~Italian Way~ Stone Oven (Italian Kitchen) Thane. Review on Stone Oven, Khopat, Thane

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.

~Voltaire

It demands pluck of the “nth order” to eat something that tantalize your taste bud and limit. I came across many who really got the quality to “limit” but alas never count me in! Even after being surrounded by calorie conscious fanatics, I have been able to lead the happy and contended life of a gourmet. Eat, eat and eat but do not forget to workout – this is my mantra.

Normal and routine stuff does not offer any thrill and hence I am always open to explore anything that has got an element of being exotic, authentic and different. Hence, I am open to explore or to that extent taking risk to venture into anything that has been projected as different. At times, I burn my fingers (or tongue) but still nothing can stop a gourmet from experimenting.

That is how, I came across this wonderful joint – Stone Oven, The Italian Kitchen. Gourmets usually flock near the lakeside due to the variety of local cuisines available. From peanuts to Kachhi Dabeli and from Vada Pav to Aloo Chhaat – that is what Talaopali (might be the biggest lake in Thane) offer you! My only aim was to take my girl around the lake side and she got the fancy of horse riding.

While exploring further, ahead of Gadkari Rangaitan, after Yes Bank and HDFC Bank, there is a right turn you have the good old Sai Krupa Hotel. Adjacent to that I found the fancy hoarding of “Stone Oven”. Anoushka was demanding Pizza and I thought, “Why not Italinan?” – Rest --- wow! Read on!

The Joint & Man behind the show

A small but cozy restaurant with only four tables on the roadside and two tables on the first floor managed by two gentlemen yet being organized with sober colours and graphics. A brief interaction with Nitesh Save, the chef and the owner of the joint was a delightful experience.

Nitesh conceptualized and started the restaurant in February 2010. He got the rich experience in Celini, Grand Hyatt (the Mecca of Italian cuisine in Mumbai). He was quite friendly and ensured personal attention at each and every table. When I expressed my interest to get into more details, he was more happy to take me through the “Stone Grill”, packets of “imported pastas”, details of the graphics used in the walls and even tips regarding choice of food.

Ready to inveigle the taste bud?

Choose anything without any discretion and you are going to experience something unique. I thought of experimenting with Cheese and Chilly Garlic Bread. The old memories of having Pizza with Cheese burst from Dominos were still lingering but again the spirit of adventure overtook all inhibitions. It was nice with a thin coat of cheese and extra soft bread. You may add chili flakes or oregano or tomato sauce. Four pieces costs INR 70.

First experience gave an indication that we can go ahead and there I choose Jerk Spiced Pizza with chicken, onions, garlic, capsicum and variety of spices. It is thin crest pizza with a bit hard and crispy base and lots of chicken shreds as topping. They have got a uniform size and this costs INR 130/- and is sufficient for two people. The taste of variety of spices will take you to the world of ecstasy. You feel like having a cookie of pizza. I vowed not to eat American Pizza with thick c rest and junkyard of cheese.

Time to go the Pasta way! I chose Alfredo with cream and cheese base with chicken shreds. It looks like spring shaped pasta on thick white cream. I never knew pasta taste so yummy and different. Just wondering, how can I eat Sun Feast Pasta at home?

Well – that was enough to have the idea of the place. Quality does not come only with exotic ambiance but it needs a good hand and a creative mind.

A bit more about the menu

To start You have rustic and fresh tomato soup (INR 50) or Garlic Bread

Pizza you have several varieties like Margherita in fresh basil Primavera (based on onions, slice tomatoes and capsicum), Quatro stone which is chefs special based on corn, mushrooms, pineapple and jalapeno, veg calzone for paneer lovers and Pizza olive peno’s with green olives. These are for vegetarians which I may never taste :-)

Now for non vegetarians, you have Herb marinated pizza, Diavola (spicy chicken sausage and jalapeno), chicken calzone etc.

Pizza cost ranges from INR 80 to INR 170 which is value for money. I bet you will denounce Pizza Hut / Dominos etc.

You can have extra add on like sausage, cheese, jalapenos etc. at INR 10 to INR 30.

Pasta you will be having the experience of authentic pasta from Italy – Arrabbiata, Pink Tango etc. and price ranging from INR90 to INR 140.

And finally you can have those yummy sweets like Choco cake or Pannacotta (flavored Italian cream pudding). Price ranging from INR 60 to INR 75.

Finally

In short, this is a joint where you can choose anything at right price and experience Italian cuisine. The style and presentation is modern Italian with underlying Indian textures and subtleties that take Indian palate by surprise and leave you wanting more.

So, hop into Stone Oven and give yourself on Italian whirl and embark on a taste tingling visual and aural journey.

Thanks to Nitesh for take away Menu Card and valuable inputs