about
«LUKA» is an ongoing series of dining events dedicated to the cuisine of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast. I began «LUKA» in Portland shortly after arriving from an executive chef position in Dalmatia. I have since made it my mission to share the vibrant culture and traditions of regional Dalmatian food and wine with America. Dinners take place at a variety of locations, and all details for upcoming dinners can be found on the menu page. Along with photos, media, recipes, notes on the menus and some cultural background, I have also begun sharing some of my personal experiences in Croatia in the chef’s log. I hope that this addition to the site will enrich your experience of the dinners.
In the past, «LUKA» was an avenue for sharing an eclectic mix of Balkan cuisines: Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, Slovenian, Macedonian and more. My idea was to create a cultural context and culinary lens through which to view this fascinating, heartrendingly beautiful region of the world. The word luka means ‘port’ or ‘harbor’ in the Serbo-Croatian language, and being that cultures tend to interact in ports and harbors, it seemed a fitting name for the dinner series.
In midsummer of 2011, I decided to focus exclusively on the cooking of the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. Being mostly a maritime culture of sea captains, sailors and subsistence fishermen, the name LUKA remains as apt for the series. I’ve adopted the cooking style of the konoba, the classic Dalmatian tavern and grill. These extremely casual, family owned establishments are typically stone wine-making houses or sheds, equipped with outdoor wood-fired kitchens. Fresh seafood and meats are prepared and served in an elegantly simple Mediterranean style, to be enjoyed with the family vintage.
The word konoba is actually Dalmatian dialect for a wine cellar or vinting house, and in the villages along the coast, it’s where the local wine is made. At harvest time, the kitchen is closed to the public, and the grapes are crushed in the yard with friends and neighbors from the village. Konobas are the subject of many romantic Dalmatian songs, and they are places where fond memories of friendship and love are made. My aim is to keep «LUKA» tied to the dock of the Dalmatian konoba tradition and convey as much of the feeling of these places as I can summon. We will dine outdoors whenever possible, and I will prepare a portion of the meal on wood fire, right before you.
«LUKA» is an event-based, ticketed series, with reservations more or less all inclusive. While I am still working to bring some excellent Dalmatian wines to Portland to pair with dinners, there is currently a bring-your-own policy on beverages. If you find the «LUKA» experience enjoyable, gratuities are welcome and appreciated. Photography, tweeting, micro-blogging and such are also welcome. I love to see your photos and hear about your experiences at the dinners.
You can follow @bistroLUKA on Twitter and connect on the Facebook page for «LUKA» PDX. You can also subscribe to the mailing list to receive updates and menus for upcoming dinners. I look forward to cooking for you!
Pozdrav,
John J. Goddard