Italian food seems to be the flavour of the season. From a showcase of PDA certified Italian cheese at the Italian embassy to Chef Alessandro Sandrolini taking over the kitchens at the famous Italian restaurant La Piazza at Hyatt Regency Delhi. The place seems to crackle with activity as cavern like feel of the place comes alive. A wood fired oven rolls out some thin crust pizzas as Chef Sandrolini sheperds his team in the live kitchen, in preparation for our decadent menu.
A conversation with Wine Sommelier Viraj Sawant veers towards the Sangiovese and Barrolos while a debate starts about the lack of buttery flavours of the Californian Blackstone Chardonnay. The menu, as usual is replete with the clean, crisp flavours of Italy. But where Chef Sandrolini exceeds is the staying away from the classical combination of pizzas and pastas and instead focussing on other dishes that skyrocket La Piazza to the top of the charts.
We start off a creamy Parmesan Crème Brulee and white truffle oil combined with a sparkling Luna Argenta Brut from Italy. The rest of the menu proceeds with a warm Asparagus Veloute and a Tuna Tarter. But again, I fall hopelessly in love with the Mushroom Stuffed Tortellini and Brown Butter sauce. Served with a lightly flavoured Red Bertani Vallpoicella, the chef and the sommelier allowed the warm, earthy flavours of the mushroom to shine through along with a medium bodied, slightly tannic wine. The garlic in the butter just heightens your taste sensation. A combination that you should try out. The mains included an Oven roasted Pork with tenderloin and a gnocchi paired with the explosive La Bracessca from Italy.
The menu runs till 15th February and is available at INR 3900++ and INR 3500++ for Club at Hyatt members. But the crisp, Italian flavours from Chef Alessandro Sandrolini is something that you can expect for some time to come.
