DINING OUT - ENTERTAINMENT

St Valentine’s Day indulgence at The Bay

   by Miss Terry Dinerner

The Bay restaurant in the Dusit Resort is under the passionate eye of the Italian chef Giuseppe Zanotti, a man who loves to cook, loves to entertain and loves to see his guests happy. It then came as no surprise to hear that Giuseppe has planned a dinner for lovers for St. Valentine’s Day. “St. Valentine, he’s an Italian, I’m an Italian, so I must do something for St. Valentine’s Day,” said Giuseppe, waving his arms around as he spoke so excitedly.

Chef Giuseppe Zanotti
I have written before about The Bay, and last time wrote, “Listening to Giuseppe describe the dishes is pure poetry. The unmistakable ‘Italianesque’ English waxing lyrical over the ingredients. You feel like shouting ‘Bravo’ when he is finished. It had been yet another wonderful performance from a chef who wears his heart on his sleeve. Producing food that has his very soul all through it.” Note I had previously written “heart on his sleeve” and nothing could be closer to the truth with the St. Valentine’s Day concept.
Now while we think of St. Valentine’s Day, we should not forget poor old St. Valentine who was a priest in Rome in the days of Claudius II (The Cruel). Claudius banned marriages, hoping to keep the number of troops high, but St. Valentine aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples. For this, St. Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered his martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year 269 AD. So it wasn’t all hearts, chocolates and roses in those days!
However, Chef Giuseppe will make up for past misdeeds of his countrymen with his special St. Valentine’s Day dinner at The Bay. Madame and I were lucky enough to sample some of the special menu (so get to celebrate twice).

Many of the items have been imported specially for the occasion, and include ice cream from Italy (where else?) and veal from Australia. However, it is the way that Giuseppe handles all his creations that makes The Bay special. In the Fish in Love pasta there is a dish promising ravioli stuffed with jumbo prawns and porcini mushrooms on lobster sauce which was enough to melt any heart, with the heart-shaped ravioli in green, white and red (and yes, you guessed it – the colors of Italy).
The Meat in Love has tortelloni stuffed with beef stew and vegetable sauce, again in the green, white and red theme. And again, mouthwatering.
Not only does Chef Giuseppe love his food creations, he puts love and artistry into the presentation. The pan-fried sea bass with orange braised endive and potato mash with fine herbs on parsley and lemon oil looked too perfect to spoil by eating. But we did, and it was superb.
The veal tenderloin was also similarly presented all on a base of truffle oil. Magnifico!
Giuseppe Zanotti’s food is spectacularly good, and his enthusiasm comes through all the time. With a choice of two four course menus, Fish in Love at B. 2,889++ per couple, or Meat in Love at B. 3,889++ per couple, with both featuring two complimentary glasses of sparkling wine, a chocolate heart, a rose for the lady and a photograph of the occasion, this is a wonderful way to show your appreciation of your partner. And incidentally keen value, considering the price is for two people. Why not make a complete night of it and reserve a room as well?
For anyone with romance in their soul, Madame and I can heartily (sorry about the pun) recommend The Bay for February 14. But you will need to book. And today!
The Bay Restaurant, Dusit Resort, 240/2 Pattaya Beach Road (enter from the Dolphin roundabout intersection of Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya North Road and Pattaya-Naklua Road), Pattaya City, telephone 038 425 611, fax 038 428 239, email [email protected]. Open seven days, 11 30 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. for lunch and 6.30 p.m. till 10 p.m. for dinner, but The Bay is used for the superb Dusit BBQ on Saturday evenings. Secure parking in hotel grounds.