Looks like Jaipur has suddenly woken up to the taste of 'authentic Italian cuisine'. People have had their fill of thoroughly Indianised pizzas with Chicken Tikka Masala and Masala Paneer and are now looking for a taste of the real thing. However, much before this onslaught of authentic Italian eateries, there was one restaurant that quietly introduced Jaipur to Italian food without Indianising it: Giardino, the alfresco, fine-dining Italian restaurant in Jai Mahal Palace. In fact, it has been doing so for the last six years. It serves traditional Italian cuisine, from Ravioli, pizzas, Lasagnes, Risotti and Acqua Cotta to mouth-watering Tiramisu.

Set in the open near the hotel's poolside, the open kitchen makes dining here a more interactive experience. It's a romantic setting and dining under the stars is a truly delightful experience. It's also a change from the traditional Indian cuisine that one is used to. The food, coupled with Taj's excellent service, make it a complete gourmet experience.