Lucia’s Pizza Italian Grill sports all the prerequisites of a "North Jersey” casual Italian eatery, while maintaining a Southside neighborhood feel. With sidewalk seating and an open-aired entrance, Lucia’s fits right in among the neighbors in its Southside Village locale. However, one step inside Lucia’s and that Northern Jersey ambiance washes over you, created by dark wood, exposed brick, a prominent bar, well placed TVs and multiple seating options. It's the best of both worlds!
The menu at Lucia’s is extensive, offering thin-crust pizza (traditional, gourmet and sauce-less), appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, full entrees and “killer desserts.” There is also a special kids' menu. For our meals we chose the following:
- Shrimp Campagna: Shrimp sautéed in garlic with prosciutto and diced tomatoes, served over white Tuscan beans. $10.00
If you like cannellini beans, you will love this dish. The beans were perfectly prepared---a great blend of flavors. Nice texture as well.
- Prince Edward Island Mussels: Sautéed in lemon garlic white wine sauce with diced tomatoes and fresh herbs. $11.00
Fresh, sweet mussels. A good-sized portion, just a tad too salty for me.
- House Salad: Mixed greens, tomatoes, red onions and cucumbers. $6.00
A simple, fresh, crisp salad; a great way to start a meal.
- Classic Caesar: Hearts of romaine, seasoned croutons and Parmesan cheese. $8.00
Fresh, crispy romaine lettuce, served with cheesy garlic dressing. Very good.
- Spinach Salad: Fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers and red onions served with homemade balsamic vinaigrette. $10.00
Bright green spinach served in a chilled bowl, with just the right amount of “tang” in the balsamic dressing.
- 1812 Chicken: Breaded chicken stuffed with fresh mozzarella and red roasted peppers, topped with pink cream vodka sauce or light marsala sauce, served with pasta of choice. House salad included. $17.00
A large portion of soft, moist chicken with sweet peppers in a creamy, mouth-filling sauce. Great the next day as well!
- Thin Crust Cheese Pizza: Large 18” $13.00, Small 12” $9.00. Toppings range from $2.00-$3.00 For toppings we chose red roasted peppers and mushrooms.
Some of the best thin-crusted pizza in Sarasota. A great blend of textures and flavor. The toppings were just the right amount, not overpowering in taste but definitely noticed in every bite.
- Lucia’s Gourmet Pizza: Mozzarella, grilled chicken, spinach and ricotta. Large 18” $17.00, Small 12” $13.00
This thin-crust pizza has a secret ingredient in the sauce which I detected but could not identify. Once again, the perfect amount of toppings for the pie.
- Godiva Chocolate Cake: $6.00
A chocolate lover's delight, this cake is rich, moist, mouth-filling deliciousness!
- Italian Rum Cake: $6.00
A classic rendition of an old world Italian rum cake. Creamy, light and dripping with rum. I can taste it now!
Lucia’s offers an adequate selection of beer, wine and soft drinks to accompany your meal. We found the wait staff to be welcoming, fast, very helpful and efficient.
When the craving for that special thin-crusted pizza cannot be ignored ... you know, the kind of pizza that has a distinctive, dry, crispy crust with just the right amount of bite, gooey cheese and the perfect amount of toppings; the kind of pizza that's hard to find in the Sarasota area ... No longer do you need to plan a trip to North Jersey to satiate your cravings. To get your fix, you can just go to Lucia’s in Southside Village! Not only will you find the pizza to be outstanding, but the owners are super friendly too.
Lucia’s Pizza Italian Grill
1812 South Osprey Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34239
941-954-5400
http://www.luciassrq.com/
https://www.facebook.com/luciassrq
