Ravello @Portofino Khao Yai — Restaurant in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Italian for people who have never been to Italy.

Where to begin. The bill for me and my wife was 98 USD for 2 appetizers and 2 glasses of the house red wine. In a 3rd / 2nd world country.

This place clearly pretends to be fine dining. So that will be my standard.

The red wine was served ice cold from the refrigerator. When I said this was wrong, the sommelier and manager had no clue. So they changed the wine. But when I ordered my 2nd glass they again brought the ice cold red wine. Clearly the message had not been picked up. Actually, except for the manager, the waitstaff did not speak much English. For appetizers we had ordered the baked spinach with mozzarella cheese. We had expected this to be something light and small. But to portion size was enough for a main dish, too much for a (fine dining) appetizer. And they brought out what I had ordered as main dish at the same time as the appetizers. An eggplant lasagna. I had to send it back. And cancel the other main dish as well, the fungi risotto because my wife would not be able to eat it. They made a big to do about it but ultimately accepted the cancellation. So we ordered something small instead: the insalata di bufala. That was good. There was no butter or olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the table to complement the bread basket. When my wife asked for a glass of sparkling water they brought a large bottle. And so on… it just wasn’t good enough to relax on vacation, not for 98 USD...

When checking in to the Portofino hotel they told us to book a table to dinner. That turned out to be totally unnecessary mid week. But the waiter told us that during the weekend it was normally more busy. We had Cesar salad and Calamari fritti for starters, and Australian sirloin steak and Tagliolini con gamberi burro for mains. This was served in an order you would expect at a Thai restaurant. Cesar, Calamari and sirloin were serves at the same time. And some time later the last main dish. Obviously the kitchen had problems handling the three tables. But for the price we paid I would have expected much better. The waiters were doing a good job, but with that timing I can only give the service one star. On the plus side I was impressed that they were able to cook a sirloin that thin medium. Sitting out side by the lake was a bit warm, but absolutely recommended. As we didn't really get to finish the starters, we had some wine and a good time after...

During my recent trip to Khao Yai, I had the chance to dine at Ravello @Portofino, and it turned out to be a surprisingly delightful experience.

The food was quite good overall. What stood out to me was the bold flavor profile — most of the dishes leaned heavily into spicy and tangy notes, which really woke up my taste buds. It’s not your typical bland European-style restaurant; instead, it feels like a fusion of elegance and punchy flavors that keep you curious with every bite.

Beyond the food, what truly made the experience memorable was the service. The staff were incredibly enthusiastic, friendly, and attentive. Their warm attitude made me feel welcome from the moment I stepped in, and it added a genuine charm to the whole visit.

The restaurant also has a beautiful ambiance — elegant yet relaxed — making it perfect for a casual lunch or a romantic dinner.

I’ll definitely be coming back next time...