An Italian Job

“The dishes on the menu are from back home. Some are traditional while the others are lesser known,” mentioned the chef before hurrying back to the kitchen. The menu brings up specials like potato and leeks soup with a scent of saffron,grilled red radicchio served with Sicilian capers and balsamic reduction,seafood spaghetti in basil tomato sauce and Spinach and eldamer cheese quiche to list a few. The food comes with a complimentary glass of Ballantine’s Scotch and Jacob’s Creek wine.

For starters,we settled for aubergine parmigiana,something the chef had mentioned was a speciality his mum,a teacher,would reserve only for weekends. “It requires patience as the aubergines need to be sliced thin and then spinkled with rock salt to take away the bitterness,” said the chef. His version was well-baked and delightfully flavoured and the parmesan cheese wasn’t overbearing. For main course,we chose Chicken ‘Saltimbocca’ with Parma ham and sage in white wine sauce. It’s a century-old Roman recipe and the chef only added to it by its modern presentation. The portion size of the dishes here are good for two people. We reserved ourselves for dessert and ordered panna cotta,an Italian version of vanilla cream pudding. The dish was served with wildberry coulis and we would highly recommend it. However,if you like something warmer,try the apple strudel that comes enveloped in a light pastry teamed with vanilla ice cream. You won’t miss the pizza.

The food festival is on for a week.

Meal for two: Rs 1,000 (excluding taxes)Location: SCO 14,Sector 26,Chandigarh. Contact: 0172-5043666