Bangalore restaurant reviews Expensive

Alloro

Wednesday, October 19, 2016Me! In words

We recently got back from a family vacation to Bangkok (posts on which will be up soon! Can you imagine sifting through over 600 photos for a logical sequence?!). It was a hectic vacation as one can imagine and when we got back, we were happy tired, like really tired! And so, when the opportunity for a staycation over the weekend at the Crowne Plaza in Electronics City appeared, it sounded like the best thing to be able to get that relaxing vacation we were in desperate need of. 

The Crowne Plaza is part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and is a business hotel, perfectly located in the business hub of Electronics City. So whether you are looking at hosting visiting colleagues or at entertaining them in style or even simply looking at getting away from the grind of the corporate world, Crowne Plaza gives you the opportunity of not venturing into the CBD (we all know what traffic in Bangalore is currently like), some great restaurants in Alloro (Italian), East (Pan Asian), Terminus (the bar) and 24@43, the all-day cafe and a Spa, an infinity pool and more. You will read more on the offerings of Crowne Plaza is an subsequent post. For now, let me take you to Alloro, their Italian restaurant.

Alloro is located on the reception floor, to the right of the reception, in fact. It is a lovely, naturally lit up space. As soon as you are seated, your table will be laid with home made spiced butters and lovely basket of warm bread is brought for you to take your pick. I opted for the olive foccacio and was not disappointed at all.


We left the entire meal in the hands of Sous Chef, Chef Arun and asked him to decide on what we should have and even the wine that should accompany the meal. He chose to serve a heavy red Reserve- The Castillo De Molina, a Chilean wine, that could have done with some decanting, but still proved to be one of those wines that worked well from Antipasti to Dolce.

 
Our meal began with Zuppe - Minestrone de Verdura alla Genovese - this was the classic Minestrone, with a vegetable broth base, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, carrot, all in little scoops floating around. What gave it that Genova touch as the touch of pesto that had definitely been done in a mortar-pestle. A hearty soup, that was as delicious as it was colourful. 
Another soup that came to the table was a first for me, the Bollito Misto - a wine based soup broth with beef and chorizo. This deep red coloured soup had chunks of chorizo, which in the wine based broth brought about an interesting blend of acidic flavours. The soup has done its time simmering and its evident in the flavours. I personally loved it, but can imagine it being an acquired taste for some. The presence of a Ribollita in the soup section made me very happy. Very few places know how to make a good one.

 The Antipasti Platter with Cured Meats and another with the classic Bruschetta

 Chef Arun brought to the table next the Panzanella Salad. Traditionally a bread based salad, this was an interesting twist with the salad presented inside a toasted, hollowed out bread shell - a salad Bunny Chow style if you may! Light, refreshing and very colourful, this salad packed all the crunch to make it a good one. And definitely not to miss on it are the Parmesan biscuits! Bite into one and tell me I am wrong!

I have never tried an Italian rendition of the soft shell crab and so this one, when brought to the table piqued my interest quite a bit. The Granchi Soft Shell is placed on a bed of warm parmesan sauce that is speckled with watercress. The crab is fried crisp and makes a perfect base for the sauce that can only be described as a good one way ticket to food heaven.

Our main course was the Guanciale di Manzo - Sous Vide cooked beef cheeks in a wine reduction paired with creamy polenta. Beef cheeks are not easy to work with - but these had done enough of time to quite literally be melt in the mouth. The creamy polento provided a great, if rather heavy offset to the beef cheeks.

Anoushka requested a Gnocchi considering that is her current Italian favourite. The Gnocchi al Pomodoro - potato gnocchi and in a basil pesto and tomato sauce with boncoccini. Packed to the rim with flavour - the Italian tomatoes internationally sourced but locally grown - add to profile of this dish. The cheese makes it a treat!

Anoushka loves Apple Pie and so that made an appearance - warm with shredded apple, sprinkled with cinnamon and spot on.

Chef brought out the classic Tiramisu, because you can't really do Italian without thinking Tiramisu at least once. The orange segments add that nice citrus touch to an indulgent dessert.

I got the Vanilla Pannacotta, over a biscuit base with candied oranges over it. Need I say more!



Alloro is quite the gem hidden in Electronic City and deserves much more attention than it gets. The restaurant offers a separate dining area for larger groups (that you see in the image above), making it good for both parties or office breakouts. A meal for two here is approximately Rs 3000++. 

Address: Crowne Plaza, #43, Electronic City, Phase 1, Bangalore.
Phone - 080-39854710
Cuisine - Italian
Accepts cards - Yes
Parking - Valet
Location - You can find the hotel here

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