I have to say, right from the outset, that we received
one of the friendliest welcomes available in Pattaya, with the “beer
promotion” girls totally charming in their effusive greetings. Miss
Singha, Miss Heineken, Miss Asahi and Miss Breezer working very hard for
their companies.
The restaurant/pub is actually in many sections. There is
the beer garden, mentioned before, with rustic furniture and umbrellas, then
coming back from Beach Road there is another beer garden under the big tree,
closer to the evening’s live music, and whose tables have tablecloths,
then further back again there is a pub section which is air-conditioned,
with pool tables.
But there is more. At the front is a two storey octagonal
building, with a sit-up cocktail bar on the ground floor, and a covered
dining area one floor above. Dotted around the grounds are also large TV
screens for sporting events. The Green Tree Restaurant and Pub is certainly
trying to be all things for all people.
There are two menus. The “Brunch” from 8.30 a.m.
until around 5 p.m. which offers American breakfast at B. 55, a bargain in
itself. A steak sandwich is B. 59, while a filet mignon is only B. 120. Thai
food is mainly under B. 60 and local beers B. 40-45 for a small bottle.
There is also a Happy Hour period from 8.30 a.m. until 7 p.m.
The main dinner menu begins by advising the diners that
there is a B. 20 bonus coupon for every B. 400 spent, so it’s off to a
good start again. The groups begin with hors d’oeuvres, generally B.
90-120 with spring rolls, sausages and many snacks, then into the hydroponic
cocktails and salads at B. 90-120, soups B. 65 and sandwiches B. 65-85.
Many main courses follow, with B. 225 seeming to be the
top whack for the steaks and meats, and B. 250 for seafood items. Lots of
Thai food items go for several pages, again very inexpensive, and then
tucked away at the back is a third, khao tom menu for those who are peckish
after 10 p.m. There’s certainly something for everyone, inexpensively.
We ordered the Special Steak set, which is on Tuesdays
and Sundays, and this item promises soup, a steak and salad and bread roll
and ice cream, all for B. 149. On paper, another bargain.
The soup on our evening was a seafood chowder and arrived
piping hot and was thick and nourishing. So far, good marks.
The next course was the salad, which had the usual garden
greens and tomato, over which was the ubiquitous 1000 Island sauce, perhaps
applied with a trifle too heavy a hand, but it was pleasant enough.
Then came the steaks, with one a filet mignon and
mushroom sauce for me, and the other a pepper steak for Madame. Both were
cooked medium (we were not asked how we wanted it, but the end result was
fine) and both were very tender. The steaks come from the Chockchai Ranch in
Korat, I was informed. We finished with the ice cream, but it was gluttony
more than anything else! We were both more than happy with our choices. And
at B. 149 is a real bargain.
The overall impression of the Green Tree Restaurant and
Pub is one of a fun eatery that has many cheap choices for the hungry. Day
or night, and remember to leave a tip for the lovely beer promotion girls!
Definitely recommended.
Green Tree Restaurant and Pub, North Pattaya Beach Road
(corner of Soi 1), telephone 038 414 353, fax 038 414 355. On street
parking. Open 8.30 a.m. until very late, seven days.