what you see – Have you ever wondered why Little Italy only serves vegetarian food? Well, we think we have the inside information. It is because the owners of the company are Gujaratis.
Now here’s another background piece. The brand was actually started by an Italian chef named Don Giovani 17 years ago when he visited the Osho Ashram in Pune. He then started something called La Pizzeria which still operates in Pune under the same name. Little Italy was started later in time.
The brand has now expanded to multiple cities like Mumbai, Goa and our very own Hyderabad. And while Giovani no longer owns the business, he makes sure to come to India to advise on the menu and cooking style. After all, Little Italy is known for its authentic Italian cuisine.
Little Italy in Hyderabad reminds you of a small country house. Homey in appearance and minimalist in terms of decoration, this Mediterranean cuisine restaurant does not really have a glass facade that allows you to see what awaits you inside. So if no one from the restaurant staff is standing outside, you might as well walk past.
The people behind Zafraan Laguna, however, seem to have realized this. Because they have someone standing outside to get you in. In fact, you step out of the elevator and Zafraan’s door will open for you, even as you decide between Zafraan, Malgudi, and Basil, all of whom are located on the same floor.
What you get – When it comes to the environment, Zafraan gives you a pleasant experience with earth colors such as dark brown and cream for furniture, walls and ceiling. A splash of color is splashed with flora paintings on the walls. A small body of water indoors adds the element of panache. Dim lighting accentuates the atmosphere, making it suitable for a quiet dinner.
Now this place is not for you if you are looking to have your regular fare. Lebanese, French and Italian cuisine is what is mainly offered. There is a wide variety for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
We tried the iced tea (80 rupees each) and the vegetarian Caesar salad (200 rupees). The Iced Tea was perfect in terms of flavor, temperature, and serving size. Now, to be honest, the reviewer is not one of those who would binge on salads. However, the Caesar salad changed the perception with its croutons, lettuce, and bell pepper with the perfect dash of salt, pepper, and creamy dressing.
We move on to some Lebanese kebabs. This actually didn’t impress us much in terms of authenticity because we found it to have more of an Indian flavor. Then the pita came along with their sauces. While the pita was average, it was worth stealing recipes for the dips.
Zafraan Laguna also has national and imported wines to taste. It even has a separate soundproof corner for drinks and music where you can have a party for about 25 people. They even have a DJ that comes once a week. Other than that, the restaurant accepts outdoor catering and delivery orders.
The verdict – The restaurant is ideal for quiet personal or official meetings. The food is different and good to taste. While several of their dishes rate high on the authenticity front, some of them fall flat. The service is fast and courteous. The prices are on the higher side, so it’s a bit heavy on the pocket. Parking is not really a problem because it is located in a strip mall.
