Nestled in the charming town of Lasswade, Luci’s Italian Restaurant offers a delectable dining experience that combines authentic Italian flavours with warm Scottish hospitality. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor exploring the picturesque Midlothian region, Luci’s is a must-visit culinary gem.

Along the busy winding High Street, Luci’s Italian Restaurant & Cocktail Bar seamlessly blends gastronomic delights with scenic charm.

Their Outdoor Patio is an oasis, a tranquil haven where diners can bask in the sun, enjoy al fresco dining, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere. Their Cocktail Bar comes with a view that overlooks the river. Ideal for sipping on expertly crafted libations while taking in the picturesque surroundings. The bar also has large doors that swing open, seamlessly merging the indoor and outdoor spaces, and I know they have plans to really embrace this later in the year.

As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by an inviting atmosphere that seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern elegance. The cosy interior, adorned with tasteful decor, sets the stage for a memorable meal.

Luci’s pride themselves on quality ingredients. Sourcing the freshest ingredients, ensuring an authentic taste in every bite is extremely important to them.

Luci’s menu is a celebration of Italian cuisine, featuring classic dishes prepared with love and attention to detail. Their menu features

Authentic Pizzas: Luci’s pizzas are a crowd favourite. From the classic Margherita to adventurous combinations like smoked ham and confit egg yolk, each slice is a flavour explosion.
Pasta Perfection: Indulge in handmade pasta dishes, such as creamy carbonara, rich spicy Italian sausage rigatoni, and delicate crab tagliatelle.
Antipasti Platters: Start your meal with a Rosemary Focaccia or a Garlic Pizzetta.
Signature Cocktails and Mocktails: Luci’s cocktail bar crafts delightful concoctions. Sip on a refreshing Tropical Negroni or a zesty Grapefruit Paloma.

Calamari (£10) - Fried calamari, Amalfi lemon & chive aioli, spring onion & coriander

Prosciutto di Parma DOP (£11) - Plate of thinly sliced prosciutto, aged balsamic, gnocco fritti with stracchino cheese & fresh rocket

The crispy fried calamari was perfectly cooked in a light batter and fried to perfection. The texture was tender yet slightly chewy, with a satisfying crunch. The sea-saltiness of the calamari paired beautifully with the tangy Amalfi lemon and chive aioli. When you dipped the calamari into this aioli, there was a harmonious blend of citrus, creaminess, and savoury goodness. This dish offered a delightful balance of textures and flavours—crispy, zesty, and herb-infused. It’s a taste of the Mediterranean with a Scottish twist!

The delicate, paper-thin slices of Prosciutto di Parma were velvety, salty, and slightly nutty, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The richness of the prosciutto pairs beautifully with the other components of the aged balsamic and the gnocci fritti (puffed up fried gnocci). The Stracchino Cheese was creamy, mild, and slightly tangy but so complementary to the prosciutto.

This dish offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavours—savoury, sweet, and herbaceous. It’s a celebration of Italian simplicity and quality ingredients!

Burrata salad (£7) - Salad of fresh baby tomatoes, burrata cheese, rocket & aged balsamic.

A delightfully Summery salad. The half burrata was soft, creamy and starting to ooze out over the rocket. The baby tomatoes were bursting with sweetness and the peppery and slightly bitter rocket balanced the creaminess of the burrrata.

Chicken Parmigiana (£18) - Tenderised chicken breast coated in Grana Padano and breadcrumbs then fried in butter and lemon, warm burrata cheese fresh Pachino tomato sauce & fresh basil.

The chicken breast was juicy and succulent, and the coating of Grana Padano and breadcrumbs added a crispy, savoury layer. You could taste the richness of the butter and the zestiness of the lemon whilst another burrata ball oozed out its mild, milky, luxurious centre over the chicken and pasta. This Chicken Parmigiana was a harmonious blend of textures and flavours—crunchy, cheesy, and comforting.

Beef short rib Pasta (£18) - Handmade egg pappardelle, Slow braised short rib, San Marzano tomato & red wine ragu.

The wide, ribbon-like pasta was tender, slightly chewy, and absorbed the rich sauce beautifully. The slow-braised short rib was fall-apart tender, having simmered for hours, and you could taste the savoury essence of red wine and sweet, tangy San Marzano tomatoes. The ragu enveloped the pasta, creating a luscious coating. This dish is comforting, hearty, and utterly satisfying!

My dining experience at Luci’s was thoroughly enjoyable. Despite the busy service, the well-arranged tables allowed for comfortable conversation. The staff, warm and friendly, added to the overall positive atmosphere.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic dinner, a lively evening with friends, or simply a place to unwind, Luci’s awaits with open arms and a menu that celebrates the best of Italian and Scottish hospitality.

THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT LUCI’S IN LASSWADE

They have a mezzanine level which holds up to 28 people, ideal for parties
They have gluten free and vegan options available - just ask
They are family friendly with a dedicated kids’ menu
They have great deals available like the Midweek Pasta Deal, any pizza and pasta for £22; Kids eat free Wednesday to Friday and their Boozy Brunch with live Sax and DJ.
They are accessible with access and w/c on ground level
They are not dog friendly
You can catch the No31 Lothian Bus from Princes St, Edinburgh to Lasswade. Takes approx 30-40mins

Luci’s, 14 High St, Lasswade EH18 1ND www.lucis-lasswade.co.uk

My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10

I was invited by Luci’s to review their menu.

Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.

TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.

Adele is a writer, reviewer, judge and panelist living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards.

Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk

FOOD : Bon appétit! at Luci's in Lasswade, Midlothian