Review Of "koh Lanta Pizzeria"

[TheVicar]

This review grew out of another thread here on Italian food. One of the posters there recommended Koh Lanta so, as someone of great interest in Italian food who has lived in Italy, I tried it and thought others here might be interested in it.

First things first. This is a pizzeria (that also serves some pasta dishes and steak and some salads) but it is not a full-fledged Italian restaurant. There's a big difference. That's why the official name of the place is Koh Lanta Pizzeria. They offer many kinds of pizzas and 3 different kind of crusts, their own "Koh Lanta" style, thin and crispy (which I tried) and a thick crust. They serve pizzas in 3 sizes, 6 inch, 8 inch, and 10 inch. They also have a nice feature where you can fashion your own pizzas and choose from different toppings (12 baht each for most but some are 30 baht). Also has a decent wine selection with bottles from Australia, South Africa and Chile.

The restaurant was about 75% full when I ate there and I ate relatively late for Thais (about 8 p.m.). There are 3 outdoor tables in a garden like setting and about 6 tables (one very large one for big parties) inside which is air con. The atmosphere outside was pleasant and there was soothing jazz background music being played at a low level. Perfect for talking with guests and for relaxation.

Service was excellent. I was approached and assisted by 3 different waiters and the owner, Mr. Boom (phonetic spelling). He explained the restaurant started in Koh Lanta in the South and there is another branch in Bangkok; he is the local owner. He's a pleasant fellow and very solicitous. Most of his customers, he said about 40% are local university students; about 20% are farangs (which tallied with the number I saw there; mostly older farangs and university student aged Thais).

I ordered a basic Pizza Margherita, 8 inch, thin crust, on the theory that the most basic pizza gives one the best idea of what the kitchen can do. It generally has just tomato sauce, sliced tomatoes, basil, olive oil and cheese (generally mozzarella and parmesan). The pizza that came about 20 minutes later was just that and very tasty. The crust was crispy. Mr. Boom also brought me a small container of extra virgin olive oil (Spanish he said and indeed it tasted like Zambroza, one of the better Spanish olive oils). Disconcertingly, the table also had catsup and Thai hot sauce as toppings (along with some oregano in another container). Catsup would never be served at an authentic Italian pizzeria but for some reason, Thais think it is Italian. I also ordered a large bottle of Chang beer (B 60); the pizza was B 135, so prices here are reasonable or at the low end. A glass of wine is B 90. So it's not surprising, given the prices and the location near CMU, that this place has a largely Thai, university clientele. I enjoyed my meal and the service.

When I asked to see the menu for a sweet, the owner himself explained he has only ice cream. So he knows his place's own limitations; it's a simple pizzeria formed from a Thai's understanding of what an Italian pizzeria should be. The atmosphere inside, for that matter, is also more Thai than Italian, with a print (?) of a white elephant on a red background hanging on the wall. So, if you are looking for a nice relaxing and informal place that serves decent pizza and little more (they also have pasta dishes from hard, store bought pasta and salads) and good, attentive service and low prices, this place is for you. If you're looking for the full Italian restaurant experience, home made pasta and a 5 course menu with Italian decor and style, this is not for you. Within its limitations, which the owner clearly understands, this is a decent choice. But it isn't up to "Stefano's" far more comprehensive and authentic Italian offerings nor that of the "Why Not".

Service: 5 stars (out of 5)

Value: 5 stars

Food: 3 stars

Ambiance: 2,5 stars

Koh Lanta Pizzeria

5/5 Nimmanheamin Soi 5 (about 50 meters from the main road on the left side)

Open every day for lunch and dinner (until 22:00)

Takes credit cards

Tel. 053-212-022, 089-632-6223

Edited November 28, 2012 by TheVicar

[eyecatcher]

Good review, and I think very fair and accurate. Pleased that one or two of us that go regularly are now supported in our opinions....will look out for the dog collar next time we go.

[lsk]

I try and not pass comment on Restaurants in Chiang Mai as I find any consistency to the quality of the food lacking, even the highly praised premium restaurants that are mentioned on this board. Great 1 visited, chicken feathers on your Pork Ribs the next.

Since my favorite Pizzeria closed down (Pizza Bella) I've been dining more and more at Koh Lanta Pizza and have developed a soft spot for it.

Not the greatest pizza but consistently good. Fresh and flavorsome but with that cooked from the bottom appearance. No hint of charring, the way Thais seem to like there pizza.

Great salads and a decent wine selection but apart from ice cream no desert. And the coffees brought in from across the road and is horrid. And because its Thai customer focused the value is great.

I have to disagree with the above review in regards to service and ambiance. Quite like the location and plenty of pretty Thais. As for service' we are always waiting for a least 5 minutes for our first drinks. But the staff themselves are great.

[true blue]

a few years ago this was a nice quite cafe, and service was great,but as its got more popular,and more so now,some time its very busy,and the usual prolems occur,but its still a handy once a week place to go,

[TheVicar]

The night I visited the place was 3/4 full and I didn't have to wait at all for service. I suspect part of the "waiting time" depends on the individual; I just raised my hand to beckon a waiter over and he came over immediately with a menu. Many times, the Thais, especially in the North, do not want to "rush" you so unless you are proactive, nothing much will happen. After the first waiter came by, two others did too plus the owner. As mentioned in the review, the owner not only told me about his background and concept for the restaurant, he came over after I dined and asked how everything was. That's good service.

One poster is certainly right about the clientele. Next to the Vicar, there were 4 lovely young Thai university ladies (from Payap U.) who chatted up the Vicar; one even offering to show him "around the town". I had all my Thai waiters (young men) nodding in amusement and pleasure.

This is not the best pizzeria I've ever been to in regards to the food and not even the best pizza I've had in CM but the service was great and within its own limitations, this is a decent place to go to. I marked down the place on ambiance since it is not especially Italian and it certainly isn't sophisticated or even smart. I'd say a pretty typical college type pizza place which in the West would be serving below average food (no home made pastas; pizza tasty but not great; limited menu; no home made desserts, only store bought ice cream) but you'll have an enjoyable time and decent food and the prices are cheap.

Actually, the best pizza I've had in CM was in a little place almost directly across from Wat Prasing. It has gone out of business in the past couple of weeks. Had a large Italian flag outside and they delivered. They made the pizza dough fresh for each pizza in front of you (from the flour and the eggs) and then put it in their brick oven. It was great and cheap too. It had but 1 table outside and the inside had no atmosphere whatsoever but their pizza was divine.

Edited November 30, 2012 by TheVicar