Best Food In China

Location

It both filled the hungry and still held an authentic gourmet quality, and was an exemplary example of what pizza should be.

A charming and convivial posh trattoria with ambrosial perfumes wafting from the wood ovens and open kitchen, Prego provides a tranquil atmosphere of standard Italian fare.

A spacious long and wide aisle filled with smoked colors of burnt orange and mahogany and Italian tiles and wood, Prego is perfect for a romantic secretive date or for a mellow night out. The wine list is small but noteworthy. The menu includes seafood and meat entrees, appetizers, salads, soups, pastas, pizzas and desserts. Noted within the menu are recommended dishes and vegetarian options.

Complimentary brown bread and think bread sticks are served with a sweet tomato sauce and an eggplant sauce. The brown bread is freshly baked, and is marvelous, crusty yet soft, with a strong whole smell and taste. The sauces are best combined though slightly salty.

For starters, the Brodetto di Pesce Tuscan Seafood soup, 65rmb, had premium fresh shrimp, scallops, and mussels and were not overbearing but still the center of attention, but the texture of the soup base was a light tomato with only a hint of the seafood taste. It was runny and soup enthusiasts will be disappointed with the lack of focus on the broth.

The Prego appetizer of Parmigiana di Melanzane Eggplant timbale, 75rmb, was the remarkable dish of the evening. A delicious vegetarian lasagna, of baked tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan and basil, it had a melodious blend of flavors including crunchy eggplant and plump mushrooms and a heavy cheese layering. Of surprise, was how the fresh virgin olive oil could be tasted through the lasagna adding a light taste yet with a heavy texture.

Additional complimentary triangular lavash bread was served, which was garlic heavy but salty. Staff also circled the dining room offering complimentary slices of Margarita pizza, which was savory and heavily oiled, but lacking a good tomato paste base.

For mains, the Wow Supreme Pizza, 105rmb, was admirably topped with thin and perfect Parma ham, mozzarella, asparagus, basil, shrimps, spinach, and mushroom. By presentation alone it looked incredibly satisfying. The ingredients were large, and the dough incredibly thin and there was a cacophony of tastes with the asparagus adding a unique twist. It both filled the hungry and still held an authentic gourmet quality, and was an exemplary example of what pizza should be.

The Prosciutto crudo Porcini elivone of Parma ham, Porcini mushrooms and lemon zest sauce, combined with fusilli pasta, 80rmb, had a strong whole grain taste and smell. Surprisingly, there was no sauce to the pasta, but was topped lightly with slices of ham mushroom and lemon. This made it rather disappointing in terms of being able to relish the pasta. However, it was served in a moderate portion, offering a healthy and light version. Oddly, the Prosciutto topping is a recommended dish, and though the individual ingredients are premium quality, the lack of any real taste or texture is not what is expected when it comes to pasta.

For dessert, the Dolce Vitta, 98rmb, provided small version of their selection of desserts. The signature chocolate coffee mud pie was the best, with a powerful coffee taste, coupled with cold flavors of layers of pudding and mousse. The chocolate center was like a cookie crust. The center of the home-made Tiramisu was light on the Marsala wine and coffee, but was spoiled by a heavy layering of chocolate shreds, that dried the mouth and left an unpleasant taste. The Bittersweet Chocolate Soufflé also had an unfortunate layering of white powder, and had a runnier milk chocolate center.

The Gelato was the best choice of dessert. The pistachio, hazelnut and vanilla scoops, 25rmb per scoop, were each strong (the hazelnut being heavy on the mousse rather than nuts) and were topped with a black cherry sauce. The vanilla with the sauce provided an amazing brandy like taste, and would have to be the best vanilla ice cream with sauce I have found in Beijing.

The service is without a doubt exceptional. Dishes arrive in subsequent order with a minimum of 20 minute pause between them. This is the first and only time we have been able to experience this western custom in Beijing. The wait staff is also diligent in providing grounded pepper and grated parmesan cheese before one needs to ask, and periodically approach to refill your glass and ask how the food is. One exceptional staffer was Grosso, and would love to chat with you if possible.

For the price, the dishes are slightly too ordinary to be worth it, though some key dishes were more than favorable. Still, the atmosphere and quality of service itself is something to come back for. Prego does effectively offer a verbose yet tempered charm perfect for savoring the aromas and flavor.

-- by Larissa Paschyn

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