THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Lucia's

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Lucia's Restaurant Review:

Chef Lucia Watson is the Upper Midwest’s Alice Waters. Her cheerful Uptown bistro captures not only a cuisine but an entire culture, charting the region's Scandinavian, German and East European immigration and the impact it had on what---and how---people eat. But if the idea of Midwestern cuisine conjures casserole concoctions, think again. When Watson takes a trip down to the root cellar, she emerges with a roasted chicken breast with romesco sauce on subtly scented saffron rice, a dish that surprises as much as it comforts. During summertime, come in search of fresh flavors, as Watson fills green onion crêpes with ricotta and spinach and accompanies them with a fresh-from-the-farm corn coulis and arugula salad. Having dessert is imperative, whether you choose an elaborate chocolate tart or a slice of peach pie. Next door is Lucia's Wine Bar, which stays open late, features a small menu and serves up not so much rare vintages as rare finds. Lucia’s Bakery & Take Home offers lovely sweets, plus to-go fare for those souls crunched for time.