Virtuoso Insights - June/July 2008 - (Page 54) Nam kha | ho chi Minh city, Vietnam “For a complete ‘wow’ experience in old Saigon, Nam Kha is a must. Lovely decor, reflecting pond, very romantic – ancient string instrument in the background. Top honors for me.” Laura GaBLe With influences from china, India, France, and America, Vietnamese fare has been called the definitive fusion cuisine. combine its finest features — contrasting flavors, varied textures, exotic ingredients — with a lavish presentation and sumptuous surroundings evocative of the Nguyen imperial court and you have Nam kha restaurant, located on high-end dong khoi Street. Silver-inlaid columns and serene reflecting pools, invaluable cham sculptures, elaborate furnishings, and ear-pleasing string music all set the stage for an incomparable dining experience, highlighted by the raw lobster salad and other stellar seafood dishes from chef Nguyen cao Son. prévôT | cavaillon, France “As you indulge in wonderful local fare, neither your palate nor your eyes will stop enjoying!” Laurie saCzaWa Paul cezanne evoked the landscape of Provence in dramatic canvases of greens, golds, and blues — just as Jean-Jacques Prévôt has captured this southern region of France with his bold use of melon. Quite literally, as it turns out, because the famed Michelin-starred chef actually paints watercolors using his own melon-based pigments. yet his true artistry is expressed in the kitchen of his delightful restaurant, which celebrates every aspect of his “fetish fruit.” (There’s even a melon museum onsite.) Prévôt takes his guests on a magical culinary journey of complementary flavors, aromas, and colors that change with the seasons, culminating with the golds of summer — and his beloved gourd. saviNi | Milan, Italy “Savini is as much a part of the Milan experience as the Duomo and La Scala.” BoB MaLMBerG one of Europe’s most glamorous and culturally rich cities, Milan is home to da Vinci’s The Last Supper. And there are many in Milan — indeed, the world over — who would gladly take their final meal at the city’s landmark restaurant, Savini. located within the famous galleria Vittorio Emanuele — which links the squares to the duomo and la Scala opera house — Savini epitomizes Milan’s innate sense of elegance and sophistication. Plush carpets, ornate chandeliers, and grandiose 19th-century décor set the mood, while the damask-covered tables are laid out with plates of lovingly prepared classics, from saffron risotto and veal cutlet to tarte tatin and tiramisu. photos from top: creative cuisine from nam Kha; “The Melon Man,” chef Jean-Jacques prévôt; and Savini’s grand entrance. How to experience our advisors’ top Picks on page 56 P 54 Virtuoso insights
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