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Published on December 30, 2007

If you're looking for a good meal on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, check out Beccofino. Executive chef Angelo Rottoli has created a memorable set menu, in keeping with the fine reputation that the Italian restaurant enjoys.

The five-course meal (Bt3,400++) offers such dainties as home-made duck liver terrine, home-made fettuccini with sauteed scallops and porcini mushrooms in an artichoke puree, plus your choice of pan-fried fillet of turbot or grilled US beef tenderloin, and one of Rottoli's well-loved desserts, a chocolate tower with mascarpone, coffee mousse and caramelised dry fruit.

If you're not in the mood for a set meal, go for the latest addition to Beccofino's a la carte menu. For those who'd like a change from Italian cuisine, or simply an "adjunct" of sorts, the chef has created what he calls "Suggestions from the Grill", a short menu of appetisers and salads, meats, fish and crustaceans.

Here is very, very fine dining. Those who love foie gras will enjoy that duck liver terrine (Bt720), which Rottoli serves with rocket salad and pan brioche. The liver is especially tasty, having been marinated in port wine and brandy.

For a bit plainer starter, try the fresh smoked duck breast salad (Bt380), which is served with mushrooms and mustard sauce. Rottoli prepares it himself in his very own smoker.

Another favourite is the Alaskan snow-crab salad (Bt420), wonderfully light with a lemon and olive oil dressing and truffles.

Soups are also on offer: French onion (Bt220), lobster (Bt420) and clear consomme (Bt180).

For those who love beef, Beccofino has Japanese, Australian, US and Argentinean choices. The taste of each cut is different, depending on the marbling, and if you're feeling peckish and have brought lots of friends, it's a perfect opportunity to try out more than one cut. Choices of sides and sauces are also offered.

If you'd like to try out something different, there's the grilled French wild boar (Bt620-Bt200 per gram). It has its own taste, not like pork at all.

For a real treat, Chef Rottoli has put Japanese red king crab on the menu (Bt2,500 for two people). This crab is huge, and rather beautiful. It's served it in two courses, as a salad and then as a pasta.

Then there is salt-crusted Italian sea bass (Bt1,500 for two people), and whole Canadian lobster.

Call this grill menu unique. Also call it an enjoyable dining experience.

Laurie Rosenthal

The Nation