Penne for your thoughts

On the busy 80 Feet Road in Indiranagar is the restaurant Chianti, sandwiched between a gym and its own parking space. The restaurant is on a higher platform, in keeping with the original meaning of its name ‘Chianti’, a mountain in Italy.

The restaurant is known for its authentic Italian cuisine and of course red wine and cheese. A spacious place with dim lighting and jazz tunes, it is artistically done up
with paintings and artwork displayed on the walls. They have a minibar and small semi-circle tables.

The restaurant boasts that its complimentary bruschetta is the most authentic one available. You will notice the unusual things like olive oil and a how to ‘make your
own bruschetta’ instruction card.

Pick the slice of your baguette and make your own bruschetta accordingly. Don’t worry, it’s complimentary.

If your cooking skills are as bad as mine, order their ‘Bruschetta Al Pomodoro’ which is topped with tomatoes, Italian basil, garlic and parmesan cheese.

The ‘Crostini’ is the best thing to choose because it gives a bite of all the snacks in one plate, where toasted bread and mozzarella cheese are accompanied by toppings
like grilled vegetables and toasted mushrooms. This assorted fare is sure to please your tastebuds.

An authentic Italian meal would be incomplete without cheese. Their ‘Piatto Di Formaggi’ is an exotic platter of imported cheese. You most probably wouldn’t have tried these before.

The fine wooden platter and slicing cutlery will make you feel like a true Italian.

If you are a health freak, opt for the ‘Insalata Di Caesar’ which comes with crisp romaine, Iceberg lettuce, Garlic croutons with olive oil and shavings of parmesan cheese. You can add chicken or bacon to it to give the feeling of being in the foodie group.

The main course has a variety of pastas, pizzas, risotto and lasagna to lure your tastebuds. ‘Penne Al Pesto’ is a green coloured version with fancy promises of being delicious but which actually tastes like the henna you apply on your hands.

Go with the classic ‘Gnocchi Di Pattate’ which is a combination of spinach, potato and four types of cheese sauce that is sure to leave you wanting for more.

Round of the meal with desserts from the menu. ‘Bomba Di Ciocolato’ is a bomb of chocolate with the classic vanilla ice-cream and chocolate cake with lava-like chocolate oozing out. The plating of the dish is definitely Instagram worthy.