The Brad finds Italian chardonnay at Lucia Dallas

by The Brad of The Brad's Adventures in Food

And all the Italian dishes to go with it.

So, everybody knows I have an unnatural relationship with White Burgundy. Last weekend, I had Italian white wine on my mind, and realized I didn't have much experience with Italian Chardonnay wines.

I googled around Piedmont and Alto Adige, ruminated on pinot bianco, and salivated. Since Jeremy or Alfonso weren't handy with samples, the urge to visit Lucia grew more intense than usual.

Within moments of stepping inside Lucia last Wednesday evening, Jennifer Ugyur and I were in deep discussion. I know what I need and I need it now. Bam! Let's try this: Bastianich Vespa Bianco, a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Picolit from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Like, yep.

Well, now we have to eat 'cause I need to drink this -- and my friend Maria wants to start with red -- and ... first, salumi misti: rabbit and pistachio pâté, fennel/orange salame, porchetta, soppressata, duck salame cotto, lardo and chicken liver crostini. Love it. Plus crostini with chicken liver and black mission figs.

Lucia calamari

We started with fritto misto of baby squid, smelt, and rock shrimp, and with a green almond aioli (photo above), and chickpea soup with rosemary and olive oil.

Lucia rabbit

Pastas: rabbit tortelloni en brodo (above), plus cavatelli with lamb ragu, pecorino and mint. Nice!

Lucia uni

Chef David Ugyur always has something else up his sleeve. As he knows my love of sea urchin, this time he whipped up smoked lardo on crostini with sea urchin over slow scrambled eggs (photo above). Frickin' awesome.

Lucia pork

Slow-cooked pork shoulder with lady cream peas.

Lucia pudding with blueberries

Carnaroli pudding with blueberries and almonds.

We closed down the place, sipping away. This was Maria's first visit, and besides the food being wonderful across the board, she was really struck by the warmth and care demonstrated by everyone we came in contact with -- the lovely Fauna at the door, co-owner and wine director Jennifer Ugyur, and our excellent server Michael (previously at York Street and Aurora).

Nice job, once again.