ambiance and decor:
an extension of the lobby to the lp residency, coco, coffee and osteria is a pizzeria with simple and elegant interiors with pockets of comfortable seating areas, cozy corner table by the window with hanging plant baskets, and my favorite by the bookshelf.
it gets lively as the day proceeds, with diners both seated inside and out. with peppy music playing and the smiles and laughter of the diners brightens the evening, with a tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the charred smokiness from the clay oven after taking out a freshly baked pizza, is what you're up for.
the outdoor seating arrangement is spacious, similar to being seated in a lovely park, fenced with beautiful greenery, flowering plants, and herbs. it looks very vibrant and pleasing. you are sure to be enveloped by the tranquil ambiance of coco and their warm hospitality.
food and beverages:
a warm cup of blue tokai mocha, is where your gastronomical journey begins at coco.
they have a contemporary yet traditional kitchen that offers a short menu with a variety of traditional italian staples, such as italian salads which can give a nutritious start to your day, with a vast spread of classic pastas and special handmade ravioli prepared fresh from scratch.
it happens to be the only outlet in town that serves the most authentic neapolitan pizza, also known as naples-style pizza that originated back in 1889, hand-worked and proofed overnight following the footsteps of italian culinary tradition. these artisan pizzas are prepared in an authentic wood-fired oven and are light on toppings allowing the flavors of cheese, tomato, and charred crust to be relished. they are very filling and the best part is you can order it with two different toppings on each half along with the freshly prepared burrata cheese, perfect for sharing as they are big enough to be sticking out of the plate. sounds tempting? i'm sure it does!
coco also offers freshly roasted coffee sourced from blue tokai coffee roasters, which is one of the best coffees in town, aromatic and high on flavors with a perfect balance along with other cold beverage range. you can also enjoy the croissants, pastries, and tarts that are prepared in-house with the highest quality ingredients and are totally eggless. they also feature a wide selection of freshly baked gourmet breads.
the food presentation in itself is fabulous and is sure to make your mouth water!
the chef presented the following platters:
1. pasta penne bianca - a simple yet appetizing penne pasta served in white sauce with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and exotic vegetables, topped with parmesan. it had a soft, ultra-creamy cheesy texture, and tasted flavorful. the green coral lace tuiles added vibrancy to the plating. it was served in hot and appropriate quantity with a piece of finely toasted garlic bread.
2. ravioli pollo parma rosa - must try alert! ravioli comes from the italian word riavvolgere, which means "to wrap". an italian dumpling originating from the 14th century, ravioli pollo parma rosa, a square-shaped pasta cuisine similar to dumplings, was hand prepared with a filling of shredded chicken, red peppers, basil, and cheddar, served in an evenly spread, creamy pink pasta sauce garnished with parmesan cheese, olives and in house thyme. a traditional italian cuisine, it had a supple, tender texture and tasted delightfully rich in flavors. with each morsel, the stuffed chicken mingling with the ravioli and pink sauce tasted outstandingly juicy and delicious.
3. veg pizza dog - a fusion of hot dog and pizza gives us a pizza dog, prepared using the in-house dough with a vegetable kebab, pizza sauce, and tomato center topped with cheese, mustard and mayonnaise dressed with cherry tomatoes, olives, and parsley. the artisan bun was soft and was served warm, freshly out of the clay oven with mildly charred, crispy shells gave a variety to the traditional bun concept along with a subtle burnt taste which made it delectable.
4. neapolitan pizza - i went for two pizzas with different toppings on each side.
1st topping was spinach genovese consisting of tomato sauce, mozzarella, baby spinach, green peppers, a swirl of pesto and evoo on one side. 2nd half was the classic margherita with a classic combination of mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, fresh basil and evoo topped with burrata cheese.
3rd topping was pollo farmhouse with tomato sauce, mozzarella, chicken salami, grilled chicken, green peppers, jalapeno, black olives, and extra virgin oil and the 4th topping was pollo genovese with tomato sauce, mozzarella, grilled chicken, green peppers, onion, a swirl of pesto and extra virgin oil.
all combinations of flavors turned out absolutely delicious. the handmade pizzas were ultra-soft with a genuinely thin, charred crust, with crunchy, fluffy edges, and the tomato sauce made them soupy and slurpy. the in-house burrata cheese which was prepared with mozzarella, cow milk, and cream, into a hollow pouch, had a solid outer layer of cheese while inside it was soft and creamy. it gave the pizza a hint of milky flavor.
5. desserts - i loved the classic tiramisu, a coffee-flavored italian dessert with eggs, layers of mascarpone cheese, blue tokai coffee and savoiardi biscuits topped with cocoa, and smooth whipped cream giving it a delicate, melt in the mouth texture. the honey almond tart had a crunchy crust with a honey-coated dry fruit filling topped with thick creamy piping of dark chocolate.
both the desserts made me spellbound with their delicate, creamy texture and the right balance of sweetness and crunch of the tart, and the amusing taste of the honey-coated dry fruits with the thick, creamy dark chocolate. definitely, a must-try!
6. beverages:
they have a limited beverage menu however, offer a variety of coffees, teas, and shakes with options in both hot and cold. the coffee is freshly roasted sourced from blue tokai coffee roasters. the presentation and taste both will leave you pleased.
i would strongly recommend trying the hibiscus iced tea, it will instantly rejuvenate you. others that i tried were, hot mocha, turkish mocha, mocha shake which had their distinctive rich flavors and aroma.
if you’re looking for authentic, fresh handmade neapolitan pizza and freshly roasted coffee along with a delightful dessert, then coco is your go-to place.
it's quiet, relaxing, and comfortable. perfect for a lovely brunch or a nice dinner and is pocket-friendly considering the quantity and quality of servings and the exotic variety of ingredients used in preparing those gratifying dishes. the staff is very courteous. the service is fast, and the ambiance is rejuvenating. your visit to coco will be totally worthwhile, just give them a chance to tickle your taste buds with their lip-smacking, scrumptious, soupy handmade pizzas! and of course, if you have a sweet tooth, the almond tart is with which you can eat your emotions.
lastly, i would say, coco has set on a journey to upscale the italian food culture in dehradun with its authentic neapolitan pizza and handmade ravioli.