by Miss Terry Diner
We sat on the open verandah looking out over Lake
Chaknork, nursing chilled white wine in crystal glasses, nibbling on
savories and quail eggs, and wondering if life could be much better than
this! We were at the newly opened Lakeside Lodge, chatting with our host
William Gibbs, and before you read much further, this is a ‘rave’ review!
William, a very traditional English gentleman, hosts a very traditional
English Sunday roast, which is very pleasant in all regards, but more than
just lunch, it is an opportunity for making congenial acquaintanceships
amongst similar souls drawn together in the common interest of food and wine
enjoyed in pleasant surroundings.
On our Sunday, there were around a dozen people who had gathered for lunch,
with the majority being British, with a few Thai partners and a lone
American. The concept of the pre-lunch drinks being such that one gets to
know the other guests, so that by the time we all sat down for dinner, we
had already begun to know each other and had topics of conversation that
could be pursued.
However, before launching into lunch, a few words on how to get there, as it
is slightly off the beaten tracks. Head outbound along Sukhumvit Road
passing Tesco-Lotus on your right and turn left into Soi 31 (Paradise). This
is the street passing the Sathit School and also leading past Paradise Villa
on your left. Follow your nose for about 4 km and look for a sign on your
right indicating Swiss Sabai and turn right there. This leads you through a
small collection of houses and there you turn left and run down towards the
water’s edge and you will see the Lakeside Lodge on your right at the end.
The lodge itself has been built along the English ‘hunting lodge’ lines. Two
storeys, with accommodation upstairs, and the dining area below. The
furniture is traditionally large with comfortable cushions – you will see no
plastic and chrome here. Upstairs there is stuffed wild game under glass and
framed family photographs on the walls. It is so much an English country
residence, and yet was built here two months ago!
When time came to leave the lounge area, we gravitated to the long dinner
table, where quality glasses and cutlery and a cold salad was awaiting. This
was similar to a Waldorf salad, but with prawn rather than walnut, and was a
refreshing start.
After the salad, William asked everyone how they liked their meat, and those
who preferred well done had theirs carved from the outside of the large
roast, whilst the medium and medium-rare came from the center. Large serving
dishes with roast potatoes, garden peas and steamed cauliflower were placed
on the table, for us to help ourselves, and I have to admit that I do miss
those sweet succulent English garden peas, and it was so nice to just help
myself to as much as I wanted! The roast was superb and tender and
flavorsome, and the Sunday roast was as good as I have tasted anywhere.
Seconds were offered, but whilst some of our number did indulge, I had no
room, leaving just a little aside for the oh-so-English sponge pudding
dessert and blue cheese and crackers.
For Thai partners, who may not be as enthusiastic over a roast as those who
are native English speakers, the Lakeside Lodge (Thai) staff also supplied
Thai food for them, and Madame told me that it was very good quality and
very enjoyable. I also think that having some other Thai ladies with whom
they could all gossip, being joined by Khun On, the Thai owner, heightened
their lunch experience too.
It really is necessary to book for the Sunday lunch. The size of the roast
is geared to the number of guests. The attention you receive is individual,
and William is a brilliant host, making you feel that you have been
personally invited to an English country home. You are welcomed as a guest,
and after lunch you are farewelled as a friend. It has that sort of
ambience.
Lakeside Lodge, Soi Ruawsap 9/21, (next to Swiss Sabai), telephone 038 249
273, website lakesidelodgethailand.com.
