Italian cuisine at Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano will leave you with a Mona Lisa smile.
By Aiden Jewelle Gonzales
Right in the heart of the city, the Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano is nested on the fourth floor of the Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok, a Mediterranean retreat above the buzz of Bangkok’s Asoke district. Dedicated to serving authentic, home-cooked Italian cuisine, the restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, whisking you away to a Roman holiday while you dine.
First Impressions
With its white ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and cheery chequered tablecloths, Da Vinci embraces its conceit of an Italian poolside bistro, replete with painted vistas from the Mediterranean countryside and tiled flooring. I especially enjoyed visiting the restaurant at lunch, as the end-to-end windows with red awnings spill light into the jaunty space, and visitors can look out into the rooftop pool framed by deck chairs where guests can bask in the tropical sunshine; a true ode to the holiday spirit.
Food and Drink
We started off our meal with the Da vinci salad (THB 350), a classic done in the nicoise style comprised of traditional elements elevated by the freshness of the greens, the tartness of the olives, and the flavourful tuna flakes to add a savoury punch. For a lighter, even more refreshing starter, however, I would recommend the Insalata primavera (THB 320) salad, which captures the essence of summer with cool bursts of sweet melon and orange kernels to offset the crunch of its mixed nuts and pomegranate.
It would be a crime to visit Da Vinci without trying one of their pizzas hand-made in the traditional style in a resplendent
wood-fired oven, and their signature Da vinci (THB 390) pizza was deserving of its title. Thinly sliced parma ham melts in your mouth while the mozzarella pulls the dish together. For those looking for a pasta main instead, the fettuccine Da vinci (THB 410), which consists of lamb ragout, black truffle paste, and fresh cream, is rich and filling in equal measure, with the right amount of gamey flavour to intrigue you. Vegetarians should definitely try the Penne Arrabbiata (THB 290), which I especially enjoyed because of the kick of dried chilli and garlic; the dish was a communal favourite among our group.
Meat lovers also have a wealth of dishes to choose from, but I would recommend the Chicken parmigiana (THB 460), a shallow-fried dish breaded and coated with cheese for that extra toothsome bite. Served with spaghetti and tomato sauce, it’s a gratifying meal in and of itself.
However, for those looking for that extra serving of protein, the Da Vinci Mixed Grill (THB 880) is a certain must-try. Lamb, chicken, beef and Italian pork sausage are served for your pleasure, hung on a magnificent skewer and served with zucchini, eggplant, capsicum and onion for an offering of truly lavish proportions. Named after the eponymous artist, Da Vinci himself in his continuous quest for perfection couldn’t fault it.
For dessert, I decided to self-indulge with the Tortino (THB 280), a lava cake served with vanilla ice cream or, for a summer twist, citrus slices. My favourite kind of dessert, I wasn’t disappointed with the richness of the warm dark chocolate that spilled out of the cake – a decadent end to any meal that I would recommend to anyone. The restaurant also has an array of drinks, from refreshing tipples to more classic concoctions, including coffees that guests can take by the poolside to complete the feel of a fleeting Italian vacation away from the metropolis.
MASALA RECOMMENDS
The Frutti di mare (THB 360) pizza. A delight composed of tomatoes, mozzarella and a succulent selection of seafood, the pizza is light and flavourful, perfect for a morning brunch. Make sure to end your meal with the Tiramisu (THB 280), our unanimous favourite, which combines espresso and cocoa into the ultimate velvety-smooth mouthful.
DA VINCI RISTORANTE ITALIANO
Fourth floor, Rembrandt Hotel & Suites Bangkok
19 Sukhumvit Soi 18, Sukhumvit Road, Klong-Toei, Bangkok 10110
Open daily from 11am to 11pm
Tel: 02 261 7090
Facebook and Instagram: @davincibkk
www.https://rembrandtbkk.com/restaurants/da-vinci/
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