Lucia Restaurant & Bar

Lucia Restaurant & Bar Restaurant Review:

Visit Bernardus Lodge & Spa, where part of chef Cal Stamenov’s vegetable garden surrounds a patio with fire pits and heaters. The interior is sleek, silver and elegant, but not stuffy. Dishes combine textures and contrasting flavors for a satisfying banquet of choices, while understated service is efficient and just friendly enough. We recommend the mushroom bisque that’s both earthy and ethereal with a whiff of truffle. Abalone is fork-tender, and comes perched on creamy, slightly smoky spaghetti carbonara topped with a quail egg. Duck rillettes on toasted baguette rounds boast bold taste, and pair beautifully with mildly spicy baby arugula salad. Even the simple apple and fig salad with sharp, three-year-aged Wisconsin cheddar is elevated. In the next act, relish the sweet day boat scallops. Rabbit includes a juicy grilled loin and a confit leg and thigh on buttery mashed potatoes with fresh English peas and braised carrots for a pop of sweetness. For dessert, go with the warm apple spice cake with house-made ice cream. It’s redolent of autumn and Norman Rockwell. The sommelier’s wine suggestions demonstrate skill and expertise with the menu.