Lucia, an esteemed Italian restaurant and bar in Kirkland, has humbly amassed a loyal following that includes Eastside locals, friends and family, curious out-of-town restaurateurs, and most recently, the praise of national media.

In the September edition of The Food magazine, Lucia Executive Chef Cathy Gargaglione-Shyne opens her culinary crypt to divulge some of the restaurant’s most treasured recipes with readers, including Lucia’s signature truffle spaghetti and meatballs with two sauces.

“Being recognized for what you love and are passionate about is amazing, but to have it proclaimed in a national magazine is an indescribable honor,” said Michael Halter, Lucia managing partner and son of Gargaglione-Shyne. “From its food to decor, Lucia is a family business and the feature in The Food underscores all the hard work, long hours and dedication we’ve paid to our collective craft.”

The article, which depicts the family operation in Kirkland, chronicles Chef Gargaglione-Shyne’s ascent to becoming a chef and her legacy of successful restaurant ventures in California, Hawaii and Kirkland.

The monthly magazine is sold nationwide at newsstands and supermarkets and can be found online at www.thefoodmag.com.

For those who prefer dining out to cooking, there’s never been a better time than now to visit Lucia.

Alongside menu classics from Gargaglione-Shyne’s Calabrian roots are sumptuous new additions such as taleggio cheese and wild mushroom risotto (cremini and porcini) over radicchio; veal scallopini with spinach orzo pasta, featuring thinly pounded veal in a wild mushroom port wine reduction; and panzanella salad comprised of house-made loaf bread, cucumber, celery, cherry tomatoes, black olives, romaine lettuce, tossed with a sweet balsamic dressing.

Find Lucia restaurant and bar at 222 Parkplace in Kirkland. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (dinner only).

For reservations, call 425-889-0200 or visit Lucia at www.ilovelucia.com.