Brit Owned Chiang Mai Restaurants

[ToonBroon]

Any idea what went amiss?

Nope, but he probably had it coming.

Care to elaborate on that UG?

[Ulysses G.]

All I will say is, don't get involved in feuds that don't concern you. That Karma stuff is a mother......!

[ToonBroon]

"The Pub.

Food is good and good value, but the staff are the most unfriendly that I have ever experienced in Chiang Mai, with a take it or leave it attitude and as far as the owner's concerned if you don't like it, go somewhere else."

Strange this is the first negative report I have read on 'The Pub' for many a year. Granted there haven't been that many reports pertaining to The Pub in that time and what there have been have all been of a neutral context. I for one have had many a pleasant night propping up the bar and admiring the cheerful, efficient and endearing bar staff. Maybe you caught them (or them you) on a bad night.

It would be interesting to know how many times, previous to the fateful visit, you had been to The Pub, since your comments are of a pretty damming nature and critisising local businesses without sufficient cause and full explanation is usually frowned upon in this Forum.

I'm sure everyone would be interested to hear about your experience, especially the owner. So why not give him the oppotunity to have his say on the matter.

Cheers

[Donnyboy]

Donnyboy, don't forget to ask for free water to go with your brought-in Leo.

good point

[ToonBroon]

All I will say is, don't get involved in feuds that don't concern you. That Karma stuff is a mother......!

Ah! So it was a feud! The plot thickens. And thanks for your advice (or was it a warning?) Whatever UG, I acknowledge your wisdom on such local shady matters my lips are sealed.

[Ulysses G.]

It was not specifically directed at anyone - more like a public service announcement.

[chiang mai]

Funny and interesting to see this thread develop as it has, but just to be clear, when I wrote the following post to UG:

"You seem to not understand much at all about marketing UG and all of its paths, it occurs to me also that you have perhaps never fully understood Basil and all that he portrayed - but hey, as Matthew once said, it's all about hits, numbers and exposure"

I did so with reference to Matthew Wofe who has something of a reputation for online marketing and his web site is here, http://matthewwolfe.com/ - if the mods choose to remove the link then simply google Matthew Wolfe, online marketing.

Exactly how those comments have overlapped with a Chiang Mai Mathew (only one t), one seemingly closer to home escapes me, as does the direction that UG has taken this subject. But it's a fun and interesting thread nevertheless.

Edited December 8, 2009 by chiang mai

[ARH]

I agree the German restaurant has well-trained staff, efficient with professional manners. However, I do think it is over-priced, and the food isn't that great either.

[Ulysses G.]

Exactly how those comments have overlapped with a Chiang Mai Mathew (only one t), one seemingly closer to home escapes me

It is rumored that Kevin had a partner named Mathew once upon a time.

[lannarebirth]

I agree the German restaurant has well-trained staff, efficient with professional manners. However, I do think it is over-priced, and the food isn't that great either.

Agreed. It's no Bei' Otto, which is also spendy, but not what I would call overpriced.

[chiang mai]

Exactly how those comments have overlapped with a Chiang Mai Mathew (only one t), one seemingly closer to home escapes me

It is rumored that Kevin had a partner named Mathew once upon a time.

Ah, now I understand, what a coincidence - so what happened to him or is this the chap we're not supposed to talk about, a bit like the war?

[Ulysses G.]

I honestly don't know, but perhaps we should take the hint. No one seems to be taking the bait.

[chiang mai]

I honestly don't know, but perhaps we should take the hint. No one seems to be taking the bait.

Well you did so I would guess there must be others.

[anonymouse]

I honestly don't know, but perhaps we should take the hint. No one seems to be taking the bait.

Well you did so I would guess there must be others.

So what happened to the mysterious Matthew and the short lived Ralph Fitch pub is anyone going to bite

[Ulysses G.]

I honestly don't know, but perhaps we should take the hint. No one seems to be taking the bait.

Well you did...

Do you really think so.

[uptheos]

the escape bar, formerly the blackpool, up the soi from johns place, is run by steve from southampton and nuuch. very friendly hosts.

good food, thai and western. try the fish and chips, masaman and breakfasts. a nice place to have a drink, 60's and 70's music and sport on the t.v. check it out.

Steve is quite friendly and anyone who has been around for some time will know Nuuch.

It's the location. The place is rather small and in a small soi facing a wall 4 metres away with bikes parked.

The food's OK, nothing special and they try their best.

You can only look at a wall 4 metres away for so long.

The problem for them is that you can get a small beer for 45 Baht at Johns Place (or is it Cozy Corner) 30 seconds away and see the world go by at the same time.

[Ulysses G.]

I honestly don't know, but perhaps we should take the hint. No one seems to be taking the bait.

Well you did so I would guess there must be others.

So what happened to the mysterious Matthew and the short lived Ralph Fitch pub is anyone going to bite

Wasn't the Ralph Finch Bar right next to the Porn Ping Hotel? I saw them working on it for about one year, but I'm not sure that I ever saw it open.

[Flatouthruthefog]

I honestly don't know, but perhaps we should take the hint. No one seems to be taking the bait.

Well you did so I would guess there must be others.

So what happened to the mysterious Matthew and the short lived Ralph Fitch pub is anyone going to bite

Wasn't the Ralph Finch Bar right next to the Porn Ping Hotel? I saw them working on it for about one year, but I'm not sure that I ever saw it open.

It certainly is/was The Ralph Fitch, named after (arguably) the first Brit to 'discover' Chiang Mai and your location is correct. Matthew opened it but as far as I know never actually got around to putting the name up front. A chum of his tells me he appears to have lost interest in it. Not that I ever saw much evidence of this. Must be nice to afford that sort of lifestyle.

I go next door to Golden Chicken for realistic beer prices, nice Thai people, off-street parking - and yes - nice grilled chicken. Friendly dogs too, but they are not on the menu.

[Ulysses G.]

Thanks for the info.

Golden Chicken has been around for yonks if I'm correct. I would not mind some of that grilled chken right about now!

[dazzab]

I took a friend from the UK to The Pub for lunch on two occasions this week, Monday and Weds.

On both days there was no food available at lunchtime. The Owner didn't seem that bothered.

There wont be a third time.

[Drew Aitch]

I agree the German restaurant has well-trained staff, efficient with professional manners. However, I do think it is over-priced, and the food isn't that great either.

I'm always a little confused with statements like this without any reference made to comparison. In other words, 'it's over-priced' compared to what or where?

You could probably get a delicious Gai Naman Hoy for 35 baht at a street restaurant that has cheap tacky tables and tiny plastic stools with no arms or backs. You might even get a couple of sniffing street dogs and a bit of noise and traffic pollution thrown in too, depending where you're at of course.

The classy restaurant down the road might sell the same dish at 10 times the price though half the portion. Now that would be a bit pricy compared to the street stall but probably a right ole bargain compared to a similar rival on the opposites side of the road, which is where the real comparison should be made.

Not all pubs and restaurants are equal even though their menus may be similar. You might get a better Bangers and Mash in the Nags Head than you do in the 6 Bells (for example), yet the setting, the ambiance, and the clientele at the 6 Bells is far, far superior and more relaxing to that of the Nags Head, which then renders them chalk and cheese and not really comparable.

So c'mon folks, when we throw in statements like 'It's a bit pricy', lets follow that with a 'compared to X' so that we can get a more informed idea of what we're reading about.

Aitch

[caf]

A strange post, you mention two British pubs, neither from what I can gather have given you bad service.

I think you'll find the no riff raff sign is a bit of a joke on the owners part I don't believe he has ever ejected anyone from his pub for the way they look, if he had I'm sure he would have had started a big discussion about it here

The pub I haven't been to in years so can't comment.

What about Tuskers - you can't beat the couple who own this place for hospitality, I've heard the owner of the Olde Bell is a friendly gent though I've never spoken to him. All Brits. I'm sure there are lots of other examples.

I think it says a lot about the owners of Tuskers and The Olde Bell that they get on with providing a good service as mine hosts and spend their time running their businesses rather than engaging on silly sarcastic self promotions.

[mcp]

so why dont you open the perfect restaraunt or pub and show every body how its done as your such an expert....

so easy to slag other peoples efforts off...with out ever trying to do it yourself....

[Will27]

A strange post, you mention two British pubs, neither from what I can gather have given you bad service.

I think you'll find the no riff raff sign is a bit of a joke on the owners part I don't believe he has ever ejected anyone from his pub for the way they look, if he had I'm sure he would have had started a big discussion about it here

The pub I haven't been to in years so can't comment.

What about Tuskers - you can't beat the couple who own this place for hospitality, I've heard the owner of the Olde Bell is a friendly gent though I've never spoken to him. All Brits. I'm sure there are lots of other examples.

I think it says a lot about the owners of Tuskers and The Olde Bell that they get on with providing a good service as mine hosts and spend their time running their businesses rather than engaging on silly sarcastic self promotions.

It had to happen.

When it comes to THR and the owner,

Caf, just can't help himself.

egards

Will

[mcp]

so wheel man why dont you open the perfect place to eat and drink as you are a expert....

easy to slag other peoples efforts off with out trying your self.......

[caf]

A strange post, you mention two British pubs, neither from what I can gather have given you bad service.

I think you'll find the no riff raff sign is a bit of a joke on the owners part I don't believe he has ever ejected anyone from his pub for the way they look, if he had I'm sure he would have had started a big discussion about it here

The pub I haven't been to in years so can't comment.

What about Tuskers - you can't beat the couple who own this place for hospitality, I've heard the owner of the Olde Bell is a friendly gent though I've never spoken to him. All Brits. I'm sure there are lots of other examples.

I think it says a lot about the owners of Tuskers and The Olde Bell that they get on with providing a good service as mine hosts and spend their time running their businesses rather than engaging on silly sarcastic self promotions.

It had to happen.

When it comes to THR and the owner,

Caf, just can't help himself.

egards

Will

What I wrote was " I think it says a lot about the owners of Tuskers and The Olde Bell that they get on with providing a good service as mine hosts and spend their time running their businesses rather than engaging on silly sarcastic self promotions."

The reference to "sarcastic self promotion" is to other posts in this thread if you care to read them and to otherv postetrs comments about his posting history.

as you say,

egards to THR

[piercefilmlid]

A strange post, you mention two British pubs, neither from what I can gather have given you bad service.

I think you'll find the no riff raff sign is a bit of a joke on the owners part I don't believe he has ever ejected anyone from his pub for the way they look, if he had I'm sure he would have had started a big discussion about it here

The pub I haven't been to in years so can't comment.

What about Tuskers - you can't beat the couple who own this place for hospitality, I've heard the owner of the Olde Bell is a friendly gent though I've never spoken to him. All Brits. I'm sure there are lots of other examples.

I think it says a lot about the owners of Tuskers and The Olde Bell that they get on with providing a good service as mine hosts and spend their time running their businesses rather than engaging on silly sarcastic self promotions.

It had to happen.

When it comes to THR and the owner,

Caf, just can't help himself.

egards

Will

What I wrote was " I think it says a lot about the owners of Tuskers and The Olde Bell that they get on with providing a good service as mine hosts and spend their time running their businesses rather than engaging on silly sarcastic self promotions."

The reference to "sarcastic self promotion" is to other posts in this thread if you care to read them and to otherv postetrs comments about his posting history.

as you say,

egards to THR

Well, I think we are all guilty of making the occasional typo.

As they say in Liverpool, Calm Down, Calm Down!

If a bar owner wants to dribble on, in a self-promotional style, then as long as he is contributing to society, paying his taxes and not committing crime, then I say good luck to him.

What gets me on this site are the recommendations by some posters in respect of bars and restaurants that provide poor service and crap food. And when somebody posts a fair response as to their experience in these venues, they are criticised, if not flamed.

Rgds

Edited December 12, 2009 by piercefilmlid

[Paagai]

Following all the hype about the Red Lion in various threads, including rumours it might even be the Pink Lion me and the gang decided to check it out the other week. We descended on mass and consumed many large Pitchers of Heineken. Service was great, and the staff friendly; everyone enjoyed. We didn't try the food, bit up market for some of my mob, though they were impressed by the running water in the bathroom Seemed a pleasant enough place and I didn't detect any hint of the arrogance claimed by the OP, and the no riff-raff sign can't be taken too seriously - after all they let us in Though the suited and booted type guarding the entrance did keep staring at us (Must have been my "hello darling" greeting on the way in )

So, the Pink Lion didn't disappoint very gay friendly. Of course, the "QUEEN" Victoria (yes they do have one ) is probably winning that race at the moment, closey followed by "The Pub" which also has quite a pink clientele. Also, I don't get the OP's comments about the Pub, allways found the food and service to be great. Far from arrogant I'd say the management is totally laid back (which might give an impression of not caring - but I don't think that's actually true). And a couple of the girls who work there are very sweet and flirty with the boys

Is the QUEEN Victoria still Brit owned? Under the old regieme it was one place I vowed never to visit again due to the atmosphere and terrible service, but from a couple of recent visits since they remodeled, the food and service were quite OK.

Edited December 13, 2009 by Paagai

[likite]

What gets me on this site are the recommendations by some posters in respect of bars and restaurants that provide poor service and crap food. And when somebody posts a fair response as to their experience in these venues, they are criticised, if not flamed.

Rgds

Good point.....try criticising Tuskers and see the response. To be fair it's not as fantastic as you may be lead to beleive.

[Garry]

I lived in Chiang Mai for over five years and never had a problem with the Red Lion.....as for the no Rif Raf quote above (its just a pisstake guys)...I've seen every prick and his dog in there.

Edited December 13, 2009 by Garry