On cloud nine, almost

EATING Out

Dining on cloud nine does not need climbing up high, especially at Toscana Valley in Khao Yai. The place was surrounded by ground-level, cloud-like mist when we were there recently for lunch, and it was absolutely breathtaking. Yet, don't quickly assume that the awe-inspiring milieu is the highlight of the review you're going to read, because it isn't.

Toscana Valley’s breathtaking location adjacent to World Heritage Khao Yai National Park. PHOTOS: ANUSORN SAKSEREE

Situated on a 2,000-rai high-end residential estate with golf course juxtaposed to the World Heritage site, Toscana Valley restaurant is set in the premises' clubhouse. Since the estate is a private property (with prices of villas starting from 20 million baht), most people have presumed that its eatery doesn't serves outsiders. But those in the know would say that the restaurant is one of the most respectable public eating places in Khao Yai.

The menu, though very extensive with approximately 100 items, seemed to cater more to golfers than deliberate restaurant hunters. It featured everything from traditional and contemporary Thai dishes to classic Chinese to European fare. Yet what made dining here so memorably impressive was the quality and taste of its food. After all, it was proved to us that this is no ordinary clubhouse eatery serving unnecessarily expensive food, but a well-worth-checking-out restaurant that offered great food at very reasonable prices.

Directing the kitchen was Natalin Ruangkritiya, who, for many years, owned and ran a critically-acclaimed Thai restaurant in Orlando, Florida. Natalin insisted that almost everything in her restaurants is of tip-top quality and always made from scratch. And even though Toscana Valley restaurant might be an ideal place to dine among the multi-billionaire homeowners, you don't have to empty your wallet just to be with the rich and famous, because the average price of dishes here is just 150 baht.

The first delicacy you shouldn't miss is Toscana's special fried pork (150 baht). This addictive appetiser present-

ed deep-fried well-marinated pork fillets tossed with seasonings and herbs including garlic, coriander seeds and peppercorns to yield an aromatic, sweet'n'salty flavour and a pleasantly chewy texture.

Equally noteworthy was Toscana roll (150 baht) aka hae kuen. Home-made from scratch, this shrimp cake roll, served with sweet plum sauce, had crispy thin skin and a flavourfully succulent centre. As did fried palo-marinated duck meat with crispy basil and herbs (200 baht), which was pungent and delicious.

The restaurant, set in the estate’s clubhouse, offers a bright and casual atmosphere.

For a noodle dish, we sampled spicy stir-fried flat rice noodles with pork spare ribs in Chinese gravy (130 baht) and fell in love. The noodles had a gratifying wok-burnt aroma while the gravy was the work of a master. If you're a fan of phad thai, you'll be delighted with Toscana phad thai with shrimp (140 baht) which was very scrumptious.

If you're looking for a side dish to enjoy with rice, I recommend steamed fish roll with shrimp stuffing in light soy sauce (market price). The seafood was fresh and the sauce was fragrant and flavoursome.

The parade of epicurean pleasures continued with carbonara pizza (250 baht). On the hand tossed crispy thin crust were bacon, ham, mushroom, cream and cheese - a very delightful treat that will keep your kids at the dining table.

For me, I was especially impressed by seared Australian dory with lemon pesto sauce (300 baht). This mild-looking dish presented soft fish fillet on a bed of spinach with grilled tomato and potato wedges in a brilliant buttery and tangy lime pesto.

When it came to desserts, the restaurant had a decent list of sweet dainties. Brownie Lava with vanilla ice cream and banana fritter with vanilla ice cream did a perfect job in wrapping up such a perfect meal.

The not-to-be-missed Toscana’s special fried pork.

Italian-style thin crust carbonara pizza.

Steamed fish fillet stuffed with shrimp in soy sauce.

Stir-fried rice noodles with pork spare ribs.

Relate Search: Toscana Valley, World Heritage Khao Yai National Park