Little Italy

Have you ever heard of chicken tikka pizza? Yes! Chicken Tikka. And yes, it sounds Indian but that’s the fun part. Italian food has become such a huge part of our lives that we have adapted the cuisine to suit our palates which brings us to desi-pizzas. These Indianised versions of the pizza comes with spicy rich desi toppings which is adored by our Indian patrons a lot. Chennai has bore witness to the rise of Italian food all over the country. The city itself welcomed an influx of Italian food. The cuisine took over the city by spreading itself in every nook and corner in the form of bistros, road-side cafes, delivery chains and gelato parlours. One brand soon became synonymous to Italian food in the country. ‘Little Italy’ started its journey in the 90’s in Pune and since then has gained popularity for its clever likable menu.

Patrons liked the brand so much that Chennai alone got numerous outlets. Little Italy in Nungambakkam area is a charming outpost. Designed in a very appealing and warm manner, the restaurant is highly sought after by the local families, tourists and gourmets. The décor showcases a room dominated by wooden finish. Light brown wood is used all over the room from the floor to the furniture. Furnishings are sturdy but comfortable. If you are part of a large dinner party ask your server to lead you to their private dining area which is done in a contrast of pale lime green. Here, Little Italy has thrown in some sofas as well to add to the comfort. As the restaurant is in a busy area, it’s always buzzing with activity. It might be difficult to bag a table so book ahead.

You might be surprised to know that Little Italy practices a complete vegetarian menu. It’s budget-friendly too which is another reason for its popularity. Start by ordering yourself a nice refreshing drink like a fruit punch or ice tea. Then comes antipasti or as we call it – appetizers. Tuck into, cheese fondue, special crostini, bruschetta al Pomodoro, Caesar salad, arancini alla siciliana, crespelle, melanzane alla parmigiana, Pomodoro minestrone, pale di potato and herbs garlic bread with cheese. Take the next step with assorted pizzas or pastas such as, pasta pummarola, risotto al funghi porcini, pizza Napoli, pasta all ricotta, pizza nawabi, cannelloni alla florentina and lasagne alla napoletana. Finish the meal with classic Italian desserts, tiramisu, choco walnut fudge or panna cotta.