Longmartin Properties Ltd, a joint venture between Shaftesbury Capital and the Mercers’ Company, has announced that Aqua Restaurant Group has chosen The Yards, Covent Garden as its location of choice to launch its latest Italian deli and bakery concept, Luci.
Reinforcing the destination’s appeal in securing high-quality restaurant debuts, Luci will occupy a 9,000sq ft space at 136 Long Acre and specialise in authentic Italian flavours.
Set to open later this year, Luci will be led by Aqua’s Head Chef, Andrea Pesenti and will bring together the finest ingredients sourced from genuine Italian producers. The Yards restaurant will operate over three levels, with a grab and go offer on the ground floor featuring a Bancone counter filled with an abundant range of freshly baked sourdough loaves, traditional Italian sandwiches, hearty salads and sweets and pastries. The first floor will be used as an intimate dining space where customers can enjoy woodfire pizza, traditional pasta, focaccia, and a gelato counter, whilst the basement level will house a prep kitchen.
Luci will join Aqua Restaurant Group’s prestigious portfolio of restaurants across Hong Kong, New York, Miami, and Dubai, with Luci marking its sixth location in London, sitting beside Aqua Shard, Shiro, Aqua Kyoto, Aqua Nueva, and Hutong. The new restaurant will also join several high-quality debuts at The Yards, such as the recently opened Olea Social and Gura Gura, as well as local favourites Lahpet, Dishoom, and Dalla Terra.
David Yeo, CEO and founder of the Aqua Restaurant Group, says of the opening: “Luci was born from a love of Italian food, and we want to bring that passion to The Yards, Covent Garden. No matter what time of the day, we want our customers to be able to enjoy delicious, top-quality food and drinks, whether a Cappuccino and a pistachio cornetto for breakfast or a slice of pizza and a Negroni as a nightcap. That is where Luci will fill a gap for Covent Garden.”
