Lucatini

I believe in ghosts. Not the spooky, haunted-house kind that live in basements, but benevolent beings who watch over us from beyond. And while I never got to meet Doug Fleischmann in the flesh, I could swear I felt the warmth of his spirit when I entered Luca d’Italia. Killed in a car crash last summer, Fleischmann left behind many friends and fans of the two restaurants he started with Frank Bonanno: Mizuna and Luca, which serves the Lucatini, a cocktail he created. Made with Limoncello and Citron Vodka and served shaken and up in a chilled martini glass, the sugary sweet Lucatini ($7) is as tasty and expertly executed as everything else in this intimate Italian eatery. Although Limoncello, a refreshing fruit liqueur, is traditionally served as an after-dinner drink, when mixed into this yellow martini, it’s the perfect libation for whetting your appetite. And Luca’s corner bar is an ideal spot to unwind before sitting down to a gigantic meal. According to my Magic 8-Ball — which I consult on all of life’s major matters — the outlook is good that Luca and big brother Mizuna will continue to thrive under Fleischmann’s gentle gaze.