“Try the Irene Cyber Cafe,” I was told. “You will
be surprised.” Since I presumed it was to try the food, rather than the
internet services, I decided that there was not much to lose. It was only
later that I found out just how little that was!
Irene Cyber Cafe is in the new LK Plaza on the corner of
South Pattaya and Third Roads. Being inside the plaza precinct, just go in
any of the entrances and you will soon find Irene Cyber Cafe opposite the
serviced apartments.
The
restaurant is glassed in on two sides, having an elevated floor with
computers, while on street level there is the dining area. Upstairs there is
another internet area, making a total of 22 stations for surfing the web and
all the usual computer-based services.
The ground floor dining section is very clean and modern,
with satin chrome brightwork, dark grey tiles and charcoal colour accents in
tables and chairs. At the far end there is the coffee bar, and behind that
the kitchen area which is away from view (but spotless on my inspection).
The staff are attired in matching shirts, and the first impressions are that
this is a very professional operation.
Talking with the MD of Irene Cyber Cafe, Jee Leck Ng, it
turns out that he is a professional who has business experience in Singapore
and Australia, as well as in Thailand for the past few years. He has plans
to open up more Irenes, with at least 20 more in the Chonburi province
alone.
The menu begins with coffees and cold drinks, with the
iced mocha the most expensive non-alcoholic beverage at B. 40; however,
local beers are not much more expensive at B. 45. The next page has ice
creams (B. 20-65) followed by cakes and bakery and sandwiches, with the most
expensive being B. 45 for a club sandwich. Even the steak sandwich is only
B. 40.
Snacks, Thai salads and noodles and rice soup items are
next, with everything about B. 30. (By this stage I was shaking my head in
disbelief!). Fried vegetables and Thai mains followed with everything under
B. 40.
Western food is similarly inexpensive with top whack
being salmon steak with potato and vegetables at B. 145. Finally there are
Thai desserts and some Singaporean items.
We began with a cream of mushroom soup. This was not one
of those thin soups with a couple of mushroom stalks floating in it, but a
good, full bodied soup, laden with mushrooms. A great start to our evening.
For mains, Madame had chosen the pasta with seafood in
tomato sauce, and it filled the plate. There were enough prawns to justify
the ‘seafood’ tag, and it was on the menu for B. 45!
I had chosen the pork chop which arrived on a full plate
with steamed vegetables, a grilled tomato and fries, together with a
separate container of mushroom sauce. The chop was cooked properly. It was
thick and tender and the sauce beautiful. And it was B. 95!
To be perfectly frank, I was not expecting too much of a
dining out venue billed as a cyber cafe. I was further led down that way of
thinking when I saw the very cheap prices. To say I was then astounded by
the quality of the food we received is no exaggeration. It was well cooked,
there was plenty of it and at the price charged, incredibly cheap. Almost
too cheap! The B. 25 cream of mushroom soup was sensational in value, as was
my B. 95 pork chop with french-fries and vegetables.
With the vast majority of all menu items being under B.
50, Irene Cyber Cafe has to be currently the best value in Pattaya. The
price is way too cheap for what you get. I suggest you go before Jee Leck Ng
realizes this fact! Very highly recommended.
Irene Cyber Cafe, 124/86-87 Moo 10, LK Plaza, corner of South Pattaya and
Third Roads, telephone 038 488 532, fax 038 488 533, email [email protected].
Off-street parking outside. Hours 9 a.m. until 11.30 p.m.
