Each month we select a restaurant that none of our members have visited before. Lucia's has been a pioneer in the Twin Cities food scene for 26 years, yet none of us had indulged there before. So, for the letter 'L', we went to check out Uptown's favorite bistro. After all those years, they still create weekly menus (Yes, they change weekly, so go back often.) using high quality local foods. As they say, 'The seasonal, nourishing, and cultural properties continue to be our passion'. If a full dinner isn't what you are looking for, cozy up to their wine bar to enjoy a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine. The bar menu consists of soups, salads, pizza, and small plates; some of the best late night eats in town! In a hurry? Try Lucia's To Go. A delicious, truly home cooked meal to fit any busy schedule!
We started with a Simple Green Salad with House Vinaigrette and a bowl of the Sweet Potato & Butternut Squash soup. As the salad's name suggested, it was a simple salad with a delicious vinaigrette. The soup, on the other hand, was anything but simple. The complex and hearty flavors of the sweet potato and squash contrasted nicely with the truffle oil that topped it!
Although Lucia's menu is short, they always offer a fish, vegetarian, and two meat
entree choices. The week that we went, the vegetarian option was the Sauteed Gnocchi. Though sometimes thought of as heavy, these delicious little gnocchi were light as pillows and tossed with a spinach pesto tomato sauce and a sauteed ricotta saluta. While the side of broccoli was a bit overwhelmed by the peppercorns, the cheese that topped the gnocchi gave the dish just the right amount of saltiness to enhance all of the flavors. The fish option, breaded walleye, was equally as fabulous!
The Braised Bison was the perfect dish for a winter evening. The savory and extremely tender meat didn't require any cutting, it practically fell apart when you looked at it. On top of that succulent meat was the most amazing mustard, tarragon creme fraiche. The bison was served with glazed root vegetables. Truly heavenly comfort food!
As our evening came to an end we decided to indulge in some of their fabulous deserts. They had house made sorbet, an assortment of delicious looking cakes, tortes, and pies, and the Lemon Pudding Cake topped with Blueberries, Vanilla Cream, and mint. After one bite, it felt like sunshine in your mouth, so light and refreshing!
The interior of Lucia's was warm and cozy, and the service echoed the ambiance. The dining room is quite small and when full, can be slightly on the louder side, but having a conversation was still easily obtained. When the weather is nice outdoor, seating along the sidewalk is another option to enjoy some extremely, fabulous food while catching some fresh air. I'm not quite sure why it took so long to make it to Lucia's, but as the old saying goes 'better late, than never'!
Other recommendations from our club that start with a 'L'
La Belle Vie - If I knew the day I was going to die, this would be where I would go to eat my last meal. Arguably the best restaurant between Chicago and the Rocky Mountains. Order the five or eight course tasting menu, it is AMAZING!!!
La Cucaracha - Since the 60's this cantina has been serving up some amazing Mexican food in St. Paul
Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine - A variety of fabulously, delicious Thai options.
The Local - In Ireland, the pub with the best food and beer is referred to as the local. Agreed!
Loring Pasta Bar - Always a fun experience with some great food.
Next month's destination - Modern Cafe
Bon Appitte!
