A little bit country, a little bit city

Vanilla pudding is served with seasalt hazelnut ice-cream and a hot chocolate sauce. [Photo by Pauline D. Loh / China Daily]

Cast your cholesterol concerns aside just this once. This dish is a must-try for the genuine food-lover who is after a perfect balance of textures, taste and a surprising burst of yolk that coats the palate with luxury and abandonment.

It is obvious Iraci enjoys cooking and creating, an impression that is well and truly cemented by his vanilla custard pudding served with hazelnut ice-cream and a hot chocolate sauce.

Pure drama on the table takes place when the dessert arrives, a goblet capped by a piece of solid chocolate slab. Just as you are wondering if you should chip away at the cover, a waiter quietly arrives elbow-side and pours a hot chocolate sauce that melts away all resistance.

Sheer decadence, but who can say no to velvety vanilla custard and a nutty icecream topped with hot chocolate sauce?

Barolo's new menu is a fresh take on regional Italian.

There is a crab salad that comes with caviar and watermelon, and lobster bisque jelly, but there is also a simple buffalo milk mozzarella, tomato and basil salad.

Again, it is his selection of gourmet pasta that will attract the most attention - a salmon ravioli, a Boston lobster fettuccini, a squid ink tagliolini and a smoked tagliatelle with Wagyu beef, goose liver, veal jus and truffles.

Barolo is already well-known in Beijing for its haute cuisine, Italian-style. It's time for another visit to meet the new chef.

IF YOU GO

Barolo Italian Restaurant

Ritz-Carlton Beijing

83A Jianguo Lu,

China Central Place,

Chaoyang district, Beijing

010-5908-8888

Average cost per head: 220 yuan ($36)

Recommended: Gourmet Pastas, Vanilla Custard with Hot Chocolate Sauce