This restaurant is outside the Presidente International, right on the Hotel Zone strip. When we pulled up by taxi, the greeter RAN from inside to open the doors for us and seemed apologetic for not being right there waiting for us. The atmosphere was very elegant and romantic. There was soft music playing at just the right volume in the background, and the lighting and furnishings made you instantly relax.The wait staff was prompt, courteous, and dressed in white chef-like uniforms. Our waiter even lent me his reading glasses since I forgot mine. I ordered a glass of the house wine and my wife asked for a Pina Colada with a splash of Amaretto. The waiter seemed a little worried, as he explained they might be out of Amaretto, since another table asked for a bottle. He returned moments later to explain that they were indeed out, but they had sent someone over to the hotel next door to get a bottle for us. It arrived soon and the waiter showed us a brand-new sealed bottle, opened it for us, and poured some in my wife's drink. So far so good! For an appetizer, we ordered mussels marinara to share. An enormous plate of large fresh mussels arrived in a sauce so tasty that we wiped out our supply of delicious bread (which was quickly replenished), dipping it in the sauce after finishing the mussels. Okay, now the appetizer impressed us, and the wait staff was being attentive yet not annoying. Hmmm, this is turning out great. My wife, not being as adventurous as me, ordered rigatoni with fresh tomatoes and basil, which turned out to be far from ordinary. I ordered the sea bass Liguria-style, which was a nice-sized portion of broiled fish on a bed of thin-sliced potatoes and fresh asparagus, surrounded by diced tomatoes and olives with olive oil and garlic. Both dinners were excellent. On to dessert.
I opted for the Tiramisu, always do, as I like to compare them, and this one was right up there with my favorites. My wife ordered the "Assorted Ice Creams in Éclair Pastry." This is three large scoops—one chocolate, one vanilla, and one strawberry—of ice cream sandwiched in a clover-shaped éclair pastry. The waiter pours white chocolate syrup and then dark chocolate syrup over it for you. Good thing we arrived here hungry!
A couple of cups of coffee each and we were ready for the bill. I had three glasses of wine, my wife two Pina Coladas, the appetizer, two excellent dinners, and two amazing deserts with coffee, and the bill came out with tax to $84. At $100 with the 20% tip (not required but well deserved), this dinner was a bargain. They called a taxi for us, escorted outside, tucked us in the taxi, and hoped we'd return again. You can bet on it.