NATAN’S Tapas Terrifco The Food Lovers

As restaurant reviewers, we receive many restaurant recommendations and although we always follow up and check them out it is not always a given that we publish our visit.  However, Natan’s is one of those “fnds” that happily we discover from time to time.  It has been open for about a year now and has gathered its regulars and devotees.  In fact, a true story, during our visit one customer told us that he cried “tears of joy” over the chocolate mousse the frst time he tasted it! 

The menu describes Natan’s as a “Thai and French cosy food bar” which depicts it well but it is more than that.  The decor is subdued Asian style with interesting lighting, swirling fans and decorative objects from Chiang Mai plus a welcoing bar area.  The night we visited it was a lively rendezvous for spirited French nationals enjoying “bon temps” in Jomtien.

The menu is a very nice combination of predominantly Mediterranean tapas, French-inspired cuisine and Thai favourites.  In fact, there are over thirty tasty tapas to tempt the taste buds: from French, Iberian and Italian salamis through tortillas, mussels farcies, bruschettas,  garlic fried mushrooms, calamari, garlic prawns, an assortment of speciality cheeses and much, much more with prices starting at B.90.

To open the proceedings, Mick chose Parma ham and asparagus while I opted for the warm goat’s cheese salad. A word of advice!   Probably best not to eat for a week before coming to Natan’s!  Tapas portions are more than generous, in fact  they are humungous and we were defeated in fnishing even half of the servings. Perfectly cooked fresh green asparagus were individually wrapped in Parma ham allowing the uniqueness of the taste to permeate the spears.

The pungent warm goat’s cheese (served on toasted bread) rested on salad leaves and tomatoes and was additionally coated in a fruity, tangy vinaigrette dressing.  A Parmesan cheese shaker (and virgin olive oil) are included with the condiments and a sprinkling of this quickly added yet another dimension to the Parma ham experience.  The chef then surprised us with a (huge) portion of the house signature salmon tartare.  Chopped raw salmon had been skillfully combined with onions, lime juice, herbs, olive oil and walnuts to produce an orb of the most delicate and delicious fsh fancy we have tasted in a long while.  A  star of a dish and we urge you to try it.

Main courses range from the house fllet de boeuf with their celebrated pepper sauce (B.310), lamb chops, pork fllet mignon with bacon and mushroom sauce (B.280) to duck breast in balsamic vinegarand seafood in Provencale sauce. 

We ordered the chicken musmus and the recommended salmon fllet which was served with butter and lime and Natan’s sensational sauce. 

The chicken pieces were drenched in a creamy shallot/mushroom/Dijon mustard emulsion and served with super crispy almost fondant brittle French fries and salad.  Natan’s sauce of capers, carrots and onions sparkled and zinged atop of soft, succulent salmon fllets served with an unusual chunky mashed potato.  We were drinking a carafe of the house South African Cabernet Sauvignon which was decidedly quaffable and married well with the profusion of favours (half litre B.285).

Over two dozen popular Thai dishes conclude the menu and we spotted many recipes not always seen on the standard fare of Thai food.  For a lighter snack baguette sandwiches are offered with a ham and cheese omelet, salami or a house minced beef filling.  The desserts, as we previously mentioned, come highly recommended and do watch out for a dramatic strawberry soup which is made during the season to the delight of Natan’s diners.

Good quality produce at affordable prices served in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere, hits the spot for us and must surely be the formula for success. We gave the restaurant a big tick and are happy to see that  Natan’s is a popular leisure destination and will, we are sure, become an enduring foodie hotspot in the Jomtien locale.

Natan’s is located on Thappraya Road.  Left hand side on the next block down from  Papa Davids. 

Open daily from 3.00 pm till midnight except Sundays.  Tel:  (038) 251 250.  Email: natans2008@hotmail.com.