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Address: 55, First Floor, KB Dasan Road, Seethanmmal Colony Extension, Opposite SIET College, Teynampet, Chennai
Time: 11:30 AM – 11 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,300
Cuisines: Italian, Mexican, Salad
Facilities: Home Delivery, Vegetarian Only
Little Italy – La Pizzeria, Teynampet, Chennai: DECOR
A lift leads to the front-door restaurant. The first thing I see is a delightful mocktail bar.Cocooned in the warmth of wood and soothing dark brown, this is a cosy restaurant. Comfortable sofa seating is an open invitation to linger over cappuccino or dessert. Chairs with armrests offer comfort to those wanting to eat, enjoy the food. Next, I notice the wooden ceiling beams, adding rustic appeal to La Pizzeria.
Little Italy – La Pizzeria, Teynampet, Chennai: FOOD
Colored peppers, broccoli and baby corn dot the barley broth of the Zuppa D’orzo. Healthy and light, it packs flavour. Textures include the different densities of the well cooked veggies. Be sure to stir it as the barley grains are at the bottom of the bowl.
Another soup that captures my interest is the Zuppa Di Ravioli. My senses keenly tune in to each nuance. Like a treasure in a bowl, that single ravioli is stuffed with walnut, ricotta cheese and orange shredded pumpkin: blending together, naturally, harmoniously. None of the ingredient overpowers the other; quite an achievement for any chef. Bruschetta Misto has thin slices of crisply toasted home-made bread, garnished with different toppings. I must admit my favorites are mayo with green olives and the tomato chilli jam. Green olives have a distinct tang that the black ones lack, while the tomato chilli jam is hot, sweet and quite memorable. Insalata Modena, a salad after my heart because of its lightness, is made using rocket greens and pears boiled along with beetroot (for their colour). An olive oil with salt and pepper dressing is quite enough, while parmesan cheese graces the salad with its unmistakable presence.Regio Risotto is a winning main course. I love that they have used brown rice, and am pleasantly surprised that the tough-tocook rice has absorbed the pesto and rich tomato and béchamel sauce. Each grain is a little packet of flavour. This risotto is a complete meal, with broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers and the inevitable parmesan. Panna Cotta Basilico looks pretty on its black platter, its shiny pale greenness decorated generously with fresh strawberries, basil leaves, sliced kiwi and plum. Yes, it has the wobble but holds its shape well. My spoon sinks into the China grass-thickened deliciousness. The slight tartness from fresh fruit only enhances the creamy smoothness of that Panna Cotta.
Little Italy – La Pizzeria, Teynampet, Chennai: PLUS AND MINUS
La Pizzeria and its older sibling, Little Italy have mastered making vegetarian Italian food. The only minus I found was in the Asparagi Arancini. It did not stand out by itself, and the salsa dip completely overpowered the golden fried orb.
