What to eat at AOC, Lucques, Campanile

[LiMiLa]

I'm having dinner at AOC and Campanile and lunch at Lucques this week. What are the menu highlights and can't-miss-dishes?

[JudiAU]

On the current Lucques lunch menu, both the tomato salad and peach salad are wonderful. Both are the sort of thing you think you can construct yourself with good market ingredients and then they are never as tasty. The crab sandwich is good too.

I like almost all the food at Campanile but keep in mind that portions are fairly large and can be heavy. I wouldn't try and order multiple courses unless you are a big eater. I generally get two apps.

[emily]

I've enjoyed the suckling pig at Lucques. The salads are usually executed very well.

[hdalsy]

Lucques is known for their braised short ribs.

Campanile is known for their prime rib and sauteed trenne

[LiMiLa]

Thanks to all for the responses! Last night AOC was great - tried just about everything on the menu. Stand outs were the bacon-wrapped dates, the heirloom tomato and burrata starter (which apparently is at Lucques for the summer as well), the summer squash, the asparagus, and the prosciutto & fried egg on brioche. The rabbit crepiette with apriot and truffle butter was also excellent, though extremely rich. On to Lucques...

[maudies5]

The amazing bacon-wrapped dates are available in the Larder at Tavern, Suzanne Goin's restaurant in Brentwood. I believe a container of 12 is $12.00. Call ahead to see if they are available. They tend to sell out early in the day.

[RacerX]

At Lucques, the fried squash blossoms and braised short ribs were excellent.

Just checked their web site - I see my two favs aren't on the lunch menu.

[havham]

At Lucques get anything braised, you'll be very happy.

[schrutefarms]

While I like Luques and Camponile, only one thing comes to mind when mentioning those three restaurants...the bacon wrapped dates from AOC. (And if they still have it on the menu, the warm gruyere starter with rock salt and honey is really good.)

[schrutefarms]

Oops, forgot to mention that the gruyere starter is at Camponile.

[hdalsy]

The starter (it's pecorino, not gruyere) is only offered on their Thursday night Grilled Cheese menu

[schrutefarms]

It's pecorino? Really? And yes, as I recall, when I had it it was on the Thurs grilled cheese night. Oh what a night.

[gnarlex]

In Summer, i.e. NOW!, Lucques has an heirloom tomato and burrata salad starter that should be mandatory for all diners to order and eat. In fact, the summer menu should only list one starter. It is Sofa King good!!

[LiMiLa]

Thanks for the tip - it was awesome.

[arkline]

AOC - the arroz negro with squid and saffron aïoli is incredible. absolutely the best thing on the menu. the bacon-wrapped dates with cheese inside are also so good that I typically order a second serving for dessert. You really can't go wrong with anything at AOC...

I don't particularly remember anything standing out at Campanile.. and Lucques I've only been to for dinner, but the short ribs were great. We also had a scallop dish that I think may have been a special for the evening, but were really incredible.

Honestly, you are going to fabulous restaurants this week... nothing will be disappointing.