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When I decided to stay at a resort by Long Beach, Cam Ranh Peninsula in the coastal province of Khánh Hòa, an Italian culinary experience was the last thing I expected. Actually, a seafood restaurant makes sense. So, I was surprised when I found La Casa Restaurant at Alma Resort.
by Ngô Minh
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Slow-cooked Australian beef and mashed potato. VNS Photo Ngô Minh |
When I decided to stay at a resort by Long Beach, Cam Ranh Peninsula in the coastal province of Khánh Hòa, an Italian culinary experience was the last thing I expected. Actually, a seafood restaurant makes sense. So, I was surprised when I found La Casa Restaurant at Alma Resort.
Arriving at Long Beach at dusk, I thought a romantic dinner with Italian music was a good option. Moreover, my husband and I are fans of Italian cuisine, so we chose La Casa over Atlantis, the resort's seafood restaurant. It was a good choice and made a wonderful start to my trip.
Bruschetta is a must-try antipasto of Italian cuisine. It’s fun to enjoy this appetiser as you have to open your mouth as wide as you can to snap the whole piece.
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Bruschetta combines olive bread, fresh tomatoes, Stracciatella cheese and basil leaves. VNS Photo Ngô Minh |
It’s a simple dish but rich in flavour and beautiful in appearance. Simple is best. It’s easy to understand why it’s a signature dish of Italian cuisine.
I heard somewhere that bruschetta was born as a hymn to the Tricolour, the Italian flag. This seems reasonable as the main ingredients are basil, bread/cheese and tomatoes. The bruschetta at La Casa Restaurant was special, with Stracciatella cheese topped on a slice of crispy bread.
Then we ordered Caesar salad with chicken, romaine lettuce, croutons, Caesar dressing and Parmesan cheese, and a fresh pizza baked in a brick oven.
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Pizza -- a typical Italian dish loved by all -- is completely handcrafted from refined flour, fresh yeast and local spices in the style of exquisite Tuscan cuisine at La Casa restaurant. Photo courtesy of La Casa Restaurant |
While we waited for the next, the waiter brought us some antipasti and a bottle of wine, a Chianti, as a culinary tour of Tuscany culinary.
The highlights of the meal were the beef dishes. I recommend grilled beef tenderloin with gravy, truffle mashed potato, porcini mushrooms, and slow-cooked Australian beef and mashed potato.
The steak was delicious as it’s made from the premium part of the tenderloin. The medium-rare serving retains moisture in the dish.
While the steak preserves its tenderness and flavour in light pink slabs, the slow-cooked beef is well-done and stays firm. The crazy-tender beef and rich sauce blew my mind. Being cooked for hours, it was also well-marinated. Both the fragrance and taste were wonderful.
For those who intend to visit Nha Trang this summer to enjoy the sun, sand and sea, I recommend La Casa Restaurant for a memorable experience.
The buzz and atmosphere of an Italian trattoria with evening meals served in true Tuscan style will provide a beautiful memory. The taste of the delicious dishes still lingers in my mind, from mouth-watering antipasti and fresh artisanal pasta to pizzas straight from the open kitchen and a wide range of other classic Italian dishes.
Dining in this sophisticated setting under the soft ambient lights or out on the patio with a glass of Chianti makes for the perfect culinary end to any day. VNS