Have you ever heard of sub-cuisines? Well, you must have, otherwise how will you be differentiating between Punjabi and Bengali food. Well so does the omnipresent Italian food have its own sub-cuisines. Although you may have tried out some of the Sicilian and Tuscan food, one of the major cuisines in Northern Italy is that of Emilia Romagna. Located in the foothills of the Alps, the food is rich, creamy and luscious and it is something I absolutely fell in love with. Although finding Italian food in Delhi has become quite easy, but finding the Emilia Romagna cuisine is pretty difficult. Artusi Ristorante located in GK-2 M Block market was one of the flagbearers of this cuisine. As owner Oscar Balcon decides to open up a store in Gurgaon, we decided to pay a visit.

Check out the review of Artusi Ristorante e Bar in GK-2, M Block Market

Exploring Black Truffles in Artusi Ristorante in Piazza

Set on the plaza level of the Two Horizon Centre on Golf Course Road Gurgaon, I fall in love with the restaurant, from its extensive wine list to the ongoing black truffle festival. The truffle is a mystical thing indeed, grows very irregularly yet is still revered in dining cycles. The fungus grows in only very specific regions in France, Spain, and Italy and has a typical earthy, oily flavor which imparts a flavor not found anywhere else. It is displayed in all its glory with Pan Seared Scallops with a Cauliflower Puree. The addition of a few slices along with a crispy Ham adds it’s requisite aroma.

Coming back to the food of Emilia Romagna, the region has a prominent use of milk and cheese, especially Parmesan. Many of the sauces are usually based on this cheese as I tried out a Chicken grilled with some herbs, mushrooms based in a Parmesan sauce. Oscar opens up a bottle of Chianti Classico, one of my older flames so that the conversation flows much more easily. Being a native of the region, he tells me about his love for pork and pork lard. The Pork Ragu pasta, Tagliatella al Ragu is a dish which is right from his family’s kitchen, the warm, homely flavors something I totally adore.

Although I am a big fan of sweet desserts, the subtle flavors of Italian desserts with their associated tartness. Here, I find some strawberries soaked in wine along with some mascarpone cream. The abundance of tartness has me hooked. Artusi Ristorante’s authentic food from the Emilia-Romagna region is something that truly deserves a visit.