Going by the numbers of restaurant that has opened recently at DLF Promenade Mall, the venue seems all set to transform into a lively food hub.
Amongst a bevy of restaurants, there is a one called Italia by The Park. Its chic décor with plunge dining area and nice al fresco seating arrangements appeal to one’s senses. The authentic Italian delicacies it serves also work in its favour.
The first thing that comes to your mind when you say Italian food is pizza and pasta and the restaurant’s menu is brimming with variety in this section. There are good 10 options in pizzas. I started with chicken, bell peppers and jalapenos variation, with a fine thin crust was amazing. The edge was perfectly hollow and crispy. Seasonal fresh vegetable pizza is a good option for my vegetarian friends. Spinach, ricotta and pine nuts stuffed ravioli with thyme butter pasta was quite subtle. The butter and the stuffing just oozed out as I took a bite.
The restaurant also gives you the option of creating your own pasta with variations such as penne, spaghetti, linguini, tagliatelle, rigatoni, fusilli, orecchiette and whole wheat penne. Amongst the antipasti/appetizers skewered chicken with lemon, parsley and capers was very tender and juicy. Bruschetta of tomato and mozzarella was soft and crispy. The combination of fresh mozzarella along with finely chopped tomatoes worked wonders. Crisp fried seafood platter went off well with the saffron aioli. The platter had a mix of prawns, squids and fish. The mocktail Fire N Ice, served along with the main course, needs a special mention for it is an unusual combination of finely chopped green chillies with some aerated drink. I carefully sipped it avoiding the green chillies.
Smoked chicken, rocket, grain mustard and lemon risotto is strongly recommended.
The aroma of olives wafts from tiger prawns with olive dust. New Zealand lamb chops with mushroom sauce and breast of chicken with green pepper in balsamic reduction are worth a try. Amongst the desserts there are two variations — the desserts and frozen desserts. On chef’s recommendation, I opted for the crisp mango ravioli with vanilla ice cream. Ravioli was deep fried and stuffed with mango. It had the perfect golden crust. A combination of hot ravioli with chilled ice cream was something that asks for an encore.
(Italia, a stand-alone restaurant by The Park is located at DLF Promenade Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi)
