Saurabh Tankha
“I’ll be out for a few days…Official assignment…You’ll need to take care of the girls and maa… You’ll have to cook too as you know Lata (our maid-cum-cook) has already taken leave for the week…” the voice of my wife got fainter as she left our room and went to the kids’ room to inform them about her next trip.
Who goes out on official trips in these hot summer months? I asked myself as I imagined being in the kitchen, cooking khaana for the family minus the wife with sweat rolling down from everywhere for the next “few days”.
And so it happened. The imaginative state turned into a real one. Over the next three meals, I realised how challenging it is to be in the kitchen during summer months. Not that I never cook (I’m a fairly good one or at least, people around tell me so) but it has so happened that it has always been later in the evenings or during the winter months when my kids love to gorge on non-veg fare. So, I have not really sweat it out. However, that’s another story.
Refusing to get into the kitchen to prepare the next meal, I preferred opting for a home delivery option. And when people like me order, they opt for faster delivery (a restaurant nearer you). After contemplating on which cuisine should be savoured on the day, I zeroed in on Italian and finally, liked a place named Pasta Italiano.
After scanning through the restaurant’s online menu on a food delivery app and spending around 20 minute period on what to eat and also offer to my two little angels and my mom, I ended up ordering a Veg Pesto Sauce Pasta (Rs 250), a Veg Lasagne (Rs 250), a Chicken (Rs 240) and Cheese Quesadillas each (Rs 190) and Spaghetti With Chicken Meat Balls (Rs 290) with Chocolate Brownies (Rs 110) as dessert for all.
As promised, the order reached us within 50 minutes as the restaurant is around 5 km from our place in Sector 45, Noida. While awaiting delivery, we googled and found out that Pasta Italiano is a casual fine dine Italian restaurant at Gardens Galleria Mall, Sector 38 Noida and Venice Mall, Greater Noida. The place has a quirky vibe and serves a wide array of authentic Italian delicacies, the website claims. Will need to check it out the next time we happen to be at Gardens Galleria Mall…
Must say that each of the dishes was piping hot when it reached us and it tasted even better which we realised after we started gorging on it. While the Veg Pesto Sauce Pasta was loaded with creamy basil and pine nuts pesto sauce and served with garlic bread which should have been ideally softer, the Veg Lasagne had generous helping of cheese and vegetables between layers of pasta sheets. My younger one relished the Spaghetti with Chicken Meat Balls. In her words, “This is one of the tastiest spaghetti I have eaten for some time…” Mom enjoyed her Cheese Quesadillas which too were loaded with cheese.
In no time, we were over with the spread including the dessert (chocolate brownie) which was perhaps sweeter than the ones we have had till date. Let me share a secret with you: As I found the brownie sweeter to my liking, I saved it for wifey who simply loves this dessert.
If you happen to be in and around Gardens Galleria Mall, do hop in for a quick bite as one can vouch for the taste of the food which is simply awesome. Else you could opt for the online delivery, especially if your “wife happens to be travelling for work…”
PS: However, one important point the owners need to take care of is home delivery unless they think walk-ins are more important. No spoons, forks, tissues or seasonings were sent with the order. In fact, the packaging was crying for attention too.
Pesto Sauce Pasta Recipe
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until done. Drain. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. Add pesto, onion and salt and pepper. Cook about five minutes or until onions are soft. In a large bowl, mix pesto mixture into pasta. Stir in grated cheese. Serve.
