The Dining Out Team decided we should see just how the
Moon River Pub and Restaurant has been faring since our last official visit
a couple of years ago. The venue looks much the same, with the split log
walls and funky decor. The bar section is in one corner, the pool table
along one wall and the bandstand across the rear of the area. There are
tables around the remaining walls on an elevated dais, and more in the
central section, with space cleared for dancing near the band. Mention
should also be made of the 7,000 egg cartons that were used to line the
ceiling. This works very well acoustically and keeps the music on the dance
floor and absorbs much before it gets to the dining tables further away.
The Pub and Restaurant opens at 6 p.m., but the live band
does not start till around 9 p.m. to give diners the time to enjoy their
meals. We met at the bar for a pre-dinner drink and then settled at our
table. We ordered one of the “Party Pipes”, a natty device that the GM
of the Thai Garden Resort, Rene Pisters, brought back from Europe. These
beer columns hold up to 3 litres of beer and have ice gel jackets around
them to keep the amber liquid cold. By the way, they also have a promotion
that if you order 9 litres (can be over the course of many days) then the
10th litre is free. Beers available in this form include Warsteiner,
Paulaner, Heineken and Carlsberg.
The menu is surprising - a good spread of items, and not
expensive. Prices are net, not hotel style plus plus! For example, the eight
starters including shrimps and crabmeat and soups were all under B. 100, and
the salads under B. 150.
Mexican snacks and tacos are B. 140-180, while the most
expensive burger is only B. 155. Pastas and pizzas are next B. 145-175 and
then several seafood items at B. 240-260.
In the main courses, there is only one over B. 300 and
that is imported Australian sirloin. Other choices include pork, chicken,
beef and duck.
There are also light snacks, for the later diners,
generally around B. 110 and then there are four pages of Thai items at
around B. 100, covering soups, salads, fried and stir-fries as well as
curries and noodles.
And since it is a ‘family’ venue, there are plenty of
ice cream choices for the kids!
We began with some spring rolls for the table, and these
were slightly spicy, and a welcome change from the usual bland deep-fried
offerings elsewhere. Some of our number went for the prawn cocktail, very
pleasant by all accounts, while Madame went for a mixed salad which came
with a choice of dressings, in her case the French was chosen which was a
beautifully sharp accompaniment for the salad, which included garden greens,
tomato, onion, cucumber and bell peppers.
Main courses were also to everyone’s approval, the
French pepper steak flamed with brandy being tender and done to the order.
The beef goulash Hungarian style also getting the thumbs up from our
resident “goulash expert”!
The Dining Out Team (of six on this occasion) found that
the Moon River Pub and Restaurant has developed well in the interim, and
offered good food at very reasonable prices, in a venue that lent itself to
a fun evening. Yes, we stayed for the easy listening band (changes every 3
months), which you will enjoy. This is the place to come with a few friends,
install your Party Pipe on the table (or try the inexpensive wines, our
Chilean red was excellent at under B. 1,000), have a meal and then make a
night of it. Highly recommended.
The Moon River Pub and Restaurant, Thai Garden Resort,
179-168 North Pattaya Road, telephone 038 370 614, fax 038 426 198.
