Come Prima, Beach Rotana Hotel

That's what I call a delightful dining experience. Good Italian food, heady drinks and a quiet, elegant ambience, this place offers a gastronomic treat with dishes from all parts of Italy. Indeed, it is one of those places one falls in love with, to perhaps make it a regular haunt.

No frills, no fuss. Food is serious business at Come Prima, which literally translates as 'The First'. You are warmly welcomed without much ado, led to your table and left to savour the Italian experience of good food, choicest spirits and a cosy ambience. Which is what fine dining is all about.

We are lead to a corner table, and the manager helps us with the somewhat indecipherable menu and goes about his usual business.
For starters, I settled for Carpaccio which comprised beef braised with herbs, sliced mushrooms, grape fruit segments, all lightly dipped in a sauce of Pesto. My dining companion opted for a selection of vegetables – sundried tomatoes and egg plant – along with layers of cheese, mushroom with Pesta sauce around the outside.

As we quietly tucked into our starters and sipped our drinks, Jenaro the guitarist glided smoothly near our table to entertain us with an Elvis Presley number. Our moods were elevated.

Next, I ordered Risotto which included shrimps with grape fruit while my friend chose Ravioli Verdi, pasta made from Spinach and stuffed with mushroom and topped with sauce. We sampled each other's dishes and agreeably, it was tastefully good albeit a trifle filling.

For the main course, we went for the recommended dish La Grigliatta Mista De Pesce, a mix of grilled hamour, king prawns, salmon served on a bed of vegetables in a Balsamic oil dressing.

For my friend, it was Filleto Di Manzo Con Rucola E Asparagi – grilled beef, loins served with Rucola, white and green aspharagus salad, baby roast potatoes in a Rosemary olive oil reduction.

Despite feeling heavy in the belly, we couldn't resist the temptation of the main course which by itself is a wholesome meal. Happily for us, Jenaro came back to our table to sing Hotel California and we joined in the chorus.

As one with a sweet tooth, I couldn't wait for the dessert. Fresh strawberries marinated with crushed black pepper and topped with ice cream, called by the fanciful name Fragole All Acedto E Pepe Fresco, I relished it with delight. Only, my strawberries were slightly sour for my liking. My friend settled for La Casata Alla Siciliana Con Zabaroire All Arancio, a traditional Casatta served wtih Sabayon, aromatised with oranges.

Between the two of us we sampled the varied Italian cuisine from the northern and southern region so well put together by Chef Massimo.

Let alone the food, or the simple, warm inviting interiors, there is something quite inexplicable that makes Come Prima a great dining experience.

Our corner seat offered a fabulous view of the open-air diners in the lawns. And intriguingly enough, while we get a view of the happenings outside, those outside cannot see us.

The subdued lighting, the vivid paintings of Italian scenes on the walls, the unique shape of the restaurant, the ebony finish on a wall and a dash of greenery are reminiscent of a restaurant I dined in Venice earlier this year.

So if you're looking for a slice of Italy in the capital, you know where to head for. The restaurant is open from 12 noon to 3.30pm for lunch and 7.00 to 11.30pm for dinner. One last word, the place seems ideal for executive lunches and family dinners with prices being quite reasonable.