An Audio and Gastronomique Delight
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Paolo, Head Chef and Nong the owner of Pattaya’s La Dolce Vita.
I am an unashamed foodie, and when it is combined with music, I am in seventh heaven.
So, it is nice to know that among the dross of Pattaya there are gems; and as gems go, the night of the 27th March at La Dolce Vita, ranks as a diamond, brilliant and sparkling. The reason …. A musical and food feast had been arranged with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra String Quartet, to play a short concert before the meal was served,
And then play again between the courses.
The host of a La Dolce Vita is Paolo, assisted by his wife Nong and her son, Christopher.
The four musicians were Tasana Nagavajara, violin; Siripong Tiptan, violin; Apichai Leamthong, cello; and last but not the least, the delightful Omporn Kowintha on viola.
They started with Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 77 and played with great bravura in all four movements. Haydn’s music is noted for its humor and this came over well in the playing. I noticed quite a few feet tapping and fingers drumming on tables around the room from all nationalities and when they had finished they were greeted with enthusiastic applause.
The second piece, Mendelssohn’s String Quartet no. 6, Op. 80 was a far a more somber item, as it was composed just after the death of his sister Fanny (and only two months before his death). Once again the four rose to those present listened enraptured followed by great applause at the end.
Then, it was time to eat….and for a starter we were presented with an epicurean delight: a hot water of pancake, eggplants, zucchini, peppers and melted camembert finished with thyme and extra virgin olive oil. The favors combined to give a taste sensation to the palate.
Then the quartet returned to play a piece by Mozart that he composed when he was thirteen years old. This was in three movements and again was greeted with enthusiastic applause, for by now the audience was realizing what superb artist this quartet was.
Time for the next course: a fillet of Tasmanian salmon with a bouquet of wild asparagus, potato gratin and spinach frittata with a warm lime favored Hollandaise sauce. Now, I am not the greatest lover of seafood, but this, if anything would, could convert me. The salmon had a very delicate favor and the lime in the sauce gave a “bite” that added a zest to the whole presentation.
A separate meal was supplied for those who could not eat fish. A vegetarian dish was pre-booked. It was tomato and vegetable sauce tortellini; the recipient stated that it was full of favor and he would have no hesitation in ordering it again. Lasagne was served as an alternative to salmon to two other people as discussed on the night with Paolo. What service! They both said it was excellent.
The quartet then returned for their fnal session, Bach’s Air from suite no. 3. This is a very beautiful and lilting piece and many of the expat Brits would remember it as being used in the commercial for “Hamlet” cigars. It was one of many such commercials that introduced a lot of people to the joys of classical music.
Once again the applause was tremendous and very well deserved; but they had a surprise in store they played a Thai melody that was named after a waterfall in Kanchanaburi.
At the end of this, the applause was long and loud and they took their very well deserved bows. Paolo expressed his thanks to the musicians and also to Greg Barton who had been instrumental (no pun) in organizing the event. Greg, in turn, thanked Judith Edmonds for suggesting La Dolce Vita as a venue. Finally, Paolo presented us with desert, a raisin cheesecake with a delicate raspberry fruit coulis and then coffee or tea to round off the evening. Among the many guests were Deputy Mayor Ronnakit, the Italian Consul, Battaglino Paolo, and his delightful lady, a party of fourteen from the Pattaya City Ex Pats Club and Bob Hayden-Gilbert, himself a conductor of note.
The venue is in Soi 8, off
This is an elegant venue, well deserving your patronage at any time. With regard to the musicians, knowing how musically minded the King is, in both playing and composing, he would be justifiably proud to know that he has such wonderful ambassadors of music among his subjects.
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