by Miss Terry Diner
One of the newest and glitziest venues in town is Manhattans Steakhouse (in
the newest and glitziest condo/hotel development in town, Nirvana Place).
You will be impressed as you walk through the large glass doors into the
cocktail area. Two enormous aquaria shield you from the main dining room as
you make your way to the bar where you can sit and enjoy the Manhattan
skyline, etched into the glass wall at the front.
The service staff, dressed in black and gold, just add to the glam and
glitz. On your first visit it is hard not to be overcome by it all! Probably
have a drink at the bar first is the best advice!
The dining area has a central black marble runway, with raised sections on
both sides for the full-skirted tables. The raised areas are deeply carpeted
and the seats leather and plush, and very comfortable. Mention must be made
of the steak knives. Enormous, bringing back memories of that immortal line
from Crocodile Dundee where he produces the very large blade, saying, “Now
this is a knife!”
The menus are very large leather-bound affairs. It is a steakhouse, so steak
predominates, US or Australian imported Angus beef. Steaks can be ordered
according to size, as well as degree of cooking, and are generally 6 oz, 10
oz or 18 oz (or even more). Americans are known for their appetites! Steaks
generally range in price from around B. 1,000 to B. 1,800, and if you are a
surf and turf lover, you can add on a grilled lobster tail for B. 400 or
king prawns for B. 200.
However, there are appetizers, soups, salads and other main courses such as
a rack of lamb (B. 795) and even a Vegetable Napoleon with a roasted red
pepper sauce (B. 350) for an errant vegetarian. There is also a section
covering Thai favorites (B. 95-350).
The wine list has around 100 labels, with US wines predominating. Wines are
certainly not over the top price wise, with a Storybook Mountain Napa Zin
Gris White Zinfandel 2003 at B. 1,600 for example. There are also 14 wines
on offer by the glass, which I think is a wonderful concept. Rather than
whole bottles, you can pick and choose during the meal. The Francis Coppola
Diamond Collection Zinfandel comes with my personal seal of approval!
We began our meal with the Clams Casino - sautéed clams, bacon, peppers,
garlic and oregano glazed with Parmesan cheese. Nine clams served on a bed
of sea salt. A great start to the evening, they tasted as good as they read!
Being in a US style steakhouse, we both went for the US Angus beef. Madame
selecting a 6 oz portion rib eye, and myself a 10 oz. We both selected the
garlic mash as an accompaniment but different sauces, with a tomato tarragon
with white wine sauce for myself. Sauces come in their own boat to the
table.
Both steaks were exactly cooked to our order, and arrived at the table
together. The ‘super steak knife’ was really not needed, the imported Angus
supremely tender.
We finished with a blueberry sorbet served in a glass bowl over ice. Nice
touch!
There is no doubt in our minds that this was a superlative dining out
occasion. Manhattans Steakhouse is a very well deserved addition to fine
dining in Pattaya. The food is expertly prepared by chef Steve Manning and
the GM, Tom Vicario, from one of the top five steakhouses in the US is on
hand at all times to oversee the running of the restaurant. It had only been
open for one month when we made our visit, but it was obviously settling in
well. I have no hesitation in recommending this restaurant to the discerning
diners in the Eastern Seaboard. Do go. You will not be disappointed.
Manhattans Steakhouse, Ground floor Nirvana Place, top of Thappraya Road,
Jomtien, telephone 06 103 4497, open seven days, light lunch around the pool
12 noon till 6 p.m., dinner in the restaurant 6 p.m. until 11 p.m., and
cocktail bar till 1 a.m. Secure parking and valet service. Complimentary
limousine pick-up in Pattaya/Jomtien area. Email
[email protected], website www. manhattans-pattaya.com.
