Ristorante Lucia
I was asked to review a local Italian restaurant in return for a free dinner for two, so Mal and I made a night of it. I love date night! 
We snapped a pre-date photo at home before dinner. It only took one try with the automatic timer on my camera, which almost never happens!
And we took a self-portrait! Date nights don’t happen all that often anymore, so we needed to document it!
A 25-minute car ride later, we arrived at Ristorante Lucia in Winchester.
On the drive, it started to snow. Don’t I look cold!?!
Thankfully, it was nice and warm inside the restaurant– and totally decked-out for the holidays!
The decorations immediately put me in the holiday mood. I love this time of year!
Ristorante Lucia has an Old World Italian charm to it. The walls are covered with gold-framed photos and a bunch of large mirrors. The ceiling is Sistine Chapel-esque with paintings of religious scenes and Greek gods.
The bar area, next to the main dining area, was cozy, but lively, with a good-size crowd watching the game on a big, flat-screen TV. The bar area would be a cool place to hang out with your significant other or a couple of friends.
Our waiter, John, immediately came over to our table and introduced himself. He took our drink order and explained that the chef had arranged a tasting menu for us. Mal and I were psyched! We thought we’d only be able to taste a couple of things off the menu, but instead we tried a whole slew of dishes. This type of meal meant that I really needed to pace myself!
We started with bread and olive oil, which I had planned to skip. Mal dug right in and insisted that I try the olive oil, which was a mix of garlic, Parmesan, and pesto. I couldn’t turn that combo down, so I grabbed a piece of bread and dipped away. It was fantastic!
I ordered a glass of the Cantele Primitivo Zinfandel from the Puglia region of Italy.
My handsome date:
Loving date night! 
The first dish we tasted was from the appetizer menu: Scampi Francavillese.
It was jumbo shrimp sautéed with butter and garlic in a white wine sauce and served over toasted Italian bread.
It was amazing!!! The shrimp was flavorful and tender with just the right amount of lemon. Obviously, we hated it! 
I’m surprised Mal didn’t lick the plate clean!
The next appetizer was the Antipasto Della Casa, which was grilled vegetables in season roasted Red Peppers, Supressata Prosciutto, and Auricchio provolone. Neither of us are big antipasto fans, but we liked this dish, especially the provolone cheese. Mal really liked the prosciutto and salami.
I tried a little bit of everything from the antipasto plate.
For the pasta course, Mal and I shared two dishes.
We started with the Maccheroni Chitarra, which was homemade egg pasta served in a light tomato sauce and Romano cheese. So delish!
The homemade pasta had such a wonderful texture to it– al dante with a square-edge cut to the pasta. The sauce was light, yet full of flavor. We devoured this one!
The second pasta dish, the Ammazzafame, was not as impressive.
The Ammazzafame was penne sautéed with porcini mushrooms, sliced sausages, broccoli, sun dried tomatoes, and capers. The ingredient combination sounded delicious, but the dish was just so-so. It definitely needed more flavor– perhaps a thick sauce or more garlic? It was just so bland, especially for a restaurant dish. I could easily make this type of meal at home.
I took a small portion of each pasta dish to start. I went back for a second serving of the Maccheroni Chitarra.
At this point in the evening, Mal and I were having a blast, so we ordered a round of dirty martinis.
Next up: meat!
The Vitello Carrozzella was delicious puffs of mozzarella cheese and veal sautéed in a white wine sauce and sage. It was divine!
Even more delicious was the Bistecca Alla Arrabiata, which Mal and I agreed was our favorite dish of the night.
The Bistecca Alla Arrabiata was grilled sirloin steak topped with a spicy tomato sauce with mushrooms, capers, anchovies, and olives.
Mal and I were pretty full, so we took leftovers home of both of these dishes. I bet they’ll be awesome for dinner tonight!
I tried just a couple bites of each.
I’m so glad that I paced myself during dinner because I had plenty of room for dessert!
We were served an amazing dessert tray with tiramisu, lemon sorbet served in frozen lemon rinds, and a sliced chocolate ice cream cake covered in dark chocolate shavings. Holy yum!
Mal and I dominated dessert. We didn’t leave a single bite!
Mal and I didn’t want date night to end, so we extended the meal with a couple of cappuccinos. The foam was awesome! We sipped slowly and chatted for another 30 minutes or so.
I love date night. Did I mention that?
Many thanks to the folks at Ristorante Lucia! We had a great time!
Posted by: Tina 48 comments
Posted in: restaurant
Tags: Ristorante Lucia, Winchester
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
OMG that meal looks divine! How lucky are you guys?? Wonderful pics, can almost taste everything! Won’t be able to visit the restaurant as I live in the UK but I am sure many who read your blog will be encouraged to try it!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Everything looks beautiful! The food, the decor… I love date night, too!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Looks like a great date spot! Lucky you!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 10:53 am
sounds like a perfect date night! my fiancee and i are the same way w/ desserts. no bite left behind!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 10:53 am
That tiarmisu looks amazing
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Looks like you had a ton of fun! The decor looks so warm and wonderful. And I NEVER refuse bread + herbed olive oil. One of the best parts of the meal
Along with dessert, of course! Looove tiramisu!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Everything looks absolutely delicious. And on a cold and snowy night, there’s nothing better than a cozy meal with your sweetie and a hot cup of coffee.
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I attempted to have my rehearsal dinner for our wedding at this restaurant and the day before they gave away the room they had promised us and we had to find a new place. too bad b/c the food looks delicious.
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:10 am
mmmm looks fantastic!!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Wow…that looked delicious.
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Looks like a very romantic place – and the food: amazing.
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Just looking at those pictures got me in the Christmas spirit… And made me HUNGRY! I love good food, good wine, and quiet time with my husband. Perfect date night!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Looks delicious…is that creme brulee on your dessert tray?
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:49 am
What a beautiful place! Looks like a wonderful date nite!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:49 am
What an absolutely beautiful meal! I love good Italian, and I love date night. I’m inspired…I need to plan a great Italian dinner date night! And, if I’m ever in Boston…
Have a great Sunday, Tina!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:58 am
whoa! Everything looks so delish! Sounds like you had great eats and a great date night
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Yummy, that bistecca sounds like something my husband and I would really enjoy. I’ll have to search for a recipe online and try to recreate it at home!
Courtney
adventures in tri-ing
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
You guys look so happy in each other’s company- its very cute!!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
great review tina! i love italian, but the north end is so pricey. i am definitely going to store this restaurant away as a place to try.
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Oh yay!! I love date night! It looks like a great place too! I’m going to be in Boston this weekend and I may just have to have my date night there
You guys are seriously the cutest couple ever though.
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
That restaurant looks good! Question- where are your jeans from? I really like them. They look nice but also comfortable.
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
My name was actually supposed to be Lucia… well thats what my parents said they would have named had I not been born 3 months early. haha random fact. The food looks great!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Such a great date night! The food looks incredible and it looks like the two of you had a wonderful time!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
That looks like a great date night! I know what you mean about them not happening very much…my husband and I have to take complete advantage of them when we can, too!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
My husband and I are like that too – no matter how full we are, we don’t leave a CRUMB of dessert. Can’t waste it!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
yay for date night!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
The food looks amazing! I wish I were in Boston so I could try it!!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Date Nights are awesome!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
So glad you had an awesome time….beautiful!
Enjoy!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
What a night! Looks like ya’ll had a blast!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Looks like the perfect date night
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Looks like the perfect date! Glad you two enjoyed it
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Oh wow thats amazing! If I live there I definitely would try that resturant out!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
wow tina! that restaurant looks soo good! i am glad you had a nice date night and paced yourself
way to go!
jenna
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
I love the art on the wall! Looks like a very romantic place!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Aww you two looked so cute! That restaurant looks like a good time!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Hmm..there’s a place called Lucia Ristorante in the North End too! Their menu is pretty much the same. I wonder if it’s owned by the same people? It’s always been my favorite place in the North End.
http://www.luciaboston.com/
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Wow…what a FUN night!!! And you looked gorgeous!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
That looks amazing! Such a fun atmosphere to spend date night! You guys are so cute.
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Oh my that restaurant looks amazing! Not to mention the food and dessert! Hmm I think Mr BBB and I need a ‘date night’
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Aww, it looks like you guys had a great time!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Looks like you guys had such a good time. I also LOVE date night! I’m away at college so when I go home to Chicago, my boyfriend and I always try to make the most of date nights. We LOVE going out to try new restaurants which is not hard to do in Chicago.
That dessert plate though…mmmm…
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Hi Tina, nice date night recap. I’m curious though, since the restaurant covered your dinner, do you still leave a tip for the server? I’ve got a press dinner coming up next week and don’t know what’s appropriate! Thanks
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
looks like a wonderful evening! Date nights are the best
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Dear Tina, i could only hope that my future husband and I are close to being as adorable as you and Mal!! No joke–you two are the cutest couple
That first pasta and the tiramisu has my name all over it. Glad you had a fun date night!
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Pretty pictures – romantic ; )
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
You guys are so cute. Glad you enjoyed date night- it looked great. There are some perks to being a blogger
on Dec 6th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
The quality of your camera is amazing! And the restaurant is so beautiful! It looks like it belongs inside of a cathedral or something
I love your fashion sense, by the way 