A BITE TO REMEMBER

Also, sometimes a memorable meal is more than just the food, ambiance, the occasion and the company all contribute to happy memories. With all that in mind, here are a few of our culinary memories reviewed in The Pattaya Times during 2009.

Every night is carnival night at the fantastic ZICO’s BAR AND GRILL on Pattaya Beach Road. The heart of Brazil is beating to an irresistible rhythm and you’ll probably be dancing to it by the end of the evening (we did!). This Brazilianstyle grill is called a “churrascaria” which translates into a huge choice (all-you-can-eat) of succulent meats, fish and seafood served on giant spits. The cost for this extraordinary meal is B.750 which includes the salad bar plus hot accompaniments of pasta with meat sauce, hash potatoes with bacon, sautéed mushrooms, rice and mashed potatoes plus more.

Every night of the week brings it’s own promotion, check them out on their website while the daily family special promotion invites all children under the age of 12 to eat on the house!

Samba queens from San Paulo, Luana and Cynara give spectacular samba, salsa and ace dance performances at 8, 9 and 10 pm. This is one exciting destination. It’s so different, it’s fun, it’s high energy – it’s Brazilian.

Zico’s is located on Pattaya Beach Road, in front of Central Festival. Open daily from 12.00 till 1.00 am. Churrascaria dinner commences at 18.00 until 23.00 while the Deck Bar and Lounge is open from 17.30 till 1.00. Daytime lunch and snacks a la carte. Tel: (038) 043 516. www.zicospattaya@chr.co.th.

If you’re looking for a gourmet South East Asian experience then a visit to S.E.A., the exceptional in-house restaurant at DUSIT D2 BARAQUDA is the place. The hotel itself is a beacon to futuristic architecture. The wow factor here is extraordinary and the ocean-themed interior design
delightful.

The S.E.A. restaurant is located on the ground floor adjacent to the stunning swimming pool. We make no apologies for eulogising about the interior decor of this hotel; it is spectacular and the restaurant is no exception. S.E.A.’s all-star executive chef is Chef Allan, a culinary wizard introducing his masterly contemporary twist to the eclectic selection. We can whole heartedly recommend the pomelo and prawn salad (B.220). Soft, plump prawns rested on a bed of fruity pomelo which had been dressed in the most succulent sweet/ sour tamarind dressing. Another memorable dish was the grilled rock lobster skewers with a ginger-garlic dip and chili sauce. Rock lobster is a favourite of ours and we have ordered it many times before but Chef Allan’s treatment of the luscious crustacean came down from cloud nine; it was sweet, moist, juicy and a star of a dish which was nearly (but not quite) surpassed by the crispy crabmeat sausage and batter-fried calamari (B.180).

This is one “foodie hotspot” and a memorable 2009 culinary memory. The vibe here is laid-back with an energetic and enthusiastic staff who have created their own distinctive style. It manages to combine glitz with groovy and contemporary chic with hip sophistication. For those with an appetite for something different´– this is the place to go.

Located on Pattaya 2 Road. Tel: (038) 769 999. Email: d2pa@dusit.com. Open daily this is an all-day wine and dine venue.

Jomtien’s south beach is the location for another memorable evening. This most stylish of designer-themed eateries is called CAFÉ LE MAR. Zoning options include the air-conditioned comfort of the dining room, the snazzy indoor-outdoor cocktail bar, free and easy beach bar or the pleasing ocean terrace plus the newly opened Le Mar Pizzeria offering authentic pizzas created to exact Italian traditions and ingredients.
They open at 10.00 am for breakfast and continue throughout the day with a mixed repertoire of western and Thai favourites. Recommended appetisers are the lobster bisque and the New Zealand mussels in white wine, garlic, butter and fine herbs. chicken liver pate (B.110), a platter of fritto misto, baked spinach with parmesan and mozzarella cheese in bechamel sauce and an unusual stuffed and fried eggplant (B.130).

Carnivores are spoilt for choice. The famous Rossini tenderloin of beef (red wine sauce and topped with chicken liver pate) is a big seller here as is the 250 gr.New York strip (B.595), T-bone, Rib-eye, braised lamb shank (B.395) and sautéed lamb chops. All main courses are served with a choice of vegetables, mixed salad, boiled, mashed of French fried potatoes and gourmet sauces. We have enjoyed the Thai menu on many occasions and can recommend the steamed snowfish with soya sauce and shredded spring onion and ginger, deep fried serpent head fish with mango salad, and the fantastic spicy salads, soups and curries.

Cafe Le Mar is a fabulous location in this part of town providing a friendly, warm and casual atmosphere with the focus on quality and pleasantly affordable prices. This class of beach-side brasserie is a gem of a neighbourhood bistro/pub giving satisfaction and pleasure on so many levels. Do visit soon to discover for yourself why Cafe Le Mar is the rendezvous of choice and the latest foodie hotspot on the Costa Jomtien.

Located on Jomtien Beach Road in front of Jomtien Beach Paradise resort, south of Soi Chaiapruk. Open daily from 10 am till midnight. Tel:(038) 233 466 or 089 932 3920. Website: www.cafelemarpattaya.com.

The spectacularly located LE SAIGON on the 23rd floor of Pattaya Hill Resort provided many memorable moments in 2009. It affords some of the best views over Pattaya and Jomtien bays and offers the choice of either Vietnamese, Thai or European cuisine.

Their lavish 4-course B.395n menu is always extraordinary value offering an appetizer followed by salad du jour, a main course of grilled beef filet with whisky cream sauce or a fish or chicken option. Desserts complete this extravagant degustation.

If you choose to eat from the Vietnamese menu probably the best introduction would be to opt for the assorted starter platter. This will provide a taste of crab balls, fried shrimp and pork rolls together with the crispiest spring rolls served with rice and vermicelli. Salt and pepper soft shelled crabs, frogs legs ‘Saigonaise’, and the famous rice noodle soups featuring chicken or beef would also provide a delicious and appetizing hors d’oeuve.

Other seafood options present truly colossal Alaskan king crab legs, baked shell fish in puff pastry, lobster thermidor, grilled salmon or tiger prawns in the restaurants’ signature sauce, or for meat fans the house speciality of steak Le Saigon combines a thick cut of tender beef filet wrapped in bacon and accompanied by a mushroom and pepper sauce.

Le Saigon Bayview is located in an astonishing setting. The jaw dropping views from this culinary eerie are breath-taking. Dining here offers a sophisticated culinary experience in an incomparable location high in the sky over Thailand’s eastern seaboard.

Open daily from 5.00 pm till late. Situated in the Pattaya Hill Resort, 23rd Floor, Soi 2, Pratamnak Road. Tel: (038) 250 329. Call for free pick-up.

If we wanted a burger where else would be go than the iconic American chain of HARD ROCK CAFÉ which serve 10 oz. bodacious burgers plus molten spicy nachos, titantic salads, seriously seductive sandwiches and desserts so decadent as to satisfy the most hedonistic Sybarite. Mick and I have visited many times and have always had a great evening. From the second you walk through their doors the servers do their utmost to ensure that you enjoy yourself; they smile, joke even entertain and yes, it’s infectious and yes, you do have a good time!

Food, as you would imagine is American fare with a capital A. Portions are U.S.A. enormous and unless you have the appetite of King Kong, we recommend you share dishes. If you like your beef in a tranche we spotted the 12 oz. Angus beef New York strip (B.820) or 8 oz. sirloin served with garlic butter, plus their celebrated fajitas (grilled chicken, beef or both) served with cheddar cheese, fresh guacamole, sour cream, shredded lettuce on a hot flour tortilla from B.480. Fish lovers, you’re looked after too with an 8 oz fillet of grilled Alaskan sockeye salmon topped with Merlot-garlic butter and served with white cheddar smashed potatoes and fresh vegetables.

THE STARZ DINER in THE HARD ROCK HOTEL is another venue to note. Their buffet and seafood barbeque is amazing. For B.750++ an all-you-can-possibly-eat buffet and seafood barbeque includes free flow wine, beer, soft drinks and 100 Pipers Whisky. Saturday nights the buffet is even further enhanced by the appearance of a whole spitroasted pig (B.950++).

HARD ROCK CAFÉ delivers in volumes. It is big on hospitality, ambiance, generosity of portions, fun and good vibrations. Come here to enjoy the quintessential spirit of rock ‘n roll, chill out and listen to the sounds from the new Philipino band,“Prime Pitch” . You’ll be assured of a rockin’ good time.

Open daily from 11.00 am till late. Located on Beach Road, Pattaya in front of the Hard Rock Hotel. Tel: (038) 426 635. The Starz Diner is open around-the-clock.

A very happy New Year to all our readers.