Lucia's Italian Grill

Shrimp campagna
Mussels fra diavolo
Cheese Pizza
Creme Brulee Cheesecake

Lucia was a place Our Protagonist was hardly aware of, but after finding out it was in the rich culinary Hillview district, he was very much game to give it a try.  The Shrimp Campagna, shrimp sauteed with garlic, prosciutto, and diced tomatoes served over white Tuscan beans, could have been a meal unto itself; the marriage of flavors was outstanding and promised a very lovely evening.  After the last 'fra diavolo' debacle at Caragiulo's Our Protagonist was both filled with trepidation as well as a desire to wipe the memory from his mind.  His fears were immediately allayed, as the mussels were quite nicely 'diavolo' for a change, thank you very much.  The red sauce was both spicy and zesty; just plain great tasting.  His dining partners enjoyed their cheese pizza; the crust was a major improvement on the burnt travesty that was the previous experience at Primo.  Then came time for dessert; after getting a recommendation from the server for a chocolate cake that had been shipped in from Texas(!), she admitted that the best thing that she, herself, made, was the Creme Brulee Cheesecake.  Our Protagonist will go with the local over the mail ordered anytime there's a viable choice, and this was truly a watershed moment; the cheesecake actually tasted like a true creme Anglaise.  You could even see the vanilla beans.  It seemed inconceivable that the server had tried to encourage the table to order a different dessert, especially considering that it was her own creation.  After raving about it for a time both at the table and then to the server, directly, she poured salt on the wound by refusing to give out the recipe, claiming "family secret" status.  The horrible tease!  Our Protagonist still is fuming about this final insult, but at the same time is plotting how and when he will get back to have this magnificent creation again.  Where was that email address for Bon Appetit's RSVP column...?

Lucia's Italian Grill
1812 South Osprey Ave
Sarasota, FL 34239

941-954-5400