Podere Forte Wine Dinner @ Enoteca Italiana Bangkok

Cuisine: Italian

Map: Podere Forte Wine Dinner @ Enoteca Italiana Bangkok

Charged Price: THB3,500 per person

Visited: 21 April 2015

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 5/10

Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

It's another night of wine dinner and again at Enoteca Italiana Bangkok. It had been Valdicava wine dinner back in November 2014 and this time was Podere Forte wine dinner. The night started with Champagne from Larmandier-Bernier as aperitif, followed by Petruccino, Petrucci, and finished with vertical of Guardiavigna 2008 - 2010. They were all fantastic and delightful. Here are brief notes:

Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Latitude NV (91/100): Excellent champagne with good qpr. At the price around EUR30 a bottle, it's awesome. This is Blanc de Blancs aka chardonnay. Larmandier-Bernier Latitude is an example of pure and elegant style. It is creamy and it is full. But yet complexity and smoothness lie within. Aroma of pear, anise, and orchard. Full on the palate with minerality, lemon, and stone. Mild honey and almond. Lovely aperitif to enjoy within a few years of release. (~ EUR30)

Podere Forte Petruccino 2012 (90/100): This is a lovely sangiovese-merlot blend (70:30). It is drinking beautifully now. Exhibit cherry and raspberry flavour. Mild spices and mint on the secondary note. Attractive aroma of red fruits and floral. Fine finish. Medium-full structure. Modern. (~ EUR30)

Podere Forte Petrucci 2010 (95/100): It's WOTN for me. Still a little young but accessible. Sexy bouquet of cherry and raspberry jumped out aggressively followed by flowers and spices. Savoury sangiovese fruits on the palate. Medium bodied and fine tannins. Outstanding texture and acidity integrated well. Gentleman of the night, it was. 100% Sangiovese. (~ EUR100)

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2008 (93/100), 2009 (92/100), 2010 (94/100): Guardiavigna is bordeaux blend with cabernet franc and merlot as the key grapes and petit verdot as the final touch. Three of them were nice but presented totally different characters. In common, they showed bouquet of cassis, black currants, eucalyptus, spices, and hint of tobacco and earth. All of them have full structure with oakiness especially 2009 vintage which was broodingly chewy too. To me, 2010 vintage is more of finesse and elegant, whilst 2009 vintage is about power and muscle. As for 2008 vintage, it might not be as as beauty as vintage 2010 but the opulent style of 2008 clicked with my sense more. These are fine wines but they come with some price tag as well. (~ EUR80)

Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Latitude NV

Podere Forte Petruccino 2012

Podere Forte Petrucci 2010

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2008

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2009

Podere Forte Guardiavigna 2010

Podere Forte Wine Dinner @ Enoteca Italiana Bangkok
39 Soi Sukhumvit 27
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 06:00pm - midnight

Tel: +66 (0) 2258 4386
Web: http://www.enotecabangkok.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/EnotecaBangkok

Ristorante Puny @ Portofino, Italy

Cuisine: Italian

Map: Ristorante Puny @ Portofino, Italy

Price: EUR30 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 11 October 2014

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 9/10

Value for money: 5/10

Services: 5/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Portofino, at Liguria region of Italy, is indeed a dream destination for many travellers. It sure is a busy little village and harbour but can be beautiful and breathtaking during nice weather days. During our trip, we drove to Portofino from Piedmont just to stop by this famous destination. It was only a few hours that we were there but surely enough to get the feel of this place.

During lunch hour, we popped by one of the restaurant that seems to be well-known in the cyber world: Ristorante Puny. We did some research before going and this little does seem to get praised a lot and we did not hesitate to give a try. For location wise, it is sure a guarantee for fantastic spot and view. I believe it would be really romantic for a date night out dinner. Seats are organised at store front to face the harbour. We were lucky to be seated right at the front row as we were the very first to arrive. It was not really a bright weather day but nice enough to dine there. Staffs were rather cold as we felt. Nevertheless, the old man owner did take thing very actively, advising from the back row himself.

Ristorante Puny @ Portofino, Italy

al fresco seats

waterfront view of Portofino

simple basket of bread

For the dish, we had Pappardelle Portofino (8/10) and Pesce al Sale (7/10). Pappardelle Portofino was definitely a very nice tomato based pasta. A really simple looking dish but tasted wonderfully. The creamy texture and rich flavour sauce went fabulously with large pappardelle. Next was Pesce al Sale which is basically baked sea bass with salt. Nothing much fancy here but fresh sea bass baked with salt served with olive oil. Satisfaction was there for me. Fresh fish baked just right with tender texture. The rest was just salty taste on the palate and aroma of olive oil. I do like it.

Well, Ristorante Puny is not a cheap place at all but a good experience al fresco, especially when visiting with your love one. The view is remarkable. Not cheap but I would still say recommendation to anyone who is going to visit Portofino.

Pappardelle Portofino (EUR20)

Pesce al Sale (EUR30)

a lady staff dissembling the fish

Ristorante Puny @ Portofino, Italy
5 Piazza Martiri dell'Olivetta
Portofino 16034
Genoa
Italy

Open Hours: daily except Thursday 12:30pm - 02:30pm for lunch and 07:30pm - 10:30pm for dinner

Tel: +39 0185 268 037

Enoteca Italiana Bangkok @ Sukhumvit, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารอิตาเลี่ยน อีโนติก้า @ สุขุมวิท กรุงเทพฯ

Cuisine: Italian

Map: Enoteca Italiana Bangkok @ Sukhumvit, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารอิตาเลี่ยน อีโนติก้า @ สุขุมวิท กรุงเทพฯ

Price: THB4,400 per person (what we paid for)

Visited: 28 November 2014

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 3/10

Services: 6/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Enoteca Italiana is a charming Italian restaurant hidden in a small alley of Soi Sukhumvit 27. The place is a house converted into restaurant: beautiful and spacious. It is another nice alternative when seeking a place to hang out with friends. The dining room is also decorated resembling Italian atmosphere. Along the wall, you can see range of Italian wine. One of the thing that worth mentioning here is the range of wine. Not many restaurant in Thailand represents good range of wine but here is one with Italian range. Nico, the owner, is a lovely and helpful guy. In the kitchen, Chef Stefano Merlo, who used to head the kitchen of Rossini's until mid 2013, leads the team for the second time after working for 2 years here between 2008 and 2010.

Enoteca Italiana Bangkok @ Sukhumvit, Bangkok

cosy dining room

another corner of cosy and friendly place

bread basket

I have to admit that it was a while back when I visited Enoteca during a wine dinner of Valdicava. All I could mention is the food was nice but not great. Here is the brief description:

White Truffle Cyber Egg (6/10): Tasted nice with aromatic white truffle scent with creamy structure. Creative but too difficult to eat honestly: need to pop the wrap with stick and then such the content inside. Personally, I am not really a fan of those molecular or fancy cuisine.

Pigeon Pate, Vin Santo Gelatine and Flowers (5/10): Pate was nice with senses of flower. But smoother touch would be better. In addition, vin santo gelatine needed to be more flavourful to balance the pate.

Spaghetti with Saffron and Bone Marrow (6/10): Nice creamy touch with al dente spaghetti in unique scent of saffron. But that was it. Not really sure what the missing piece of charm was.

Risotto with Berries and Foie Gras (6/10): Delicious little plate of risotto. Just need more of the berries to balance foie gras.

Grilled Fiorentina Steak (6/10): Flavour was there. But tenderness was not up to the level. Still some toughness there. Not sure whether it was intended to serve this way.

White Truffle Cyber Egg

Pigeon Pate, Vin Santo Gelatine and Flowers

Spaghetti with Saffron and Bone Marrow

Risotto with Berries and Foie Gras

Grilled Fiorentina Steak

Pecorino di Pienza DOP Cheese

As mentioned, the dinner was Valdicava wine dinner with Vincenzo Abbruzzese and daughter Sofia presented the wine themselves. The range of wine was impeccable: each one speaks of itself. Nice and traditional brunello with aromatic structure. The night began with Valdicava Rosso di Montalcino 2012 as the aperitif. Then Brunello di Montalcino and Madonna del Piano ranges were served pairing with the food in the following order:

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2006
Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2004
Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 1999
Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano 2007
Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano 2004
Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano 1999

To me, Brunello di Montalcino 2004 and Madonna del Piano 1999 rocked the night. I was fortunate to get a chance to try such wonderful range. Honestly, if you see these wines, do not hesitate but stock up. All were wonderful and each speaks of its character that resemble vintage and terrior.

Overall, the night was wonderful. I have to admit that the wine outshone the food by far. The food range comparing to the price tag, I would say this is not so valuable. Thanks to the wine that makes it memorable. 

Valdicava Rosso di Montalcino 2012 (91pts)

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2006 (95pts)

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2004 (97pts)

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 1999 (94pts)

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano 2007 (96pts)

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano 2004 (97pts)

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano 1999 (97pts)

Enoteca Italiana Bangkok @ Sukhumvit, Bangkok - ร้านอาหารอิตาเลี่ยน อีโนติก้า @ สุขุมวิท กรุงเทพฯ
39 Soi Sukhumvit 27
Sukhumvit Road
Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana
Bangkok 10110

Thailand

Open Hours: daily from 06:00pm - midnight

Tel: +66 (0) 2258 4386
Web: http://www.enotecabangkok.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/EnotecaBangkok

La Brasserie du Bon Bec @ Cogne, Valle d'Aosta, Italy

Cuisine: Italian (Aosta)

Map: La Brasserie du Bon Bec @ Cogne, Valle d'Aosta, Italy

Price: EUR20 per person (what we paid for)

Visited: 7 October 2014

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 6/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 7/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

It was during Autumn when we visited the village of Cogne in Valle d'Aosta. With no surprise, there was hardly any restaurant operated during the period. Just to mention that the high seasons for this area are Summer, when visitors enjoy warmer climate and nature, and Winter, when ski enthusiasts parade in. Nevertheless, we were fortunate enough to get recommended, by the owner of a small hotel where we were staying, a nice, cosy, and so much of our like brasserie that still in operation: La Brasserie du Bon Bec. The restaurant is a part of a famous hotel in the area, Hotel Bellevue. La Brasserie du Bon Bec is situated right in the middle of the town so you won't be missing surely. The dining hall is set to fame the Alpine traditional mountain setting. Staffs were friendly and worked efficiently. There were only a few of them working in a restaurant with around 15 tables. Honestly, food was nice and staffs were equally nice. We decided to stick with this place for dinner during our few days of passing by.

La Brasserie du Bon Bec @ Cogne, Valle d'Aosta

old fashion country interior but cosy

just another cosy corner

Let's mention a bit on the food. They are pretty much local cuisine. No those fancy things at all. But they were yummy. By the way, breads and rolls here were simply delicious. Pricing of each dish was as well attractive: no those ridiculous mark up even in such mountainous place.

Cheese Fondue, Honey, and Walnuts (8/10) and Cream of Potatoes with Fresh Aromatic Herbs and Sausage (7/10) are highly recommended for any cold day (most of the days here anyway). These warm soups were such a good kicking start for a meal. They were creamy and savoury. The cheese fondue, in particular, was splendid with well balance between sweetness of honey and cheesy notes. Walnuts also provided cracking texture to the overall picture.

bread  and cutlery

Cheese Fondue, Honey, and Walnuts (EUR10)

Cream of Potatoes with Fresh Aromatic Herbs and Sausage (EUR8)

Next was Polenta with Cheese and Melted Butter (7/10). I promise I really love cheese and this classic polenta with cheese was so yummy and classic: so warm, so smooth, and so cheesy. Another polenta dish was Stewed Beef with Polenta (7/10). Classic stew that was not too thick with creamy polenta was so enjoyable. Lastly, it was Lillaz Trout Baked in a Foil (8/10). So simple but yet so much of satisfaction and joy. Juicy and sweet. Just nice. Lillaz is another little town in Valle d'Aosta and just a few kilometres from Cogne. So you sure guarantee the very best of local catch here.

Polenta with Cheese and Melted Butter (EUR8)

Stewed Beef with Polenta (EUR14)

Lillaz Trout Baked in a Foil (EUR14)

friendly staff boning off trout

During the visits, I did also get the chance to try local wines. I opted for pinot noir which I fond of. L'Atoueyo Pinot Noir 2013 (87/100) and Maison Anselmet Pinot Noir Eleve en Fut de Chene 2011 (89/100) were the choices. Both were enjoyable with pinot fruit aroma. But Maison Anselmet possesses more structure and mild oak palate.

Anyway, though we only tried a restaurant in Cogne, we could really say that we do like La Brasserie du Bon Bec and it is a place to go for in Cogne: reasonable price, delicious, and nice people. It won't disappoint you, I promise.

L'Atoueyo Pinot Noir 2013 (EUR12, 375ml)

Maison Anselmet Pinot Noir Eleve en Fut de Chene 2011 (EUR17, 375 ml)

La Brasserie du Bon Bec @ Cogne, Valle d'Aosta, Italy
72 Rue Bourgeois
11012 Cogne
Valle d'Aosta
Italy

Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 12:00pm - 02:30pm for lunch and 07:00pm - 10:00pm for dinner

Tel: +39 0165 749 288

Web: http://www.hotelbellevue.it/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Hotel.Bellevue.Cogne

Da Vittorio Ristorante @ Brusaporto, Bergamo, Italy

Cuisine: Italian

Map: Da Vittorio Ristorante @ Brusaporto, Bergamo, Italy

Price: EUR125 per person (what we paid for)

Visited: 16 October 2014

Food: 10/10

Atmosphere: 10/10

Value for money: 9/10

Services: 10/10
Scale: [1=poor ---- 5=average/standard ---- 10=outstanding/exceptional]

Out of the restaurants that we visited in Italy back in October 2014, Da Vittorio Ristorante at Brusaporto, Bergamo is without doubt the most impressive. It is probably at the top of my personal favourite choice overall. Da Vittorio is in fact a lovely and beautiful hotel in Brusaporto and the restaurant is a part of the property. Driving from Bergamo you would reach the hotel within half an hour and it would take you around 1 hour driving from Milan. The place is run by Cerea family in which the two brothers, Enrico and Roberto, take charge as the head chefs.

Da Vittorio Ristorante @ Brusaporto, Bergamo, Italy

charming restaurant house

a small lovely pond within the premises

Apart from the beautiful property, the restaurant itself is as well equally strikingly wonderful. The restaurant is elegant and charming with facade facing down the hill. There is also an outdoor area where you may relax and enjoy a couple of drinks. As we strolled through the menu, there were three choices of tasting menu for lunch: lunch menu, truffle menu, and fish & crustaceans menu (the tradition of Vittorio). As it was during white truffle season, truffle may also be added to certain courses at some extra charge. Wine list is something that is incredible here too. The cellar comprises around 15,000 bottles. Surely you can find all sort of wine there. The list is interesting and they do come at modest marked up only. Thus, this is sure a place for wine lovers.

beautiful, elegant, and cosy dining room

windows looking into the kitchen

al fresco area

At the time of our visit, the lunch course was EUR70. As Deadly Bunny would like to have white truffle (having seen the treasure box of white truffle and it was irresistible) in some of her courses too, the restaurant did not hesitate at all to adjust the menu to match her demand; a really kind service from the team indeed. The meal began with a small bite of Hammer Jack, mozzarella (if I was not wrong), and tomato which was fresh and excellent. The in-house modest bread range was as well delicious which came in bread sticks, brioche, white bread, olive and based bread. They were nice on their own but dipping in olive oil was equally great. For this meal, the suggested wine by the sommelier (Giorgio if I was not mistaken) was Cervaro della Sala 2012 in which I have posted earlier this week. It was sure a great recommendation and I was not disappointed at all.

amuse bouche of Hammer Jack

tray of fun: bread sticks

treasure box of Italian diamond (Alexandro)

Cervaro della Sala 2012 (EUR45)

The first of the four lunch course for Deadly Bunny was Sottosopra (upside-down) (10/10), which was the combination of grapes, cream of potato, potato crisp, and truffle (from bottom to top). This was a stunningly impressive dish. Light but creamy potato was smooth, delicate, and delicious. The aroma of truffle balanced well with sweet grapes. During our starters, Da Vittorio also showed us with Seared Scallop with Ribes, Toasted Almond, and Porcini (10/10). I gotta say that this was prepared to perfection. Creamy but light sauce balanced so well with sour touch of ribes. Love it.

For me, I chose to have selection of fish starters which came in 3 parts and comprised of Tuna Tartare with Fig Carpaccio and Pistachio (9/10), Langoustine with Crunchy Truffle and Pumpkin-Ginger Ice-cream (10/10), and Polenta, Meringue, and Grated Fish (9/10). The tuna tartare started off with light and fresh touch. Fig carpaccio was round and sweet and played along nicely with horseradish. Crunchy pistachio added another dimension to texture. For langoustine, it was fresh and high in quality. Da Vittorio seemed to play along with sweet and hot combination, i.e. sweetness from pumpkin and hot notes from ginger. This dish was as well beautifully presented. Lastly, the polenta with grated fish was a wonderful creation with aroma of spices and garlic whilst meringue was the sweet part. The fish itself was fresh and kind of creamy together with polenta.

Sottosopra (upside-down)

Tuna Tartare with Fig Carpaccio and Pistachio

Langoustine with Crunchy Truffle and Pumpkin-Ginger Ice-cream

Seared Scallop with Ribes, Toasted Almond, and Porcini

Polenta, Meringue, and Grated Fish

For pasta course, the truffle one was divided into Classic Egg Pasta with White Truffle (10/10) and Gnoccho, Truffle, and Parmesan (10/10). Good God!!!! These two dishes were so classic, elegant, and yummy. The quality of white truffle was really tremendous. The soft egg pasta with white truffle needs no mentioning surely. So popular and so classic but so well-made. I don't mind having this dish only in a large portion for the whole meal. Gnoccho was equally great. It was stuffed with parmesan. Truffle perfume revealed agressively. Love the kind of soft / chewy texture of gnoccho and stuffed cheese.

As for me, the dish was Paccheri alla Vittorio Creamed with Grana Padano Cheese (10/10). I promise it would be rare and really difficult to find any pomodoro pasta at the equal level to this one at Da Vittorio. The texture of paccheri was surely cooked perfectly. The sauce was rich and highly perfumed. A touch of chilli also added hot feeling to overall picture. The dish was prepared at table side by Rosella Cerea (the youngest of Cerea family) herself. To me, this is the dish to remember for this place.

Classic Egg Pasta with White Truffle

Gnoccho, Truffle, and Parmesan

Paccheri alla Vittorio Creamed with Grana Padano Cheese

table side preparation

For main course, Cod with Cream of Yellow Tomato (10/10) was the first one. This represented freshness of the sea with refreshing of the land. The cream was smooth, fresh, tangy, and yes tomato. Flavours seemed to follow in layers, one after another. There were also ice herbs hidden in sauce. Cod was doubtlessly well cooked. Then it was Grilled Turbot, Caviar, and Orange Sauce (9/10) for the second one. This was totally opposite of cod. It was more on the power side if I have to put in word. Texture was low in fattiness as in usual turbot but still soft enough. Orange sauce paired with turbot well alongside sweet carrot and grilled onion. Nice dish it was but still prefer cod.

Cod with Cream of Yellow Tomato

Grilled Turbot, Caviar, and Orange Sauce

To end the course, Da Vittorio brought us through some sweet adventure. It started with soft and fluffy Panettone (10/10). Then it was followed by Cream of Avocado, Yoghurt Ice-cream, Macadamia, and Horseradish (10/10).  The outstanding point of this dessert was freshness. The texture was absolutely smooth for both cream of avocado and yoghurt ice-cream. Macadamia coated with caramel was the crunchy dimension. Apart from being delicious, this small dessert did its job so well in sweeping away remaining taste from previous savoury dishes. It did not end at this point. Some petit fours were then brought along with a trolley of kids' wonderland which fully of various types of candy. Pick your favourite to enjoy.

Panettone (gorgeously yummy)

Cream of Avocado, Yoghurt Ice-cream, Macadamia, and Horseradish

trolley of sweety candies

I have to really say that the service at Da Vittorio could be an unrivalled one. Staffs are so so so friendly and helpful. After the meal, they did not even mind showing us the kitchen where the wonderful meal had been prepared. Then showing us their wine cellar: loads of wine there I promise. Well, this restaurant, Da Vittorio, has already won our heart by now and is sure one of the best restaurant in Italy (at least for us). Really look forward to returning there. Highly recommended.

the modest kitchen

excellent wine cellar

more wines

Da Vittorio Ristorante @ Brusaporto, Bergamo, Italy
17 Via Cantalupa
Brusaporto 24060
Bergamo
Italy

Open Hours: daily except Wednesday noon from 12:30pm for lunch and 07:00pm for dinner

Tel: +39 035 681 024
Web: http://www.davittorio.com/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Da-Vittorio-Ristorante/791102864264070