Lunch at Luci

It’s always something of a quandary trying to find the ideal, wallet-friendly spot for lunch in Covent Garden, somewhere relaxed where you can have the option to indulge, or simply enjoy pizza by the slice or freshly made sandwich. Enter Luci, a brand new, hybrid bakery-dining concept from the Aqua Group, with a mix of freshly made take-away items, or more extensive A La Carte dining options.

At the front of the store, the first temptation comes in the form of freshly-made gelato and flaky pastries; I was kindly offered a gelato sample but my savoury tooth had the better of me. I moved along to the fresh salads and hot options: multi-layered lasagnes, tomato-rich aubergine parmigiana, as well as panzanella and pasta salads galore. If that’s not enough to sate the appetite, pizzas by the slice are all ready to be re-warmed – all freshly made on the premises, of course. I decided to opt for the A La Carte menu, even though the deli options had me pulled in a second direction.

The restaurant itself is a warmly-lit, brasserie style, with ample seating for speedy lunchtime eats or long, lingering afternoons with friends. You will notice an impressive staircase which leads up to another dining area which is specifically used for evening bookings.

Best dishes

To start, a gleaming plate of fresh artichoke hearts with a glossy, parsley and olive oil dressing was a moreish, creamy opener. I then opted for the wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and I’m not being too grandiose in my praise when I say it is one of the best pizzas I’ve had: chewy, lightly-charred dough with a bright, tart, tomato base and oozing with milky, Buffalo mozzarella, and garnished with a flourish of fresh basil leaves – simple but delicious.

Dessert

The first dessert (yes, first!) was a cocoa-laden creamy, pillowy mound of Tiramisu. The sort of dessert you could devour in less than three mouthfuls: soft, velvety and oh-so good. The second was a deeply rich, layered chocolate gateaux with an adornment of tart, fresh raspberries.