ANNOUNCER: DELICIOUS ITALIAN FARE IN GIG HARBOR >>>

Where once deep green forests of evergreens stood in Gig Harbor, now behold a Target. Gig Harbor’s Chamber of Commerce touts the area’s many business districts as great for shopping, dining and tourism in a well-planned branding effort though its never been known for many good restaurants. I’m talking real, sit-down, table cloth, linen napkin restaurants.

Can a great restaurant survive in a tired pseudo-strip mall?

One brave couple, chef Michele “Mike” and Azusa Simone, are attempting just that at Il Lucano Italian Restaurant in what’s been dubbed the Historic District along the waterfront.

JASON: Man, the smell in there was delicious and comforting. Opening the door of Il Lucano Italian Restaurant must be similar to walking into an old-school Italian mama’s kitchen. The restaurant’s soft lighting, tasteful decorations and soothing wall colors were ambience balm on my ragged soul after last week. The wait-staff all appeared to be in their 30s or older, and I anticipated dining with true, mature service.

ANNOUNCER: Read the rest of the review on the Weekly Volcano's Web site.

Photo: J.M. Simpson