Given its middling-hotel-lounge décor, Lumen doesn’t exactly scream ‘trendy, exciting lunch spot’. And yet, two months ago, the restaurant brought in a cutting-edge young chef, Akira Suguira (ex-sous chef at Sola), whose vibrant and impressive new fusion menu blends Italian and Japanese cuisines with dazzingly succulent, futuristic results. Trendy, exciting lunch spot, it very much is.
On the new daytime menu, there are a dozen starters, main courses and desserts to choose from (€28 for two courses), to be enjoyed either inside or out on the large covered terrace. To start, an exquisitely fresh Tuscan prawn and tomato salad, accompanied by a refreshingly intense bisque, is an utter treat. Next up, the main courses are all pretty mouth-watering and continue the strong transalpine theme, offering a variety of Italian classics (risotto, ravioli, plenty of pasta dishes), as well as a few less standard options including a plate of stewed guinea fowl with cabbage and taleggio cheese.
But the desserts are where things really get exciting, as the Japanese matcha green tea tiramisu proves a clever, flamboyant, nigh on heavenly fusion of the two contrasting cuisines.
TRANSLATION: FLORA HUDSON