Jameson’s Irish Pub - the benchmark?

The ever-smiling Bob deserves his own mention, presiding over “Bob’s Bar” with all the expected beers and spirits.

Jameson’s Irish Pub was established 10 years ago. That in itself is a benchmark in Pattaya, a city where some restaurants close before their ‘grand opening’! Mine host is Kim Fletcher, undoubtedly one of the most professional landlords around, a man who was actually born in a pub, and is hoping not to die in one!
Jameson’s is not on the ‘beaten track’, but for newbies is actually very easy to find. Coming from Second Road (Sai 2), turn right into Soi 4 (on your right at the Bangkok Bank) and follow the road up to the right and it is there, next to Nova Park. Another way to get there is to come from North Pattaya Road, turning into the soi leading to Big C. Follow that soi all the way to the T-junction at the end and turn left and Nova Park and Jameson’s are on your left. There are other back alleys that will get you there too, but the directions above are for newcomers to Pattaya.
The venue itself is decked out in traditional British Pub style. Several forests donated trees to the building of the pub itself, with wooden floors, walls and a long wooden bar. Numerous TV screens are scattered throughout the pub showing all kinds of sports, including a very large screen with projector. Memorabilia abound with trophies, old books and the like. It has that kind of well-established and welcoming atmosphere. The floor creaks in places, for example.

Cottage pie.

The service staff are always on hand and are genuinely ready to serve the customers. Nothing is too much of a trouble and they are all very skilled at making the guests feel special. The ever-smiling Bob deserves his own mention, presiding over “Bob’s Bar” with all the expected beers and spirits.
The food has also become very well known in Pattaya, with Kim (being a trained chef himself) overseeing his own chefs in the kitchen. There is much movement in the menu, with weekly specials and monthly changes in the a la carte section.
The weekly specials definitely deserve their own mention. Two courses for B. 295 and available from midday until midnight. There is a choice of two starters and three mains, and the menu till tomorrow (Saturday 7) is:
Homemade minestrone soup with garlic bread - or -
Chef’s homemade duck pate with toast
That is the starters, the mains are:
Half a shoulder of New Zealand lamb slow roasted in its own stock in an earthen ware pot with carrots, potatoes and onions, with a hint of Rosemary served with Braised cabbage - or -
Coq au Vin, breast of chicken cooked in a red wine and mushroom sauce served with mixed vegetables and mashed potato - or -
Scampi & chips, Jameson’s own scampi, bread-crumbed and deep fried, served with homemade chips, garden peas, and a wedge of real lemon.

In addition, Jameson’s has weekly specials which can be substituted for one of the mains. This week they are Corn cream soup or cold meat salad or pork schnitzel, a lean pork loin battered out, bread crumbed and sauté till golden brown served with fettuccine in tomato sauce, or Jameson’s Shepherd’s Pie made with real lamb finely diced and cooked in a thick brown sauce topped with smooth mashed potatoes crisped up under the grill, served with garden peas and gravy, or chicken masala, served with white rice, nan bread, poppadom and vegetable samosas.
There is also another special - an all you can eat Xmas lunch or dinner at B. 645, and naturally featuring turkey!
Of course there is an a la carte menu as well as the specials, which also changes regularly, and a kids menu with all the items B. 95, and big breakfast special menu as well. It is certainly more than just a watering hole.
And that should be enough to whet your appetite! By the way, have a good appetite as Jameson’s portions are known for their large size.
Definitely highly recommended.
Jameson’s Irish Pub, 80/164 Moo 9, Soi Sukrudee (Soi AR), Central Pattaya. Secure parking. Open seven days 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. Telephone 038 361 873, email [email protected] , and www.jamesons-pattaya.com.

Spanish Omelette

An omelette (also spelled ‘omelet’) is a very easy and quick dish and extremely versatile. Clever cooks will find all sorts of interesting ingredients to throw into an omelette. The following recipe can be adapted to what you have left over in your fridge too, but if you are new to cooking eggs in this way, just be guided by this good old standard.

Ingredients	Serves 4
Large eggs	4
Butter	60g
Large onion (chopped fine)	1
Bell peppers (red and green) 2 chopped
Garlic (chopped)	1 clove
Ham (sliced and chopped)	50 gm
Cheese (grated)	15 gm
Salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
Cold water	1 tbspn

Cooking method
Break the eggs into a bowl. Add water, salt and pepper, and mix well. Leave to stand for 10 minutes.
In a non-stick frying pan put in the butter and melt over medium heat and swirl around to cover bottom of pan.
Stir the eggs, add the onion, bell peppers, garlic and ham and pour into pan, swirling to evenly spread the mixture.
Reduce the heat to low, gently lifting up edges of omelette with a spatula as it sets. Add some extra butter if needed to avoid sticking. When the omelette is almost set, fold into three, sprinkle the cheese on top with some more ground black pepper. Cook for one minute and serve immediately.