La gaetana
Fine Italian Dining in Phuket Town
| By Sam Wilkinson - Photos
by Stephan Audiger |
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La Gaetana enjoys a formidable reputation in
Phuket as a small, family-run Italian restaurant
with an eye for details.
Giovanni Ferrara ('Gianni') and his Thai wife
Chonchita are the hospitable owners of La Gaetana
and excel in making diners feel comfortable
and ensuring that a gourmet meal is enjoyed
here.
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Where is it?
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| La Gaetana's
entrance |
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On Phuket Road, downtown Phuket Town. Coming from
McDonalds, go to the crossroads of Phuket Road with
Ongsimpai Road.
Turn left at the crossroads' traffic light and La
Gaetana is on the opposite side, right there on the
corner.
Park in the Chinese Temple on the left a few metres
down Phuket Road.
View a location map below...
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Décor
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| The next
room with the kitchen on the left
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Cheerfully classic; the main dining area of this
80-year-old building sports a red floor, dark wooden
ceiling and bright mustard walls with nuances of lime
green. There's an antique cupboard to store wine glasses
in next to a clever bar and tasteful trinkets and
oddities abound.
The next room features an open kitchen with several
tables for diners who prefer fans to air conditioning
and here the décor is no less eclectic. Converted
from a Chinese-style backyard and kitchen, it features
turquoise walls, a water trough transformed into a
mini fountain to the side and lots of knick knacks,
with a varnished stairway.
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Atmosphere
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| "Classy
yet laidback atmosphere" |
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There's a classy yet laidback atmosphere in La Gaetana.
Diners don't exactly wear tiaras and Rolexes but eating
out here is a bit of an event, albeit a laidback one.
Gianni is a wonderful host and a hyper professional
sommelier.
With only 32 covers, the restaurant is intimate and
with light background jazz, the foundation for a wonderful
evening dining out is established even before you
arrive.
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Wine
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| Decanting
gear & wine carafe |
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There are 23 labels in all with only one being non-Italian
(a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon house wine). Gianni
expertly decants at tableside and his decanting gear,
once laid out, is quite impressive.
It's all a great show and adds to the atmosphere.
We sample a 2004 'Beneventano' Aglianico red, which
is excellent and truly complements the food.
By the way, the dry Martini I have for aperitif is
spot on as Gianni asks me exactly how I want it.
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Food
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| Cannelloni
in a bolognaise sauce |
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A mixed carpaccio of salmon, tuna, beef and an especially
tasty smoked duck breast is a great opener, along
with rocket salad with parmesan in balsamic vinegar.
A great touch is the warm baguette slices in a wicker
basket accompanied by sachets of homemade butter.
Imported baked Portobello mushroom in gorgonzola
sauce is next and a rare treat it is. Following a
homemade sorbet we continue with cannelloni in a bolognaise
sauce that approaches perfection.
The secret to dining here is to take your time and
let the dishes complement and fill out the evening.
This is fine Italian dining at its zenith and is not
to be rushed and the wonderful thing is that Gianni
has trained his kitchen staff so well in expert food
preparation. There is also an extensive selection
of extra-virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars in
decanters on a dresser by the door to raise culinary
standards even higher.
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Service
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| Gianni
in his kitchen |
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In keeping with the restaurant's high standards,
the service at La Gaetana is exemplary.
Trained by Gianni, many staff members have worked
there for several years. Young, polite and professional,
you will be well looked after.
La Gaetana
352 Phuket Road. Phuket Town
Tel: 076-250523
Mobile: 0813971227
E-mail: giannifer@hotmail.com
Open for lunch Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Closed
Wednesday. Evening reservations necessary.
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