Article by Bangkok Best Dining – read more here.
Il Bolognese Italian Pizzeria Bangkok
About: Il Bolognese had opened about 10 years ago and done okay, but six years ago Andrea Bernardi had appeared on the scene, fresh from Bacco Italian restaurant, and rebooted the place. Nowadays, Il Bolognese is one of the most popular Italian eateries in town, and it is packed most nights. This is not through any high-profile marketing campaign, but simply good old-fashioned word of mouth. Many of the regulars are locals from around the Sathorn districts. The food served is that ofEmilia-Romagna, the administrative region in northeast Italy whose capital is Bologna, from where the restaurant’s owner hails; Andrea himself is from Rimini, which is in the same region.
Decor: Soi 7 is a narrow little lane that runs almost unnoticed between the Singapore Embassy and the Asia Centre; walk along here a couple of minutes, and behind some trees is the restaurant, set in a delightful house painted an almost edible pink. In the garden are a number of tables, and a huge red garden bench. Inside, to the right, is the pizza oven, hived off behind a counter and manned by chefs armed with pizza shovels. The wood-fired oven was designed and built in situ by famed chef and oven designer Mario, who has his own restaurant in Phuket. What immediately impresses the visitor, having passed through the already busy garden tables, is the cosy buzz within the restaurant: pretty well every table is taken within both rooms, for a glass wall runs down the centre. The atmosphere is very welcoming, enhanced by the friendly Andrea himself, and thoroughly attractive and attentive young wait staff.