Amazing how time flies when you’re having fun! Cafe New
Orleans, in Soi Pattayaland 2 with that incredible profusion of neon
lighting, has been there for almost six years. Six months is a long time in
the restaurant business - six years is an eternity!
Getting
to the restaurant is always an adventure, dodging the pulchritude waving
enticements to “Come inside sexy man.” However, Cafe New Orleans, though
brightly lit, has nothing of the crassness of the chrome pole paradises. Its
decor is reminiscent of New Orleans, complete with period style lamp posts
outside, and jazz pictures on the walls.
Long and narrow, the restaurant has a mezzanine floor
dining area for when there are too many diners, or this section can be
booked for private functions for up to 35 people (at no extra charge). The
‘fun’ atmosphere is also added to by the novel (formal dining) aprons
worn by the staff. These are available for purchase at B. 695 (the aprons,
not the staff!) and apparently are a hot item for the tourist market.
While perusing the menu, we tried their house wines (B.
150 per glass). The Californian white was fine (though could have been just
a little colder), and the Californian red was certainly better than the
Italian, but as always, wine is a very personal choice. (Miss Terry
Diner’s tip - if it comes in a bottle with a cork, there’s a good chance
it will be fine!) Wines are not costly, running from B. 900 through to
around B. 2,200.
The menu is not extensive, but neither is it expensive.
Appetizers (B. 85-195) covers tangy mushrooms and a loaf of onion rings,
through to stuffed bell peppers with crabmeat or gambas New Orleans.
Soups B. 95-125 include a New England clam chowder. There
is also their special jambalaya, a Cajun-Creole specialty which I believe is
very popular.
The ribs on offer range between B. 275-395 depending on
size, and there are also combinations of ribs with chicken and shrimps.
Steaks are imported from Australia and NZ (and this
reflects on the price, but most around B. 500), while seafood is generally
around B. 375, including lobster. There is also pasta, chicken, combinations
and desserts. Enough for everyone.
We tried many items from the menu, including their
oysters. Since the quality varies with large oysters and imported oysters
are both expensive and a transport problem, Cafe New Orleans has come up
with using many smaller oysters in each shell. This definitely works, and
the Kilpatrick oysters were flavoursome and very filling (and I will be back
for more).
Madame tried the chef’s salad and remarked on the
freshness of the ingredients, and tried the Oysters Rockefeller which again
was a very filling item.
I tried the half slab of baby back ribs, with baked
potato and corn on the cob. This was excellent. The meat just fell off the
ribs, and I certainly did not need the supplied steak knife, I could have
used the butter knife, it was so tender. The corn was sweet and juicy and
for B. 275 it was a bargain. How people can find the room to eat a full
slab, I do not know!
Cafe New Orleans claims to have the best steak and ribs
in the Kingdom. That is a fairly hefty claim, and whilst not wishing to join
in the semantics involved in it all, I would have to say Cafe New Orleans
must certainly go close! We were very impressed by the food, and for the
fact that the standards have remained high for all these years. For Cajun
and Creole food it would be difficult to beat this venue, particularly at
the price. Very highly recommended.
Cafe New Orleans, Soi Pattayaland 2, South Pattaya (between Royal Garden
Plaza and Walking Street), telephone 038 710 805, fax 038 710 784, email
topclass@ptty. loxinfo.co.th, www.cafenew orleans.net. Open Monday to Friday
3 p.m. until midnight, Saturday and Sunday 12 noon until midnight. Limited
secure parking behind Jupiters at the top end of Soi Pattayaland 2,
otherwise street parking Pattaya Second Road. Home deliveries available from
Naklua to Jomtien area.
The
all-inclusive Sunday Brunch, which begins with a complimentary glass of
champagne, always a delightfully elegant start to any meal, runs from 10.30
a.m. until 3 p.m. and the ‘re-opening’ Sunday Brunch last weekend saw
many families, as well as gourmets, in attendance.