Being a food connoisseur, I have always haunted for places which offer exquisite cuisine's. This week's tryst with food hunts landed me in an Italian Restaurant whose name will never be missed out from my list of favorite restaurants in town. The Italiano in Crossroads complex on Nathupura road at DLF Phase III is every food connoisseur's delight. Tucked with in Gurgaon, Italiano joins the list of the very few Italian restaurants in the city.

Italiano in DLF, (Nathupur, DLF Phase-III, Crossroads Complex) is the third restaurant venture of Himanshu Resorts. Born in August, last year Italiano is the brainchild of Mr. Sanjiv Puri, MD of the group. His extensive tours of Italy gave vent to the idea of a chain of Italian restaurants in Delhi and DLF city. "I developed a liking for Italian cuisine and that is why I chose it for my restaurant to specialise in," he explains.

The somber decor here captivates your heart. Set in a backdrop of yellow it gives a statement of its own. The selection of the furniture along with the crockery is marvelously done. Even the salt an pepper is kept in the most beautiful and colourful pyramid shaped cruet sets I had seen.

The selection of the menu is the culmination of Mr. Sanjiv's trust with Italian food. Italiano meaning Italian in Latin holds it a pleasure to introduce you to the ecstasies of Italian Cuisine. So from the land of Italy comes the inimitable menu that gives your palate the most unique taste and tantalise you with the most heavenly aromas.

We started off with the famous Italian salad - " Insalata e Tomini' Which is a fresh cheese salad coupled with Iceberg Lettuce. We were hardly half way through the gorgeous salad when my friends set their eyes on the starters menu. We finally decided on the 'Bruschetta Con Misto Del Verdure' that was actually open sandwich with fresh assorted greens and the 'Panzarotti Al Pollo', savoury pastry cases stuffed with chicken. One whiff and we almost felt us dining in an Italian kitchen.

One can also choose from Pastas like 'Penne Agro Dolce' which is tube shaped pasta cooked in tomato sauce and flavioured with Pine Nuts and raisins or the 'Risotto Con Parmigiano' which is Risotto with Parmesan and a choice of assorted vegetables or chicken. The 'Lasagne Al Frno', layered sheets of pasta and chicken glazed with cheese is a delight for the taste buds. We had ' Francio Del Sogliola al Forno' which is a herb and crumb crusted backed river sole and the 'Pete De Pollo Al Veneziana' comprised of roasted chicken breast cooked with red wine.

One bite of the 'Pizza Margherita' with a special topping of classical cheese, tomato, black olives and mushrooms will get you carried to the land of Italy.

Last but the best are the Italian desserts. Be it Tiramisucoffee flavoured dessert with Mascarpone Cheese - or the cinnamon flavoured home made ice-cream or the absolutely heavenly Excess Buggage - Chocolate Fudge Cake with hot chocolate sauce, the desserts are surely the finale winners.

By the time you finish reading this I am sure your must have already planned in mind to take your family for an Italian lunch or dinner today. Isn't it wonderful to experience the gastronomic ecstasies of Italian cuisine while actually being miles away form the place.

Italiano has already formed its group of loyal clients, diplomats, expatriates and is eagerly waiting for all you people to delve into its gorgeous Italian cuisine.