Enjoy the best of Lombardy Food at Italia -The Park, this month

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Over a decade ago, my first ever Italian destination was the international fashion capital, Milan or Milano as they call it. There I found out that the fashion centric Milan has some rich and extravagant cuisine too. The natives of Lombardia are known for using butter, cream and lard generously in their traditional cooking methods.Now of-course,many have shifted to the Olive oil in their daily cooking, I was told.

“ Luxurious, Diverse and Cultured – the three words that aptly describe the Lombardy cuisine. ”

Recently I was invited for the preview of the Lombardy Food Festival at The Italia at The Park, Bangalore with few distinguished foodies. I was exhilarated since I was getting an opportunity to try the north Italian cuisine again after ages. The Italia Restaurant is known for organizing the monthly food fest ,where they showcase best of the regional cuisines of Italy.

During this fest, they would serving some of the classical and popular dishes from that part of northern Italy.It may be surprising to many, the cuisine has similarities with that of Austria and central Europe in many aspects. The capital city Milan and other cities from the region have their own specialties dishes.

Curated by their Italia Chef Basheer ,the lavish promotional menu has over 30 thirty dishes including some of the famous ones like Risotto alla Milanese con ossobuco , the Veal shank with saffron flavored risotto and Penne milano , the pasta with Chicken tenderloin with bacon, mushroom, tomato and cream sauce , the classical autumn dish ,Rissoto ai funghi porcini etc.

After the “conversazione ” with Chef, he headed back to his kitchen , while we excitedly waited for delicious fare. Meanwhile we were served the Chianti wine,from Tuscany region of Italy.

First to arrive from the kitchen was the Insalata di pollo alla griglia , nicely flavored grilled chicken and mixed leaf salad with avocado slices, semi-dried tomato sprinkled with balsamic viniagrette. Perfect start to our Lombardy food sojourn, I must confess.

The Brushetta originale , Milano, served to us , had nice amalgamation of flavors with Prosciutto, fresh tomato, bocconcini, rocket and parmesan slice on pizza bread.

DSC 0210 Fotor

Along with the salad, we were served the Zuppa alla pavese , a chicken broth soup named after the city of Pavia in Lombardy. Usually termed as humble soup in the cucina povera ( poor’s kitchen) tradition, it has bread and poached egg added to the broth.The chef here told us that soup has been innovated by adding pumpkin to chicken broth, making it more consistently thick than the usual one.Perhaps a complete meal in itself for many , I felt.

The Rissoto ai funghi porcini was next to arrive at our table. Made with the gourmet porcini mushrooms, this Rissoto preparation is a classical autumn specialty of the northern Italy.Truly delectable, I found the rissoto bit over cooked for my palate.

From the pasta section of the festive menu, we were served Fettuccine al ragu e porcini , a nicely done Fettuccine pasta with lamb and porcini ragu. Though I am not a huge fan of pasta and prefer alla norma , this one was good indeed.

DSC 0232 Fotor Among the mains, we were served the Oven roasted salmon fillet with fennel and zucchini, Salmone al forno con finocchio e zucchine. Most of us found it little over cooked from the base ,but it was nice overall, with nice flaky meat and browned skin.

For me, no Italian meal is complete without their dolci ,Tiramisu and it was no different here. The beautiful crafted cylindrical Mascarpone cheese mousse, in a mixture of coffee & Nescafe syrup was a true delight.

Fragolini al balsamico , the Cinnamon, balsamic vinegar flavored Strawberry and mascarpone cheese Crostini , interestingly could be part of the Antipasti and Dolci both, some of us felt.

What : Lombardy Food Festival

Where: Italia at The Park, Bangalore

14/1, Sivanchetti Gardens, M.G.Road, Bangalore 560001

+91 80 2559 4666

When: January 18th ,2017 onwards

Timings : Dinner – 7:00 PM-11:30 PM