The Hit And Run Restaurant "review" Thread

[Jingthing]

Does anyone know when the Singapore Hawker food at Royal Garden will be open and where it will be located exactly? 

[Jingthing]

I tried the new 200 baht Iranian buffet, Reza 2.

It competes with two other 200 baht buffets in town, one near the old Boat restaurant, and one in back and more of Tukcom. 

I'd say by a slim margin it's probably the best of the three. 

Why? 

Smaller scale operation so food cooked in smaller batches. 

The ground chicken kebabs were actually edible. 

There was also a nice Middle Eastern thick yogurt mix dip at the salad station. 

A good idea is to order (for extra) a portion of Iranian flat bread. I noticed some customers did that and it looked good. 

At 200 baht, it's only serviceable food and you can't expect more for that.

But if you're hungry and want to eat a variety of foods on the spot with also the option of eating a quite healthy meal (plenty of vegetable options) I would suggest it.

A somewhat better quality is the Iranian buffet in North Pattaya near the Hard Rock. It's about 100 baht more and worth it when the food is relatively freshly cooked (always an issue with any buffet). But last time I went, it wasn't. 

Edited September 6, 2017 by Jingthing

[opporna]

15 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That's good but she could just google how to season meat in the cooking process for tacos, so I don't share your optimism. 

I expressed no optimism. I said that I like her food, which is the most important thing to me.

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, opporna said:

I expressed no optimism. I said that I like her food, which is the most important thing to me.

That's totally valid and your post along with pictures is very appreciated. But for me based on the pictures, I won't even try it. 

Edited September 6, 2017 by Jingthing

[Jip99]

On 9/3/2017 at 9:14 PM, KittenKong said:

 

Apparently it's rotisseried a la Francaise. If that's true then it will be streets ahead of most chickens available elsewhere here, as it wont be drenched in nasty sweet sauce. Properly cooked roast potatoes and veg cant be bad either.

 

For 250B I will try one.

 

 

 

I did just that. Had to ask for the discount as staff didn't seem to be aware of it.

 

 

Paid 225 Baht; the chicken isn't that large but it was well cooked, tender and flavoursome.

 

Is it better than MAKRO cooked chicken ?

 

Yes, I would say so....... is it worth paying 85 Baht more (non-discount) .... no. I don't think so.

[elzach]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

It doesn't look like the actual meats are seasoned at all. Only add on flavor.

She could up her game by doing that.

Of course traditional Mexican tacos don't have any cheese, but with the Tex Mex sign she isn't claiming they are authentic in that way.

Well said JT. I was wondering the same thing myself looking at the photos.

 

A taco is not just slapping together some cut vegetables and meat and putting them in a tortilla. The meat (usually ground beef) has to be seasoned slowly in taco/burrito seasoning mix and have to use taco sauce on top, not just any Thai spicy sauce lying around.

 

 

[opporna]

11 hours ago, elzach said:

The meat (usually ground beef) has to be seasoned slowly in taco/burrito seasoning mix and have to use taco sauce on top, not just any Thai spicy sauce lying around.

 

 

Your expertise on tacos is a bit sparse.

[Jingthing]

Your expertise on tacos is a bit sparse.

Tex Mex tacos are a different style than Mexican tacos. She's attempting Tex Mex.

[opporna]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Tex Mex tacos are a different style than Mexican tacos. She's attempting Tex Mex.

No, she's not doing authentic seasoned ground beef tex-mex tacos. But her tacos are good.

 

As to his claim, to claim even tex-mex tacos must use a seasoning mix is silly along with his contention that she willy-nilly uses Thai sauces without even trying her food.

 

By the way, it seems she does burritos too. If you're expecting something authentic, steer clear. If you want some good food, I'd suggest trying it because it's win-win if you like it and the price is right (100 baht for the burrito). The tacos are 30 baht each for chicken, 35 for pork, 40 for beef. I'll try the burrito soon and report back.

[Jingthing]

It appears that the Vietnam "Culinary" restaurant on Pattaya Klang that was discussed in much detail before has closed.

 

It also appears that the Filipino food restaurant (Pinoy Fast Foods) also on Klang has also closed.

 

Don't shoot the messenger. 

[Jingthing]

Korean Food Restaurant in the Burger King corner mostly Korean food mall off North Pattaya road (north of Marina) has changed their menu in a good way. 

The quite good prices have not gone up and the old menu was mostly understandable and mostly translated. 

But now the new menu is fully translated and there seems to be a few new items that I didn't notice before.

This is one of the best value restaurants in town of any nationality! Really good food and really good value.

You can order a spicy soft tofu soup (for example) there for 220 and you get an impressive assortment of side dishes banchan including one of shredded beef and one with a large portion of delicious fish. Large portion of watermelon for dessert and free water as well. How do they do it? Don't ask. Just go. 

Soft tofu soup includes some bits of seafood and a raw egg cooked in it as well. 

 

There are a number of Korean restaurants there. This one is on the same side as Burger King going towards the back of the complex. It's just before the Korean buffet place.

 

Not saying you shouldn't eat at all the other Korean places in the complex. But once you try Korean Food Restaurant, you might not bother. 

Edited September 7, 2017 by Jingthing

[bleble]

On 9/3/2017 at 8:17 PM, opporna said:

250 baht for a roast chicken. The chicken had better be either really big or really good. More likely it's just another business throwing money down the drain.

 

I went there, 250 thb chicken is similar in size and taste to bigC chicken (200 thb at BigC). They just put some special herbs inside but it doesn't change the whole chicken taste.

 

Free vegetables are good but so small, close to ridiculous.

 

You can buy 50 thb potatoes but they are not as they cook them in Paris, they are not cooked in the chichen juice, they are just potatoes with garlic.

 

Overall this place its ok if you want to eat still hot grilled chicken, but nothing fancy, even if it seems that they planed to bring a revolution in chicken restaurants (they imported 2 big machines to grill chickens that are always empty, nothing coocking).

 

It's also quite stupid that they don't sell Somtam in a country where EVERYBODY eats chicken with Somtam.

They should also have some easy Thai food.

But if they like to pay staff doing nothing all day, it's their problem, not mine.

 

Anyway, I do not believe that this place will be open for a long time if they do not improve those things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bleble]

On 9/6/2017 at 6:20 PM, Jingthing said:

That's good but she could just google how to season meat in the cooking process for tacos, so I don't share your optimism. 

 

But I guess that she has a farang boyfriend to cook this ? How could she even know mex food if she was a standard Thai ?

 

Anyway, how can somebody dare to sell anything without being an expert when it's so easy to know everything thanks to google and youtube nowadays...

 

Beyond understanding !

 

 

[bleble]

On 9/6/2017 at 6:31 PM, Jingthing said:

I tried the new 200 baht Iranian buffet, Reza 2.

It competes with two other 200 baht buffets in town, one near the old Boat restaurant, and one in back and more of Tukcom. 

I'd say by a slim margin it's probably the best of the three. 

Why? 

Smaller scale operation so food cooked in smaller batches. 

The ground chicken kebabs were actually edible. 

There was also a nice Middle Eastern thick yogurt mix dip at the salad station. 

A good idea is to order (for extra) a portion of Iranian flat bread. I noticed some customers did that and it looked good. 

At 200 baht, it's only serviceable food and you can't expect more for that.

But if you're hungry and want to eat a variety of foods on the spot with also the option of eating a quite healthy meal (plenty of vegetable options) I would suggest it.

A somewhat better quality is the Iranian buffet in North Pattaya near the Hard Rock. It's about 100 baht more and worth it when the food is relatively freshly cooked (always an issue with any buffet). But last time I went, it wasn't. 

 

 

Which one is the closest to Mike shopping mall ? Thank you.

 

 

[Jip99]

10 minutes ago, bleble said:

 

I went there, 250 thb chicken is similar in size and taste to bigC chicken (200 thb at BigC). They just put some special herbs inside but it doesn't change the whole chicken taste.

 

Free vegetables are good but so small, close to ridiculous.

 

You can buy 50 thb potatoes but they are not as they cook them in Paris, they are not cooked in the chichen juice, they are just potatoes with garlic.

 

Overall this place its ok if you want to eat still hot grilled chicken, but nothing fancy, even if it seems that they planed to bring a revolution in chicken restaurants (they imported 2 big machines to grill chickens that are always empty, nothing coocking).

 

It's also quite stupid that they don't sell Somtam in a country where EVERYBODY eats chicken with Somtam.

They should also have some easy Thai food.

But if they like to pay staff doing nothing all day, it's their problem, not mine.

 

Anyway, I do not believe that this place will be open for a long time if they do not improve those things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Me too, but I got the 10% FB discount.

 

Is it tastier than MAKRO chicken @ 165 B ?.... I would say so.

 

Is it better value?..... I would say no.

[bleble]

On 9/8/2017 at 0:57 AM, Jingthing said:

It appears that the Vietnam "Culinary" restaurant on Pattaya Klang that was discussed in much detail before has closed.

 

It also appears that the Filipino food restaurant (Pinoy Fast Foods) also on Klang has also closed.

 

Don't shoot the messenger. 

 

 

haha, this is just what they deserve and what I planed.

 

How can these people expect making profit by paying a so high rent at this location ? Oh yes, I forgot, they are Asian...

 

 

[bleble]

6 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

Me too, but I got the 10% FB discount.

 

Is it tastier than MAKRO chicken @ 165 B ?.... I would say so.

 

Is it better value?..... I would say no.

 

Taste is not so much different for me, I watched youtube videos to know how the French do it, and her chicken is far as good as what it should be if she knew what she is doing or would be able to check a youtube video...

 

Totally useless place, sorry for her, but she pretend to have own restaurants in Europe before, no wonder why she closed...

 

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

I tried Kokkete.

 

 

https://m.facebook.com/kokettepattaya/

It was late for them. They close at 9 but the website says 10.

It was clear to me the chicken had not been freshly cooked. I have to assume it would have been even better if it had.

 

I got the half chicken platter. 225 baht. I was offered French Mustard on request gratis but such side sauces are charged for take-out.

 

Drinks are well priced.

 

The portion called half chicken was quite large for a restaurant half chicken portion.

 

I felt it could have been more salted and juicier but that could be about the time it sat. There were some whole black peppercorns embedded in the bird. The skin was scrumptious in the way you would hope for in a well cooked European roast chicken dish.

 

The side potatoes portion was large and delicious. Rich actually.

 

The side vegetable portion generous as well. I guess a version of ratatouille.

 

Then the big and happy surprise! Hidden under the large portion of chicken was some kind of black paste. At first I thought it was a kind of olive tapenade but the Thai lady working there said no olives. I think black pepper, olive oil maybe, some other spices, etc. The Thai lady humorously could only describe it as a curry. More like a spice paste. In any case that black stuff made up for the low salt taste of the chicken big time! But I didn't even notice it before I had eaten half of the half chicken.

 

Anyway that black paste was a true gourmet enhancement. Still don't know all what's in there yet.

 

I would by all means suggest ordering the platter there not just the chicken.

 

I think it's really good and a very welcome addition to the European food options here. The price is a true bargain. You can't directly compare to Thai gai yang as they are different dishes.

 

Their location of course hidden from any main road is problematic. I sure hope people at least try it once and judge for themselves.

 

 BTW, I left very full. It was enough food for two meals for me.

 

 

Good portion, good food, and good price. Hard to ask for more in Pattaya or anywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

[bleble]

8 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I tried Kokkete.
It was late for them. They close at 9 but the website says 10.
It was clear to me the chicken had not been freshly cooked. I have to assume it would have been even better if it had.

I got the half chicken platter.

The portion called half chicken was quite large for a restaurant half chicken portion.

I felt it could have been more salted and juicier but that could be about the time it sat. There were some whole black peppercorns embedded in the bird. The skin was scrumptious in the way you would hope for in a well cooked European roast chicken dish.

The side potatoes portion was large and delicious. Rich actually.

The side vegetable portion generous as well. I guess a version of ratatouille.

Then the big and happy surprise! Hidden under the large portion of chicken was some kind of black paste. At first I thought it was a kind of olive tapenade but the Thai lady working there said no olives. I think black pepper, olive oil maybe, some other spices, etc. The Thai lady humorously could only describe it as a curry. More like a spice paste. In any case that black stuff made up for the low salt taste of the chicken big time! But I didn't even notice it before I had eaten half of the half chicken.

Anyway that black paste was a true gourmet enhancement.

I would by all means suggest ordering the platter there not just the chicken.

I think it's really good and a very welcome addition to the European food options here. The price is a true bargain. You can't directly compare to Thai gai yang as they are different dishes.

 

Sorry no offense but the more I read the review the more I am wondering if you really know what you are talking about...

 

They cook the chicken with some herbs mixed with olive oil and/or butter, this is the way the French do it.

 

When you buy a full chicken the paste is inside, herbs used can be thyme,  laurel, etc... all the herbs used in French cuisine.

 

But it seems that you have never eaten a really good French chicken in France, as thanks to this paste it should be a lot more flavored, and also potatoes should be cooked in the chicken juice.

 

Really, this chicken is not bad, but it has nothing to do with what a real French rotisserie chicken should be, even without talking about the chicken quality which is here the basic bigC or makro chicken...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 10, 2017 by bleble

[bleble]

Also, kokette ratatouille can only be made by someone who perfectly knows nothing !

Yes, it's good to eat, but it's far to be what should be a French ratatouille....

Sorry, but I hate all this last month when I went to France and even cheap places are better than this !

 

 

 

Edited September 10, 2017 by bleble

[Jingthing]

I am not French. In my case a large portion of the black spice paste was served under the chicken. I can't know if they always serve it that way there. I was certainly surprised.

 

Desist with personal insults. That is not OK here. You reported your subjective experience and I reported mine. Others are free to explore the place themselves. I hope that they do.

 

As I said my portion was large of all the parts of the platter. Perhaps that was a one off because they were near closing time. In any case I still would have enjoyed the food with a more moderate portion.

 

[Jingthing]

Also, kokette ratatouille can only be made by someone who perfectly knows nothing !
Yes, it's good to eat, but it's far to be what should be a French ratatouille....
Sorry, but I hate all this last month when I went to France and even cheap places are better than this !
 
 
 

Great. This isn't France. If you don't like it don't eat there but I'm hoping others try it out for themselves and make up their own minds. I think they deserve support. You don't. Different opinions are OK!

[bleble]

Just now, Jingthing said:

Great. This isn't France. If you don't like it don't eat there but I'm hoping others try it out for themselves and make up their own minds. I think they deserve support. You don't. Different opinions are OK!

 

I see on this page that we already are 2 to think that this place does not deserve any attention...

Let's wait for other people who will go there with their teerak and will also tell how stupid it is to sell chicken without somtam in Thailand ! Yes, as you said, we are in Thailand, and it is a fact not only when it's at your own benefit.

 

 

[Rimmer]

An argumentitive post and reply to it  has been removed, can we stick to reviews and not verbally attack other posters please.

[Jingthing]

  I see on this page that we already are 2 to think that this place does not deserve any attention...

Let's wait for other people who will go there with their teerak and will also tell how stupid it is to sell chicken without somtam in Thailand ! Yes, as you said, we are in Thailand, and it is a fact not only when it's at your own benefit.

 

I don't even get your logic about this. Say there is a Thai restaurant in Brussels that does Thai grilled chicken and somtum. I guess they're supposed to serve a European chicken platter as well. I don't think so. Apples and oranges.

 

 

 

I don't think they should sell somtum. It's a European chicken specialist place. There are hundreds of places to get Thai grilled chicken sets here. They aren't competing with them. They are competing with the local restaurants that do European style chicken.

 

 

 

[Jip99]

Kokette has been around since June and will benefit from Tuesday/Friday market trade.

 

they have had local media coverage, positive FB reports and also on Pattaya Breakfast Club.

 

I am not overly excited by them but I agree that they are a welcome addition and I wish them well.

 

As for somtam , that can be had anywhere and is not part of the menu structure for this style of restaurant.

Edited September 10, 2017 by Jip99

[Jingthing]

I forgot to add that also included on the platter is a small dressed salad.

 

There is a much fancier restaurant on Naklua road not far north of Dolphin that features European grilled chicken. I haven't tried but based on the pictures it appears to be a more modern presentation. I think it comes with frittes. Anyone tried the chicken there that cares to comment?

 

It's La Ferme.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293919-d3619120-r441938012-La_Ferme-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html

 

 

 

[bleble]

20 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I forgot to add that also included on the platter is a small dressed salad.

 

There is a much fancier restaurant on Naklua road not far north of Dolphin that features European grilled chicken. I haven't tried but based on the pictures it appears to be a more modern presentation. I think it comes with frittes. Anyone tried the chicken there that cares to comment?

 

It's La Ferme.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293919-d3619120-r441938012-La_Ferme-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html

 

 

 

 

This is an expensive restaurant, let's hope that at least unlike kokette they know what they are doing...

 

 

 

[Jip99]

7 minutes ago, bleble said:

 

 

Ok, it's your opinion, but lucky you if you do not open a restaurant in this country.

It's so funny how people mistakes are OBVIOUS and how so many people cannot even see them and understand.

As I already said, OF COURSE grilled chicken for Thai is everywhere, but OF COURSE also, when a foreigner will go there with his girlfriend/boyfriend, they will also want to eat Somtam with their chicken. How difficult is it to understand this ? Especially when you have 3 or 4 staff doing nothing whole day ? And how difficult also is it to understand that selling somtam in front of the shop would attract more (thai) customers . Sorry, but if you cannot understand these easy facts, it's hopeless to explain you anything more. Or please give me a real reply and not just a stupid "somtam doesn't match this restaurant bla bla bla...".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have so so much to learn.

 

 

....... but I fear it is beyond you.

[Jingthing]

 
This is an expensive restaurant, let's hope that at least unlike kokette they know what they are doing...
 
 
 

Please visit and share your impressions.