by Miss Terry Diner
The Steak Bao Restaurant on the corner of Soi 10 and
Beach Road was originally part of the Steak Lao chain, but owner Aod
Carabao (yes, the bass player from the famous Carabao band) wanted to make
his restaurant more uniquely Pattaya, with local produce, local fish and
seafood, a local menu and more of the influence of himself and his wife
Joy.
The
Dining Out team met with Aod and Joy for this review, and it was obvious
that Joy has a large part in the successful running of the restaurant,
designing the bar area and mixing the cocktails for the evening. These
included a “Surprise” (B. 120 or B. 400 for a pitcher) and another
called the “Goodnight Special”. One glass and it’s goodnight! Aod,
on the other hand called himself the GM. “I’m the Garden Manager,”
he said with a laugh.
The dining section is mainly outside, but some parts
are under cover, and there is a private air-conditioned dining room as
well as a kids play area. There is also a stage on which a small band
plays soft easy listening music, and on some nights Aod himself will
perform. The kitchen is in two sections, with one dedicated to grilled
food and the other more of the normal Thai kitchen with woks and pots.
Aod
Carabao
The menu is huge, with over 240 items. It begins with
beverages, beers (B. 65 for most brands) and cocktails (around B. 120).
Then there is one page of special dishes (B. 90-220) which includes many
crab and fish items. Then there is a page of appetizers generally under B.
100 with many different Isaan items on offer.
The next sections are rice and noodle dishes, all of
which are under B. 100. These are followed by deep fried, saut้ed
and steamed dishes, with whole fish done in many different ways at B. 250
and the majority of the remainder under B. 100.
Grills, steaks and BBQ items are next (I told you it
was a huge menu) and includes the famous Steak Lao items done on sizzling
hot-plates (B. 100-140). These are followed by four pages of dishes from
the North East as well as som tum (salads) and yums, soups and curries,
most of which are under B. 100.
With six people in our party (including Joy and Aod) we
experienced a great number of dishes, dining and sharing in true Thai
style. Many of these were sizzling hot-plate items and we began with the
pork steak in a wonderfully piquant sauce. This was followed by the Or
Suan, a stir-fried oyster with corn starch and spring onion - a very tasty
dish and one of my favourites of the evening.
And still the dishes kept on coming. A shredded
lemongrass yum ta krai I had never seen or tried before, and a tom yum
goong served in a young coconut, with some very large prawns in a creamy
soup stock, rather than the very watery and sharp tasting tom yums one
usually experiences. The final dish was fried rice with ham, chicken,
shrimps and curry powder baked in a whole pineapple and served in the
fruit, complete with a decorative beak and tail. Tasty and amusing.
All of these, and others we had that night, were
excellent. Great flavours with small dishes of spices and sauces to add to
them. The sizzling numbers were very good and the presentation kept the
food hot as well. One dish that was unique was a fish sausage which had me
returning for more.
Steak Bao is a restaurant to remember, especially when
you have visitors. The cuisine is different, the tastes are exceptional,
the service first class and the prices are very reasonable. It is a cut
above the average “Thai” restaurant in all ways and receives a highly
recommended rating from Miss Terry and the Dining Out team.
Steak Bao, 481 Beach Road (corner Soi 10), Central
Pattaya, tel. 038 710 870, fax 038 427 381, email [email protected]
Look for the distinctive Carabao logo of the
buffalo’s head. There is parking just past the 7-11 on Beach Road.
