Experience The Joy Of Italian Cuisine @ Toscano, Bangalore

Italian food is all about ingredients and it’s not fussy and it’s not fancy – Wolfgang Puck.

I love Italy, the country, the people and their cuisine. As the above saying, it is much more than the recipe and know how to prepare them. Fresh ingredients and love are two special ingredients which makes their food special.

Toscano has been bringing the flavours of Italy to Bangaloreans for many years now. What begun as a one restaurant in Whitefield they have now expanded to many locations all across Bangalore.

I have great memories of my earlier visits to their Whitefield branch and it is with great anticipation I joined my friends at the Koramangala branch for a week day lunch.

Though located inside the mall, once you enter the restaurant you do not realise what lies outside. Their classy yet laidback ambience helps you settle you in for your meal. As expected their service is prompt and courteous, giving enough privacy just when you need it.

It is not possible to start a meal in an Italian restaurant without ordering drinks and here goes our order.

BEVERAGES :

No Italian meal is complete without an order of wine and for a change we were treated to a beer cocktail also.

A few of us even tried their non alcoholic Mojito’s ranging from the classic Lemon to the Watermelon and Mint versions. Though I do love the different flavours, I prefer the Classic Mojito anyday.

ZUPPA / SOUP: 

Chilled Tomato Gazpacho: For a change, we had a Spanish soup chilled and made with tomatoes, peppers and herbs. A good option for the summers.

ANTIPASTI / APPETIZERS :

Artichoke and Sun Blushed Tomato Bruschetta with Bocconcini: A perfect and light starter to begin any italian meal. Boccocini bits added that extra zing to the dish.

Chicken Bruschetta : Made with pulled roasted chicken meat, celery, onions in mustard mayo on toasted Tuscan bread with mixed greens, this dish is a non vegetarian’s answer to Bruschettas.

Spinach and Ricotta Polpettine: Balls of spinach and ricotta stuffed and deep fried, perfect portions to have as starters. Definitely a must try for the vegetarians.

Petit Chicken and Olive Ascolane:  I have had the pleasure of trying this dish during my travels to Italy but the veggie version. I loved the flavour imparted by the chicken to this stuffed olive starter.

Chilled Prawn Cocktail: Another soothing starter for the summer. As simple as it sounds, it isnt the easiest to make and I really appreciated the sauces used to make this a wicked little dish!

Spinach, potato, spaghetti & walnut croquettes: Crispy breaded croquettes stuffed with spinach served with finger chips, mixed greens & aioli.

INSALATA / SALADS:

A course which is not part of our staple diet and often overlooked in most cases is a must have here in Toscano. Fresh seasonal ingredients and perfect dressing enhance the flavour of these natural ingredients.

Goat cheese, Rucola & Pear salad:  Rocket, young spinach, pears, toasted almonds, salt roasted baby beet & sun dried tomatoes sprinkled with aged Parmesan shavings. Do I need to say more!

Toscano’s Caesar Salad: A very light salad made with a combination of crisp romaine lettuce, homemade garlic croutons, super aged parmesan with their special Caesar dressing and seasoned herbed oil.

Citric fruits and Feta salad:  A delicious medley of sliced fresh oranges, grapefruit segments, cucumber, shaved apples, carrots and red onions topped with Feta and house dressing. A summer salad if I may say so.

Pugliese classic: An Italian classic made of marinated cherry tomatoes, buffalo Bocconcini, kalamata olives, roasted bell peppers with basil pesto. I absolutely love bocconcini and this dish was heavenly thanks to it.

Insalata di mare: Another Italian classic seafood salad of prawns, calamari and crab sticks with mixed greens & pickled vegetables in lemon dressing. This salad was my choice for the meal and I had no regrets.

MAIN COURSE:

Homemade Pumpkin & Ricotta filled Ravioli: Ravioli needs no introduction but a pumpkin filled one was a first for me. Tossed in tomato cream and basil, this ravioli is quite an eye opener as I am more prone to ordering a Spinach ravioli.

Lasagna Verdure: Another Italian favourite which needs no introduction. Pasta layered and baked layered with seasonal vegetables, béchamel, Pomodoro and mozzarella cheese. I must mention it was absolutely delicious.

Vegetable Burger– I normally would not associate burger with an Italian restaurant but I guess this has been added to the menu to please all patrons. Served with French fries and coleslaw.

Chicken de Toscano– This is one of those dishes I have had many times at their Whitefield outlet and it never ceases to disappoint. Spinach and ricotta stuffed sage infused chicken breast served with bean ratatouille, roasted potatoes with their special in-house gravy.

Tiger Prawns – I love seafood and this particular day I decided to go with mainly seafood dishes. This dish consisted of grilled lemon and tarragon scented prawns served with spaghetti vegetables, warm potato salad, grilled tomatoes & lemon caper butter sauce.

DESSERTS:

Chocolate Kahlua mousse in almond tuile and crème anglaise: A crowd puller and Toscano’s signature dessert. It tastes as good as it looks!

Tiramisu – Another favourite freshly whipped Mascarpone Tiramisu served with coffee ice cream.

Traditional Crème Brule – Though a French original, one cannot ignore a perfectly caramelized crème brule served with chocolate biscotti and caramelized sugar.

Chocolate éclair with ganache and ice cream: A perfectly plated dessert , simple yet fulfilling.

Salted Vanilla Cheesecake: I am not a big fan of cheesecakes though I have had a fair share of them over the years. This particular one sounded different and I surprisingly enjoyed more than a spoonful.

Affogato al caffè–A traditional Italian espresso based dessert consisting of vanilla ice cream topped with Italian coffee and crushed amaretti biscuits. This dessert may look quite ordinary but I loved it and easily my best dessert of the meal. Beware, this is only for espresso lovers!

Eggless Desserts: Toscano have some options for the pure vegetarians.

Mango Pannacotta:  Served with mint, fruits, orange and vanilla ice cream this is a custard dessert made without the use of eggs. The mango flavour is quite interesting adding that little something to an otherwise simple pannacotta.

Warm apple crumble– Good old apple crumble with the pastry chef’s special touches of  cinnamon, raisins and strawberry coulis served with vanilla ice cream.

Toscano is definitely one of the authentic Italian restaurants in Bangalore and offers one a perfect meal be it a casual lunch with friends, an office get together or a romantic dinner with your loved one.

Ambiance – 4.5/5 

Service/Hospitality – 4.5/5

Food Taste – 4.5/5

Beverages – 4/5 

Quantity/Quality – 4.5/5

Value for Money – 4/5