August in Luxembourg is quiet, warm, and unhurried. It is the perfect time to linger over lunch with a friend.
August in Luxembourg has a rhythm all its own. Many shops and restaurants traditionally close for the summer holidays, and the city becomes noticeably quieter. Things begin returning to normal toward the end of the month, but I enjoy these slower weeks.
It is one of my favorite times of year here. The days are warm, lazy, and unhurried. There is time to linger over lunch, catch up with a friend, and simply enjoy where we live.
Roma has long been one of our favorite restaurants in Luxembourg City. When a friend and I recently met there for lunch, I had been craving ravioli, and Roma felt like exactly the right place to go.
We started with a glass of Italian sparkling rosé while we looked over the menu and caught up. Lunch began with a clear consommé, followed by a delicate herb velouté with scallop petals and truffle. The scallops were sliced thin, and together with the velouté and truffle, created a wonderful balance of earth and sea.
Next came the tuna tartare. It was light, refreshing, and beautifully presented. All of it was.
Then, the ravioli.
One was served in a rich tomato sauce with ricotta and basil. The other was filled with burrata and stracciatella and finished with basil oil and tomato coulis. Two very different dishes, but both beautifully made.
We saw the ladies at the table next to us sharing a dessert and decided we definitely needed it too. It looked delicious and perfect for summer. Macerated strawberries mixed with crumbled meringue and garnished with tarragon were the perfect ending to a lovely meal. Of course, we followed tradition and finished with espresso.
We left Roma full, relaxed, and perfectly content to carry that feeling into the rest of the afternoon and evening.
Lunch also put an idea in my head. It has been a while since I made ravioli by hand. Perhaps it is time to make it again.
A Sparkling Start
A glass of Italian sparkling rosé was a lovely way to begin a long summer lunch and catch up with a friend.
Two Small Courses
A clear consommé was followed by an herb velouté with scallop petals and truffle. Two delicate beginnings before the main courses arrived.
Fresh and Beautifully Presented
The tuna tartare was fresh, light, and carefully plated. A lovely course before moving on to the ravioli.
Ravioli Craving
The burrata and stracciatella ravioli was finished with basil oil and tomato coulis. Lighter and delicate, it hit the spot.
More Ravioli
Ricotta and basil ravioli arrived in a rich tomato sauce. Comforting, generous, and exactly what I had been hoping for.
Something Sweet
We shared macerated strawberries with crumbled meringue and tarragon, then ended with espresso. It was the perfect finish to a relaxed summer lunch.
Traditional Espresso
Ending the meal in the traditonal Italian manner with an espresso.
What I Learned
- A leisurely lunch can set the mood for the rest of the day.
- Two versions of the same dish can feel completely different depending on the filling, sauce, and presentation.
- Tarragon is an unexpected but lovely addition to strawberries.
- August may be quieter in Luxembourg, but that is part of what makes it special.
- Inspiration sometimes begins with a meal. After this lunch, I was ready to make ravioli by hand again.
Liz 'N Lux 