by Miss Terry Diner
It is almost two years since the Dining Out Team
officially visited Richard Burk’s Amor Restaurant. At that time, the
heading was “Amor - Loved it!” Would that still be the case?
The welcome was just the same. The somewhat portly
Richard, who admitted, “I do not like to go to restaurants where the
owner and chef are thin,” met us and escorted us to our chosen table.
The restaurant is actually in two sections. There is the outdoor terrace
area and the indoor air-conditioned salon. We chose aircon, but it was
interesting to note that the majority of the diners preferred the outer
area, enjoying the balmy evenings we are having of late, and probably also
enjoying the passing parade of fascinating people!
The
atmosphere is best described as “warm and homely” with padded cane
chairs and brightly dressed tables with gold covers and red throw-overs
and the tables all have their own pepper grinders. Heavy brass Thai
cutlery is used and the waiters are dressed in traditional Thai tunics.
For the visitor, you are dining out in Thailand!
The expanded menu is huge, now 255 items. Of particular
note, on the opening page there is an explanation of how items are cooked,
plus explanation of the annotations “V” for vegetarian and “C” for
low cholesterol items. An excellent idea, Richard.
The menu proper starts with the wine list and Amor has
a good selection of moderately priced wines, mainly French, but the new
world is also represented. House wines are also on offer at 120 baht per
glass. Local beers range between B. 80-110 and there are also many
non-alcoholic choices.
Soups, and there are 11 of them, are around B. 100 and
include a Mulligatawny and the iced cucumber soup Miss Terry enjoyed so
much last time we dined at Amor. Starters run between B. 90-210 and on
offer are prawns, calamari, salmon, crab, mussels, asparagus, chicken and
salads, done in many original ways as well as firm favourites.
There is a complete page of pastas which are offered as
full (around B. 250) or half serves (around B. 140). Next up are the
mains, with separate sections for chicken, beef, pork, fish and seafood.
All the mains are around B. 300 and are done in differing sauces with many
made from wine and mustards. The choices are really superb.
For those looking for just a snack, there are submarine
sandwiches, burgers and pizzas and then a two page Thai and Chinese menu
at around B. 200 per item. This section uses the chilli indicator system
to show the degree of “fire”. Finally, there are sundaes, coffee and
hot beverages and a page of cigars! Oh, I must not forget, there is a
blackboard with desserts as well.
We began with the house wine, which was more than
eminently drinkable, and a Mulligatawny soup for Madame and warm prawns
with pesto mayonnaise dish for Miss Terry. Richard explained this was a
dish he had invented last November and had kept as it had proved to be
very popular. I can see why - it was delicious! Madame’s soup was based
on a Madras curry and was certainly one of the best Mulligatawny’s I
have tasted. Mention should be made of the condiments carousel on the
table with blue cheese, green onion, vinaigrette and 1000 island
dressings.
For mains Madame had the smoked salmon pasta and said
it was particularly good, the pasta al dente, and she loved the sauce made
from cream and fresh dill. I went for the fillet steak moutarde which was
cooked to perfection and literally melted in the mouth. (Interestingly I
went back and re-read the previous review, and I had chosen this steak
last time too!)
This restaurant has continued in its development. The
menu has expanded, and the choices are well indicated with low cholesterol
and vegetarian items as well. The same high standard of food and moderate
pricing, as we noted previously, has been maintained and this definitely
makes Amor one of the better restaurants in Pattaya. Very highly
recommended.
Amor Restaurant, 244/15 Pattayaland Soi 3, Pattaya,
telephone 038-710 680.
