Holiday Time

Christmas in Italy is a special time of year. The holiday season, which usually runs from the early part of December until the beginning of January is ripe with tradition. And nothing says Italy like food. La Tavola & Wine Bar, the Italian restaurant located on the third floor of the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel has created a Christmas food menu that promises to bring the homesick a holiday respite.

The menu was created by their veteran Italian chef, Fabio Polidori. Chef Fabio gained his passion for cooking while helping his Mother Anna, make and shape pasta as a young boy in central Italy's Marche region. Similar to the Tuscan and Piedmont cooking traditions, his palate was honed on white truffle from Acqualagna, Ciauscolo (soft spread salame made from wild boar) and Formaggio di Fossa cheese where the cheese is wrapped in walnut leaves and buried under-ground from August to November.

After finishing culinary school in Pesaro, Chef Fabio spent time in various parts of Italy before setting off for culinary adventures in countries around the globe. While a traditionalist at heart, he can't help but to sneak in some non-traditional ingredients and modern techniques into his mostly by-the-book recipes. One example that will be served on Christmas day is deconstructed lasagna with oxtail ragout topped with parmesan foam. While this may sound nouveau, the actual lasagna is his Mom's original recipe (as is all the pasta and pizza dough made at La Tavola & Wine Bar). The oxtail is rendered both mouth watering and succulent after having been marinated in red wine, fresh herbs and vegetables for at least 24 hours, and then braised for at least five hours. This dish can be paired with Castigliani Chianti, a Sangiovese and merlot blend that wafts of cherry, raspberry and strawberry as well as floral notes. While light on tannins, the crisp acidity and notes of cherry on the tongue creates a pleasant and balanced partner to the rich flavors surrounding the oxtail.

In most of Italy, the protein of choice on Christmas Eve is fish. Chef Fabio wanted to continue that with a Snow fish Salmoriglio style, accompanied by sauteed vegetables and red pepper coulis. The snow fish is cooked to absolute perfection. The chef explained that it involved a multi-step process of poaching, searing and baking that maintains not only the texture of the fish but the natural flavors. The pepper coulis sauce was a perfect bridge to delicately saute{aac}ed vegetables. To add even more layers, the dish was paired with Albizzia Chardonnay from Toscana. The wine is youthful and crisp. Its crystal clear straw color has golden highlights with notes of ripe lemon and golden apple as well as tropical fruits. It's a refreshing wine that is just bold enough to stand up to the pepper coolie while being soft and balanced enough to give the snow fish the highlight it so rightfully deserved.

La Tavola & Wine Bar is running three specials around the Christmas holiday. Since the more traditional day to celebrate Christmas is actually on Christmas Eve, they will be offering a four course menu that features the Snowfish mentioned earlier and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. The price is 2,200 baht. The Snowfish will be featured on the Christmas day lunch menu as well. It will be accompanied by a pasta starter and dessert with complimentary glass of Danzante Pinot Grigio for 1400 baht. Finally, the evening on Christmas day will see a four course set menu that features the deconstructed lasagna mentioned earlier with a complimentary glass of Academia Sparkling Wine for 2200 baht.

If you happen to miss the Christmas specials, you can book a table for New Year's Eve. 2600 baht (excluding service and VAT) gets you a four course meal with a complimentary glass of champagne. The menu includes a hot appetizer of pig trotter cotechino, lentil salad, potato foam, and black truffle. This is followed by a pasta course of open face lasagna with oxtail ragout, crispy mushrooms and gremolata. The main course is a selection of either Seared snow fish, sundried tomato risotto with Mediterranean flavors or Lamb Scottadito, potato gratin, artichokes in a natural jus. The dessert is a Panettone Pina Colada; toasted panettone, rum-raisins ice cream and mandarin zest.

Throughout December, La Tavola & Wine Bar is also serving up a traditional holiday hamper including both homemade products from the pastry as well as some great imports. Classics include Prosecco, Panettone, traditional Tuscan panforte, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Napoletana Red Sauce, Fresh Egg Pasta, Half a Salami and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese among other things.

To round out this season of giving, The Renaissance Bangkok is working with the Rajvithi Home for Girls to bring some holiday joy and happiness to 300 orphaned children. In the main lobby they have decorated a white Christmas tree with stars containing their wishes. Simply choose a star, purchase the gift and hand it to the staff. Alternatively, you can simply make a 400 baht donation and the hotel's Navigator will purchase the gift on your behalf. Any unfulfilled wishes will be picked up by the Renaissance. What better way to finish a holiday meal than to fill the heart of a young child as well.

La Tavola & Wine Bar is located on the third floor of the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel at 518/8 Ploenchit Road (BTS Chitlom Station, Exit number 2).
For more information or to make reservations call 02-125-5020.