Rioja Spanish Restaurant

[butterisbetter]

I very much enjoy Spanish food, so I got a bit excited hearing about the news of a quality joint moving up from BKK. It's obvious the owners have done no investigating into how/where quality restaurants in CNX operate and are located. What a location! A rat hole in a wall? Obvious they are not banking on getting any expats to their establishment. Parking? Ambiance?

I give them 8-12 months...... and then its hasta la vista! 100%

I remember when El Diablo, which is in the same area, opened. Some poster gave it 6 months to live. Maybe this person is a relative.

[elektrified]

I very much enjoy Spanish food, so I got a bit excited hearing about the news of a quality joint moving up from BKK. It's obvious the owners have done no investigating into how/where quality restaurants in CNX operate and are located. What a location! A rat hole in a wall? Obvious they are not banking on getting any expats to their establishment. Parking? Ambiance?

I give them 8-12 months...... and then its hasta la vista! 100%

I remember when El Diablo, which is in the same area, opened. Some poster gave it 6 months to live. Maybe this person is a relative.

LOL Indeed and now that business is flourishing. I've given up trying to A. find a place to park; B. get a table there.

[Eyjafjallajokull]

I very much enjoy Spanish food, so I got a bit excited hearing about the news of a quality joint moving up from BKK. It's obvious the owners have done no investigating into how/where quality restaurants in CNX operate and are located. What a location! A rat hole in a wall? Obvious they are not banking on getting any expats to their establishment. Parking? Ambiance?

I give them 8-12 months...... and then its hasta la vista! 100%

I remember when El Diablo, which is in the same area, opened. Some poster gave it 6 months to live. Maybe this person is a relative.

Not a relative, but a big fan of El Diablos. For 200 THB one gets a good serving and endless amount of nachos. 200 THB is not going to get you much in a proper Spanish restaurant or tapas bar.

The point is, for a difficult and expensive ingredient cuisine like proper Spanish food, I am afraid counting on heavy foot traffic of mostly "Asian delight & culture chasers" and the odd downtown on-the-foot or bike resident is going to be tough. The most successful foreign restaurant here in CNX seem to have some or great access to parking. Successful restaurants need repeat business and preferably large table settings of diners. I emphasize a restaurant, not a small snack or burger joint.

[Ulysses G.]

Marco's seems to be doing pretty well and they are not cheap (although well worth the price). They are full almost every night, all year round, and they are in a very similar location. It really depends on the food.

Actually, there is plenty of parking in the small sois behind the restaurant.

[carmine]

If it doesn't work out up in Chiang Mai please relocate to Samui. I'd love a spanish restaurant down here.

[onthedarkside]

Off topic discussion about their web site removed.

[Chicog]

The point is, for a difficult and expensive ingredient cuisine like proper Spanish food, I am afraid counting on heavy foot traffic of mostly "Asian delight & culture chasers" and the odd downtown on-the-foot or bike resident is going to be tough. The most successful foreign restaurant here in CNX seem to have some or great access to parking. Successful restaurants need repeat business and preferably large table settings of diners. I emphasize a restaurant, not a small snack or burger joint.

I agree with you. And I doubt they are trying to cater to the "Asian delight and culture chasers". But if you think that's the total of foot traffic in the Thae Pae area, then you can't have been there in a while. The Sunday Market attracts the richer tourists in their throngs for a start, and there are quite a few decent hotels in walking distance (or a short tuk tuk ride).

Agree that it doesn't look much from the outside though, so word of mouth about the food and service will be critical.

[Throatwobbler]

Looks like Sansai Sam has stumbled on a gem here. Good work that man! Troatwobbler and I will check it out this Saturday before hitting Johns place. Any other TVers welcome to bai doaye!

Sorry I missed our date Expat. I will do better next time.