If you fancy Italian food, Patong has many choices. The challenge, however, is finding that authentic Italian restaurant – the one that stands above the rest and leaves you with a satisfying and memorable experience.

The name Borsalino is synonymous with style and elegance. It was Giuseppe Borsalino, who in the late 19th century, began manufacturing the fedora style hat in southern Italy and set the standards of style and excellence that make felt hats popular today. On a similar parallel is the cuisine of Borsalino at the Horizon Beach Resort Hotel. In a Trattoria of terracotta floors and large windows is a medley of culinary delights prepared by Italian Chef Mancini for your enjoyment.

Upon the recommendations of the Chef and our host Luigi, we began with the Cocktail de Gamberi, a shrimp cocktail served with Thousand Island dressing and Antipasto Italiano, a selection of thinly sliced salamis and cheeses. The pasta course of Penne al Salmone and Fettucine Gamberi e Asparagi followed next. The salmon, shrimp and asparagus in a light sauce were welcome additions to traditional favourites and didn’t leave us with the heavy feeling one usually has from eating too much pasta.

The strong and slightly pungent Gorgonzola cheese was an unforgettable and delicious addition to the sauce of the Filetto di Mango, a perfectly cooked Australian Beef Fillet. The oven baked sea bass stuffed with herbs and spices and a leafy green vegetable was moist and tender and - of course - very tasty. The accompanying potatoes still piping hot from the oven were crispy on the outside and delicately flavoured with herbs. San Carlo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, the red wine of the month, was an enjoyable accompaniment to our feast.

Surprisingly, we still had some room for dessert. Over Espressos, we shared a Panna Cotta Italiana, an Italian homemade pudding that was a perfect end to our meal.

A casual and relaxing ambience and a creative approach to Italian cuisine are what symbolize Borsalino’s high quality and style.