DINING OUT - ENTERTAINMENT

Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana

   by Miss Terry Dinerner

It was last year that we “discovered” Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana and were very favorably impressed by this Italian restaurant. It was on the corner of Beach Road and Soi Zero (Regent Marina), but was to fall casualty to the rebuilding of the soi and the surrounding area.
However, with the restaurant being the baby of the passionate Italian Luca Marchetti, Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana was not going to die. He also had a small army of dedicated followers who did not want to see it die either, and you could almost hear the applause all over Pattaya when it re-opened three weeks ago further down Beach Road (about 30 meters past Soi 6).

Similar to the old restaurant, Luca has divided the space into several sections. There are two areas outside, one covered, the other under umbrellas. Inside it is air-conditioned with a central temperature controlled wine cellar, plus a bar area off to the right, and alcoves under arches, and with the kitchen on view in the rear, including a genuine wood-fired pizza oven. There is also a refrigerated delicatessen cabinet next to the bar. The photographs of famous Italians are there too. The total floor area is much larger than before and the new Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana can easily seat 300 guests, but with the way the wine cellar splits the restaurant, you do not get the feeling of being lost in space.
The menu and its prices are much as before, although expanded. With the most expensive item being a lamb tagliata with sage, rosemary and olive oil at B. 580, and most other dishes including the pizzas, pastas, meat and fish being in the B. 200-350 region, it is not an expensive venue.
The wine list is new and I liked the way Luca has listed the wines according to price, ranging from B. 900 for a Bardolino through to a Conterno Barolo Granbussia 2001 (14 percent!) at B. 11,600. House wines are B. 110 per glass or B. 880 a liter. We began with an extra dry Prosecco and then moved on to a Printanie Chardonnay 2004, great drinking at B. 2,200.
We followed Luca’s food suggestions (I have always believed that this is the best way to enjoy an Italian restaurant) and began with an antipasti, in which the spicy pepperoni was just delicious taken with the focaccia bread. Try it yourself!
From there we tried some pasta dishes including a spaghetti with fresh seafood (delightful clams) and then a home-made scallop ravioli with a porcini mushroom sauce which really took my fancy. A smooth blend of flavors.
Our final dish was an oven roasted sea bass, surrounded by tiger prawns and sliced potatoes, presented on a huge platter. This was just magnificent. I wrote in my notes that evening, “A veritable culinary cornucopia”. However, by this stage we were so full we could not finish it, and shamelessly asked for a take-away pack, which the staff happily provided.
According to Wikipedia, “The trattoria is a specifically Italian institution more akin to an eating club than a conventional restaurant. The food is modest but plentiful and is served family-style (i.e. at common tables).” However, Luca Marchetti’s trattoria serves much better than “modest” food but it can be eaten at family style long tables outside, though inside the dining is more formal with starched linen and waistcoated waitresses!
Almost one year ago I wrote, “Trattoria Toscana is not your average trattoria with the obligatory red and white check tablecloths and refectory seating. This is a very well appointed restaurant that serves Italian cuisine and Italian wine, run by a passionate Italian. The food is of high standard. The mood is laid back and we had a most pleasant evening. If you are looking for authentic Italian food, you will find it here. Highly recommended.” I see no reason to change that, other than to make the assessment of the new Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana ‘Very Highly Recommended’!
Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana, 98/4 M9 Pattaya Beach Road (just past Soi 6), telephone 038 362 370, fax 038 362 371, open every day 12 noon until 12 midnight. Plenty of on-street parking and some limited parking in the grounds.