This time, we dropped in for lunch and chose to sit outdoors. It was a sunny winter day, which I’m sure you’ll agree, is one of the best times of the year. Okay, so the odd fly chose to fly past and say hello, but hey, even flies are allowed to feel chummy on such a lovely day with the promise of some of the finest Italian food in Delhi. For the cynics out there, the reference to the fly is in passing and isn’t meant to reflect on the Italia experience. You sit outdoors, you get insects. Period.

I’m not much of a drinker so I forget the name of the cocktail served to me, but the food – that was definitely unforgettable. One thing I love at Italia is their thin crust foccacia, which is served with creamed garlic dip, pesto and grated grana padano. I could just sit on that terrace forever, alternate between the garlic dip and the pesto, shower the foccacia with grated cheese and sigh my way through the day. Seriously good stuff.

My starter was a prosciutto san danielle with rocket leaves, bocconcini and honey balsamic dressing. Bocconcini is baby mozzarella and it tasted heavenly with the ham and rocket leaves. Don’t you just love rocket? I can never skip a rocket dish and the pepper flavor adds zest to any salad you choose to include it in. Ignoring etiquette, I ate the whole dish with my fingers and was sorely tempted to wipe up the remaining dressing too. Didn’t, but should have perhaps.

 

Lamb Shank with Saffron Risotto was my main course. Tender and well executed, it was delicious though a little more seasoning wouldn’t have hurt. The end of our meal featured some Pancetta and Tiramisu, both of which were quite good.

I hope you’re going to try Italia sometime soon… and don’t forget that crunchy foccacia!

- Sid