Second sitting

Venezia, Milano or Florenza? Not so far-flung now. Our Italian sojourn stopped at Via Milano, which is back in a new avatar, and we do a recce of what's different this timeThis Italian restaurant, which shut shop in July is now back just a few buildings away from its older avatar. This time in a bigger space with an added al fresco floor. We quite anticipated a decadent Italian affair, being the effusive Via Milano patrons that we were. But the construction work rampant on the ground floor didn't make a very pleasant entrance.u00a0u00a0u00a0 Via Milano moves to a new address with al fresco diningu00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0pics/Namita Guptau00a0The lift was also down since the building is still getting its shape. All geared up though to sample some of Chef Paolo's Italian offerings, we didn't mind climbing up the three floors by stairs.Once up, we slipped ourselves on the tall comfy chair on the wooden deck as the al fresco space seemed to add an all-new flavour making for a very different view of Koramangala from four floors above.u00a0The green palms around were lush, but the traffic noise from the 80 feet road right down the building played spoilsport. Added to it was the construction noise. The terrace is roomy and spaced out with a gorgeous skylit cover, but strangely Bangalore afternoons these days are sunny and not meant for a terrace meal. The third floor, which has indoor seating, would be up and running only after Dasara and we recommend you hold your horses until then.u00a0The red and black romantic charm stays put from the previous locale. Service though a tad muddled retains its old sweetness and sincerity. Via Milano's regular old timers might still hurrah at its pastas and pizzas and would devour them blindfolded any day. But, we scouted the menu to see if there was anything new. Though most of the favourites remain, there is one addition on the vegetarian and another in non-vegetarian salad section, which I picked.u00a0The names though are long and might be a Herculean reading task for a novice, who can stick to English translations. The Involtini di pepperoni e formaggio caprino, zucchine al vapore condite all laceto di vino rosso (Rs 260) was an innovative presentation of the goat cheese in bell pepper rolls grilled and served on a bed of steamed zucchini dressed with red wine vinegar dressing. The Cream of broccoli with goat cheese crouton soup (Rs 220) was warm and scored high on the presentation, but the taste of the broccoli broth was a tad bland for the Indian palate. For our mains, we picked the new on the menu, the Filletto di pagello in crosta di patate salsa al limone e zenzero (Rs 390), which was a red snapper. The fillet was crispy on the outside with a breadcrumb coating and tender on the inside, enveloped in a zesty and tangy lemon and caper sauce.u00a0My dining companion tried the Beet Root Risotto with gorgonzola sauce (Rs 390) called Risotto can rape rosse e salsa gorgonzola on the menu, which was a perky pink on the plate and brought a smile to our faces, but nothing to rave about. For desserts, the Chocolate dessert with a vanilla sauce and candied orange peel (Rs 195) is a new and decadent addition. Even if you're in a rush, you just cannot skimp and would be tempted to take a sabbatical for a few hours at Via Milano's new space.u00a0u00a0u00a0 At:- Via Milano, 612, Basil Moneta, 80 Feet Main Road, Koramangala 4th Block.call:- 4130 9997, 4130 9994.Meal for two:- Rs 1,500. Via Milano didn't know we were there.The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals.