Luca's Cafe (1230 E. Fort Ave., 443-708-5694) is open for business and producing pizzas in Locust Point. This has been a much-anticipated opening because Chris Maler, one of the owners, is also involved with Matthew's Pizza in Highlandtown. He's quick to say that these are completely different pies, thin-crusted and cooked in a convection oven. The choice is steak, Mediterranean, seafood, hoagie, vegetable or a "fold" pizza. (That last is something like a calzone.)
Still, Luca's isn't just a pizzeria. Executive chef William Hughes produces both bar food and entrees that range in price from $11 for Hungarian goulash to $26 for crab cakes. The chocolate fondue is a signature dessert.
The former Truman's bar has been handsomely renovated with a bar downstairs and a dining room on the second floor, with oak and pine and soft yellow walls hung with the works of local artists. There are potted palms and even a fountain. Luca's seats about 90 if you include the bar area.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Sunday brunch is on the horizon.
Soup kitchen --A downtown branch of the Perry Hall Soup's On has just opened (11 W. Preston St., 410-528-1003) in Mount Vernon. This location is bigger and better - if you want more choices and like to eat in. The good-looking space (with fireplace) has seating for 25 or 30 people and extended hours (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday).
Daily soups are listed on the Web site at soupsonbalto.com. The cost is a cup for $3, a bowl for $4 and a pint for $5 (tax and crostini included). The choices include vegan soups like Yucatan black bean with chipotle and lime, vegetarian with dairy, such as cauliflower, and meat and seafood soups.
Starting March 21, the menu will be expanded to include salads and sandwiches, although the emphasis will still be on soup.
Oh yes, there's also a Belgian chocolate mousse offered for $3. Not a soup.
Wined up --The wine shop at the Wine Market (921 E. Fort Ave., 410-244-6166) in Locust Point is taking over the restaurant for one night on Tuesday, March 18, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets for the Wined Up event are $35. The price covers wine and food (with an emphasis on the wine; more than 30 wines from around the world will be featured).
The focus is on bottles for summer sipping, and all of them will be available at a 20 percent discount to take home that night only. The menu will have an emphasis on creative summer grilling techniques.
The Wine Market is probably praying we don't have an early spring snowstorm that night.
Send restaurant news, trends, questions of general interest or observations to me at elizabeth.large@baltsun.com or fax me at 410-783-2519. Snail mail works, too: Elizabeth Large, The Sun, P.O. Box 1377, Baltimore 21278.