Bite Me Bistro--Best New Place in Town

[KittenKong]

I still don't really understand. No one expects anyone to sign up for a service (FB) they don't want - if they don't want, they don't sign up, surely?

Well, this is my point. I would quite like to read some restaurant reviews, and read about promotions being made by restaurant owners, but I have zero desire to sign up to anything to do so. I can read TripAdvisor reviews (for what they are worth) and indeed a million other foodie review sites, both good and bad, without signing up for anything at all.

You can restrict the information you give to the bare minimum, ie your name - which is supposed to be genuine, and is subject to checks by FB. Or provide more, it's up to you. It's not that hard for admins to weed out the few false profiles, with the end result that in a FB group like Wine & Dine, the vast majority are real, identifiable people. Being identifiable is the individual's choice, not a FB group's admin. No one forces them to post outside their personal page/timeline.

Except that for that particular group that is not the case. As you said yourself: "As for Wine&Dine, it doesn't accept new members who obviously have no interest in Pattaya/eating in Thailand, or whose profiles seem false (lots of those on FB) or just contain no information at all."

So that group deliberately excludes anyone who on the surface doesn't appear to be suitable or who is merely discreet, though for entirely arbitrary reasons and without making any attempt to check the facts. I simply dont see how this can be justified.

Whenever I fill out a personal information page on the internet I deliberately provide no information at all, or use invented information, for the same reason that some put "Jedi" as their religion on the UK census form: not because they have anything to hide but because it's simply no-one else's business and no-one else needs to know it.

[wedders]

As you say, "for what they are worth" (Tripadvisor). Allegedly there is a fair bit of manipulation going on there. A month back I spied Au Bon Coin down around number 46 (when it should easily be in the top ten, were it not for José's occasional 'customer couldn't care less' approach and his complete disregard for marketing. Classed one place above him on that day was a brand new sports bar in soi Lengkee, with its 99 baht breakfasts. Kind of sums TripAdvisor up really.

As for signing up, we joined TV to read whatever sparks our interest. No much difference as I see it.

Wine and Dine, it refuses people with no obvious interest in the country or more specifically, Pattaya. It generally asks anyone with a blank profile if they would mind explaining their interest in the group. Admins are volunteers, the amount of time spent dealing with issues caused by false profiles joining to troll or advertise is considerable. If a polite query isn't answered, that says a lot IMO. The system isn't arbitrary. And TWAD often does try to check the facts.

If you think that is unfair then, well, the admins only do it for fun. It's their choice how to handle it all on a day to day business. Nothing's perfect, they do the best they can. In the end what matters for most members is having an advert free page (with a few small exceptions). And a troll free discussion area. It seems to work.

[Jip99]

Trip Adviser is certainly no use for the dim-witted.

The secret is to take a consensus of views. For example, I will usually ignore most of the Thai reviews; I look at other Asian reviews for specific information and European reviews for a general feel of the overall quality.

You get a feel for what is the truth and what is BS after a while. Take high praise and outright condemnation with equal measures of a pinch of salt.

As said previously, TA is but one tool - but it is a sensible place to start.

[wedders]

Trip Adviser is certainly no use for the dim-witted.

The secret is to take a consensus of views. For example, I will usually ignore most of the Thai reviews; I look at other Asian reviews for specific information and European reviews for a general feel of the overall quality.

You get a feel for what is the truth and what is BS after a while. Take high praise and outright condemnation with equal measures of a pinch of salt.

As said previously, TA is but one tool - but it is a sensible place to start.

Yes if you skim through a few reviews you get a feel for a place. I review for TA too. But although what you say is true, many people just look a the top 10 or 20, don't bother to go any further. That's where good restaurants that don't cheat the system lose out.

[opporna]

That's about the third or fourth time I've come to this thread to read about Bite Me Bistro and have instead read about unrelated things. I'd appreciate it if this thread got back on topic.

[balo]

A bit on the expensive side, the set lunch menu should be no more than 400 baht if you ask me. But perhaps the food is exceptionally good, I guess we'll soon find out .

[rws85]

I think I owe an apology to @opporna , I tried this place tonight and must to say I was pleasantly surprised.

The chef seemed like a very nice bloke and have to say you'd struggle to find to more talented chef in Pattaya.

Great food, great service, good price for the quality. I will be returning to eat here again and can only hope other people also give it a try.

The only thing I can still complain about is the tables, I found them difficult to sit at, which I guess is a very minor issue considering the quality of the food.

Thank you @opporna for recommending this place. Without your post, doubt I'd know this place existed.

[Mojomor]

That's about the third or fourth time I've come to this thread to read about Bite Me Bistro and have instead read about unrelated things. I'd appreciate it if this thread got back on topic.

Well done. My thoughts exactly.

Unfortunately far too many threads wander off into nowhere, and sometimes I am even confused, as to what the thread is supposed to be about.

[EwanMG]

A bit on the expensive side, the set lunch menu should be no more than 400 baht if you ask me. But perhaps the food is exceptionally good, I guess we'll soon find out .

The set menu runs from 1pm to 10pm at the moment. It changes a couple of times a week. The price varies, from about 450 to 550. Depends on the main dish. Don't forget it includes a glass of wine, a beer, or your choice of soft drink. I feel it is good value, we wanted the bistro to serve quality food but at low margins, to be popular, not exclusive. We've been going ten days now, still a few wrinkles to sort out. As usual in Thailand, finding good staff is the main problem lol

[EwanMG]

I think I owe an apology to @opporna , I tried this place tonight and must to say I was pleasantly surprised.

The chef seemed like a very nice bloke and have to say you'd struggle to find to more talented chef in Pattaya.

Great food, great service, good price for the quality. I will be returning to eat here again and can only hope other people also give it a try.

The only thing I can still complain about is the tables, I found them difficult to sit at, which I guess is a very minor issue considering the quality of the food.

Thank you @opporna for recommending this place. Without your post, doubt I'd know this place existed.

Thanks glad you enjoyed it rws. Yes the tables are a problem, very bistro but when we got them made they didn't listen when we told them to attach the cross struts diagonally and a bit higher up

[EwanMG]

I think I owe an apology to @opporna , I tried this place tonight and must to say I was pleasantly surprised.

The chef seemed like a very nice bloke and have to say you'd struggle to find to more talented chef in Pattaya.

Great food, great service, good price for the quality. I will be returning to eat here again and can only hope other people also give it a try.

The only thing I can still complain about is the tables, I found them difficult to sit at, which I guess is a very minor issue considering the quality of the food.

Thank you @opporna for recommending this place. Without your post, doubt I'd know this place existed.

Sorted the tables, much more comfortable now rws85. Now no more bamboo barriers stopping you from playing footsie with anyone sat across the table

[rws85]

I think I owe an apology to @opporna , I tried this place tonight and must to say I was pleasantly surprised.

The chef seemed like a very nice bloke and have to say you'd struggle to find to more talented chef in Pattaya.

Great food, great service, good price for the quality. I will be returning to eat here again and can only hope other people also give it a try.

The only thing I can still complain about is the tables, I found them difficult to sit at, which I guess is a very minor issue considering the quality of the food.

Thank you @opporna for recommending this place. Without your post, doubt I'd know this place existed.

Sorted the tables, much more comfortable now rws85. Now no more bamboo barriers stopping you from playing footsie with anyone sat across the table

Yes I have noticed this. I notice little change nearly every time I come in.

Nice to see your always trying to improve the place. [emoji106]

[EwanMG]

I think I owe an apology to @opporna , I tried this place tonight and must to say I was pleasantly surprised.

The chef seemed like a very nice bloke and have to say you'd struggle to find to more talented chef in Pattaya.

Great food, great service, good price for the quality. I will be returning to eat here again and can only hope other people also give it a try.

The only thing I can still complain about is the tables, I found them difficult to sit at, which I guess is a very minor issue considering the quality of the food.

Thank you @opporna for recommending this place. Without your post, doubt I'd know this place existed.

Sorted the tables, much more comfortable now rws85. Now no more bamboo barriers stopping you from playing footsie with anyone sat across the table

Yes I have noticed this. I notice little change nearly every time I come in.

Nice to see your always trying to improve the place. [emoji106]

Thanks. Did you know about the private dining room upstairs? Round table, seats up to 8, private bathroom. Available from Friday

[rws85]

I don't have that many friends [emoji23][emoji106]

[JESSVANPELT]

bite me bistro R.I.P.

[balo]

bite me bistro R.I.P.

What do you mean, did they close already ?

[nickmanchester2]

bite me bistro R.I.P.

What do you mean, did they close already ?

I was in there 2 days ago and they have a special for wednesday on FB page so I dont think so.

[rws85]

bite me bistro R.I.P.

What do you mean, did they close already ?

Definitely not closed was in there tonight, had the Panamanian Chicken. Was beautiful!

[EwanMG]

bite me bistro R.I.P.

Just checked my pulse, it's been a long and busy day at the Bistro, but my ticker is still going strong

[moose7117]

i went to pattaya last week and a friend was raving about this place, so we wen and he paid !

this restaurant is one of those places that is definitely with a visit.

it might not be suitable for the down in the mouth penny pinching crowd but in this case you get what you pay for

the food was excellent , i had the bourbon pork thingy and mixed sausages and a crepes suzette...... it was superb.

it would be a waste to take till as he don't have somtam pal ra.

some of us who live here will pay good money for good food and this place has great food.

it won't become a regular haunt for me but it will certainly remain on my favourites list.

Rob

[EwanMG]

i went to pattaya last week and a friend was raving about this place, so we wen and he paid !

this restaurant is one of those places that is definitely with a visit.

it might not be suitable for the down in the mouth penny pinching crowd but in this case you get what you pay for

the food was excellent , i had the bourbon pork thingy and mixed sausages and a crepes suzette...... it was superb.

it would be a waste to take till as he don't have somtam pal ra.

some of us who live here will pay good money for good food and this place has great food.

it won't become a regular haunt for me but it will certainly remain on my favourites list.

Rob

We get a lot of teeraks you'd be surprised lol

We try and keep prices as low as it can get with daily specials around the 190 to 250 range (except for tuna on Tuesdays at 290 instead of 390), and drinks prices too because expats will always be our most important customers. We could do fine dining because that's the chef's (my) background but want bistro style with lots of happy punters returning time after time. There's no reason why we can't give pretty much the same top quality food at medium costs, the margins are there so long as we get the numbers.

We think that's what's missing in Pattaya, and we are opening another location on Pratumnak at the start of March doing similar - different themed food (tapas), another young (same as me 38 lol) chef with a Michelin background.. Amazing rooftop location, but again, quality food (tapas) you can afford plus a cheap cocktail bar, with the best view in town. We're not here to rip people off and drive limos, we want to stay here, work hard and give Pattaya something it doesn't really have. That's the plan anyway lol. Next stop Bangkok

[moose7117]

the only reason i won't go more often is i live 7 hours by bus away.

rob

[luckyluke]

I understand you are closing one day in the week, but why on Sunday? It's a day a lot of expats are going out for their weekly restaurant visit.

Or maybe that's just the reason why you want to be closed.

[RabC]

Yes, you can walk it from Soi BuaKhao, but the amount of decent restaurants that open on 3rd Road but do not last a year says it all.

I agree--but this guy seems in it for the long haul. Starting slow and building up based on quality. I'm usually skeptical of new businesses in Patters, but I'm cautiously optimistic about this one.

I hope Jingthing decides to give it a go. I'm guessing he'll like it.

Edit: by the way, New York Pizza house opposite this guy has had a nice run so far.

I live near the area and have seen many places last a year and leave, not enough foot traffic , poor location, no bug hotels near bye. as for New Yor Pizza its business has dropped since Dominoes and Pizza Pizza opened and rather deliver which is a plus..I wish the guy the best.

But, I live in a complex with 45 retired Expats and none of them would pay those price3s when they can walk down Soi Lengkee or Soi Chaiyaphum and find a meal for 159 to199 baht

And long may your geriatric cheap charlies enjoy their tins of Tuna and warm chang outside 7/11, but others want a bit more.......

[EwanMG]

I understand you are closing one day in the week, but why on Sunday? It's a day a lot of expats are going out for their weekly restaurant visit.

Or maybe that's just the reason why you want to be closed.

It's because some of the staff and me have got young families so it's good to have some family time. But were only 6 weeks in so who knows for the future. A lot of people do roasts on a Sunday as well, not sure if they'll have any room left for our specials lol

[luckyluke]

Of course, as I wrote, there must be place for family time, but for a "Special Roast" I am convinced there is room left.

[Jip99]

The first post reads like sales pitch.

Whereas the post before yours gives the standard lack of encouragement expected from many posters on this forum.

Good luck to the guy and I am all for additions to the current restaurant scene.

I will give it a try on my next visit.

...... if he is still there!!

Been there.

Loved it, so many positives.

Report to follow

[Jip99]

I was positive about this opening from day one, on the basis that any new food venture should be welcomed and encouraged.

i visited last night and was impressed. We both had the set 3 course menu of the day @ 490 Baht. A beer and a water, 2 glasses of house wine (a very drinkable un-oaked Chardonnay) a further carafe of the Chardonny and a coffee - oh, plus 2 Bailey latte's. In total around 1,600 Baht.

Excellent food in pleasant surroundings.

The quality exceeded my expectations and I now understand why. A chef with a genuine international pedigree who is passionate about what he produces.

Big thumbs up from me and We shall definitely be back.

[EwanMG]

Thanks a lot jip99 glad you liked it.

And we've had the stamp of approval from the new Thai Visa owner himself who was here with Ash, made our day!

[JESSVANPELT]

Yes, you can walk it from Soi BuaKhao, but the amount of decent restaurants that open on 3rd Road but do not last a year says it all.

I agree--but this guy seems in it for the long haul. Starting slow and building up based on quality. I'm usually skeptical of new businesses in Patters, but I'm cautiously optimistic about this one.

I hope Jingthing decides to give it a go. I'm guessing he'll like it.

Edit: by the way, New York Pizza house opposite this guy has had a nice run so far.

I live near the area and have seen many places last a year and leave, not enough foot traffic , poor location, no bug hotels near bye. as for New Yor Pizza its business has dropped since Dominoes and Pizza Pizza opened and rather deliver which is a plus..I wish the guy the best.

But, I live in a complex with 45 retired Expats and none of them would pay those price3s when they can walk down Soi Lengkee or Soi Chaiyaphum and find a meal for 159 to199 baht

And long may your geriatric cheap charlies enjoy their tins of Tuna and warm chang outside 7/11, but others want a bit more.......

and i can give you many places that do give us more value for money was half the price......its only the OP's mates commenting positively here. each time i walk by maybe one or 2 customers and its high season...what comes next low season and RIP