Game, Set, Italian
The newly introduced set menus Luna at Ottimo, ITC Maurya, offer a delectable journey through the best of what the spectacular outlet has to offer.
By Suman Tarafdar
Set menus. Italian cuisines. Isn’t that an unbeatable combo? Even as set menus get increasingly popular, hotels are looking to offer the most appealing menus. Ottimo at West View at Delhi’s ITC Maurya has just launched an exclusively Italian five course set menu. Ottimo of course is already one of the most sought after culinary destinations in the city for the best of Italian dishes – a selection of antipasti, live grills, wood-fired oven baked pizzas, artisanal pastas and much more.
Amazingly, this set menu is even named – after the ancient Roman goddess and personification of the Moon – Luna. Perhaps a nod to the millennia old excellence of the peninsula’s rich and diverse legacies. As the menu card for the set meal says, ‘In ancient Italy, Luna, the Roman goddess of the moon, was believed to guide everything grown, harvested, and shared at the table. Her gentle pull shaped the tides that enrich coastal waters, the seasons that ripen Italy’s finest produce, and the evenings when Italians gather to dine, connect and celebrate life. Reflecting this heritage, Luna presents a five-course experience that honours the ingredients Italy treasures under her glow. From the freshness of the land to the richness of the sea, each paired with beverages selected to elevate flavour, texture and aroma.”
Buffalo mozzarella and fresh heirloom tomato drizzled with extra virgin olive oil from Sicily and balsamic reduction.
Red prawns, asparagus, burrata, with burnt onion and pink tomato.
The menus come in vegetarian and non vegetarian options. The vegetarian menu offers Caprese Di Bufala E Pomodoro Confit (Buffalo mozzarella and confit fresh heirloom tomato drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction), Zuppa Di Carciofi Di Gerusalemme Con Cioccolato E Gorgonzola (Jerusalem artichoke soup with gorgonzola and dark chocolate), Tortelli Ripeni Di Asparagi Conditi Al Burro Bianco Profumato Al Tartufo (Tortelli stuffed with asparagus tossed in truffle scented white butter), Funghi Morelli Farciti Con Poltiglia Di Piselli E Salsa Al Formaggio (Stuffed morel mushroom, pea mash and fontal cheese sauce) rounded off with a choice of gelato. Look out especially for the artichoke soup and stuffed morels. If your Italian meal is incomplete without tiramisu, maybe you could request for a switch – the other menu offers it!
The non vegetarian menu is almost entirely different. Starting with the Gamberi Rossi Asparagi E Burrata Con Cipolla Bruciata E Salsa Di Pomodori Rosa (Red Prawn, asparagus & burrata with burnt onion and pink tomato sauce), followed by the Zuppa Di Patate E Porri Con Capasante E Tagliatelle Di Seppie (Scallop, cuttle fish tagliatelle, potato and leek soup, extra virgin olive oil), Pappardelle All'anatra Profumate Al Tartufo (homemade pappardelle pasta tossed with slow roasted duck ragout, Parmigiano Reggiano and a drizzle of truffle oil) and Costolette Di Agnello Alla Griglia, Servito Con Pure Di Patate, Spinaci E Verdure Saltata (Tender grilled lamb chop, served with mash potato, spinach and sauteed vegetables) along with the aforementioned tiramisu. Yes, if you do eat meats, this is the option to go for – burrata, seafood soup, pasta with duck ragout and of course lamb chops. And the tiramisu!
Scallop, cuttle fish tagliatelle, potato, leek soup, tossed with extra virgin olive oil.
Yes, the restaurant might have been going for the longest dish names on the menu, the flavours and textures of the successive dishes will cause to call for encores. The menus highlight seasonally relevant Italian produce, and artisanal techniques that respect the integrity of ingredients. The portions are just about perfectly sized, and a leisurely meal allows patrons to appreciate the handcrafted pastas, slow-cooked preparations, and vegetable-forward compositions.
Of course the menus are offered with wine pairings as well. While the menus are priced at ₹5,000 for both options, you could also choose options with the wines, which are priced ₹10,000.
Pizzas? They are available separately!
Ottimo at West View at Delhi’s ITC Maurya is one of the most sought after culinary destinations in the city for the best of Italian dishes.
