Luciano’s pledges real Italian cuisine

Array of celebrities welcomed at the launch of Luciano’s, a new Italian restaurant.

LAHORE: White leather furniture and white georgette drapes welcomed an array of celebrities to the launch on Sunday of Luciano’s, a new Italian restaurant.

Located in the new commercial hub that is Mehmood Qasuri Road in Gulberg, the restaurant promises genuine Italian cuisine served up by head chef Conrad Gallagher, a former BBC Food star.

Luciano’s is the third venture by Ahmed and Urouj Khan, a couple based in Islamabad who have already opened two Luciano’s restaurants in the capital.

“After the appreciation we received in Islamabad, we had our eyes on Lahore,” said Urouj. She said that Italian food was all about flavours and ingredients, and economising on ingredients ruined the entire taste of the food.

“Spices in a recipe are like investments. The more you put in, the better results you get,” she added.

Guests were served Luciano’s specialties including Wagyu, imported Italian beef. Urouj said that Luciano’s was confident about the quality of their ingredients, all brought from Italy.

The average price range of the main courses is between Rs600-Rs1,000. With seafood, duck and Australian lamb being Luciano’s specialities, the meatball spaghetti are a must try.

The glass ceiling adorned with little white bulbs, depicting little stars, added to the serenity of the place. Two humongous white pillars covered with orange geometrical patterns stood at two separate points, defining the shape of the hall.

Asked about the unconventional theme for the furnishing of the restaurant, Urouj said that the cleanliness of a place reflected the management. “We chose pure white to show our customers how particular we are about hygiene,” she added.

The mind behind the conception of the interior was Hamza Tarar of Casa Hamza.

Actor and producer Usman Peerzada, singer Fariha Pervez, fashion designers Ammar Belal and Hassan Shehryar Yasin, actress and super model Aaminah Haq, actor and director Shan, cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, interior designer Hamza Tarar and US Consul General Carmela Conroy were among the prominent guests.

Usman Peerzada said that ambiance and location were as important as the quality of the product being offered. “I own a restaurant myself and I know how technical this business is. Observing its management, I see a promising future for Luciano’s,” he said.

Shoaib Akhter said that the food tasted like genuine Italian cuisine.

“I love to cook Italian food, but seldom get time to do so,” he said. “But I would never want my wife to know about it, as I would want her to cook for me.”

Dianne Mohiuddin, another guest, said that it was one of the most peaceful restaurants in the city, and she would definitely recommend it to others.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2010.