The Hit And Run Restaurant "review" Thread

[BruceMangosteen]

I recently discovered Cafe Pitini on Soi Buakhao, the noise level is low, t

Agree with all except the "noise level". Noise seems to carry in there and the British and Italians like the yell at each other, even inside a relaxed restaurant. You can't hear the street, but those Euro guys and their loud talking does sometimes ruin a nice meal.

[MZurf]

I recently discovered Cafe Pitini on Soi Buakhao, the noise level is low, t

Agree with all except the "noise level". Noise seems to carry in there and the British and Italians like the yell at each other, even inside a relaxed restaurant. You can't hear the street, but those Euro guys and their loud talking does sometimes ruin a nice meal.

If you're American then we have a serious case of the pot calling the kettle black!

[Jingthing]

I recently discovered Cafe Pitini on Soi Buakhao, the noise level is low, t

Agree with all except the "noise level". Noise seems to carry in there and the British and Italians like the yell at each other, even inside a relaxed restaurant. You can't hear the street, but those Euro guys and their loud talking does sometimes ruin a nice meal.

If you're American then we have a serious case of the pot calling the kettle black!

Nothing compared to groups of drunken JAPANESE men ...

back to the RESTAURANT stuff, OK, pretty please?

[MZurf]

I recently discovered Cafe Pitini on Soi Buakhao, the noise level is low, t

Agree with all except the "noise level". Noise seems to carry in there and the British and Italians like the yell at each other, even inside a relaxed restaurant. You can't hear the street, but those Euro guys and their loud talking does sometimes ruin a nice meal.

If you're American then we have a serious case of the pot calling the kettle black!

Nothing compared to groups of drunken JAPANESE men ...

back to the RESTAURANT stuff, OK, pretty please?

I was talking about pots and kettles so totally related to a restaurant thread

BTW, dropped by the Taiwanese restaurant you recommended earlier but it was closed (at around 1430 hrs)

[Jingthing]

Not sure when they open but have noticed that they are open late at night.

[Jingthing]

New find!

Kind of a small low priced Korean "dive" on Soi Buakhow.

Closed already.

Appears now to be quite OPEN.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/608166-the-hit-and-run-restaurant-review-thread/?p=7844051

I'll check in later to see if it's the same thing as before and might even try it!

[Pattaya Pat]

I recently discovered Cafe Pitini on Soi Buakhao, the noise level is low, t

Agree with all except the "noise level". Noise seems to carry in there and the British and Italians like the yell at each other, even inside a relaxed restaurant. You can't hear the street, but those Euro guys and their loud talking does sometimes ruin a nice meal.

If you're American then we have a serious case of the pot calling the kettle black!

Nothing compared to groups of drunken JAPANESE men ...

back to the RESTAURANT stuff, OK, pretty please?

They make more noise slurping their soup then they do talking

About this Taiwanese restaurant, I went to look for it but couldn't find it. Exact location please? I went to Mike hotel in soi 4 but couldn't see it., that was Mike's Orchid Hotel and Mike hotel, I would only go at lunchtime so may be waste of time anyway going by an above post.

[MZurf]

It's on 2nd rd, about 100-200 meters north of the Pattaya Tai intersection, on your right.

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[Jingthing]

OK I don't have a lot of details yet but there is change in format to the long established well known French restaurant L'Olivier in Jomtien Complex (near the Poseidon Hotel).

It is now called something like INDOCHINE ... and features still some French dishes, some Thai, and most newsworthy a large VIETNAMESE menu very similar to the menu at SAIGON CAFE at the Central Pattaya Beach Mall.

No mystery why ... it's the same owners.

I don't know if they still have the famous appetizer buffet for the French meals as before, or not.

In any case, I think this is a welcome addition to the Jomtien area ... reasonably priced acceptably "authentic" Vietnamese food is a UNIQUE offering in the area.

No, I'm not saying I'm a huge fan of their food (assuming it's the same as at the mall) if comparing to the great Vietnamese food in San Jose California ... but for Thailand standards of Vietnamese food it does the trick well enough.

I also think it's a very smart business move to feature reasonably priced VIETNAMESE food in that location.

The general competition in the complex is higher priced European food and overpriced mediocre Thai food. The area of course is tres gay and Vietnamese food is quite gay popular being both delicious and a LIGHTER eating option.

This place will STAND OUT. Assuming the food will be as good as at the mall (hopefully) it seems a possible winner.

Edited August 20, 2014 by Jingthing

[BruceMangosteen]

The general competition in the complex is higher priced European food and overpriced mediocre Thai food. The area of course is tres gay and Vietnamese food is quite gay popular being both delicious and a LIGHTER eating option.

What a bigoted statement. Gay people eat the same food as "straight" people and have the same taste buds and guts. You are the one getting off topic.

[KittenKong]

OK I don't have a lot of details yet but there is change in format to the long established well known French restaurant L'Olivier in Jomtien Complex (near the Poseidon Hotel).

It is now called something like INDOCHINE ... and features still some French dishes, some Thai, and most newsworthy a large VIETNAMESE menu very similar to the menu at SAIGON CAFE at the Central Pattaya Beach Mall.

No mystery why ... it's the same owners.

It's the same owners as the Saigon at the top of the Pattaya Hill condo on Pratumnak.

Saigon Cafe in Central is recently deceased.

[Jingthing]

OK I don't have a lot of details yet but there is change in format to the long established well known French restaurant L'Olivier in Jomtien Complex (near the Poseidon Hotel).

It is now called something like INDOCHINE ... and features still some French dishes, some Thai, and most newsworthy a large VIETNAMESE menu very similar to the menu at SAIGON CAFE at the Central Pattaya Beach Mall.

No mystery why ... it's the same owners.

It's the same owners as the Saigon at the top of the Pattaya Hill condo on Pratumnak.

Saigon Cafe in Central is recently deceased.

I hadn't realized Saigon Cafe at the mall had ended. Thanks for that. That's interesting. Yes the same owner at the top of hill one ALSO. That one is much more UPSCALE and higher priced.

[Jingthing]

The general competition in the complex is higher priced European food and overpriced mediocre Thai food. The area of course is tres gay and Vietnamese food is quite gay popular being both delicious and a LIGHTER eating option.

What a bigoted statement. Gay people eat the same food as "straight" people and have the same taste buds and guts. You are the one getting off topic.

I consider gay people to be a kind of IDENTITY group that shares similarities to ethnic groups. No, not the same thing as an ethnic group of course but some similarities in concept. It wouldn't be bigoted to accurately assert that New York Jews have a tendency to like LOX AND BAGELS or that Indian people in Pattaya are more likely to be found at Indian buffets here.

I do agree that an expanded discussion of gay food preferences in general would be off topic to go into detail on THIS thread ... so if that does interest you enough, perhaps you might wish to start a thread on the gay forum to discuss whether it's bigoted or not to even refer to that.

To add, to describe the Jomtien Complex as an area heavily concentrated with gay oriented businesses is simply DESCRIPTIVE and obviously accurate. Homophobic people had best just avoid the area.

I don't think it's really too much of a stretch to assert that an elegant little Vietnamese restaurant probably has a better chance of working in a gay oriented area than a ... HOOTERS.

I would of course not describe the new INDOCHINE as a "gay restaurant" as it clearly certainly isn't that. If you want a "gay restaurant" Dick's Cafe also in the Complex should fit the Bill or "Dick" as it were.

http://www.dickscafe.com/jomtien/

Edited August 21, 2014 by Jingthing

[Awohalitsiktoli]

Bib Chon is open (inside Royal Garden, beach side). I just ate there for the first time. No more KFC for me. Bon Chon chicken is very good! Interesting menu with a lot more than chicken wings. Good side dishes and some other Korean dishes that I have yet to try.

Edited August 21, 2014 by Awohalitsiktoli

[Jingthing]

Bib Chon is open (inside Royal Garden, beach side). I just ate there for the first time. No more KFC for me. Bon Chon chicken is very good! Interesting menu with a lot more than chicken wings. Good side dishes and some other Korean dishes that I have yet to try.

Yes BONCHON Chicken is an international chain originating in KOREA now expanding in good old Thailand. They have been preparing to open for many many months. Glad to hear they are finally open! Yes Korean Fried Chicken is quite a different thing. Thanks for the news!

Pattaya gets more and more "world class" with quality chains like this continuing to open here.

http://www.bonchonthailand.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bonchonthailand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonchon_Chicken

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/dining/07fried.html/?_r=0

Edited August 21, 2014 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Bib Chon is open (inside Royal Garden, beach side). I just ate there for the first time. No more KFC for me. Bon Chon chicken is very good! Interesting menu with a lot more than chicken wings. Good side dishes and some other Korean dishes that I have yet to try.

Yes BONCHON Chicken is an international chain originating in KOREA now expanding in good old Thailand. They have been preparing to open for many many months. Glad to hear they are finally open! Yes Korean Fried Chicken is quite a different thing. Thanks for the news!

Pattaya gets more and more "world class" with quality chains like this continuing to open here.

10494583_792996964066222_910277484467163529_n.jpg

http://www.bonchonthailand.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bonchonthailand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonchon_Chicken

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/dining/07fried.html/?_r=0

OK, I visited this place on their second day of business.

Clearly this chain takes it brand seriously.

Things went very smoothly ... normally new places are very shaky.

There is more to the menu than the chicken but it is mostly about the chicken.

Other options include premium side dishes, spicy soft tofu stew/soup with choice of adds, and kalbi meat on rice.

But had to try the chicken.

You choose a size, and then type of chicken part, and then flavor.

Only two flavor choices:

HOT

GARLIC SOY

With sizes above small, you may MIX the two flavors.

I chose HOT and was asked if I can eat spicy food. Ha ha.

With the small you get white pickled radish included and one choice of side (such as rice).

With medium and large, you pick two sides.

I chose the small with drumsticks which is three pieces with the radish and my side was kimchi coleslaw.

Cost for small choice is 150 baht (plus plus).

Cheapest drink is bottled water at 25 baht.

I didn't notice any beer on the menu!

Maybe I should have asked or they will get later ... it seems to me they should offer beer!

As you can see not a massive amount of food. This worked for me as a light lunch. I think the price is pretty fair. You can always order a larger portion or more items!

Oh, the chicken?!?

FABULOUS!!!!!!

I really loved it.

SUPER Crispy. Not at all greasy. No drippy sauce ... the stuff is IN THERE. The flavor was wildly pleasurable ... yes it was hot but nothing someone who likes Thai food will have a problem with. One of the best fried chicken experiences in my life. I was very happy with my choice of drumsticks. Other choices are wings and boneless breast/thigh pieces.

BTW, they also offer FISH fried with the same method as the chicken.

Oh, no, here goes, yet another Jingthing THUMBS UP.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

SI HAI CHINESE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Pattaya People Soi (a block east of Tukcom) off Pattaya Tai

Not a lot to say about this place yet. No have not eaten there yet.

It is clearly catering to Chinese tourists and tour groups in the local area.

It is very new.

I walked in and asked for a menu and was basically SHOOED away, verbally and with body language.

They didn't know who they were dealing with.

I held my ground assuming they probably DID have some kind of menu I could look at and sure enough I was eventually able to locate one ... that had Chinese and English language with SOME pictures.

Mostly not pictures.

The English descriptions were VERY MINIMALIST so you would need to be a risk taker to just order stuff and see what happens.

The prices were on the high side but not too bad and my guess that this is a family style restaurant with BIG PORTIONS so the idea is best to go with a group and share. Not a good place to do small plates, dim sum/tapas style.

I can't speak to the quality at this point.

A sample price I can say is whole steamed fish (really fresh from their tanks) for 450 baht.

Obviously they specialize in seafood but not only seafood.

I gathered from the menu the Chinese food they offer is really some kind of Chinese style.

NOT a Thai Chinese restaurant.

The staff seemed to be speaking some kind of Chinese dialect.

There were also some pure Thai dishes like Tom Yum of course ... why not, this is Thailand and some tourists might want that.

Also keep in mind if you aren't part of a group of Chinese people, they really aren't expecting your business ... up to you if that deters you or not.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Jingthing

[MZurf]

Bib Chon is open (inside Royal Garden, beach side). I just ate there for the first time. No more KFC for me. Bon Chon chicken is very good! Interesting menu with a lot more than chicken wings. Good side dishes and some other Korean dishes that I have yet to try.

Yes BONCHON Chicken is an international chain originating in KOREA now expanding in good old Thailand. They have been preparing to open for many many months. Glad to hear they are finally open! Yes Korean Fried Chicken is quite a different thing. Thanks for the news!

Pattaya gets more and more "world class" with quality chains like this continuing to open here.

10494583_792996964066222_910277484467163529_n.jpg

http://www.bonchonthailand.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bonchonthailand

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonchon_Chicken

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/07/dining/07fried.html/?_r=0

OK, I visited this place on their second day of business.

Clearly this chain takes it brand seriously.

Things went very smoothly ... normally new places are very shaky.

There is more to the menu than the chicken but it is mostly about the chicken.

Other options include premium side dishes, spicy soft tofu stew/soup with choice of adds, and kalbi meat on rice.

But had to try the chicken.

You choose a size, and then type of chicken part, and then flavor.

Only two flavor choices:

HOT

GARLIC SOY

With sizes above small, you may MIX the two flavors.

I chose HOT and was asked if I can eat spicy food. Ha ha.

With the small you get white pickled radish included and one choice of side (such as rice).

With medium and large, you pick two sides.

I chose the small with drumsticks which is three pieces with the radish and my side was kimchi coleslaw.

Cost for small choice is 150 baht (plus plus).

Cheapest drink is bottled water at 25 baht.

I didn't notice any beer on the menu!

Maybe I should have asked or they will get later ... it seems to me they should offer beer!

As you can see not a massive amount of food. This worked for me as a light lunch. I think the price is pretty fair. You can always order a larger portion or more items!

Oh, the chicken?!?

koreanchicken.jpg

FABULOUS!!!!!!

I really loved it.

SUPER Crispy. Not at all greasy. No drippy sauce ... the stuff is IN THERE. The flavor was wildly pleasurable ... yes it was hot but nothing someone who likes Thai food will have a problem with. One of the best fried chicken experiences in my life. I was very happy with my choice of drumsticks. Other choices are wings and boneless breast/thigh pieces.

BTW, they also offer FISH fried with the same method as the chicken.

Oh, no, here goes, yet another Jingthing THUMBS UP.

Went there today and ordered exactly the same as you, with a side order of pickled radish. Unfortunately I won't be going back as the kimchi coleslaw was sweetish, the pickled radish was sweet and the drumsticks were very sweet (even with the skin removed). In addition they charge 10 % service charge.

[Jingthing]

I forget to mention I wasn't thrilled with the kimchi coleslaw. I didn't find it overly sweet but it was mostly about mayo rather than kimchi. I suppose this isn't the place for a traditional kimchi hit. There are OTHER places for that. I have recently loved an authentic Korean place in North Pattaya; see my previous posts about this. Personally I think rejecting a restaurant because of clearly stated extra charges IF you like the food is ridiculous ... IF you like the food you're only punishing yourself. IF you don't ... that's different!

Keep in mind the kimchi coleslaw is one of a number of choices of side dishes (one included with small order). I posted a link that probably lists them all (rice is one). There didn't seem to be a choice for traditional kimchi cabbage. So I'm assuming this is INTENTIONAL. Maybe they don't think it fits with this food. They are not presenting themselves as a traditional Korean restaurant. It is a SPECIALIST restaurant for the fried chicken, more modern/more trendy.

On the HOT flavor chicken, I certainly did not find it very sweet. I do not like usually like overly sweet food (outside desserts) so I really would have noticed.

Of course I don't personally mind if other people hate a restaurant that I like. But I do think it's useful to present good information. Such as if you don't like the kimchi coleslaw there are some other choices.

Edited August 24, 2014 by Jingthing

[MZurf]

I forget to mention I wasn't thrilled with the kimchi coleslaw. I didn't find it overly sweet but it was mostly about mayo rather than kimchi. I suppose this isn't the place for a traditional kimchi hit. There are OTHER places for that. I have recently loved an authentic Korean place in North Pattaya; see my previous posts about this. Personally I think rejecting a restaurant because of clearly stated extra charges IF you like the food is ridiculous ... IF you like the food you're only punishing yourself. IF you don't ... that's different!

Keep in mind the kimchi coleslaw is one of a number of choices of side dishes (one included with small order). I posted a link that probably lists them all (rice is one). There didn't seem to be a choice for traditional kimchi cabbage. So I'm assuming this is INTENTIONAL. Maybe they don't think it fits with this food. They are not presenting themselves as a traditional Korean restaurant. It is a SPECIALIST restaurant for the fried chicken, more modern/more trendy.

On the HOT flavor chicken, I certainly did not find it very sweet. I do not like usually like overly sweet food (outside desserts) so I really would have noticed.

I do not reject a restaurant solely because of an added service charge, although it's definitively not on the plus side. The reason I won't be back is that sweet food is my pet restaurant peeve in Thailand.

[Jingthing]

I agree I also strongly don't like overly sweet food. Personally, I don't think most people will find the flavor of what I had (if done the same way) the hot chicken and the kimchi coleslaw as OVERLY sweet, but that is of course subjective.

Given that Bonchon is the only place in town doing the trendy Korean style fried chicken and it is generally considered a good example of this concept, I do strongly recommend that people try it if you have been curious to know what it is like or also if you already know and want more.

Of course you won't see me there very often. I usually avoid deep fried foods these days, and even if this style is not greasy, it is STILL deep fried food with the skin of course, and you'd be crazy not to eat the skin on their chicken, that's the crispy flavor bonanza!

I do plan on trying their spicy soft tofu stew sometime. It is available many other places but they have choices in it I haven't seen at other places in town such as Korean pork dumplings in the soup.

Edited August 24, 2014 by Jingthing

[Bernard Flint]

The general competition in the complex is higher priced European food and overpriced mediocre Thai food. The area of course is tres gay and Vietnamese food is quite gay popular being both delicious and a LIGHTER eating option.

What a bigoted statement. Gay people eat the same food as "straight" people and have the same taste buds and guts. You are the one getting off topic.

I thought i had learnt something new, bugger!!!!, oops wrong word

[balo]

Thank you for the review of Bon Chon chicken, will try it tomorrow.

Edited August 24, 2014 by balo

[thailien8]

Price increase alert at Taiwan Restaurant. The tomato-onion-egg dish that was 50 baht last week, was upped to 80 baht yesterday. Other menu items also featured new price stickers covering old prices. I guess they weren't making any money.

[KittenKong]

I don't know if they still have the famous appetizer buffet for the French meals as before, or not.

Gone, at least it was when I looked today.

The place does a rather uninspired Vietnamese/French set menu for 295B that I found easy to resist. I couldn't read the printed menu because I didnt have my glasses but I really dont hold out much hope.

[KittenKong]

......Pleasant, upscale, laid back, interesting...food was wonderful, prepared in a unique way. Moderate prices.

Any more threads you would like to promote this place in?

Perhaps you could offer us all a free meal?

[Jingthing]

I don't know if they still have the famous appetizer buffet for the French meals as before, or not.

Gone, at least it was when I looked today.

The place does a rather uninspired Vietnamese/French set menu for 295B that I found easy to resist. I couldn't read the printed menu because I didnt have my glasses but I really dont hold out much hope.

Similar Viet menu as the defunct Saigon Cafe which was pretty popular and OK for Viet in Thailand.

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[khunjamesjohnson]

Price increase alert at Taiwan Restaurant. The tomato-onion-egg dish that was 50 baht last week, was upped to 80 baht yesterday. Other menu items also featured new price stickers covering old prices. I guess they weren't making any money.

Did they hand you a special farang menu I wonder?

[khunjamesjohnson]

Frasers, on Thappaya Rd. (above News Cafe) has the best deal in town when it comes to sandwiches.

95Bt. is a bargain. It costs me about 100Bt to make a decent sandwich at home. How do they do it?

The BLT was served on a very large white toast and made just the way I like it with lots of bacon and iceberg lettuce. Very nice.

I also ordered a turkey sandwich (real turkey breast) with bacon and avocado.

The fajitas special I had the other day was truly excellent, although a bit pricy at 295Bt.

So good I will order again for my Mexican fix.

[Jingthing]

Price increase alert at Taiwan Restaurant. The tomato-onion-egg dish that was 50 baht last week, was upped to 80 baht yesterday. Other menu items also featured new price stickers covering old prices. I guess they weren't making any money.

Did they hand you a special farang menu I wonder?

Their original prices were weirdly low for a non-street food actual restaurant. I have no objection to the level of increase stated. There is no way they could make a profit with the original prices.

Edited August 25, 2014 by Jingthing