The Hit And Run Restaurant "review" Thread

[balo]

Anyone noticed The Coffee Club started expanding again ? 3 new locations , two of them on Beach Rd.
After closing down 3 branches last year I'm surprised their back.

But they seem to be popular in Bangkok .

[champers]

3 hours ago, balo said:

Anyone noticed The Coffee Club started expanding again ? 3 new locations , two of them on Beach Rd.
After closing down 3 branches last year I'm surprised their back.

But they seem to be popular in Bangkok .

They will have one in the new Terminal 21, if signage is anything to go by. I found quite big variances in quality between some branches, not the uniformity you should get in a chain.

[AlexCanada]

7 hours ago, Jingthing said:

La Taverna del Passatore

 

Long running, well regarded, casual authentic Italian restaurant in a soi off Soi Buakhao near the hospital is now in it's LAST WEEK. ????

But don't despair, it will be rebranded and also include some American food, coming to Soi Lengkee also off Soi Buakhao.

 

https://www.facebook.com/latavernadelpassatore

 

I went to this place 2+ years ago after my buddy read some good online reviews.  There were 5 of us and we were all a bit underwhelmed by the dishes.  Dishes are authentic.  The owner OTH was a very nice guy.  I believe he was from a town where my buddy once lived. I wish him luck on his new location.  Definitely a lot more foot traffic than the alleyway where he is presently located.

Edited September 27, 2018 by AlexCanada

[kdrayong]

Weisswurst and Weizenbeer at Bramburi

 

The Weisswurst is a Bavarian specialty, served there usually until noon only.

Source: Wikipedia

 

Quote

As they are very perishable, Weißwürste traditionally were manufactured early in the morning and prepared and eaten as a snack between breakfast and lunch; there is a saying that the sausages should not be allowed to hear the noon chime of the church bells.^[1] Traditionally, Weißwürste may only be served until midday because preservatives are not used, the meat is not smoked, and hence the sausage is made fresh every day; indeed, they are sometimes called morning sausages. Before modern refrigeration technologies, in summertime the sausages would go bad before nightfall. Even today, most Bavarians never eat Weißwürste after lunchtime (though it is perfectly acceptable to have a lunch consisting of Weißwürste at, say, half past one).

 

I recently heard that Bramburi in the deepest Naklua (Soi 12), called the German Bronx, is serving freshly made Weisswurst on Thursdays only.

Usually too far away for me and not in a region where I like to go.

Additionally I happen to know that Thomas, the host and a butcher master, has his roots at Hamburg. That is far North from the so called Weisswurst equator - 49° North, where Bavarian tradition ends. A no-go for Bavarians to have a Weisswurst.

 

However I'm not a Bavarian, but like to have a good Weisswurst from time to time. I tried them from Foodland and Makro. Not freshly made of course and not really good IMO.

 

Despite of all my doubts, I decided to give Bramburi a chance today.

Surprisingly it was a really good Weisswurst experience, I had.

 

 

For 150 baht came a pair of Weisswurst in a bowl of hot water, sweet Bavarian Haendelmaier mustard and a giant warm Brezel. Due to the big Brezel, the Weisswurst looks small in the picture, but in fact they are much bigger than the standard size. I wasn't able to finish my meal. They were definitely fresh, made with nice herbs, as it should be. Additionally I had a Snowy Weizenbeer (what is traditionally a must with Weisswurst) for 95 baht. It tastes similar to the German Weizenbeer 'Franziskaner' IMO.

 

An additional small bowl of sweet mustard for the second Weisswurst was given for free. Next time, I'll ask for some butter for the Brezel. It should be 15 baht according to the menu, but will give a better taste.

 

I won't become a frequent customer there, but I'll be back for the Weisswurst for sure.

Bramburi is on facebook, what I don't use.

 

Edited September 27, 2018 by kdrayong

[kdrayong]

BTW...
When heading to Naklua today, I passed 'Das Backhaus' in Soi Pottisan, where Gerhard/Das Wirtshaus published to reopen by 1st Oct. The shutters there were down, unchanged. No sign that some business will open there soon.

[lapd]

4 hours ago, champers said:

They will have one in the new Terminal 21, if signage is anything to go by. I found quite big variances in quality between some branches, not the uniformity you should get in a chain.

Just what we need, another coffee club.  Whoopee.  Who repeatedly goes there anyways?  There is nothing special about that place, other than the fact they don't include VAT on their already overpriced menu.  Unless maybe S&P does the same thing. Another kind of overpriced coffee place but probably alittle more reasonable than coffee club.  Not sure as I haven't stepped into one of those franchises in years either.

Edited September 27, 2018 by lapd

[balo]

16 hours ago, lapd said:

There is nothing special about that place, other than the fact they don't include VAT on their already overpriced menu

 

I do not agree, I had some good salads there, and breakfasts. Overpriced yes , but quality.  Also their burgers are good. 

 

But when I went I got 30% discount via the Eatigo app. Not sure if they are still doing it. 

 

 

 

[hackjam]

Agree that CC is overpriced but good quality and also, missus love their Thai food. If a 30% discount was available, we would for sure use this place more often. How does a fellow go about the said Eatigo discount?

[Jingthing]

 
I do not agree, I had some good salads there, and breakfasts. Overpriced yes , but quality.  Also their burgers are good. 
 
But when I went I got 30% discount via the Eatigo app. Not sure if they are still doing it. 
 
 
 

They are not.

Sent from my Lenovo A7020a48 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[balo]

Agree that CC is overpriced but good quality and also, missus love their Thai food. If a 30% discount was available, we would for sure use this place more often. How does a fellow go about the said Eatigo discount?

Eatigo.com.
Just register and choose Pattaya as your location. Plenty of offers from restaurants but as JT mentioned Coffee Club are not doing it right now but they might be back later.

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, balo said:

Eatigo.com.
Just register and choose Pattaya as your location. Plenty of offers from restaurants but as JT mentioned Coffee Club are not doing it right now but they might be back later.

In my experience, once they leave, they're gone for good.

[petermik]

Nueng,s pie shop soi Aruntai 11 is relocating up to Rick,s bakery on the darkside.......sad......best pies in Pattaya 

[Jingthing]

Before on this thread I asked for info about the exciting new restaurants that will be opening at the new Terminal 21 mall.

There were previous posts here about So Asean (a few dishes from all the Asean region nations) and the gourmet Italian place Pala, both chains from Bangkok.

 

www.palapizzabangkok.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SOasean/

 

Linking to another thread the provides additional info. Thanks to DrTuner for posting that.

 

 

 

Edited September 29, 2018 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Based on the terminal 21 sign.

 

Savoey Seafood Bangkok

http://www.savoeyseafood.com/

http://www.bangkok.com/magazine/savoey-thai-restaurant.htm

I used to go there on my tourism trips for their excellent curry crab. 

 

Grillicious (apparently related to Beirut Lebanese restaurant in Bangkok) --

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293916-d7736572-r527765293-Beirut_Restaurant_soi39-Bangkok.html

I'm not too excited about that as there is already quite decent Lebanese food here.

 

Shakariki

Japanese. Already located in South Pattaya.

https://www.facebook.com/shakariki432pattaya/

 

Fin

Sushi from Chiang Mai?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fin-Premium-Sushi-Bar-maya/967909726634410

 

Nara Thai

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d3712436-Reviews-Nara_Thai_Cuisine-Bangkok.html

 

Amporn Seafood

Already in Pattaya

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293919-d2333561-Reviews-Amporn_Seafood-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html

 

Hawker Chan

Moved from Royal Garden

 

Xoho Chinese Café (Bangkok)

I looked at their food pics online. I love Chinese food but don't find those pictures exciting or offering stuff easily available elsewhere in town now. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Xoho-Chinese-Cafe/204714946771592

 

Kinkao Thai

https://www.facebook.com/kinkaobkk/

 

IO Osteria (gourmet Italian)

https://io-osteria.com/

Edited September 29, 2018 by Jingthing

[lapd]

How much is this Pala pizza people are talking about (even though it will probably cost even more in Pattaya).  Maybe it's good but at what price?  No, I don't believe in you get what you pay for.  You can often get just as good or better for less in Thailand.  Especially when comparing to franchise businesses.

Edited September 29, 2018 by lapd

[Jingthing]

5 minutes ago, lapd said:

How much is this Pala pizza people are talking about (even though it will probably cost even more in Pattaya).  Maybe it's good but at what price?  No, I don't believe in you get what you pay for.  You can often get just as good or better for less in Thailand.  Especially when comparing to franchise businesses.

You can look at the Bangkok prices. As Pattaya isn't open yet, I don't think we can know if they will be the same. In any case it will expensive relative to the local market. 

[Jingthing]

On the known restaurants in the new mall, I'm somewhat disappointed so far. I was really hoping for a Tim Ho Wan world class dim sum as in Bangkok. Or how about a good MEXICAN restaurant? 

 

Seems like that the strengths may be in gourmet Italian, Thai seafood, Asean in So Asean, and perhaps some great new Thai food offerings. Then there is the food court of course.

 

Maybe there will be more and obviously it's too early to say much about restaurants we haven't seen or eaten at yet.

Edited September 29, 2018 by Jingthing

[AlexCanada]

21 hours ago, balo said:

 

I do not agree, I had some good salads there, and breakfasts. Overpriced yes , but quality.  Also their burgers are good. 

 

Since I don't drink coffee I never realized CC had decent food. Will try it out. Thanks. 

[Rimmer]

All the off topic coffee stuff has been removed

[TaaSaparot]

21 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Based on the terminal 21 sign.

 

Savoey Seafood Bangkok

http://www.savoeyseafood.com/

http://www.bangkok.com/magazine/savoey-thai-restaurant.htm

I used to go there on my tourism trips for their excellent curry crab. 

 

Grillicious (apparently related to Beirut Lebanese restaurant in Bangkok) --

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293916-d7736572-r527765293-Beirut_Restaurant_soi39-Bangkok.html

I'm not too excited about that as there is already quite decent Lebanese food here.

 

Shakariki

Japanese. Already located in South Pattaya.

https://www.facebook.com/shakariki432pattaya/

 

Fin

Sushi from Chiang Mai?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fin-Premium-Sushi-Bar-maya/967909726634410

 

Nara Thai

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293916-d3712436-Reviews-Nara_Thai_Cuisine-Bangkok.html

 

Amporn Seafood

Already in Pattaya

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293919-d2333561-Reviews-Amporn_Seafood-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html

 

Hawker Chan

Moved from Royal Garden

 

Xoho Chinese Café (Bangkok)

I looked at their food pics online. I love Chinese food but don't find those pictures exciting or offering stuff easily available elsewhere in town now. Hopefully, I'm wrong.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Xoho-Chinese-Cafe/204714946771592

 

Kinkao Thai

https://www.facebook.com/kinkaobkk/

 

IO Osteria (gourmet Italian)

https://io-osteria.com/

 

Piri Piri Flaming Chicken

[Jingthing]

2 hours ago, TaaSaparot said:

 

Piri Piri Flaming Chicken

Happy to hear that.

[Jingthing]

As mentioned before there must be hundreds of local Indian restaurants now. 

Occasionally, I try new ones (either literally or to me).

Here are two mini-impressions. 

 

 

TULSI

(new to me, not sure how long it's been around but I don't think all that long)

Indian Vegetarian emphasis on Gujarati regional food

South Pattaya

2nd road south of Pattaya Tai a little bit into Soi 14 (you can see the sign in the soi from 2nd road)

 

It's on a too busy narrow soi. When I went I was the only customer. I went for the Gujarati thali at 250. It was honest Indian cooking, good flavors, nothing out of a can. The dessert part promised on the menu was missing which I pointed out when the check came. Instead of bringing one they just took 30 baht off the check. OK with me as I don't really need desserts. Overall given the local competition 250 is rather high for a veg thali. Maybe just justified because it's more "special" being Gujarati. Not rushing to return but overall can't fault the place much. 

 

Dosa Bhavan

"Indian Homely Food" (their label)

Literally very new restaurant on 2nd road a bit south of Pattaya Klang, west side of road

Hope springs eternal and I felt a good vibe about this place for some reason I can't explain. 

Contrary to what the name might suggest, they have both veg and non-veg, and not only South Indian/dosas etc.

 

As Dosa is in their name, I just had to try a dosa. 

So I had the Paneer Masala Dosa for 150.

The dosa crepe itself was cooked very well and the stuffing was decent enough as well. The chutneys were OK, coconut and a chili paste type thing. The dosa was served in a thali tray along with portion of sambar (spicy soup). I found that the weakest link. Surprising really for a place named after dosas. The portion was too small in the metal tray and the flavor was to my taste flat.

 

I also had an Indian Chinese fusion dish which aren't featured there but I felt like it. So I had Gobi Manchurian (fried Cauliflower in Indo-Chinse gravy) at 160. It was quite acceptable and served extra chili spicy as requested. 

 

A table of South Asians were all feasting on their budget priced thalis which I didn't get a good look at but the group didn't appear to be reacting as if they were having the meal of their lives.

 

Their pricing overall in the middle to low middle level for the Pattaya Indian food market.

Another one I won't be rushing back to, but except for the sambar, it seems a decent enough choice for their price level.

 

As a comparison, a little but more expensive but for dosas I would favor Sankalp (previously mentioned) on 2nd road across from Royal Garden as their chutneys and especially their sambar is more flavorful. But again, there are scads of local places serving dosas. 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2018 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Reza Iranian restaurant South Pattaya, main larger location, now featuring a 200 baht buffet. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reza-Iranian-Restaurant/137728653377732

 

It's the best 200 baht-ish level Iranian buffet in town when they have it.

Why? 

The grilled chicken drumettes are really good! If they don't have them if you go, I would pass on the buffet.

They are pictured on a main dish at about 1:37 in the video. 

Reza had a second small location directly on 2nd road near Beverly Plaza Hotel that closed and opened a lot. Now closed.

Not sure if the main Reza will continue the buffet. Could be a flash in the pan.
Their regular menu is good as well but of course pricier than the buffet.

 

 

 

 

Edited October 2, 2018 by Jingthing

[fforest1]

Thanks for the Indian restaurant reviews.....The number of Indian restaurants now in North Central and South Pattaya I would guess to be between 200 and 300 ...I dont go to the Darkside or Jomtien much so I could not guess the numbers there....

 

I am still looking for a Go-to Indian restaurant....There are hundreds of choices but no where to eat...lol.....I have very strong suspiciousions that the reason the Indians dont mind paying the high prices these Indian restaurants charge is because many are allowed to pay not in baht but in Rupee...Lets say a farang would be charged 260 Baht for mutton curry, a Indian would be charged 260 Rupee which would work out to a much lower price in Thai Baht...

Indians are use to paying cheap prices for Indian food in India...I just can not see Pattayas high Indian food prices being ok with native Indians....

 

I will be checking out a few new Indian restaurants soon...If I can find a good one with out high prices I will be posting a review.

 

 

[balo]

The Iranian place looks interesting

[lapd]

So we tried out that little chinese restaurant across from Soi 6.  It kind of sucked imo. The 80 baht steamed dumplings were not very good.  Did not taste fresh at all.  Service was really bad.  They didn't have any cold water or ice.  Apparently, remembering to put bottled water into the cooler was too difficult a task.  When I asked about beer he pointed across the road to the corner store.  Those little things were the icing on the bad dumpling cake.  Will not return.

Edited October 3, 2018 by lapd

[Jingthing]

9 minutes ago, lapd said:

So we tried out that little chinese restaurant across from Soi 6.  It kind of sucked imo. The 80 baht steamed dumplings were not very good.  Did not taste fresh at all.  Service was really bad.  They didn't have any cold water or ice.  Apparently, remembering to put bottled water into the cooler was too difficult a task.  When I asked about beer he pointed across the road to the corner store.  Those things were the icing on the bad dumpling cake.

Yes, I had mentioned before the steamed dumplings might not be very fresh depending on your luck because they seem to always have them ready so what you get might have been sitting around. You might want to try the boiled version or the wontons in peanut sauce. So I guess they don't serve beer. On the water thing maybe their core customer based the Chinese tourists don't tend to order bottled water? I have every time and it's been cold every time. I'm not saying you're wrong about anything. The menu is inconsistent -- some good, some not so good. But I wouldn't expect great service at what is basically a Chinese fast food concept.  The owner himself doesn't speak English but with me he's tried to use his phone translator to tell me things before I understood the menu better. Sometimes there has been a Thai waitress that speaks rough English. 

Edited October 3, 2018 by Jingthing

[lapd]

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Yes, I had mentioned before the steamed dumplings might not be very fresh depending on your luck because they seem to always have them ready so what you get might have been sitting around. You might want to try the boiled version or the wontons in peanut sauce. So I guess they don't serve beer. On the water thing maybe their core customer based the Chinese tourists don't tend to order bottled water? I have every time and it's been cold every time. I'm not saying you're wrong about anything. The menu is inconsistent -- some good, some not so good. But I wouldn't expect great service at what is basically a Chinese fast food concept.  The owner himself doesn't speak English but with me he's tried to use his phone translator to tell me things before I understood the menu better. Sometimes there has been a Thai waitress that speaks rough English. 

So you are suggesting chinese don't drink water?  Lol.  I guess the stacks of bottled water they have lying on the floor is for their dogs?  You're funny!  They don't have anything else to drink but they most certainly have water.  They just forgot to put it in the cooler which seems pretty dumb if the only thing they serve to drink is....water!

 

I asked about the wontons in peanut sauce.  The guy looked at us like we were from mars.  He spoke no english and maybe not Thai either.  It was absolutely hopeless trying to communicate.  And when he got someone else, that person could only speak Thai and not engrish [sic].  It was hopeless.  If it wasn't something you could point to on the menu, there was NO WAY it was going to happen.

 

There is not fresh and there is what we got which tasted like it was several hours old and maybe even previously frozen.  Like I said, we won't be going back.  No idea why anyone would recommend that place.  You could get frozen dumplings from the grocery store that would taste about the same as that.  I would not be surprised if that is what they served us.  Everyone here said the steamed dumplings were the thing to get so that is what we got.  I don't imagine boiling or deep frying would make a difference.  They are the same several hours old (and maybe even previously frozen) dumplings.

Edited October 3, 2018 by lapd

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, lapd said:

So you are suggesting chinese don't drink water?  Lol.  I guess the stacks of bottled water they have lying on the floor is for their dogs?  You're funny!  They don't have anything else to drink but they most certainly have water.  They just forgot to put it in the cooler which seems pretty dumb if the only thing they serve to drink is....water!

 

I asked about the wontons in peanut sauce.  The guy looked at us like we were from mars.  He spoke no english and maybe not Thai either.  It was absolutely hopeless trying to communicate.  And when he got someone else, that person could only speak Thai and not engrish [sic].  It was hopeless.  If it wasn't something you could point to on the menu, there was NO WAY it was going to happen.

 

There is not fresh and there is what we got which tasted like it was several hours old and maybe even previously frozen.  Like I said, we won't be going back.  No idea why anyone would recommend that place.  You could get frozen dumplings from the grocery store that would taste about the same as that.  I would not be surprised if that is what they served us.  Everyone here said the steamed dumplings were the thing to get so that is what we got.  I don't imagine boiling or deep frying would make a difference.  They are the same several hours old (and maybe even previously frozen) dumplings.

I already explained that the wontons in peanut sauce is NOT the English description on the menu. I posted before how it's described on the menu and I also posted a PICTURE of the dish (which you could show).

ACTUAL DISH.

Dish on the menu is called MIXED WONTON, 100 baht.

It's a popular dish with that brand but it's a CHINESE brand. I don't care at all if you don't like it. I have not tried to oversell the place. I even posted that I was told by a Chinese person that the brand has a general bad reputation in China and even though many thousands of locations, many thousands have closed. I think they have some good dishes, at good prices, and to me they're a welcome option in Pattaya. 

I still think those steamed dumplings at 80 baht are very good when they are served fresh. Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't.

As far as your feeling that they are FROZEN, I am highly confident that you are MISTAKEN. 

Why do I say that?

Because I've visited when they were making them by hand on a table two times already.

 

On the water thing, you "win" but actually I have observed that most tables are not even ordering water. Could be Chinese Cheap Charlies, eh? 

 

This place is doing a roaring business, almost all with groups of Chinese tourists, so I'm sure losing you isn't going to be noticed. The owner does not speak English or Thai. Given his customer base, he doesn't need to, but in my experience he is sincere and friendly and welcoming of westerners (even though he doesn't really need the business). I don't speak Chinese either. 

Another general comment about Chinese restaurants right now in Pattaya. We are now in the middle of GOLDEN WEEK. It's the peak Chinese tourism period for the entire year. That means that some Chinese restaurants in Pattaya now will be very packed and the kitchen's stressed. I don't know about this place because I haven't been there during GOLDEN WEEK. But I have in the past accidentally visited a local Chinese place during such a week and it was madness. 

 

Have fun. 

 

Edited October 3, 2018 by Jingthing

[balo]

Yep, plenty of Chinese around this week so golden week it must be .  Not a big fan of Chinese food anyway.