The Hit And Run Restaurant "review" Thread

[sunnyboy2018]

On 11/6/2019 at 12:08 AM, DannyCarlton said:

Yep. Always had major problems with staffing in the restaurant and eventually closed and moved to a cabin on LK Metro opposite Billabong. Last heard of working in conjunction with a restaurant in Rhompo. Have been able to buy their frozen takaways from a couple of farang minimarts on the Darkside until recently. IMO the best Chinese food in Pattaya.

Is it still opposite the Billabong? I dont recollect it?

[bartender100]

On 12/7/2019 at 6:21 AM, Jingthing said:

Major new food find in a rather surprising setting. Yes, I've tried it (not free) and this is a winner. Run don't walk there. If the stairs put you off there is a nearby elevator. If Pattaya people don't support food this good at prices this reasonable, then what that says about Pattaya is not good!

 

Robin Hood Tavern

MAX's MENU (small gourmet level plates)

Avenue Mall front

2nd road

One floor up

 

Bonus -- No plus plus on the bill. 

 

This video tells you all you need to know about Max's menu so I won't bother!

 

 

Looks amazing, I hope it's still going by my next return. Seems out of place in a big venue like that,

[DannyCarlton]

6 hours ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

Is it still opposite the Billabong? I dont recollect it?

No. It didn't last long. Dissappeard a year or 2 back.

[Jingthing]

Central Pattaya Beach Mall

Beach Eats

Luxury food court, 2nd road side, ground floor

 

Well I got my first taste of the food at the new luxury food court but while there noticed something very major and very new as well between the food court and the grocery store.

 

It's a higher end gourmet concept "deli" including cook items for you and international menu as well. The core of it seems to be delicious looking foods priced by 100 gram that you can take out or eat there (in a nice setting). There is service for the menu part. They really had a huge variety of stuff from sushi, burritos, Spanish tortilla Espanol, and on and on! The menu part you order with a menu tablet.

 

While I get the appeal of these kinds of by the weight restaurants, personally, I hate them! Like for example very nice looking macaroni and cheese with ham priced at 55 baht per 100 gram. I would much rather they show me a PORTION of the different foods so the cost isn't such a mystery. I could tell a lot of customers were just browsing and having issues with their process and the staff there was working hard trying to convert people with limited success. Of course the menu part is more standard, you can order a burrito plate for 250. Right now they have some 50 percent off some sushi. Maybe I'll get converted into one of their 100 gram priced process someday, but somehow I doubt it. 

 

Back to the new food court, I tried the Chinatown stall.

 

I had:

Crispy mala chicken 100 (Sichuan)

Stir fried spicy dried string beans w/ ground pork 120

Big noodles in gravy w/ chicken and shrimp 90 (like Thai radna but more Chinese flavor)

Steamed rice 20 (not in menu, you can ask or they will suggest)

 

The crispy mala chicken was enjoyable, the fried chicken pieces were not with bone, and it had plenty of Sichuan peppers. But they were not fresh! So the flavor of fresh Sichuan peppers was missing but at least they weren't STALE which would ruin the flavor of the dish.

 

The stir fried green bean dish was fine but I thought it could have used some spicy flavor paste.

 

The rad na type dish which is supposed to be bland but it was very good but might as well order rad na elsewhere and cheaper.

 

Portions on the smaller side but I ordered enough.

 

Yes I would go back there to try other dishes and I will probably order the mala chicken again.

 

From all the chilies (I asked for extra spicy so got lots of chilies) I needed some cooling down so I noticed a stall had affogato (espresso over ice cream) for 55 baht which kind of sounded too good to be true. The espresso was really good but the ice cream was pretty horrible. So for me a one off.

 

There is another Chinese stall specializing in Singapore style chicken rice. But besides that they have some other interesting dishes such as Shanghai drunken chicken (cold chicken in rice wine), Sichuan cold chicken (spicy oil), dark braised homemade tofu, and also some kind of roasted/BBQ chicken. Similar prices and portions to the Chinatown place.

 

The place doing soups and noodles served in claypots (such as tomyum noodles) seemed popular.

[Jingthing]

Tum Sa-Dung

Thai / Vietnamese / Seafood

South Pattaya

Pattaya Sai 2, Soi 18 

https://goo.gl/maps/nLdvrDJkJATUz4si9

 

New to me restaurant in a bit of an off the beaten track location that has been open about a year. They offer a very extensive menu including a number of unusual to find dishes at moderate prices in a choice of pleasant indoor and outdoor settings.

 

I was drawn to the Vietnamese part of the menu because Vietnamese food is harder to find than Thai locally. The Thai dishes seem mostly Isaan type. The Vietnamese menu was much more robust than a typical Viet menu appealing to Thais (Thais mostly go for nem neung which of course they have too.) The other people in the restaurant were Thai and were having exactly that, living up to the stereotype.

 

I went for three dishes and while I wouldn't order any of them again, they were definitely reflective of a creative kitchen with a distinctive style.

 

I will definitely go back to try some of the other Vietnamese options including grilled shrimp on sugarcane but their Thai menu even more so.

 

As far as Thai part, OMG, pages and pages of just papaya salad options, and then more pages and pages of spicy salads that aren't papaya based. Remarkable.

 

Here are some somewhat random examples showing how this isn't just another standard local Thai restaurant:

 

Coconut soup w/ chicken and banana flower 120

 

Spicy steamed chicken w/ herbs 150

 

Fried river fish red curry 200

 

!!!

Sweet vegetable soup w/ ANT EGGS (missed price but not high)

!!!

 

As far as my Vietnamese sampler --

 

Beef Pho 120

Beef meat was good. Broth was not authentic. Adding vegetables were not served but I used some leaves from the fresh spring rolls. Noodles undercooked. Served in a massive bowl. 

Yes, I get that the Pho sounds not good but the flavor actually was still pleasant, but because the broth wasn't real Viet, no thanks to try again.

 

Fresh Spring Rolls 80

Generous portion served with side leaves. Mostly vegetarian and an unusual mix of ingredients including crispy pork crackling.

 

Vietnamese Omielette 100

This was as pictured on the menu (massive and thick) but for some reason I thought it was going to be like the classic crepe dish. It wasn't. To me it was almost flavorless but at least it had an interesting texture and I detected some coconut and could see what appeared to Viet style white bologna (also no flavor). It wasn't greasy. Served with Thai hot sauce which helped a little.

 

I realize this review is kind of funny in that even though I found the meal I did eat there quite flawed for my taste the menu will definitely draw me back for future adventures.

Edited December 11, 2019 by Jingthing

[TaaSaparot]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Tum Sa-Dung

Thai / Vietnamese / Seafood

South Pattaya

Pattaya Sai 2, Soi 18 

https://goo.gl/maps/nLdvrDJkJATUz4si9

New to me restaurant in a bit of an off the beaten track location that has been open about a year.

Ate here about a year ago.

 

Food was fine, but my overall memory of the place was the extortionate price for a bottle of beer.

[Jingthing]

1 hour ago, TaaSaparot said:

Ate here about a year ago.

 

Food was fine, but my overall memory of the place was the extortionate price for a bottle of beer.

Yeah memories can work like that. To add, water there is 20 baht and there is no plus plus. Also the one waitress that was there spoke English well. 

[TaaSaparot]

From my records ... (and an apology that photography in the dark is not my thing)

 

Tom Klong PlaaChon

 

Yam Plaa Duuk Foo

 

Khanom Pang Naa Moo

 

Tom Klong PlaaChon - 180 baht

Yam Plaa Duuk Foo - 150 baht

Khanom Pang Naa Moo - 100 baht

2 x Small Leo Beers - 240 baht

 

[topt]

2 hours ago, TaaSaparot said:

2 x Small Leo Beers - 240 baht

Seems at odds with the rest of the prices and I can understand why you remembered that 

Perhaps @Jingthing can confirm next time he visits......

[hackjam]

 

7 minutes ago, topt said:

Seems at odds with the rest of the prices and I can understand why you remembered that 

Perhaps @Jingthing can confirm next time he visits......

Reckon I am becoming a cheap Charlie but while noting how tasty looking the food is, Leo price was what caught my attention. Must add, food prices seem reasonable.

Edited December 12, 2019 by hackjam

[Jingthing]

I didn't even look at the drink prices. Just ordered water.  Of course it's not so unusual in town to be charged 60 baht or more just for bottled water but would have been shocking at a place like that.

 

BTW, those three pictures of the Thai food seem to confirm my overall optimistic feeling about the Thai food there. Looks really good and also definitely not farangatanged.

 

They also have some of the basic classics like Pad Thai and pad krapow for quite OK prices. 

Edited December 12, 2019 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Some additional findings from the general area of Tum Sa-Dung in South Pattaya. I originally was there to check out Jalsa 3D an Indian place on 3rd road (between South Pattaya Road and the Flyover) which is on eatigo discounts now. Well, just as I was thinking of going in to eat a huge crowd of rowdy looking Indian men arrived (I didn't see a bus so it was kind of like magic) and based on the outside decorations it's some kind of "entertainment" club maybe more than the restaurant so I passed. 

 

Not far from that was an actual VIETNAMESE restaurant, also on 3rd road. 

 

Sen Vang Vietnamese Cuisine

Sign in English and Thai, no Vietnamese. 

 

Went inside and it looked like either a normal restaurant and/or for small tour groups, presumably Vietnamese.

 

The initial reaction was their certainty that I must be confused. Even though they have a big sign outside saying Vietnamese cuisine, I must not actually want that. So they went to a lot of effort to explain to me that they had Vietnamese food.

 

The staff were not hostile but they seemed freaked out. I tried to get a menu. No menu. I was shown a picture of a set meal on a phone. No individual dishes. No prices. The picture of the set didn't seem very exciting to me. 

 

This is how friendly they were. They tried to escort me to another restaurant down the block, a Thai one. Hilarious! Oh he doesn't really want Vietnamese food but he must be hungry and must really actually want Thai food and with a menu too! So sweet. 

 

So really I don't know what's up with this place. Is it just a tour group place serving meh sets? Is it perhaps very new and they just  don't have  a menu yet? If you're regularly in that area, has it been there a long time or not?

 

Now to Chinese.

 

There is a place called Golden Dragon that I asked about here before but no reports. Also on 3rd road. Well, I can definitely report this is a place for Chinese tour groups. Sets, not buffet. I could tell by the layout of the tables and the bus tour that was leaving as I arrived. Just for sport I walked in there and was ignored. I guess there is a remote chance that they have a regular menu but I really doubt it. 

Edited December 13, 2019 by Jingthing

[hackjam]

Yesterdays weekly Fish & Chip treat took me to Robin Hood at Avenue. Tasted every bit as good as the last time I visited about 9 months ago. Chips and tartar sauce both home made and really good. I would rate this along with Retox Game on as the best F&C in Pattaya. And well priced at 249B, suspect that was Friday special. Mate had the pork, which was also on Special and said it was great. 

Glad to report that this place is now doing a steady trade.

[champers]

2 hours ago, hackjam said:

Yesterdays weekly Fish & Chip treat took me to Robin Hood at Avenue. Tasted every bit as good as the last time I visited about 9 months ago. Chips and tartar sauce both home made and really good. I would rate this along with Retox Game on as the best F&C in Pattaya. And well priced at 249B, suspect that was Friday special. Mate had the pork, which was also on Special and said it was great. 

Glad to report that this place is now doing a steady trade.

Looks good.

I'll give a shout out to BJ Hotel's Fish and Chips, which I had yesterday. No peas and the fish is breadcrumbed but is utterly delicious. Crinkle cut chips and tartar sauce included. Price is 200 Baht and they are at the Beach Rd end of Soi 3. More of a hotel feel to this place but very clean and tidy. Popular with golf tourists, golf on the telly. Reccommended.

[grathiam]

Thanks for the reviews...

Though I'm not one to imbibe in fried fish, I'll check out BJ's and Robin Hood's.

[Jingthing]

I did try Robin Hood's fish and chips earlier this year and for me it was only OK. I don't eat that dish very often because I try to limit fried foods so when I do I want it to be really exceptional. I don't know of any current local place where I would feel that way, which is probably good news for my health. 

[hackjam]

6 hours ago, champers said:

Looks good.

I'll give a shout out to BJ Hotel's Fish and Chips, which I had yesterday. No peas and the fish is breadcrumbed but is utterly delicious. Crinkle cut chips and tartar sauce included. Price is 200 Baht and they are at the Beach Rd end of Soi 3. More of a hotel feel to this place but very clean and tidy. Popular with golf tourists, golf on the telly. Reccommended.

Hopefully get to BJ next week and will report back. Is it cod at BJ?

Edited December 14, 2019 by hackjam

[champers]

28 minutes ago, hackjam said:

Hopefully get to BJ next week and will report back. Is it cod at BJ?

Not sure if it is cod, but it is a solid texture, not greasy or slimy. Enjoy.

[TaaSaparot]

After yesterdays day at the races, we dropped in to Vientiane on Nerm Plub Wan, only to find a name change, which is now 'Nham Nuang'

 

Asked the waitress why, she said it had been sold, and the new owner wanted a name change.

 

End of an Era ...

 

Apart from the menu is the same, prices were the same, and the food was as good as ever.

 

 

[kdrayong]

We could have met there, meanwhile two days ago.

And yes, the food is good there and not expensive at all.

[sunnyboy2018]

Finally went to that cheap steak place on third rd. I must have passed it and similar places on 3rd Rd 100s of times.  We went latish, about 1am and they had no beef steaks left but the pork steaks and salmon steak were good at around 50 to 80 baht and they came with salad and chips. We also had pasta. The Thai whiskey and beers were as cheap as one would expect and service was friendly and efficient.  A nice location right next to a dodgy neon lit Karoke bar..so some nice back ground music and street theatre. I litterally saw a brown envelope being handed over! Worth a visit if you're in the area. You can bring your own drinks in

Edited December 16, 2019 by sunnyboy2018

[sunnyboy2018]

On 12/14/2019 at 5:20 AM, Jingthing said:

I did try Robin Hood's fish and chips earlier this year and for me it was only OK. I don't eat that dish very often because I try to limit fried foods so when I do I want it to be really exceptional. I don't know of any current local place where I would feel that way, which is probably good news for my health. 

The best fish and chips or even better, scallops and chips is from the small stall next to chow mein charlies on LKM at the SB entrance.

[sunnyboy2018]

Some Thais took me to a highly rated noodle stall right at the end of soi 5 Pratumnak on the right outside a 7/11. Went there about 1am. V good.

[TaaSaparot]

5 hours ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

Finally went to that cheap steak place on third rd.

 

Cheap or value for money?

[Jingthing]

Chicken Rice Stall

Central Pattaya Beach Mall

(New high end food court, 2nd road side, ground floor)

 

Most of us know Thai style khao mun gai. Well that's similar to the chicken rice you would get in Singapore, etc. but not the same. In my non expert opinion, it's about the care given to how the chickens are cooked resulting in a distinctive flavor and texture.

 

So I stopped by this new stall and instead of ordering the chicken rice set (next time) I went for the drunken chicken (I assume the same chicken as for chicken rice) in a rice wine sauce 100, braised homemade tofu in soy 70, and regular rice 20. You can serve yourself side spices and sauces for any order there which I did. I wanted to try to the winter melon pork rib soup but they were out.

 

Anyway, surprise surprise. I don't recall having better chicken rice chicken in Thailand before! If the same dish was served to me in a well regarded chicken rice place in Singapore it would meet my expectations. 

 

That said, I have no doubt some Singaporeans if they try this here will say it is crapola and an insult to the chicken rice gods. But I don't care. I love it and for me this is a MAJOR FIND here in Pattaya.

 

Added detail -- I was originally going to order the Sichuan chicken instead of the drunken chicken but I was informed by the staff that it isn't really very spicy so decided rather than a non-spicy dish that's supposed to be spicy might as was well go more purist with the drunken chicken. The chicken is the same base for the Sichuan dish as well. BTW -- I think drunken chicken is a Shanghai dish that your wouldn't normally find at a typical chicken rice shop. 

Edited December 17, 2019 by Jingthing

[TaaSaparot]

12 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Most of us know Thai style khao mun gai. Well that's similar to the chicken rice you would get in Singapore, etc. but not the same. In my non expert opinion, it's about the care given to how the chickens are cooked resulting in a distinctive flavor and texture.

Actually the best Khao Man Gai is made from Capons, not Chickens.

Edited December 18, 2019 by TaaSaparot

[Jingthing]

38 minutes ago, TaaSaparot said:

Actually the best Khao Man Gai is made from Capons, not Chickens.

OK. 

Best places for chicken rice in Singapore. 

https://www.thebestsingapore.com/eat-and-drink/the-best-5-hainanese-chicken-rice/

Chickens.

 

So please tell us where in Pattaya we can get exceptional Thai capon Khao mun Gai please. 

Edited December 18, 2019 by Jingthing

[TaaSaparot]

15 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

OK. 

Best places for chicken rice in Singapore. 

https://www.thebestsingapore.com/eat-and-drink/the-best-5-hainanese-chicken-rice/

Chickens.

A bit presumptuous, no?

[DannyCarlton]

18 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

OK. 

Best places for chicken rice in Singapore. 

https://www.thebestsingapore.com/eat-and-drink/the-best-5-hainanese-chicken-rice/

Chickens.

 

So please tell us where in Pattaya we can get exceptional Thai capon Khao mun Gai please. 

You'll struggle to buy a capon in Pattaya. Gai thon. You'd need to order it from a farmer.

 

However, it is the traditional ingredient of Khao Mun Gai.

Edited December 18, 2019 by DannyCarlton

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, TaaSaparot said:

A bit presumptuous, no?

If you say so. 

Not looking for an argument here. 

So you win. 

Back to Khao mun Gai and Capons. 

I have never heard of that.

So again can you or anyone point us to a place in Pattaya that serves capon baser Khao mun Gai? 

Thanks.