Cafe Buongiorno

SETTING

Romantic, impressive and intriguing, this cafe is a gorgeous house with apricotcoloured interior walls dotted by framed sepia photographs of Italy. Fresh flowers on each table, plus a candle, lend a tranquil mood under ceiling fans, graced by comfortable rattan chairs. An lush garden allows outdoor dining.

FOOD

One of the most delightful Italian restaurants in Bangkok, with dishes presented in hearty, down-home, no-nonsense style, avoiding the overly arty recipes fashionable elsewhere. Caprese salad is perfect, with delicious pieces of buffalo milk mozzarella, plus tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil, which all seem to melt in your mouth. Chicken caesar salad is awesome, with real bacon chunks along with parmesan shavings and walnuts. La caponata is another good appetiser, tossing cold pieces of eggplant in a salad of pepper, onion and olives. Veal alla Milanese is nicely breaded, with chopped tomatoes topping twin thin cutlets, alongside a cucumber salad. Snow fish with lemon and rosemary comprises two fillets under a creamy and mild sauce, next to whipped spinach. Pasta is plentiful in meat and vegetarian concoctions, spread across a 12-page menu. Tiramisu and a variety of cakes will attract dessert lovers.

WINES

More than 40 reds and whites, all Italian, offer a wide range listed by region.

SERVICE

Black-clad waitresses, very friendly and efficient, bestow personalised service as they quietly glide across the red-tiled floor.

PRICE

Two can dine well for about 2,000 baht.

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