Luce Named to Bon Appétit's 'Hot 10 of 2012' List

The shortlist has been shortened: After announcing his picks for the top 50 restaurants of 2012, Bon Appétit restaurant editor Andrew Knowlton has named his top 10 restaurant openings of the year, and E. Burnside's Luce lands at #4 (beating out fellow Portland nominees Ox and the Woodsman Tavern). Per Knowlton, the simple space/concept by Navarre's John Taboada and Giovanna Parolari land on the Best New Restaurant list thanks to its less-is-more approach:

"Is it a market? A restaurant? An installation by a local artist? In a way, it's all three... At first glance, the spaghettini with garlic and hot peppers might look like what you made for your teenager as you were running out the door. But after the first bite — silky, with an alluring kick of heat — you'll find out you were so wrong."

Luce — which originated as an event space by the Navarre duo — debuted in October 2011 as a combination neighborhood pantry/Italian spot, with longtime Navarre chef John Willis in the kitchen. Other spots named to the top 10 hail from Brooklyn, DC, and SF (which takes the #1 spot with State Bird Provisions).
· Luce [Official site]
· America's Best New Restaurants [Bon App]
· All Previous Luce Coverage [Eater PDX]

Image of Luce courtesy official site