Restaurant Review: Say ciao to one of the city’s finest Italian restaurants

Now that we’ve established it’s a place worth visiting, the biggest let-down is that it’s a non-alcoholic zone, which means you can’t get to enjoy a glass of wine with your pasta. These are the things you realise within ten minutes of you entering the restaurant.

The food makes up for the absence of wine and it starts from the very first bite of the appetiser: DIY bruschetta of sorts. A card placed on the table reads ‘Follow the instructions with the given ingredients’ and it goes somewhat like this — a garlic pod has to be rubbed on a piece of bread, followed by basil leaves, salt, pepper, olive oil and a cherry tomato. It’s exciting when you get to play with your food, isn’t it? This, we were told, is a signature dish and ‘custom’ of the restaurant.

 A bowl of warm Minestrone Di Verdure followed and its earthy and familiar flavours engulf you with every sip. It can be a bit heavy so we suggest you go easy on the small plates to save space for the main course. The Funghi Al Forno appetiser, which is roasted mushrooms baked in the oven with garlic, parsley and olive oil, has a smoky flavour to it — making it a personal favourite. For the non-vegetarians, thinly sliced tenderloin with basil, olive oil and parmesan shavings is a culinary delight.

European cuisine is often considered ‘bland’ or tasteless thanks to our fiery Indian palate but this needn’t hold true; Chianti proves why. Every single dish, be it the pasta, pesce or carne, is brimming with flavours waiting to be explored. Homemade ravioli stuffed with duck leg meat, caramelised onions in a parsley and cream sauce can be called the hero of our meal. Overall, you’re not attacked with an overdose of cheese or excessive salt or sugar, but just the right balance of flavours and a pleasant ambience, making this an Italian memory worth cherishing.

Soft strands of spaghetti that can literally melt in your mouth, this dish was loaded with goodness. A selection of vegetables typical to Italian cuisine such as bell peppers, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes and more were added generously. The pasta was cooked in tomato sauce.

It’s almost mandatory to walk into an Italian restaurant in India and find Tiramisu on the menu. Chianti doesn’t disappoint but we felt they could have gone a tad easy on the overwhelming taste of coffee.

Address: 28, Groud Floor, Phoenix Market City, Velachery 

Cuisine: Italian

Must-have: Fusili Primavera, Suplli’ Alla Romano

Timing: 12 noon to 10.30 pm

Contact: 044 66653824