There has been much going on at the top end
of town over the past couple of years. The Regent Marina Hotel was re-opened
and the connecting soi between Pattaya Second Road and Beach Road has been
re-developed. Known variously as “Soi Zero” or “Soi Regent Marina”,
this has been the site of a proudly Italian restaurant, Le Arcate, for the
past 18 months. Being off the main thoroughfare has meant that many of you
may be unaware of this venue (as we were).
For ‘old hands’, the restaurant is where the Fountain
of Life used to have its school, half way down the soi from Second Road, on
the left side. It is well signed and you should not miss it.
There is a pavement eatery to walk through, and then
there are another two sections, with an outside, but covered area, and an
air-conditioned inner section. The predominant colour is salmon pink, and
there are numerous arches around the perimeter, from which the restaurant
gets its name, Le Arcate (arches in Italian).
The restaurant was started by our host Daniele, a chef
from a long family line of restaurateurs, with his father and two brothers
also in the restaurant business. He knows his trade, and his Italian food,
making many trips to Italy to bring back special sauces, and delicatessen
items such as hams, meats and cheeses. (Last time he brought back 180 kg of
provisions!)
The menu is not large, but has enough choices. Starters
range between B. 170-290, and offers the expected Parma ham and melon and
assorted cold meats, but also some deep-fried meat stuffed crumbed olives, a
local speciality from Daniele’s region.
Bruschettas and Crostinos are B. 60-150 and are followed
by around 20 pizzas at B. 150-290, and you can build your own, says Enzo.
Pastas (B. 140-320) are followed by several choices of (Italian) mains, with
the majority under B. 300.
Wines are plentiful and Italian, with most between B.
800-1,100, though the Barolo’s were around B. 2,900 and some well aged
Barbaresco B. 4,500.
At Daniele’s suggestion, we tried a wide variety of
items, with Bruschetta and Crostino toasted breads with different toppings,
followed by the superb Carpaccio of Bresaola. A pizza Capricciosa was
another very flavoursome item, with a subtle taste, which Enzo assured us
was from cooking in the traditional wood-fired oven.
By now almost bursting, we were regaled with a spaghetti
carbonara (very rich and creamy) and a Penne pasta Alla Norcina which has
cream, black truffle, garlic and Italian sausage, and then another
spaghetti, this time with bolognaise sauce, which was made with pork and
beef, and probably the best ‘Spag Bol’ I have ever had.
We were certainly impressed by Daniele and Enzo’s
approach to their food. Passionate is probably the most applicable
adjective, a trait that chefs need, and Italian chefs seem to have this in
abundance. At the end of our enormous meal, they were both apologizing that
they had not presented us with a lasagna to try, as this was also oven-baked
in the traditional wood-fired oven, or the grilled salmon gratine, cooked
the same way.
There was no mistaking the origin of the food either.
This was well presented and well prepared Italian food, with several
stand-out dishes from our sampling. The Carpaccio of Bresaola in particular,
with the Crema di Balsamico applied so lovingly by Enzo adding a special
flavour, and the thin crust pizza was so good that Madame, after claiming
she could not eat another mouthful, was seen tucking into another slice!
With food of this quality it is easy to see just why
Italian cuisine is the most popular in the world. With a choice of
comfortable dining areas, good food and reasonable prices, this restaurant
is well worth exploring. Bring a few friends and make an Italian feast of
it. Highly recommended.
Le Arcate Restaurant Pizzeria, 463/49 Moo 9, Soi Regent Marina (half way
down left side heading towards Beach Road from Second Road), telephone 038
362 326, fax 038 362 325, mobile 09 069 7171, email
[email protected]. Secure parking in Soi Regent Marina. Open seven
days. Hours noon until 11 p.m.
