Rosmarino

Know the difference between Northern or Southern Italian cuisine? If not, Rosmarino will bring the facts home.

Two things about Rosmarino. First, it’s tucked inside Carlton Towers, the once-buzzing Bengaluru landmark that went quiet after a tragic blaze. Nearly two decades later, with every fire-safety norm ticked off, the building is inching back to life, and Rosmarino is one of the brightest signs of its comeback. Second, it’s helmed by Bengaluru favourite Abhijit Saha, the chef who gave the city Caperberry, Fava, and plenty of unforgettable meals.

Walk in, and the smoky aroma of wood-fired sourdough garlic bread hits first – proof of Chef Saha’s three-decade-long love affair with Italian cooking. 

Here’s where it gets fun, though. One of the longest-running debates in Italian cuisine is whether the northern or the southern part of the country does it better. Rosmarino gently steps in to say it’s really about what you’re in the mood for. Northern Italy brings the juicy lamb, creamy sauces, polenta, and risotto. Southern Italy fires back with pizza, tomato-rich sauces, olive oil, and seafood.

Their heart lies in their wood-fired sourdough pizzas. The Jay’s Ravello with caramelised onion and goat cheese and prosciutto di parma pizza with silky stracciatella cheese; the Sicilian garlic bread with sun-dried tomatoes and capers; and Tartufo e Funghi with truffle salsa and mushrooms bring top-quality ingredients together with a pleasant finesse. 

Don’t go easy on the small plates, though, they’re too good to ignore even if you’re making space for the pizza. The asparagus and blue cheese arancini or the fig, salame napoli and ricotta salad with pomegranate salsa are standouts. Of the pastas – the rigatoni with lamb ragu and pecorino, and the fazoletti with black truffle will have you seriously wondering if this is the best pasta you’ve ever tried. 

For dessert, the torta caprese or cannoli siciliana will happily take responsibility for your sweet surrender, especially when paired with an espresso or an indulgent dessert wine.