Buonissimo Or Malissimo?

[Atreyu]

My wife and I have been here almost a month and I believe we have hit most of the dining high points that this city has to offer. We thoroughly enjoy exploring new restaurants, and willingly explore the menu that one has to offer with courage and a cultivated touch of naiveté. I suspect that dish washing has in part something to do with our enthusiasm in dining out.

I am forced to say that Dinner at Malissimo was by far the most memorable that my wife and I have had here. To put it bluntly the food was horrific. I will give them credit; I did enjoy the balsamic bathed zucchini in a fried parmesan basket. It would take a true master to botch frying cheese, and I do not think that they are up to that level of sophistication in their kitchen.

Disillusionment began right after I had sent the pasta dish with the taste of rotten meat back to the kitchen for revision. Things spoil quickly in the tropics, and I was happy to overlook this assault on my palate as I dug into my zucchini with gusto. The Chianti I had ordered worked nicely with the flavor and I was savoring a sense of "Mai Pen Rai" when my wife drew my attention to our waiter. He was jumping about oddly towards the direction of the kitchen. As I looked more closely, I noticed that he was kicking at a large rat, in an attempt to drive him out of the dining room and back into the kitchen (apparently where he belonged). The foul taste of my pasta dish came back in a wave, and immediately I felt a strong sense of dissatisfaction with my zucchini. Even the wine became suspect after what I had witnessed. My wife and I exchange glances, nodded in agreement, and I requested the check as we both placed our forks down on the table.

The waiter's air of nonchalance afterwards didn't help matters at all. It only solidified my thoughts that this was a common occurrence at this establishment. The practiced ease with which he had chivvied the rodent back into the kitchen was all too telling.

After a brief discussion with our waiter over the bill, an Italian man came in to ask what was wrong with the food. I explained to him that I was not happy about rats in the dining room, and that I was unwilling to pay for decomposing meat in my pasta. The owner finally agreed with my assessment of what we owed him after declining to sample the pasta that I had turned away.

I think the thing that saved the evening for us was the owner's aspect. He is a rather short man with a large, protruding stomach. I could not keep myself from thinking of a miniature Falstaff as he first stumped over to our table. My wife's native language is Spanish, so I addressed the owner in that language as he approached so that my wife would feel completely included in our discussion over what was rightfully owed to the restaurant. I think that the owner's grasp of the idiom is a bit rusty, because after I complained about the rat in the dining room, he declared that he was "embarrasado". This indicates a state of pregnancy. I silently agreed that given his ponderous belly this could indeed be the case, but kept my peace on this issue as we negotiated the total on our bill down to what we both felt was a reasonable compromise.

My wife exploded with laughter as we walked out hand in hand. "Do you think he has twins" was the first thing she said. We hopped on our motor scooter and laughed all the way to the gas station. The final brush stroke on our evening at Malissimo occurred as we pulled in to fill up the tank. A large cockroach hopped off our bike and skittered away with an obvious air of relief. Apparently even the roaches find the restaurant as distasteful as I did.

If you are looking for edible Italian food in Chiang Mai, you might want to think about spending your money somewhere else. My recommendation would be Pulcinella, where we have yet to be disappointed.

Edited July 23, 2008 by Atreyu

[Ulysses G.]

Who cares about the size of his belly?

Sergio is a charming man who has been well known for providing good food and good service for many years. Almost every restaurant in Chiang Mai has a problem with rodents and every place has its bad days, but this smacks more of someone who has something personal against him - one of his less successful competitors seething with jealousy perhaps?

[meadish_sweetball]

If what you're describing is true it sounds like bad luck more than anything else. I eat regularly at Buonissimo and have never experienced unedible food or seen any rodents. And Sergio is a top bloke in my opinion too.

[Warrioroo]

Agreed, Sergio is a great guy and i have sent many a group there to dine - and have always received very positive feedback from clients.

I think Ulysses is right on the money there.

[INDI12]

Sergio is a nice guy and i myself have never had a bad meal there or seen any rats.

( Usually pizza for lunch) not that they don't have them. But i must say his pizzas are pretty good considering the price and what you get for the money.......

[angiud]

If you don't like rats or cockroaches (and bellies) may be Thailand is not the country for you.

[Thaihog]

My wife and I have been here almost a month and I believe we have hit most of the dining high points that this city has to offer. We thoroughly enjoy exploring new restaurants, and willingly explore the menu that one has to offer with courage and a cultivated touch of naiveté. I suspect that dish washing has in part something to do with our enthusiasm in dining out.

I am forced to say that Dinner at Malissimo was by far the most memorable that my wife and I have had here. To put it bluntly the food was horrific. I will give them credit; I did enjoy the balsamic bathed zucchini in a fried parmesan basket. It would take a true master to botch frying cheese, and I do not think that they are up to that level of sophistication in their kitchen.

Disillusionment began right after I had sent the pasta dish with the taste of rotten meat back to the kitchen for revision. Things spoil quickly in the tropics, and I was happy to overlook this assault on my palate as I dug into my zucchini with gusto. The Chianti I had ordered worked nicely with the flavor and I was savoring a sense of "Mai Pen Rai" when my wife drew my attention to our waiter. He was jumping about oddly towards the direction of the kitchen. As I looked more closely, I noticed that he was kicking at a large rat, in an attempt to drive him out of the dining room and back into the kitchen (apparently where he belonged). The foul taste of my pasta dish came back in a wave, and immediately I felt a strong sense of dissatisfaction with my zucchini. Even the wine became suspect after what I had witnessed. My wife and I exchange glances, nodded in agreement, and I requested the check as we both placed our forks down on the table.

The waiter's air of nonchalance afterwards didn't help matters at all. It only solidified my thoughts that this was a common occurrence at this establishment. The practiced ease with which he had chivvied the rodent back into the kitchen was all too telling.

After a brief discussion with our waiter over the bill, an Italian man came in to ask what was wrong with the food. I explained to him that I was not happy about rats in the dining room, and that I was unwilling to pay for decomposing meat in my pasta. The owner finally agreed with my assessment of what we owed him after declining to sample the pasta that I had turned away.

I think the thing that saved the evening for us was the owner's aspect. He is a rather short man with a large, protruding stomach. I could not keep myself from thinking of a miniature Falstaff as he first stumped over to our table. My wife's native language is Spanish, so I addressed the owner in that language as he approached so that my wife would feel completely included in our discussion over what was rightfully owed to the restaurant. I think that the owner's grasp of the idiom is a bit rusty, because after I complained about the rat in the dining room, he declared that he was "embarrasado". This indicates a state of pregnancy. I silently agreed that given his ponderous belly this could indeed be the case, but kept my peace on this issue as we negotiated the total on our bill down to what we both felt was a reasonable compromise.

My wife exploded with laughter as we walked out hand in hand. "Do you think he has twins" was the first thing she said. We hopped on our motor scooter and laughed all the way to the gas station. The final brush stroke on our evening at Malissimo occurred as we pulled in to fill up the tank. A large cockroach hopped off our bike and skittered away with an obvious air of relief. Apparently even the roaches find the restaurant as distasteful as I did.

If you are looking for edible Italian food in Chiang Mai, you might want to think about spending your money somewhere else. My recommendation would be Pulcinella, where we have yet to be disappointed.

Why don't you crawl back to Spain or wherever and have a nice plate of Paella, served by a cute Manuel.

You are wasting your time trying to deride this restaurant as the Ex-pats that live here know better.

Good riddence

[earlofwindermere]

I think that the original poster is just trying to get a reaction out of all of us. If not, he's a pretty rude person.

I have to agree with everyone else - Sergio is a great guy and we frequently eat at his restaurant because of the great food and service.

[PeaceBlondie]

As most bilingual speakers of Spanish are well aware, embarrassed and embarazada are false cognates between English and Spanish, and I suspect between Italian and Spanish, also. Always good for a giggle, as we did on a Mexican forum recently.

Sergio has always had the best Italian food in Chiang Mai in my five years here. Every restaurant is subject to rodents and cockroaches.

[cmsally]

I don't understand why a complaint about the food has to turn into something personal.

Why does it have to be so malicious?

Unless of course Ulysses has hit the nail on the head.

I don't think the cockroach left because of the restaurant, he didn't like the company on the little motorbike!

[wolfmanjack]

I have enjoyed Sergios food at pum pui and at Buonissimo. Never had a bad meal at either place.

[Nienke]

but this smacks more of someone who has something personal against him - one of his less successful competitors seething with jealousy perhaps?

cmsally, 2008-07-24 09:42:07

Why does it have to be so malicious? Unless of course Ulysses has hit the nail on the head.

I doubt that the competitor mentioned in the OP's post is very happy about the fact they are mentioned in this derogatory post about Buonissimo. I doubt even more that they have anything to do with it.

[Greenside]

I'll unnecessarily echo the sentiments of those who have only good things to say about Buonissimo but would like to take the opportunity add that their ice cream is the best to be had in Chiang Mai (for chocolate, make that the world). The OP sounds like a troll or someone with an axe to grind.

Mods: Whatever the merits of the post, the title on its own is quite damaging. There will doubtless be many people who will simply see the title and register its implication without bothering to read the thread. Other forums I belong to won't let defamatory titles stand for that reason - maybe it could be amended to remove the actual name of the restaurant?

[Greenside]

Accidental post removed.

Edited July 24, 2008 by Greenside

[Steve2UK]

...........After a brief discussion with our waiter over the bill, an Italian man came in to ask what was wrong with the food. I explained to him that I was not happy about rats in the dining room, and that I was unwilling to pay for decomposing meat in my pasta. The owner finally agreed with my assessment of what we owed him after declining to sample the pasta that I had turned away.

I think the thing that saved the evening for us was the owner's aspect. He is a rather short man with a large, protruding stomach. I could not keep myself from thinking of a miniature Falstaff as he first stumped over to our table. My wife's native language is Spanish, so I addressed the owner in that language as he approached so that my wife would feel completely included in our discussion over what was rightfully owed to the restaurant. I think that the owner's grasp of the idiom is a bit rusty, because after I complained about the rat in the dining room, he declared that he was "embarrasado". This indicates a state of pregnancy. I silently agreed that given his ponderous belly this could indeed be the case, but kept my peace on this issue as we negotiated the total on our bill down to what we both felt was a reasonable compromise.

My wife exploded with laughter as we walked out hand in hand. "Do you think he has twins" was the first thing she said. We hopped on our motor scooter and laughed all the way to the gas station............

Huh? You're in an Italian restaurant and the owner is Italian - but you decide to speak to him in Spanish?! - so that your wife would "feel completely included".......... IMO, most of us would think it more important to communicate as clearly as possible with the owner to resolve an issue about the quality of the food his restaurant provided to you. Evidently, your priority was to amuse/impress your new wife - I see from one of your other posts that you are in Thailand on your honeymoon.

As I know from several conversations with Sergio, he is passionate about good food - and therefore equally passionate about all that's required to deliver it in his restaurant. Frankly, Buonissimo deserves better than customers like you. Ciao.

Edited July 24, 2008 by Steve2UK

[ollylama]

personal attacks about the corpulence of the chef are highly unwelcome in a review. good thing, too, or neither paul prudhomme nor julia child would have never gotten very far in their careers.

furthermore, it is to sergio's credit that he tried to speak to you in a language that was not his native tongue and that he admitted he was embarrassed about the situation. furthermore, kudos to him for giving you a discount on your bill because something was not to your liking. you won't find that kind of graciousness at most restaurants in thailand. felicidades, sergio!

if anything, this is a great advertisement for buonissimo. i've never eaten there but many people i know are big fans, and i've always been a big fan of pum pui.

it seems that the employee was trying to get the rat back in the kitchen so that it wouldn't run out into the dining room, which would probably cause a panic among sensitive guests unfamiliar with chiang mai municipality's rough edges.

[p1p]

Closing the topic -

Sergio, as all have mentioned, is highly regarded here for the high standards he sets in all aspects of all his businesses.

As an ex-restaurateur here too, I can vouch for the impossibility in keeping premises vermin free. However much we spend on anti-rat/mouse/roach/ant etc. prophylaxis, there will always be some somewhere. They were here before us and will be here long after Avian Influenza/AIDS/Gonorrhea/Rap Music has wiped us off the face of the planet.