The Hit And Run Restaurant "review" Thread

[ThaiBob]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Your understanding is totally wrong. 

You are right, going unannounced and not paying as explained here.

 

http://pattayamail.com/763/dining.shtml

Edited May 25, 2017 by ThaiBob
More information

[Barefoot]

17 minutes ago, BruceMangosteen said:

Please explain it to us rather than just saying the member is "wrong". Thank you and God Bless You. OO.

The Dining Out column periodically answers the question "How do I get my restaurant reviewed?"  The answer is simply to contact the Pattaya Mail and ask for a review.  The explanation continues that the restaurant knows when the reviewer is coming and how many guests will accompany the reviewer.  While the explanation further provides that the reviewer insists that only regular portions be provided, it is only reasonable to assume the owner takes "special care" to make sure there are no screw-ups and its best quality provided, a level of care not offered to most of the rest of us.

 

These explanatory columns go on to address criticism that they only provide good reviews by stating that is all that people really want:  a good restaurant to try.  I would disagree, as a bad restaurant review provides a much-appreciated warning of poor service and poor food.

 

And aside from hobnobbing and frequently doing reviews of its advertising restaurants, the impact of the draconian defamation laws shouldn't be casually swept aside.  Even if found innocent, it will cost a considerable amount of time and money to defend oneself, something a small newspaper cannot afford to endure.  I wish it were otherwise.

Edited May 25, 2017 by Barefoot
typo

[KittenKong]

3 hours ago, ThaiBob said:

It is my understanding the reviewers go unannounced and pay for their meals.

 

The first part of that is completely incorrect as the column itself confirms. It doesnt actually mention payment for the meal but in a land full of scams and kickbacks I would be surprised to find that anyone from media would not be on a freebie or mutual back-scratching exercise of some type. I've seen too many of them in action here.

 

 

3 hours ago, ThaiBob said:

Defamation laws in Thailand are unreal and the Pattaya Mail cannot afford lawsuits.

 

Miss Terry goes on to explain why (s)he never gives a bad review. I can see the point about preferring to say nothing rather than give an overwhelmingly bad review, but my objection is that (s)he never says anything bad at all. Everything is always perfect. So Miss Terry appears to exist in some sort of dream-world, which is not what I want from my reviews, though I understand how well it fits with Thai mentality.

 

Edited May 25, 2017 by KittenKong

[ThaiBob]

Just a reminder, the truth is no defense in Thailand, Thai defamation laws are criminal offenses. 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/23/bbc-journalist-faces-defamation-charge-in-thailand

 

You report that the potato salad gave me the trots and that could be the least of your problems. 

Edited May 25, 2017 by ThaiBob

[Jingthing]

Back to posts about specific Pattaya area RESTAURANTS please.

 

Speaking of which, I have news of a closure.

 

ROZAN Ramen restaurant in North Pattaya.

 

When they opened, I had hoped they would be a world class ramen specialty restaurant as you can find in Bangkok.

They weren't but they were good for Pattaya.

Turns out they weren't good enough for me to be a regular, and perhaps not good enough for enough other people as well, as they're now CLOSED.

As far as I know Pattaya still lacks even one world class Ramen specialty restaurant as you can find in Bangkok.

 

Oh well!

Edited May 25, 2017 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Marine Seafood

South Pattaya, near Walking Street

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g293919-d1233459-Reviews-Marine_Seafood-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html

 

At this kind of mid-priced place catering to tourists, I don't expect anything super wonderful, but checking the menu I saw they had Hor Mok Talay (one of my favorite dishes) and also perhaps Chinese black bean sauce dishes. Chinese stir fries in black bean sauce are a standard in the Chinese restaurant diaspora, but strangely uncommon to find here even in Chinese restaurants.

 

Anyway, I had the Hor Mok Talay served in a coconut, at 180, requested spicy.

The dish was on the bland side, was a soupy texture rather than the expected "mousse" texture, and lacked the hoped for items of fish pieces (along with shellfish) and Chinese cabbage. The meat instead was shrimp and squid.

 

http://amporn-oleski.blogspot.com/2010/03/thai-steamed-curry-seafood-in-young.html

 

Had the chicken in black bean sauce. It was more Thai style than Chinese (no surprise) but of course black bean sauce isn't a typical Thai ingredient (as opposed to brown bean sauce). In a Chinese version the non flavoring ingredients would be minimal, such as the meat, onion, and green pepper but in this case there was variety (fungus, onion, pepper, Chinese celery).  The sauce was thin rather than the expected thick. But there were a bunch of fermented black beans, but not well integrated in the sauce. Not unpleasant for what it was, but hopes of a Chinese dish didn't come true. They also do the same dish with seafood.

 

5 percent service charge is added. 

[BruceMangosteen]

15 hours ago, Jingthing said:

 

5 percent service charge is added. 

What a joke. Never seen 5 percent but allowing this nonsense to flourish will make the end of the world. They have ruined Las Vegas with "resort charge"s. God Bless you and OO.

[TaaSaparot]

21 hours ago, KittenKong said:

Miss Terry goes on to explain why (s)he never gives a bad review. I can see the point about preferring to say nothing rather than give an overwhelmingly bad review, but my objection is that (s)he never says anything bad at all. Everything is always perfect. So Miss Terry appears to exist in some sort of dream-world, which is not what I want from my reviews, though I understand how well it fits with Thai mentality.

 

I have seen reviews a bit negative, but it will always be about parking.

 

Dr. Ian hates walking anywhere.

[champers]

I see that a new restuarant is under construction at Tiffanys. The advertising hoarding sealing off the site describes a unique dining experience. Wouldn't it be appropriate if they specialised in breakfasts and called the place Breakfast at Tiffanys.

Then again, it could be another McDonalds, perhaps with all ladyboy staff.

[champers]

SAILOR BAR - BREAKFAST.

Went for the 70 Baht brekky, based on reccomendations on this forum. 2 rashers streaky bacon, 2 fried ham slices, 1 small sausage, scrambled eggs, OJ, tea, 2 slices toast with butter and jam. Excellent value for money. A special mention for the toast which was exceptionally crispy. How do they do that? I will be back.

[champers]

COFFEE CLUB - BREAKFAST

Aussie chain, I believe. I went to the Naklua Road branch which has been recently refurbished. I have seen other branches at Tukcom and Royal Garden Plaza. 

No 70 Baht breakfasts here. A varied menu which includes various Eggs Benedict, omlettes (including Spanish) plus other options. I chose BETT - bacon, eggs (scrambled), tomatoes and toast for 240 Baht. Price includes for OJ and a small pot of tea.

All the food was very well cooked: 3 streaky rashers, 6 medium plum toms, the eggs and 2 big buttered slices of sourdough toast. Food is better than breakfasts at other places close by (Kiss and Bon Cafe) and that is reflected in the price.

I will go back to try some of their other menu choices.

[BruceMangosteen]

16 minutes ago, champers said:

A special mention for the toast which was exceptionally crispy. How do they do that? I will be back.

Generally that means the butter/lard was spread on the bread before toasting.Cheers and God Bless You. OO.

[Jingthing]

24 minutes ago, champers said:

I see that a new restuarant is under construction at Tiffanys. The advertising hoarding sealing off the site describes a unique dining experience. Wouldn't it be appropriate if they specialised in breakfasts and called the place Breakfast at Tiffanys.

Then again, it could be another McDonalds, perhaps with all ladyboy staff.

Yeah I noticed that too.

I think much more than just a restaurant.

Some kind of major concept food experience thing.

Definitely curious about what they come up with there.

[champers]

2 minutes ago, BruceMangosteen said:

Generally that means the butter/lard was spread on the bread before toasting.Cheers and God Bless You. OO.

Maybe, but it had butter and jam served separately. Perhaps it was cooked in a microwave? It was extra special, however they cooked it.

[bkk6060]

A couple of places I have been the bacon came out well cooked but was curled up in a ball and a little chewy.  I found out later some of these place deep fry their bacon to expediate the cooking. Not my favorite.

[BruceMangosteen]

10 hours ago, champers said:

Maybe, but it had butter and jam served separately. Perhaps it was cooked in a microwave? It was extra special, however they cooked it.

Could be dipped in some sort of oil then deep fried. As the other member mentioned, health isn't the concern, it's ease and getting the farangs money. God Bless You and OO.

[champers]

1 hour ago, BruceMangosteen said:

Could be dipped in some sort of oil then deep fried. As the other member mentioned, health isn't the concern, it's ease and getting the farangs money. God Bless You and OO.

Well, just been in Sailor Bar today and the toast was not crispy at all. Neither was the bacon. I think it is case of pot luck with regards to who does the cooking. Some cooks are just bettet than others.

[KittenKong]

12 hours ago, champers said:

A special mention for the toast which was exceptionally crispy. How do they do that?

 

You can deliberately make very crispy toast (Melba toast) by grilling the sliced bread then slitting it across its thickness and then grilling the now visible insides. Very nice, very posh. Particularly good with pates or fish roe.

 

But here I suspect that they just used stale bread.

[Jingthing]

Tea Partner Indian

Pattaya Klang

CLOSED

 

I did eat there a few times and the food and prices were pretty good, but I think the location was poor. 

[Jingthing]

Update of the update.

This VERY NEW Chinese restaurant, rather hilariously, is NOW CLOSED.

I did eat there a few times, had pictures and was ready to do a write up, but alas, the place is history.

It was a Chinese hot pot restaurant, choice of chicken or pork ribs, plus optional add on. They never bothered with English signs. A mistake I think. 

(I rather liked it!)

Ba bye! I for one will miss the place but I might be the only one!

[Jingthing]

CLOSED!
Sichuan 88, which was a major effort at authentic Sichuan hot pot, which sadly I never ate it, is finished.

 

Refer to the Sichuan restaurant overview in this post and scratch it off the list:

 

http://www.pattayamail.com/ourcommunity/88-sichuan-hot-pot-opens-north-pattaya-140311

 

 

Edited May 27, 2017 by Jingthing

[bangkokairportlink]

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Tea Partner Indian

Pattaya Klang

CLOSED

 

I did eat there a few times and the food and prices were pretty good, but I think the location was poor. 

 

 

Already closed ? So incredible. So finally Indian are not better for business than Thai ?

 

Location had nothing wrong compared to dozens other Indian restaurant at central pattaya.

 

Price are exactly the same as most Indian restaurant around, nothing to be called good, just normal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bangkokairportlink]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Update of the update.

This VERY NEW Chinese restaurant, rather hilariously, is NOW CLOSED.

I did eat there a few times, had pictures and was ready to do a write up, but alas, the place is history.

It was a Chinese hot pot restaurant, choice of chicken or pork ribs, plus optional add on. They never bothered with English signs. A mistake I think. 

(I rather liked it!)

Ba bye! I for one will miss the place but I might be the only one!

 

 

So Chinese are not better than Indian and Thai for business ? hahaha...

 

So funny, I find marketing mistakes at every single business that opens in this country.

 

So sad that being good at marketing is not enough to have a successful restaurant, or I would open one, or two :-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bangkokairportlink]

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

CLOSED!
Sichuan 88, which was a major effort at authentic Sichuan hot pot, which sadly I never ate it, is finished.

 

Refer to the Sichuan restaurant overview in this post and scratch it off the list:

 

http://www.pattayamail.com/ourcommunity/88-sichuan-hot-pot-opens-north-pattaya-140311

 

 

 

It's the one located not far from Shanghai ? It was always empty when I was passing, and I also never stopped because Shanghai is anyway always the best choice.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

2 hours ago, bangkokairportlink said:

 

It's the one located not far from Shanghai ? It was always empty when I was passing, and I also never stopped because Shanghai is anyway always the best choice.

 

 

 

 

 

Also 3rd road but down towards the traffic light, Soi 6. Totally different menus. Sichuan 88 was a Sichuan hot pot specialist place. 

[Jingthing]

On closings,  the restaurant business is a tough one most everywhere.

I don't find closings after a year or two remarkable. 

But after only a few months, that's pretty weird, and yes it happens here more than any city I've ever lived in. 

[bangkokairportlink]

I saw that Retox now has an Indian restaurant ? I didn't try it because I think that Indian food does not deserve such expensive prices. But maybe I am wrong ?

[bkk6060]

1 hour ago, bangkokairportlink said:

I saw that Retox now has an Indian restaurant ? I didn't try it because I think that Indian food does not deserve such expensive prices. But maybe I am wrong ?

Mc'Donald's does?  I am not a big fan of Indian but the spices they use can be expensive.  Check the price of Saffron.

 

[pegman]

On May 27, 2017 at 8:03 PM, Jingthing said:

On closings,  the restaurant business is a tough one most everywhere.

I don't find closings after a year or two remarkable. 

But after only a few months, that's pretty weird, and yes it happens here more than any city I've ever lived in. 

I think many underestimate how cheap the foreign people that go to or live in Pattaya are. Places like those on the 2 floors in Central Festival are kept going by the Bangkokian Thai on weekends. Same with some others like Sketch Book Cafe. The Farang places I see getting by are doing so with fellow countrymen as their target custom. A few places do well on quality aimed at a wide range of customer like Beefeater but not many.

[bangkokairportlink]

9 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Mc'Donald's does?  I am not a big fan of Indian but the spices they use can be expensive.  Check the price of Saffron.

 

 

Wrong. All other Indian are already not cheap, but they are acceptable, I found this menu over any other Indian. Please do not post when you do not know what you are talking about.