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Quel gachis pour cette magnifique architecture
For my French is rusty and I am using an English keyboard, I will key in my review in English. I apologize.
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Not knowing what to eat, we decided to give a try to this new place. We had tried 2 others of the (supposedly) best Italian restaurant in town and "Bongiourno" had the best quality for price ratio. Here are my impressions - ENVIRONMENT: well situated, nicely furnished. STAFF: polite, very basic english, not really knowledgeable about the menu. I asked the waitress what was served in "the cold cuts" (150rmb) and she said 3 types of ham and salami. i asked one of the Italian that works there and I got Parma ham (decent), salami (average), and mortadella (below average). When the plate arrived, there were 6 different cuts which lead me to think that this strong accent Italian person had not much experience in food either. THE FOOD: This is where it gets sad. It isn't hard to set "a standard" in western food in GZ and this is a typical example. APPETIZERS: Cold cuts (150rmb) - meat was average to good. Mushroom soup (50rmb) - fragrance was decent, texture was mildly creamy, we can taste that the cook didn't play with different types of mushroom here. The taste is very one-dimension, which make that soup to taste pretty bland quickly. Started ok, finished boring. MAIN COURSES: Gnocci with Gorgonzola (72rmb) - good flavor, creamy. The gnocci although very light in mouth do their job. Half a plate is enough. Gorgonzola sauce was alright. Just average dish. Grilled Sea Food plate (178rmb). On a huge bed of lettuce, a quarter of lemon for only kicker!. 2 types of sea shells (quality was good), salmon (overcooked and taste bland, not a prime cut for sure), 2 big prawns that had good texture and great flavor, 2 squids (lower part very chewy but higher part had good flavor and texture had come through pretty well. DESSERTS: Tiramisu (55RMB)- good mascarpone flavor, good texture for the higher part but the genoise was soaking into amaretto and was decomposing itself in the plate. This surplus of alcohol has made of a desert that started pretty well a big sponge that kind of sit on your stomach (not recommended). Italian Gelato (30rmb/ball), good creamy texture, nice mango flavor BUT served in a cup with Chantilly cream all around and served on a bed of canned fruits soaking into a sweet juice, a dessert for 5 year old kid (what a waste!). Half bottle of Chianti (98rmb)- good but nothing to write about. San Pellegrino - as good as usual. TOTAL: 691rmb. Really not worth the money. There are hundreds of Chinese restaurants that serve better food for half the price in town. For I went to Italy on several occasions I would quite surely say that this establishment will just become one of those western food venue where foreigners, like me go, when they crave western produces but certainly not gastronomy. Chances I am going back there: very close to none. I make better Italian food at home and if you like pizza, you might want to invest in a simple oven (600 to 800rmb at Metro).
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