I walked into Lucia on Main Street. Curious, a little hungry, not sure what to expect. I was there to try the new menu and meet the chef behind it. I left, already planning my next visit.
This visit marked something new for Lucia. A quiet shift, but an important one. With Chef Marquella Uhrig now leading the kitchen, the restaurant is stepping into its next chapter, one that feels grounded, thoughtful and very much in tune with the neighbourhood around it.
I went with Michael, and from the moment we sat down, the patio was bustling. It felt like the kind of place where you could stay longer than planned. The kind of place where ordering another dish or another glass just makes sense.
Meeting Chef Marquella Uhrig
Chef Marquella Uhrig brings serious experience, but what stood out most to me was her approach. It is not about overcomplicating things. It is about making food that feels generous and meant to be shared.
Before coming to Lucia, she worked as Sous Chef at Giusti and spent time in kitchens many Vancouver locals already love, including Savio Volpe and Fred’s Ambleside. You can feel that influence in the food. It is confident without trying too hard.
Everything at Lucia is made with intention. Doughs are made fresh daily. Ingredients are carefully sourced. But nothing feels precious. It feels approachable, which is exactly what Main Street needs more of.
Starting with Antipasti
We started with a few antipasti, and this is where the tone of the meal was set.
The smoked olives with chilli, citrus and garlic were simple but addictive. One of those dishes you keep reaching for without thinking.
The meatballs pomodoro with grana padano came in a rich, slightly spicy sauce that had just the right thickness – the kind of sauce Nona would make. We ended up using bread to scoop up every last bit, which is always a good sign.
The burrata was a surprise in the best way. Paired with prosciutto, pine nuts and poached apples, it had a balance I was not expecting. The apples added a gentle sweetness that lifted the whole dish and worked beautifully with the saltiness of the prosciutto.
A Fresh Take on a Classic
We shared an insalata of seasonal greens with Caesar dressing, pangrattato and pecorino romano.
It felt like a thoughtful twist on a classic. Swapping out romaine for seasonal greens gave it a lighter, more textured feel. Familiar, but not predictable.
The Pizza That Stays With You
Next came the fennel sausage pizza with roasted pepper, olive, onion, provolone and grana padano.
The toppings were great, but the crust is what I keep thinking about. Crispy, with a real crunch to it. Our server shared that they baste the crust with oil before baking, and it makes all the difference. It is a small detail, but it is exactly the kind of detail that brings people back.
Pasta Worth Coming Back For
Then came the pasta, and this is where the meal really landed for me.
The radiatore with leek, wild mushroom, cream and smoked scamorza was my favourite dish of the night. Creamy without being heavy, earthy from the mushrooms, with a subtle lift from the leek. It is the kind of dish you remember and quietly plan to come back for.
We also tried the tortelli filled with ricotta and greens, finished with brown butter, pine nuts and sage. Soft, delicate and comforting in all the right ways.
Ending on a Sweet Note
For dessert, we kept it classic.
The tiramisu had a clean, structured consistency, holding its shape while still feeling light. Balanced, not overly soaked.
The cannoli with Nutella cream was exactly what I wanted it to be. Crisp shell, rich filling, and just indulgent enough without going too far.
Why This New Chapter Works
Lucia has always had a certain ease to it. That has not changed. If anything, Chef Marquella Uhrig has deepened it.
Her background in some of Vancouver’s most respected kitchens shows, but what matters more is how she translates that experience. The food is thoughtful but never intimidating. It invites you in.
On a street as busy and ever evolving as Main, this kind of restaurant matters. A place you can go without a reason. A place where the food feels honest and the experience feels natural.
Lucia’s new menu fits perfectly into the rhythm of the neighbourhood. It is approachable, well executed and quietly memorable.
And honestly, that is what keeps you coming back.
Mary in Vancity 
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