Dining out in the evening tends to be either a ‘grand affair’ in an up-market
restaurant, languishing with post dinner drinks and ‘changing the world’
discussions, or a hurried repast whilst on the way to some function. However, it
does not need to be quite so cut and dried. There is an alternative.
The alternative is being supplied by Manhattans Restaurant
and Bar and is called “The Early Dining” menu, allowing the best of both worlds
– dining in up-market surroundings with quality offerings, but finishing early
so that you can still make that evening function. There is also a value added
benefit – special lower prices.
Despite having been in its location for three and a half
years, amazingly there are some people who are still unsure of the address.
Manhattans is in Nirvana Place on the left at the very top of Thappraya Road
coming from Pattaya before the descent into Jomtien. With the wide dual
carriageway, there is plenty of parking streetside, or down the soi alongside
Nirvana Place. Manhattans also offer valet parking, but for the early diners,
this is hardly necessary, just park outside.
The restaurant is in two sections – a cocktail lounge with
sumptuous seating, with a bar along one side, and then the dining area proper
behind two very large aquaria, with a marble walkway and the dining tables and
chairs on a slightly elevated level. Large tables, large chairs and plenty of
space between them, so private conversations remain private.
Mention should be made of the staff, all in smart uniforms,
and all well trained in hospitality and service. Overseeing the evenings is
General Manager Hugh Millar, a very well experienced hotelier, restaurateur.
The menu features four appetizers, four mains and four
desserts. The March-April offerings include New England clam chowder, Roasted
eggplant, lemon and garlic dip with warm pitta bread, Char grilled prawn kebab
brushed with barbeque sauce and Caesar salad - prepared and served tableside.
Main courses cover Sirloin steak with roast shallot and
mushroom sauce, steak fries and vegetable medley or salad, Thai green curry with
pork served with steamed rice, Pan fried turkey breast, green pepper and
mushroom stir fry, saute potatoes and sherry sauce and Poached fillet of cod,
cheese mustard and parsley sauce, spinach and creamed potatoes.
Manhattans has always had a good wine list, and GM Hugh
Millar has introduced some new ‘price range’ bottles, and we decided on the
Australian Gossips red, which at B. 1150 was excellent quaffing.
We began with an aperitif in the cocktail lounge, and then
moved to the dining area, selecting a table close to one of the very large
aquaria.
The range of choices was more than adequate with Madame
settling on the New England clam chowder, and the Char grilled prawn kebab
brushed with barbeque sauce for myself. The portion sizes were definitely not
skimped, and extra BBQ sauce comes in a separate dish. Superb!
For our main courses, Madame selected the Poached fillet of
cod, and again this was a very filling dish. I had chosen the Sirloin steak
which also came with a choice of several mustards, and the Dijon grainy went
well with it. Another excellent dish. Of course, you also get to use Manhattans
famous ‘swords’ which double as steak knives! Go and you will see what I mean.
We were replete by that stage, and stuck to our two course
dinner. We left by 7.20 p.m. after a very pleasant, and unhurried meal, which we
both enjoyed immensely.
The “Early Dining” menu runs from 5 p.m. until 7.30 p.m.
(last order) and any two of the three courses is B. 795, or three courses for B.
895. With choices of four starters, four mains and four desserts, the options
are enough to cover almost everyone’s tastes, and with around two hours in which
to dine, we found the meal was not rushed.
Manhattans Restaurant and Bar has found a niche in the
marketplace and is filling it admirable. Highly recommended for diners on the
go!
Manhattans, 482/1-4 Thappraya Road, M 12, Jomtien, telephone 038 259 790,
closed Mondays, open 5 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. Secure parking and valet service.
Complimentary pick-up in Pattaya area. Website www.manhattans-pattaya.com.
