Bella Italia, Holiday Inn, Delhi: Unpretentious Italian Food

When you think about Italy the first few things that come to mind are Italian food, Italian wine, Italian architecture and Italian marble. Italian food has really gained popularity in India over the last few years and after North Indian and Chinese, it is the most popular cuisine in India. We are at Bella Italia the Italian restaurant at Holiday Inn, Aerocity, Delhi. Holiday Inn Aerocity offers some good dining options for travellers whether local or International with a focus on family stay with kids. With 3 restaurants – Viva, Viva Deli and Bella Italia plus a lounge, Bella Italia is the first outlet of UK’s Italian restaurant chain in India.

The interiors of Bella Italia are done in vibrant colors that give a cheerful feel. Italians pay attention to details especially windows and doors and touches of it seem to be reflected in Bella Italia too, a beautiful painting of a door caught my eye. The seating is cosy , capacity big enough and the place is well lit with ample natural light. The Gelato Cart placed there adds to the interiors.

We’ve hit summers and what better way to start than with a refreshing glass of watermelon juice. Nothing comes close to naturally sweet fresh juice. Feeling refreshed and comfortable we start with the appetisers. Since I generally avoid eat red meat we decide on Arancini Peperonata (balls of risotto) and Gamberi (prawns) on the chefs recommendation.

Gorgeous balls of risotto with melting mozzarella in crispy bread crumbs coating this turns out to be a good starter to start with. Served with rocket leaves dressed in Olive oil with a pomodoro dip, the risotto balls on its own were so good, nicely crunchy on the outside  and melting on the inside  that i personally dint feel the need to have the dip along. The portion size is also decent.

The prawns are baked in garlic chilli butter and served with ciabatta bread, Italian white bread which is usually harder than the bread served. It is toasted and lends a nice combination with chilli butter. Prawns are fresh and mildly flavoured and eating these are a delight.

Any Italian meal would be incomplete without pasta and pizza. For our main course we decide on Panzerotti funghi (half moon shaped pasta parcels) and Pizza Roma (hand stretched pizza).

Panzerotti funghi …delicious cheese and mushroom filled half moon shaped pasta parcels are served in a creamy mushroom and spinach sauce. It is topped with rocket leaves and Grana padano, a grainy textured cheese, which is one of the most famous cheeses of Italy. The pasta parcels are what i would call al-dente and the dish was so nice in its combination and flavours that I couldn’t resist digging till the last bite.

Since we are somewhat satiated by now we decide to split pizza roma into half n half. We went in for Queen Margherita and Pollo Bianco . Queen Margherita with buffalo bocconcini mozzeralla, turns out to be our preferred pizza of the two. The bocconcini here though could have been less melted to retain its chewy texture.

Pollo bianco with chicken and Bechamal sauce which is white sauce is considered one of the mother of sauces of French cuisine. Pizza roma base is thinner and crispier but found it a tad dry which could probably be due to extra semolina in the dough.

It is time to cater to the sweet urge  and what better than ‘Pick me up’, ‘ Cheer me up’ or ‘ Lift me up’ ….that is  Tiramisu. The Italian dessert made of ladyfingers dipped in coffee and brandy or liquor layered with a whipped mixture. To get the right consistency in this dessert is equally important. It tasted good but for the consistency.

Vibrancy of a place always makes for a joyful experience. Bella Italia is a good place to visit with family and friends that offers a warm relaxed environment and an unpretentious menu.

Ratings (Out of 5)

Food: 3.5 | Ambience: 4.0 | Service: 4.0 | Overall: 4.0

Meal for Two: Rs 2,500/- | Wheelchair Friendly: Yes | Credit Card: Yes | Alcohol: Yes

Address: Holiday Inn, Asset Area 12, Hospitality District, Aerocity, New Delhi | Phone: 011-42222000

Disclaimer: This review was done on an invitation from the restaurant. Due judgement and care has been applied by the author to remain objective and unbiased in the review, but readers need to consider the review keeping this fact in mind.