Though it may not spark a continent-wide cultural reawakening, it is safe to say that da Vinci Italian Restaurant -- The Rembrandt's classic-style trattoria -- has experienced a renaissance of sorts.
Besides retrofitting its dining room with a part-time convertible mode, the popular eatery has jumped into the buffet game in a big way, with the introduction of its new 'Viva Italia Sunday Al Fresco Brunch' buffet.
And apropos its namesake inventor's penchant for engineering, part of the venue's makeover is architectural in nature: What was once a dedicated dining "room" now pulls a Sunday al fresco shift, with retractable walls that open to let the breeze in, providing a refined and welcoming pergola-in-the-park vibe.
It is within this bright and airy setting that da Vinci's masterpiece brunching experience is framed. The relatively compact forecourt-dining area suite is richly populated with top-quality, expertly prepared Italian fare -- a virtual masterworks gallery of cooked-to-order hot dishes, self-serve delicacies and assorted nibbles that covers just about every facet of this world-favourite cuisine.
A modest Grill station features seductively tender and toothsome Beef, Salmon and Lamb portions smoking on the iron, with prawns and crab making it difficult to decide.
The house's authentic stone pizza oven churns out piping-hot pies with deli-fantasy toppings like Parma ham and artichoke. And though 'pizza on fire' might sound alarming, the rum-fired Pizza Flambé is a really tasty plateful of pyro-culinary pizazz, its flame-scorched mozza' piled onto with black truffle and ham.
Switching off the display of our internal carbs metre, we set a vector for the Pasta Station, where choice-of-noodle dishes were being whipped up with a standard selection of sauces. The Spinach-Cheese Ravioli immediately caught our eye, which we ordered and promptly married off to an enchanting and very much recommended Cream-Truffle Sauce.
Meanwhile, that favourite highbrow standby Fois Gras is not spared a sizzling, with the generously sized made-in-a-minute morsels alluringly plated with fruit compote.
The selection of heritage-grade deli specialties is truly impressive, with plenty of locally-rare and assorted antipasti including pickled veggies plus multiple varieties of olives, cured meats and cheeses.
Even the Bread Station offerings are well-worth a try -- we particularly liked the savoury and crispy Flatbreads that pair so well with cheese, as well as a cornmeal Maize loaf with a lovely crust that can be parsed out as a cross between a crumpet and a baguette.
Validating Da Vinci's family-friendly credentials, a Kid's food Station beckons hungry youngsters with burgers, hot dogs and varieties of potato bites.
Wandering into dessert territory, we sensed that The (Chocolate) Force is strong in this one, and right we were. With not a trace of place-holder layer cakes or custard tarts hiding under billows of whipped cream -- this All-Star dessert selection of chocolaty goodness goes straight for the sweet-tooth jugular with Chocolate Eclairs, Fudge Brownies and bliss-eliciting cuplettes of Chocolate Crème.
There's also a rack of chocolate-dipped, confection-filled ice cream cones awaiting scoops of Gelato while just beyond, a pastry chef ladles out puddles of thick batter that quickly become buttery-browned Crepes served with a usual suspects-selection of toppings. All are exquisite and none can be skipped -- you have been warned.
Though we are not big fans of ambient music, the live DJ's set of cheesy (no pun) 70's-era Disco and Funk hits provided an oddly welcome dose of nostalgic kitsch.
With its sweeping selection and real-deal Italian cuisine, Da Vinci's Viva Italia Sundays-Al Fresco Brunch offers good value-for-money and makes for a breezy, carefree and immensely satisfying weekend-afternoon dining experience.
'AL FRESCO BRUNCH' AT DA VINCI
1,250 Baht net per person
Children 6 - 12 years: 450 Baht net
(Price includes free-flow Bellini cocktails, soft drinks, fresh fruit juices and Italian soda)
Served every Sunday, 11:30 am to 3:00 pm.
Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok
19 Sukhumvit Soi 18
Phone: 02 261-7100
email: restaurants@rembrandtbkk.com
www.rembrandtbkk.com
Facebook: Davincibkk
