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wjmark
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Three Restaurants
The Orchard, Grandview Buffet, HongKong Duck
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THE ORCHARD, MAE RIM
I'll start with The Orchard, Mae Rim. It got some discussion in another thread, but I thought it deserved its own mention - http://www.thaivisa....guitarman-gone/
Nicky from Guitarman has opened a fantastic place set in the woods on the Mae Rim Samoeng road. Just at the top of the first hill (leaving Mae Rim) on the left.
I've been there four times in the past two weeks, and had four perfect meals. Nicky is a proper chef, and even though his food is simple, he prepares it perfectly. Very diligent and professional - everything.
One of the best burgers I have ever had anywhere in the world - big, meaty, and with an amazing sauce. Home-made chewy bread works perfectly. Fries are large, but fantastic - taste like potato.
Had the fish and chips twice. They were huge, fresh, juicy, and even the batter had delicious seasoning... As good a fish n chips as I have had.
Both were garnished with an apple salad that not only had fresh home-made dressings, but looked like works of art...
The last time I was there (musical Sunday afternoon), I had Nicky's lasagna. Huge again, and light and creamy. Not too much pasta, but so big that it was very filling without being pasta-stuffed! Crispy top with a nice cheesiness. Not classic Italian, but again, perfectly done.
Oh yes - all those dishes were 180bt - salad and fries included.
I used to really enjoy Nicky's pizza at Guitarman, and he is making pizza at his new place - I am sure it will be great. And I really want to try his Ale, Steak and Stilton Pie...
There is live music, and soon a Sunday roast, every Sunday afternoon...
As positive as your post was about Nicky's burger, I'm still not sure you've done it justice. It IS the best burger I've had anywhere in the world. I never imagined I'd be making that claim about a Chiang Mai restaurant, but there it is. (snip)... I mean this place should be a Samoeng Loop ritual.
Hi . I will have to agree that it is the best burger i have eaten anywhere !! True gourmet burger that is second to none. You better go with a appetite because the burger is humongus , the pizza is as always fantastic . It is definetly worth the trip and really a nice ride . The Music is just a bonus .
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GRANDVIEW HOTEL BUFFET
I know this place has been done to death, but I had two buffets there this week, and found them excellent. 155bt taxes included.
The buffet is not as big as it used to be - gone is the roast-beef that I loved. And water is no longer free.
But the food I had was very impressive. All the more so given it's extremely low price.
The first meal saw a spaghetti carbonara, fish in a caper-butter sauce, smoked pork in an onion gravy, plus the usual sushi, thai food, noodle soup, som-tam, cold-cut, soup, and crepe-suzette stations, plus a new Vietnamese coconut-crepe grill.
The spaghetti was not a classic 'tossed' carbonara with just bacon (or pancetta), cheese and egg. In fact it wasn't tossed at all. The sauce was in a tray beside the spag. So it was more of a milk/cream-based white cheese sauce mixed with egg and bacon. But it was very good. Grandview has a knack of making nice light white sauces that are not cloying or too salty - just satisfying. Slightly eggy, and with a good smoky bacon flavour permeating. I had three plates!
And for what it is worth, each plate would cost 150bt in many CM restaurants, and wouldn't be any better.
The fish with capers - nice little boneless fillets topped with capers in butter - tender fish - great sauce.
The Pork Chasseure (sp?) had really fine smoked pork chunks in a light onion gravy with surprisingly good mashed potatoes. Every pork dish I have had at the Grandview has been top notch. Meaty, tender and lean.
They always have a few Thai dishes as well, and that time I had the Pad Kai Moo (Fried egg and sour pork sausage - naam). This one was cooked with woon sen noodles, and was better than most I have had - not too greasy, and not too salty.
Today I went back, and had Macaroni and Tomato sauce, Fish Fillets in a herbed cream sauce, Pork Goulash, Thai Spicy Fish, Chinese Clear Pork Soup.
And once again the pork dishes were superlative. Simple dishes, but great pork!
The tomato sauce for the pasta was light, fresh tasting, and not sweetened at all (scourge of Thai tomato sauces - too sweet!). The fish fillets had a light white sauce with herbs and again cooked with a very light touch. Nothing greasy on this buffet.
The Thai Spicy Fish fillets were a little heavy on the batter, but the sauce was piquant without being killer spicy. And again, not sweet. The Chinese clear soup was overly thick, but the pork slices were great.
Sushi both times was decent - the rice has a good balance of salty and sweet, and although there are only rolls, they were fresh and crunchy.
The Vietnamese crepes were thin crispy crepes made of lentil and coconut, stuffed with shredded pork (I think) and bean sprouts. Topped with a vinegar chilli cucumber dressing - all I can say is 'yum'.
Grandview has a large desert section, including Western cakes (pretty crappy - with fake butter), a very good creme caramel, fruits, Thai deserts - including pumpkin in coconut milk and a variety of little sticky things. And today, mini chocolate eclair bites. I had 10 (they were small).
No chocolate fountain. No cheese plates. Just a really honest feed for a very decent price. Sometimes the place is packed with bus tours, so it might be difficult to get a seat (today was full of Japanese), but the turnover keeps the food fresh.
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HONG KONG DUCK
Best duck I can remember having. Crispy, tender, not fatty, full of flavour. And the most interesting Thai/Chinese peanut sauce anywhere.
They have moved from the big food court near CMU to their own restaurant across from Northern Farms on Huay Keow (between Superhighway and Canal rd on the North side). Big red and gold Chinese-looking place. Can't miss it.
Half duck to go 250 baht. Including soup and the best peanut sauce.
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OKOK - those were my pretentious reviews.
My simple reviews go like this: I love food. You know I love food. These are very good places. You should go.
Cheers, Mark
ps - next week a foody-friend is coming to CM, and we are going to eat! So expect more...
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I am the guy who did the first post a few years ago. The only company I found with an opposite swinging door was Whirlpool.
Because there was no cut-away on the left side top, I needed to make a little bracket, and drill two holes on the top, but all of the other hardware was reversible.
I needed a reverse door so that I didn't have to access the fridge from my bathroom!
It's medium size - 8.1cf, and I paid 8500bt. Works great - now 4 years...
Oh yes - it is a two door, freezer on top...
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I was on my motorbike yesterday, and I wandered up a road that ended up at a fantastic camp-site in the mountains. Spectacular.
It was part of a Hmong village, with a large camp-site and lots of tents overlooking the mountains. It was also quite high up. Road was not paved all the way but decent.
Coming from Mae Rim on the Samoeng road, the turnoff is 3km up on the right.
This right-hand turnoff is just before the petrol station (I think PTT). On the other side of the petrol station is an ATV rental place.
From there is is about 15km to the site...
I only came to one fork in the road (at Pang Kha), and I took the left one. It goes up and on, and ends up at this fantastic campsite.
I just looked it up on a MAP!!! (google didn't have it!), and it is called Hmong Lodge - and it is on the Ban Hai, Pang Haeo, Sukantara Resort road...
Really lovely up there...
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And of course there is always Pilates. A exercise/therapy form that turns you into your own chiropractor. Pilates has become big in physio-therapy over the last 15 years.
Do a search for "pilates chiangmai". I'll be glad to meet for a free consultation.
Cheers, Mark
ps - I have worked 5 years for the Chiangmai Ballet as their Pilates instructor...
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If you live in Chiang Mai there are two places that have better "American Style" bacon than anywhere else. One is Pickles deli / restaurant and the other is a Queens Project store near the very western end of Huay Kaew Rd on the right hand side.
If only people would listen!
Yes. The Queen's project bacon is fantastic. Very natural flavour. Not too salty.
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"The last time I was in there the service was so bad I decided to not go back."
Me two.
john
hmmm - very different experiences to mine. In the past month, I have been there three times - once at a quiet time (empty restaurant), once for lunch (a little busy), and once for supper (quite busy).
The Thai waitress doesn't speak much English, and is a little aloof, but the food came as ordered, and promptly.
That being said, of those three meals, two were really tops, but for one meal, the curries (mushroom/mattar and Madras Chicken) were a little lack-luster.
But the tandoori stuff has been consistantly excellent. Great gobi paratha too...
Mark
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I believe the guy who used to work at Guitar man making Pizza went to make pizza at a new place in Santitham area, somewhere near Grand View Hotel.
That would be nice to find. I live near the Grandview...
Nikky's staff were pretty good, so that could be quite decent.
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I used to really enjoy his pizza at Guitarman, and he is making pizza at his new place - I am sure it will be great.
I liked his pizza too. Now a days it seems really hard to find good pizza. I had really bad pizza at a popular place not long ago. Any recommendations for a good place?
One closer to town.
Nope - I had a pizza last night at the very popular American restaurant (the one with burgers, steaks, chilli poppers, etc). Usually considered the best of the CM American-style pizzas, I won't have one again. No sauce, flavourless crust, and boring cheese. There is a NY style place in town, but he is way too variable - sometimes pretty good, and often pretty crappy - just not consistant. Mad Dogs, UN Irish, Paradise, etc - adequate only.
Sorry - nope! Can't recommend any other in town.
As positive as your post was about Nicky's burger, I'm still not sure you've done it justice. It IS the best burger I've had anywhere in the world. I never imagined I'd be making that claim about a Chiang Mai restaurant, but there it is.
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Nicky's doing a Sunday Roast kind of thing as well.
I stand corrected! Actually, the Red Top had a better burger, but that is really the only competition I have ever seen to Nikky's. And it is 8,000 miles away...
Yes - Sundays with music and roast! Starts around 2:00pm
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The Indian restaurant Rajdarbar, on Loi Kroh rd (on the left before the night bazar) has two versions - both tender, juicy, and absolutely succulent...
Chikken Tikka, and Chicken Malai Tikka (marinated with cream etc.)
I have had some other very good food there (including a fish tikka - fantastic chunks of fish!!!).
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ps - I also want to try his Ale, Steak and Stilton Pie!
pps - His prices are pretty good - less that 200 for his main plates - and very big portions..
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Nicky's new place at Mae-Rim is called The Orchid and its on the main road that goes to the X-center, Elephants etc. Its before the turn to the four seasons on your left.
Close, but no cigar!
It's called The Orchard...
And yes, from the turn-off to Samoeng it is just up the hill on the left. Well before the turn to the 4 Seasons. He has some signs posted along the highway. (He needs a lit sign).
And nobody has mentioned yet - Nikky is a great chef. I've had his burger and his fish and chips so far. I have to say 'perfect'.
One of the best burgers I have ever had anywhere in the world - big, meaty, and with an amazing sauce. Fries are large, but fantastic - taste like potato. The fish was huge, juicy, and even the batter had delicious seasoning...
And both were garnished with an apple salad that not only had a fresh home-made dressing, but looked like works of art...
I used to really enjoy his pizza at Guitarman, and he is making pizza at his new place - I am sure it will be great.
And there is now live music every Sunday afternoon... (legal music, I believe!)
It is a fantastic place set in the woods, with delicious food, and some of the nicest (and most interesting) hosts.
Nikky and Nok have something special out there, and I wish them the best of luck.
Worth risking the drunken drive home (just joking).
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"this is a European-style pizza", quote from CMX. This is very true and if you're an American style pizza lover, be forewarned.
Could you pls. explain, I'm American and loved it as it reminded me of the North End of Boston pizza, w/the balance of cheese to sauce that compliments the thin crust, interested in hearing a different view, perhaps your a Chicagoan? Do tell!
Set aside a couple of hours to read these:
http://en.wikipedia....e_United_States
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza
Italian pizzas in CM are invariable skinny little crackers with a little bit of tomato sauce brushed on, and few little bits of topping scattered around.
Tasty, but not as interesting or fulfilling as N.American ones. While there are plenty of decent little Italian pizzas around, it is unfortunate that there aren't any really good N.American pizzas. They are a much better breed!
N. American pizzas tend to have sauce, cheese, and toppings in abundance.
Here are a couple of examples of (the more interesting) N.American style of pizza:
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"it was really good. Pizza was thin crust and sauce had a nice fresh tomato taste."
"a tiramisu, on the hostess recommendation, which was excellent as well. "
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Hi - thanks for the tip. But after reading your post, I don't learn ANYTHING about how the food is! Nice people, friendly, dedicated , nice place, lovely daughter, worked in Italy, etc. etc.
All nice to know, but may I suggest for people reviewing restaurants that they try for more description of the actual food!
The worst review I have seen here was a few years ago. It went something like this:
"I went to this restaurant. It was yummy. Everybody should try it. You'll love it."
Not trying to nitpik, but tell us about the food!!!!
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Nat Honda on Huay Kaew Rd. I've never had a problem with them.
I cannot recommend the service there. They changed a tire on my Wave and put the wheel on very wrong (handlebars pointing one way, wheel pointing another!!!). Another time they badly scratched my new CBR mag wheel putting the tire on.
Also they rebuilt my CBR engine when all I needed was the electronic ignition box. That time (my bike wouldn't start) I asked that only the head mechanic work on my bike, and came back to find a junior flunky had spent all day running my battery down to dead (and then recharging it) time and time again - just to try and start the bike. Of course it wouldn't start - the ECU was bust. So finally (the next day) the head mechanic took a look at it, and changed my piston. After rebuilding the engine, it still wouldn't start. Then he realized it was the ECU. That experience cost me a lot of money - I had to pay for the engine rebuild that I hadn't needed.
I have never gone back - those are just problems off the top of my head. I remember there were lots of other little things over a few years.
Oh yes, the English speaking owner does not like to help with service problems either...
Buy somewhere else!
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I found clear one liter plastic bottles of organic at a few places. I think Tesco, Big C, Tops and/or Rimping all carry it.
Sorry I can't remember where I got mine, but I am pretty sure the bottles were near the regular coconut milk....
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where are all those 59baht buffet 0.0? im staying in chang phueak, those mookata buffets i went are around 120-150baht
There was one last year that was pretty good. On the outside of the moat about half way between Changpuak and the computer places.
Attached to a coffee shop, it was a clean and modern place. They had a nice 69bt Thai buffet for lunch. Not a huge selection, but fresh and tasty. I don't know if they have at supper-time.
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And there is a shop on the inside of the north moat about half way from the east corner to Changpuak gate. When coming left around the corner with Tapae behind you, the shop is about 200 meters up on the left (well before the Changpuak gate).
Forgot to say - this place makes stickers - can do computer designed cut-outs.
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The second hand market (Sat and Sun mornings near Bud's San Francisco Ice cream on the way to the bus station) has one or two stalls that have a lot of different stickers.
And there is a shop on the inside of the north moat about half way from the east corner to Changpuak gate. When coming left around the corner with Tapae behind you, the shop is about 200 meters up on the left (well before the Changpuak gate).
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I think there was enough sauce well baked into the fillings inside and I didn't find it at all dry, so personally I wouldn't bother ordering more sauce. I also think the meatball is probably a better choice than sausage, as Italian sausage is very fatty and there is a lot of meat. Too bad they don't offer eggplant parm ponzones Pattaya as they do at their New York location; I would really love that.
I agree - the inside was certainly juicy enough, but it was all the cheese on top that I felt needed some extra sauce...
The meatballs were delicious!
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Yes - I had a meatball Ponzone the night before I left. Never heard of one before either.
Really really good - lots of meat, lots of cheese. And the fried onions and peppers inside make it almost 'Philly'.
One problem though - I think one must order a lot of "extra sauce" on it, as it only came with a little dab on top. Especially needs it as it is so loaded with cheese. Other than that - great...
Very thin dough wrapped almost like a burrito - Italian meatball burrito!
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Another story with an unhappy ending.
Best line ever!
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Here are photos of some of my foot massage pads...
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Thanks for the info.
As you have studied massage techniques, can I ask a couple of questions:
I'm doing quite a bit of running at the moment, 6-7 times per week on a treadmill. Quite often my leg muscles get a bit stiff (particularly the calf muscles) and generally tired. I'm 48 so this is probably to be expected.
Do you reckon a post-run massage would help reduce tiredness in my legs ? (I've read different reports on this).
If so, could you recommend a "type" of massage as there seem to be several options available.
Simon
Interesting question.
Just my opinion, of course. And I am NOT a professional massage guy - I am a professional Pilates instructor.
I like massage just about anytime. I spent the last two winters alternating between two thai massage people almost every morning in my home. 1 1/2 hrs/day 5 days/wk... 7:00am good morning!!!
So my feeling is that you work towards having a foot and calf massage every day. Or even more often if you are up to it.. And a full Thai massage (mostly lower body/legs) a few times a week. Start slowly!
After exercise? It depends. You don't want to make or promote an injury. So an incredibly deep fiber-ripping massage on your calves after running a marathon might be a bit much. But a long slow-touch gravity-oriented release massage after a workout - sure.
As far as calves go, they are a strong nasty tight little muscle group. They can take a lot of punishment. And they need a lot of (proper and safe) stretching and mobility work. So the more time you put into them, the better.
If you do have them massaged after running, keep it gentle and long and slow. In Thailand, just tell the therapist you want to 'sleep' - they understand!
A fantastic idea is to have a foot massage pad that you stand on or can walk on. I always recommend to my students that they use them regularly. I have seen some amazing results with people just standing and walking on these pads (some of these pads are like walking on uneven golf-balls, and others have smaller bumps and ridges. All good). Necks release, hips align, legs straighten and relax. Good for your calves.
And a little trick you might try is to keep the calves warmed up all the time. And by warmed up, I mean warm! Dancers often wear thick leggings just to keep the muscles loose and limber. Try sleeping with sweat-pants on, and start a careful calf-stretching routine (including the whole leg of course), and do it regularly throughout the day. Things might change very quickly!
I teach Pilates in Chiangmai, but I am down here on holidays. If anyone has any questions PM me - I'll be glad to reply. Cheers, Mark
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I live in Chiangmai. This is my first visit to Pattaya. I saw a sign on Klang that said 99bt Thai massage. So I went in!
The woman who I got is so good I want to recommend her. I have already had 4 two-hour massages this past week with her.
A very therapeutic touch. I even let her do deep head and neck work. Very skilled.
Her name is K. Duan (or Duwaan), and she works at Eden Massage on South side of Klang about 100meters east of 2nd road.
They have a 'special' on these days. 99bt /hour, so a 2 hour massage is super cheap (please tip her well if she does very good work).
I have had lots and lots of Thai massage over the decades, and have studied it, and so on ...
I think K. Duan is very good.
Cheers,
Mark
ps I have no reason to assume that the other women's massages are anything other than ordinary.
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I agree the pizza dough is tasty and they use some corn-bread flour layer on the bottom, which is a nice touch as well. My only complaint about the crust is that it can be a little hard on the bottom. It is not burnt but just hard...I don't know if the dough doesn't have enough moisture in it when it's popped into the over. (snip...) My standard order is a "thick normal" crust (which is really just a "normal" crust to an American... nothing "thick" about it)
Yes - a decent version of the 'normal' N.A. crust. My guess is that the oven is not blazing hot the way it would be back in N.America - home of our IMHO much more interesting and satisfying "N.American Style Pizza", of which this place is a good example.
It's by no means the best pizza I have ever had, but it is a very respectable and complete version of the kind of pizza I like. And yah - it's the most satisfying I have had in Thailand, by far. Pizza relies heavily on the satisfaction quotient, and this one touched all the bases correctly!
If it were a little crispier on the bottom (hotter oven), a little yeastier (hotter oven - faster cooking time), and if the shredded onions and sweet peppers and edges of the meats had crisped a bit on top of the pizza (hotter oven), it would be much much better.
A better cheese, and top quality meats and they would have a very good pizza indeed. A wider choice of toppings (real olives, capers, feta, spinach, cheddar, etc), they would have what makes North American pizzas truly the "Food of the Gods".
I had another one last night - ham ham sausage (good sausage!) onion sweet-pepper garlic extra sauce, w/ the blue-cheese dip.
No mas - I think I have had enough pizza for one week.
ps - RabC - too bad. Can happen anywhere anytime. But shouldn't happen - ever.
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Here's a couple hours of reading:
Three Restaurants
in Chiang Mai
Posted
Yup - they sure have! I just checked it out, and it is just as delicious as it was at the last two locations.
And yup - it is right across from the Grandview Hotel in the outside food plaza that sets up in the 7-11 parking lot after 5pm. About 500 meters from Huay Keow road...