As Hyatt’s La Piazza completes 25 years, its new menu brings all flavours of Italian classics from 1994 and modern cuisine under one roof, says Chahak Mittal

One can almost imagine being transported to a huge hall in Tuscany with off-white walls, candlesticks on the tables giving a sun-dappled vibe even in the dark with the wine flowing and the pasta bowl never seeming to be empty.

The warm ambience at La Piazza at Hyatt Regency is welcoming and perfect to spend a cozy evening with friends or partners. The brown-chequered floor-tiles, black candlesticks and round white candles on the tables give a typical vintage Italian vibe. The decor looks like the 500-year-old fortified walls of an Italian palace while its food is a modern take on the cuisine from Rome.

The night I dined there, the Italian cafe-cum-restaurant was celebrating its completion of 25 years where the chef Hermann Grossbichler served his specially-curated menu that combined traditional classics from 1994 as well as new additions that drew inspiration from the dynamism of Italian cuisine.

The meal began with Zuppa which proved that Italian food is more than just pizza and spaghetti. It was my first encounter with the white-coloured Cannellini bean or navy bean that appeared like macaroni. The soup’s broth was filled with chunky exotic vegetables that exploded in a blast of flavours in my mouth.

The second dish was Antipasti. The raw beetroot ravioli, in other words, was an Italian version of what sweet dumplings would look and taste like. The purple beetroot ravioli, with horseradish dressing and walnuts all around the green leaves was perfectly presented. The finely-grated lemon rind was sprinkled on top, giving a mix of flavours — sweet and sour.

While I wasn’t done savouring it, the Portata principale made its way to my plate. The dish was served in a crushed white parcel, full of vegetables, smoked scamorza (south Italian cow’s milk cheese) and prosecco sauce. While I gorged on the dish with utmost desire, the presentation in a pothli-like parcel failed to make its way to my heart. I preferred the dish’s fulfilling taste to its presentation.

Moving on, I also had Sanguine red wine to accompany my next dish which was Pizza La Piazza, which is the signature at the diner. I was smitten with the thin crust and then its topping of mozzarella and goat cheese, sun-dried tomato, basil pesto sauce and roasted garlic, which made it the most sought-after dining experience. Indeed, the best meal of the evening. It reminded me of the famous saying — ‘The problem with Italian food is that it makes you hungry and craving for it again after two days of consuming it’ — which proved true for me.

Next one, the Paste again reminded me what a delicious chestnut and New York cheese dumpling had once tasted like. Though it had completely different ingredients, the Ricotta and truffle-filled tortellini tasted of potato cream and organic rocket. It looked like a white bowl-like dumpling with cheese filling and turned out to be a complete scrumptious package.

Last, it was the time for desserts and there came Dolci, the ultimate one. Even though a fulfilling meal wouldn’t leave space for more, this one had my heart. The cup filled with vanilla bean Balsamic ice cream had a flavour of fresh strawberry, topped with chocolate and hazelnut biscotti. I can vouch for it — it was bewitchingly heart-melting.

Well, with the same dessert also came the tiramisu. Who wouldn’t love that cherry on the cake? Served like coffee in a coffee mug with choco powder sprinkled on the top, the Italian classic perfectly balanced the sweet element.