480870 Fri Jan 18 18:19:39 -0800 2008 22 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 3310430 Anybody know when this place is going to open on Fort Avenue and if we're really getting a disciple of Matthew's Pizza over on the south side? The sign is up and I seem to remember a mention of this place here or somewhere else a few months ago that said the owners were somehow related to Matthew's, and that this was going to be a pizza place, but maybe I was dreaming. Fri Jan 18 18:19:39 -0800 2008 28921 Pie Man 1 3311137 I've heard the same thing, so its possible you heard it and then ALSO dreamed about it. I anxiously await someone with more information. Sat Jan 19 05:54:26 -0800 2008 3310430 13033 KAZ 1 3351459 Just called - they're opening the second week in February. Woohoo! Thu Jan 31 07:27:00 -0800 2008 3310430 162261 Meatball Man 2 3353997 Thanks, this is good news. I hope it's still going to be what was initially reported about a pizza cafe with Matthew's style pie. I'll put it on the calendar and check it out. Thu Jan 31 18:27:43 -0800 2008 3351459 28921 Pie Man 1 3354340 I live on the block and have stopped in once or twice to talk with them. The owner (his name is Lando, although I have no clue if I'm spelling that correct) said Luca's pizza will be brick oven, while Matthews is all gas oven. He says it's different, but "it will be good!" Initially we were really hoping for a Matthews-esque place as well. We love Matthews and will make up excuses to go across the harbor to get it, but I'm excited to have pizza in Locust Point. Thu Jan 31 20:44:45 -0800 2008 3310430 116701 locustpointgirl 2 3358778 Sounds interesting, like they might be using a variation of Matthew's concepts in a brick oven or just going for their own style. Either way, as long as they know how to make, toss and cook the dough and use high quality sauce and cheese, it will be a very welcome addition to the neighborhood. Sat Feb 02 11:42:10 -0800 2008 3354340 28921 Pie Man 1 3367828 Luca's Cafe should be open in a few weeks. Matthew's pizza will not be on the menu, Luca's will have pizza however not brick oven. Brick oven was the original concept however the kitchen size did not accommodate. The owner of Matthews is an owner of this venture; however is it not a west side version. The menu will consist of thin crust grilled pizza, salads, sandwiches, and entrees. Dining room upstairs and a few seats, along with the huge original bar, on the first level. Tue Feb 05 14:03:29 -0800 2008 3310430 136627 chefgf25 2 3367908 How did you find all this out? Tue Feb 05 14:26:40 -0800 2008 3367828 11273 JonParker 2 3369854 Thanks for the update. Can you elaborate on the "grilled pizza" description? I'm assuming you don't mean grilled over an open flame, but please correct me if I'm wrong. Will it be baked in a gas oven and use the same high quality cheeses that Matthews uses? Is the dough going to be made in house? Thanks for any more info. you can give us. Wed Feb 06 08:24:28 -0800 2008 3367828 28921 Pie Man 3 3370850 I just stopped by on my dog walk and talked to the owner again. He said that the brick ovens he was ordering from Italy wouldn't fit in the kitchen (ah, the Baltimore row house strikes again!). He said they bought huge convection ovens and are going to grill the pizza and then use the ovens in a sort of 2-part process. He sounded pretty confident that this would produce some good pizza flavor. Sorry, I forgot to ask about the cheese or the dough, but they open on the 18th. Wed Feb 06 12:31:09 -0800 2008 3369854 116701 locustpointgirl 4 3372974 Thanks! One way or the other it sounds like it's going to be interesting. Thu Feb 07 07:02:43 -0800 2008 3370850 28921 Pie Man 5 3766682 So how's this place working out, worth a meal? I glanced in and saw several gambling machines around the bar... Tue Jun 10 09:36:07 -0700 2008 3372974 72002 chowsearch 6 3766709 I liked the pizza but thought the goulash with gnocci was lame. Very little meat, the gnocci were mushy without much taste and the sauce was fair; tasting of tomato and papricka with no real complexity. The pizza was nothing like Mathew's but had a thin crip crust with tastie toppings. If in the area you may want to stop by, I wouldn't make much of a trip of it. I would be interested to hear if others have tried their entrees or sandwiches. Tue Jun 10 09:43:12 -0700 2008 3766682 22276 jfish 6 3766752 I've been to Luca's a couple of times now. The only thing I can say is when I get a pizza itch recently, I've been going to Zella's. Luca's is not bad, they have some interesting pizzas (I've only had one other item, a sandwich. it was "ehh" / shrugs shoulders) and the bar is nice. Worth a trip if you are in the area. Tue Jun 10 09:57:07 -0700 2008 3766682 13033 KAZ 7 3766859 I like Luca's a lot, but all of my eating has been off the pizza menu except for one sandwich, which was good but not something I'd travel for. It is what it sets out to be -- a quite good little neighborhood restaurant and bar. If you picked it as a destination it probably wouldn't meet your expectations, but having it close by is great. I'd put Junior's Wine Bar in the same category. Zella's is decent and more importantly, they deliver to my house. Tue Jun 10 10:25:58 -0700 2008 3766752 11273 JonParker 8 3766899 Thanks--think I'll see how the bar menu at Pazza Luna's doing... Tue Jun 10 10:37:45 -0700 2008 3766859 72002 chowsearch 8 3767063 Jon do you live in Federal Hill? I've wanted to try Zella's but haven't made it over to Hollins Mkt area. I'm about 5 blocks south of the Cross St Mkt towards Fort do they go that far? Tue Jun 10 11:14:20 -0700 2008 3766859 151336 BaltoPhilFood 9 3767755 I'm right by Hanover and Ostend, so they might go as far as your house. Try giving them a call. They have a menu on their web site. Tue Jun 10 13:57:18 -0700 2008 3767063 11273 JonParker 7 3767666 where is Zellas? Tue Jun 10 13:37:25 -0700 2008 3766752 199601 igrowveggies 8 3767757 By Hollins Market in SoWeBo Tue Jun 10 13:57:59 -0700 2008 3767666 11273 JonParker 9 3767778 thanks so much! i actually googled it--menu looks AMAZING! and you said they deliver? do you by chance know what their delivery range is? I'm 4.5 miles away... Tue Jun 10 14:02:17 -0700 2008 3767757 199601 igrowveggies 10 3767794 Nope, but give them a call and ask. Don't take no for an answer. Tue Jun 10 14:06:50 -0700 2008 3767778 11273 JonParker 11 3768370 I live at Fort & Jackson and they have delivered to me multiple times and will take a credit card ver the phone. I recommend the ham & pineapple. Tue Jun 10 17:16:50 -0700 2008 3767794 15865 cduftler