by Miss Terry Diner
The Jay Dee Restaurant is in the Horseshoe Point Resort and Country Club
which is just past the Mabprachan reservoir and well signposted on the
right. The restaurant is towards the rear of the resort main building and
overlooks the indoor equestrian arena, with extensive glass walls all
around. Jay Dee in Thai means “Pagoda” and in the next paddock is the
famous pagoda built in memory of Chainarin and Chaisiri Srifuengfung’s
late father.
As you enter the restaurant, you are initially somewhat
taken aback - this is no hostelry, but obviously a fine dining restaurant.
The tables are covered in cream throw-overs with salmon pink linen
napkins. On the walls are ancient Thai paintings depicting scenes from the
Ramakien and the floor is multicolour marble parquet. There is a room
divider topped with an enormous slab of black granite, to neatly bisect
the dining area. Along one wall, there are three “private” glass
walled dining areas, each able to seat 10 people. Along one of the side
walls there is also a sit-up bar with high stools. The ambience spells
“class” without a doubt.
I took a quick stroll through the kitchen area, which
is under the command of their executive chef, Pongthon Manketvit, and I
was impressed with both the size and cleanliness of the food production
areas.
We were also fortunate to meet up with Chainarin
Srifuengfung, the managing director of the Horseshoe Point, who was able
to tell us of the new developments, particularly in respect to the origin
of the vegetables and salad greens. The resort now grows its own
vegetables in special gardens, using no fertilizer, but enriching the soil
through recycling and producing enzymes through natural fermentation
processes with palm sugar. The salad greens are now hydroponically grown,
as are the fresh herbs and tomatoes, ensuring clean and healthy
ingredients.
The menu is currently under revision, so many items
have not yet reached the printed page, and in fact we were able to sample
some of the new items that evening; however, I can give you an indication
of the scope and prices. The menu begins with Appetizers (around 120-250
baht) and includes fresh oysters, smoked salmon and an interesting saut้ed
prawns with bacon and crushed peanut. Soups are next (B. 70-90) with a
double boiled chicken consomm้ with julienne vegetables in the
line-up. There are three salads and then several Oriental Specialties (B.
170-250) including a Filipino adobo braised pork spare ribs.
Noodles and Rice dishes are next (B. 95-150) with the
Indonesian nasi goreng on the menu. After these there are sandwiches and
burgers and Italian pasta dishes (B. 140-250) then some Mains (B. 180-420)
covering chicken, fish, pork and imported sirloin steak at the top end.
We began with the chef’s salad which had a very good
selection of greens complete with three dressings - the Thousand Island
with green peppercorns was excellent. We then sampled the stir-fried duck
with chilli and this was brilliant. Miss Terry has never been one for
duck, but this was not greasy; it was lightly done with just a hint of
chilli.
We sampled other dishes as well, but the selection
which caught Madame’s fancy were the cakes with crystallized fruits and
vegetables. Some of them are normally so bitter, they are even used for
punishment, according to Chainarin, but Chef Pongthon’s crew changed all
that. Even the lime and tomato became new taste sensations. Truly amazing!
The
Jay Dee Restaurant is another well presented outlet in the Horseshoe Point
Resort and Country Club and does represent fine dining, with all that you
would expect to accompany it. The food is of a very high standard, with
some dishes even new to this seasoned reviewer and my Thai companion for
the evening. (The crystallized fruits and vegetables really were
unbelievable!) This is the restaurant for a romantic drive in the
countryside, dining in exemplary surroundings and making a leisurely
evening’s indulgence. Very highly recommended and definitely worth the
gallop (horses optional and secure car parking on site).
Jay Dee Restaurant, Horseshoe Point Resort and Country
Club, 100 M9, Tambon Pong, 038 735 050.
