Prego’s description of itself as a fun dining Italian place gets reinforced with the huge pin-wheel of pasta greeting us at the entrance and the wall of multi-coloured jars of soaked olives adorning the wall. The light, airy décor thanks to an entire side of the restaurant rendered in glass, the Scandinavian wood hued furniture and the colourful napkins and matted placemats, give the place a lively, warm and welcoming ambience.
The freshly baked huge bread served as soon as you are seated is warm, crusty and soft inside, perfect to dip into the cold juicy, mildly flavoured tomato salsa accompanying it. Before I could take a photo, half of it disappeared between my two companions. The Margherita Pizza served with Parma ham (upon our request) holds itself up competently to any exacting standards of what a thin crust Italian pizza should be. A mushroom fan, I found the Insalata di funghi tiepida, warm mushrooms served with goat cheese a let down as only button mushrooms were used, which offered a weak counter play to the strong character of the goat cheese. On the contrary their Asparagi gratinati con flan e fonduta al parmigiano is a palate pleaser, the crisp taste of the grilled asparagus set off by the creamy, buttery flan and melting cheese.
The Prego Caesar Classico salad is perhaps the best served in Gurgaon, with crunchy, sharp-tasting romaine lettuce served with protein laden poached egg, bacon, anchovies and grilled chicken. It could serve as a complete meal for weight watchers. Similarly, their Beef Carpaccio is extraordinary, the interplay of thin slices of marinated beef with the tangy mushrooms, the astringent rocket, the sundried tomatoes and Parmesan shavings releasing a bouquet of textures and taste that is incomparable.
The main course of Wood fired Beef Lasagna is one of the outstanding dishes of the restaurant. A classy Italian dish, with layers of soft pasta interspersed with a rich meat sauce and topped with plenty of cheese, it tastes truly of home cooked food. I cannot stop myself from ordering risotto in an Italian restaurant and Prego has many options to tempt me with. My Risotto al Porco Rosso came with fascinating, pale pink, perfectly al dente rice cooked in red wine-laced broth. Contrary to the heavy cheesy risotto, this one was light, delicately flavoured with plentiful pieces of pork sausage. Other not to be missed dishes are the chicken involtini and lamb skewers for their delectability.
Prego’s extensive menu has a little for everyone including for special dietary needs like gluten-free pasta. Besides, it offers some fine dining, gourmet dishes under their Prego Elegante’s or Posh Prego header. Vitello Milanese– parmesan crumbed veal served with lemon sauce has never failed to please and is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults, while the Risotto al nero e porcini con aragostella e tonno scottato comes with rice cooked in squid ink with wedges of grilled lobster and tuna stuck amidst the black rice. It sure goes after the seafood lover in you. The Filleto di salmon con pesto is another excellent choice, with anchovies, olives, pine nut and sundried tomato pesto rendering the self-sufficient salmon fillet a notch above the mundane.
The never failing Tiramisu was delicious, not too sweet, the mascarpone sitting lightly on the liqueur and coffee drenched bizcocho. The espresso is served with frozen chocolate dipped spoons, a perfect tango of cocoa and caffeine.
Prego has now introduced a set menu priced at Rs. 780/+ and 980/+ for 2/3 courses, which shall lure the price conscious. Some of the main courses are served in both small and big portions giving one the flexibility to eat them as starters or as main course. Even the smaller portion is sufficient to pass off as a main course after an entrée, like the risotto featured here.
During all of my numerous visits, the food at Prego has not failed to satisfy my foodie expectations. The service, which used to be listless and dull, is sure showing signs of rejuvenation. It is a go to place for wholesome, tasty, generously portioned, reasonably priced, authentic Italian food in Gurgaon.
Ratings:
Food: 4.5/5 | Ambience: 4.0/5 | Service: 4.5/5 | Overall: 4.5/5
Meal for two: Rs. 3000/+ w/out alcohol | Alcohol: Yes | Credit Card: Yes
Address: Prego, Westin Hotel, MG Road, Near IFFCO Chowk, Gurgaon | Phone: 0124-4977777
