A great place to tie up
The Jomtien Boathouse has been going for four years, and
I have to admit that I have enjoyed many dinners there in that time. One
reason is the 'homeliness' of the place, and another is the welcome from
both the staff and the owners (Kanikar and Ib Ottesen), and another is
simply good value for money.
If you have not tried this venue for dining out, then it is on Jomtien Beach
Road, on the corner of Soi 8, and is on the ground floor of the Jomtien
Boathouse building, which has 24 top class rooms available for rental.
The restaurant area is divided into two, with an air-conditioned inside
section, which has its own bar and performing stage, and the outside area
facing the sea and relying on the cooling breezes from the Gulf of Thailand.
This second area also has a sit-up bar where you can oversee Jomtien Beach.
Seating
is at natural wood tables and chairs, which do have a cushion for poorly
upholstered bottoms. The service personnel are friendly, outfitted in black,
with long green aprons, and it is service with a smile.
The menu is a photographic one, which is always a good idea. Guests can see
what they are going to get. If only more restaurants would adopt this,
especially in an international resort city where not all their guests speak
English!
It begins with a page of prawn specials, done in various ways (B. 150-180)
and these are followed by some inexpensive appetizers (B. 65-150) with
salmon asparagus rolls at the top end. A couple of pages of starters are on
offer, with most around B. 130 with baby clams in garlic a popular dish.
The brochettes are very well known and huge! The skewers are swords, rather
than spears and range in price between B. 225 (pork and sausage) and B. 375
for three lamb chops. Main courses range from B. 195 through to B. 350 for
steaks. There is also a good range of Thai favorites, and even a children's
menu.
The wine list has both old and new worlds, with the majority being very
budget priced. An Italian prosecco at B. 895 makes for good drinking.
For starters, Madame chose the chicken liver terrine (B. 120), which came
with a large salad and toast. This was almost a meal on its own. I decided
on the fried mussels in garlic (B. 120), which came with two mussels to each
shell, and were absolutely delicious, with just a hint of spice from the
garlic.
For main courses, Madame was taken with the pan-fried duck breast (B. 250)
whilst I went for the Weiner schnitzel which was served with home-fried
potatoes (B. 250). Both of these were presented on large plates and were
excellent. After the filling starters and large main courses, we did not
have room for the offered desserts, but we did manage to put away one of
their wonderful Irish coffees! It had been a memorable night.
The impression you will always get after dining at the Jomtien Boathouse is
straight out value for money. You are getting large portions of tasty
no-frills food here. Do not expect artistic splashes of raspberry jus
reduction and sprinkles of colored vegetables around the perimeter of the
plate here. But you do get a decent plate of decent food. It is that simple.
Of course, if you are an Elvis Presley fan, the Jomtien Boathouse does its
bit of resurrection, with their own (and very good) "Elvis" who plays to
packed houses every Thursday and Friday nights. In fact, Ib Ottesen says
that if you want to come on those evenings, it is important to book. Having
been there to watch the Elvis show ourselves on either of those evenings, I
can assure you they are extremely popular. You have been warned!
The Jomtien Boathouse, Hotel, Wine and Grill; Jomtien Beach Road (corner Soi
8), telephone 038 756 143, fax 038 756 144, email info@
jomtien-boathouse.com, website www.jomtien-boat house.com. Open seven days,
8 a.m. until 11.30 p.m. Breakfast from 8 a.m., lunch 11 a.m. till 6 p.m. and
dinner from 6 p.m. until late. On street parking.
