Many changes after many moons!
by Miss Terry Diner
It has been almost three years since the Dining Out team
visited the Moon River Pub in the grounds of the Thai Garden Resort, and we
were not aware of the changes that had occurred since then. We found out
there have been many!
However, let us first look at what has been retained. For starters, the
venue appeared very similar. The same rustic chairs (some that are so heavy
you need to be a weight lifter to move them), brightly checked tablecloths,
the pool table along one side, the dais for the band along the far wall and
the 7,000 egg cartons on the ceiling. The band concept that worked so well
before (they start around 9 p.m. so the diners can concentrate on their
food) has also been kept, with Power Jam, being one of the most popular easy
listening bands they have had, we were told.
So
what was new? Well, most of the bright young and energetic staff looked new,
and from the dining out point of view, the menu items were also new. We were
dining with Rene Pisters, the GM of the Thai Garden Resort and the guest
services manager, Alexandra Mueller, who explained that in the interim since
our last review they had employed the services of a European fine dining
chef who had completely reworked the menu, the presentation and preparation.
After his tour of duty was over, the new chef had taken the items and added
a little spice here and there, until the definitive menu dishes were settled
upon.
The menu is printed in English and in Thai, and the prices are still quoted
as net, without the + + usually seen in resort outlets. Appetizers and
snacks range in price between B. 100-180, with the top of the range being
two taco shells filled with spicy ground beef topped with sour cream and
salsa. This sounded so tempting, we ordered this item as one of our
starters.
Salads and soups are next, around B 140 and B. 90 respectively, followed by
sandwiches and snacks (B. 140-170). Seafood items were all under B. 240 and
the most expensive meat item was the sirloin at B. 320.
Pastas (B. 160) were followed by Thai favorites, all keenly priced as well.
By the way, the wines are all under B. 1000, and draft beer is available as
well.
We began with the tacos which were presented in crisp shells, with plenty of
melted cheese over the beef. Most flavorsome too. Our other starters were a
large rose of smoked salmon and a seafood cocktail presented in a ‘bowl’
made from pineapple! The difference in presentation once again.
For
mains, Madame had ordered a 200 gm fillet steak which comes with the diner’s
choice of sauces (in her case it was pepper sauce) and was cooked to order,
and the steak knife was not really needed. For myself , the Cajun salmon
served with lemon, coriander butter and Creole rice sounded interesting, and
indeed it was. The salmon was a hefty cut too.
Desserts were offered, but there was no room after the starters and main
courses.
We were very pleasantly surprised by the fare at the Moon River Pub. Some of
the new dishes even arriving on new square plates! There was no getting away
from the fact that the food had gone up several notches, but surprisingly
the price had not gone up despite the increased quality. While most people
who go to the Moon River Pub do so for a relaxing night of musical
entertainment, we would suggest that it is now very definitely a venue for
dinner and dance. Still relaxed dining, but infinitely better than before.
You should try this restaurant again, especially if it has been some time
since your last visit (like us). Almost a ‘new’ restaurant in an ‘old’
setting.
The Moon River Pub and Restaurant, in the Thai Garden Resort, 179-168 North
Pattaya Road (almost opposite the city hall), telephone 038 370 614-8, fax
038 426 198, email [email protected]. Secure parking in the resort
grounds and outside the Moon River Pub. Open seven days from 6 p.m. until
late.
