ARTUSI RISTORANTE E BAR, DELHI

VERITABLY ITALIAN

The food is elegant while retaining the robust flavours one would expect from an Italian meal. 

LOWDOWN

The decor, the ambience and the service all reflected the warmth and care that one would expect when dining in a warm and friendly Italian home that I felt at home at once. Italian food has been adulterated and generally syncretised to a significant degree. It is therefore gratifying to dine on good, authentic Italian food. The promoter Gurpinder Balcon, an Italian citizen born in India who has exceptional knowledge and passion for fine authentic Italian food (married to an Italian) from the Emilia-Romagna region, is ever ready to explain every dish on the menu with great gusto. All in all, Artusi is utterly charming, utterly homely, utterly comfortable and utterly delicious!

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

The experience at Artusi is truly Italian. We started with a Prosecco at the before with Bruschetta before moving on to dinner. The food is elegant while retaining the robust flavours one would expect from an Italian meal. In keeping with the spirit of Italian cooking, everything is fresh and the flavours are kept simple so they balance each other. Sometimes, simplicity can be the hardest thing. Chef Romina Lugaresi takes on an emotional approach to cooking. She almost takes it as a responsibility and enjoys watching people eat. The menu is grand and extensive with faultless final products. Go for the tasting menu if you want a bit of everything. If a la carte is your choice then to whet appetites, a platter of ‘Calamari Fritti’ deep fried, served with a tangy spicy red sauce, a mild and creamy white sauce and a slice of lemon set the right mood. Not to be missed also is the homemade ‘Piadina e Crescione’ a platter of selected cured meats that includes Prosciutto di Parma that has been aged for 24 months, as well as salame, mortadella, fine cheeses and herbs. The selection of risotto and soup is a must try. ‘Risotto Ortolano’ made with the highest quality Carnaroli rice and seasonal vegetables and authentic Grana Padana cheese is decadent to the core.

Pasta is made fresh every day to guarantee the best quality. Their egg less Strozzapeti (an artisanal and rustic pasta made with flour only), is best taken plain with just tomato sauce (pomodoro). Speciality dishes run a mile long and include the likes of ‘Grigliata Mista’, a platter of premium quality mixed meat cuts and sausages - served with rosemary potatoes and grilled vegetables is rich but not overwhelming. The tiramisu is the Pride and joy of the restaurant and another good bet would be the Panna Cotta. 

As more and more Italian restaurants mushroom all over the country , Artusi has set itself apart by going authentic in its cooking. It is obvious that nothing is compromised here, from carefully engineered dishes, to impeccable service, the ambience is extremely European, and it definitely is a cut above the rest. The experience doesn’t end with the food but spreads on to the service, wines and the service under the Italian speaking General Manager Aman Chaudhry.

ABOUT THE CHEF

Romina Lugaresi Is the Executive Chef of the restaurant. Romina has been at the helm of kitchens in the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and now in India. Throughout her twenty years her focus has been on the cuisine of her native land Emilia-Romagna. It does not hurt that Romina was born and grew up in the same village in Emilia-Romagna like the owners’ family! She appreciates that Artusi Ristorante e Bar does not have, nor plans to have, any other outlets. ‘I simply want to deliver the very best only, every day of the week, thus I trust my team but I also keep a close watch on every dish that leaves my kitchen’ says Romina smilingly.

Promoter Gurpinder Balcon with Executive Chef Romina Lugaresi

FAST FACTS

Address: 24, M-Block Market, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi

For Reservations: 011 4906 6666

Meal for two: INR 4,000 plus taxes.

Timings:

Lunch: 12:00pm – 3:00pm; Dinner: 6:30pm – 11:30pm

Bar: Café Bar: 8:00am – 4:00pm; Cocktail Bar: 4:00pm – 1:00am 

published in Tlf