With Delhi seeming to be in love with Italian food, a few restaurants are cashing in on the opportunity.

Flavors of Italy – The old time favorite
Flavors offers home-style Italian cooking and has been frequented by food lovers for several years. The restaurant has expanded its indoors seating area, while its outdoor arrangement is also quite popular. The ambience is relaxed, with students waiting tables. Needless to say, the food is delicious. The menu includes salads, open-face sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, risottos and traditional Italian grills. While the combination of a spaghetti carbonara and pink ginger fizz is a hot favorite, the blue cheese and sausage risotto also draws the crowd. Leave room for dessert, because the cheesecake and tiramisu have been instrumental in the restaurant’s roaring success.

Location: Under Moolchand Flyover, Defence Colony, New Delhi
Price: Under Rs400 per person

Chill out at Big Chill
Big Chill made a modest beginning about seven years back. Its popularity has grown and the restaurant has recently opened two branches in Delhi itself. Service is slow here, and the place always appears a little understaffed to cope with the crowd pouring in. The walls are decorated with posters of old movies and ads, giving the restaurant a peppy ambience. The food is finger-licking good. While the restaurant offers pizzas, pastas and salads, their penne with bacon keep people coming back for more. The desserts are awesome. You would not want to leave without digging your teeth into some banoffee pie (the banana-toffee pie), blueberry cheesecake or Belgian chocolate ice-cream. Their milkshakes are also very popular.

Location: East of Kailash and Khan Market
Price: Under Rs400 per person

Diva – New kid on the block
If you are looking to enjoy your food while sipping some delicious wine, then Diva is the place to go. The ambience is chic but cozy, with light curtains and low lights. The waiters are courteous and the service is prompt. The co-owner-cum-chef, Ritu Dalmiya, is a passionate food lover and has added a Sicilian touch to the Italian cooking. Serving from duck to prawns, you will find the menu quite enticing. Their tuna preparation is great and lamb chops are scrumptious. The selection of wines is massive… from French to South African wines available. For more special occasions, the restaurant also offers champagne and sparkling wines.

Location: Greater Kailash II, New Delhi
Price: Rs500-Rs700 per person for food