Its been a while since this blog has seen a post that comes from our own explorations of the city's culinary offerings. Am starting on that track again, a little closer to home - Jayanagar. Toscano opened its doors rather quietly in this part of the world. It took us a while to get here, and we had two pleasant meals here. Nice location, right next to Madhavan Park, though I would have preferred if it overlooked the park and not the petrol bunk. Valet parking - brownie points for that. On our first visit for lunch we were told that the downstairs is for the buffet and the upstairs catered to those who preferred a la carte. And so up the stairs we headed. 

Chalk boards with trivia, walls done up with similar chalk-based quotes and notifications and a full fledged bar set up (Pity though that the wine license is "a month away maybe"). Menus in hand it was time to order. 

The set-up upstairs. Nice sofa seating is available that overlooks the buffet counters downstairs and the petrol bunk on the outside. 

Some nice bread with pesto and olive butter while we waited for the food to come. 

One our first visit we asked for the Mango Margharita - Mango crush, lime juice and sugar. And the Citrus Mint Cooler - Basil, lemon, mint and lemon zest with ice. Both pleasant without being overly sweet, or sour. 

The second time we had the Virgin Sangria - cinnamon, apple juice, pineapple juice. And the Tricky Mary - Tomato juice, Worcester sauce, Tabasco, lemon juice, and freshly ground pepper in a salt rim glass. The description said celery stick, but that wasn't there. I really enjoyed the Tricky Mary, would have loved if the ice had done its thing before the drink reached our table, but nevertheless it was a nice one. I am more the savory than sweet person, and this peppery, spicy drink hit the spot. The Sangria was nice, the non-alcoholic version would have been better. 

Starter on our first visit was the Crispy fried young spinach, ricotta and Chicken Polpettini with a bellpepper coulis and a salad of rocket and parmesan. 4 polpettini skewered onto a stick and served exactly the way it is described. These were seriously nice with the spinach, ricotta and chicken coming together really well inside the crispy coating. The textures have a nice play and the chicken thankfully is not

Lamb burger done medium well, with an add-on of bacon, which though not on the menu was still done for us on request. Accompaniments of salad and fries made this a complete meal. A nice tender patty and lightly fried bacon... can't really go wrong with this combination. 

I was a on a pasta trip both the times that we visited Toscano. The first time, I had the Spaghetti Carbonara with basil pesto, bacon and freshly ground pepper. Overall pleasant but I found the sauce drying up a bit too soon and the spaghetti turning clumpy. 

Anoushka asked for a "plain" Pizza and so the Pizza Margharita it was. This came to us piping hot - 6 large slices and very homely. She enjoyed every bit and so did we.

Another time, I had the Seafood Linguine. Squid, fish and prawns in a tomato sauce base. Again, not too impressed with the sauce. I am a fairly good cook and I felt my home made pasta sauce tastes better. 

Sudhakar had the Chicken De Toscano - Sage infused chicken breast stuffed with ricotta and spinach, gnocchi on the base and a vegetable ragout ensconced in slices of aubergine. I have always found his order to be better than mine, without exception, every single time, every place we go to. The chicken in this one was moist and stuffed generously with ricotta and spinach. What  I really enjoyed though on this was the vegetable ragout wrapped delicately in thin aubergine slices and the little gnocchi (surprisingly, there isn't a standalone gnocchi dish on the menu, risotto yes, gnocchi no).

Cafe Latte which wrapped up one meal and which Sudhakar said was nice. 

Another time, we chose the House special Crepe Suzette - crepes in a brandied orange sauce with orange peel, served with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon powder on the edges. Soft crepes, in a lovely, tangy orange sauce with vanilla ice cream. Just right for two people to have a spoon fight over. 

Toscano has a small specials board that is brought to your table and read out. The service is prompt and the staff know what's on their menu. I wouldn't say this is Italian on the level of Chianti or Via Milano, at least for me personally. But the place does serve a good meal, the presentation is nice on every dish and it does fill the lacuna for an Italian restaurant in this neck of the woods. Each visit to Toscano set us back by around Rs 2000. They have separate loos for the sexes and are clean.