It is interesting to note that Tuscania is a town or more specifically a commune in Italy with itsshare of historical significance, but more popularly known in the present day as a major hub for the production of pecorino cheese, cannellini beans, olives and olive oils and other Italian exquisites.
Now that explains the number of fine paintings adorning the walls of our very own Italian import in Nungambakkam, with a little modification, of course —Tuscana Pizzera.
First-time trouble
For a first-timer, the menu could prove quite strange: un-pronouncable names and alien-sounding ingredients. All you can do is point out the dishes that look interesting on the menu to a guy who seems to be nodding his head, helping you with the pronunciations and suggesting further improvements to the platter. And trusting him can save you a lot of trouble!
Tuscana prides itself on its wood-fired pizzas, wide range of pastas that you can customise to your taste. Also, bruschetta and panna cottas are marketed as specialities. While my stomach proved to be too small for all of them, I can vouch for the first two.
Favourites
The classic pizzas are nothing like your regular ones and certainly seem the perfect combo of health and taste while the variety of options with pastas - pasta type + preferred pasta sauce+ the main ingredient could make the classic Italian experience of pizza and pasta quite fulfilling.
My favourite was the Lasagne di Pollo e Asparagi and the simple starter- Garlic bread with cheese.
The Zuppa di Funghi (soup) is a good alternative if you aren't a fan of garlic bread. A course of pizza and pasta and a dessert would be sumptuous but depends on your appetite.
Bolognese or Carbonara pasta and Pollo di Orientale (Classic Pizza) are great choices and definitely finger-licking good.
The dessert, torta di polenta- polenta pound cake with gelato, was a novel combination. You sit thee wondering what it is and even before you know it you have an empty plate staring at you.
Other very intriguing dessert options are Pizza al Cioccolato, Tiramisu and Pere alla Crema. While the concept and combinations at Tuscana are new and nothing like Chennai has seen before, this one is only for the experimenters.
It also caters to adventurous taste buds and is obviously very expensive. A meal for two can cost anywhere between Rs. 2000-2500.
Niharika M, III B.A. Literature, Stella Maris College.
