La Gondola

SETTING

For good Italian food beside the beautiful river Ping, there is simply no other choice in town. La Gondola has built upon the long-running success of its sister restaurant, da Stefano, by adopting a more upscale attitude.

FOOD

Nearly everything is prepared on site, including most pastas, cheese, breads and even ice cream. Start with a plate of chef Stefano’s own handcrafted Italian cheeses, each of them delightful. All the other mandatory Italian appetisers are offered as well like carpaccio, melon with parma ham, bruschetta and eggplant parmiggiana. The pastas deserve special mention as the ravioli, cannelloni, lasagna and fettuccine are all home-made. One can really do no wrong ordering pizza, thin like it should be, large like you want it, and with plenty of varieties to choose from. The selection of entrees covers everything from duck to lamb to veal to steak, but the pastas and pizzas are so good they threaten to overshadow the entrees. Make sure to try Stefano’s own gelato ice cream.

WINES

Bottles from an assortment of countries range from 800 to 3,900 baht, with most coming in at about 1,200 baht.

SERVICE

Adequate, though a bit distant and uninspired, unless Stefano is helping out, in which case you will get the fulsome Italian family treatment.

PRICE

Pastas average about 150 baht, pizzas about 170, and entrees will set you back about 300. Dinner for two without wine should cost no more than 1,000 baht.

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