All-Day Indulgences at Lucio’s Marina
Deb Caruso discovers a harbourside haven where appetite and thirst can be sated, regardless of your summer schedule.
Long summer days, hot summer nights, holidays, no school or work routine and long-overdue catch ups with friends and visitors – it’s that hazy, lazy time of year when we’re not really sure what day or hour it is. It’s a recipe for relaxation and when you can’t be bothered cooking, Lucio’s Marina is here to help with options aplenty for long lazy lunches, afternoon aperitifs or divine dinners. With 75 years of food, family and hospitality at its heart, Lucio’s Marina is perched on the Noosa River to deliver stunning water views befitting its focus on fresh seafood while still showing respect to its Northern Italian heritage.
The menu from Head Chef Alberto Vitassovich effortlessly combines freshly-caught seafood with premium local produce from the region. And, thankfully, for those lazy summer days full of late lunches, early dinners and in-between catchups, Lucio’s all-day Bar Food menu is substantial enough to sustain even the most ravenous. Featuring a lot of the hits from the main menu with something for all tastes, appetites and dietary needs, start with oh-so-fresh Pacific Oysters shucked in house with natural lemon or with finger lime and ponzu vinaigrette. For something different, try raw scallops with Italian ceviche dressing.
Dive deeper into the Signature Bites and you’ll discover that most dishes come with two pieces that are made for sharing (or not!), allowing you to scale up or down depending on your appetite. Choose from Akoya pearl oyster with warm anchovy foam; tuna tartlets with crème fraîche and chives; sashimi cracker with mandarin and lemon balm; or truffled steak tartar in kohlrabi ‘ravioli’. Double the deliciousness is a set of four Bug bon bons which is Moreton Bay Bug tails fried in pastry with honey mustard – designed for sharing but you won’t want to! Trust me.
Can’t decide? The raw snack platter for two features oysters two ways, raw scallops, sashimi cracker and scampo crudo. Looking for something more classic? Choose from marinated mixed Italian olives; macadamias roasted with maple and rosemary; twice-cooked fries with rosemary salt; or Cantabrian Anchovies served with focaccia crostini and whipped lemon herb butter. Housemade grissini or focaccia with rosemary and sea salt is a winner – add some protein such as prosciutto, bresaola, (air dried wagyu beef loin); or mortadella with pistacchio whipped ricotta. For the carnivore, have it all with the Affettati platter. If it’s cheese that pleases, Lucio’s Marina serves your favourite slice with toasted crostini, fresh apple and truffle honey. Go for the bitey Tuscan Pecorino that has been aged in hay and honey; Testun al Barolo, which is a semi-hard cow’s milk cheese; or the local award-winning favourite of Woombye Blackall Washed Rind. Room for dessert? Certo!
If you prefer a more traditional lunch or dinner, start with some of the signature bites before moving onto standout starters such as Carpaccio di Polipo, Fremantle Octopus carpaccio with olive emulsion, salsa verde and potato foam; Vitello Tonnato, poached veal loin, tonnato sauce and crispy sage; or Fritto Misto Classico, flash fried school prawns, baby calamari and whitebait with Italian mayo. Larger Plates include a range of housemade pasta (naturally), particularly the Taglioni 1983 – an evolution of the signature dish featured on Lucio’s Paddington menu in Sydney for almost 40 years!
There is a beautiful selection of meats and fish with Alberto working with local fisherman and farmers to ensure a sustainable and responsible supply chain. Meat lovers will devour the Manzo – a 250g 2GR Wagyu striploin MBS 6-7 with potato mille foglie; but it’s hard to go past the XL Bug tail, sweetcorn ribs, sweetcorn foam and miso popcorn! Sides are hearty and provide the perfect addition or could be a dish on their own, and the seafood platter for two or more makes the decision easy! Desserts are divine and, being Italian, you would expect the Bambini to be well catered for – and they are.
It’s no wonder that Lucio’s scooped the pool for the State at the Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence taking out the top gongs for Italian Restaurant – Formal, SEQ; Premium Dining, SEQ; plus Seafood Restaurant, QLD. On the national stage, the restaurant was awarded the only accolades for the Sunshine Coast region bringing home Silver for Italian Restaurant – Formal; and Seafood Restaurant – Formal. Bravo! No matter the time of day or the occasion, Lucio’s is like your favourite Italian nonna – always welcoming you with open arms and eager to feed you!
SUMMER SENSATIONS!
Riverside dining is more sensational when you have the opportunity to indulge in these great offers:
Lunch Special, Monday-Saturday
Two courses + beverage for $55
Menu changes regularly
Oyster Happy Hour – Half Price Oysters, Monday-Saturday, 3-4pm
Treat yourself to half-price oysters, sourced from Tasmania from the passionate people
at Oyster Obsession.
Happy Hour, Monday-Saturday, 3.30-5pm
Indulge in happy hour 3:30pm through until 5pm, just in time to complement the last half of Oyster Happy Hour!
BYO Thursdays, lunch and dinner
BYO your favourite wine for just $5.
Sunset Sessions, Sundays 3.30-6.30pm
Sit back, relax and enjoy live music in the river lounge with $15 Sunday Spritz selections and a special Aperitivo menu. Open for lunch, dinner and all-day dining with a substantial bar menu, Wednesday-Monday, 12-10pm; and Sunday, 12-9pm. Last lunch orders, 2.30pm and final food orders for dinner, 8.30pm and 6.45pm on Sundays.
Visit www.luciosmarina.com to peruse the menu, discover the latest events and offers, and to book your table.
Why not use the newly-launched e-Tuk Tuk for transport or enjoy a special Lucio’s menu on an e-Tuk Tuk tour of Noosa!
