Wine & Tonino...

Sounds like the perfect evening? Yes it was! A little walk through a cobbled and lit passage way that delicately threaded its way through a garden, a lovely cool evening breeze beckoning us to stay outdoors and yet, we could'nt help but step inside the welcoming, dimly lit interiors of tonino...

We asked to be seated at the waiting area for drinks preceeding dinner because well, it was beautifully lit with big candles and the sofas were very comfy.

For a woman, it was a perfect place because everything there was a compliment, the flickering candle lights, the music, the fragrance, the courtesy...yes, it makes you a romantic even if you're not.

And trust me, i was smitten :)

The music was a cross between swing jazz (some of it latin) and some romantic songs, none of the variety that you might have heard a zillion times before. Infact, it seemed like it had been handpicked by someone with a great love for music and the place because it complemented both.

The lighting was a key factor to enjoying the place. Dont ever go there if you're in a hurry, its perfect for 4-hour lunches or even dinner for that matter and the authentic fire heated oven makes for interesting viewing :)

Coming to the food...it was yummy. You won't love it right away, nope, especially not if your taste buds have been spoilt by butter chicken and dal makhani or even spaghetti makhani (which is what you'll get in most food courts!). No, this is a place where you need to taste with your senses, all of em!

The smell of freshly ground pepper, the authentic sun dried sour tomatoes...the taste of extra virgin olive oil and a glass of red wine (in this case, two :) )...very sensual...

Yes, i've hopelessly fallen for a place that's run the way i'd like to run my own restaurant!

Oprah says, God is in the details, at Tonino, i couldnt agree more, even the walk to the ladies room was a pleasure, the layout of the washrooms was something like a maze that the aztecs contrived.

It was a pleasure, and even more so with the person who introduced me to it :) thank you, i can't do it enough!