enclave in a residential neighborhood. Don’t be fooled. From its helpful staff to its tasty menu and friendly patrons, Lucca’s family night Sundays are not to be missed. Lucca’s is located at 2834 North Southport; 773-477-2565. 5:30-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5:30-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3-9 p.m. Sunday.

Thanks, Elizabeth.