This September, iconic drinks brand MARTINI will be celebrating the quintessential Italian aperitivo by teaming up with LUCA Bar & Restaurant to create an exclusive pre-dinner menu.
Now, we love LUCA, it’s really such a beautiful restaurant, but no one’s going to say it’s the cheapest. Which is why we are SO excited to share with you the details of this exciting collaboration with MARTINI – their exclusive aperitivo menu is a super accessible, (not to mention delicious!) way of experiencing LUCA.
LUCA Head Chef Robert Chambers has developed four dishes that will reset your perceptions of aperitivo. The drinks have been expertly crafted by MARTINI’s global brand ambassador and one of the most renowned mixologists in Italian cocktail culture, Roberta Mariani, alongside LUCA Head of Drinks Robert Simpson. The result is a unique menu combining the traditions and flavours of Northern Italy with those of contemporary London.
Check out the dishes…
Veal marinated in chestnut honey, served with English pickled radishes.
A seasoning traditionally used for preserving food in North-Eastern Italy, the sweetness of chestnut honey, which the veal is marinated in for four days, presents strong and aromatic notes, whilst also keeping the meat firm and tender. Served with pickled English radishes, giving the dish a sharper note.
Tomato tart, with salted green peach and gentlemen’s relish.
A reimagining of tomato and anchovies tart, this dish uses the old British seasoning called gentlemen’s relish, based on anchovies, and under-ripe green peaches, which have been brined and treated like traditional Italian olives.
Lettuce leaf with citrus mayonnaise and dried green olives.
A spread of crisp lettuce leaves doused at the ends with a creamy, citrus-infused English mayonnaise and a grating of traditional Italian dried green olives adding extra flavor and crunch.
Scotch olive
For an Italian twist on a classic English bite, the Scotch olive combines a time-honoured aperitivo option, green olives, encased in rabbit sausage meat, seasoned with summer savory and Calabrian chilli and coated in breadcrumbs.
The specially created cocktails include the Piedmonte Fizz, made with MARTINI Riserva Speciale Ambrato, Bombay Sapphire gin, lemon juice gomme syrup and absinthe, topped with soda and a sprinkled olive/salt rim. Perfectly paired with the veal carpaccio, the chestnut flavours of the dish leave a soft taste, so the drink brings a light bitterness that evokes the herbal note in a refreshing way.
The San Pietro is a unique mix of samphire-infused MARTINI Riserva Speciale Ambrato and tomato skin-infused Bombay Sapphire gin, making the notes match perfectly with the seasoned tomato dish.
Those seeking a bitter option can opt for the Pedalare, which is the MARTINI Riserva Speciale Bitter topped with grape cider, served over ice.
For an even more refreshing summer sip, the Amalfi Spritz‘ is an invigorating drink made with classic Italian Limoncello and herb soda, complimented with the MARTINI Riserva Speciale Ambrato vermouth.
Available between 6pm – 9pm from 6th September – 4th October and priced at £35, the aperitivo menu at LUCA Bar & Restaurant includes four dishes, a MARTINI Negroni Cocktail and two other cocktails of choice. Bookings can be made for 1-4 guests. Click here to reserve.
