The Hit And Run Restaurant "review" Thread

[tolsti]

Chinese noodle joint on Naklua Rd opposite soi 18.... gone. Cleared out.

[Jingthing]

Chinese noodle joint on Naklua Rd opposite soi 18.... gone. Cleared out.

Thanks for that. Too bad. I'm not too surprised.

[Jingthing]

Horribly tragic news.

The H & N Sichuan Chinese restaurant in inner Jomtien is shut. It was in the back soi of the Country Road bar Thappraya. Darn it! I am so bummed. Their spicy fish hot pot was epic. Stupidly I thought they'd make it and didn't go often enough. Yes it was expensive but mainly because they were selling family sized portions.

Nothing locally replaces it. What's wrong with this city when gems like that can't make it?

Edited December 11, 2015 by Jingthing

[KittenKong]

^^ Why do places fail here?

Inadequate advertising (most places dont bother to make themselves known at all), inadequate details in menus (no pictures, no English) and, inevitably, prices way over the top probably due to rents being way over the top.

Look no further.

[Jingthing]

Yes, I could see the problems with this place.

I think every failure has it's own story.

Obviously there are always issues with rents, food costs, chefs, management, staff, adequate capitalization, etc., etc.

This place was not big enough for large Chinese tour buses but was big enough for smaller Chinese groups, which was their definite focus.

The prices were at market for those kinds of places here considering the large portions meant for the table, so I don't think it was the prices.

They did indeed advertise, mostly in Chinese with large signs at multiple locations, even far away.

Their menu did have pictures and some English but it was very poorly translated and bottom line it was quite a difficult place for non-Chinese speakers as nobody on the staff spoke English even bad English.

I think they could have reached out to English speakers and perhaps even Russians with better menus and also the option of smaller size/smaller prices on the dishes.

If you go with one or two, you don't want a family style portion. You want to get multiple dishes, smaller portions, lower prices.

The Chinese were pretty much always in large groups no problem for them.

Whether an outreach could have saved them, I somehow doubt, but they didn't seem to have the imagination to even try, and that's sad.

I really thought they were doing OK because fairly often I did see large groups there.

Anyway, their food was really really good. I posted about it here multiple times ... I guess the following here isn't anything to write home about!

Edited December 11, 2015 by Jingthing

[Roger Lee]

An example, I wanted a burger from http://www.jfkb.net/

Where are they?

Google map them.

Google them.

email them.

Where are they?

Their pictures look awesome, makes me want one of their burgers.....

Oh, and I tried their location map link, put me behind a Buddha complex that's off the map.....

Edited December 11, 2015 by Roger Lee

[KittenKong]

I suspect that large tour groups in buses just mean that someone has negotiated a huge discount. This is probably not a good sign. It certainly makes me dubious about the menu prices. I just know that the 150 Chinese package-tourists on the other tables did not pay the 400B I am being asked for.

As for advertising, I've lost track of the number of farang-orientated places here for which neither a website or (shudder) a Facebook page show up when you search for the name. Most of them really dont have a clue. For places that are not farang-orientated it must be much worse.

Even the signs/displays/menus outside restaurants here often seem to have been cobbled together by an illiterate imbecile. Writing as someone who spent many years working in on-line communication, it never ceases to amaze me just how bad they really are.

[Jingthing]

Well I have no idea what percentage of their business was that kind of discounted group but I know I did witness some large tables of Chinese ordering directly off the menu. I have seen places like you speak of where the big buses come but this place wasn't really like that. In any case, they had very good food, they're out of business now, and whatever their business tactics were, it's one for the HISTORY books now.

There probably isn't a huge market for authentic Sechuan Chinese food here for non-Chinese anyway.

Edited December 11, 2015 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Stopped by the old Canary Bay restaurant after not going for many years, Soi 4 Jomtien, now called something else but in the Canary Bay guesthouse and still serving a similar menu. They are known for their Alsatian (French region/German influence) choucroute cuisine (pork stuff and sauerkraut).

Anyway now on Fridays they offer a special dish, the national dish of NORWAY, Farikal. It's lamb and cabbage stew, with potatoes. I have had meat stews before but never this specific dish. I'm sure it isn't the best Farikal in the world, but I enjoyed it. 350 baht.

http://mylittlenorway.com/2008/09/lamb-in-cabbage/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alsatian_cuisine

I'm sure their choucroute is still good.

Edited December 11, 2015 by Jingthing

[manarak]

An example, I wanted a burger from http://www.jfkb.net/

Where are they?

Google map them.

Google them.

email them.

Where are they?

Their pictures look awesome, makes me want one of their burgers.....

Oh, and I tried their location map link, put me behind a Buddha complex that's off the map.....

the website looks mostly good, but has visibly been done from a template by a not so well trained monkey...

just look at the address:

JF Kitchen & Bar

356/29 M.12. Trongprue

A. Banglamuang S.Watboonkanghana Chonburi 201 50 Jomtien, Thailand

Trongprue?

Banglamuang?

LOL

Their google map is way off, looks like a spot geocoded from the address - this works fine in Western countries but not in many Asian countries where the address consists of area number and land plot number vs. street and number in the West.

But from the address it's possible to tell that they are in soi Watboonkanchana

[Roger Lee]

An example, I wanted a burger from http://www.jfkb.net/

Where are they?

Google map them.

Google them.

email them.

Where are they?

Their pictures look awesome, makes me want one of their burgers.....

Oh, and I tried their location map link, put me behind a Buddha complex that's off the map.....

the website looks mostly good, but has visibly been done from a template by a not so well trained monkey...

just look at the address:

JF Kitchen & Bar

356/29 M.12. Trongprue

A. Banglamuang S.Watboonkanghana Chonburi 201 50 Jomtien, Thailand

Trongprue?

Banglamuang?

LOL

Their google map is way off, looks like a spot geocoded from the address - this works fine in Western countries but not in many Asian countries where the address consists of area number and land plot number vs. street and number in the West.

But from the address it's possible to tell that they are in soi Watboonkanchana

It must be, and thanks for the response.

There's another thread about the place here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/826455-tacos-at-j-f-in-jomtien/

And it lists a different google map location which makes way more sense than their website did. http://www.google.com/maps/place/12.88714%C2%B0N+100.88026%C2%B0E/@12.88714,100.88026,16z

But after reading through the above thread I'm not so sure it'll be worth a trip. The pictures of the cheeseburgers did look good though.

[balo]

Stopped by the old Canary Bay restaurant after not going for many years, Soi 4 Jomtien, now called something else but in the Canary Bay guesthouse and still serving a similar menu. They are known for their Alsatian (French region/German influence) choucroute cuisine (pork stuff and sauerkraut).

Anyway now on Fridays they offer a special dish, the national dish of NORWAY, Farikal. It's lamb and cabbage stew, with potatoes. I have had meat stews before but never this specific dish. I'm sure it isn't the best Farikal in the world, but I enjoyed it. 350 baht.

http://mylittlenorway.com/2008/09/lamb-in-cabbage/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alsatian_cuisine

I'm sure their choucroute is still good.

Wow , as a Norwegian I have been looking for Farikal here but no luck in the Norwegian restaurants. Will certainly give this a try.

[Roger Lee]

Chester's 2nd floor of Tuk Com has a pretty good double spicy fish sandwich for 84 baht.

[rws85]

Went to a French restaurant last night on third road called Chez Georges. The food was surprisingly good. They give you a free starter which was like a pate, served with bread. We also ordered a Venison Terrine that was very nice.

For mains we had rabbit in white wine sauce, which is highly recommended, also a steak that was tasty and some pork that was good. The only thing I didn't like was the Chittering Sausage, think maybe that must be an acquired taste?

For the quality of the food I also thought the pricing was reasonable.

I will go back here again to try something else.

Edited December 28, 2015 by rws85

[KittenKong]

For the quality of the food I also thought the pricing was reasonable.

Can we have a clue as to what that pricing was?

[Jingthing]

For the quality of the food I also thought the pricing was reasonable.

Can we have a clue as to what that pricing was?

https://www.facebook.com/chezgeorgesrestaurantpattaya/

[KittenKong]

Ah, I know that place.

There's another fairly similar place on 3rd Road, more or less opposite Soi Lengkee.

[rws85]

For the quality of the food I also thought the pricing was reasonable.

Can we have a clue as to what that pricing was?

Was 3 adults and child eating, we ordered one entree that was big enough to share, 3 mains, French fries for the child and a bottle of red wine was 2,800฿.

[rws85]

Went back there tonight, we had the same Venison Terrine entree.

Tonight we ordered the Lamb Shanks, very tasty I thought. The Groper, which maybe was a little bit dry but still very nice and one of the better piece of fish I've tried in Thailand and the pork again.

One thing that did surprise us tonight was after we paid the bill we all got one free glass of Wine that we had been drinking.

Still happy with my second experience, will go back again but not as soon. Recommend to others to try it.

[KittenKong]

Still happy with my second experience, will go back again but not as soon. Recommend to others to try it.

If you want a change I think you should try the place opposite the top of Soi Lengkee that I mentioned. You should find it interesting to compare.

[rws85]

Still happy with my second experience, will go back again but not as soon. Recommend to others to try it.

If you want a change I think you should try the place opposite the top of Soi Lengkee that I mentioned. You should find it interesting to compare.

I have often looked at that restaurant but never been inside, will try one day.

[OMGImInPattaya]

There is a new Shinanigans grub and pub place at the old Peacock Resort out on SSCC at Maprachan Lake. Those familiar with the area will know the place I'm referring too. Don't know if it's affiliated in any way with the folks who had the original Shinanigans at Royal Garden and later The Avenue.

[KittenKong]

There is a new Shinanigans grub and pub place at the old Peacock Resort out on SSCC at Maprachan Lake. Those familiar with the area will know the place I'm referring too. Don't know if it's affiliated in any way with the folks who had the original Shinanigans at Royal Garden and later The Avenue.

As far as I know it's the same management as the Shenanigans in Jomtien.

[rws85]

Had dinner at the Freelax cafe tonight, behind the buffalo bar on third rd.

The place was packed, lucky to get a table and for good reason, cheap food that was very nice.

It's a French restaurant with a very big menu, most expensive dish I think was 260฿. We had 3 entrees, 5 mains, a plate of chips and 9 glasses of red wine for 1,880฿.

[Jingthing]

Shanghai Chinese Restaurant

3rd road, west side, not far down from North Pattaya Road

Just a report on a revisit to one of my favorite local restaurants.

This place has always been reliable for their dumping and noodle (hand pulled) options but the rest of their menu has been less consistent over the years.

Well on my recent visit I very much enjoyed the Chongqing hot spicy chicken (not called that on the menu, see picture) ordered extra spicy.

Without prompting it came with noticeable Sechuan peppers (numbing kind) which hasn't been the case there in the past, even when asking for them.

Considering the prices levels (low for Chinese food here) this place is a gem worth appreciating.

From facebook, the dish, not my picture:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shanghai-Restaurant-3Rd-Road-Pattaya/270011699847938

Map on facebook not accurate.

Edited January 7, 2016 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

MOTI RANI

New Indian Restaurant

2nd road, roughly across from Mikes Shopping Mall

This is a VERY VERY new place. Only six days open. Thus, it is way too early to do any kind of conclusive "review" of what this place will eventually be, so I will try to objectively report some things about the place, which may or may not be fully accurate, but I'll do my best to be objective.

It's a small shophouse space.

Their sign mentions Indian but also seafood. Their menu offers fish and shrimp dishes in addition to the usual meats.

There is seating inside and a little out.

On my visit, there were ventilation issues sitting in. (Smoky.)

I was told that it is the same owner as Maharaja in South Pattaya and that the menu is about 80 percent the same.

I spoke to a very, very nice lady cook who told me she has long experience at Little India restaurant Soi Diana alley.

I have never eaten at either place. I am assuming there are other cooks employed there as well, but not certain.

The prices are moderate or even low moderate for Pattaya Indian.

Some examples:

Bhindi pakora 90

Tandoori chicken 200 for 1/2

Saag aloo 155

Naan 30

Fish rendang 195

Basmati rice 50

I was curious about the Fish rendang and asked the waiter if this was a Malaysian dish (which it is by name) and he said no Indian. The picture showed a thick red paste and mentioned coconut. I decided to try it, whatever it was, and made a point of ordering it VERY SPICY.

I also ordered a dish on the yogurt/raita page. There was an item that appeared to be a cold raita dish but it sounded different to me as it was with turmeric and mint. I ordered it. 60 baht.

I ordered rice. The menu is in error now. It indicates either Thai or basmati rice are both 25 baht but that isn't the case. Totally understandable as basmati rice always is charged more here.

The rendang dish arrived. It looked nice. Smallish portion but big enough. Sadly, it was quite UNDERSPICED and I didn't really taste any coconut in it. It may have been. Just didn't taste it.

The rice that came was Thai rice even though basmatic was ordered. I wasn't happy with that so I was able to have that replaced with basmati.

The yogurt dish turned out to be a thin hot soup. At first I was surprised as the picture was clearly a cold yogurt dish but decided that it looked interesting and to not send it back.

I think the rendang dish would have been a lot nicer if it wasn't under spiced. The rice was good. I enjoyed the yogurt soup very much, it was the highlight actually, and that was adequately spiced.

At the end of the meal the original waiter was not in sight but I had a lively conversation with the lady cook about how when a customer asks for VERY SPICY that request should be taken seriously, regardless of the perceived nationality of the requester. Obviously something happened that turned a request for VERY SPICY into something very underspiced. This happens A LOT with Indian restaurants here, but if you go regularly that can usually be addressed.

(Note: I was also told there were under staffing problems that day.)

Moral of the story -- it's not always the best idea to visit restaurants right after they've opened! They need some time to shake out the issues.

Edited January 7, 2016 by Jingthing

[TaaSaparot]

Jingthing, you given the new Northern Thai restaurant on 3rd road a try yet ?

Its a little north of Glang Junction on the left hand side if travelling north.

[Jingthing]

Jingthing, you given the new Northern Thai restaurant on 3rd road a try yet ?

Its a little north of Glang Junction on the left hand side if travelling north.

No, I wasn't aware of it. Thanks for the tip.

[balo]

Had dinner at the Freelax cafe tonight, behind the buffalo bar on third rd.

The place was packed, lucky to get a table and for good reason, cheap food that was very nice.

It's a French restaurant with a very big menu, most expensive dish I think was 260฿. We had 3 entrees, 5 mains, a plate of chips and 9 glasses of red wine for 1,880฿.

I am not familiar in that area, could you give me the exact location, thanks.

[jwdub]

Had dinner at the Freelax cafe tonight, behind the buffalo bar on third rd.

The place was packed, lucky to get a table and for good reason, cheap food that was very nice.

It's a French restaurant with a very big menu, most expensive dish I think was 260฿. We had 3 entrees, 5 mains, a plate of chips and 9 glasses of red wine for 1,880฿.

I am not familiar in that area, could you give me the exact location, thanks.

Have to admit rws. You got my attention as well as I'm not familiar with the place either. Is it strictly french cuisine?