The Italian festival at Bene, Sheraton Bangalore

I had the pleasure to come back to Sheraton and this time it was Bene again, to try out their Italian menu created by Chef Mori La Greca. He is an excellent person who isn’t that well off with English but he has the spirit in him to communicate with us and most importantly his fellow colleagues.

A few words about the Chef, he started his career in Milano in 2001. He progressed from most fashionable clubs in Milan to a well-renowned restaurant La petit plage in Juan les Pins, France. He is now heading at ll Canneto as master chef at the Iconic Sheraton Milan. He has come to Bangalore to share his delicious dishes with Sheraton’s customers and to prep his fellow colleagues here.

Before I start of, I want to inform you that the portions shown in the pictures are baby portions. We had requested the Chef to prepare baby portions, so that we could taste more of his dishes.

Drink

I requested the bartender to prepare something in watermelon, he made a watermelon mojito. It was a very refreshing drink but I faced a small problem every time when the seeds found its way through the straw.

Antipasti (Appetizers)

Involtini di zucchine melanzane, basilico, pomodoro confit e mozzeralla .. e crosini di pane al parmigiano. This is a zucchini eggplant, basil, tomato confit and mozzarella and crosini bread Parmesan. The eggplant was wonderfully made and in my opinion a person who hates eggplant can develop a taste of the same with this dish, the reason is the blend the slightly burnt eggplant. I loved it so much that I cleared my plate in a jiffy.

Tris di pomodori e caprino. This is a varity of tomatoes with caramelized shallot dressing with seasonal greens and crumbled goat cheese. I am not a fan of goat cheese but in this dish it was the savior. I felt that the seasonal greens left a lasting impression but when you have a spoon full with some goat cheese it become completely balanced. The tomatoes are from "Frist Agro Farm", which are chemical free but rich in taste.

Soup

Green zucchini soup with mascarpone. Kindly do not go by my serving cause it is a cream soup with a good heavy punch.

Pizza

We had the Pizza Margherita with was with mozzarella, tomatoes and fresh herbs. This is as light has it looks but very delicious cause of the simplicity. The pizza vanished inside us in a matter of seconds.

We were served a calzone but I am very unhappy to say that I cannot recall the name. It was hotter than it looked by which I burnt by tongue. It was a good.

Primi Piatti (Pasta Dish)

We had the Cannelloni di anatra, ricotta funghi e crocante di parmigianno. This is a Cannelloni of duck with ricotta cheese, mushrooms and crispy parmesan. The best part is the duck, it looked yum and tasted way better. A treat that all duck eaters that cannot miss.

Gnocchi di ricotta con fonduta blu e nocciola, this is ricotta cheese gnocchi in blue cheese sauce and hazelnut. This dish hit the spot. This is slightly on the cheesier side with a good balance to it but it can fill you up very easily.

I Risotti (Rice Dish)

Risotto ai Funghi porcini, this is a risotto with porcini mushrooms, fresh herbs and truffle oil. I was full and this dish did become a challenge but it tasted so good, due to which some space was automatically made in me. This is a very pleasant delight.

I dolci (Sweets & desserts)

Tartino di cioccola, crema inglese vanilla e gelato alla canella. Which is a chocolate fondant with vanilla sauce and homemade cinnamon ice cream. This is a perfect example of a hot and cold dish that complemented each other. The chocolate fondant would fill your mouth and completely occupy all corners of you mouth, the cinnamon ice cream does the trick of cleaning it all out, so that you can enjoy the chocolate or if you are a fan of cinnamon ice cream then vise versa.

Mousse di ricotta, cioccolato, limone candito, cialda croccante e crema di pistacchi. Which is ricotta mousse, chocolate, candied lemon, crispy wafer and pistachio cream.

Tiramisu espuma is the Chef Moris style of tiramisu. We had the pleasure to have the actual tiramisu and frankly both are really good. If you have the room to have both then do have it, if you don’t have too much room then you cannot miss Tiramisu espuma cause this is on the lighter side which is equally tasty.

The original

Chef special

If you want a homemade ice cream made in any flavor you want, then do give them a 4-5 hours heads up. They do take it if they can do it.

The Sommelier is expected to pair each dish with a wine. The management is expected to launch a four and five course meal, with and without wine.

Sheraton does a weekly buffet on the Saturday night (depending on the weather) where the east meets west, here the buffet includes the Italian dish, Persian and Indian dish.

The Italian Food festival has started on 21st Mar and it is expected to be open till 29th Mar. If you have the taste for Italian Food, do visit to have authentic taste.

Sheraton website : http://www.sheratonbangalore.com