Though anchored by the same penchant for premium dry-aged steaks that Boy’N’Cow Meat Boutique and The Grumpy Butcher are known for, LUCA, the group’s latest offshoot, diverges into something more casual and relaxed, fine-tuned to fit the chic Sanur crowd.
When plans were initially set in motion to expand Boy’N’Cow Group’s prominent presence to Sanur, the team envisioned a distinctly different direction. This new home needed to match the naturally relaxed pace of the coastal neighbourhood. That’s why LUCA deliberately trades the grittier smokehouse concept of its two predecessors for a remarkably chicer, more modern approach.
The minimalist interiors immediately signal this fresh face upon arrival. Past the frosted glass sliding door (which, among rows of casual alfresco eateries, would be more than enough to pique passersby’s interest), diners would be welcomed by an interior of sleek, clean lines and high ceilings, embellished with copper accents and illuminated by a warm amber glow. Still, this minimalist design, which was conjured by the co-owner herself, doesn’t alone define the restaurant’s modern direction.
Trading Seminyak’s nightlife-driven crowd for a patronage that more likely sees families and elderly couples, LUCA’s ethos of dining is refined even further with a touch of warmth and sociability. It allows the idea of modernity to expand beyond a single mould, instead becoming a malleable expression befitting the diverse clientele that the restaurant attracts.
This is reflected through its dining experience, which doesn’t simply rely on the buzzy precedence of the in-house dry-aged steaks. With a comprehensive list of strains, marbling levels, and cuts, including the chef’s recommendation L’grow Wagyu that strikes a perfect balance between buttery mouthfeel and meaty chew, they are still the undeniable centrepiece of the menu. But every element built around it carries an equal weight to foster the atmosphere.
“A meal at LUCA shouldn’t be rushed, and it’s also nothing too formal. We want our guests to settle in, enjoy themselves, and truly savour not just the food, but also the welcoming ambience and the moment to slow down, so that even waiting can feel comfortable,” shared Restaurant Manager I Kadek Dwi Saputra.
That’s one reason why the second-floor lounge is baked into the overall dinner journey rather than acting as a mere afterthought post-meal. In fact, the evening begins with an apéritif from the bar. One might start with the Boulevardier, which acts as the perfect prologue. Much like the meats, this medley of Jim Beam, Campari, and sweet vermouth is aged for twenty days in American oak barrels, resulting in a long and smooth finish that primes the palate for the hearty feast ahead.
More than just a fun way to fill in gaps between dishes, the cocktail menu is designed to pair with the food. One of the most exciting additions is a lineup of eggless house-made pasta, currently exclusive to the LUCA menu. The Spaghetti is tossed in a fermented Calabrian chilli sauce before being crowned with a succulent king prawn, and diners are invited to turn the heat up by pairing it with the LUCA Margarita, an herbaceous interpretation of the classic drink’s spicy variant.
If you find yourself needing to wait between entrée and dessert, the attentive servers who, at this point, might already be on a first-name basis, are ready to offer a cup of tea or coffee to wind down a bit. The sweet finish, then, can double as a nightcap. Indulge in a decadent Chocolate Butter Lava Cake, while offsetting its richness with the Bologna Coffee, a riff on the coffee martini that boasts a cocoa-forward profile as a digestif.
Amidst a heavily saturated local steakhouse scene, LUCA arrives not as another trendy clutter, but rather a welcome respite. Modern becomes more than a simplistic buzzword, rather a guiding discernment that foregoes conventions. It doesn’t come as a surprise, then, that you might just find yourself joining the birthday chorus alongside the whole restaurant for the celebrating table across the dining room. That’s just the kind of atmosphere that keeps patrons returning, with an opportunity to explore a new cut of steak and cocktail combo with each visit.
Asia Dreams Volume 59
LUCA
Jalan Danau Tamblingan, Sanur
Bali 80228, Indonesia
T: (+62) 3619580889
E: info@lucabali.com
W: lucabali.com
IG: @lucabali.sanur
