DINING OUT - ENTERTAINMENT

Dining out for 100 baht or less!

by Miss Terry Diner

Like all items, the price of food slowly and inexorably goes up. This is just another of those "facts of life" but Miss Terry recently came across a reversal of the usual trends. In this last week we dined at three different venues, to sample "bargains" in the culinary offerings in Pattaya. A couple of the restaurants have already been subjects of Dining Out, whilst one place was a new venue for the Dining Out Team.

These reviews were not done as the usual Dining Out, complete with photographs and a breakdown of the menu, but are presented this week to show you where you can go for great food for 100 baht or less. This is bargain eating, and you will be amazed at what is available - I know we were!

Starting at the most expensive - 100 baht. Goodness me, I know people who spill more than that every night! We went to Shenanigans Pub on Tuesday night to try their Tuesday 100 baht specials. Every Tuesday, from 6 p.m. through to 9 p.m., landlord Kim Fletcher is offering the special. Never let it be said that Shenanigans charge high prices. On our night it was beef casserole with spinach and potato croquettes. This came on a very hot plate with a good helping of everything, including gravy, and a couple of slices of bread and butter. A quick glance at the photos will show you whether Miss terry enjoyed her casserole! Thank you, Kim!

The items change every week and the calendar promises pork picata with cucumber sauce and stir-fry noodles next Tuesday, the following week it is mixed meats kebab with herb butter and Shenanigan’s rice. Others coming up include fish and chips, Irish Cornish pasty (eh?), roast loin of pork, baked red snapper and even a beef bourgignon.

The second venue on the budget round-up was Baan Chaiyapruk, Thai body and foot massage garden and restaurant (a real mouthful)! Every Friday night this restaurant is having a BBQ buffet from 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. The cost? 95 baht per person and that includes a glass of red or white wine or a soft drink! This is certainly an inexpensive night out!

On our Friday the buffet had BBQ beef, pork, chicken and seafood, shrimps, mussels and squid. There were also four Thai dishes; stir-fried chicken and cashew nuts, deep-fried mixed chicken and pork, beef red curry, stir-fried mixed vegetables, rice and fried potato chips (french-fries). There was in addition, green salad and seasonal fruits.

All under cover in the "outdoors" garden restaurant and a great bargain. We certainly enjoyed it. Thank you Khun May!

So to the third budget eatery, and this time it was for breakfast at the Continental Bakery, Thappraya Road, just past Thepprasit Road, and three doors down on the left hand side, opposite the Grand Condo estate. Drive slowly, or you’ll miss it! This is open from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m. (but will be opening longer in the future they assure me). For now, it’s breakfast, snacks and sandwiches.

There is a choice of brekkies - American, English, German, Belgian and French, starting at 75 baht and going through to 89 baht. I went for the 89 baht English, which came with tomatoes, two eggs, bacon, baked beans and a sausage, plus orange juice and my choice of tea or coffee, four slices of freshly baked bread, butter and marmalade. I was also given the newspaper to read while waiting. Thank you Jason Payne for telling Miss Terry about this place.

Undoubtedly there are other places bucking the upwards trend, but the Dining Out Team can personally recommend these three. Good food, good value, good venues and definitely bargains.

Shenanigans Pub, Royal Garden Plaza, Pattaya Second Road, telephone 038 710 641, email shenang@ ptty2.loxinfo.co.th, website www.shenanigans-pattaya.com

Baan Chaiyapruk, Thai body and foot massage garden and restaurant, 131/9 Chaiyapruk Road (2 km along Jomtien Beach Road past the Dongtan police box), Jomtien, telephone 038 233 418 or 038 756 480.

The Continental Bakery, Thappraya Road, just past Thepprasit Road, three doors down on the left hand side, telephone 01 557 0912.