Christmas in Bengaluru is gentle and warm, with cool evenings, glowing lights and people stepping out to celebrate together. Restaurants across the city become part of the season, offering festive menus, cosy spaces and small details that make dining out feel special. This Christmas, Chianti Ristorante & Wine Bar brings that spirit to all its locations, staying true to its identity as a welcoming Italian dining space. Guests can expect a festive menu of Italian favourites, a candlelit setting, the return of Chianti’s signature Plum Cake and a thoughtful cookie-decorating kit for children — making it a relaxed and cheerful place to celebrate the season. We recently made our way to the restaurant’s Indiranagar outlet to check out what they had in store for this festive season and by the end of our meal, we were filled with Christmas cheer.
Our meal began with the Zucchine Arrosto e Feta — a simple yet flavourful starter. Roasted zucchini was paired with crumbled feta, cherry tomatoes and olives and finished with microgreens and a drizzle of balsamic reduction. Light and fresh, it set a cozy, comforting tone for the rest of the festive menu. This was followed by the Fettuccine ai Funghi Cremosi. The fettuccine came coated in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce, with wild mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, which added depth and balance. This dish was comforting and indulgent — definitely one of the dishes we enjoyed the most during this culinary journey.
Comfort classics to a cosy Christmas finale
Our meal continued with the Tortellini al Tartufo d’Agnello. This dish had hand-folded tortellini, stuffed with rosemary-infused lamb shoulder and finished in a creamy truffle sauce. The long roasting time of eight to 10 hours gave the lamb a deep, comforting flavour. No wonder this dish was one of the fast moving ones from the menu. Our last dish before we hit the dessert section was the Pesce alla Siciliana Gratinate. This was crumbed fish that was baked and paired with roasted fennel, rosemary potatoes and zucchini. It looked like a very balanced dish. The flavours were smooth and the lemon caper butter sauce added a subtle citrus note that gave a lift to the dish.
Our meal came to a close on a warm and comforting note with two classic desserts. The Torta di Natale — Chianti’s traditional Christmas plum cake — which was served with a scoop of icecream, making it rich without being heavy. The spices and dried fruits from the cake came through perfectly. Alongside this was the Crostata alla Crema della Nonna — a grandmother-style vanilla custard pie topped with a light mousse and set on a buttery crust. Simple and familiar, it brought a sense of comfort and nostalgia — rounding off the Christmas menu on a relaxed and homely note.
Meal for two: INR 1,800 onwards. On till January 1. Across outlets.
Email: alwin@newindianexpress.com
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