When
you use the word “invasion” this usually indicates something fairly recent. Not
so in this case, as Café Kronborg has been operating for 18 years at 33/33 Soi
Diana in Central Pattaya, but if you are wondering why it is Soi Diana and not
Soi Kronborg, it is simply because Diana got there about four years earlier.
Café Kronborg is certainly
well settled in Pattaya’s restaurant/bar scene, with the same owners Bjarne and
Songkran Neilsen all that time. Bjarne wears his Danish nationality with pride,
and the local Danish community certainly knows that this is a venue where the
Danish language is spoken. However, English and Thai are also spoken, and on
the night we went, there was even a noisy bunch of Australians ringing the bell!
The décor probably mimics
the ambience, being at best described as ‘eclectic’ with everything from
Scottish bagpipes to Danish flags. Don’t be surprised at what you might find.
There have been 18 years of hoarding going into the decoration. I am sure that
Bjarne himself does not know half of the items he has in the restaurant area.
The venue is in two
sections, with a (new) outside section overlooking the busy Soi Diana, which
comes complete with a replica of the sword in stone from Kronborg Castle which
belongs to Holger Danske, who can be seen slumbering, with arms folded on top of
his sword, sitting in Kronborg castle’s underground shelter keeping himself in
readiness to meet the enemy, and shown on the illuminated sign above the
entrance.
Inside there is an
air-conditioned inner area with a couple of large round tables with central
‘lazy susan carousels’ and then some standard table and chair sets dotted
throughout. In the far corner is a sit-up bar, with the kitchen behind that.
The menu is a pictorial
one (this is an international restaurant) as well as Danish and English. Rye
bread sandwiches are on offer (B. 80-150) and then the Mains (B. 160-230) which
includes items as Scandinavian hash with fried eggs, Danish beef burger, and
Danish meatballs; then showing the internationality of the place, you can also
have a Paris burger, a Weiner schnitzel, Angus beef burger and French fries.
Incidentally, the sauces which come with the food includes mayo (Remoulade) and
an Australian mustard which takes you by the back of the nose and shakes you!
Wonderful! Thirty-eight items of Thai food are also included, with the range
mainly B. 120-150.
We began with the “Rulle
Polse” which is translated as Danish red sausage (or even ‘hot dog’ if you
like). I am rather partial to these sausages and the Aussie mustard goes very
well with them.
Madame also tried the
Danish meatballs which are very large and ‘meaty’ meatballs! A good start to
what was obviously going to be a solid evening.
For mains, Madame went for
the pepper steak, whilst I chose the Weiner schnitzel with vegetables and home
fries, which was also the special that evening at B. 220. Both of us enjoyed
our choices, but were too full to finish them. Café Kronborg is for trencherman
portions.
Nobody could leave Café
Kronborg and still be hungry. We made the mistake of ordering a Danish red
sausage between us as a starter and then couldn’t finish our mains. These Danes
have healthy appetites, and Bjarne and Songkran put on a great spread at very
reasonable prices. With main dishes B. 160-230, you cannot go wrong! Outside
catering has also been a specialty of Café Kronborg for many years with their
BBQ ox leg the most popular item.
Café Kronborg is as you
see it. A place for gregarious people to meet. It does not have any
pretensions of being otherwise. With Bjarne Neilsen’s connection to the Pattaya
Sports Club for many years, you can expect to meet many of the members there.
In fact, on Mondays and Thursdays, Café Kronborg opens early at 7.30 a.m. as
golf tournaments leave from there on those days.
Café Kronborg, 33/33 Soi
Diana, tel 038 423 203, fax 038 423 809. Open every day 8 a.m. until 12
midnight. Parking behind the beer bar complex opposite, or wherever you can
find a spot!
