When the flavour for Tuscan fare finds your tastebuds, only the most authentic eateries can fulfil this longing. Hadag’s Sara Waddah enters L’Orto Bahrain for an indulgent escape to the famed Italian region.
A gracious venue awaits amidst the bustle of Adliya’s Block 338; one where fresh, organic ingredients are celebrated and consumed through a hearty menu. This is L’Orto, a farm-to-table venture by one of the country’s most acclaimed chefs, Susy Massetti. With a sustainable mission to redefine Italian cuisine into something that is far more satisfying and nourishing, L’Orto has all the soul and ambience of Italy itself, transporting guests to a dreamy domain.
A rustic aura is set with incredible pieces of art displayed throughout the restaurant. With fruit-and vegetable-faced portraits hanging on the walls, L’Orto pays homage to the classy era of Renaissance painters, and the culture and tradition of a once-renowned time. Handpicked items all work side-by-side to bring you the best of Italy. Known for her unmatched culinary prowess and organic farming, Chef Susy greets us personally and talks us through her vision, one that is driven by the continued desire to nourish the human spirit. L’Orto does a great job of reminding you that Italian food is never just the food – it is a whole story, it is filled with memories, feelings and excitement that all add to the ingredients of each dish.
Bringing a little taste of Tuscany right to our table, Chef Susy spoke about the meaning of the dishes, the sentiment that comes with working on them, as well as the beauty of the entire preparation process. The restaurant currently presents guests with ‘Il menu di oggi’, which is the daily changing menu that is put together and prepared by the staff every single day. Some of the dishes on this menu are rotating, but it takes quite some time before you come across the same dish again.
Alongside the ever-changing daily menu, L’Orto also has I Piatti Amati and I Piatti Toscani Di Traduzione – these are separate from the regular menu that is available all the time. It is composed of the Most Loved and Traditional Tuscan Dishes that are prepared by the chefs. First up from the Most Loved Menu – the La Burrata with fresh Tuscan black truffles; rich in flavour and perfectly paired with the La Pizza Bianca al Funghi. Both of these had us floating in truffle heaven and we were not ready to come down.
Realising that the surprises of this night were never-ending, we delved head-first into the exclusive menu, and were surprised by every single dish – there was absolutely no room for competition as everything was worthy of an award. The caramelised fig salad and tuna tartare were exquisite in taste and presentation – the techniques used to create the dishes helped us to understand how the purity of the ingredients played a significant role in the creation of these items. Every ingredient shines bright with delicate and fresh taste; hence no plate was left unattended.
Next up was a triple threat; the Coda Alla Vaccinara, Sunchoke and Leeks Risotto, Beef Cheeks and the European Sea Bass Fillet. All these dishes were perfectly prepared and presented, with the added bonus of having the chefs explain each dish to us. We were left delighted by their passion for food and that this enthusiasm translated into quality food. The dedication and detail with using organic ingredients did indeed work to nourish our spirits – and our stomachs!
Ending it all on a sweet note, the chefs surprised our palates with their Il Cheesecake al Datter, a cheesecake made with dates, and the Lemona Trinj Tart – a classic Italian way to end a beautifullycultivated dining experience.