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Sizzling Sicily on the Grill @ Jinling Hotel

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It would be fair to say there exists a fair number of expats in Nanjing who have not set foot in the Jinling Hotel, much less the Pacific Grill restaurant therein.

While The Nanjinger is not in the business of predicting the future, it is a relatively safe bet to say, with the self proclaimed “Pirate of the Kitchen”, that is all about to change.

This is just one of the reasons that have recently emerged to give those unlucky ones every excuse they need to become acquainted with what was China’s tallest building when it opened back in 1983.

For the first time, the hotel’s Pacific Grill restaurant has thrown open its doors for lunch, and proudly presents its new resident chef, Antonino Scordo, winner of the Hotelex Shanghai China Pizza Championship 2016 Competition.

Hailing from Sicily, and bringing a few of his mama’s recipes with him, Scordo (who prefers the snappier Nino) has spent the last 8 years in China, predominately in the Pearl River Delta region.

The Nanjinger was treated to all 18 items on the new lunch menu, and while there is quite sufficient of the tried and tested Italian fare (think salumi, lasagne, spaghetti, fettuccine etc.), the exquisite creations of Nino were exemplified by the Marinated Salmon with Potato Pancake, Salmon Eggs and Sour Cream.

The dish is delightfully set off, both visually and orally, by the addition of beetroot, creamed.

It is this approach; the addition of almost novelty ingredients, appearing to have no place therein, that elevates the dining experience into a new stratosphere. Another starter brings together spinach with a truffle vinagrette, while smoked herbs and crispy grissini wrap a veal tenderloin for a main.

And by the way, on the evening menu, the salmon and eggs are replaced by swordfish and caviar, of course.

The affable and talkative Nino is happy to engage with his diners. He may well tell you the tale of him taking a make up box from a lady halfway through her dinner, returning it to her minutes later after it had become a presentation case for dessert. Collecting his first month’s salary, Nino discovered that the Jinling had overpaid him. A promotion was the explanation; Nino turned them down, and headed back to the kitchen.

He sums up his attitude thus; “If I worked in an office, I would smell like a dead person. When I go to take a shower at night, I want to smell of beef!”

It is more than worth noting that, prior to Nino’s arrival, the Pacific Grill was bringing in ¥7,000 in room service each month. This last month, that figure became ¥200,000.

Find out why, by trying out his, and his mama’s, recipes at Pacific Grill in the Jinling Hotel any day, for lunch or dinner. Lunch sets are priced from ¥128 – ¥218.

Pacific Grill is located on 2F, Jinling Hotel, 2 Hangzhong Lu, Xinjiekou. Tel: 84711888 ext. 84248 for reservations.

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