Mantra Bar And Restaurant

If you haven’t already had the pleasure of visiting Mantra it is that remarkable structure on Beach Road, Pattaya set in the grounds of Amari Orchid Pattaya. It has been wowing it’s patrons for many years now and provides one of the most sophisticated and cosmopolitan enclaves on the bay. It is also living proof that ambitious, innovative culinary concepts can work if executed with professionalism and panache. From the moment we first entered through its tall and stately doors into the spectacularly designed bar we were impressed. The colour statement of vibrant Chinese red and black creates a state of the art design. Draped vermilion muslin fashions the 8-seater opium den while the “hedonist harem” offers a shimmery, sexy space in which to relax and enjoy liquid refreshment.

The rich crimson and black of Mantra’s signature colours segue into the restaurant and its seven cooking stations. These are Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Mediterranean, the grill and lava stone area plus the fish tanks. As we walked to our table we noted the open kitchens and busy chefs taking centre stage preparing their specialities and signature dishes from around the world.


Carpaccio of Venison.

Options from the various stations include the Japanese kitchen serving sushi and sashimi, Indian tandoori dishes (and breads), Mediterranean favourites including pasta and pizzas (from B.180), lavish charcoal grills (including quality grain-fed Angus beef), lava stone preparations plus the sparkling fish tanks. If it swims it’s in the tank and will be expertly cooked and on your plate in the flick of a snapper’s tail! It really does offer the gamut of gourmet cuisines.

However, Mick and I were at Mantra’s to experience one of their global gourmet wine dinners. This latest eipicurean adventure was to feature wines from the most prestigious Tuscan wine producer, Frescobaldi. We rendezvoused in the bar to enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif, extravagant canapés and to savour the first sip in the flight of wines that was to introduce us to the produce of the Frescobaldi vineyards. Danzante Pinot
Grigio IG delle Veezie 2007 had been selected to accompany delicate bites of smoked salmon rolls topped with red caviar, swayed Parma ham with melon, and morsels of chicken tikka.

As we walked to our table we noted the open kitchens preparing their specialities and signature dishes from around the world. The atmosphere is palpable and exciting. The restaurant is an architectural phenomenon It can be relaxed and elegant in the main dining area, private and intimate snuggled into one of the romantic coves on the upper balcony or an evening of candlelit enjoyment on the al fresco terrace. Seclusion can also be obtained in one of the private rooms in the Lost Gallery or a reservation made for the long and luxurious Sultan’s Table.


Tasmanian Salmon-Trout.

Once seated in the main dining area we were presented with an amuse bouche of fresh tuna to accompany a glass of Albizzia 2007 Chardonnay. Pan seared Tasmanian salmon trout with a scallion and herb crust resting in a pomelo and orange butter was the first appetiser to set the palate zinging. The sweetest, smoothest pink trout was expertly executed and melted deliciously in the mouth with the elegant tang of the fruited butter.

Carpaccio of venison followed served with shavings of Parmesan and rocket leaves. This was a first tasting of venison for Mick and I and one that was surprising in it’s delicate but rich gamey essence. It could, however, have benefited from being served in finer more paper-slices but it was a bold and interesting hors d’oeuvre. This was escorted by Castello di Pomino Blanco DOC 2007: mainly a blending of Chardonnay and Pino Bianco.

The Tuscan wine was crying out for a pasta and it was not disappointed. We were served a German reindeer ragout tossed with penne pasta infused with truffle oil and wild mushrooms. The reindeer was another first taste for Mick and I and it was a powerful one but happily offset by the gentleness of the penne. A Remole Toscana IGZZT 2005 with its fruited aromas provided just the precise tangy acidity to enjoy with this brawny meat.

Charcoaled grilled Australian lamb cutlets with a roasted gratinated garlic bulb, Provencal vegetables and lamb jus followed. Only a rich ruby red wine could do justice to these passionate flavours and the Nipozzano Riserva Chianti Ruffina DOCG 2005 performed the task admirably. It is a robustly solid wine but not at all heavy with a deeply aromatic finish. This one was definitely our favourite wine of the evening.

A wheel of baked caramelised apple tart and vanilla ice cream was the dessert to conclude an extravagant evening of wining and dining. These extraordinary wine dinners are presented every month and are amazing gastro-events. Details can be found on the Mantra website but why wait, any night is a good night to visit The Manta Bar and Restaurant.

Mantra Restaurant is open daily from 6.00 pm till 1.00 am. The bar opens at 5.00 pm. The celebrated Sunday Buffet is served from 11.00
am to 15.00. Tel: (038) 429 591 or visit www.mantra-pattaya.com. Dress code applies.