Luella

Date night again and you're looking for cool place to have a nice dinner. Well Fashion Guy and I recently discovered a new restaurant you might like.

Luella, at Hyde & Green Streets, has taken over the space formerly owned by iFratelli. A husband and wife team have revamped the restaurant to give it a soothing vibe. Very Marina girl. Lots of moss green and dark woods. It's a bit like falling into a West Elm catalog. Warm and cozy, perfect for a dinner for two.

We started with a delicious asparagus soup. It had a creamy texture and was flavored chicken broth and dash of olive oil. The waitress was kind enough to split our order, and serve each of us individual portions. Next I had the seared duck in kumquat sauce with buckwheat polenta cakes which was lovely. Fashion Guy opted for the lamb tortelloni with radicchio and pine nuts, my second choice. Excellent flavor, not that muttony taste you sometimes get with lamb. We thought his pasta was a little overcooked though. Dessert was orange and sweet ricotta fritters which tasted like an orangey beignets with a drizzle of wild honey on top.

I thoroughly enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere. Service was gracious and efficient. They even have a kids night on Sundays for those of you with youngsters. Bon appetit!