Walk into the place that is Bangalore’s latest tribute to fine Italian cuisine, and your senses are engaged from the minute you cross the door. The unusual décor of bottle green, deep mahagony brown and white instantly catches your eye; it first calms, and then uplifts your very soul, and the busy hubbub of the world you just came from is soon forgotten. 

Heady smells of freshly baked bread, tomatoes and pesto waft seductively from the kitchen, while a courteous waiter greets you with a real smile and helps you choose from the plush sofas that line the high windows, or one of their comfortable tables. If you are an Indian looking to sample good Italian food, or an expatriate or visitor to the city looking for some welcome relief from fiery Indian spices, then Toscano is the place for you.

The standards of food and service can rival any in the world, and what comes across strongly is the level of commitment displayed by the polite waiting staff and the dedicated chefs. The pride they take in their work is refreshing to behold, and this is one of the rare places in town that you will have the experience of choosing from separate menus for lunch and dinner. And what menus indeed: from lip smacking poultry, fish and vegetarian dishes, to refreshing salads, tempting starters, pizzas and pastas, and rounded up beautifully with some of the best desserts.

Do ask your waiter to assist you with your choice of food and drink, and here’s a personal tip: the chef’s 3-course special changes almost daily, and is not to be missed if you are ravenous!

The minute you sit down at your table and choose your meal from their vast menu, an efficient waiter appears in a matter of minutes, with a long tray of assorted breads, served with herb butter and fantastic pesto made with extra virgin olive oil. And then the food starts to arrive. The bruschetta with tomatoes, olives and peppers, and though simple, is absolutely fantastic, and the freshness of its ingredients comes through in an instant.

The rest of the meal will match its beginning: from the mains all the way to the desserts, nothing will disappoint you, and though some of the flavours have been Indianised, the quality is very high, and though it may lose in authenticity here and there, the taste is great.

If you still have place in your tummy after all the courses, do try some of their Italian coffees. And if you want to take a bit of Italy back home with you, ask for a selection of the day’s breads, they are available for individual sale. Choose from olive and sundried tomato focaccia among many others.