Bites Nearby: Lucioso's Pub

Pizza, wings, beer and good times are to be found at Lucioso's Pub at the.  John Luce and Gabriel Daher's new restaurant takes the place of the Run of the Mill Tavern, which closed last year.

Daher described the restaurant as having "a unique personality." Green and orange are the signature colors. Metal frogs stand at attention atop the fireplace, which, as Luce explains, echoes his interest in frogs and lizards and things. He was even the inspiration for Lucioso's mascot, a goteed, backwards cap-wearing cartoon frog indulging in pizza and beer.

Pizza varieties here include bacon cheeseburger, pulled pork and hot pastrami, with Swiss, onions and honey mustard. There are more than 25 flavors of wings and tenders, like mango habanero, sweet chili, Thai peanut and Jamaican jerk, with others to come.

Appetizers range from four types of fries to macaroni and cheese bites. Calzones, subs, burgers, triple decker clubs, pastas, steak tips, stir fry entrées and salads are on the menu, too.

This past Monday was Lucioso's first official day after two weeks of takeout and delivery service only.

Luce is also the owner of Lucioso's Pizza on Route 53 in Pembroke. That establishment is more for takeout and delivery, while Lucioso's Pub is more tailored to dining in and the nightlife, Daher said. It also has a different feel due to the historic location, he said. A large window in the dining room overlooks Town Brook.

Live music, karaoke and trivia will be offered at Lucioso's three to four nights a week.

Luce stressed, however, that sports games will take precedence and patrons will be able to listen to them. Large high-definition TVs abound, seamlessly blending into the walls amongst the sports memorabilia. For certain games the pub will stay open past midnight.

Lucioso's is family friendly, according to Luce and Daher. In contrast to the bar area, the dining space tends to be quieter because of the high wooden-beamed ceiling. They explained how the sound levels in that section can also be lowered to accommodate diners.

Each day there will be specials, the owners say. For now, half-priced appetizers are offered Monday through Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the bar. The full menu is available for takeout and delivery, and there is a late night menu.

The pair have spent many years in the restaurant business. They have known each other since they were kids and worked together at a pizza shop in their youth. Later on, Luce took over Tucson Tacos in Kingston and recruited Daher to help him operate it. Luce then opened Lucioso's in Pembroke. When the opportunity arose to open a second location, Luce once again recruited his old friend.

The pair have "tons of ideas" for the pub, including transforming the porch into a tiki bar for the warmer months. While they acknowledge that tourists will find their way in during the summer, they also want to be a "special place for locals."

"We hope to have it all," Daher said.

Lucioso's Pub is located at 6 Spring Lane and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until midnight and Sunday from noon until midnight. Call 508-746-0056 for takeout or delivery.