Serafina, the Italian joint in Kolkata; its new Avatar and my take!

Pink Pasta sells! ( Well, true fact)
Pizza must be overloaded with topping and preferably a thin crust! (is really that so!)
Italian Dessert means mostly Tiramisu! (Ummm I doubt!)

Even the Restaurants known to serve "authentic" Italian are saying the same considering the customer's preference! This, in fact, is exactly what my take away from the new menu of Serafina, Kolkata's famous Italian joint. Talking about Italian food in Kolkata; Serafina is obviously a known and reputed name in the midsection. I remember visiting Serafina for the first time when we shifted from Delhi. They used to serve a pocket-friendly Italian brunch at that time. I have tried the brunch several times, though, never written about the same. This time, however, it is going to be a proper review given I have visited the place two consecutive times within a month. First time to attend a Bloggers meet when Serafina come up with their new look and second time was a self-paid visit along with the friends.

We Indians are known for modifying the food as per our taste and Chinese food is the classical example of the same! The same is now applicable to the Italian food it seems now! I ended on consulting the 5 stars in the city and found the same! The puritan me was not that happy however the finance analyst me understand that at the end it is what that is selling properly!

A mother who decided for "Pasta" as her daughter's nickname upon seeing her for the first time. Needless to say, she loves her portion of Italian food! Yes, this is me and I love my portion of fresh Italian food and I am emphasizing on the word fresh. I don't know why I am always fascinated by the Italian cuisine. Maybe because they have introduced Potato and Tomato to us for the first time or maybe they are ones who know how to keep their food fresh. This cuisine has always intrigued me for the good reason!

Whenever I visit an Italian joint I prefer to check a few things that include first and foremost the Meal stages. When a joint is claiming to serve authentic Italian delicacies, I try to check the bifurcation between Aperitivo, Antipasto, Primo, Secondo, Contorno, Formaggio e frutta, Dolce, Caffè, and Digestivo. To be very frank, in Kolkata they generally make a main combining Primo, Secondo, Contorno and I have not seen much of Formaggio e frutta. Aperitivo and Caffè I don't know why has been ignored by several joints here while serving Italian Food. Serafina even after the new launch is no exception to this.

Coming to the meal I have tasted at Serafina in my last two visits both were set meal. Both the meal, in fact, was having several similar items from their new menu.

Here goes my take on the different items I sampled at Serafina in my last two visits.

Appetizer:

I have tried several appetizers from Serafina's new menu. This includes Crostini di Chorizo; where slices of french baguette, gratinated with mozzarella & topped with slices of chorizo. This Ham based antipasto was good and a full plate is enough to be divided into 3-4 people.

The Polpette di Manzo Piccanti which or minced fillet Mignon dumplings with bell pepper and tangy sauce is a beef based dish. I found it average.

Potato can never go wrong especially when served with cheese at least to my taste bud and hence I enjoyed the Patata involini verdure. In this dish potato was stuffed with veggies and cheese.

I found theFritto di pollo piccanti or Italian style fried chicken a bit dry and flat. I may not order it for consecutive visits.

Pizza:

An Italian spread without pizza is like a curry without salt! Needless to say both times I had Pizza there. I personally am not a fan of thin crust. I prefer my pizza fluffy and soft, the Neopolitan type. What I had there both the time was the Paradiso. Paradiso is a thin crust version topped with chicken, olive, onion, mozzarella along with basil pesto and tomato sauce. Taste-wise It was decent, however, I wish they could come up with other options as well!

A vegetarian Prima was served during the paid meet which was having tomatoes, caramelized onion, artichoke hearts and mozzarella cheese with cheesy garlic sauce. For me, Prima was better than the Paradiso.

We ended with ordering a simple Margarita during the paid meet and was a safe choice.

Considering the present city scenario with pizza, I recommend Serafina to come up with various options for pizza.

Pasta:

Pasta in a Pink sauce! Puritans will never call it a perfect choice, however, this is what sells in Kolkata and hence were served with Cremosso Spaghetti Calabrese a.k.a Spaghetti in tangy homemade pink sauce, with seasonal greens, olives, & aged Parmesan. Taste-wise it was good. However, I suggest you request for an extra portion of Parmesan to make it better!

I was a bit disheartened with the Lasagne served during our paid meet! As you can see from the picture this dish has everything but layers which a perfect lasagne must have. Taste-wise, however, no complain from my side. Cheese, chicken and lasagne sheet can't go wrong after all!

Here I must mention a fish dish served during the bloggers meet! Pan fried Bhetki with parsley mashed potato & creamy mustard sauce or Pesce e mostarda salsa. In the meet one plate was divided into 4 persons, however, is perfect for one person for main-course. amazingly flavorful Bhetki can do wonder and it did! Strongly recommended one, needless to say. Juicy fish chunks, perfectly baked and a creamy sauce cannot go wrong buddy!

Dessert:

Serafina is known for their Tiramisu and they make it good! I have had it several times and have seen people talking about the only Tiramisu when it comes to Serafina. Probably this is the reason I ended on cherishing the Choco Hazelnut Creme Brulee more! A must have, for sure! I actually had duel servings both the time I visited in recent past. To be very frank, I found the Tiramisu lost its charm and a new star got its place, the creme brulee! By the way, we were served with a chocolate cake and ice cream platter during the bloggers meet which was actually quite good however not if compared to the creme brulee!