The Aperitivo @ Caffe Tonino, Connaught Place

Connaught Place has been having a resurgence of sorts. After having lost its Numero Uno place to go for food to Gurgaon and South Delhi, the emergence of new modern eateries is again pushing CP back to the top of the pyramid. One of these restaurants is Caffé Tonino. Although the southern part of Dellhi NCR is flush with Italian eateries, for the first time we see a restaurant which tries to achieve the impossible task of serving authentic Italian food to the family based clientele here. And boy do they do the job well or what?

Set in a classic relaxed Italian Café style, the small tables have place for loads of relaxed conversations over a glass of wine and food which delights the palate. The décor is typical Tuscany. With bright sunshine filtering in, a wood fired oven and sprigs of onion and garlic hanging, this place reminds you of balmy Tuscan summers. With the launch of their new Aperitivo menu, they have definitely made their name felt in the busy circles of Connaught Place.

An Aperitivo is North Italian tradition from 1700’s. To put it out simply, it’s basically socialising over drinks and finger food after a long day at work. The concept of Aperitivo is that people go to their café and order your drink and get snacks on the house. The Aperitifs open up your appetite for a more satiating meal later on. We take their menu down step by step.

The Aperitivo is long and illustrious. A platter of marinated olives, peanuts, nachos and chicken mortadella is placed in front of us. The Sparkling wine of the Bellini (INR 523) and the Kir Royal (INR 553) leave a refreshing taste on your tastebuds while the bitter Negroni (INR 423) is a classic though acquired taste. Manager Rohtash Parischa is a budding bartender and his creativity shows in the spin off on the Classic Negroni with a Negroni Sbagliato (INR 593).

Well, once the aperitivo has gone down, the hunger starts to rumble. We start off with the Insalata Rucola Con Pere (INR 280). A sprightly salad with the crispiness of the rocket leaves combining in a loving harmony with the Honey balsamic and the acidity from the cherry tomatoes. A mighty fine way to start off the meal.

The Panino Speziale alla Caprese (INR 380) is an open sandwich with minimalistic yet stark flavours of buffalo mozzarella, fresh cut tomatoes, red onions on multi grain bread.

We also had a go at their thin crust pizzas. Although there have been a multitude of thin crust pizzas coming up all over town, the basic principle of keeping it simple has been forgotten. The Salame Piccante (INR 495) , pepperoni and the Sundried and olive pizza keep things simple. Stark, Spartan flavours that spin a web of simple tastes on your palate.

In mood for something healthy, try the Farroto di Vegetali. Tuscan wheat grains simmered with tomato sauce, made into a sticky gruel with vegetables and boconccini. Earthy, warm flavours of Italy. The Ravioli di pere e pecorino con salvia burro e mondorle (INR 380) is a pear and pecorino ravioli with a creamy nutty almond sage butter sauce.

Although being an Italian Café, Tonino still keeps a small World Section. We try the Peri Peri Chicken (INR 450) which is soft, juicy and unlike the travesty served at Nando’s. Combine them with some crispy fries and some salad, this is for one of those days you might not be in the mood for Italian.

End your meal with either the Chocolate Lasagna (INR 250) or the Tiramisu (INR 175). The Tiramisu is pretty much classic but it’s the Chocolate Lasagna that deserves a mention. Layers of chocolate cake sandwiched with flowing chocolate along with the Vanilla Ice Cream is a decadency which you will keep coming back from.

 

Caffé Tonino lets you enjoy the balmy Tuscan sun in the scorching Delhi heat with some authentically cooked food and some drinks that make your evenings that much more merrier.

P.S: Rohtash is introducing a new summer menu which has some quirky refreshing drinks. The J.Balarina is rosemary infused gin, basil and sparkling wine which gives a wonderful cold feeling as it passes down your gullet while the 16th is a masterful concoction of Vodka, Aloe Vera and Passion Fruit. Something to definitely look forward this summer.