SAIGON BISTRO

Saigon Bistro is the new baby sister of the chic Le Saigon Restaurant located on the 23rd floor of Pattaya Hill Resort. This latest foodie hotspot is the most recent addition to the coterie of restaurants owned by Khang and Amy Do. It is located on the 6th floor of Central Festival and offers the best in traditional Vietnamese fare from 11.00 am till 11.00 pm.

The interior is contemporary and inviting with cheerful lighting and subtle Asian decor. The extensive Vietnamese menu is ingeniously incorporated into the table mats for ease of ordering; the seating is comfortable or casual on stools at the window counter. This Asian bistro offers the full gamut of gourmet Vietnamese cuisine. It can be fast and fun with a bowl of noodle soup or long and languid enjoying the exotic appetisers, rice plates, vermicelli bowls and their world famous house specials. The quality is top notch with exceedingly reasonable prices starting from B.68 and not exceeding B.198.

When Mick and I visited we were treated to an array of dishes to sample the scope of this Asian kitchen. We started with the traditional pho ha noi (beef noodle soup) and were blown away. Tender pieces of rare steak floated in an intense and delicious beef stock enhanced with spring onions, herbs and rice vermicelli. For B.98 we couldn’t imagine a more SAIGON BISTRO Budget Busting Vietnamese Cuisine at Central Festival truly delectable or economical anytime treat. This was followed by another house signature dish, chao tom. Spiced minced shrimp is wrapped around the sweetest sugar cane and lightly grilled. A renowned dish and one that Saigon Bistro executes to perfection. Next, we tasted bahn cuon a fresh spring roll of minced pork with various perfumed vegetables and mushrooms wrapped on hand steamed flour wraps. Another winner and taste bud sensation. A combo of fried, spicy pork sausage, crab rolls, BBQ marinated beef and pork balls completed our succession of star dishes. Together with these items, bowls of the freshest, greenest herbs, leaves and vegetables accompanied by chopped chillies, garlic, holy basil, betel leaves, Thai parsley and the tastiest of sauces and sweet vinegar dips.

Rice plates are served with special cubed sirloin steak, grilled lemon grass pork chops, or BBQ shrimp while the vermicelli bowls are topped with char broiled chicken, quick sautéed beef and onions and much more. Lots of tempting noodles are listed together with the house signature dish of a sizzling sirloin steak or fried mackerel fish with fresh salad. Also, fried soft shell crab comes sautéed with onion and bell peppers and their famous marinated ground beef wrapped in vine leaves. This menu just screams out to be explored and experienced at prices that will make your wallet smile.
 


Do check out the promotional set meals which offer exceptional value. For only B.88 the rice set presents sautéed sirloin steak, salad and soup while for B.98 the noodle version serves a noodle soup with side accompaniments of bean sprouts, herbs and chilies served with fresh, plump spring rolls a sweet chili dip plus salad.

Beverages are diverse from house wine (B.88 by glass), a full contingent of beers, soft drinks, milk and fruit shakes, Vietnamese and Irish coffee, espresso, cappuccino and a selection of specialist teas. For the sweet-toothed banana split, fried ice cream, Frenchcustard or crepes are treats to be tasted.

Mick and I heartily recommend thisvalue for money Vietnamese eatery. We loved the informal atmosphere, friendly service, delicious food and pleasantly affordable prices. Whether you are already a fan or an epicurious diner, Saigon Bistro is the spot for tasty, classic Vietnamese cuisine, especially that fantastic pho beef noodle soup.

Located on 6th Floor of Central Festival Pattaya. Open daily from 11.00 am till 11.00 pm. Tel: 033 003 609.