A different slant on wining and dining
by Miss Terry Diner
Cuvee Lounge Bar, on the second floor of the central leg of Chateau Dale
complex on Thappraya Road, is one of the newer venues in Pattaya, and had
only been open for three weeks when we made our visit. However, it was
obvious that it had already settled in and had its own clientele, even in
that short space of time.
We dined with its managing director Paul Bart, who explained the concept
behind Cuvee, one which is quite different from the usual restaurateur’s
ideas. “The food is an accompaniment for the wine,” said Paul. Cuvee is then
not the place to attempt to find the right wine for your salmon steak, but
is the lounge bar where you will decide to experience an Australian
chardonnay, to be accompanied by a salmon steak! The wine choice comes
first.
The venue is difficult to describe, as it is in several distinct sections.
Up above Gian’s and Habitu, we were welcomed by the uniformed service
personnel and ushered to our booth for the evening. These are seven in
number and feature wonderful soft bench seating and each table has one of
those amazing Lava Lamps, with the gently gyrating oil bubbles.
However, we could equally have chosen the “bed” area, which can take 12-14
reclining diners, supping in a Romanesque manner, reminiscent of Nero being
fed grapes and fiddling while Rome burned.
There are also two sit-up bar areas (the red bar and the blue bar), and at
the other end is the lounge area with sofas and tables. And if you want,
there is a pool table tucked around the corner and behind the walk-in wine
cellar.
The wine cellar is very modern looking, made of glass, and under 24 hour
temperature control, and houses a good selection of wines, chosen for
quality, and yet within a very reasonable price range. Most wines, from both
the old and new worlds, are in the 1,000-1,500 baht bracket, and even the
top end offerings are under B. 12,000, with a Chateau Neuf du Pape coming in
around B. 6,000 for example. There are also 10 house wines, and nine wines
available by the glass. This is certainly somewhere that you can experiment
with your wines, and to assist the novice, Cuvee has an ‘educational’ page
in the front of the wine list explaining grape varieties and even
‘terroirs’.
The accompanying food menu shows that it is internationally based, with
items covering French, Italian, Creole, grills, seafood and even Thai (where
you just tell the chef what you want and he will make it for you).
We began with a Greek salad (B. 180) for Madame, with plenty of Fetta cheese
and olive oil, while I went Gallic with the French onion soup with cognac
(B. 180). Both of these were very pleasant, the vegetables very fresh, with
lashings of onion for my soup and large servings.
For mains, Madame had switched to an Australian sparkler and teamed this
with a salmon steak and vegetables (B. 280), while I had chosen an Aldridge
shiraz (B. 950/bottle), and then selected a rib-eye steak (B. 300) to go
with it. Again these were large portions, properly cooked, and very tasty.
Paul insisted we try the bread and butter pudding, and Madame did her best,
but we were really too full. However, I was talked into a 25 year old Grand
Marnier for a nightcap! (This was one of only three bottles in all of Asia!)
Cuvee is a different concept, and with the various areas can be all things
for all people. I can see it as being a popular afternoon venue for business
people, or a welcoming seat at the bar for a wine on the way home, or even
stay and have some food. It is relaxed, it has a certain ‘bistro’ style to
the food and a broad enough range of wines. And it is not expensive, even
though it would appear so from the outside. Well worth a visit.
Cuvee Lounge Bar, 306/89 2nd floor, Chateau Dale Plaza, Thappraya Road, Moo
12, Jomtien, telephone +66 (0)38 364 673, fax: +66 (0)38 364 674. Open seven
days 11 a.m. until midnight. Ample off-street parking around the Chateau
Dale complex.
