Mamma Mia!
Regina Margherita - The Italian ‘trattoria’ in Colombo
By Nizla Naizer
Would Queen Margherita in 19th century Italy ever have imagined a dish created in her honour would take over the world as the meal of choice for many? Would that enterprising chef who hailed from Naples and who created the very first Pizza Margherita ever imagine his simple meal would find its way to this little island of ours where a restaurant named after the queen has captured the hearts of local diners with their authentic Italian food? I doubt it.
However, the pizzas at Regina Margherita in Park Road, Colombo Five are the real stuff. With authentic herbs, true Italian cheese and Chef Luigi who hails from Southern Italy and who has been making pizzas for the last thirty years, they have a recipe for instant success. “True pizza is about three basic ingredients which combine to provide the flavour,” Luigi tells me, “It represents the three colours in the Italian flag, red for the tomatoes, white for the cheese and green for the basil leaves.” All hail the Italian flag; for the pizzas at this restaurant makes you want to smack your fingers Italian style and say, ‘mamma mia!’
Barbara Avossa |
The Italian Charm
Criminal lawyer by profession and restaurateur by choice, Milano born Barbara Avossa is the force behind the success of this restaurant. “I’ve lived in Sri Lanka for six years, and it was a tragedy that I had not eaten authentic Italian food during that time. It was too sad,” this expressive lady said, “I missed my home food, I wanted to make it and share it with the people of Colombo.” Along with her husband, Barbara’s passion for food and life resonates in the warm, comfortable and authentic restaurant. “It’s a small part of Italy in Sri Lanka,” she explains with a wide smile.
Barbara’s Italian hospitality, heritage and warmth are in every corner of the restaurant. From the replica of a large fountain head in Rome which adorns the front wall, to the fashionable waiting area resembling the Milano underground (graffiti and all), to the warm and rustic dining area with it’s old brick walls, pictures of Italy and checkered table cloths in Italian colours; there is a home like feeling as you sit waiting for your scrumptious meal.
“It is like a ‘trattoria’ in Italy,” Barbara explained. “A restaurant where everything is informal and relaxed. You can be as loud as you want, be as casual as you want. The food is simple and straightforward and full of familiar flavours.”
From Parma Ham to
Affogato
The restaurant has already gained repute for their wide variety of salamis and authentic cheese which Barbara gets down from Italy. All the dishes are cooked in olive oil which is delicious and healthy. “It isn’t Italian food if it’s not cooked in olive oil,” Barbara informs emphatically. There signature dishes include ‘Margherita con proscuito crudo di parma’ where the world famous parma ham is combined with tomato, mozzarella and basil. “No other restaurant in Colombo serves parma ham,” Barbara tells me. ‘Chef Luigi Loves Sri Lanka’ is another speciality where tomatoes, olives and green chilies are the choice topping over the thin crust pizza.
Chef Luigi works his magic |
The pizzas are baked in their authentic wood oven which is heated to 350 °C. Chef Luigi explained that combinations are important when creating the right pizza to suit the customer’s taste. “I myself, I love the Napolitano Pizza with anchovies and cheese,” he said with a grin, “Many Sri Lankans love the spicier combinations.” A Sri Lankan no doubt, I however loved the tuna and onion combination, an ‘expert’s choice’ in Luigi’s opinion.
Joining their select range of spaghettis, raviolis and other home made pastas are delicious vegetarian dishes such as ‘Melanzane alla parmigiani’ where oven baked eggplant with fresh tomatoes and parmesan cheese has your senses reeling and coming back for more. Move on to the desserts and Barbara tells me that her new menu launching next week will include the world famous Italian Cream, served hot with Italian biscuit and a special wine along side their much desired tiramisu. However, the after meal treat that caught my attention and earned my devotion was their Affogato where delicious black espresso is served with cold ice cream in its midst.
The dining experience at Regina Margherita is like taking a detour to a restaurant in Italy where the energy, life and passion of the people resonates in their delicious food. The atmosphere is authentic, the food is truly Italian and absolutely fulfilling, the quantity is large like the hearts of the people serving it and you leave with a rich experience of culture and flavour.
Regina Margherita is open for dinner all days of the week from 6 pm onwards at 151, Park Road, Colombo 5. Call 0117394440 for reservations or more information.
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