Pasta masters
Michael Taylor
3/F, The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou
3 Xing An Road
Pearl River New City
Tianhe District
Guangzhou
(86 20) 3813 6688
www.ritzcarlton.com
Limoni is a stylish Italian eatery with an open kitchen. The menu leans towards homemade pasta, risotto, ravioli, pizza, seafood and grilled imported meats. Following hot and cold antipasti, move on to one of the home-made soups. Recommended is the creamy seafood chowder, prepared for two at the table. Packed with Australian lobster, king prawns, sea scallops and Baltic cod fish, it is finished with a spicy sauce, garlic bruschetta and extra virgin olive oil.
The signature dish is lobster spaghetti, fresh lobster sauteed in a special sauce before it is flambeed, topped with a savoury tomato sauce, and finished with fresh pepper. The bone-in Parma ham (pictured) is also not to be missed. Made of smoked pork cheek, it is served with melon, oregano focaccia, and home-made Italian pickles. The spaghetti carbonara - served with egg yolk and sheep's cheese - is also not to be missed. Save room for dessert, as the zabaglione - made with Borsci liqueur, red berry compote, vanilla ice cream and hazelnut crumble - is pure decadence.
The well-stocked cellar, with more than 200 labels, has an impressive selection of Italian wines.