Civico 47 opens in old Lucio's site

It has long been one of Paddington’s most cherished restaurant sites and now the old Lucio’s restaurant has reopened as Civico 47.

Meaning No.47, the new restaurant will also have an Italian theme, with chef Matteo Zamboni (ex-Jonah’s Whale Beach) in the kitchen.

“Taking over this historic building is no mean feat,” says general manager Andrew Donaghy.

“We have carefully created a menu and atmosphere that’s designed to make the space our own and we look forward to 47 Windsor Street becoming the regular dining spot once again.”

Zamboni’s menu includes dishes of baby octopus with pickled onion and sultana, beef carpaccio with rocket and ravioli with ricotta, burnt leek and capsicum.

Prices are $23 to $35 for pastas and starters and $47-$54 for mains.

Zamboni says he has designed a menu that is refined, yet accessible, that is rooted in his Italian heritage.

“The menu is all about the flavours, seasonality and quality of the produce. Simple but skilled transformations of the ingredients combined with a strong Italian influence,” he says.

The slow reopening of the restaurant has long been observed by locals, curious about what would become of the famed site.

The venue has an intriguing ownership structure, with the owner a silent partner who does not live in Sydney.

Lucio’s, you may remember, inhabited the site for 40 years, and before that, the site was famously one of Paddington’s first restaurants, the Hungry Horse.

47 Windsor St; civico47.com.au