Carlotta, the highly-anticipated Mediterranean eatery by acclaimed restaurateur Chris Lucas, opened in the Scott’s Crossing precinct at the Canberra Centre last week.

The establishment is Lucas’ first venture into Canberra, and judging by the preview dinner CW attended last week, it is set to be a popular one.

Carlotta’s fit-out is stunning, offering 120 seats, making it perfect for larger groups or an intimate date night. The open kitchen allows diners to watch the chefs in action and admire the giant woodfire oven at the centre of the room.

While the setting is supreme, it always comes down to the food. The menu centres on ‘rustic Italian’ cooking and we were able to try a range of the different dishes they offer.

For appetisers, the two varieties of house-made focaccia were delightful. Carlotta has gone the extra mile to source the finest mozzarella, importing it fresh from Italy every week to ensure the best quality. And it went down a treat with the prosciutto.

Then it was time for some house-made pasta with crab in lobster oil, enhanced by a subtle kick of chilli. The flavours were rich and well-balanced, making the dish superbly satisfying without being overwhelming. Other pasta dishes on the menu that we didn’t try include ravioli caprese and mafaldine with slow-cooked beef ragu.

The main dish was a beautiful cut of rib-eye steak served with a bearnaise sauce, a variety of mustards and side dishes. The pick of the side dishes was the prosciutto and peas.

For dessert, tiramisu was on offer, and it was delightful. The espresso-soaked layers were perfectly balanced with a light sweetness and a hint of cocoa, making each bite irresistible.

Lucas is best known for his Chin Chin restaurants in Melbourne and Sydney but remained coy on whether he would bring one of those famous venues to Canberra. However, Lucas did announce that he will be opening up a French bistro in the nation’s capital next year where Botswana Butchery used to be. So, stay tuned for more info.

Carlotta is now open for bookings. To learn more, follow @carlotta.cusina on Instagram or head to carlotta.com.au