An intriguing evening
by Miss Terry Diner
Perched on the top of the Pattaya Hill Resort is Stars
Restaurant and Bar. The view from all four sides of the restaurant is
sensational, and I know of none better. Stars director, Paul Ryan, an
affable Irishman, knows this and has even installed a telescope for the
guests to explore the outer reaches of space - well, at least to the moon.
On our night you could see the craters and a message in the moon dust
“Wish you were here” signed Neil Armstrong. Obviously I have used some
literary license here, but this restaurant does that sort of thing to you.
The restaurant has three main areas, indoors
air-conditioned, outdoors terrace eating and a bar section, also with a
terrace extension. The d้cor is Thai, with much wood on the walls,
floors and carved showpieces.
The tables are granite topped and each has its own
pepper grinder - a small thing, but it does add to the overall impression.
Wonderfully comfortable high backed chairs, too, inviting you to linger.
The glasses are worth a mention too. I think there has been a contest
between Pattaya’s restaurants as to who can provide the largest wine
glasses. Stars present you with wine glasses that any self-respecting
goldfish would be happy to call home. Enormous!
Since we last dined (officially) at Stars, there have
been some momentous changes in the kitchen, but that has now settled, and
Paul assures us that consistency has been reached, both with staff and
menu.
The menu begins with cold appetizers ranging between
175-325 baht, with smoked Norwegian salmon at the top end. Warm appetizers
follow, then salads (B. 155-175) and soups (B. 90-175). There is a section
dedicated to fish (B. 295-455) with imported salmon again at the upper
end, while towards the lower end was a baked sea bass in a herb crust.
Pastas were up next (B. 150-250) including tagliatelli
and lasagne, and then it is into one section entitled “mains’. These
range between B. 295-395 and include a Coq au Vin, fillet of beef or
sirloin with pepper, mushroom or a b้arnaise sauce.
The next section of the menu has the ‘set’ items,
commencing with the special which includes an appetizer, a main
course and a dessert for 195 baht. This is followed by the 4 course romantic
set menu (B. 395) which begins with a salad with marinated salmon,
followed by the “Chef’s style” fish soup, then a pork fillet with
red wine sauce or fish of the day and dessert, or finally the Candlelight
Dinner (B. 545) which includes smoked salmon, soup of the day, shrimps
with tomatoes and garlic, then the Stars trio of beef, pork and lamb (or
fish of the day) and dessert.
Finally there is a Thai favourites (B. 120-190) and
desserts (B. 100-195).
We chose the house wine (Tyrells Australian Chardonnay
that evening) and Madame had an assortment of dishes, while I went for the
Romantic set menu. Her shrimp cocktail was superbly presented with large
prawns in a star shaped dish. My salmon appetizer was good, but not as
nicely presented.
Madame’s beef fillet was excellent and I could even
cut off a small piece with my fish knife, to taste. My sea bass was very
pleasant and contained no bones. I also had a soup and finally dessert
with this set, but struggled by the end. For me, the set menu was really
too much to eat, but represented incredibly good value.
The Dining Out Team had a very difficult job assessing
Stars Restaurant and Bar. The surroundings are absolutely top class, and
the view is, as Paul Ryan says - priceless, yet the food prices are middle
of the road only. It is not ‘fine dining’ but the restaurant itself
gives that impression. My final thoughts were that this is one of
Pattaya’s best medium priced dining choices, located in one of
Pattaya’s most exclusive restaurants. Confused? Don’t worry, so were
we. Go and try it. Highly recommended.
Stars Restaurant and Bar, 23rd floor Pattaya Hill Resort, Soi 2
Pratamnak Road, Pattaya, tel. 038 250 329, 01 795 4767, email
[email protected]
