La Taverna is located right in the heart of Chaweng’s lively nightlife area, just 10 metres down the lane which runs parallel to Soi Green Mango, off Chaweng Beach Road. And it’s everything you’d expect from a real Italian restaurant. Framed prints of Italy on the spotless white walls, soft atmospheric lighting, the friendly chatter of satisfied diners and the appetizing aroma of Italian cooking wafting in from the kitchen. Plus one of the friendliest and most interesting hosts you’ll ever meet, and that’s the owner - Carlo Magello.

He’s flamboyant and fun, and takes great delight in greeting every customer personally, making sure that everybody’s totally happy. And it’s entirely effortless. Which comes as no surprise when you hear that up until a few years ago Carlo was the Managing Director of Gucci (UK), mixing socially and professionally with the rich and famous, including royalty. And, having held that position for 15 years, if he doesn’t know how to be sociable, then no-one does!

Since Carlo bought the 50-seater, air-conditioned La Taverna in June 2007 he’s already transformed it into one of Samui’s finest Italian restaurants, and definitely the best traditional one. And he’s got great plans to make the place even better, whilst keeping to his principle of, “providing good wholesome Italian food at realistic prices.”

So what food is available? Well, think of your favourite Italian dish and the chances are that it’ll be on the menu. But if you want to make doubly sure, you can always request a dish the day before and it will be prepared especially for you. Now that’s what I call customer service!

Just try the Antipasto Rustico with its Parma ham, salami, mortadella, tomato, roast peppers, artichokes and melon, and you’ll immediately be assured that it’s the real thing here. Then go for the Spaghetti alio Scoglio with its fresh seafood and tomato sauce, or the Bucatini alia Amatriciana with bacon, onion, chili and tomato sauce to prove the point - you won’t be sorry. My particular favourite is the Costolette di Agnello Australiano alia Griglia - grilled Australian lambs chops with a puree of potatoes and zucchini, and for very good reasons.

But a word of warning if you order a pizza. They are absolutely HUGE. If they made motorbike deliveries from this restaurant, they’d need a Harley Davidson! The most popular pizza here is the Capricciosa, with tomato, Mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, salami and olives, and I’m not surprised, it really is delicious. Especially so when enjoyed with a nice bottle of wine - Italian, of course.

And you can’t eat traditional Italian fare without having a Tiramisu or a Panna Cotta for dessert. That and a freshly-brewed cup of espresso or cappuccino. And when Carlo spots you rounding off your meal he’ll be over like a shot with a bottle of grappa. He wants you to feel comfortable, like you’re eating at home - but with someone else doing the cooking!

Carlo’s not the only one here who creates this homely, friendly ambience. His fellow-Italian, restaurant manager Felice is also extremely accommodating, as are the ever-present smiling waitresses. And I must say that an evening’s dining at La Taverna really does feel more like being at a dinner party in a friend’s house than a visit to a strange restaurant in a foreign country. This is a truly authentic Italian dining experience and comes highly recommended.

Source: www.siamdiningguide.com

The restaurant opens at midday and closes
when the last customer leaves.
For reservations and further information,
telephone 0 7741 3006

Read more:    Preg  La Brasserie  Koh Samui Restaurants  Olivio  Rice  Cafe de France

 

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