Anna Nagar is buzzing with activity after new pubs like Spiritz and 6th Avenue have sprouted around the neighbourhood, giving it a much-needed taste of good food and drink. However, cafés are always a welcome break from dance floors, to grab lunches or dinners, making it quite a necessity. House-turned-office space and now a diner, Mozza Ristorante becomes the latest café in the area to serve delectable non-fussy Continental cuisine, for all diners looking to break away from the noise with some snug dining.
Mozza comes from the owners of The Scoop Bar in Kilpauk, which has now relocated to Anna Nagar. Co-owner KarnanRamamurthy, primarily in the construction business, opened the café after he was influenced during his stay in the US with the kind of food Indians love, which is Italian and Mexican, he tells us. Situated above the ice cream parlour, with colourful interiors depicting sombreros and the Eiffel Tower among others, the café is vibrant in every aspect. It has all-day breakfasts, soups and salads, and starters including the humble bruschetta and Classic Squid Rings, encompassing a wide range of Mexican, American and Italian food.
Beating the heat, we start with a chilled Granita (Italian coolers) called Spicy Strawberry — strawberry juice with green olives, the pink frozen drink is spicy and sweet, with a touch of ‘chef’s magic’, as the menu tells us. Chicken lollipops are definitely favourites, but now they can now be considered a thing of the past because Mozza serves innovative Crab Lollipops. Crumb-fried, the soft crab meatballs, on crab snappers are simple yet delicious when accompanied with chilli, and beetroot sauce along with mayonnaise.
On the other hand, the classic fried Arancini is stuffed with risotto balls and mozzarella, easily making for a light snack. With so much variety in Mexican cuisine, we decided to try a quesadilla and love the sound of Chicken Hawaiian Mango BBQ. It is loaded with grilled chicken, vegetables, pineapples and cheese and mixed in mango sauce, BBQ sauce and cheese. Sweet, spicy and cheesy, it is packed with flavour. The feast does not end there. Fish Tacos come next — stuffed with fried strips of fish, vegetables, a tangy salsa with cilantro and sour cream, we loved with every bite.
Italian food is incomplete without a slice of pizza and with Pizza Bowls on the menu, we couldn’t help but be intrigued. The Grilled Mushroom and Spinach pizza bowl is simply a pizza served with an upside down thick crust topped with sautéed mushrooms, fresh spinach and melted mozzarella cheese. Skipping the usual choice of pastas — Alfredo and Parmesan, we try Pasta Pink Sauce. Tossed with Napolitana and Alfredo sauce and mozzarella, the penne pasta has broccoli, baby corn and black olives, and leaves a lasting impression on our palate.