Food In Pattaya

[OMGImInPattaya]

So many. So many. I think this idea has been done before, like a WISH LIST, but I thoroughly endorse the notion.

Anyway, to start:

Mexican food of the quality of La Monitas in Bangkok. Nothing like that here ever as yet.

Peruvian restaurant featuring raw fish and shellfish CEVICHES using local fish and adapting the recipes to the local ingredients.

A QUALITY fast food falafel (cooked fresh with clean oil) specialty restaurant with lots of salads and toppings similar to what you would find in Amsterdam. It couldn't be cheap but the market would be for the much better quality.

A Sechuan Chinese SPECIALIST with real Chinese Sechuan chefs (not American Sechuan food) featuring hot and numbing recipes Sechuan peppercorn recipes, Sechuan hot pots, etc. Most westerners (and Thais) have never even tasted food like that, but a large percentage become ADDICTS once they get the chance.

A SPECIALIST Korean fried chicken restaurant marketed clearly to the local market (Anglo, Thai, and Russian) not only Koreans.

More later.

All great suggestions, JT.

Let me add one more suggestion that is a bit off the "new" food topic, but directly related. Sure would be nice if we could get a few good restaurants on the Darkside. I'm talking about a couple of nice "upscale" places that aren't all the way down on Lake Mabprachan; an S&P for good food & value without the extra cost of "atmosphere"; and a Subway for quality fast food. A Burger King wouldn't hurt either; but PLEASE, no McDonalds or KFC! :-) It would also be nice if "New York Pizza" (3rd Road) could afford to open a branch on this side. ... And, of course, as I throw in at every opportunity, WE NEED A FULL SIZED SUPERMARKET!

Why a ny pizza on darkside...they deliver you know?

True. But I enjoy going to a restaurant, and having a pizza fresh out of the oven. Always, of course, allowing time to prevent the hot cheese from scorching the roof of your mouth! :-)

That's why the delivery time is just perfect...I live on the DS and my pies arrive just short of piping hot and very fresh. You might want to give it a dry if you haven't already. Doubt there is enough demand on just the DS for them to open a branch here.

[patsfangr]

That's why the delivery time is just perfect...I live on the DS and my pies arrive just short of piping hot and very fresh. You might want to give it a dry if you haven't already. Doubt there is enough demand on just the DS for them to open a branch here.

I may do that. You're the first person I've spoken with who has experience with deliveries from NY Pizza. I think it's the best in Pattaya. And their radio ad is forthright enough to identify the product as "Italian American style pizza." Some people, I know, prefer the wafer thin pizza served in Rome. It literally shocked me when I ordered a pizza there while on vacation. I thought, "Wow, how great is this REAL Italian pizza going to be"? ... Umm, it wasn't. Not for me. :-)

[rgs2001uk]

OK.

Here is a wild one. It would be a huge risk and big investment but if it hit, I'd be great.

A DEDICATED higher quality Indian BUFFET restaurant. (Buffet only, no menu.)

Lunch AND Dinner.

Sophisticated authentic and mostly modern Indian cooking (not UK Indian), talented Indian chefs, varied and bounteous curries changing DAILY, fresh nan served at the table, one portion of fresh tandoori chicken served fresh and SIZZLING at the table.

Large variety. Set up for big volume like a Sizzler chain restaurant.

(Kind of like a build it and they will come concept, huge risk, potential huge reward.)

The price would have to be higher than the famous Indian group tours 200 baht dealios. More like 350 baht.

Could also see doing a "luxury version" higher price on weekends only with live Indian music, Bangkok hotel style.

Buffets like this for a similar price are available in many big USA cities and the good ones fill their tables. Possible here or not?

BTW, a lot of Russians do like Indian food.

If you are talking Indian food you had better define what you mean by Indian, I dont know what "mostly modern Indian cooking" means.

Your first problem would be getting staff familiar and competent in the style of cooking you refer to.

When people refer to Indian cooking, it reminds me of saying Thai food, what kind of food are you referring to, Northern, Southern, Vegetarian or tourist.

[Jingthing]

If you are talking Indian food you had better define what you mean by Indian, I dont know what "mostly modern Indian cooking" means.

Your first problem would be getting staff familiar and competent in the style of cooking you refer to.

When people refer to Indian cooking, it reminds me of saying Thai food, what kind of food are you referring to, Northern, Southern, Vegetarian or tourist.

This isn't rocket science. I used to go to the Holiday Inn Silom Indian Sunday only buffet. It was a huge range of Indian styles and most customers were Thai Indians so I wouldn't call it tourist either. I am well aware of regional Indian styles but I don't think a commercial mass market buffet needs to be limited to one! (For example they had lamb rojan josh and ALSO a fresh dosa station.) Yes of course you'd need skilled Indian chefs. I guess by modern I mean not limited to stereotypical "famous" traditional recipes and also very little or no GHEE. It would be a huge push to fill tables every day, lunch and dinner, so talking here about a huge marketing effort and would probably need to be in a MALL. This doesn't even exist in Bangkok (as a mass volume daily lunch and dinner buffet concept better quality and variety) so possibly this concept just isn't possible in Thailand, even though like I said, you can find multiple examples of similar (and really good) in most big US cities. Edited January 26, 2013 by Jingthing

[Rimmer]

Off topic post about decent sized plots W of the Suk removed, stay on topic please.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Here is a wild one. It would be a huge risk and big investment but if it hit, I'd be great.

A DEDICATED higher quality Indian BUFFET restaurant. (Buffet only, no menu.)

Lunch AND Dinner.

Sophisticated authentic and mostly modern Indian cooking (not UK Indian), talented Indian chefs, varied and bounteous curries changing DAILY, fresh nan served at the table, one portion of fresh tandoori chicken served fresh and SIZZLING at the table.

Large variety. Set up for big volume like a Sizzler chain restaurant.

(Kind of like a build it and they will come concept, huge risk, potential huge reward.)

The price would have to be higher than the famous Indian group tours 200 baht dealios. More like 350 baht.

Could also see doing a "luxury version" higher price on weekends only with live Indian music, Bangkok hotel style.

I know that you dont like it very much but Dicey Reilly is already part way there on Wednesday evening.

Nice comfortable place, fresh naan served at the table, good Indian chef. 300B and fair value as far as I'm concerned (certainly much better value than the cheaper and un-cheerful Indian bus tour buffets you mention). The trouble is that there are hardly any takers for it. I've been numerous times and have often been heavily outnumbered by people eating a mixed grill off the menu which is available 24/7. If there were more takers I expect they would have more dishes than the 6 or so that they do now.

OK, one big turn off at DR are the prices of drinks which are just way over the top.

I dont really see why such a place would have to be as big or as busy as Sizzler (I doubt they could ever get the custom to fill it), nor do I see why anyone should have to make a huge investment to start one. As for paying extra for live music, I would rather pay extra to have all music turned off everywhere. Music and food just does not mix.

Have you ever been to a buffet at Indian by Nature? They do them from time to time (usually combined with some sort of "cultural" activity which puts me right off, I'm afraid). I think they also do an "order whatever you want from the menu for a set price" thing, though sadly this is only really suitable for groups.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

A Sechuan Chinese SPECIALIST with real Chinese Sechuan chefs (not American Sechuan food) featuring hot and numbing recipes Sechuan peppercorn recipes, Sechuan hot pots, etc. Most westerners (and Thais) have never even tasted food like that, but a large percentage become ADDICTS once they get the chance.

Yes. Sechuan is about the only Chinese food that I like.

[Jingthing]

Some good points. A smaller scale quality Indian buffet could be tried and I have seen that done successfully other places. Basically a smaller spread really. The key is the food being delicious and for regular customers it cannot be exactly the same food every time though of course the basics can be the same. I really, really didn't like the food at the Dicey Indian buffet and I don't think most Indian people would either. Of course everyone has their own subjective tastes about such things. You're probably right, people don't want to pay more for live Indian music, that's more of a Bangkok hiso Thai Indian thing. We've got Thai Indians here but not so many hisos.

Also, Diceys at 300 (which I do not like) is really 400 plus because their drink prices are very high. So my 350 level is pretty close to the mark on what it takes to do a better buffet and hope to make a profit. I can see that Diceys is a better quality buffet compared to the 200 baht deals, but its just a matter of taste that I don't like their style. The buffet places I loved in the USA had majority Indian crowds. I really can't imagine Diceys style food drawing those kinds of Indian crowds. It wouldn't in the US anyway and I don't think it would here.

In any case, there is no doubt the restaurant business ain't easy. Trying to please enough people with so many subjective tastes and still hope to make money. What a nightmare.

Edited January 26, 2013 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

BTW, this place used to be my favorite Indian and Pakistani restaurants of any kind:

http://www.shalimarsf.com/menu.htm

http://www.shalimarsf.com/gallery.htm

Incredible flavors. Never had anything like those flavors in Thailand. (Warning, it might not be good NOW, ha ha.)

On the food at Dicey's I can say for certain if I dragged my diverse Indian workmates to that buffet in the US and said this is a great place to go for Indian food compared to places we regularly did go to, they would have thought I was a moron. You're right I can't speak for billions!

Edited January 27, 2013 by raro
reply to deleted post edited out

[swissli78]

I'd love to see a place much less expensive than Mantra offer Alaskan King Crab legs.

+1 - A place that specialised in good seafood; imported oysters, mussels ,cold water fish (snapper,sole,cod etc.)

RIGHT ON, Stailmanki!! I'm a native of Boston, so you're hitting dead onto my favorite foods.

thanks for the input so far. i know there is a restaurant which serves dover sole, turbot, french oysters, maine lobster and alaskan king crab legs for around half the price of what mantra charges. it's called casa pascal and is situated along second road, maybe that would be something for you guys...

[patsfangr]

thanks for the input so far. i know there is a restaurant which serves dover sole, turbot, french oysters, maine lobster and alaskan king crab legs for around half the price of what mantra charges. it's called casa pascal and is situated along second road, maybe that would be something for you guys...

Thanks for that. I don't spend much time on 2nd Road; and when I'm there, I've got my eyes focused totally the traffic. Can you tell me exactly where on 2nd Road this place is located?

[BIGJIMMY]

That's why the delivery time is just perfect...I live on the DS and my pies arrive just short of piping hot and very fresh. You might want to give it a dry if you haven't already. Doubt there is enough demand on just the DS for them to open a branch here.

I may do that. You're the first person I've spoken with who has experience with deliveries from NY Pizza. I think it's the best in Pattaya. And their radio ad is forthright enough to identify the product as "Italian American style pizza." Some people, I know, prefer the wafer thin pizza served in Rome. It literally shocked me when I ordered a pizza there while on vacation. I thought, "Wow, how great is this REAL Italian pizza going to be"? ... Umm, it wasn't. Not for me. :-)

We live in SSCC and have had food delivered from The NY Pizza many times and its always bang on, even fries were piping hit!!

[raro]

another baiting post and reply deleted.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Thanks for that. I don't spend much time on 2nd Road; and when I'm there, I've got my eyes focused totally the traffic. Can you tell me exactly where on 2nd Road this place is located?

Bang opposite Royal Garden Plaza. http://www.restaurant-in-pattaya.com/

Breakfast/brunch buffet is good. A la carte is overpriced.

[swissli78]

thanks for the input so far. i know there is a restaurant which serves dover sole, turbot, french oysters, maine lobster and alaskan king crab legs for around half the price of what mantra charges. it's called casa pascal and is situated along second road, maybe that would be something for you guys...

Thanks for that. I don't spend much time on 2nd Road; and when I'm there, I've got my eyes focused totally the traffic. Can you tell me exactly where on 2nd Road this place is located?

It is located opposite the Marriot Hotel and infront of the Ruen Thai Restaurant, they also do Limousine pick up service.

[swissli78]

Thanks for that. I don't spend much time on 2nd Road; and when I'm there, I've got my eyes focused totally the traffic. Can you tell me exactly where on 2nd Road this place is located?

Bang opposite Royal Garden Plaza. http://www.restaurant-in-pattaya.com/

Breakfast/brunch buffet is good. A la carte is overpriced.

Maybe it has been a while since you where there the last time, i just visited it last week and they have nice set menus, a smaller one for around 700 without wine and something just over 1000 with wine, and the bigger one for just over 1000 and with wine for something like 2000. Also their normal a la carte prices have dropped since last year, i eat there around 1 - 2 times a month, there for i can easily compare this.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

..... their normal a la carte prices have dropped since last year, ....

Fair enough.

I dont like waiter service and I dont like eating in the evening so I dont have much occasion to go there apart from brunch.

[WaywardWind]

I'd love to see a place much less expensive than Mantra offer Alaskan King Crab legs.

+1 - A place that specialised in good seafood; imported oysters, mussels ,cold water fish (snapper,sole,cod etc.)

RIGHT ON, Stailmanki!! I'm a native of Boston, so you're hitting dead onto my favorite foods.

Have you thought of the Edge restaurant at the Hilton for their Sunday Buffet?

Alaskan King Crab Legs, oysters, mussels, prawns, and loads of other hot and cold dishes, including roast meats at a carvery.

1200 baht for the meal with soft drinks and juices, and 600 for free flow wine.

My wife and I have been a couple of times and found it very nice.

[seefah]

Not exactly on the topic of what food that's not yet available in Pattaya, but I'd like to see a salad restaurant in Pattaya.

I don't believe there is one, best I know of is the limited salad bar in Sizzler. Can't think of any others.

[stailmanki]

I'd love to see a place much less expensive than Mantra offer Alaskan King Crab legs.

+1 - A place that specialised in good seafood; imported oysters, mussels ,cold water fish (snapper,sole,cod etc.)

RIGHT ON, Stailmanki!! I'm a native of Boston, so you're hitting dead onto my favorite foods.

Have you thought of the Edge restaurant at the Hilton for their Sunday Buffet?

Alaskan King Crab Legs, oysters, mussels, prawns, and loads of other hot and cold dishes, including roast meats at a carvery.

1200 baht for the meal with soft drinks and juices, and 600 for free flow wine.

My wife and I have been a couple of times and found it very nice.

Thanks for that suggestion & the one earlier for Casa Pascal , I will try both next month and see,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I have also heard that Mata Hari has imported (USA) oysters.

There are 3 or 4 places in BKK that specialise in imported (& local) seafood , thats all they serve & thats really what I would like to see in Pattaya

[Michaelaway]

Not exactly on the topic of what food that's not yet available in Pattaya, but I'd like to see a salad restaurant in Pattaya.

I don't believe there is one, best I know of is the limited salad bar in Sizzler. Can't think of any others.

Try the unlimited salad bar at L'Olivier's, in Jomtien Complex: mixed greens, tomatoes, cukes, scallions, 4 kinds of pate, sliced cheese, olives, potato salad, vegetable salad (with strips of balogna, but still pretty good), stuffed tomatoes, deviled eggs, soup and good bread & butter- @ 199 baht.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Try the unlimited salad bar at L'Olivier's, in Jomtien Complex: mixed greens, tomatoes, cukes, scallions, 4 kinds of pate, sliced cheese, olives, potato salad, vegetable salad (with strips of balogna, but still pretty good), stuffed tomatoes, deviled eggs, soup and good bread & butter- @ 199 baht.

They dont seem to indicate that outside which is a shame as I would have tried it already had I known about it.

They do promote the same starter bar (it's not really what I would call a salad bar) with a choice of main course and a choice of dessert for about 330B. Unfortunately the main course that I fancy (marmite de pecheur or fish stew) comes with an 80B supplement.

Why are restaurants here so abysmally bad at publicising what they do? Most of them really dont seem to have a clue.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

.... salad bar ..... soup ....... - @ 199 baht.

Not quite.

The starter bar is now 225 and soup is an extra 35 so a total of 260.

Or you can add the starter bar and soup to any main course for 150.

Or you can get the 4-course set menu I mentioned including starter bar and soup for 325 (+80 for the fish).

[Michaelaway]

.... salad bar ..... soup ....... - @ 199 baht.

Not quite.

The starter bar is now 225 and soup is an extra 35 so a total of 260.

Or you can add the starter bar and soup to any main course for 150.

Or you can get the 4-course set menu I mentioned including starter bar and soup for 325 (+80 for the fish).

And, what did you think? Is it a good salad bar?

[BlackPuddingBertha]

And, what did you think? Is it a good salad bar?

Ha ha.

I didn't get that far as I had already eaten this evening and just made a short detour to check on the prices. The next step will be to take a look one day when I'm hungry, and that may well convert itself into a tasting if I like the look of it.

[Jingthing]

It's been awhile but I have dined there a few times and found their food bar strangely over SALTY. I have also commented that it looks better than it tastes and some have agreed. Anyway, its worth a try for yourself and see what you think. Things may have improved ...

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Things may have improved ...

Oscar's next door certainly has. Having been there for brunch again since the other day, I now feel a bit foolish not to have tried again sooner after my mediocre experiences early last year.