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Address: ITC Gardenia, 1, Residency Road, Bangalore, Karnataka India
Time: 7 PM to 11:30 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 3,000
Cuisines: Italian, Salad
Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar Available, Live Music, Valet Parking Available, 4/5 Star, Luxury Dining, Wifi
Ottimo – ITC Gardenia, Richmond Road, Bangalore: DECOR
An Italian restaurant on the premises of most of the newer five-star hotels in the city has become an essential. Ottimo was among the first of these and is, therefore, a trend-setter of sorts. Located at the lobby level of the ITC Gardenia, this is an elegant dining room with a buzzing live kitchen providing a contrast to its starched formality. Green button leather sofas and vibrant prints of herbs add colour to an otherwise muted palette.
Ottimo – ITC Gardenia, Richmond Road, Bangalore: FOOD
I was dining here for the first time in many months and it was an opportunity to explore the latest menu. My first course was Burrata Con Insalata Italiana Olio Delle Colline Umbre E Balsamico Tradizionale. It’s a mouthful, yes, and it is the now ubiquitious burrata salad, this one benefiting from being anointed with top quality extra-virgin olive oil. It was recommended to me by the enthusiastic Chef Sasha, who heads the kitchen here and is a protégé of Ottimo masterchef Vittorio Greco. Well executed as it was, this particular dish has now become so commonplace, it precludes any element of surprise or discovery.
At my table, there was also the Parmigiana Revisitata con Olio Al Carbone. This is Chef Greco’s reinterpretation of the classic parmigiana and comprises a trio of aubergine, tomato and parmesan mousse drizzled with carbon oil. Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer this dish bubbling and robust, ready to feed a crowd, not styled into Insta-friendly quenelles. If, however, you like adventurism on your plate, you’re bound to love this one.
My next course was scallops with chorizo, served with garlic sauce and it was a tasty take on surf and turf with delightful textures and flavours. For pasta, it was a crab and mascarpone ravioli which was pleasant without being exceptional. My main course was a fine example of the virtues of simplicity — a beautiful piece of seabass poached in a broth of celery, olives and capers and served with toasted ciabatta. Olive oil is brought to the table and you can give the fish and bread a good drenching. Light, fresh, sparkling with zesty flavours, the dish was perfect.
A dash of drama accompanied my dessert, the Torta Caprese Con Sorpresa. Known in less rarefied eateries as ‘chocolate bomb’, this involves pouring hot chocolate over a thin chocolate shell encasing more chocolate, causing the whole to become, what else, but a molten indulgence of chocolate.
Ottimo – ITC Gardenia, Richmond Road, Bangalore: SERVICE
ITC delivers flawless service and it’s no different at Ottimo. Chef Sasha’s personal attention and interaction with guests also enhance the dining experience here.
Ottimo – ITC Gardenia, Richmond Road, Bangalore: PLUS AND MINUS
It’s top quality Italian here. Some dishes, such as the burrata salad and seafood ravioli, have begun to take on a slightly jaded air, on account of being menu staples everywhere. If you order these, you could be dining in any Italian restaurant in town.
