It would be awkward to admit that I had never been to Hotel Holiday Inn at the Aerocity even though its signage is visible from NH-48 and it is in the midst of action at Aerocity which has been taking shape during the past 7-8 years. I could take the cover and admit I am not a hospitality person but there could be no excuse for not visiting the Italian Restaurant during the last 7 years when it was a part of the UK Chain- Bella Italia.

The hotel is quite charming with a couple of excellent restaurants (the second one-Viva is currently having a South Korean food festival) and a bar and lounge, which were rocking as I entered the lobby full of people milling around. I was greeted by a hostess who brought me to the restaurant with a charming decor and comfortable, informal atmosphere.

Heena Riat, the brand ambassador of Sula was ready to welcome guests which included members of the Delhi Wine Club milling around the Cheese station with 5 varieties of cheese including Blue cheese with delicious frills like fresh figs, cherries, grapes, dried apricots and prunes.

Wines of Sula

If one were to take a box of 5 top Sula wines to present to a foreign friend, it would perhaps be a case of the wines being served at the sundowner organised to showcase the refurbished and rechristened Italian restaurant and its new Summer Menu. The Gold-Medal winning Tropicale Brut and a red  Sparkling Shiraz – the two expressions of Sula bubblies, Sula Dindori Viognier Reserve, The Source Grenache Rose and Rasa Zinfandel (also available in more expensive versions- Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) were the wine protagonists that were deftly married to the dishes by the restaurant Chefs.

Fun evening

The evening started with Prosciutto de Parma e Melone and Tomato Bruschetta which was delightfully tasty- it made me enquire from the Chef where they had procured the cherry tomatoes. I was not surprised when he said they were imported. Locally sourced fresh Burrata on a dried toast forming a layer under the tomatoes, made it a crunchy snack and an excellent match with The Source Rose 2022.

Mushroom and cheese filled Arancini balls served with spicy sauce were a good match both with the fruity and aromatic Dindori Viognier Reserve as well the RASA Zinfandel which was even a better match with Chicken Panzerotti.

Highlight of the evening was certainly the pizzas. Pizza Campagna was a close cousin of the Neapolitan version, and a Florentine variant, were the rock stars for me. Tropicale Brut never fails with a pizza and was the perfect match -even the chicken version. Sparkling Shiraz, made with Traditionelle Method, went well with the chicken variant.

Tiramisu in the glass was spoon-licking delicious. Some members were perplexed with the order of serving wines as we normally start the evening with a sparkling or light white wine, going on to Rose and Reds-occasionally serving dessert wine with the desserts at the Delhi Wine Club events. I had to explain to them that this was the privilege of the person curating the Menu for the best experience for the audience. There was no hard and fast rule of the serving order but certainly, mixing still with bubbly or the colour does not cause any hangover or uncomfortable feeling unlike mixing different categories of spirits and wine.

Heena Riat, the brand Ambassador of Sula handled the evening well, explaining the different wines in an artful manner. She had devised non-wine related small quizzes and prizes which were majorly won by the wine club members.

The Restaurant

The service was excellent, personalized and very professional. The décor is very charming and quirky –perhaps attuned more to the young millennials but the Italian cuisine aficionados would love when they discover this restaurant. The Menu prices seem to be on the high side – perhaps akin to the BOGO infested wine industry where so many offers have to be made on the MRP. With so many schemes offering discounts of 25% or perhaps even more, it could be a downer for someone not belonging to any groups.

Curiously, the Menu gives calorific value of every dish on a 100 gm basis but no mention of the weight of the dish being served. One wonders how it can be useful to a person who is watching calories!

Sun Set and Savour at Sula with Indigo

Interestingly, the evening coincided with Sula’s promotional campaign- Sun Set and Savour with Indigo, India’s leading carrier to Nashik. The 6Experience at Sula Vineyards is yours when you book a flight directly with Indigo at their website/app. This will entitle you to a complimentary tour of Sula Vineyards and 10% discount for staying at their Heritage Resort-The Source (also the genesis for The Source label) and also eating at its Restaurant.

Surely, there will be many Italian food aficionados in Delhi waiting to try out the Italian meal at the new L’Osteria Bella and planning to visit Sula Vineyards, in the near future. Enjoy!!

Cav. Subhash Arora