Ossobuco: Now you know

WHEN I walked into the cool confines of Giovanni’s Restaurant at the Hyatt on Friday night, I had no idea what I was going to have.

All I did was repeat the name ‘Ossobuco’ over and over in my mind until it easily rolled off my tongue. I did not do any research earlier to get an idea how this — one of the most counterfeited dishes in the Italian cuisine — looks or tastes like.

Giovanni’s cheerful food staffers led me and buddy Luis to a corner table and asked what we would like to drink. I opted to have coffee first while Luis asked for a tall glass of iced tea.

With our drinks, the food staffers served us the usual bread stick and Italian bread with a pesto dip.

Very soon, the main course arrived and I was in for a real surprise. Served on a hot platter of mouth-watering cross-cut veal shanks garnished with gremolata, the Ossobuco was an irresistible temptation at first sight.

Slicing off a bite-sized portion, I took my first bite and stopped. The veal is tender and well cooked, its buttery and rich flavors blending right to the core, and its incomparable flavor leaves you with a desire to have more after you swallow the last bite.

Ossobuco, or osso buco is the Italian term for “bone with a hole” and refers to the bone marrow at the center of the cross-cut veal shank. The tender meat at the center of the bone marrow is equally flavorful that the dish was reduced to a memory minutes later.

The Ossobuco came with a side dish of Parmessan Risotto and sautéed green asparagus which we also cleaned up in no time.

Hyatt executive chef Gabriele Colombo said that the veal they use for Ossobuco is very young, just a few months old.

He said the Ossobuco is the official dish chosen for the 5th Edition of the International Day of Italian Cuisines and will be served for dinner at Giovanni’s Restaurant until January 31 only.

“We invite all of you to try the classic dish — Ossobuco in Gremolata alla Milanese, a celebration of authentic and quality Italian cuisine all over the world,” Colombo said.

Giovanni’s Restaurant recommends Santa Cristina Toscana or Danzante Chianti as the ideal pair for this delectable Italian dish.

We decided to try one of Giovanni’s famous desserts — a serving of warm dark chocolate with a scoop of walnut ice cream and garnished with slices of orange, kiwi and strawberry splashed with chocolate streaks, another must-try heavenly concoction that only Hyatt’s culinary experts can bring to your table.

The next time you hear the word Ossobuco, now you know that you share something special with over 1,700 culinary professionals working in 17 countries and the millions of food lovers who have the chance to try this famous tender, juicy symbol of the most tempting Italian cuisine.

Taste it for yourself and see why it’s one of the most counterfeited Italian dishes in the world.

The Ossobucco in Gremolata alla Milanese served with parmesan risotto dinner is only $30 per person. Giovanni’s Restaurant opens from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For inquiries or reservations, please call 234-1234.