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tomcat · 26th December 2007, 08:56

SD and I joined two friends visiting from Egypt for dinner at Ciao Italian on the Oriental terrace. From our arrival by hotel boat to our lingering departure by taxi, the evening can only be described as magnificent. I can't remember when I've enjoyed finer company in a finer setting at Christmas....a perfect moment to savor.

SD and Ms. M started with a raw tuna and greens arrangement while Mr. T and I ordered the marinated baby calamari. They won the first round. The tuna (black eye) was exquisite as was the dressing it and the accompanying greens were bathed in. Our calamari was merely wonderful (I'm going to run seriously short of effusive adjectives here so please bear with me if I start to repeat). We had a little more variety for the main courses: SD ordered a pizza with a light seafood topping that was, possibly, a little better crust-wise than those served at Scoozi's on Thong Lor. Ms. M's grilled sea bass sported a beautiful crust and a light sauce that complemented (and complimented) the freshness of the fish. Mr. T's gnocchi (plain and spinach) were light and probably the best I've tasted anywhere. I had mussels in a light tomato sauce, a commonly served dish here: plump and flavorful, they arrived in a sauce that was tangy and screamingly fresh. My mouth is watering as I write...

...and the desserts: I can declare that SD's tiramisu was not only impossibly delicious, with the right balance of coffee liquor to dairy, but imo, better than any I've tried in bkk. The rest of us ordered a baked orange tart with poppyseed ice cream that reduced conversation to gasps of near lustful delight as we realized that we had achieved gourmet nirvana.

...and the wine: generous glasses of the fine Cesari Valpolicella (red) and Pinot Grigio (white).

Mr. T and I ended the meal with Sambuca: a perfect end to a perfect meal in a perfect setting. Oh, and I've forgotten to mention the fireworks displays, the river attractions, the superior service, the beautiful weather, the sparkling conversation, and the hotel interiors we enjoyed on the way out (again with the Christmas tree fetish, but far more tastefully done)...a wonderful Christmas experience.

Checkbin: B9,300 for 4 and worth every baht.

26th December 2007, 08:56	#1 (permalink)
tomcat tomcat is a perfectly content pussy, thank you Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 6,316 vCash: 100 Rep Power: 919	Dining in Paradise SD and I joined two friends visiting from Egypt for dinner at Ciao Italian on the Oriental terrace. From our arrival by hotel boat to our lingering departure by taxi, the evening can only be described as magnificent. I can't remember when I've enjoyed finer company in a finer setting at Christmas....a perfect moment to savor. SD and Ms. M started with a raw tuna and greens arrangement while Mr. T and I ordered the marinated baby calamari. They won the first round. The tuna (black eye) was exquisite as was the dressing it and the accompanying greens were bathed in. Our calamari was merely wonderful (I'm going to run seriously short of effusive adjectives here so please bear with me if I start to repeat). We had a little more variety for the main courses: SD ordered a pizza with a light seafood topping that was, possibly, a little better crust-wise than those served at Scoozi's on Thong Lor. Ms. M's grilled sea bass sported a beautiful crust and a light sauce that complemented (and complimented) the freshness of the fish. Mr. T's gnocchi (plain and spinach) were light and probably the best I've tasted anywhere. I had mussels in a light tomato sauce, a commonly served dish here: plump and flavorful, they arrived in a sauce that was tangy and screamingly fresh. My mouth is watering as I write... ...and the desserts: I can declare that SD's tiramisu was not only impossibly delicious, with the right balance of coffee liquor to dairy, but imo, better than any I've tried in bkk. The rest of us ordered a baked orange tart with poppyseed ice cream that reduced conversation to gasps of near lustful delight as we realized that we had achieved gourmet nirvana. ...and the wine: generous glasses of the fine Cesari Valpolicella (red) and Pinot Grigio (white). Mr. T and I ended the meal with Sambuca: a perfect end to a perfect meal in a perfect setting. Oh, and I've forgotten to mention the fireworks displays, the river attractions, the superior service, the beautiful weather, the sparkling conversation, and the hotel interiors we enjoyed on the way out (again with the Christmas tree fetish, but far more tastefully done)...a wonderful Christmas experience. Checkbin: B9,300 for 4 and worth every baht. __________________ Majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd.... Last edited by tomcat; 26th December 2007 at 22:39.