Good Eating In And Around Doi Saket And San Sai

[1Gringo]

The wife and I dread the downtown/moat area, living in the boondocks as we do, but we enjoy good food. So we have found some hidden gems out here and I’d like to pass our discoveries to you good people.

I’m going to take you on a loop (and more) starting from the Outer Ring Road (121) on the Doi Saket/Chiang Rai highway (118), headed toward Doi Saket.

The first western restaurant you’ll come across is Giordinos which is located in a strip mall fronted by a whole lot of food carts and containing both a 7-11 and Lotus. It’s well marked.

My recommendation? Nothing to see here; keep on driving.

For real cheap eats on your way to Doi Saket, though, there is a Ba Mee cart directly across from the PTT station, beyond Giordinos but before the Bo Hin pedestrian bridge. It has a spotty record for being open, but the only other Ba Mee I’d recommend is inside the moat near the fruit market.

Keep driving.

You’ll miss Anthony’s place unless you pay attention. As you are approaching the Doi Saket turn off, you’ll pass the hospital on your right and the post office on your left. Slow down. You’ll then cross a small bridge and you might not recognize it as a bridge. You can turn left into an ample parking area below street level immediately after the bridge or risk parking on the shoulder.

Anthony from Bologna and his Thai wife opened this new restaurant around Christmas. He’s just put up a sign on the corner of his building which you should be able to see from the highway, if you’re going slow enough and can read Thai. They both speak Italian and English.

This is mostly a Thai restaurant but Anthony offers a half dozen pasta dishes and pizza. He says his pasta dishes are 100 gms but all I can say is for a healthy eater like me, I need a double order. Cheap, though. He also claims to have T-Bone steaks and large pork steaks.

The pizzas are better than most. Try the smoked cheese and bacon or Anthony’s home made sausage. Very, very inexpensive. They are open from
breakfast until??? (We’re early diners, so…) Friday night we had the pizza, a salad and two beers for 340B.

Next door is a Thai restaurant with good food, too, and you can sit in either and order from the other. It’s a very friendly arrangement. (No English menu in the Thai place next to Anthony.)

Blink, though, and you’ll miss it.

Continuing past the Doi Saket turn off and past the Petronas station is the recently relocated Locanda. This is well marked and hard to miss. The only parking is on the shoulder and it’s usually busy enough that you might have a hike to get there.

We haven’t had to wait for a table, but it’s been close a time or two. If there is a wait, there is a fairly well stocked bar.

Way back, we read that he had a spotty record for being open. In the over two plus years we’ve followed them, we’ve never found it closed.

Their Caesar and Mediterranean/Greek salads alone are worth the drive, but I don’t recommend the pizza. There are just some things which should never be on a pizza. I ordered the sausage once and it came with hot dog pieces. The pasta is great, however. This is not an expensive restaurant and it’s much nicer than the original location but there is seldom more than one waitress working, so consider it a leisurely dinner out. (No Thai food, though.) I think all the entrees are under 200B.

I think he’s still following the old schedule of something like 11-2 and 5-9 or 10. It’s well worth the visit.

Time for the return trip. There is a U-Turn very near Locanda and the next destination is Fiore Rosa. Again, this is not so easy to find.

You’re headed back toward the Bo Hin pedestrian bridge (and this is the easiest way to find it and not get lost).

You’ll pass a stand-alone and large hardware store and warehouse off the road on your left (dead gas station on the right) and you’ll want to slow down. Just before the strip of shop houses which includes the fairly well marked 3BB office, there is what amounts to a one lane road to the left. Again, blink and you’ll miss it.

Fiore Rosa actually has sign on that corner but it’s easy to overlook. It’s down that lane at least a half a kilometer, past an unfinished Wat. Watch out for the speed bumps (2) as you go.

It’s located in a failed Moo Baan comprised of a half dozen or so cookie cutter single story houses with a small pond. There is another sign on the half opened gate but the building itself is hard to miss as it’s two stories, colorfully and pleasantly lit while all else around it is pretty dark. You can spot it well before you get there.

Fiore Rosa is modestly priced and quite good. I do recommend the pizza there, but there is so much more. Saturday is lasagna night. Quite good, but, again, for me, I need a double batch. OR one of their salads or antipasto. There is a specials board up and it’s worth reading and ordering from.

This is clearly run by experienced people, one Italian and the other Belgian, both English speaking. They are only open evenings except for New Year’s Eve. (No Thai fare but the menu is dual languaged.) Again, I think all the entrees are below 200B.

Next up is a no-name Thai restaurant also found off the 118 headed back to town from Fiore Rosa.

You’ll pass under the Bo Hin pedestrian bridge and immediately turn left. The unmarked road is about 150-200 meters from the 118 on the right. There is a gated Moo Baan on your left and the road is just beyond that on your right. There is a traditional Thai massage on the corner but it’s closed by dark and you won’t likely spot it.

Take that lane about 50 meters through the un-gated Moo Baan. On your left is the restaurant (house) run by Choo and his wife Noi. While they have a
limited menu, the food is exceptionally good. It’s open from early to 9. The only drawback is beer. They only stock Leo. But our usual order of 4 dishes and two beers has yet to top 300B. Sorry, no English menu but Choo and Noi speak a little English but are happy to practice.

OK. Back to the 118 headed back to CM.

At the Outer Ring Road light (121) turn right, toward Mae Rim. Almost immediately on your left is a very large Thai restaurant set well back off the road with more than adequate parking. I think this place has everything from snooker to karaoke. It’s dimly (romantically?) lit, modestly priced and good food. The only complaint we’ve had is that one time the wife’s Tab Tim took nearly an hour to get to the table. No, it wasn’t all that busy at the time. We assumed they had to catch it before cooking it.

They boast a sushi bar also, but we’ve never found it open. But they have things like chicken with cashew nuts and gang liang which I can’t find elsewhere in this area.

Take your mosquito repellant with you, but it’s worth the trip. The menu is in Thai and English.

Continuing on toward Mae Rim, the next light is the San Sai light, one of the multiple 1001 highways in the area. Turn left back toward the 118.

Andrew’s is located on your left about 100 or so meters from the light. This is a single-wide three story shop house which you’ll probably miss the first several times you attempt to find it. There is a greenish flag sign in front which you can’t read until you stop.

It’s run by a Brit ex-contractor who spent enough time Down Under that he’s picked up that attitude. Some find that attitude off-putting. I don’t. And his name is NOT Andrew; it’s Tony. I have no idea where the name came from. He’s got a chef statue with Steve on his hat, adding to the confusion.

This is the only western bar/restaurant in the area and if you want western music and British food, this is the place to go. No Thai food, though. He’s currently only open evenings (I think) until midnight.

Back on the 121 and again headed toward Mae Rim, on your right is another large Thai restaurant set well off the road. This is the only place in the area where I can usually get Poo Talay, the large red, hard shelled crab. They also have other things not normally offered like wild boar.

Try their ‘shrimp spring rolls’, which are not a roll at all. It more resembles a quesadilla. Served with a honey dip; it’s really tasty. You may have to order
it from the pictures on the menu; I’m not sure it’s listed.

Again, this is off the road with more than adequate parking. Tour buses go there. This is NOT normally a good indicator, but in this case, the clientele must be higher class because the food stands up well. Not expensive, either. Menus in Thai and English.

Finally, and slightly out of the area, is Non’Z almost directly across from Meechok Rim Ping on the Mae Jo road headed back into town.

This is the most expensive restaurant we go to in the area, but it’s also the only one with live bands through the night, a recommendation in itself. Try the seafood in coconut. It’s one of my favorites. But avoid the sushi. It’s Thai, over priced by a lot and not very good. Still, the two of us haven’t topped 700B, so far.

Sorry I don’t know all the proper names of all of these places. The wife and I have pet names for them and what’s in a name anyway? We’re far more interested in eating well.

[1Gringo]

shame on me!

I forgot to mention the best Khao Soi in CM is also on that road leading to Choo and Noi's but well before. it's a non-desceipt place on the left and it's only open days. no name on that spot, either.

some English spoken there but not much.

[mascarakatze]

when you say "the wife" do you mean your wife?

[Gonzo the Face]

To each their own, but........ how can you talk about all the good places to eat out in the Doi Saket area and not even mintion Gunther's G & M ????

Gunther is a great guy and speaks, German, English, Thai , and Chang.

In the immortal words of Gene Autry....... Try it, you'll like it...

[Joop50]

Another "best" khao soi. My good khao soi restaurant is on the 121 Saraphi south ring, north side, opposite moo baan thawangtan, there is a pepsi cola sign. Good sateh also.

BTW, Thanks for your review.

Edited April 1, 2013 by Joop50

[mascarakatze]

shame on me!

I forgot to mention the best Khao Soi in CM is also on that road leading to Choo and Noi's but well before. it's a non-desceipt place on the left and it's only open days. no name on that spot, either.

some English spoken there but not much.

his name is angelo not anthony

[wholetthedogout]

Sausage King Garden Restaurant is located in sansai of the 121 and i have been their twice now and can get a big breakfast 99 baht and Indian kebabs,burgers etc.well priced and clean food.

Sausage King Garden Restaurant GPS: 18.833170,99.020146

Also cafe vino just across from sausage king have a great wine buffet and Thai fusion food

[1Gringo]

there are probably more I missed. but I did forget Sausage King. bad on me.

[eyecatcher]

when you say "the wife" do you mean your wife?

why?...was yours MIA that night.

[eyecatcher]

nice review gringo; I like the good ole down to earth reviews...say it how it is...better than those ponsy "egon ronay" reviews we get from some members who like to describe the tablecloths.

seems like you missed some big names in that vicinity though, and look forward to your trip report with whoevers wife you decide to take

[anonymouse]

Must admit as a Doi Saketer I knew a few of them and you haven't really sold me on the rest, not blaming your review just that there is little out this way worth making the effort for, I do rate Sausage Kings food though and their Saturday Kebab special is really good. House of Palm is another you didn't mention, not bad Thai food in a nice setting though a tad expensive, I see a lot of elderly expats at Taweechol for the Sunday lunch buffet but haven't tried it myself.

Thanks for sharing though

Edited April 2, 2013 by anonymouse

[JimGant]

I'll bump this topic, rather than start a new one, as it just adds another "find" for good eating in the Doi Saket area. It's called "Le Cafe Doisaket," with Jean a real culinary artiste.

A French cafe primarily, but also with Thai and other European cuisines. Down the Tao Garden road, left hand side, just before you hit the Moo Baan (Talad Mai) adjacent to Tao Garden (the Tao Garden road, adequately marked, is a left turn, off of 118, a mile or so past the exit into Doi Saket -- then a several mile journey to Le Cafe, with a Chinese cemetery marking the one-third point).

Anyway, great eats -- and a nice sojourn to the countryside outside CM proper.

Google on 'le cafe doisaket' or click on these facebook and tripadvisor links (the latter link with other Doi Saket places to visit).

https://www.facebook.com/Le.Cafe.Doisaket

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1961657-d4994729-Reviews-Le_Cafe_Doi_Saket-Doi_Saket.html

Bon appetit.

[Red Crab]

Yes, the owner.s name is Angelo not Anthony and the name of the restaurant is: SOLE E LUNA. They are closed on Wed. Open 11.30 am - 22.00. Angelo takes pizza orders over the phone and you can pick them up without waiting. Good food , nice people.

Thanks 1 Gringo for a feedback

[anto]

Andrews is now closed down .It was not the only Western bar in the area as you wrongly said .There is the Bamboo bar also in SanSai run by a Brit .

[anonymouse]

I'll bump this topic, rather than start a new one, as it just adds another "find" for good eating in the Doi Saket area. It's called "Le Cafe Doisaket," with Jean a real culinary artiste.

A French cafe primarily, but also with Thai and other European cuisines. Down the Tao Garden road, left hand side, just before you hit the Moo Baan (Talad Mai) adjacent to Tao Garden (the Tao Garden road, adequately marked, is a left turn, off of 118, a mile or so past the exit into Doi Saket -- then a several mile journey to Le Cafe, with a Chinese cemetery marking the one-third point).

Anyway, great eats -- and a nice sojourn to the countryside outside CM proper.

Google on 'le cafe doisaket' or click on these facebook and tripadvisor links (the latter link with other Doi Saket places to visit).

https://www.facebook.com/Le.Cafe.Doisaket

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1961657-d4994729-Reviews-Le_Cafe_Doi_Saket-Doi_Saket.html

Bon appetit.

Thanks for that JIm, I'll take a look.

I'd like to add a mention for the Dairy Goat Cafe which is pretty much next door to Locanda. The food is OK, standard Thai food but cooked with goats milk to give it a different flavour. They do have Goats Cheese but every time I've been there they are out of stock. But if you are with kids it's a nice place to stop and feed the goats, you can feed the younger ones with a bottle, have a drink yourself [nice goats milk vanilla milkshakes] and then head next door to Locanda for some better grub.

[Mekong Bob]

To each their own, but........ how can you talk about all the good places to eat out in the Doi Saket area and not even mintion Gunther's G & M ????

Gunther is a great guy and speaks, German, English, Thai , and Chang.

In the immortal words of Gene Autry....... Try it, you'll like it...

Gonzo says Gunther speaks Chang. I'll pass that along to my pachyderm pals in Doi Saket. Thanks for the tip.