UNFORTUNATELY: RESTAURANT CLOSED
Great Italian restaurant just off the Nightbazar
REVIEW by MICHAEL THE GOURMAND (2014)
Cuisine: Italian
Rating: ★★★★★
Recommended dishes: ravioli made with wild mushrooms in creamy truffle sauce
Price indication: a bit more expensive than the average Italian; average meal about THB 300 up
Open: every day except Tuesday from 5pm till late
Puccini has been in Chiang Mai for nearly 2 years, but I never tried it, perhaps because I was satisfied with my favorite list of Italians. Now, I wish I tried earlier.
The knock out dish I had was ravioli with wild mushrooms in a creamy truffle sauce. When served, it really looks like nothing: a plate full of sauce with something under it. But once you start cutting in the pasta under it and discover the delicate filling, you know what I'm talking about. The smell of the mushrooms and truffle is excellent. Perhaps it's because I don't have truffle every day, but really, the composition is like a delicate piece of music.
I had a 'standard' pasta bolognaise too, which was pretty good, not salty not artificial but home-made taste. The salad was nothing out of the ordinary, though, and the bread served was warm but not great. Pesto sauce with the bread also not bad but not excellent.
Overall, the excitement here is with the pastas.
To my great surprise, this place is run by an American, not by an Italian. The original owner was Italian but he handed it over to a young American about a year ago, and I was kind of surprised that the quality is still good, because normally the quality of the dishes drops after the Italian expertise has left. The old owner spent a few months with the new American owner in the kitchen to teach him the tricks of the trade and the staff has stayed since the handover, so let's hope the quality will remain good for a long time. The new owner didn't change much on the menu and about the business, which is a good idea. If I would have tried this place earlier, perhaps the food would have been even better, with the maestro chef around.
An average pasta costs a bit more than in most Italians, about 200 baht up, but to my taste it's worth it.
They even have organic dishes and whole wheat pasta (at extra costs).
Puccini is one of many Italian restaurants in town, yet it serves some dishes you won't find anywhere else, at least not as good. My favourite "knock out" dish here is the Ravioli with wild mushrooms and truffle cream sauce". Truly yummie, what a great fragrance. The other pastas are quite good too, nearly al dente and rather home-made style. No artificial flavourings, even some organic options and whole wheat pasta, where else can you find that? The bill ends up a bit higher than average, because most pastas here are above 200 baht, but you'll leave satisfied. Started up by an Italian chef, but now run by an American owner, who made the wise choice not to change much. Don't rock the boat when the taste is good. Perfect for a romantic couple for a pleasant evening in a simple wooden house.
The amazing ravioli with mushrooms and creamy truffle sauce
Independent food review by Dining Chiang Mai
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 | Anonymous Posted on December 21, 2014 at 07:39:08 Passed there but it always closed. |
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