by Miss Terry
Diner
The Dining Out team will come out right now and state
that the Sunday Brunch at Casa Pascal has always been one of our favourite
dining “events”. Whether we looked at Sunday being the end of the week
(as many do) or as being the start of the week, the Sunday Brunch was such
an pleasurable event it gave the rest of Sunday a very happy ambience (or
was that the wine?), but whatever, that pleasant feeling lasted all through
Sunday and half way into the following week, whereupon we could again look
forward to the following Sunday.
To put on a brunch such as these Sunday Brunches, does
make for extra work for Casa Pascal, especially for owner/chef Pascal
Schnyder and his wife Kim, and I can understand reluctance on their part to
host these during the ‘low season’. However, with high season
approaching, Casa Pascal has again thrown open its doors for the Sunday
Brunch crowd, and on opening Sunday last weekend, there were so many of the
familiar faces, it showed that the popularity of these events was shared by
many of the cognoscenti of Pattaya (and the Eastern Seaboard).
It should not really be necessary to describe the Casa
Pascal restaurant or its location for the regular readers, but with the
numbers of new arrivals in Pattaya, a few words. One of the most elegant
restaurants, it is located up a small soi from Pattaya Second Road. It is on
the right, not far after the Royal Garden Plaza/Marriott Resort and Spa on
the left. Look hard for the Casa Pascal sign. The restaurant is next to Ruen
Thai, an old established Thai restaurant. Parking is plentiful, but Casa
Pascal does offer a valet parking service, to make this even easier!
The
restaurant itself is appointed as a Fine Dining establishment. High
ceilings, large tables and chairs, alcoves seating around 10 diners, as well
as the usual free-standing tables. One wall is predominantly glass, so the
Sunday brunch has a very light and airy atmosphere.
Many items are on offer, with Pascal telling me that
there are even more than last season’s Sunday Brunches. There are more
than a few items of interest, with the Graved Lax (salmon) having been
marinated for four days prior to the opening. The marinade contains sugar,
salt, black pepper and dill. The terrines are all “home made” said
Pascal, but then changed that to “Casa Pascal” made, just in case anyone
thought these items were from commercially available sources.
Seafood on offer includes Rock Lobster, Marinated
Mussels, River Prawns, Crab, Scallops, Smoked Salmon, the Graved Lax
(mentioned above), Smoked Saba, Smoked Silver Grunt, and marinated Herring
(Roll Mops).
For those who like to “work the room” like
politicians do, Cold Appetizers include the wondrously named Tzaziky and
Cucumber Jelly, plus a Chicken Liver - Portwine Mousse and Portwine Jelly,
Chicken Terrine, Beef and Salmon Tatar, Honey Ham and Meat Loaf.
To go with the Cold Appetizers, the Salad Bar has Swedish
Cucumber Salad, Artichokes Salad, Marinated Egg Plants, Marinated Zucchini,
Marinated Bell Peppers, White Asparagus Vinaigrette, Grilled Marinated
Mushrooms, Pickles Salad, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Radish, Carrot, Shallots,
Egg Salad, Lettuces, and Coleslaw Salad.
As last year, there is a Pasta Station featuring
Pascal’s Home made Ravioli, plus Spaghetti and your choice of sauces and a
large variety of condiments.
There are the flamed stations, with beef tenderloins for
example, and for many partners, there is an extended range of Asian dishes
(not just Thai), including such delicacies as large steamed clams with Woon
Sen noodles.
For such a range of top-class items, to be priced at B.
650 ++ for adults is not at all over the top, especially as it includes a
complimentary glass of house champagne in the price. For children under 12
it is B. 450 ++ but babes in arms are free.
Casa Pascal, 485/M10, Pattaya Second Road, (next Ruen
Thai) Pattaya City, telephone for reservation (recommended) 038 723 660,
email info@ restaurant-pattaya.com. Secure valet parking (but no car wash on
Sundays). Sunday Brunch hours: opening 10 a.m. and last guest 3 p.m. (Normal
hours Monday-Saturday Lunch from 11 a.m., Dinner 6 p.m.)
