LUCIANO’S
Lauren Heath tries out the new Italian restaurant in Princesshay... Words and Photos by Lauren Heath
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rincesshay has a new kid on the block – an Italian bambino called Luciano’s. Owned by Luciano Marco Pierre White, the Exeter branch opened in September, and is his second venue; his first being in Dorchester. If you don’t know who his famous chef and restaurateur father is (the clue is in the name) where have you been? That’s all I’ll say about that, as with anyone wanting to make their own name, they want to do it on their own steam and not down to their parents’ reputation. Not knowing much about Luciano, the website informs us that, “Luciano, from a young age spent time in the kitchen with his dad before going to work for Pierre Koffmann at the Berkeley Hotel then moving to Barcelona under Albert and Ferran Adrià to then assisting in the opening of the English House, Singapore.” With al fresco seating for brighter days, Luciano’s neon sign and glowing bar lure you in to an interior that oozes warmth and calm tones – maroon velvet bank
32 I EXETER LIVING I www.mediaclash.co.uk
seating, scalloped feature booth seats in the centre of the restaurant, plants and the earthy green walls lead the eye onto the terracotta ceiling. Pop art wall hangings add a touch of extra colour and fun, with plenty of long drop lighting to set the mood. His site also explains that, “the menu centres around classically prepared dishes using the best local fresh produce and Italian suppliers, for authentic flavours.” While we nibbled on baby violetta artichokes, we perused the menu and it certainly felt classic, albeit perhaps a bit too simple. However, for the fussier diners amongst us or those with dietary needs, I do feel this may be an ideal offering. I guess, as customer taste buds have evolved over the past decade, so has the variety which an eatery offers. Pub classics have become gastro dishes, burgers and fries have been loaded to the max; us Brits enjoy a melting pot of cuisines, so perhaps I am conditioned to expect overly indulgent dishes. Having never been to Italy, I am aware that in some