Med Mosaic

The restaurant scene in the city is getting plump with a new entrant opening doors every few days.

The all-new Sofrito offers a culinary voyage through the Mediterranean region

The restaurant scene in the city is getting plump with a new entrant opening doors every few days. The latest to do so is Sofrito,situated in the bustling banking zone of Sector 9,Chandigarh. Like most,we were perplexed at what the name meant. Was it a new Italian pizzeria or a Greek bistro,one wondered. The interiors with its stark white and black furniture,high ceiling,oil paintings of ports and harbours on the wall and a huge show kitchen did little to give away Sofritos menu. Thats where Shibu T.P,consultant for the new place pitched in. Sofrito is a Spanish word referring to a culinary combination of aromatic ingredients. In the Sephardic cuisine of the eastern Mediterranean,the term Sofrito emphasises a method of cooking rather than a specific combination of aromatics, he explains. From what we discovered,it seems every country from Spain to Greece,Italy to Turkey has a different culinary rendition of Sofrito.

One thing consistent about the different Mediterranean cuisines is that they all share freshness in cooking,purity of ingredients and simplicity of conception. In other words,they take the best ingredients possible and do very little to them, Shibu sums up.

A look at the menu and we realise Sofrito in Chandigarh (owned by restaurateur Punit Walia who runs Peninsula in Panchkula) essentially offers a culinary voyage through the entire Mediterranean region from a range of Spanish Tapas to Catalonian Paellas,Italian Risottos to French Bouillabaisse,Ratatouille to pizzas,pastas from Italy to Gyros and Mezze platters from the Middle East.

We begin with a Mediterranean Mezze (Rs 155) which brings in three Mediterranean dips that are worth every bite. Theres Hummus (chick peas),Baba Ganoush (eggplant) and Mukhalil Hummus (pickled vegetables) served with Lavash Chips. Then we order in the Turkish speciality Shish Taouk (Rs 225). The chicken skewers marinated in yoghurt felt a little too chewy but the pita (baked in – house) was soft and supple. Though the menu boasts of a diversity of regions and dishes,we stuck to Turkey with our next choice Coban Salad (Rs 175). Its a colourful fresh salad made with cucumbers,bellpeppers and tomatoes as the main ingredient with olive oil and vinegar dressing and would appeal to anyone who likes a crunchy munch. We paired the salad with a bowl of Spaghetti Arabiata (Rs 225) that was well done and flavoursome. The Country Sausage and Green Pepper Risotto (Rs 325) was a bit insipid for our liking. Apart from Tapas and Pasta,Sofrito also offers a range of pizzas,sandwiches and soups,all of which come out of the long show kitchen where,we are told,the guests are encouraged to watch and chat up the chefs. Over the years Sofrito has become a word that best describes the Mediterranean way of life and thats our aim here too, says Shibu as we relished a delectable Dacquoise Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse (Rs 145) thats good for two.

Meal for Two: Rs 500 (excluding taxes) Contact: 0172-4603333 Location: SCO 143-144,Sector 9-C,Madhya Marg,Chandigarh

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restaurant