Sam & Luca Rustic Kitchen was created a year and a half ago with the idea that traditional Old World Italian cuisine could thrive as a New World experience.
Located on Power Road, just north of Baseline Road, it sits in a sea of chain restaurants that surround the Superstition Springs Mall area. “We wanted it to be something special, different, and something real, so we engaged Chef Rosalio Tarin, with more than 30 years of experience in Italian cuisine, to run our kitchen,” explained Elena Shaw, part owner of the establishment with Sam Arikat.
Sam & Luca is small and quaint, with an open kitchen and outside patio. Diners can watch their meal being prepared while sampling some of the four reds and four white wines available on tap, and eight craft beers on draft. A large selection of wine is also available by the bottle. Their mixology includes a Limoncello Martini and an Italian Margherita.
“All of the sauces are house-made. Bolognese made with beef, pork and veal is popular with Parpardelle and on our homemade Lasagna. Another house favorite is Chicken Marsala and, of course, our Tiramisu,” Elena said.
The restaurant has recently started serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Pizza, pasta, salads, and a prosciutto and mozzarella panini are featured, as well as lighter portions from the dinner menu.
Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m. features a pizza with a half carafe of house wine for only $20. In addition, all draft wines and beers are a dollar off, and an assortment of small plates such as house-made mozzarella sticks, meat balls, rustic board, and bruschetta run from $6 to $8.
The restaurant staff is planning exciting culinary events for 2020 including wine dinners and a romantic Valentine’s Day menu. Check the website for more information.
“We are happy to host private parties, special occasions, meetings or other events in our private dining room, which has a small patio adjoining — great for entertaining small groups up to 25 — and we offer four special menus that include appetizer, salad, choice of entrée and dessert,” Elena said, “We also do catering.”
Sam & Luca Rustic Kitchen is located at 1959 S. Power Road. Check out their menus at www.samandlucaaz.com. For information or reservations, call (480) 659-6716.
Hours are: Monday and Tuesday — 3 to 9 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday — 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday — 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Closed Sundays.