After a long day at the office last week, the Dining Out Team
did not feel like cooking at home but was too tired to contemplate going out for
dinner. We discussed the problem and then realized we might have had the answer,
having been given the Door 2 Door menu. Food delivered direct to our door
sounded a very attractive alternative.
The
Door 2 Door system is anything but the local pizza deliveryman, as you are given
the choice of choosing from 14 different restaurants. These include such diverse
cuisines as Maela Pla Phoa (Thai seafood), Tequila Reef (Tex-Mex), The Raj
(Indian), The Sportsman (English), Paradise Restaurant (international),
Shenanigans (English and Thai), plus another eight with Swiss, Swedish,
Japanese, Italian and German.
The concept is that you order from Door 2 Door what you want
from the restaurant of your choice and Door 2 Door collect it, keep it hot en
route, and deliver to your home. There is a delivery charge of only B. 30-50
(depending on the distance) and a minimum order of B. 250 is required. There is
a 10 percent service charge and tipping is not necessary. All fairly
straightforward.
We decided on getting something from Shenanigans as it
covered both UK (for Miss Terry) and Thai items (for Madame). As we often dine
out there, we also knew just how the food should be and the size of the
portions. To really try the service, we also chose items that could be difficult
to transport, such as fried noodles and a clam chowder soup. Our other items
were the Shamrock salad (with Caesar dressing being chosen by Madame) and the
imposter’s stew for myself.
My
call was answered promptly by the Door 2 Door base and details taken of my
address and any other directions to make it easier for the delivery. The order
itself was discussed and repeated back to me and I was asked if we needed any
drinks with the order (small beers from as low B. 40, and wines from B. 450).
Before ringing off, she again confirmed the order and the address, all very
comforting.
To celebrate our Dining Out while Dining In, we opened a
bottle of white wine and set the table outside, complete with linen tablecloth
and napkins, the best crockery and glasses and sat back to wait. As the Door 2
Door people point out, they are not bringing ‘fast food’ to your door, so
you have to expect the usual cooking time as there would be in the restaurant,
plus the delivery time.
Well within the expected 60 minutes, a motorcycle drew up at
the house with our home gourmet dinner of clam chowder (still very hot, and full
of clams), fried egg noodles, the Shamrock salad (kept cool in its container)
and the imposter’s stew (also piping hot).
The idea of the Door 2 Door delivery went very well. We had
our hot food delivered in under an hour, and exactly to our order. The lady at
base who took my call was very friendly and helpful, and the deliveryman could
not have had a bigger smile. He seemed so enthusiastic about our order I almost
felt I should have set a place at the table for him too. And his smile was just
dazzling!
As a concept, Door 2 Door is a great idea. They fulfilled
their part in getting the correct items to our table, and still hot. It is a
boon for the busy housewife, and for anyone entertaining at home who would like
to present a professional product. I am sure there is more than one host or
hostess taking credit for gourmet meals that are actually made outside.
The Dining Out Team suggests that if you enjoy dining out,
then get a copy of the Door 2 Door menu. I am told that if you dial the office
038 720 222 they will even deliver one to you, free of charge! Highly
recommended.
Door 2 Door, everywhere between Na Jomtien to Naklua to Horseshoe Point,
telephone 038 720 222. Open for taking orders from 12 noon till 11 p.m.
