All you staunch patrons of Fruit Shop would not have missed this new American Italian eatery, christened Gallopin’ Gooseberry (don’t ask us why!). Neither did we – a casual jaunt over to the aforesaid thirst quencher oasis brought this new eating joint to our notice. Being the brave and adventurous souls that we are, we decided to test this American Italian eatery.

The inside looked like any other hip and upcoming eating place – spartan furniture in light wood colours, with a neon signboard proclaiming "Salad bar". After seating ourselves into a nice corner, we sat around, waiting for someone to come and enlighten us about this great mystery called "American Italian" cuisine – well, if you had imagined any Godfather kind of food, with olive oil and peppers, please forget it! What was on the menu was good ole pasta (Well, they DID say Italian!), as well as some burgers thrown in (the American bit).

For starters (or appetizers), there were the usual choices – french fries, garlic bread, cheese balls, mushroom balls, chicken wings etc as well as the usual spectrum of soups. Then came the burgers and the pasta. Us adventurous souls decided to plunge headlong into the Italiano stuff – so we went in for Mushroom Veg. Cavatelli and Spaghetti with cheeseballs.

The Cavatelli, is Penne pasta mixed with Marinara sauce, mushrooms and topped with melting cheese. If you are a  person of mild palate with an aversion to fire alarm spice, then this dish must be your first choice. It was piping hot alright – after that, our choice of adjectives ran out.

The Spaghetti was a different story – the helpful waiter promised to make it spicier than usual. As I was fooling around with the dish, the red chili sauce and the chilli flakes, the state of the bland spaghetti struck me as something chronic. The cheeseballs were real good tho’ – I just wish he hadn’t forgotten to spice up my life.

Finally, for dessert we unanimously decided upon the pineapple pie with vanilla ice cream - the best way to polish off a meal. The hot pie is claimed to be home made and with its mouth watering flavour is a gastronomical treat – the indisputable highlight of the meal.

For people who love their food spicy then Italian cuisine is just not for them. Especially the Indian palate has become accustomed to a variety of spices and first timers might find the food real bland.

So why Gallopin’ Gooseberry you may ask. Don’t look to us for enlightenment – at the end of the meal, the only thing that came gallopin’ out was us goose-s!

Address: Gallopin' Gooseberry,  11, Greams Road, Chennai.

Malini & Lavanya

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