Are there days when you crave a sweet treat that feels different from the regular flavors of a dessert? If you are an ardent dessert lover, Panna cotta will make your taste buds want more. What makes it favorable is the rich texture and elegant presentation. In today’s culinary scene, this classic dessert has made its way into restaurants across the globe. Before we explore the Italian restaurants in Bangalore, let’s learn more about the Italian delicacy, its origin, and its various flavours.
Panna Cotta means ‘cooked cream’ and is an Italian dessert containing basic ingredients like vanilla extract, gelatin, cream, sugar, and milk. After mixing these ingredients, you must refrigerate the preparation into moulds to give it a velvety finish.
Do you know where this delicacy originated from?
The origination dates back to the 1900s, in Piedmont, Italy. As per the tale in the culinary aspect, a Hungarian woman from the Langhe region invented the dessert. There is another interesting story about the history of Panna Cotta. It first added to the menu by Ettore Songia, a star chef at the restaurant named ‘i tre citron’. Depending on the parts of the world, people identify this delicacy differently. Moreover, it has become quite popular over the years so you can find several varieties today in Italian restaurants. To name a few, check out these Italian restaurants in Bangalore where you can find this dessert.
1. Chianti
Ambience:
One of the well-known and finest Italian cuisine chains in Bangalore, Chianti has its outlets in 7 locations. A warm embrace in shades of brown, dining here transports you to the countryside of Italy, where the elements blend with earthy tones.
The panoramic angle of the restaurant captures the placement of arches throughout and chairs with a rustic charm. The contrast of gold-toned chandeliers and maroon-green couches gives Chianti a luxurious appeal. You can also find a blend of art styles lining the wall, from contemporary to traditional portraits depicting Italy’s rich culture.
Surrounded by plants, Chianti’s outdoor seating amplifies your dining experience. What makes Chianti different? When you enter the restaurant, Chianti offers bruschetta preparation where the customers get to make it themselves. Adding an element of fun, you get to make your bruschetta by garnishing basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar to the bread.
Food & Dessert Recommendations:
Glazed with berry compote, you can find variations of toppings at Chianti. Served with fruit slices, fruit syrup, and sorbet dollops, the balance of a creamy and icy consistency makes the overall flavours of this dessert irresistible.
Chianti follows an artisanal concept where the preparation of cheese and pasta enhances Italian delicacies. From antipasti to pizzas, let’s explore the finest dishes at Chianti:
- Mozzarella Fritta– With a gooey filling of fried mozzarella cheese and a crispy layer, relish the flavours with a balsamic dip.
- Lasagne Al Forno– In options like vegetarian, minced lamb, or chicken, the layers are covered in a classic Bolognese sauce. Garnished with basil leaves and cherry tomatoes, this dish is served with garlic bread containing herbs and spices.
- Pizza Del Chianti– This pizza, made with pesto chicken, mushrooms, and roasted onion, is the in-house special. The combination of tomato sauce, olive oil, and sundried tomatoes gives a tangy taste with a hint of a herbed flavor.
- Linguine Peperonata– Linguine means “little tongues” when translated into Italian. This pasta is similar to spaghetti but has subtle differences. Another chef’s special of Chianti, parmesan cheese, and heavy cream are the highlights of this dish which gives a sweet and peppery taste.
You can book your table at any of these outlets:
Chianti Indiranagar
Chianti MG Road
Chianti Koramangala
Chianti RMZ Azzure
Chianti Bellandur
Chianti Forum South Bangalore Mall
Chianti RMZ Eco World
2. Bologna Italian Restaurant
Ambience:
What comes to your mind when you think of a vintage-themed restaurant? Having a wooden décor, Bologna captures the essence of the 90’s dining experience. Adorned with picture frames from Italy and crimson hues emitting from the dim lighting, the setting of this restaurant is apt for pleasant and memorable evenings.
Bologna also has outdoor seating that makes romantic moments worthwhile. The service here is quite prompt, making the hospitality well-known. Maintaining the authenticity of Italian cuisine, the dishes in Bologna are rich in flavor and presentation. The dessert here is no exception.
Food & Dessert Recommendations:
Served with a drizzle of mango syrup and topped with figs and papaya coulis, the quintessential vanilla panna cotta gives a subtle yet delectable flavor. Garnished with mint leaves, the aromatic undertone compliments the flavor profile.
You can also try out these lip-smacking dishes at Bologna:
- Funghi Aglio Olio– These Butter garlic mushrooms are sauteed with olive oil and pepperoncino chilies which are mildly spicy in flavor but give a tangy twist to the mushrooms.
- Broccoli al Pesto– While broccoli tastes great in many dishes, why not savor it solely? Sauteed with basil pesto and parmesan cheese, this dish will be added to your favorites if you love pesto.
- Ravioli Di Spinaci E Ricotta– From pink sauce to cream & mushroom sauce, you can choose from the 6 varieties of sauces you prefer.
- Penne Al Pesto- This dish is a must-try and is available in Veg and Non-vegetarian options.
- Chicken Cannelloni– This pasta, filled with ricotta and chicken, is shaped like tubes. Layered with tomato sauce, the flavor is rather juicy.
PS: For wine pairings, Bologna offers an interesting collection ranging from rose to red wine.
Address: #759, First Floor, 100 Feet Rd, HAL 2nd Stage, Appareddipalya, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038.
Contact Information: 080 4302 7392
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday- 12 pm-11 pm
Friday & Saturday- 12 pm- 11:30 pm
You can reserve your table here:
3. Via Milano
Ambience:
First opened in Koramangala, this Italian restaurant has several outlets across Bangalore today. The ambience of Via Milano is casual in the fine dining setup. With blends of brick stone walls, relaxed lighting, and turquoise & brown furniture, the seating arrangement is apt for big groups, families, and even duos.
Further from the entrance, you can also find a collection of alcohol to pair with your dishes. If there are days when a quiet afternoon and a hearty meal are in your mind, Via Milano has a balanced crowd and amenities like live music to make it a gratifying experience. Head to any of the outlets of Via Milano to check out the following food & dessert options:
Food & Dessert Recommendations:
Another rendition of the classic! With a balance of sweetness and set to a perfect mold, it is almost too pretty to taste. Adorned with apple coulis, and mint leaves, the burst of fruitiness from the strawberry syrup leaves an aftertaste you never want to get rid of. You can also check in with the restaurant to see if they serve a seasonal variety of this dessert.
Some of the popular dishes at Via Milano are:
- Barbeque Chicken Pizza– The barbeque sauce marinates chicken, mushrooms, and olives, and the first bite releases a smoky flavor. The tanginess of sun-dried tomatoes balances out the sweet-spicy flavors of the pizza. Topped with mozzarella cheese, the gooey texture makes it a heavy meal.
- Spinach Ravioli– If mild yet delicious flavors are your thing, the tender ravioli fillings are of spinach and ricotta. Made with tomato sauce and hints of garlic, this ravioli has a creamy finish.
- Blueberry Mojito– Made with fresh blueberries and lime juice, the acidic notes give it a zesty flavor. The lime wedges of this mojito also give it a visual appeal.
Outlets:
Via Milano Sarjapur Road
Sarjapur Main Road, inside THE GRAN CARMEN ADDRESS, near Decathlon, Ambedkar Nagar, Chikkabellandur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560035
Phone: 098451 95383
Via Milano Jayanagar
Located in La Marvella Hotel.2nd Block, Jaya Nagar East, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560004
Phone: 096638 87887
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday- 12:00 pm- 11:30 pm
Now that we have explored the options of this dessert in Bangalore, you can also try to make it at home. You can prepare the dessert’s basic recipe with a vanilla base, but you can also experiment by using a blend of flavors instead.
The traditional preparation method uses gelatin as one of the base ingredients. So, what is the alternative to an animal-based ingredient? You can still savor this delicacy in its true form using a setting agent known as agar agar. Red algae are used to make agar-agar. Check out these recipes below for a fun and cozy experience.
1. Coffee Panna Cotta
If you’re a coffee connoisseur and want to get your hands on “all things coffee,” you’ll likely bookmark this recipe. You will be mesmerized by the result of making this coffee panna cotta with just a few ingredients and an easy process.
PS: If you prefer a strong flavor of coffee, you can also experiment with moderation accordingly. Instead of topping with chocolate curls, you can add Gone mad choco sticks.
2. Creamy Rose Panna Cotta
Are you having guests over and want to prepare something unique? Or do you want one of your Sundays to be different from the usual? Whatever the case, trying out this recipe will surely make the moments worth remembering. In the culinary world, the rose gives an elegant visual appeal that adds to the extravagance of the dish. The ingredients of this recipe are accessible with a preparation time of less than an hour. The floral characteristics of roses linger when you taste them, making the aftertaste subtle and aromatic.
3. Passion Fruit Panna Cotta
Do the colors of summer draw you in? In this monsoon season, I am sure that some of you miss the heat. Well, at least the taste of summer can transport your spirits to a tropical haven when you try this recipe. This zesty combination of passion fruit and coconut milk gives it an unusual dessert profile, adding a hint of piquancy with passionfruit pulp topping.
Conclusion
What makes panna cotta dessert special is how the simplicity aligns with the elite character of this dessert. The recipes are easy to prepare, leaving room for detailed experimentation and presentation. The versatility of flavors, toppings, and syrup fuels your creativity to make the best out of your passion for the culinary field. So go ahead and check out these restaurants and recipes to revel in this Italian novelty.
About Vidhi Ashar
Vidhi Ashar is a freelance content writer & poet from Bangalore, India. She helps businesses monetize their overall content strategy and guides brands to implement practices that meet the best standards. On the creative writing front, she has been published in journals such as Under the Basho, Failed Haiku, tsuri-doro, Sonic Boom, Otoliths, Scarlet Dragonfly Journal, Seashores Journal, and many more.