Pizzazo with passion by the host

IT was nice to be back in Pizzazo which we had visited as recently as January last. Familiar faces were to be found expertly performing the service and our host, K. New Vongasawad, was to be found everywhere - at the door, at the bar and in the kitchen.

Proceedings started with a choice of two aperitifs: Casali Lambrusco Amabile NV (Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy) and Feudo Maccari Rosé di Nero d’Avola 2014 (Sicily), neither of which elicited too many compliments from wine spokesman Roy Dean, who was reminded of Vimto and excursions to Ibiza. (As usual, all wines were selected and supplied by the Club).

However, any offended taste buds were quickly reset when we were presented with a very delicious first course of Baked Hokkaido Scallop prepared with tobiko, spicy mustard, and mozzarella that was served with wonderful crispy garlic bread. This was judged by our food spokesman, Alan Rankin, to be the most interesting dish of the day, and some of our 18 diners even suggested it would be great as main course.

It was accompanied by Lesehof Stagård Gaisberg Riesling 2016 (Kremstal, Austria) which Roy and others declared to be excellent and was heartily enjoyed by all.

Alan went on to praise Beef Carpaccio classic style with extra virgin olive oil, shaved parmesan and rocket though I thought that the beef should have been cut a trifle more thickly to secure more of its flavour. Tegernseerhof Bergdiestel Grüner Veltliner 2016 (Wachau, Austria) was served with this; I shared Roy’s respect for this first-rate wine and he reminded us that it had been served at an optimum temperature. Lobster Soup with minced lobster meat came next with more Grüner Veltliner This was an excellent rendition of a classic soup, and while perhaps not as thick and creamy in texture as some might expect, it was more than satisfying in terms of rich flavours and received well-deserved praise from all quarters.

Our main course was a generous portion of Australian grain-fed Rib Eye Steak, cooked to order and served with potato gratin, vegetables, and a Bordelaise sauce. To accompany this delicious beef our Winemaster Thomas Boedinger had chosen Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2013 (Tuscany, Italy).

​It was a good choice – easy drinking and excellent value for money. Everyone agreed that “the flavours swirl around a firm core of tannins that channel the fruit toward a long and spicy finish”, but many felt Suckling’s score of 97 was rather generous for this blend of 50% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Verdot that was aged 18 months in new French barriques.

Next was the Crispy Almond Chocolate with Vanilla Ice Cream, a deliciously rich Pizzazo favourite. Mercifully, we were served a modest but adequately-sized portion (it is usually a large dish), as we had yet to enjoy our coffee and a selection of fine cheeses.

These were accompanied by an excellent Cherubino Cowaramup Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 (Margaret River, WA) that exhibited “savoury flavours, but with a bright, mouth-watering finish”. Roy concluded by congratulating Thomas on his selection of interesting wines.

Our birthday boy, Danny Arn, had donated to the cause an 18-year-old Glenmorangie which was much appreciated and was rewarded by the opportunity to present tokens of our thanks to K. New and his hard-working team.

http://www.pizzazobistro.com/188
Sukhumvit Soi 16, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02 663 8500