It's a white, white world in here
New restaurant
Villa 39
Near Ravissant,
Madame Cama Road, Colaba
Telephone: 66573939
***
Villa 39u00a0
Food: good
Service: attentive
Ambience: intimidating
It's a white, white world in here. From the tablecloths to the crockery, and upholstery, everything's pristine.
Villa 39, Colaba's spanking new Italian eatery (it launched on Thursday night), is lovely in an ethereal way.
Ornate pillars, gleaming mirrors and a two-level seating area, everything's so perfect, it's a wee bit intimidating.
At first, we're terrified of tipping over the jar of olive oil and vinegar placed on our table, of speaking too loudly, or of a knife cluttering.
The menu helpfully tags vegetarian items, and they have several options for the green-eaters. We start with a recommendation --u00a0 a soup, Cappuccino Al Funghi Porcini, and a salad, Cesare Gardini Con Pollo.u00a0
Complimentary bread is served, though we'd have preferred having a basketful at our table. The focaccia bread is excellent, and a drizzle of the olive oil only makes it tastier.
The Cappuccino Al Funghi Porcini is a grey blend of mushrooms with black truffle oil. Seasoned with pepper, it's foamy and delicious. The lavash bread served along with it is addictive.
Next up is the Cesare Gardini Con Pollo, a chicken salad. While the romaine leaves are fresh and crisp, the parmesan cheese makes it a little too salty and the chunks of chicken breast are chewy. The bacon strips at the bottom bring in variety.
At this point, a ladies only party arrives and settles in, and instantly, the mood lightens. Soon there's the clinking of glasses, laughter, and conversations are no longer whispered...u00a0it's comforting. The minute we place the order for our singular main course, a Lasagne Vegetariana, our salad and soup plates are cleared and the table is cleaned of bits of sesame courtesy the lavash bread, until it's pure white again. 
The Lasagne Vegetariana is simple and classic: layers of pasta make a neat square, interspersed with crumbling flavoured soya granules, and two cheeses: parmesan and mozzarella. The flavours that hit home are obviously the saltiness of the cheeses and the oregano. Can't eat too much of this, though, the cheese gets too filling. Our side order of Garlic Bread is crispy, well-flavoured though a pinch too salty.u00a0
Mains done, we pick another recommended item for dessert -- a Crespelle Al Mirtili. A slim, smooth crepe layered with creamy custard and blueberry paste, it's mildly sweet and excellent; though a fresh cherry would have tasted better as a topping, instead of the candied one.
Villa 39 is beautiful. The service is great and the food works for most part. But they could do with loosening up a little -- we'd like to feel at home.u00a0
Dinner for 2
Rs 1,918
Worth it?
Yes
All reviews are done anonymously and paid for by Sunday MiD DAY
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