Oliver Twist, the novel written by Charles Dickens, was written in 1838.
However, it has taken quite some time for Oliver Twist to arrive in Pattaya.
Around 168 years to be precise, and for those not quite sure of where, the
Oliver Twist pub is on Pattaya Central Road, about 50 meters from the Beach
Road and next to the very well known Ali Baba restaurant.
It really does have the atmosphere of the English pubs with its dark wood
panelling, English memorabilia such as a real His Master’s Voice phonogram
and paintings on the walls, an L shaped bar and an elevated dining area.
Even the entry doors have the small cut-glass panes seen so often in the UK.
Another breath of the UK is in the beers and beverages, with John Smith’s,
Newcastle Brown Ale, Blackthorn’s and Bulmer’s Cider as well as Kilkenny’s
and Guinness. Of course the more common beers such as Heineken and Tiger are
also available (on draught).
The dining section has dark wood heavy tables and many are in alcoves with
bench seating. There is also an elevated dais, which on our evening (a
Tuesday) featured Rose, a wonderfully gravelly voiced singer and
entertainer. Overseeing the pub is an ‘English rose’ called Louise, a lady
who has worked for years in pubs in the UK, and whose parents and
grandparents were also in the pub trade. Having been a pub chef herself for
13 years means that she should know pub food.
On each table are the standard British condiments and sauces, including Lea
and Perrins, Heinz Malt Vinegar, HP Brown sauce and tomato ketchup as well
as salt and pepper.
The menu shows that Oliver Twist does indeed offer pub food. The all-day
English breakfast comes with all the trimmings you expect at B. 145 and
there are other pub-style side orders such as cheesy chips or onion rings at
B. 110. Traditional English green pea and ham soup is also B. 110. Amongst
the five salads there is also a ploughman’s salad at B. 195.
Further into the menu you will find a half pound steak burger with cheese at
B. 220 and then come the grills and steaks (B. 250-420) with pork chops at
the lower end and grilled lamb cutlet at the top end.
The next section says it all, “Pub Grub Western Style” with a salmon with
citrus and herb butter at B. 350, but most are around B. 220-250 with all
the favourites including cod and chips, cottage pies, chilli con carne and
bangers and mash.
We began with a prawn cocktail for Madame which came with lemon and 1000
Island sauce and a garlic mushrooms for me, which came with crusty baguette
and salad. Both fairly filling.
My main course was the chicken breast topped with bacon and cheese. This
arrived on a large plate, surrounded by a veritable mountain of peas and
chips, which I then suitably malt vinegared and salted. Madame had chosen a
steak pie which was also of gargantuan proportions.
The fare on offer was, as Louise described it - “pub grub”, and an English
pub at that. There was certainly no complaint about the size of the
portions, and in fact we could not finish our main courses, having had one
of the large starters first. Make sure you have a large appetite if you are
going to Oliver Twist. “Please Sir, I want some more,” is not something you
will hear in this establishment.
This venue is another of the British pub style restaurants/drinking holes.
Much will depend upon the staff to make this one work, against some fairly
well entrenched British pubs in Pattaya. The location is good and there is
generally enough parking in the immediate vicinity, and the pub grub is
certainly plentiful and not expensive. Louise described it as a “retreat
where you don’t get hassled.” Worth a try one night (and Rose is great on
Tuesdays).
Oliver Twist, Old English Pub, 1/13-14 Pattaya Central Road (Klang),
opposite Nova Lodge and next to Ali Baba, telephone 038 429 881, fax 038 414
464, open 8 a.m. until 1 a.m. seven days. On street parking.
