Lux’or Restaurant and Cocktail Bar

by Miss Terry Diner

I have to say that the Day-Night area was never one of my favorite haunts. Only a few years ago, it was dirty, many buildings deserted, and the province of the ‘boy bars’. However, as with the general improvement in Pattaya, this area has also lifted itself up, and is now a thriving and well populated cosmopolitan spot, reminiscent in some ways of the Paris Left Bank.
The streets are still tortuous and narrow, however, and the landmark to locate this restaurant is the Flamingo Hotel, as the Lux’or building is on the opposite side of the street. For parking, you are probably best off with the Tuk-Com multi-storey car park and a two minute walk from there.
The restaurant has a terrace outside with a few tables for those who wish to smoke. Inside there is seating for only around 30 persons, with a sit-up cocktail bar at the rear of the restaurant. Light colors predominate, with Egyptian paintings on the walls, and ‘regency’ striped drapes and similarly covered very comfortable chairs. I must also say that the tables are generous in size, and our Dining Out team of four did not feel cramped at our table. The cutlery and wine glasses are better quality and the tablecloths and napkins a pale colour to blend in with the decor and the marble tiled floor. The service personnel are outfitted in red waistcoats and black European-style aprons, while overseeing the restaurant is the German owner, and its guiding hand, Helmut Zimmermann.
The wine list is not very extensive, but has most wines between B. 950-1600, and covers both old and new worlds. There are also house wines available by the glass or carafe (B. 150-160 per glass).
The menu is also not enormous, though the items are certainly well chosen. It comes in German and English. Starters range between B. 120-220, with a white asparagus with shrimp at the lower end and a graved lax with dill mustard at the other. Additional hot starters include a mussels with spinach and cheese (B. 130) and a seafood platter at B. 180. Soups are B. 60-95 with the lobster bisque at the top end.
Mains are divided into pork, beef, poultry, sea and river, pasta and Thai items. Again the items are well thought out, and not costly. The most expensive were the chateaubriand for two at only B. 650, or an Argentinean Angus rib eye B. 450!
I chose the Caesar salad for a starter, while Madame went for the special, a tomato mozzarella salad, but before they arrived, we were presented with a curried amuse bouche, along with some French bread and accompaniments of herb butter and a tomato puree.
Both starters were very well presented, flavorsome and large servings. I also enjoyed the fact that the chef had not been stinting with the shredded parmesan cheese.
For mains, Madame again went for the day’s special of a monkfish done in lemon-butter. This was superb, and if on the menu it is very well worthwhile considering. My choice was also fish, with the poached fish fillets with a dill cream sauce and boiled potatoes. A beautifully creamy dish, and once again, very large servings. Desserts were offered, but the generous servings of the two previous courses precluded any idea of dessert as well.
To assist our digestion, we drank the house white, an Eikendal Blanc, a very pleasant blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grapes, and it is eminently quaffable.
Lux’or is a very impressive restaurant for many reasons. In the ‘jungle’ of the Soi Day and Night region, it is a veritable oasis of class and serenity. The decor and ambience are superb, the staff are well trained and all spoke excellent English. The food is of high quality and very reasonably priced, and Helmut is always on hand to ensure his restaurant performs to the satisfaction of his customers. We left most impressed. Very highly recommended.
Lux’or Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, 20/57 M10, Soi Day and Night 2, South Pattaya (opposite Flamingo Hotel), telephone 038 723 741, email [email protected]. Open seven days 5 p.m. until late. Street parking or in Tuk-Com car park.