Chola Sheraton, Chennai is currently celebrating an Italian food festival. Authentic Italian cuisine is served for both lunch and dinner at their pool facing cozy eatery, Café Mercara. Chef Sonali Bahri has created a special menu under the guidance of Executive Chef Vijay Malhotra. Chef Bahri who has been with the Sheraton for many years has exclusive training in Italian cuisine. 

Besides expert skills in Italian dishes she also knows how to create a fine meal with the right combination. From the highlands to the plains from the metros to the sunny Mediterranean islands. Flavours of Italy from cuisine hotspots of Milan, Rome, Sicily and Venice. The exhaustive menu takes you literally though a journey to the country. While there is an abundance of meat, poultry and seafood that will delight diners, the chef has included a number of pure vegetarian dishes. 

For starters you can have Calamari Fritters, which has stuffed squids with jalapeno pepper. Or you could settle for olive Ascalone, minced chicken olives, which are fried and served with a spicy lemon sauce. It is a delicacy that escapes description. Other starters on the menu are Arancini, fried rice balls filled with Mozzarella cheese and Bruschette made with Eggplants. If you prefer a soup, there is a choice of three - Tuscan onion soup, Seafood soup with tomato and Vegetable soup.

If you love gourmet Pizza, you will enjoy the choice of three types of pizzas. Pizza Tutla Funghi comes with a topping of three mushrooms - black, button and Shitake. The tomato and cheese base is seasoned with garlic, lemon and Parsley. Tutto Salami pizza has a delightful combination of chicken salami, roast capsicum, anchovies as toppings over the tomato and cheese base. You can create your own pizza by your own combinations of toppings - tomato, bell pepper, mushroom, zucchini and a variety of cheeses. 

Become a Pasta master! Match any of the listed pastas such as cornucopia or spagatti with a large variety of sauces. To name just a few - Traditional rich and meaty sauce with hand cut meat, Garlic-olive-red chilli sauce, Marinara seafood sauce, and Carbonare, a cream sauce with black pepper and egg yoke. To enjoy your pasta you can choose any of the three vegetable side dishes. 

A tempting array of Italian delicacies in the form of deserts will surely test your will power. The time-honoured Tiramaisu seems to the popular choice. A selection of exclusive Italian wines are also available to augment the meal. Italian coffee will be an ideal way to finish your meal in style. 

Until August 23rd Chola Sheraton is offering this delightful and truly Italian Treat both for lunch and dinner. 

Mama Mia, you don't want to miss it - do you
Call 044-8110101 for details.

Sam Kumar
sam_kumar1@yahoo.com 

Published on 16th August 2002