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

VEGETARIANISM THE LATEST FAD

Hectic lifestyles with a bombardment of health messages sure leave most of us confused. Most of us try diets, and the latest trend now is a Vegetarian food diet and there are posh only vegetarian restaurants opening by the dozen! Transition to vegetarianism is on the rise and more and more people are worried about what they are eating and soon enough Vegetarian food consumption will boom worldwide.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to research, vegetarians tend to live longer on an average than those who eat meat-based food regularly. This is the main reason why people all around the world are becoming vegetarians. After all, herbivores are generally healthier than carnivores. This is also the reason why doctors recommend following a vegetarian diet to patients with obesity, arthritis, asthma, osteoporosis, gout, ulcers, arthritis, hypertension, allergies, gallstones, piles, colitis, kidney stones, depression, and premenstrual syndrome.

Interestingly Vegetarianism dates back to a time before recorded history. Many anthropologists believe that most early humans ate primarily plant foods, being more gatherers than hunters. While being a vegetarian isn’t for everyone (including me), I meet lots of people every day who tell me they are vegetarians or would like to become one! According to many big name industry analysts and food companies, is that vegetarian dining and a reduced level of meat consumption is a rapid growing top food trend across the world. Proof of this can be found in the grocery store. Where Heinz used to be the only vegetarian baked beans available, now there are several varieties on the shelf, from Campbell’s to store brands. On most menus throughout the US, Canada and Europe I noticed vegetarian options for those who prefer the vegetarian diet. Vegetarians believe that this diet is much healthier than the average diet, which includes animal products. Last time when I flew by Emirates to Seattle, I noticed the vegetarian meal option seemed very creative for an airplane.

The Vegetarian Mezze Platter On Emirates Business Class

At a wedding dinner I again noticed a gamut of dishes for the vegetarians and while eating in a restaurant in India, l have noticed the growing trend toward vegetarianism. 

 Verdure Ripiene - at Artusi, a posh Italian Restaurant in Delhi

Interestingly on a recent trip to Mumbai I stayed at the Sofitel Luxury Hotel and I was mesmerized by the splendour of classical French Heritage and the magnificence, beauty and luxury of a world-class hotel. Interestingly with The Bharat Diamond Bourse aka the world’s largest Diamond Bourse having moved to Bandra Kurla Complex, Sofitel Luxury Hotel has been smart and opened ‘Tuskers’, a Vegetarian Dining Bar especially for the selective eaters.

True to its name the restaurant is inspired by the most regal of creatures, the merciful vegetarians i.e. the Elephants. I found Tuskers to be a delicious mix of contemporary ambience echoed in the rich warm leathers, walnut chesterfields, carpets, grill works, elephant motifs and plush wood. The restaurant had on offer the choicest vegetarian fare, simmered to perfection in the most exotic spices. To complement the food, the wine cellar houses a fine repertoire of wines and the bar offers a range of exclusive and rare single malts, as well as classic cocktails.

A VEGETARIAN SAGA BY MICHELIN STAR CHEF VIKAS KHANNA

Master chef Vikas Khanna recently launched his book alongside KitchenAid’s cordless hand blender with excellent Vegetarian recipes.

‘Hymns from the Soil’ is an exquisite amalgamation of gentle, pure, heart-warming tales from a vegetarian kitchen that overflows with nature’s harvest. The recipes in the book accentuate the purity and spirituality of vegetarian food while bringing in cultural and regional nuances. This food journey is interspersed with Vikas’s own personal journey – whether it is going back to his kitchen garden in Amritsar and waiting for the cardamom to grow as a curious child or to exploring the cardamom spice farms as an adult, with the same level of excitement and enthusiasm. Hymns from the Soil offers a heartening tribute as Chef Vikas Khanna bows to Mother Earth.

CELEBRITY BYTES

Gaurav Gera

Shahid Kapoor is the winner of the title of Asia's Sexiest Vegetarian Man for 2011 after a fierce battle on PETA Asia Pacific website. Singer Faye Wong had been crowned Asia's Sexiest Vegetarian Woman. 

Actor Director Deepak Tijori

Actor Director Deepak Tijori has been a vegetarian all his life, ‘I relish simple vegetarian spicy food. I love moong and masoor dal and any good dish made out of potatoes… and I make the most awesome masala rice and aloo pyaaz tamatar ki subzi’, shares Tijori. 

Gaurav Gera, who is now the famed “Jhumroo” at Kingdom of Dreams is a vegetarian too and loves salads, ‘Being a pure vegetarian sometimes I don’t have too many options if Iam travelling’, jokes Gera, ‘That said, My favourite cuisine is South Indian. I often come to ‘Chennai’ at culture gully at Kingdom of Dreams for the Dosas’, he further adds. 

Comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi gave up Non-vegetarian food as he thinks vegetarian food is healthier.

Comedian Gurpreet Ghuggi

 ORGANICALLY VEGETARIAN

Certified organic vegetarian products are generally more expensive than their conventional counterparts; this is because the organic food supply is limited as compared to demand. Production costs for organic foods are typically higher because of greater labour input and because farmers don't produce enough of a single product to lower the overall cost. In spite of that within the last year most supermarkets began setting up organic vegetarian food sections to sell mostly locally grown organic produce including fresh vegetables, fruits, rice and tea. The popularity of organic foods can also be attributed to promotional and educational efforts conducted by local academic and environmental groups.

All in all vegetarian practices meet the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs…so GO Green…what say?

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BEING A VEGETARIAN

> Studies have shown that by following a well-balanced low-fat high-fibre vegetarian diet one would have lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity and a fewer varieties of cancer.

>This diet is lower in total fat, and one consumes proportionally a lot of polyunsaturated fat to saturated fat compared with non-vegetarians.

> Look younger - The content of fibre and lycopene in fruits and vegetables can prevent wrinkles as it serves as an antioxidant that reduces the potential for skin damage caused by free radicals.

  > With a diet is full of nuts, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables; one is likely to maintain a stable blood sugar level more stable. The outcome of this stability is consistent energy levels, which eventually does not bring about any fatigue feeling, especially post meals.

    > Most of the diet is capable of detoxing your body naturally.