Tour to Italy with Singh Saab!

Ciao Chatoras,

I’d been little off the blog and writing lately. Well, I guess you must be having a hint of where all I have been busy and hogging  through social media platforms. Nevertheless, it’s been a while that I haven’t been on a date. Well hello! Do we need a boyfriend to go out on date?? I’d been to many with my closest friends and that have been just as amazing as it could be.

For me a perfect date is a fancy place, a glass of wine , Italian food and the people who matter to you. Sounds like I am a chill seeker but yes, I sure am. Talking about the Italian food that hits on top of the charts on my favourite cuisine list. I am a person who loves authentic Italian rather than the desi styles incorporated these days. Dined at few finest restaurants in India like Mezzo Mezzo, Romano’s , Alba, Toscano, Alto Vino, Bene, Chianti and many more. I have always been a bit particular about this cuisine. Well, Bhopal sure has an Italian speciality restaurant but I look for more options and authenticity from what I have learned through my experiences of dinning at various Italian restaurants.

One such incident happened when I was invited by Anmol and Ravindra Jee for Italian Food Festival at Courtyard by Marriott mentioning about the guest Chef Sarvesh, coming all the way from JW Sahar and was a team member  during the opening of the Famed “Romano” restaurant which is currently India’s Best Italian restaurant. That call just evoked a lot of long lost Italian memories.

Olive Oil, tangy tomatoes, fresh basil, toasted mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, the aroma of garlic simplest ingredients bringing in the finest taste and world class cuisine.

Chef Sarvesh mentioned when his dream came true, when he got selected to travel to Italy along with his Italian Master Chef to learn and understand the specific cuisine they wanted to showcase at “Romano”. He spent two long week in Florence Marriott with his chef and learnt the traditional Tuscan cuisine from renowned chefs, visited vineyard, cheese makers, olive farm etc.

Coming to the food festival, Momo Cafe is all decked up with live stations to give you a short trip to France and something you would want to come back to every day. One thing I want to appreciate about the menu is that, since Bhopalites or rather I should quote Indians are more into going fusion style and adding extra spices and Indian touch to things, just in case you don’t like authentic Italian which is bland, you can also try the fusion versions of Italian food or get it customised as per your choice.

I was welcomed with a fancy drink made with cranberry, lemon, crushed ice and soda fizz.

(ONE THING I HUGELY APPOLOGISE IS THAT I DO NOT HAVE PICTURES OF THE MAIN COURSE AS I WAS TOO BUSY EATING AND DIDN’T WANTED MY FOOD TO GET COLD THIS TIME *Facepalm*)

ANTIPASTO – FIRST COURSE MEAL

Bruschetta:

Thick slices of bread grilled, rubbed with garlic, drizzled with olive oil and topped with the simple ingredients is a fresh, simple and delicious Italian appetizer.

Roasted Bell Pepper Bruschetta  and Tomato & Basil Bruchetta:  Sweet, seasonal tomatoes and bell peppers when roasted along with basil are such a perfect pair. This classic bruschetta is worth all the praise.

Italian Breads:

Focaccia Bread is a spongy Italian bread that is sure to elevate the standard for the forth coming meal. Loaded with herbs and different-different toppings, the Focaccia Bread is bursting with flavours. Relish it with a steaming hot bowl of soup or pasta .

Main Course

Chicken Pizza Indiana:

India meets Italy in this unique Indiana Pizza! P.S. Thin Crust – Check. Thin crust pizza is perfect for a pizza lover like me who prefers to taste more of the sauce, cheese and other toppings.  An assortment of veggies along with chicken was richly flavoured, marinade and then sautéed to intensify the flavour. Good to try!

Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli:

Ravioli is a type of dumpling made of plain flour dough, stuffed with cheesy, garlic-flavoured spinach. It is then topped with white sauce and cheese, seasoned with chilli flakes, and baked till the topping melts and coats the Ravioli. The first bite itself takes you to heaven. Must Try!

Mushroom Tortellini:  

I thoroughly enjoyed this dish. The tomato sauce was light enough to offset any heaviness the cheese in the tortellini may bring, and the mushrooms contribute an earthiness that is always amazing with tomatoes.

Penne Arabiata:

Sugo all’arrabbiata or commonly known as Pasta Arrabiata is a spicy Italian pasta sauce made with garlic, tomatoes and red chilli peppers cooked in olive oil. This lip-smacking Penne Arrabiata was a real champ, because of the perfect texture and because of the use of some cheerful herbs and some cheese too.

Porcini Rissoto:

A simple yet sophisticated meal. The traditional way involves cooking it with white wine but this was without that and simply flavoured with porcini mushrooms, butter and Parmesan cheese. Tasted delicious.

Vegetable Lasagna:

Vegetable Lasagna is an Italian staple dish. It is vegetable mixed with sauce and cheese and layered in between of the lasagna sheets. Tasted brilliant.

Found one picture of Lasagna in my Snapchat memories 😛

DOLCI

Zabaglionne: Traditional Italian dessert made with egg yolk and sugar. This was the first time I tried this dessert and I won’t lie it did not appeal me much.  Maybe my expectation were high seeing the dessert coming to the table.

Chocolate Souffle: Souffles are known by their rich, creamy, buttery texture. This souffle had a perfectly soft and buttery uniformity, which was further enhanced by a rich, chocolatey taste along with vanilla ice cream. Heavenly dessert spotted! 😀

The menu has excellent options for vegetarian and non-vegetarians  and unquestionably has more than what you just read here. What I love about the Italian style of cooking is the gentle use of seasoning and spices. Everything is done ensuring that the core ingredient stands out.

An excellent opportunity for Food lovers of Bhopal to learn and explore about Italian cuisine. The festival is for 10 days, so no excuses required. Head to Momo cafe today!

Till then, Happy Hogging!

Thank you Anmol & Mr. Ravindra Soni for the invite. 🙂

Thank you Mr. Girish, Chef Ravinder, Chef Reddy, Chef Sarvesh, Mr. Alok, Bhaskar & team for an exceptional culinary experience every time. 🙂

I look forward to coming here again during the festival.

P.S. The author was invited and the reviews are personal.

Tastes are subjective and may differ from person to person.

Food Festival:  Singh Saab Italy Return

Restaurant: Momo Cafe, Courtyard by Marriott, Bhopal

Address: DB City, Arera Hills.

Date: 24th Nov to 2nd Dec 2017

Valet Parking: Available

For Reservations Call: Bhaskar – 8349101524

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