I had the pleasure of visiting the recently revamped Lui's restaurant on Newcastle's Quayside. The restaurant - formerly Sabatini then Sabas - has had a modern facelift and is still serving up some of the best Italian food in the city.
On a sun soaked Sunday afternoon, the dining area packed a buoyant atmosphere with an upbeat bringing the good times.
There’s ample outdoor seating too where diners can enjoy al fresco dining or simply sit and sip an Aperol spritz while catching some rays.
Lui’s is a family-run venture which means a warm welcome is assured with Mark and his team always on hand.
We kicked off proceedings with an excellent bottle of pinot grigio for my son Jack and I and a bottle of pinot grigio blush between my wife Lisa and daughter, Holly.
The menu has returned to a pizza/pasta offering with a parade of Lui’s signature dishes – old favourites featuring many modern inflections – in addition to from-the-grill specialities.
The meal got off to a promising start with the old classic gamberoni all aglio – succulent prawns sauteed in a garlic butter.
Next up was the mussels bianco, an Italian classic that showcased the chef’s expertise in handling seafood. The mussels were perfectly cooked in a fragrant white wine and garlic broth, which added a touch of sophistication to the dish. The broth was delicious and really lent itself a good dunking of some Italian sourdough.
The girls meanwhile enjoyed a grand sharing plank of Antipasto Sardo – filled with an assortment of Sardinian delicacies, including cured meats, olives, cheeses, and grilled vegetables.
It was a perfect dish for sharing with each element carefully chosen to capture the flavours of Sardinia. The combination of salty cured meats, tangy cheese and smoky grilled vegetables was a winning mix and transported us to the island’s sun-kissed shores.
For mains, Jack enjoyed the salmon calabrese, a stunning dish with a spicy calabrese sauce adding a delightful kick without overpowering the natural flavour of the fish.
For pasta lovers, the traditional penne romana was a real must-try and lapped up by the girls. The penne pasta was cooked al dente and tossed in a rich tomato and cream-based sauce with white wine, garlic and mushrooms.
The combination of savoury flavours with the sharpness of the wine created a burst of flavours which made the dish an instant classic.
Last but not least, my pizza calzone was another revelation. The golden-brown crust was filled with mozzarella, ricotta, pepperoni, mushrooms, and tomato sauce. Each bite was a medley of flavors and textures, and the pizza was cooked to perfection, with a crispy crust and gooey melted cheese.
Totally replete, we swerved desserts in favour of some bracing espressos and a round of obligatory limoncellos.
We certainly had something to drink to. The Lui’s site has a longstanding association with good quality Italian food, and based on this visit, the local Tyneside icon remains in very good hands.
For more information, visit www.luisbarandkitchen.co.uk