| Don Giovanni, the Italian restaurant in the Sofitel | | | | attempt to put his personal mark on this signature dish. |
| Centara Grand Hotel, is indeed named for what may | | | | They should just do themselves a favor and follow the |
| be the greatest opera of all time. At least, that's what | | | | original recipe as they do at Don Giovanni's. It will taste |
| the menu introduction here says and not being an | | | | better, the purists will be happy and the gastronomic |
| opera buff I can't comment on that one way or | | | | gods will smile upon them. |
| another. However, I do know that they orchestrate | | | | There are other dishes here, though, where the chefs |
| some very nice dining experiences as I've had dinners | | | | have used their own ideas as to how certain dishes |
| and lunches here on a number of occasions over the | | | | should be presented. I don't always agree with them: |
| years and have always been satisfied with the food | | | | carpaccio, for example, should be made of beef and |
| and service. | | | | not tuna or veal, but usually we're on the same page, |
| Some parts of the menu have changed over the | | | | so to speak. In the appetizer section there's a great |
| years and some have stayed the same as different | | | | example of mixing top-end ingredients when they |
| chefs have come and gone. However, the basic | | | | serve a goose liver creme brulee with pan-fried foie |
| philosophy has remained in place and that involves | | | | gras, apple mousse and black truffle sauce. The |
| serving top-quality food and wine with formal service | | | | richness of foie gras and truffles together is just plain |
| and attention to details. Also, the menu always has | | | | delicious and only on the edge of overdoing it. |
| always had many traditionally-based dishes as well as | | | | The rest of this ample menu contains enough choices |
| some updated versions of classic dishes from the | | | | to keep anyone happy whether you want something |
| chefs' own repertoires. | | | | simple like spaghetti with an oregano and tomato |
| One thing that is definitely classic at Don Giovanni is | | | | sauce or something a little more elaborate like a baked |
| their strict adherence to the traditional way of making | | | | rack of lamb with black pepper crust and |
| a Caesar's Salad. This is, I believe, the only place in | | | | tarragon-infused lamb sauce. My own favorites include |
| town where you can get a Caesar's Salad made at | | | | the deep-fried seafood plate, the Australian sirloin and |
| your tableside. This may not seem like a big deal but to | | | | the pan-roasted tenderloin wrapped in pancetta bacon |
| some purists a Caesar is not a Caesar unless it's | | | | with foie gras. There are many more that I like from all |
| made at the table. I'm not that strict about it personally | | | | the sections of the menu - risottos, pastas, soups, |
| but I do think that the original recipe should be followed | | | | appetizers and the meat and fish entrees - but these |
| or it's really not a Caesar Salad is it? Many times I | | | | are the ones that have left the deepest impression. |
| have eaten in a trendy Italian place, or others too, and | | | | There are plenty of good wines to accompany your |
| the chef in the restaurant decides that his interpretation | | | | meal here as well in the enclosed wine cellar inside the |
| of a Caesar Salad is superior to that of Chef Caesar | | | | restaurant. These, along with the service and the food |
| Cardini who originated this creation in his Tijuana, | | | | here, will have you singing Don Giovanni's praises |
| Mexico restaurant in 1924. | | | | yourself, perhaps not in an operatic style, but joyously |
| The results sometimes are ludicrous with the chef | | | | nonetheless. |
| throwing in everything but the kitchen sink in a vain | | | | |