Pattaya to Tuscany with Frescobaldi, Terrazza Baia and Italasia
By Gloria Jones photos by Thanawin Patcharananpakorn
The Frescobaldi Wine Dinner: “A Journey Through Tuscany” at Terrazza Baia, delivered a fantastic culinary experience that I was more than delighted to attend. First of all because I wanted to visit the newly opened Terrazza Baia. Its on the second floor of Central Festival with elegant indoor and al fresco terrace seating (giving amazing views over Pattaya beach).
Then because I had already studied the menu and saw that in true Italian tradition it followed a tempting path of antipasto (starter), primo, pasta, secondo and contorni (meat) culminating with dolce (sweet finale). The pairing of the wines from Frescobaldi was also enticing, especially as it included one of my favourites, a Brunello di Montalcino (but more of that later).
So with the sun setting over the beach and the palm trees gently waving in the breeze it was a picture perfect outlook for the long tables where guests assembled to enjoy a welcoming glass of Mionetto Prosecco. This was served with an impressive selection of crostini: Delicious Tuscan chicken liver pâté, Anchovy and creamy cultured butter, Homemade tuna mousse and Italian pickled vegetables. This generous starter set the tone of things to come for the rest of the evening and I was immediately glad that I had skipped lunch!
My friend who prefers white wine raved about the Castello Pomino Bianco DOC.which was paired with Burrata, Tuna Crudo & Sicilian Citrus. I was just delighted to be eating real orange segments rather than the usual mandarins, actually preferring the next wine: Alìe Toscana Rosé IGT. It came in a beautiful bottle with a delicate hue and crisp, floral taste that really complemented our first pasta course of Homemade Egg Linguine with very lemony grilled sea prawns. I believe this is on the regular menu and worth coming back to Terrazza Baia on its own!
Then for lovers of traditional Italian cuisine, there was Homemade Egg Pappardelle with Tuscan Wild Boar Ragù paired with the first of our reds, the Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG. Both Bruno from Frescobaldi and Mauro from italasia took the time to describe the wines to diners throughout the meal, which made the event even more informative and enjoyable.
Our contorni featured not 1 but 2 impressive red wine pairings. Tenuta Calimaia Vino Nobile Riserva DOCG with a classic Tuscan dish of slow-braised Angus beef cooked in red wine with garlic and cracked black pepper. The beef was exceptionally tender, while the creamy potato purée and glazed cipollini onions balanced it perfectly.
This was followed by a pairing with my favourite wine of the evening: CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Deep ruby red in colour from 100% Sangiovese it offered a great depth of layers including darky berries and oaky tones.It beautifully matched the Grilled Australian Black Angus Beef Tenderloin with green peppercorn sauce.
There was really nowhere to go after that impressive pairing other than dessert. Mercifully (as I was rather full) this was a shot serving of illy Coffee Cream with Cantuccini di Prato (traditional Tuscan almond biscuits) a reminder of the theme of our whole Toscana experience.
An evening of exceptional hospitality, outstanding wine pairings, and authentic Italian cuisine. We all enjoyed the event so much that during the course of the evening the sound of our laughter and clinking glasses caused over 20 people to come to the terrace and ask if they could have a table to join. However, these wine dinners are pre booked.
So my advice is to quickly join Terrazza Baia Restaurants Instagram and Facebook pages to find out when their next event will be. Or contact Mauro Sciaccaluga from Italasia who has a showroom at North Pattaya and can be contacted by email: [email protected].
Write to him and he will be able to let you know when the next wine dinner is happening in the Pattaya area, or help you arrange your own if you have a restaurant and are keen to organise a wonderful event like this one for your own guests.
To book a table at Terrazza Baia phone 065 707 4889
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