The newly opened space at The Ashok, Zerruco by Zilli, takes more than just the famous name of this Italian celebrity chef. It offers home-style Italian fare that is authentically prepared and connects instantly with the soul. Navneet Mendiratta reports
Given the number of Michelin star restaurants opening in the NCR — Akira Back and Yauatcha being the new entrants to join Megu and le Cirque in the category — and the celebrity chefs visiting the city, Delhi’s status as a foodie destination has moved a notch up.
First it was Julie le Clerc, author of 14 cookbooks and a celebrated Cordon Bleu chef from New Zealand, with an elaborate profile, whipping up a Christmas special menu at The lodhi. She is putting together her first book on Indian food in collaboration with the hotel. And now it is Aldo Zilli, who has many more bestselling cookbooks to his name as he does newspaper columns, TV shows and, most important, successful restaurants, announcing a fine dining space carrying his name — Zerruco by Zilli.
It is hard not to notice Zilli’s magic (and a very personal touch) when you enter Zerruco which is part covered-part al fresco contemporary Mediterranean dining space at Hotel Ashok, Diplomatic Enclave. Not a part of the main hotel but housed in one corner of the hotel, Zerruco is where Mashrabiya, the Middle Eastern restaurant was situated. It has been brought to India by restaurateurs Kashif Farooq and Prashant Ojha, in consultation with Manish Baheyti.
An expansive al fresco area welcomes the guests with its own bar and wood-fired pizza. The place is meant to serve as a specialised fine-dining space during the day and gradually changes to an evening hang out by night over weekends. To make sure you get the best of what Zilli serves all over the world, the chef’s even got his personal team to train the local team.
The food is authentic Mediterranean, largely Italian, with simple preparations and authentic flavours. The menu, designed by Aldo himself, brings to the table, recipes from his erstwhile celebrated restaurants Zilli Fish, Zilli Green and the over 12 books that he has authored. Zilli is known to use local ingredients and fuse them with authentic Italian spices and seasoning to create distinct Italian flavours. And this defines the menu of Zerruco.
From a classic minestrone soup with vegetables, beans and baby pasta, risotto with wild mushroom and truffle, linguine with fresh lobster sauce, lasagna with Mediterranean vegetables, béchamel, tomato sauce, mozzarella and truffle oil to a range of pizzas from the woodfired oven that integrate Italian cheeses, pomodoro sauce, regional ingredients and cured meats the taste is authentic Zilli — homestyle Italian.
“You could well describe it as my chance to venture out of my comfort zone,” said Zilli at the launch of the restaurant. “I have fed and met some fantastic people from India in my 35 years in london. I am expecting a big culinary adventure and I’m sure I’ll be disappointed,” he promised.
Going by the fact that Zilli found a majority of his patrons at Zilli Green in london, the restaurant offers a separate menu for the vegetarians. And what’s an Italian menu if it does not serve you a good tiramisu. Here’s one that you’d die for. For those of you who want more must try chocolate fondant, crème brulee, tarts and homemade ice creams. One that holds the promise of making it to the top of the favourite list, dining here is one experience that Delhi foodies would find hard to skip.