Since their opening in 2009, Lucia Italian has offered a modern take on Italian cuisine with their signature cocktails and wine selection.
But what sets them apart from the rest of York’s overpriced tourist traps?
Situated in the heart of York, nestled away in Swinegate, Lucia’s Italian is run by Oscar Akgul and Osman Dogan.
The business partners also own popular steakhouse chain The Cut & Craft.
The restaurant’s decor impressed me with its stylish, on trend design as the owners invested £800,000 in refurbishing it in 2020.
The subtle pops of pink on the walls and in the blankets added a chic touch to the overall atmosphere.
We visited on a warm, Sunday evening and sat in their courtyard, which we agreed felt very Mediterranean.
However, we were the only group seated outside while others dined inside, leaving little ambience and making for a disappointing start to our al fresco meal.
A quick look at the cocktail menu showed an extensive selection – from classic cocktails to Lucia’s own signature creations.
But the prices were certainly not student friendly and we opted for soft drinks.
Our drinks arrived in small glasses, garnished well with ice, a straw and lemon slices, though priced at £3.75, it felt slightly underwhelming.
I ordered the Steak Alfredo pasta (£23) after a friend’s recommendation and found the sauce was incredibly creamy and flavourful.
I also found the tagliatelle pasta to be beautifully al dente.
The kitchen seared the sirloin steak to perfection – juicy, tender and cooked to my request of medium rare.
It did, unfortunately, arrive lukewarm, and as the Spring evening set in I was quickly eating cold pasta.
The temperature continued to drop and a staff member kindly turned on the heaters whilst we made full use of the pink Lucia branded blankets draped over each chair.
Despite the fact staff at Lucia’s Italian were quick and efficient, we witnessed some unsuccessful banter and joking to customers.
Similarly, we found there to be lots of loitering and chatting from staff and this made our overall dining experience less enjoyable.
So, should you add Lucia Italian Restaurant to your list of places to try in York?
Perhaps – if you fancy falling down another overpriced tourist trap.
