Footnotes

PROVENANCE
The Lucio's Collection, Sydney

There are few places left on earth that have the patina of mirth and love embedded into its walls. An alchemical combination of preparation and presentation is concocted every single day industriously finessed by staff who know their stuff so well that it seems effortless. As one of the chefs wafts a sizzling pan of garlic into each corner of Lucio's Italian restaurant the place is suddenly infused with aroma and the venue becomes much more than the sum of its parts. This all occurs with jocularity and a sing-song chatter.

The entire scene is choreographed by a man with heart and gravitas, in equal measures.

When Sally Stanford went to Italy in the seventies she was on a quest to see what had become of her naughty and elegant sister Wendy, who had fallen in love with a restaurateur in Liguria the indomitable Mario Guelfi. This scene set on the mouth of the Magra river was evidently an intoxicating melange of Italian life on the steps of paradise.

A swarm of fiery cousins zoomed around the marinas and alleys on lambrettas and one of them caught the eye of this Australian girl from Mudgee. Lucio Galletto was a young man with a huge heart, a romantic. So when he followed her to Australia his fate was set. They went on to create an Italian colony of their own, almost by accident but done extremely well! Their creative sensibility and respect for their unique clientele led to enduring friendships with, as it turned out, many of Australia's most celebrated artists. Year after year the walls of the restaurant became decorated with beautiful paintings and drawings, and so too there formed a reputation among the most elite diners of a place where excellent food and heavenly wines could be enjoyed among a cacophony of outstanding art.

As the walls filled with paintings and drawings and the artists grew fatter, a hub of conviviality was born which withstood recessions, global market collapses and the odd pandemic. Without flinching Lucio's presented the best of the best to politicians, rock stars, artists, socialites, broadcasters, influencers and most importantly lovers for an incredible thirty eight years.

Personally I have formed a bond with this magical place that would take long afternoons to explain, suffice to say that for every auspicious event, every tender moment and for a delectable morsel I would go to Lucio's, like a baby turtle flaps instinctively to the sea. A journalist once asked me (among a list of banal questions) how I would like to die, my response was 'laughing uncontrollably at table Bar one at Lucio's restaurant!'

Sadly I'll outlive the crucible of Italy that has existed for what seems like a lifetime but an enduring testament to Lucio and Sally's love of food and art is a great diaspora of fond memories, enduring friendships and fattened artists.

Luke Sciberras