Something
rare and wonderful happened in Newport Rhode Island the other day; we lunched
in a privately owned and operated restaurant. In a popular tourist area such as
Newport, there are a growing number of chain and restaurant groups to choose
from. As this number increases there seems to be less and less owner/operated options. Consequently, we are gradually being deprived
of the pleasure of dining in a restaurant where the owner is attentively
watching over the dining room or better still, in the kitchen impressing us
with his or her culinary skills. Hence, my delight in discovering Lucia Tacchi’s
Italian restaurant and pizzeria in Newport Rhode Island.
This moderately
priced restaurant lived up to all of my expectations for warm and friendly
service, plus an assortment of mouthwatering fare. Their lunch menu includes Croissant
agli Spinaci, a jumbo croissant stuffed with mushrooms and creamed spinach laced
with tangy, grated parmesan cheese or Croissant al Pollo e Pesto, a croissant
filled with tender slices of chicken, fresh mozzarella cheese and a succulent
pesto sauce, topped with mixed greens, to name just two of the sandwiches. Pasta lovers, such as yours truly, will not be
disappointed with Lucia’s offerings of Spaghetti alla Carbonara, spaghetti
tossed in a rich blend of eggs, Pancetta (Italian bacon), cream and Parmesan cheese,
one of my favorites, or Farfalle al Ragu' Bolognese, bow-tie pasta covered with
the quintessential hearty, northern Italian meat sauce. Other lunch items
include large and small pizzas with an assortment of tasty topping combinations,
plus salads, an antipasto with cured meats and cheeses and more Italian
favorites to choose from. Their dinner menu
also includes ravioli, tagliatelle and penne and other types of pasta with flavor
rich sauces plus a wide range of delicious chicken and veal offerings.
Linda’s
lunch, a crispy, thin crusted pizza, topped with a generous helping of
fresh-made tomato sauce, rich mozzarella cheese and thin slices of fresh cut eggplant
was perfectly prepared. My dish of penne rigata pasta tossed in a savory
combination of thick tomato sauce, chunks of slightly piquant ground sausage
meat and tender morsels of green pepper titillated my palate with a wonderful
array of taste sensations. Adding to our
luncheon repast was a pleasant, medium dry rosé from Provence that I selected
from their moderately priced wine menu.
Linda concluded her lunch with one of their house-made desserts; to
quote her it was scrumptious!
Unfortunately neither one of us can remember the dessert’s name but the memory
of the creamy mélange, similar to tiramisu in taste but richer in texture and
the hints of hazelnut and cocoa flavors still linger.
In a world
of formulated restaurant sameness, Lucia Tacchi’s Italian restaurant and pizzeria
is a welcomed refuge from the humdrum, homogenized offerings of most group and chain
restaurants —plus delicious food and
the personal attention of the owner herself, Lucia Tacchi.
Lucia Italian
Restaurant and Pizzeria
186B-190B
Thames Street
Newport,
RI 02840
401.846.4477
401.847.6355
