The restaurants reviewed by the Dining Out Team in 2003
were as usual a very mixed bag. We visited restaurants that have been around
for many years, and will continue to be, then there were those that were
just finding their feet after being established for a couple of years, and
there were the newcomers that might make it and those who were already
showing all the earmarks of failure.
The
Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s Grill Room and Wine Cellar
Looking back over the 12 months, very few restaurants
actually offered us ‘bad’ food, though the standards in cooking the food
did vary. The quality of the raw ingredients also varied enormously, as did
the abilities of the service staff. Unfortunately there are still
restaurants around that think that the success or failure of their
enterprise rests only in the kitchen. From the consumers point of view it
does not. Dining Out is a total package covering food, venue, service and
price. Falling down in any one of those areas spells ultimate disaster, but
is a lesson not yet learned by many restaurateurs.
And so to the restaurants that impressed in the past year
of Dining Out, and I stress that these are not ranked in any particular
order. We ate twice at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort’s Grill Room and Wine
Cellar, a hotel restaurant that undoubtedly deserves the Wine Spectator
magazine’s world award. Superlative in every way. Go at least once a year!
In the ‘fine dining’ stakes there were two that stood
out - Bruno’s relocated to Jomtien (heroic effort to be able to re-open in
two weeks by Fredi Schaub and his staff), and Casa Pascal on Second Road,
where Pascal is not afraid to offer exceptional value set menus as well as
the usual a la carte. The newcomer in this group, Alkemy (in Nova Park), is
not far behind and is certainly worth visiting.
In the BBQ buffet group there were many, but the two that
immediately came to mind were the Hard Rock Hotel’s BBQ and the Montien
Hotel’s BBQ evenings. Both good value for money, with the effervescent
service at the Hard Rock most entertaining.
Despite Pattaya being on the water’s edge we did not
review many seafood restaurants, but the Lobster Pot on Walking Street did
stand out as being an excellent representative of the genre - and good
seafood too.
Another standout had to be Shenanigans on Second Road.
Excellent food, good value, varied menus and daily specials - it is
difficult to beat this combination. With the enthusiastic Kim Fletcher at
the helm, it received good reviews every time. Another venue that tries very
hard to give its customers something different, and succeeds, is Hans
Banziger’s Paradise Restaurant on Second Road, almost directly opposite
Shenanigans. Hans is also the ‘ostrich’ king of Pattaya!
For something totally different, the Art Cafe on Soi 16
Naklua, was remembered. This ‘gallery’ restaurant has settled down to
become a very well established and interesting restaurant. Great
surroundings and a very different Mediterranean menu.
Another standout was Mata Hari Restaurant on Second Road.
Louis Noll’s innovative approach to food certainly pays off and the
service is exemplary - and Louis’ tableside stories are legendary!
In my review of the next restaurant, I wrote that it was
the best new restaurant of 2003. This was Chez Georges on Third Road, good
French food, well-planned menu, excellent service and far too cheap! Go
before Georges realizes this!
I must stress that the above list came only from
restaurants formally reviewed during the year. With over 300 restaurants in
Pattaya and only 52 weeks in one year there are many that we did not visit,
but there are three that I believe should be mentioned. These are personal
favourites to which we often return, but did not formally review during
2003. Each offers consistently good food, service and ambience. In no
particular order - Jomtien Boathouse and Grill, Jomtien Beach Road; Da Joe
in Walking Street and Cafe New Orleans on the noisy Pattayaland 2. The fact
that we return is enough of a recommendation.
Finally, we thank all those readers who suggested many different venues
for the Dining Out Team to visit.
For the month of January, The Mountainside
Grill at Sri Racha Golf Club will launch 2004 with a special steak
promotion.
In
addition our extensive wine list will suit all palets, red and white wines
from Australia, Italy, French Merlot, South African Cabernet and tempting
Californian wines from the Woodbridge vineyards.