Lucia, a new Italian restaurant on Main Street in Vancouver, has quickly become a hotspot for food enthusiasts. The restaurant, previously known as Smitty's Oyster House and Anthem Sound Lounge, has undergone a transformation under the leadership of new chef Marquella Uhrig. With a focus on traditional Italian cooking and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, Lucia offers a menu that is both comforting and slightly elevated.
Uhrig, a seasoned chef with experience at Giusti, Savio Volpe, and Fred's Ambleside, brings her expertise to Lucia's kitchen. Her menu emphasizes house-made pastas and pizzas, with a particular emphasis on simplicity and quality ingredients. The restaurant's interior, with its warm wood accents and open layout, creates a cozy and inviting ambiance, perfect for gatherings with friends.
The menu at Lucia features a range of antiasti, including smoked olives, marinated with chilli, citrus, and garlic, and burrata served with prosciutto, poached apple, and pine nuts. The star of the show, however, is the meatballs, served with a Pomodoro sauce and dusted with Grana Padano. These homey, generously sized meatballs were quickly devoured by the table.
The carb-heavy portion of the meal includes Neapolitan-style pizzas with thin crusts and simple toppings. The Fennel Sausage pizza, with its roasted peppers, olives, onion, provolone, and Grana Padano, was solid but not the standout. The real stars of the meal were the pasta courses, particularly the Radiatore, a fresh, homemade pasta served with a leek and wild mushroom cream sauce and topped with smoked scamorza.
Another favorite was the Tortelli, a ricotta and greens stuffed pasta served in a brown butter sauce with sage and pine nuts. The restaurant also offers a selection of desserts, including tiramisu and cannoli, which were both very welcome sweet treats to conclude the meal.
Lucia has successfully created a haven of classic Italian fare in a setting perfect for a night out. The restaurant's focus on tradition, quality ingredients, and a warm atmosphere makes it a must-visit for anyone in the area looking for a solid bite to eat. With its talented chef and delicious menu, Lucia is quickly becoming a favorite among Vancouver foodies.
