Bistrot Del Colibri - CINISELLO BALSAMO

A tiny little place where we dashed in for a quick bite before a show at the community theatre nearby. Few options in the menu, light and mostly vegetarian, maybe even vegan. The owner manager carefully welcoming us and looking after us. Reasonable prices. Then again, one of the two dishes we tried was very light and pleasant, the other we felt too oily, awkward enough to rule out visiting again. The second was a cous cous with hazelnuts and lemon zest oil, and winter vegetables. Maybe they chose to use a mild flavored vegetable oil rather than a richer tasting olive oil to match with the vegetable and nuts flavours, still we found it unappealing. Personal taste, to be sure, as suggested by the fact we did like aubergines parmigiana with well cooked aubergines keeping a consistent texture a significant feat, and a very tasty tomato sauce, much lighter than you often come across in this dish, where oven cooked mozzarella and parmesan cheese often take a salty and greasy taste. It's odd to have such different feelings on two simple, carefully prepared dishes at the same restaurant. Maybe we will try again in another season. Maybe.

Close to the town center, this tiny restaurant offers very some unexpected courses, such as a hummus-based preparation. We had dinner with a group if friends and expecially enjoyed the mixed course, allowing us to taste a variety of preparations. What a surprise to find an Hawaian craft beer! We also appreciated quiet, no need to raise your voice to talk as it normally happens in Italian restaurants. Price/quality ratio was fair.