Cantinetta Luca offers an authentic menu inspired by the traditional recipes of various regions of Italy featuring hand-crafted dishes using the finest Italian goods and locally sourced ingredients in a lively atmosphere. Executive Chef / Partner Jason Balestrieri shares his Italian culinary heritage and travels through handcrafted dishes prepared traditionally with a simple and rustic presentation. Starting with treasured family recipes passed down through generations the menu specialties include a hearty selection of source verified premium meats, first hand selected then hand-cut on site, a wide array of antipasto including house cured artisan salume, wood-oven baked pizza offered at lunch, housemade pastas and sauces, and whole roasted fish. Whether you are enjoying the Bistecca Fiorentina hand cut, prepared and presented in the Tuscan tradition, a glass of perfectly paired Italian wine or a plate of our daily housemade pasta made with imported Caputo “00” flour you will experience a little piece of Italy in Carmel-by-the-Sea. All of our pasta, bread, sauces, dressings and marinades are housemade daily using authentic imported Italian goods and fresh locally sourced produce. Meats are sourced from the best purveyors and seafood is sourced locally. Chef Balestrieri also offers a selection of housemade artisan salume made from his own recipes along with the finest salume imported from around the world. The restaurant’s wine list offers hard to find and reasonably priced wines to pair perfectly with your favorite dish. There is always a lot of activity at Luca and the open kitchen gives diners the opportunity to watch chefs in action. The interior decor of the 93-seat restaurant with full bar service is an antique/modern ambiance inspired by the classic architecture of Italy. The design is a blend of stone, brick and glass, chiseled wood and bright Italian colors. Our beautiful wine room featuring a barrel vaulted brick ceiling and chiseled beams is the perfect setting for your next special event.