I remember walking through the Downtown Mall one time with my dad as a kid, incessantly whining that I was hungry — as most 8 year olds do. To hold me over until dinner, we stopped in to Marco & Luca to grab a late-afternoon snack. Although I don’t remember what was in them, I do remember that that moment was when I first fell in love with dumplings.
To see if my fond childhood memory of the scrumptious fare held true, I decided to journey to Marco & Luca on the Corner on a recent chilly afternoon. Placed beside Take It Away Sandwich Shop and across from Ragged Mountain Running Shop, the outside was a quaint and modest hole in the wall, and if it weren’t for the hanging bright red sign, I might have walked right past it.
Marco & Luca’s first location was opened in 2001 on Second Street by a couple named Sun Da and Dragana Katalina-Sun, who named the restaurant after their children. Their dumplings have since become a Charlottesville staple, now with three locations around town. In 2010, Marco & Luca became accessible to students, moving in on the beloved Elliewood Ave. just behind Starbucks.
When my boyfriend and I entered the establishment, we were immediately greeted with a cheery smile from the woman at the counter. I later learned from a poster on the wall that she was one of the founders, Katalina-Sun. She fretted over our flustered faces and chattering teeth from the cold, worried that we were not dressed warmly enough. Despite our reassurances, Katalina-Sun insisted that we sit at a table so she could bring chicken broth to warm us up, free of charge. Her hospitality made us feel like we were guests in her home rather than mere restaurant patrons.
The inside of the restaurant is colorfully painted in citrusy orange and yellows, decorated with a couple of large, sprawling plants and illuminated with soft lighting. The chairs, tables and accents on the walls were all wooden, contributing to the snug, homey effect. Although the inside was small, it fit at least five tables, each seating two. During our time there, only one other couple sat in the corner, but many people came in to order takeout.
I ordered Fried Pork Dumplings for $5.75 and a Veggie Hot Bun for $2.50, combining to a total that was comparable to or cheaper than other lunch options on the Corner. One order of dumplings came with seven piping-hot dumplings and a sizable amount of Marco & Luca’s special soy sauce, the restaurant’s unique tangy spin on typical soy sauce, which comes served with all dumplings.
The dumplings themselves were deliciously flavored with ginger and other spices, which gave them a kick without being necessarily spicy. The crispy, but not oily, dumpling skins complemented the rich, steaming pork inside. Their piping-hot temperature was the only thing keeping me from eating them all the moment they were delivered to our table. Although they were delicious on their own, the real highlight of the meal was the special soy sauce. It covered the entire base of the wide container, which at first glance looked like too much. However, as soon as I tried the tangy, flavorful sauce, the plentiful portion size made sense.
I also poured the sauce over the vegetarian bun, which was stuffed with Chinese cabbage, carrots and string beans. The dough was light and airy, and although I would have preferred more vegetables in the center, for $2.50, this hot bun was totally worth it. Other menu options at Marco & Luca include a Pork Hot Bun, Hot and Sour Soup and Sesame Balls, each for under $5.
My boyfriend tried the Steamed Pork Dumplings for $5.75 with a side of Chicken Curry for $6.50, which turned out to be quite a large portion — almost the size of a full entrée itself. The sauteed chicken was cut into small, bite-sized pieces and simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce, served with chopsticks. Although heat-seekers would have been disappointed with the lack of spice in this dish, the chicken was full of flavorful garlic, onion and tomato without being spicy or dry. The steamed dumplings were similar to the fried ones, but lacking the crispy finish that I prefer. While steamed dumplings may be the healthier option, I would strongly recommend the fried dumplings.
All in all, our visit confirmed that my fond memory of Marco & Luca with my dad as a kid was exactly as I remembered it — absolutely delicious.
While the menu offerings are thoughtful and well-executed, however, Marco & Luca is not fully conducive to a student schedule. Although the other Charlottesville locations are open for dinner, Marco & Luca’s Elliewood location is only open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends. Additionally, the menu for all locations are limited, with the only dumpling fillings available being pork and vegetables.
Still, the phenomenal food aside, the most memorable aspect of my visit to Marco & Luca was the evidence of the restaurant’s positive impact on the Charlottesville community.
Katalina-Sun’s hospitality extended beyond her initial warm welcome. Towards the end of our meal, a man arrived whom I recognized as someone who frequents the Corner. He politely asked for a cup of water, and Katalina-Sun enthusiastically offered him a bowl of warm soup and invited him to sit inside for a while to warm up. This gesture summed up how Marco & Luca is an accepting, community-oriented mom-and-pop, bringing Charlottesville together over good dumplings.
Limited hours and inconspicuous exterior aside, Marco & Luca has definitely become my go-to spot for a quick and affordable lunch near Grounds. If you’re searching to squeeze in a delicious budget-friendly lunch between classes or a thoughtful, homey, dine-in atmosphere, this is definitely the place for you.
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