Lucia Dallas
Innovative Modern Italian Fare Tucked in Bishop Arts
Wow. Where do I even start? Lucia delivers a dining experience that feels curated to perfection. The menu rotates often, so every visit brings something new. The courses are structured intentionally, guiding you through the meal in a way that feels both elevated and effortless.
Now, let’s be real—this menu isn’t for picky eaters or those with a lot of dietary restrictions (beyond pescatarian). To get the full experience, you don’t substitute—you let the chef cook. And trust me, at a place like this, you want to taste everything exactly as intended.
The Ambiance:
Rustic, cozy, warm Italian-influenced décor that gives Lucia an effortlessly romantic feeling. Perfect for families, but also a top-tier date night pick. If your partner loves refined Italian food, I’d fight for a reservation here on Valentine’s Day—it’s that good.
The Chef:
Renowned, decorated, and simply elite. Chef David Uygur has six James Beard Award nominations (plus a stack of other accolades), and after eating here, it all makes sense. This isn’t just dinner—it’s an experience.
The Meal:
Antipasti
Sourdough with Cultured Butter – As a Bay Area native, I don’t say this lightly: this sourdough competes with the best of the West Coast. Fresh from the oven, warm, with just the right chew—and the salted butter? All it needed. Perfection.
Sea Scallops with Saffron-Ginger Emulsion, Crispy Rice & Fennel – Served rare with a crispy rice crust, this dish is a texture lover’s dream. The saffron-ginger emulsion was light yet vibrant, adding just the right touch of depth.
Primi
Carnaroli Risotto with Crab, Bergamot, Chives & Brown Butter – Silky smooth, rich, and luxurious. The delicate crab paired beautifully with the nutty brown butter and the citrusy pop of bergamot (seriously, why don’t more chefs use bergamot?- so underrated). C’est magnifique.
Ravioli Doppio with Rabbit, Ricotta, Rapini & Mushrooms – I hesitated on this one (rabbit isn’t usually my thing), but I’m so glad I ordered it. The rabbit came in a sausage form, making it an easy intro for first-timers. The ravioli was split into two halves in one piece—one side stuffed with ricotta, the other with rabbit. Combining both in one bite? Chef’s kiss.
Secondi
Halibut with Creamy Lentils, Greens & Leeks – Perfectly flaky halibut, cooked with precision. The lentils were rich and paired beautifully with the light fennel flavor. Simple, satisfying, and well-balanced.
Dolci
Warm apple cake with beet+buttermilk gelato– hot and cold, sweet and tangy, and truly balanced. The gelato was the main character here, with its bold magenta color from the beets and a silky smooth mouth feel from the buttermilk. The warm apple cake was the perfect vessel to tie it all together.
Final Thoughts
Lucia is in a league of its own. The service was Impeccable- thoughtful, attentive, and knowledgeable (shoutout to my server for pairing my meal with a glass of the perfect medium-bodied Sangiovese).
Each dish was a 12/10: fresh ingredients, expert execution, and a chef with hands of gold.
Keep Lucia at the top of your list for the next celebration, anniversary, and special occasion. You won’t regret it.