For those who like a little more elan to their Italian dining, and don't mind driving the extra mile and shelling out the extra baht for an exotic evening out, La Taverna at the Boat Lagoon offers just the perfect dash of romance in a charming setting.

Choose to sit in the garden, where you can watch people go by at an unhurried pace, slowed down by the lazy sea air from the marina just round the corner... or opt for the air-conditioned yet cosy interiors that provide a more private setting, and with the large glass windows, you don't have to miss out on the view either.

The friendly, welcoming staff speak really good English, and are happy to make recommendations on your evening's dining. You may need some help here, the menu is a thick volume featuring a myriad choices.

They do a nifty Caesar's salad, crunchy and tangy, that prepares you nicely for the feast ahead. We took our time perusing the menu for our main course, everything loooked so promising, and were not disappointed with our choices.

The gnocchi in pesto sauce combined the dual pleasure of really good pasta with a well-made sauce. The flavours of the herbs were strong without being imposing, and rested a while in the mouth, delighting the palate.

The ravioli with spinach was just as satisfying. We chose a butter with sage dressing, and they did not skimp on the butter. Every bite was utterly decadent, with the exquisite taste and smell of home-made butter playing on the perfectly al dente ravioli. Setting off this melange was the delightfully creamy spinach.

The warm ambiance makes for a lovely evening's dining, but it is for the food that we will return, lured by the promise of all those creations we didn't try that night.