Nobody can create an ambience quite like Italians. The utter simplicity of the background, enlivened by cosy furnishings and the right kind of mood lighting is how they take the dining experience to another level. In Mumbai itself there are numerous quaint or fancy bistros specializing in Italian cuisine yet no one can recreate the magical dining experience of ‘Mia Cucina’. The restaurant is placed at Transocean House on Lake Boulevard Street in Powai, Mumbai and lures you in with its charming lantern lit façade. Have a romantic first date? Or a get together with old friends? Pick Mia Cucina for its relaxed non-fussy ambiance where you can talk in peace without bothering with loud music or boisterous atmosphere. This charming little bistro is perfect to add to your go-to list.

No decent Italian menu is complete without an extensive range of sangria selection to go with hand in hand. But if you don’t like to tone down your wines then rejoice in Mia Cucina’s impressive wine list. Start your first course with, pizzetta prawn, turnip soup, manzo panini, funghi croccanti, bruschetta caponata, torte di pollo, bruschetta pollo con olivata, calamari frittele, gamberi al forna, polenta e pollo spiedini, panzanella, zuppa di zucca, verdure panini and bambi fritto. The next course is where you get the true impact of Mia Cucina. Tuck into, pesto pollo e funghi pizza, tagliatelle con verdura, lasagne tricolore, ziti ai pollo, rawas alla griglia, parmigiana di pollo, peperoni imbottiti, gnocchi e pesto, tonno fresco ai pamodori, pepperoni pizza, pappardelle e polpette and pollo con spinaci mascarpone.

Dining at an Italian restaurant and not feasting on desserts is a sacrilege. Mia Cucina does a fantastic range of traditional Italian desserts such as, affogato, panacotta, tiramisu, almond chocolate cheesecake, decadence cake and apple tart. The restaurant is a bit on the expensive side but that doesn’t matter in light of their superb menu and subtle lovely ambience. Interiors of Mia Cucina are kept simple yet striking without compromising on the earthiness or rusticity. An entirely wooden décor is enlivened by photo-covered walls and interesting curios put here and there. They have a charming outdoor area that lights up in the evening under strings of lanterns. Friday nights are the bar nights so don’t even think of popping in without calling first. Karaoke nights on Thursday keeps things lively.