Indulgent Italian

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Emily Loving

Located in a historic building in the Bishop Arts District, Lucia is notably one of the hottest restaurants, and most sought-after reservation locations, in the Metroplex. With succulent starters, handmade fresh pasta and a robust wine list, the 14-table Italian restaurant is consistently bustling thanks to its dedicated patrons – old and new – and their palpable excitement.

If diners plan ahead and reserve a table early – or arrive right when they open to snag a seat at the bar overlooking the display kitchen, they are in for a night of warm yet exquisite dining. And co-owner Jennifer Uygur, who owns Lucia with her husband chef and 2019 James Beard Award finalist David Uygur, says that’s done by design.

“We like the intimacy of our small space. It's cozy,” Jennifer says. “We wanted it to feel kind of like you're dining in our home.”

The Uygurs have a special place in their hearts for Italy. Jennifer first traveled to the country at the age of 14 to see her aunt perform as an opera singer. She later studied abroad there, and she and David now often travel to Italy during their time off. While exploring different cities and trying new cafes, the couple became attracted to the array of quaint options for local diners.

“David and I love finding off-the-beaten-path restaurants when we're traveling in Italy,” Jennifer says. “We wanted Lucia to feel like some of those places: small, relaxed but with great food and wine.”

With that, Lucia was born. The seasonal menu rotates frequently, but it is centered on creating fresh, flavorful dishes. The Salumi Misti, a tasting of housemade cured meats, is an example of that. With flavorful slices of Red Wattle Coppa and Peach Pit Salame, diners will start to see how Lucia not only delivers cultural favorites but also fully embraces and celebrates the cuisine’s offerings.

More adventurous diners should sample the foie gras stuffed prunes – available for $1 per prune – for their beautiful balance of rich flavors.

When browsing through the pasta possibilities, which come in two different sizes, diners can rest assured they cannot make a bad choice. With mouthwatering options like the Casarecce with walnut and mushroom pesto and Tagliatelle with pork ragu and broccoli raab, you might want to order a few smaller plates to get a sampling of their creations.

The entrees don’t disappoint. The Duck Leg Confit served with otto file polenta, hedgehog mushrooms, cippolini and broccoli raab comes out juicy. And the Cod with cauliflower, chard and olive-preserved lemon salsa verde offers a sense of brightness.

To round out the meal, split one – or more – of the desserts with your table. Whether it’s their simply elegant Olive Oil Cake with prune jam and burnt cinnamon gelato or their lavish Banana Semifreddo with gianduja chocolate and coffee brittle, they have options that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

After enjoying Lucia’s dishes once, guests will start to feel like regulars. With the owners routinely making the rounds to check on tables and their knowledgeable staff making recommendations along the way, it’s easy to see why people are so drawn to Lucia's dining. That's why their 14 tables are so hard to claim.

“We're delighted when we hear guests planning their next reservation with us while they're still eating dessert,” Jennifer says. “Hopefully because they had fun!”

To reserve a spot, guests can start checking 60 days out from their desired day. Or, for those who want a quicker reservation, you can be put on the restaurant’s notify list to snag someone else’s cancellation. No matter if you plan your dinner weeks in advance or take your chances at the bar, guests are sure to be captivated by Lucia’s picturesque plates, attentive service and passion for Italian cuisine.