Divine decadence

  While I was wandering around the city, I couldn't help but notice that there appeared to be many nice restaurants around, and almost every nationality.  Much as I had enjoyed Khmer food, I was up for something different, and why NOT my favorite?  Italian!  I asked around at the Three Rivers and was assured that Le Duo was a good Italian restaurant.  I decided to go around 4:00 so that I would have plenty of time to get packed up before leaving for my flight.
   After carefully ensuring that I had BOTH the name and address of the restaurant AND the name and address of the hotel written down for purposes of informing the tuk-tuk drivers, off I went.  I was perhaps a LITTLE surprised to find most of the staff playing pool when I arrived, but of course, who eats at 4:30?  At least they were there and willing to serve food.
   


     I got a little table by the swimming pool where a little girl was splashing around mermaid-like.  It was so very pleasant and so reminiscent of Italy I couldn't help but wish that Scott was there with me so we could reminisce about Amalfi.
     They brought me my FIRST glass of vino blanco secco, and the sense of well-being I'd had while grazing with the Big Four returned in full force.

    And then I ordered FOOD!!  I had a sea bass carpaccio that was absolutely fantastic.  I'd never had it before.  Beef carpaccio, yes.  Sushi, yes.  Ceviche, yes.  But oh my, this was something new and wonderful.  Too bad I didn't take the picture before having a couple bites, but how was I to know it would be so memorable?  Look at it and weep.  Also, you may like the tablecloth.
    After THAT, the gnocchi with walnuts and gorgonzola were also delicious, but not of the same astounding quality as the fish.  But the lemon ice dessert was again fantastic.

    


My oh my, I was a picture of fat contentment on my tuk-tuk ride back to the hotel, and wishing to extend the feeling, I went up to the top of the hotel, sat by THAT pool, had a brandy, and watched the light and water show in the neighboring square.

I can't imagine there's a setting more different from the Elephant Valley Project in Cambodia.  Of COURSE I liked the Project better, but this was very very good.  And though I'd not been much impressed with Phnom Penh at first, now I was feeling sad to leave it.