There are many things to love about the restaurant Lumette, located in the former home of Firefly. For some it's the ambience, made warm and intimate with drapery and soft lighting. For others it's the live jazz featured every Thursday night. And for others still it's the family-friendly atmosphere. For me, it's the pizza, baked to perfection in a wood-burning oven.
When Ivo Yonev and Vesso Boyanov opened Lumette in April 2004, their goal was to create a restaurant with European sensibilities that would have wide appeal. Although both owners are Bulgarian, Yonev's grandfather was Italian and, like many from that region, Yonev grew up exposed to foods from a variety of countries. Today he is the head chef at Lumette, where the menu features Italian and Mediterranean food, and he and Boyanov are seeking to encourage an unhurried dining environment that imitates those cultures.
"We don't want this to be a food factory," said Yonev. "We want to make a place where people can come to have a good, relaxing time - where they can sit for a couple of hours and not feel pressured to move on."
In fact, Lumette is just such a place. A true neighborhood restaurant, it is comfortable without feeling entirely casual. It's a great place to go when you're looking for a night out with your special someone or the whole family. Somehow, the combination works, and while there have almost always been children present when I've visited the restaurant, it doesn't feel like a "kids" place.
Even so, children are actually treated like valued customers at this eatery, which makes sense since they come attached to parents who are footing the bill. I've been there several times with mine, who are both under 3, and have never received that "look" that is intended to inform me of my level of imposition. If you have children, you know what I'm talking about. Best, the kids' menu, at $3.50 per dish, is superior in both price and content. This is particularly true of the macaroni and cheese, which my 2-year-old graciously "shares" with his father and/or grandfather each time it's ordered for him. Note to Lumette: you would do well to put that dish on the adult menu.
One of the restaurant's biggest draws is the live jazz that's featured on Thursday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. The regular band is the Greg Schroeder Quartet. Schroeder, a talented musician, educator and Queen Anne resident, plays the trombone and is joined by three other locals each week. The tunes are gentle enough to serve as background music, but good enough that they warrant a visit on their own merit.
Now I must tell you about the pizza. If you don't go to Lumette for any other reason, you've got to go for the pies. Their wood-burning ovens are fueled by Yakima Valley apple wood, and the heat of the fire lends itself to the particular flavor and texture of pizzas cooked in this manner. Lumette consistently produces an exceptional, fresh-tasting pizza. The very thin crust is neither over- nor undercooked and has a delightfully puffed outer edge. The sauce boasts a true tomato flavor but is mellow enough so as not to overpower the rest of the pie.
Pizza toppings are also a treat at Lumette, and the many options allow you to be either bold or conventional. On the one hand, there is the Margherita, a traditional Italian pie made with olive oil, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil. On the other, there is my favorite, the mouthwatering Appenina, which is topped with tomato sauce, prosciutto, goat cheese, sweet roasted peppers and capers. In addition, there is almost everything in between, from pepperoni and black olives to smoked salmon, Gorgonzola cheese and around 40 other toppings that you can combine to create your own pizza.
Lumette also serves pastas, which range from good to great. Linguini Cavolfiori was a wonderful surprise. The sauce, made with cauliflower, onion, garlic and dill sautÈed in a light lemon-cream sauce, is delectably rich. The Tutti di Mare, pasta in a tomato sauce with fresh seafood, is a favorite of Yonev's. If you're looking for a tasty vegetarian dish, the Pasta con Zucchini is a good bet. Other entrees include several chicken dishes, baked meatballs and a flavorful steak salad that remains from the Firefly days.
There are a number of worthy appetizers, including more than a few good, fresh salads. But if you're at the restaurant and have decided to skip the pizza, you should order the decadent Focaccia al Forno: homemade focaccia bread topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and a side of homemade tomato sauce.
In addition to lunch and dinner, Lumette serves a reliable brunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Choices include a frittata and several other egg dishes, all of which are served with homemade scones.
The wine list has some good, unique wines that nicely accompany the menu and are well priced. In keeping with the European vibe, Yonev and Boyanov have integrated wine into the life of the restaurant. On Tuesdays, they sell all wines at half price with dinner. In addition, every Friday night from 6:30 to 8 there is a wine-tasting conducted by a representative of Nardoni winery, which sells to Lumette and imports directly from Italy.
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