CalderazzO Italian Restaurant Soi Langsuan

After reviewing many restaurants in Bangkok for DininginThailand, I was pleased when asked to visit Calderazzo Italian restaurant, because not only is it recognized as one of the best Italian eateries in Bangkok, but its location is only 1 stop to the BTS station at Chitlom.

My dining partner and I arrived at 6PM and entered to find a fairly large restaurant with multi-tiered dining rooms. It was a pleasure to see the tables were not only generously spaced between each other but offered numerous corners or romantic nooks to have a private conversation and/or enjoy a romantic evening. For larger parties seeking real privacy, there are two rooms that offer wide screen TV and accommodate up to 24 persons, and an outdoor terrace for customers that smoke.

Calderazzo offers an expansive selection of fine wines and eventhough I've been known to, on a few special occasions, pop open a Barolo or Barberesco, our budget for this review didn't allow room to order a vintage from the special Italian premium selections, however there is a nice selection from Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. Equally surprising are the very nice wines available by the glass, and none of which were the usual budget house varieties of wine but a dozen quality white and the same amount of reds, which meant my dining partner could opt for a cabernet and I could opt for a red.

While enjoying our wine, we were presented with our dinner menus. From the 5 starters my friend chose the Granchi with baby swimmer crabmeat and garlic bread mixed with capers/caviar and some aioli while Bruschetta was my choice. When this usually simple dish arrived, it had 3 pieces of sourdough covered with Australian avacado, e.v. olive oil, and lemon with crunchy pancetta and another 3 pieces with a more traditional tomato/basil topping. I think it may be the best Bruschetta I have ever eaten. A selection of 7 soups, each equally tempting is offered but we decided to share a salad, choosing the Caesar. I asked the captain "Mr Chai" if they could put a little tomato around the perimeter of the salad and he replied "of course" and the salad did indeed arrive with plenty of ripe tomato surrounding a lovely Caesar.

So far our evening was going well and we were at the entree part of the menu. We chose to share the Prosciutto Crudo, 1 of the 11 choices. It came with Australian avacado and some melon (cantaloupe, as we say, where I come from and it was deliciously sweet and obviously imported). No big drum roll required for the main course as I knew what I wanted as soon as I saw it on the menu. I may be a woman but I am still a carnivore at heart and Osso Bucco was the choice for my main dish. It arrived perfectly tender and the taste was award-winning only to be complemented by saffron risotto and the dish was especially delicious with my second glass, but a different choice of wine. My friend chose the Sangiovannino al mare, a fancy italian name for Linguine with fresh water prawn, garlic, chili, e.v. olive oil, prosecco, and cherry tomatoes. It arrived only to be consumed so quickly I didn't have time to ask him how he liked his pasta and prawns before he had eaten every morsel on his plate. Judging by the big smile, however, it was obvious he enjoyed it immensely. My next visit will have to include a choice of fresh fish or a seafood dish

The meal was more than satisfying for the both of us but the dessert was so tempting we couldn't resist. We selected a variety to sample, First up was the Torte Blu, blueberry cream cheesecake and closing your eyes seemed natural as you savor every bite. Next, we dove into a delicious slice of lemon tarte that my friend again devoured, while my favorite and the finale to our fantastic meal was the Brudino, a delicious mini-molten chocolate cake with French vanilla ice cream. I think I could have eaten two of each dessert. What an enjoyable evening.

Bruschetta - And not your everyday type. This is creative and delicious.
Prosciutto with Australian avacado and melon
Sangiovannino al mare - Linguine with fresh water prawns
Osso Bucco, served with saffron risotto

Dress:Casual
Wines By The Glass:22
Business Lunch: M - F
Corkage: 400 baht
Free Water: Yes
Use MSG: No
Vegetarian Dishes: 10+
Smoking Area: Terrace
Private Room: 2
Private Parking: Yes
Mobile Phones: Yes
Established: 2002

Accepts Major Credit Cards