Proudly French (and entitled to be!)
by Miss Terry Diner
One of the newer arrivals on the Pattaya restaurant
scene is Le Bistrot de St. Tropez, which opened in November 2002. Run by
Somphit, a charming French speaking Thai lady, she is assisted by husband
Jean-Luc and chef Yves.
The restaurant can be entered from Soi Diana Inn, about
30 metres up from the Pattaya Second Road intersection, or from the arcade
(opposite Mikes) that used to be known as the Bavaria House arcade; now a
bustling covered walkway with many different restaurants. There are four
tables outside in the arcade and another seven inside the air-conditioned
area.
It is not large, and ‘cosy’ is probably the best
adjective. Pastel coloured walls and a wonderful wooden spiral staircase
complete the dining area, while at the Soi Diana end there is a sit-up bar
where a small gathering of French speakers were busily conversing. It was
obvious right from the start that this was going to be a very French
evening!
In typical French fashion, the tables had starched
white linen covers, with contrasting yellow and blue napkins. Cutlery is
reasonable quality stainless steel and porcelain salt and pepper shakers
(and some toothpicks in a holder) are already on the tables. Glasses again
are of reasonable quality.
The menu is large, and written in French and English.
It begins with cold entrees ranging in price from a B. 60 green salad
through to B. 4,950 for 100 gm of Beluga caviar, but most items are around
B. 150-250 with items as smoked salmon, Mediterranean squid and Nicoise
salad on offer.
Hot entrees are up next with snails, mussels and prawns
(B. 120-310) then two soups (B. 150-160) followed by three fish choices
(B. 180-240) with both sole and bream fillets. Spaghetti items (B.
110-160) are followed by seven ‘specialities’ (B. 190-380) including
frog legs a la Provencale.
Le Bistrot de St. Tropez also offers beef, Chinese or
cheese fondues (B. 300-360) and three duck choices (B. 210-250) with one a
very interesting duck breast in honey and raspberry vinegar, and then a
dozen beef dishes (B. 210-330), with the cuts being fillet and rib eye.
The next page has desserts and then a page of Thai favourites (in French,
English and Thai) with most under B. 100. The final page is the wine list
ranging from B. 750 for a southern French Rose to B. 1,450 for a 1995
Bordeaux, with most just under B. 1,000. Finally, there is also a
whiteboard specials menu. This has a set menu for B. 290 (weekdays) and a
few chef’s recommendations.
We began with the Corsican cold cuts for Madame and the
Provencale mussels for me, both of which we enjoyed, but then Chef Yves
presented us with his Catalonian prawns. These were sensational. Beautiful
plump pieces of prawn meat in a sweet sauce. This item was eventually
chosen by us both as the dish of the evening.
We followed that with the veal sweetbread with
mushrooms and vegetables for Madame and the rib eye steak with shallots
for me. These came with a particularly good ratatouille and the serving
filled the enormous pre-warmed plates. The beef was cooked to my order and
was very tender - but I must repeat, the serving was just so big! I
struggled, but made it through, but neither of us had room for the offered
desserts. However, we did manage to squeeze down a shot of the 47% Marc
Garleban digestif. Beware! Very potent!
Le Bistrot de St. Tropez has a very French ambience,
and its cuisine is not only very French, but as already mentioned came in
very large portions and was very good. The prawns in particular I would
recommend, but make sure you have a large appetite if you go for the beef!
Prices are middle of the road, and when viewed against the size of the
portions it makes this restaurant very good value. Go if you are French.
Go if you like French food. Go if you are hungry. Definitely worth a
visit. Recommended!
Le Bistrot de St. Tropez, 216/37 Soi Diana Inn, Central Pattaya, tel.
06 0480141. Open evenings only.
