Every so often you can stumble across a gem. Golden
Chimney is one of them. You don’t know where this gem is? Well, remember the
El Paso Steakhouse on South Pattaya Road, close to the large Shell service
station? El Paso has gone, but in its place is a beautifully appointed
restaurant, the Golden Chimney, run by an Indian restaurateur Ravi Asrani,
and it has been there less than six months.
Now when I write “beautifully appointed” I mean it. Look at the photographs
with this review. Wood paneling, comfortable chairs, a sit-up bar along one
side, an ultra-modern staircase to an upper function rooms area. This has
been designed by architects.
The staff are well dressed and know how to provide fine dining service, as
this restaurant definitely approached fine dining from an Indian cuisine
point of view. Napery of good quality as well as dishes and glasses.
The chef is also Indian (Punjabi), and we were interested
to see how well he handled some of the other different Indian cuisines, as
well as his own local dishes. His tandoori oven was imported (sea freight)
from India as well.
We settled in with a beer (no Kingfisher, sorry) and began checking the
menu. There is a separate menu for wines/cocktails and Australia, Chile and
Italy are represented in their cellar. Most bottles are between B.
1,100-1,300, and house wine is available by the glass for B. 100. There is
also a Thai specials menu (B. 135-160) for Thai partners.
The menu is extensive, and sections of it are photographic, a concept that I
recommend to all restaurants. With Pattaya being very cosmopolitan these
days, not everyone reads English (or Russian), and ability to point to a
photo does not need language.
We began with a Paneer Tikka (B. 250), which was very succulent, and not at
all ‘rubbery’ as we have often received in the past when reviewing an Indian
restaurant.
We took our time, as is the fashion with Indian food. It
is a feast to be shared and enjoyed by everyone.
After settling in with another beer, the mains were brought to the table,
along with clean plates/cutlery. There was a mixed vegetable Raita (B. 90),
a Mutton Rarra (B. 280), a Chicken Madras (B. 200) and an Aloo Gobhi (B.
125). Madame had chosen a Parantha (B. 40) while I could not go past the
Garlic Naan (B. 65).
Of our selection of mains, my favorite was the Chicken Madras, a southern
India specialty with the meat simmered in coconut milk and spices (which the
Golden Chimney imports themselves). I had requested not too spicy, and that
was how we received it. Really a most flavorsome dish, which I would
heartily recommend. The Mutton Rarra was also excellent eating, but for me,
the Madras was the dish of the night.
We were talked into a Gulab Jamun (B. 80) as a dessert. A
sweet tasting finish to banish any resistant spiciness.
Finger bowls, a la Indian style and we then left completely satiated and
satisfied. This restaurant had offered us a very pleasant surprise. The food
was excellent, with a smooth good taste and none of the harsh spiciness that
can be experienced in many Indian restaurants. Standard pricing, excellent
service and a very pleasant venue. This restaurant will become a favorite,
without a doubt. In fact, we ate there two nights in a row! Do try. Well
worth it. And yes, they do take-aways as well.
Golden Chimney, Pattaya Second Road between CAT Telecom
and the Shell station, telephone 038 414 675, email
[email protected],
website http://www.goldenchimney.com
, open seven days from noon until late. Street parking and another parking
area behind the restaurant.
