Alba at JW Marriot Bangalore presents "Road Trip to Italy"with Chef Matteo

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(Photo Courtesy: JW Marriot, Bangalore)

ALBA at JW Marriot , the one of the most popular fine Italian fine dine places in Bangalore, has always enchanted me with its exquisite interiors , impeccable service and authentic Italian cuisine.

“Alba showcases the cooking of our expert chefs with select menu that includesthin crust pizzas, seasonal Italian appetizers, and fresh pastas.”

– JW Marriot Bangalore

Recently I was invited to their “Road Trip to Italy” festival that commemorate the essence of Italy, walking through the regional specialties from North , central and southern Italy.The regions covered include the Tuscany , the Piedmont , the Sicily among others.

Before I share my ALBA experience , let me introduce Chef Matteo Arvonio. A famed specialty Chef at Mezzo Mezzo at JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu., he has over 2 decades of Italian culinary experience. Perfectionist in his job, Chef Matteo is known for his authentic cuisine with Italian flavors. A Foodie by heart,he loves to eat as much as he loves to cook and spends time with his family whenever possible. For him, food and travel go together and he strongly feels that the cuisine reflects a lot about culture and people.

Our Tasting Menu

ANTIPASTI

From the cucina of Sicily, we were served the Parmigiana leggera di zucchine e provola , with alternating layers of zucchini with provolone parmigiana cheese., served with tomato and Pecorino cheese emulsion.

The Sicilian cuisine also has significant Greek, Spanish, French and Arab influences in their dishes.Thus making it the one unique cuisines from the Italy.

From the mountainous region of Italy, Piedmont , Mollefogelie di pollo con bagna cauda ,pepperoni e cipolle arrostite , a slowly cooked chicken dish with roasted bell pepper , charcoal onion , garlic and anchovies sauce and garnishes with a milfoil herbs.

This region of central Italy is known for some exquisitely rich savory dishes featuring truffles and cream sauces that go well with its powerful, tannin-heavy full bodied Nebbiolo grape red wines.

PRIMI

Ravioli di burrata ,pesto di mandorle e pomodori secchi , ragout di melanzane e ricotta , a ravioli pasta of Burrata with egg plant ragout and ricotta in almond & sun dried tomato pesto. from the Mediterranean region of Sicily.

Made with large, very broad, flat pasta noodles pasta Pappardelle that are similar to wide fettuccine, Pappardelle all’ocio con ragout d’anatra ed anatra affumicata , is cooked with smoked duck in the duck meat sauce. The dish is inspired from the classical Tuscany dish.

While researching, I found out that Tuscany cuisine is rustic with usage of lot of vegetables ,Legumes, bread, cheese, mushrooms and fresh fruit.Based on the Italian idea of cucina povera or “poor cooking.”, the cuisine is all about simple meals that are inexpensive and could easily be made in large quantities and feed the community.Every region has its own traditional pasta and no prizes for guessing that Pappardelle is has its origin from Tuscany.

SECONDI

From the two options of Risotto zucca e funghi in guazzetto from the Piedmont and Sicilian Branzino del Cile , cous cous alla Trapanese e ghiotta , I chose the later.

The Arab influence is evident in this dish with couscous being used in the preparation.The perfectly cooked Chilean sea bass and served with Ghiotta sauce.It is a savory Sicilian brown sauce made with simmering the fennel, tomatoes, olives and capers together.

With lavish portion and rich ingredients , I was already feeling full. But my lust for dessert that could see on the tasting menu kept me on.

DOLCI

I could the beautiful symphony of flavors in the Cannolo di ricotta al frutti e pistacchi croccanti con salsa al frutto della passione , the dessert from the Piedmont region.The Fruit Cannolo with the pistachios and the passion fruit made it a delectable dish.

However the one who stole the show was the Bonet con mirtilli e amaretti , a cocoa , amaretti and caramel pudding with blueberry with its un-explainable flavors.

The Festival started will be on till 12 March 2017 and here is your chance to relish dishes from the various regions of Italy.Something perhaps you can also do while on a road trip in Italy.

It is always advisable to make prior reservations before you make a visit to your favorite Italian restaurant in Bangalore.