Toscano ~ a slice of Italy in Bangalore
In the city of Bengaluru, I barely pass a day without hearing about a great restaurant or a fabulous eating joint that brings the best of food and chefs together for a heady gourmet experience. Toscano is one such.
Languid in the afternoon at the far end of Level 3 in VR Bengaluru, this fine dining restaurant is situated in a location most restaurateurs’ would eat their hearts out for. The brainchild of internationally acclaimed Chefs Jean Michel Jasserand and Goutham Balasubramanian, Toscano is an auspicious symbol of their collaboration resulting in a delightfully appeasing menu, sophistication in their food design, and a winning sense of presentation in continental dishes.
Toscano Restaurant & Wine Bar has its presence around the city through its branches in UB City, VR Bengaluru, Whitefield Forum Value Mall, Koramangala, Jayanagar, and Orion Mall. Run under the management of Red Apple Kitchen Pvt. Ltd, the chain ensures the same look and feel in each of its restaurants. Offering an intimate yet vibrant atmosphere, Toscano recreates an old-European ambience through its exquisite design which includes high ceilings complemented by a rich dark green décor with gold lettering, chalkboard menus that remind you of Italian roadside cafes, and gorgeous alfresco spaces. Add a splendid wine bar that boasts a lovely collection of 32 wines and 13 brands of beer from around the globe to all of this, and you have yourself a fabulous dining space that makes you feel like you are being transported to Tuscany!
The winning space, brilliant chefs, and the weather in Bangalore that is pretty congenial at most times, discreetly connive into making this restaurant a perfect place for savouring that wood-oven cooked seafood pizza while sipping Chenin blanc. Some will unarguably find this to be the perfect setting for a romantic evening, but don’t look at me, because I’m always focused on the food here ~ so love affairs will have another evening.
Fusing the best of old and new world Italian cuisine, Toscano, rated as the “Best Italian Restaurant in Bangalore” *Times Food Guide 2014*, offers an eclectic menu from gourmet pizzas to their signature delicacies. Here’s what I chose to sample:
Italian Mix Seafood Meal Soup
{Mixed seafood with New Zealand mussels and tomatoes}
Fresh seafood is hard to beat, and this was such a great dish with so many beautiful colours! Fun fact: the New Zealand green-lipped mussels used in this dish are a bit larger than your average mussels and often turn a bright orange when they are cooked, lending a vibrant look especially once garden fresh vegetables and herbs are added. These delicious mussels were a real treat, and I could taste the fresh dill and parsley which added such a rich aroma to the soup.
Fact: Mussels are a rich source of nutrients, assisting your body in maintaining healthy joints which in turn enhances mobility and gives your body the ability to naturally repair and build damaged cartilage. Additionally, it is also known to be a powerful aphrodisiac that provides lean protein along with minerals like manganese, iron, selenium, zinc, et al. essential for a healthy libido.
Citric Fruits and Feta Salad
{Mixed greens, sliced fresh oranges, grapefruit segments, cucumber, Roma tomatoes, shaved apples & carrots, red onions topped with oregano marinated feta and house dressing}
I am proud of the splendid produce grown in our city, but whenever I yearn for a fresh salad, Toscano is the first restaurant that crosses my mind. The truth is that it has never disappointed me, especially when it comes to my all-time favourite ~ the light, crisp, and delightfully refreshing Citric fruits and Feta salad. I find myself savouring every bite because of the flavours that go together beautifully where each bite has a different twist to it given the variety of ingredients.
Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino
{Extra virgin oil, garlic, chilli, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, fresh basil & parsley with mixed seafood, broccoli, a touch of white wine and lemon}
This late-night Roman staple is astonishingly full-flavoured. While Toscano uses the classic recipe for the pasta, it adds its own delight in the form of the toppings ~ lightly toasted fresh breadcrumbs, seasoned with your cheese of choice, either Parmesan or Pecorino. Chef Michel has further added an authentic soul to this classic pasta recipe with gorgeous flavours that stand out through the use of ripe tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil all the way from Tuscany, making for a rather perfect meal paired with an Italian salad and Audelle Merlot.
Chicken de Toscano
{Spinach and ricotta stuffed sage-infused chicken breast served with bean ratatouille, grilled vegetables, roasted rosemary potatoes, and house gravy}
This dish was absolutely fabulous, and once again had high ingredient quality and efficiency in execution. The oven-fried chicken had retained every bit of its juiciness ~ moist on the inside and crispy on the outside. The stuffing was rich and the distinctive flavours of the gravy made no effort in taking away from the delectable taste of the chicken.
Seared Beef Fillet Steak with Goat Cheese
{Medium done served with root vegetables}
Heavenly beef distinguishes itself with a moist velvety mouth-feel. The beefsteak which occupies pride of place on Toscano’s main course list certainly fulfilled this rarefied quality.
A classy main course for two that bears its origins in the Italian region of Emiglia-Romagna, the beef fillet steak had a remarkable taste with a crunchy crust and a melt-in-your-mouth centre. Perfectly seared with its juices intact, it was served on a bed of seasoned mashed potatoes with garden fresh vegetables that were in perfect complement to the steak.
Tiramisu
{Everyone’s favourite ~ freshly whipped mascarpone tiramisu served with cinnamon gelato}
This classic Italian dessert actually benefits from being made ahead, allowing all the lovely flavours to mingle. And as a Tiramisu-Lover, this rich and creamy dessert served with a delectable cinnamon gelato and an über-cool presentation was positively the best Tiramisu I have enjoyed anywhere!
Toscano’s Signature Chocolate Kahlua Mousse
{Mousse in almond tuile and crème anglaise}
Desserts are heavenly. They are meant to be. And, the Chocolate Kahlua Mousse at Toscano seems to be at the top of the paradisaical range of desserts that I have ever tasted! The intoxicating blend of chocolate and liquor along with a caramelised crust was sensuous on the palette. I loved the texture, and almond tuile is something to die for. In addition to the taste, this dessert had a visual appeal to it by way of an intricately patterned caramel sauce ~ dramatic and delicious!
After my delectable meal, the afternoon sun luxurious in the very relaxing VR Bengaluru environs, I was in general good spirits and decided to take a small peek into the busy lives of the pots and pans and the chefs, of course, in Toscano’s kitchen. The junior chef courteously took me for a walk-through. The kitchen has a wood-fire oven, eat bays and a strew of bain-marie all across the cooking bay along with well-defined areas for blanching, keeping cooked dressing at just the right temperature, and all other things that are required for a decently quick service. The small kitchen was a hub of activity with chefs bustling around which resonated an extremely functional kitchen to me.
Toscano is now also open at the Forum Mall in Koramangala with its same menu and feel. So for people who reside in that area, Tuscany just got closer home.
Address: 3rd Floor, VR Bengaluru, Mahadevapura.
Timings: noon ~ 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm ~ 10.45 pm
Disclaimer: This review was done on an invitation from Toscano restaurant. Due judgment and care have been applied by the author to remain objective and unbiased in the review.