by Miss Terry Diner
Jools Restaurant is in Bangkok, a short stroll along
Sukhumvit Soi 4 (Nana), just past the Nana Entertainment Plaza. So why
should Miss Terry Diner step so far out of her territory? Well, firstly,
we all go to Bangkok from time to time, and it would be nice to know what
some of the Bangkok restaurants are like. Secondly, the gentleman who runs
the restaurant is astute enough to realise that he might just attract a
few Pattayans, and thirdly, this restaurant has an inescapable connection
with Pattaya, in that it was initially built up by Kim Fletcher, now the
landlord at Shenanigans.
Having found the place, and it is small, upon opening
the door you are suddenly thrust into an English pub. Low ceilings,
“oak” beams, and notices on the walls such as a 1786 warning to
“Thieves, Fakirs, Rogues or Tinkers.” Fortunately being none of those,
Miss Terry was happily welcomed by the landlord, a rather large gentleman
who goes under the name of “Big Dave”. And he is.
The
restaurant section is upstairs, via a well worn spiral staircase, but the
food is available around the bar, and there is also a specials menu
blackboard on the wall downstairs. Indeed, it appears to be compulsory to
have a drink or two with large David (AKA Big Dave), and he is certainly a
most affable mine host. The serving wenches are also very charming and
appear to be able to sink a pint or three with the best of them!
Madame and I made it to the restaurant section upstairs
and you are greeted with more photographs on the walls (“Ooh! Look!
There’s Kim Fletcher again!”) The tables are covered with red and
white check tablecloths and again, it is the “homely” atmosphere of a
British pub that is the ambience.
The menu is small and begins with two soups (90-95 baht)
and three salads (B. 85-145). The next items are called “Things to munch
while you drink” (B. 80-140) including hamburgers and sandwiches. These
are followed by “The Main Event” which has nine choices (generally
around 230 baht), plus a referral to the blackboard specials. The Fletcher
touch is apparent with the “Snake and Pygmy Pie” and fish and chips a
la Bognor Regis, or the liver, bacon and onions, described as the ultimate
transport cafe meal.
The blackboard specials include Toad in the Hole at B.
220, gammon steaks, eggs and chips (B. 195) and even a pork pie with baked
beans and chips for the same money. Oh yes, there is also a breakfast
board with various repasts from B. 85-159.
Madame chose the Snake and Pygmy (Steak and Kidney,
silly!) while I went for an old favourite - gammon, egg and chips. Being a
pub, Madame for the evening went for a dark rum and coke, while I stayed
with the Singha Gold.
The first aspect you notice is that the servings are
like Dave - large! The pie was in a large pot with the pastry covering,
and my gammon was on a very large Dave-sized plate. It was obvious that
this was not haute cuisine, but good solid Brit style food. And plenty of
it.
Desserts? You have got to be joking, Dave! We were both
full and when we could walk again we toddled downstairs into the awaiting
arms of Big Dave and another great night in Bangkok.
Jools reminded me very much of a small pub in darkest
Devon many years ago, known as the V&A (Victoria and Albert) at Stoke
Gabriel. Lots of character and a dedicated dine and drink pub. Jools is
certainly English, the food likewise. The landlord, the oft aforementioned
Big Dave, is also from the Old Country and he has attracted a steady
British clientele. If you are looking for a few belly laughs and to fill
your own belly at the same time, the Dining Out Team can recommend Jools
wholeheartedly. By the way, you won’t miss Big Dave. He’s the
voluminous chap on the large reinforced bar stool!
Jools Restaurant and Bar, Sukhumvit Soi 4 (Nana),
Bangkok, tel. 02 252 6413.
