Lucciola, the Italian restaurant at The Hari Hong Kong, has introduced a new à la carte menu celebrating Italy’s diverse culinary heritage, bringing together regional specialities, premium ingredients and traditional recipes with a contemporary touch. Announced on October 21, 2026, the menu takes diners on a culinary journey from northern Italy to the country’s sun-soaked southern coast.
Led by Francesco Gava, Director of Food and Beverage at The Hari Hong Kong, the new menu highlights the importance of ingredient provenance, authentic flavours and the convivial spirit of Italian dining. From handmade pasta and seafood specialities to traditional desserts, the offering brings together familiar Italian classics and creative dishes designed for sharing.
A Culinary Journey Across Italy’s Regions
The new menu places Italian ingredients at the centre of the dining experience, showcasing products sourced from different regions of the country.
Highlights include seven-year-aged Acquerello Carnaroli rice from Piedmont, aged Parmigiano Reggiano from Emilia-Romagna, Apulian burrata and Sardinian fregola. Southern Italian flavours feature prominently through Vesuvian Datterino tomatoes, Pantelleria capers and fragrant Amalfi lemons.
These carefully selected ingredients reflect Lucciola’s commitment to showcasing the distinctive flavours and culinary traditions that define Italy’s regional cuisine.
Gava, who comes from Piedmont in northern Italy, has shaped the menu around a balance of fine-dining precision and the warmth of traditional Italian home cooking. The experience encourages guests to enjoy dishes together, reflecting the communal dining culture that remains central to Italian food traditions.
Italian Starters Featuring Premium Ingredients
The menu opens with a selection of starters that celebrate classic Italian preparations and high-quality produce.
Il Vitello Tonnato Piemontese features delicate slices of veal tenderloin accompanied by creamy tonnato sauce, aged Modena balsamic vinegar and Pantelleria capers. The dish draws inspiration from Piedmont’s traditional cuisine, balancing rich flavours with a distinctive tang.
Another highlight is La Burrata Pugliese, which showcases creamy Apulian burrata filled with stracciatella and cream. Sweet Vesuvian Datterino tomatoes, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil complete the dish, bringing together the fresh, vibrant flavours associated with southern Italy.
These starters set the tone for a menu that combines regional authenticity with thoughtful presentation.
Handmade Pasta and Seafood Specialities
Pasta takes centre stage among the main courses, with several dishes combining traditional techniques and premium seafood ingredients.
One of Gava’s personal favourites is Le Pappardelle Scampi, Caviale e Cipollina. The dish features ribbons of homemade pappardelle paired with delicate scampi and chives, finished with Ossetra caviar for an indulgent touch.
Another standout is Cavatelli al Granchio, Limone e Zafferano, which brings together Alaskan king crab, Amalfi lemon and saffron. A hint of red chilli adds extra depth, balancing the seafood’s sweetness with citrus and gentle heat.
Traditional favourites also feature prominently. Gli Spaghetti alla Carbonara stays true to the classic preparation, using guanciale and Pecorino Romano to deliver the familiar richness of this much-loved Italian dish.
For those seeking a more substantial main course, La Cotoletta alla Milanese Orecchia di Elefante features a breaded, pan-fried milk-fed veal cutlet served on the bone with tartar fennel sauce.
The Story Behind the Signature Lobster Risotto
One of the menu’s most distinctive additions is Acquerello Risotto Astice e Piselli Novelli, a dish that became a guest favourite before officially earning its place on the restaurant’s menu.
The risotto began as an impromptu creation during a private tasting dinner, when the culinary team prepared a small pot of seven-year-aged Acquerello Carnaroli rice with sweet Boston lobster and fresh green peas.
According to Gava, guests were so impressed by the dish’s richness and texture that they requested full portions to take home that same evening. Word soon spread among regular diners, who began asking for the lobster and aged rice risotto before even opening the menu.
Its popularity ultimately inspired the team to make it an official offering, demonstrating how guest feedback can shape a restaurant’s evolving culinary identity.
A New Sharing Menu Inspired by Coastal Italy
Lucciola has also introduced Da Condividere, a dedicated section of the menu designed for sharing.
One of its highlights is La Spadellata di Cozze e Vongole Veraci, a steaming skillet of mussels and clams served with garlic bruschetta.
The dish originated when regular guests dining late asked the kitchen for something rustic and comforting to share. The team responded with seafood cooked together in a skillet, accompanied by bread for soaking up the rich broth.
The informal creation quickly captured the relaxed atmosphere of coastal Italian family dining, where simple ingredients and generous portions bring people together.
The new sharing section reinforces the restaurant’s emphasis on conviviality, encouraging guests to explore different dishes while enjoying a more relaxed dining experience.
A Contemporary Take on Italian Comfort Food
Explaining the philosophy behind the menu, Gava highlighted the importance of combining traditional regional cooking with contemporary techniques while maintaining the integrity of the ingredients.
He noted that Hong Kong’s sophisticated dining audience appreciates both the quality of the food and the story behind its ingredients.
By emphasising provenance, regional traditions and familiar flavours, Lucciola aims to offer an experience that feels rooted in Italian culinary culture while remaining relevant to modern diners.
The result is a menu that balances refined presentation with the generosity and comfort associated with Italian food.
Traditional Italian Desserts to Complete the Experience
The dessert selection continues the menu’s celebration of Italian classics, offering a combination of familiar favourites and indulgent finishes.
Lucciola’s signature Il Tiramisù Tradizionale remains on the menu, providing a classic conclusion to the meal.
La Torta Caprese Bianca offers a different take on the traditional Italian cake, combining almond and lemon flavours with mascarpone and white chocolate.
For coffee and chocolate lovers, Affogato al Bicerin delivers a richer finale. The dessert combines double espresso and artisanal vanilla gelato with Bicerin chocolate liqueur, whipped cream and white chocolate.
Together, the desserts provide a fitting conclusion to a menu built around regional Italian flavours and carefully selected ingredients.
Inside Lucciola at The Hari Hong Kong
Located on the first floor of The Hari Hong Kong at 330 Lockhart Road in Wan Chai, Lucciola offers a contemporary setting inspired by Italian dining culture.
The restaurant features a bold palette of amber and green, complemented by warm leather furnishings, dark timber, geometric floor tiles and sculptural brass lighting.
Expansive windows bring natural light into the dining room during the day, creating an inviting atmosphere for both relaxed lunches and evening meals.
With its new menu, Lucciola combines its distinctive interiors with an ingredient-led approach to Italian cuisine, creating a dining experience suited to intimate dinners, social gatherings and shared meals.
Reservations and Contact Information
Guests looking to experience Lucciola’s new à la carte menu can contact the restaurant directly for further information and reservations.
- Restaurant: Lucciola, The Hari Hong Kong
- Address: 330 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- Telephone: +852 2129 0333
- Email: lucciola@thehari.com
- Website: thehari.com
About The Hari Hong Kong
Opened in December 2020, The Hari Hong Kong was created under the vision of Dr. Aron Harilela, Chairman and CEO of Harilela Hotels Ltd. It is the second property under The Hari brand, following the opening of The Hari London in August 2016.
The Harilela Group was established in 1959 and remains wholly owned by the Harilela family. Its hospitality portfolio includes properties across Hong Kong, mainland China, other parts of Asia, Europe and the United States.
The Hari Hong Kong combines contemporary design, thoughtful service and a distinctive dining offering, contributing to the city’s diverse hospitality and culinary landscape.
About Vignette Collection and IHG Hotels & Resorts
Vignette Collection is part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio. The collection brings together distinctive independent properties that retain their individual identities while benefiting from IHG’s global network and hospitality expertise.
The brand places emphasis on local character, community connections and responsible hospitality, allowing each hotel to deliver experiences shaped by its destination.
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With its new menu, Lucciola brings the flavours of Italy to Hong Kong through carefully sourced ingredients, regional recipes and dishes inspired by the joy of sharing food. The latest offering reinforces the restaurant’s commitment to authentic Italian comfort food, presented with a contemporary approach at The Hari Hong Kong.
