We began the Dining Out review with a history
lesson given by the Ace Cafe’s owner Martin Smith, as to the origins of
the name. Apparently around 50 years ago, the sporting motorcycle riders in
London all congregated at a venue known as the Ace Cafe. After a couple of
hits of Nescafe (or something stronger) the boys would get out and race on
the back streets, giving rise to a whole new genre of motorcycles known as
‘cafe racers’.
The restaurant is in the last shop-house in the new
corner building just past the gold Hanuman statue where Thappraya Road,
coming from Pattaya, turns right to head down towards Dongtan police
station, Jomtien Beach Road. It is open on two sides and is shielded by rows
of ornamental potted trees and large plants.
Black, white and orange are the predominant colours,
which Martin Smith tells me are Harley-Davidson colours. The floor is done
in black and white chequers, which is apparently ‘Valentino’ flooring
(shades of motorcycle champion Valentino Rossi), while on the walls are maps
of Thailand and photographs of large motorcycles. The staff are also done
out in black, with long black aprons, while the tablecloths are orange.
The menu is actually more extensive than you would
imagine. There are five breakfasts ranging in price from B. 50 for large tea
(or coffee), orange juice and toasts, through to B. 135 for an English style
(two of) eggs, bacon, beans, potatoes and tomato with the OJ, tea/coffee, or
for the incredibly hungry, B. 185 for the two of everything plus sausages,
mushrooms and black pudding. Just how English can you get?
Main
meals, and there are 14 choices, are all under B. 195, and include steak,
pork, chicken, gammon, burgers, bangers, schnitzels and spaghetti dishes.
Snacks for the not so hungry are all under B. 95 and
offer the diners a beef casserole marinated in red wine as well as burgers,
BLT sandwiches and croissants.
There is also a Thai menu, written in English and Thai,
with a description of what is in the dish as well as the common names. The
most expensive of the 17 items will still give you B. 30 change out of B.
100.
Beverages include coffees, teas, and juices; with beers
also available, with a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday ‘happy hour(s)’ from 5
p.m. until 9 p.m. with Heineken for B. 40 and Tiger and Singha 5 baht
cheaper! That must be about the cheapest in Pattaya.
We went at lunchtime, and Madame who was suffering from
an attack of the hungers went for the number 2 breakfast, with the twos of
everything, while I decided on the pork schnitzel with mashed potatoes and
vegetables.
I was more than pleasantly surprised to get our meals on
warmed plates (something that many fully fledged restaurants forget), and
there was certainly no stinting on the portions that were presented. We were
also given a container containing the condiments, with all the sauces,
mustards and vinegar that we might need.
Madame’s breakfast kept her very quiet for some time,
eventually describing her meal, after the plate was licked clean, as
“Lovely, lovely!” My schnitzel was also “lovely, lovely”, correctly
cooked (and it is easy to overcook schnitzels) and the mashed potatoes
smooth and easy on the palate. The schnitzel also came with some warm apple
sauce in its own container.
Madame and I really did enjoy the food at the Ace Cafe
and we didn’t need a motorcycle to be made to be felt welcome. It is a
restaurant that sells beer, rather than a bar that sells food, though at
night at the weekends, this can be reversed. Martin Smith was also quite
forthright in saying, “We’re not a five star restaurant. We’re a
cafe.” With this in mind, you will get well cooked, well presented food in
large portions at very reasonable prices. This is definitely somewhere to
remember in Jomtien. Highly recommended.
The Ace Cafe, 481/13, M 12, Hanuman Corner, Jomtien, telephone 09 990
9342 (English) or 09 904 8645 (Thai), email [email protected]. Parking
outside, open 8.30 a.m. till 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 8.30 a.m. till 1
a.m. Friday-Sundays.
