The ‘Festa Italiana’ with its variety of pastas, cheesy delights, exquisite wines and mouthwatering seasoned meaty recipes at Avenue Regent offers you what one would call a taste of Italy in the heart of the city.
Fillings of pastas in different colours and shapes on display along with the famous risotto rice are a part and parcel of the Italian palate. Says Chef Joshua, one of the two cooks who specialises in this cuisine, “people are opening up to different tastes and styles of cooking. If you are looking for a Italian dinner with a splendid blend of wine (which is the complete Italian meal) and sauces in every dish, then this is the place to be in.”
Shrimp salads doused in mayonnaise and yogurt, with the right pinch of salt and pepper and a dash of parmesan cheese is the gateway to an evening filled with multiple delights. Fennel Orange and rocket salad or the aubergine and spinach salads can tickle any vegan’s taste buds. For starters, try the Bacon wrapped prunes (there’s nothing like the taste of the sweet and sour fruit chewed along with the salty bacon).
As good as prunes are for the body, the bacon too works miracles. For seafood lovers golden Panko crusted shrimps laid decoratively alongside the tomato-cum-chilly paste mixed in mayonnaise are best eaten when served. So are the grilled squids marinated and served with cashew paste mixed in basil leaves.
Potatoes, a major ingredient of their menu, come in surprising recipes. Potato croquettes in ball or finger shape and potato dumplings mixed with butter, nutmeg, butter and cheese, freshly fried and topped by Pesto sauce are irresistible.
Chef Joshua recommends the tender chicken thigh dipped in honey and seasoned with salt and pepper and marinated in olive oil. Mustard and mayo dip sauce along with a sip of red wine will have you asking for more. Fried balls of wild mushrooms with boiled risotto rice and mozzarella cheese dipped in tomato-based sauce and garlic melts in your mouth.
Pork ribs and braised pork are a must try. Cooked for eight hours at a stretch, the pork ribs come along with the risotto rice cooked in milk and cheese and broccoli. The combo is best when downed with white wine. Lasagnas (minced meet, cheese, pasta, butter, and milk) and home-made pastas are certainly any foody’s delight. Herb roast chicken cooked in wine looks delicious alongside the roasted zucchini, carrot, brinjal and potato mixed in olive oil. The venetian steak should be eaten along with the chicken liver pieces soaked in milk in a onion blend and served quite cold. Try out the cauliflower puree with grilled fish. It’s quite ravishing.
The sweet-toothed can relish an array of dessert. Taste the chocolate walnut panacotta, a blend of melted chocolate and walnut mix. The Baboosa made with semolina will complete your day. The ongoing fest at Avenue Regent is on till June 23.