About one year ago I called the La Ferme restaurant “the
most outstanding new restaurant in Pattaya.” Since then, it has settled and
found its feet and place in the Pattaya society. As part of this maturing,
Stephane Bringer, the GM of all the Woodlands properties, held a wine dinner
in May, featuring the Australian Stonefish label.
In the absence of the Stonefish guru Peter Papanikitas, Sarawut Jansangiam,
the GM of the Wine Dee Dee was on hand to ensure there were no problems at
this wine dinner.
La Ferme is in front of the Woodlands Resort on the Pattaya-Naklua Road and
adjacent to their La Baguette Bakery. Around 100 meters from the Dolphin
Roundabout, it is very easy to find, and there is adequate parking for
diners in front of the Woodlands Resort.
The restaurant ambience is very avant-garde with items
such as the world’s largest striped sofa along one wall (true - wait till
you see it)! There are chandeliers made from cut-down whisky bottles and the
main area has much wood and black and white checkered tile floors
reminiscent of 16th century Dutch paintings and the service staff are in
uniforms of decidedly European influence.
There is also a second area adjacent to the pavement, but behind glassed
panels and featuring natural wood flooring and two large trees growing
through the roof.
As opposed to the very formal style of Wine Dinners, chosen by some hotel
properties, this was a very relaxed affair. Guests ate and drank at their
own pace, a concept that has much going for it.
There were six wines on offer, even though the menu had five! This was
because the Wine Dee Dee people put on an extra Stonefish Sauvignon Blanc
for the guests to try before the meal. This was the typical Stonefish
Sauvignon Blanc, a real palate cleanser and universally liked.
So to the wine dinner itself, with the food prepared by
the new La Ferme chef a very talented young Thai. (Incidentally, I have
noticed that the Thai chefs are coming into their own recently.)
The first course was a Terrine of Foie Gras with French white asparagus and
whole wheat toast, all served on a wooden platter. This was an excellent
starter and was taken with the Stonefish Hunter Valley Brut Cuvee. This was
not a sweet wine and was very refreshing.
Next on the menu was a Mini Vol au Vent stuffed with organic chicken and
wild mushrooms. Delicate flavors here and the Stonefish Merlot 2010 (McLaren
Vale) a very smooth wine, good nose and great finish.
The next dish was a home made goat cheese ravioli with ink linguini and
Canadian lobster. This very filling dish was accompanied by the Margaret
River Stonefish Chardonnay, 2011 and they went well together.
Main course was a veal tenderloin saltimbocca with saffron risotto and
roasted potatoes, taken with the Stonefish Reserve Shiraz, 2008. The veal
literally fell apart and it was a brilliant wine accompaniment!
It was now time for the desserts, a ‘Sweet dream’
chocolate mousse with wild berries, a sweet finish taken with the Stonefish
Flying Finix 2008, a wine that has an amazing association with Pattaya, as
the label was designed by Chitra Chandrasiri (ex-Royal Cliff and now in Sri
Lanka). Even the name has a story to go with the wine. Originally going to
be called Flying Phoenix, it was found there was another wine of that name
and spelling. Hence the final name for this outstanding wine became Flying
Finix!
The price for this different wine dinner was B. 1,888 and that made it a
real bargain. The duality of performance versus price was certainly upheld
here. I spoke to some of the 50 diners who had booked for the event, and
everyone was more than complimentary. Well done, La Ferme.
If you have not dined there as yet, I do suggest La Ferme should be on your
list!
La Ferme, Woodlands Resort, 164/1 M5 Pattaya-Naklua Road, tel 038 421 707,
open seven days 11 a.m. until 11.30 p.m., email
[email protected] , web
www.afermepattaya.com
