Luce

[notjustastomach]

It seems that Luce in Bay Park has opened. Anybody been? Word on the food? I hope to check it out within the week

Apparently it's "tavern-like"

http://sandiegoluce.com/

[Beach Chick]

Anyone been to brunch?

[sdnosh]

Tried Luce for the first time a couple of weeks ago. While it has the standard "pub/tavern" decor of reclaimed wood bar and wall, concrete floor and garage doors, it was still an inviting space. It was busy for a 5:45 on a Wednesday. The staff was friendly if not completely versed on the small menu and the food took way too long to come out. We ordered the charcuterie plate wich was nothing special and had too many "other" things to fill up the board. The hamburger was good, not great, and a bit under seasoned. The fig proscuitto pizza was very good with just a hint of gorgonzola. Each as $12 which actually seemed fair for the hamburger but a tad overpriced for the other two. If I lived in the neighborhood, I might go from time to time, but it seems like every neighborhood has one of these, so I wouldn't go out of my way to go back.

[El Chevere]

Had the roasted crispy skin chicken with mashed potatoes and it was excellent...very tastey and gives me something to order besides a burger and pizza....I have not been there for lunch but if their website is accurate, strangely, they offer more items to eat during lunch than dunner.

[Beach Chick]

Sunday brunch at 10am with the games going on might be the ticket..

[MrKrispy]

drove by coming back from Kitchen 4140 for Sunday Brunch (which was quite tasty btw)....Luce didn't look too crowded for their brunch. I am holding off going for a few more weeks, I usually give new places a month or so to work out the rookie issues.

[pickypicky]

Funny. We ate at 4140 when Luce was too packed on Fri night. 4140 is tailor-made for old people. It was quiet (outside) and friendly. Easy parking. All it took to win me over, and the food was good enough.

[MrKrispy]

hahaha! The noise inside is pretty bad, all the loud talkers just bounce right off that big metal door.

[El Chevere]

I had the burger, served on brioche.....was huge and reasonably priced. They also served craft beer and had a nice wine list....relatively small place, so expect a wait unless you get there early (though there are plans to expand at a future date). I was there the first weekend they opened and the menu was rather limited (pizza, and maybe a chicken dish if I recall)...I believe they were going to be adding to their menu, so you may want to call in advance...nice vibe, middle aged crowd. I will be going back.

[pickypicky]

We tried to go last night and it was bursting at the seams, spilling out the door, crowded. It didn't even look like a restaurant from the sidewalk. More like a total bar. But it was 7pm on Friday night.

[cstr]

12 bucks for a burger reasonable ??? are you serious?? hope it was stellar.

[Beach Chick]

I don't think spending $12 for a burger is outrageous but what the hell do I know..

[honkman]

You will have problems to find a good burger for below $12,e g. Starlite, Alchemy, Urban Solace etc.

[cstr]

Burger Lounge, Bare Back Grill.

[Beach Chick]

Apples and oranges...why didn't you include the $6 Carls Jr burger too..
; )

[pickypicky]

I'm with you, BC. ARV Jeff Jackson's Drugstore Burger is $16, and I don't mind paying for one that's that great.

[cstr]

How is that apples and oranges, BL uses grass fed, BareBack uses hormone free. This place uses angus. Am I missing something?

[El Chevere]

for starters, the burger is HUGE and nearly twice as much meat as BL....they also serve it on a huge brioche bun and it includes fries (fries are extra at BL).

...also, isn't $12 the going rate at The Counter (when you factor in fries, also sold separately)?...seems to be the ballpark price for a great burger at JRDN at Tower 23 as well--with fries......I don't consider $12 to be ridiculous...if it were $20--yes, but $12 seems to be the norm these days for a restaurant burger.

[Beach Chick]

I might have to break down and get that bad boy...said the magic word 'brioche'.

[honkman]

Burger Lounge doesn't have fries included in their burger price, a lousy bun, relative small amount of beef etc. Haven't tried the Bare Back one.

[cstr]

Bare Back is 8oz of flavorful goodness. Looks like I'll have to get over to Luce and give it a go. Not much of a desription, burger size etc, on the menu. May have to try the cheese board also.

[El Chevere]

never been to the one downtown--as good as the one in PB??

[cstr]

No, not even close. If my first experience was downtown, I would not go back. PB is much better, including a better chef, better prepared entree's and larger drafts for the same price as downtown.

[escondido123]

I've been trying out burgers at restaurants in downtown Escondido, and at dinner the standard price for a cheeseburger and fries is $10-12, regardless of whether it is "stellar." I've never been much of a burger eater until now and just figured that was the standard price. Am I totally wrong? (Not including fast food burgers)