The Hit And Run Restaurant "review" Thread

[Yellowtail]

15 minutes ago, roger101 said:

Sending  messages to regular customers is not a lot of help for somebody who hasn't been before.

I like to check the whole menu before I go somewhere for the first time.

 

So you never eat anywhere that does not have an online menu? What did you do before the internet?

[DrTuner]

Went to Mum Aroy Khao Chee Chan yesterday for a family dinner, it's near Silverlake.

https://goo.gl/maps/AZXoRkH2x6RzTp3k7

 

This is the same chain as in Naklua and 3rd road, so I'll rate in that context. The food quality is between the two, Naklua IMHO being the best. Service is better than Naklua but a bit worse than 3rd. So this one is in the middle. The prices are what they are in seafood restaurants, a party of nine people clocked in at 7k baht, including a bottle of wine and other drinks.

 

What is different is what they have been building nearby. The restaurant is located on a small hillside, looking down on ..  a faux Italian city they call "Città di Como'. Apparently trying to copy the atmosphere from the Lake Como in Italy. I scoffed at it at first, but what do you know, it actually worked as the sun went down. They are building what looks like a cathedral or town hall and even a colosseum like structure. Bit unreal. 

 

Place was packed to the hilt with Thais coming during the long weekend, had to wait 30mins to be seated. Seems popular with the BKK weekenders. It's worth a visit, but not sure if I'd drive there just for that.

[roger101]

6 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

 

So you never eat anywhere that does not have an online menu? What did you do before the internet?

Can't remember, and when I lived in the UK I didn't eat out that much so normally went to my favorite restaurants.

[Jingthing]

This is my current favorite restaurant in town and I haven't even been there!

 

CHENGDU Chinese Restaurant

3rd Road, North of Pattaya Klang

A map is available in the link below

From good to excellent authentic Sichuan food standards with a few duds

Prices are remarkably low for what's offered in comparison to the Chinese restaurant market here which is typically inflated

 

Available for Delivery on Hungry Now (free delivery)

 

With a name like Chengdu, this is obviously a specialized Sichuan restaurant and indeed it is.

 

My review is based only on many, many Hungry Now delivery orders. I can make some generalizations. This is not really a "gourmet" Sichuan restaurant. They do the standards and aren't trying to create any fancy or fusion inspirations. They have the needed ingredients including the authentic broad bean fermented chili paste. However their Sichuan peppers (used in some but not all dishes) are as typical in Pattaya not fresh enough so not nearly enough mouth numbing sizzle, but at least they aren't so stale that they ruin dishes. The good Sichuan peppers for some bizarre reason are not sold in Thai markets so they are directly imported. Given the travel issues this year, it's not surprising that they don't have a fresh supply. The menu as on Hungry Now is quirky and doesn't always reflect what you're actually ordering.  I can help you with that here as I have ordered so many of their dishes. There is inconsistency ordering the same dishes on different days. One time it might be just barely OK and the next really good. As far as spicy levels, the dishes that are supposed to be spicy are and the dishes that aren't aren't so what else could you ask for?

 

But overall if you order well (and get a little bit lucky on the consistency issue) you can have some quite wonderful Sichuan meals from this restaurant for not much money.

 

 

Here is the menu from Hungry Now along with my comments:

 

https://hungrynow.co.th/en/pattaya/Chengdu Restaurant

 

Dish by dish commentary

 

Spicy Stir Fried Sliced Pork 150

This is a version of the classic Yu Shiang pork (fish flavored narrow pork slices). It's decent enough but not great. If you crave some Yu Shiang or want to try it for the first time, this will do. Lots of sauce. On the oily side.

 

Spicy stir fried pork belly with chili 180

As described. A more dry dish. Classic Sichuan flavors.

 

Spicy Fried Chicken with dried chili 200

This is a version of the famous Chonqqing chicken.

Warning -- inconsistent. 
Sometimes much better than other times.

RECOMMENDED 

 

Sichuan Dry Fish 400

I know this type of food well enough that I knew the menu was wrong. It's not dry anything. It's fish in a large amount of oily soup liquid and some vegetables. A kind of limited hot pot. While the surroundings are decent enough, the fish wasn't what I was hoping for. It's usually done with tender filet pieces. These were bony whole fish pieces, not very tasty and not enough fish meat either.

The same type dish is done in beef and pork. I recommend the beef.

Very much NOT RECOMMENDED

 

Stir Fried Beef Sichuan Style 300

See the fish dish above but with tender sliced beef.

RECOMMENDED

 

Fried morning glory with garlic 80

Chinese flavor. Consistently good. Not spicy unless you count the garlic.

RECOMMENDED

 

Spicy Stir Fried Potato 90

These are thin slices with some chili.

It is what it is.

 

Stir Fried Egg with Bitter Melon 100

Simple dish. Chinese flavor. Not spicy. 

If you like bitter melon -- RECOMMENDED

 

Fried Bush bean with dry chili 100

A classic dish you might know.

I found the beans weird, not crispy. They tasted and looked as if they may have even come from frozen which is something I can't know for sure, but that's not good that I even suspected. But I only had once maybe another time would be better? The flavor of the spices quite good though.

 

Mapo Tofu 120

This is the very famous cubed tofu dish in a spicy sauce. I have had numerous times and this one is inconsistent. I have used this dish as a base to add some of my own tofu and frozen green peas to make a more substantial meal. 

 

The two eggplant dishes 120

Have ordered both and they seem to be the same dish.

Oily and spicy. If you like eggplant, go for it.

 

Deep Fried egg with gravy sauce 120

I thought this was going to be a kind of Egg Foo Young, beloved by Americans.

Well it didn't even come with any gravy sauce and the egg thing was pretty horrible.

NOT RECOMMENED

 

Soups 150 to 200

I have had one soup, the pork ribs and bitter melon.

A large portion but I didn't think much of the broth. 

So ...

NOT RECOMMENDED

 

Cold dishes / Salads

Have had the bean sprouts and cucumber. 
Decent enough. I have used thr leftovers to make my own version of Hunan Chicken salad. The spicy mixed noodle salad at 60 is bean thread vermicelli and good value.

 

There is a standout though.

 

Chicken in red sauce 120

Sliced cold darker meat chicken on the bone in a classic Sichuan sauce.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

Hot Pots 140 to 400

I have had the tofu, cabbage, and squid versions.

I think these would actually be sizzling plate dishes in the restaurant. They are not soups. The thin chili spicy sauce is not based on fermented broad bean paste. The items are included with lots of sliced fresh green chilies. 

For me these dishes are on the kind of boring side but sometimes I am in the mood for boring. I would suggest trying the tofu version to get an idea of what these dishes are about. One time I had the squid and added my own steamed broccoli and that worked really well.

 

Dumplings 

2 kinds

60 to 80

The 80 baht chive ones are better

They come with a soy based dipping sauce.

These are steamed not fried.

Decent enough, al dente, good value.

RECOMMENDED

 

Stir fried wide rice noodles with egg 80

As described. OK but greasy.

 

Stir Fried noodles 120

Has some meat. Greasy. I guess you might call this chow mein.

NOT RECOMMENDED

 

Dishes under "Spaghetti" dishes.

Crazy title. Ignore it. Nothing to do with spaghetti.

 

Stir fried with pork with chili 180

As it sounds. The chili is fresh green chili like the "hot pots"

NOT RECOMMENDED

 

Sweet and sour pork 200

This is of course a very popular dish with westerners. The pork is done Chinese version (fried nuggets) rather than the Thai version. The one time I tried it, it was only the pork and lots of fresh pineapple in a decent sauce.  It was good for what it was, but bizarrely no vegetables.

 

Stir fried pork Sichuan style 240

I assume this is a large spicy oily soup hot pot as in the fish, but I've not tried the pork version, only the beef and the fish. In any of these dishes you will get the classic flavors.

 

---

Yes, I have taken a lot of time to share some of my menu tips for this place. Obviously, my tastes are not your tastes so the specific recommendations (and the nots) are based on my taste. 

There is a selfish aspect to why I'm doing this.

As we all know restaurants are falling like flies all over town.

I would really miss this place if they don't make it.

I have no idea how their business is doing as I've never been there, but I do know there are way fewer Chinese people in town!

 

So I'm hoping some of you readers will try it, in person or with Hungry Now, and help yourself to some good well priced Sichuan food and them to stay in business.

 

 

 

Edited September 8, 2020 by Jingthing

[TaaSaparot]

Good to hear you are hanging in there @Jingthing  ????

[Jingthing]

Here is another one of my current favorite restaurants. 

 

Tu Kab Khao

 

Higher quality gourmet level Thai food restaurant specializing in Southern Thai food.

 

Replaces Laong's Bistro on Jomtien 2nd road

 

This brand is a famous Phuket restaurant. Now in Jomtien. Aren't we lucky.

 

Find many dishes generally unavailable elsewhere 

 

Prices surprisingly reasonable for the quality 

 

Good place to try if you're bored with the typical predictable local Thai food menus

 

In my experience speaking as a chili head many of their dishes are hard core hot and spicy. Honestly often spicier than I really want but it's against my religion to ask for less spice. But definitely don't ask for more spice.

 

But that might be because I've ordered delivery and assumed to be Thai. Wouldn't be surprised if they tone things down for westerners in the restaurant

 

Portions generally normal but the portions for soups and curry gaengs quite big.

 

Closed on Wednesdays

 

I've been ordering from Food Panda. Currently 10 percent discount on all food 

 

Prices given on sample dishes are Food Panda prices before discount 

 

Some dishes I've tried with comments 

 

Green curry gaeng with squid and pork

The ground pork is stuffed into probably cuttlefish not squid.

Includes coconut tips

This dish was one of my favorites at my favorite Thai restaurant in the US.

Very hard to find here

150

 

Pork ribs with scrubby basil in red curry.

This is not a soupy curry. Lots of ribs in a very delicious thick coconut red curry. Super spicy.

135

 

 

Stir fried chicken or shrimp with tamarind sauce. 

Sweet of course.

I liked the chicken version better 

135, 150

 

Stir fried shrimp with bitter beans.

Sator beans often listed as stinky beans.

One of the best I've ever had of this southern classic 150

 

Southern stir fried yellow curry paste with pork

Southern classic. For some reason I wasn't

thrilled with their version  135

 

 

Stir fried Malindjo leaves with egg

Ok. The leaves also available with shrimp in a coconut milk sauce 135, 155

 

Baked pork with fish sauce

The pork is like a fatty mince. I was expecting something different. But flavor good 100

 

Southern sea bass soup with sea bass and sour bamboo shoots

A Southern classic. 

Authentic flavor. Very spicy.

Not enough fish. Almost seemed like a mistake. 

185

 

Garcinia cowa soup

Ordered with beef

Seriously good soup broth. Massive portion of herbs and leaves 135

 

Spicy salad 

Hard to describe because it had ingredients I can't identify but I liked it. A good side for a more substantial spicy dish. 135

 

Spicy glass noodle salad with seafood 

Common dish but done well with plenty of large pieces of mussels, shrimp, and squid. 200

 

Traditional spicy glass noodle salad.

Traditional style really is more special. I really love this dish. Lots of dried shrimp.

150

 

Casseroled shrimp with glass noodles. 

Common dish done very well. 155

 

Pork neck with chili and salt 

Pork neck meat is often served mostly fat. This was mostly meat. Super spicy. Great dish. 135

 

Deep fried sea bass with fish sauce. With mango salad. A classic dish that unfortunately didn't work for delivery. The texture was off but I couldn't really detect good flavor either. 380

 

Note that although this restaurant specializes in Southern Thai food they of course as indicated have more general Thai food as well.

 

Also some northern Lanna dishes such as pork hanglae.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 9, 2020 by Jingthing

[Rimmer]

A post discussing moderation has been removed

[SePl]

On 9/6/2020 at 3:37 PM, henry2109 said:

Da Marco Restaurant, Darkside

 

Website: da-marco.com

Toongklom-Talman Road, near Charknok Reservoir

 

One of the best restaurants in Pattaya, the kitchen is european (swiss, italian, no thai food). Nice, quiet setting, open-air. The food quality, the preparation and the service are top notch. Opening hours only evening.

 

Marco offers a weekly new set menue for 850 Baht, which is a good value. Have visited this restaurant many times the last few month and was never disapointed.

 

For people who enjoy having more plate than food inside...

 

 

[henry2109]

14 minutes ago, SePl said:

 

For people who enjoy having more plate than food inside...

 

 

I bet you do not know the restaurant and did not even eat there a single time. Why secrete rubbish then?

[jacko45k]

2 hours ago, henry2109 said:

I bet you do not know the restaurant and did not even eat there a single time. Why secrete rubbish then?

Well he might have done and you would not know.  He could then have written a subjective comment citing personal experience, instead of that cryptic one. You are likely correct.

[DrTuner]

2 hours ago, SePl said:

For people who enjoy having more plate than food inside...

The large plates often used in Italian restaurants are deceptive. There's a large brim, but the cup in the middle is deep. Often used for pasta dishes.

[SePl]

On 9/16/2020 at 12:32 PM, SePl said:

 

For people who enjoy having more plate than food inside...

 

 

[torturedsole]

4 hours ago, SePl said:

Not sure what the flower stems poking out of the mashed potato and cauliflower floret represents.  A nice round plate wouldn't go amiss either.  

[Mutt Daeng]

4 hours ago, torturedsole said:

Not sure what the flower stems poking out of the mashed potato and cauliflower floret represents.  A nice round plate wouldn't go amiss either.  

Perhaps I'm just a "heathen" but the only thing on that table that looks reasonable to me is the cutlery. These "three string beans round a chicken's kneecap" type meals don't appeal to me at all. Each to their own of course.

Edited September 18, 2020 by Mutt Daeng

[petermik]

7 hours ago, Mutt Daeng said:

Perhaps I'm just a "heathen" but the only thing on that table that looks reasonable to me is the cutlery. These "three string beans round a chicken's kneecap" type meals don't appeal to me at all. Each to their own of course.

Bangers and mash with proper onion gravy....that,s the stuff to put lead in yer pencil

[Mutt Daeng]

44 minutes ago, petermik said:

Bangers and mash with proper onion gravy....that,s the stuff to put lead in yer pencil

Exactly. Bangers & mash, liver & onions, mince & dumplings etc

[BigStar]

2 hours ago, petermik said:

Bangers and mash with proper onion gravy....that,s the stuff to put lead in yer pencil

Mostly extra fat on yer belly and more clogging in yer arteries.

Edited September 18, 2020 by BigStar

[polpott]

1 minute ago, BigStar said:

Mostly extra fat on yer belly.

It gets you through the winter.

[BigStar]

Just now, polpott said:

It gets you through the winter.

Unless it's foreshortened. Brings to mind the much-reviled Thailand health insurance requirements. ????

[champers]

2 hours ago, Mutt Daeng said:

Exactly. Bangers & mash, liver & onions, mince & dumplings etc

Liver and onions is good for you, with boiled taters, cabbage and carrots. Pig and Whistle did a decent version; with bacon; but both their places are now history.

[polpott]

1 minute ago, champers said:

Liver and onions is good for you, with boiled taters, cabbage and carrots. Pig and Whistle did a decent version; with bacon; but both their places are now history.

Tropical on the Darkside still does a good one as you describe.

[DrTuner]

5 hours ago, Mutt Daeng said:

Perhaps I'm just a "heathen" but the only thing on that table that looks reasonable to me is the cutlery. These "three string beans round a chicken's kneecap" type meals don't appeal to me at all. Each to their own of course.

These are usually part of a multi-meal menu, not eaten as stand-alone meals. Not sure if that was the case there.

Edited September 18, 2020 by DrTuner

[Mutt Daeng]

4 hours ago, DrTuner said:

These are usually part of a multi-meal menu, not eaten as stand-alone meals. Not sure if that was the case there.

Perhaps that's my problem. I'm a carnivore. My wife once asked me if I could eat vegetarian food and I replied of course I can sweetie, as long as there is a $hit load of meat on the plate as well.

Edited September 18, 2020 by Mutt Daeng

[prk888]

Caddy Shack aso does excellent liver & bacon

[DrTuner]

29 minutes ago, Mutt Daeng said:

Perhaps that's my problem. I'm a carnivore. My wife once asked me if I could eat vegetarian food and I replied of course I can sweetie, as long as there is a $hit load of meat on the plate as well.

Italians do have some proper man food, like the chunk of meat they BBQ next to the fire (Bistecca alla fiorentina). But I wouldn't opt for Italian joint for proper K9 session.

 

Are there any Argentinian restaurants in town?

 

Edited September 18, 2020 by DrTuner

[Jingthing]

36 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

...

 

Are there any Argentinian restaurants in town?

 

I think not.

[Eindhoven]

Zico's used to be fun: 

 

 

Though the Pattaya branch didn't quite match the standard of the Samui branch. Neither quite reached the standard of Porcao Rio in Rio. ????

 

 

[DrTuner]

1 hour ago, Eindhoven said:

Zico's used to be fun: 

 

 

Though the Pattaya branch didn't quite match the standard of the Samui branch. Neither quite reached the standard of Porcao Rio in Rio. ????

 

 

Yes it was good when they still had the free flow wine. Went downhill from there. I haven't seen new Brazilian restos since.

[Eindhoven]

4 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Yes it was good when they still had the free flow wine. Went downhill from there. I haven't seen new Brazilian restos since.

Possibly not enough people could afford to pay the prices they were asking. 

[Mutt Daeng]

First visit to HH today. Had "small" BF 2 bacon, 2 egg, 1 sausage, beans, tomato, fried potatoes, toast with butter and marmalade and cup of coffee all for 89 baht. Later I had liver and onions, mash, carrots & peas for 179 baht. Large Leo or Chang is 59 baht. I drink small bottles when in Pattaya: Chang was 39 baht. Is that the dogs boll**ks or what?