Veal parmesanCourtesy of Trattoria Lucia When Trattoria Lucia quietly opened its doors last late year, it filled a gap in Glenwood Park’s dining landscape: an Italian restaurant designed for everyday dining, families included. Located directly across the street from its sibling cocktail lounge, Ve sper, the restaurant offers a lighter, dinner-centric counterpoint to the lounge’s jewel-toned, sultry aesthetic. Owned by Damien McGee of Vesper and Spectre, Trattoria Lucia was conceived as a place where everyone feels comfortable—no dress code, no pretense, just well-executed Italian food. “Everyone is welcome. We want to make everyone happy,” he says. The name Lucia nods to Italian cinematic beauty, inspired by a Bond character from Spectre. That sense of elegance carries subtly throughout the space. Natural colors, sage velvet banquettes, terracotta flooring, and cream linen cafe curtains with embroidered polka dots create an atmosphere that’s warm and modern without feeling formal. An open kitchen with a large viewing window keeps the experience transparent and inviting, while Picasso-esque Italian portrait art adds character. Citrus fennel saladCourtesy of Trattoria Lucia Fresh pasta from Pasta Mami (an Atlanta wholeseller), anchors the menu, with crowd favorites like chicken piccata alongside seafood-driven dishes such as branzino and black squid ink linguini with braised leeks, butter, diver scallops, and mussels. A small kids’ menu offers spaghetti with meatballs, buttered pasta, and lemon gemelli, reinforcing the restaurant’s family-friendly ethos. Desserts are made in-house, including tiramisu and lemon cake, with sorbets—like mascarpone grappa and goat cheese—planned. While initially dinner-only, Trattoria Lucia expands into brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays beginning March 28. The brunch menu features a mix of sweet and savory offerings: a bread basket, affogato French toast on brioche soaked in espresso and topped with vanilla gelato, and sandwich on rosemary focaccia topped with smoked salmon, whipped ricotta, and capers. Heartier options include a prosciutto Benedict on focaccia with prosciutto di Parma and basil hollandaise, an Italian farm breakfast skillet with sausage, eggs, focaccia, and spiced roasted potatoes, and breakfast sandwiches that play on classic comfort flavors. Formerly of Breaker Breaker, chef Melanie Forehand will serve her chicken biscuit, too. Chicken piccataCourtesy of Trattoria Lucia Wine plays a central role at Trattoria Lucia. The list leans heavily Italian, supplemented by select California and French offerings, with 40 bottles and 15 options by the glass. Reds dominate, fitting the cuisine and setting, while a 10-bottle amaro selection rounds out the beverage list. Cocktails and spritzes—think Aperol, Hugo, Limoncello, and Venetian-style aperitivo—tie the restaurant back to its cocktail-driven sibling. “The response from the neighborhood has been overwhelmingly amazing” McGee says. “Everyone likes Italian food.” Looking ahead, plans include quarterly wine-tasting dinners and a wine club offering discounts on featured bottles. The post The Vesper team goes Italian with Trattoria Lucia appeared first on Atlanta Magazine. ...read more read less