One of the newer eating choices in Pattaya is the Sunset
Cafe on Second Road, after the Central Pattaya Road intersection, between
the Grand Sol? Hotel and Classic Tailors (two doors after the 7-Eleven).
Whilst this restaurant has only been going three months,
it is not being operated by aa novice in the catering field, being run by
the wife of Greg Sulis (Greg’s Kitchen), with Greg in attendance when
necessary.
The
restaurant itself is long and narrow, being in a single shop-house, but much
use has been made of the area out front which is covered, complete with
ceiling fans and attractive greenery down both sides.
The outer section has ‘rustic’ furniture table
settings, with ‘duckboards’ underneath, so you won’t get wet feet, no
matter what the weather. The inner section has a bar at the back, and
standard table settings, but again ceiling fans. The staff are well attired
in camel tops and black aprons. There is also a large TV for those who like
to view and chew. We chose the outer section, and bench seats with cushions!
The menu is not large, but is still quite comprehensive.
It begins with the Sunset breakfast (served up till 6 p.m.), which for B.
120 offers two eggs (fried or scrambled), sausage, bacon, mushrooms, baked
beans, tomatoes, toast and marmalade, tea or coffee. There are also other
individual breakfast items such as beans on toast (B. 75) and NZ cheddar on
toast at B. 85.
From
there the menu leads you to Sunset Specials that come with fries and peas or
salad. Again these are not expensive, with items such as a cheese burger
with bacon or a chicken burger with cheese offered at B. 125. Other Sunset
Specials include egg and bacon quiche, steak sandwich, pork chop with a
choice of mushroom or peppercorn sauces and even a chicken curry Madras. The
vast majority are well under B. 200 and the most expensive is only B. 295
for imported NZ lamb chops. Still on the ‘farang’ food, there are many
toasties at B. 99 that come with chips, coleslaw and pickles.
Two pages of Thai food (and a couple of pages in written
Thai too - a good thought, Sunset) follow with most items under B. 100 and
covers stir-fries, curries and even spare ribs.
Beverages include many fruit juices and shakes, with 20
selections to choose from. Beers are B. 75 per small bottle, and there is
even house wine at B. 120 per glass. There are also desserts.
We went for lunch, and were met with cold towels as we
had sat down - a pleasant surprise. Madame chose the fish and chips, which
came with peas and bread and butter in true British fashion, while I went
for the steak sandwich that also came with chips and salad.
On the table are sauces and condiments, and the malt
vinegar always goes down a treat with chips in my opinion. I also tried
their home-made 1000 Island dressing which was pleasant. The steak was so
tender, I did not need the supplied steak knife, and the portion was large.
Madame remarked on the fact that the batter was not thick and oily and that
the choice was a very high standard too. We were in agreement that the food
was good, and the portions generous.
Where do you place the Sunset Cafe Sunset Cafe? It is
several steps above a street cafe, and yet has been deliberately positioned
below a full restaurant, by Greg and his wife. The food is of a high
standard, and typical of Greg the portions are not small. The fillet steak
in the steak sandwich was so good I even queried Greg as to whether he had
slipped a better quality one in, just for me, which he denied. Sunset Cafe
is another excellent alternative venue, offering good ‘farang’ food as
well as a strong Thai menu. With its easy parking, it is definitely worth a
try.
Sunset Cafe, 370/4 Moo 9, Pattaya Second Road, Pattaya City, telephone
038 362 376, parking alongside 7-Eleven and then round behind the building.
Open seven days 10 a.m. until 1 a.m.
Thanks
to Kim Fletcher, Shenanigans chefs know a thring or two about sausages.