Pattaya Restaurants & Jazz Club Review

Fine but under-rated area in Pattaya for fine restaurants and a Jazz club review.

There are group of fine Continental restaurants run by Europeans in the area near the “Flamingo Hotel” which is the area of Soi Day/Night II / III off of Pattaya Tai (South Pattaya road).

The first is “Renoir’s” in the “Flamingo Hotel” itself. It’s low-lit with duplicates of Renoir’s paintings throughout.

The table-settings are classic with table linen, candles and fine cutlery. The service is well-trained, efficient without being obtrusive. And the set menu is a marvel at 195 baht including soup, dessert and salad bar.

I’ve had an excellent Cod with dill sauce as well at Mussels Belgium style which is served as an all-you-can-eat special on Friday.

Across the street is “Luxor” which is a bit pricier but the menu reflects what you pay extra for with very tasteful art work and gourmet food but no set menu specials.

My favorite is “Opsinjoor” run by a Belgian named Rudy. It too has a set menu at 195 baht with a one-time trip to the salad bar, soup, dessert and incredible food. It too has excellent service. The pumpkin soup is sublime.

Next to “Opsinjoor” is “Ole” which has more of a Dutch/German slant on food with stuffed cabbage, meatballs and potatoes. Their set menu is around 340-400 baht with soup, salad and dessert.

I can’t figure out why more Farangs don’t patronize these fine establishments.

I went to “Ray’s Place” in the “Mercure Hotel” on Soi 15.
http://www.mercure.com/mercure/fichehotel/gb/mer/5649/fiche_hotel.shtml

It’s a bit tricky to find, one crosses Pattaya 2nd road (carefully) and goes up a 100 feet to the “Bang On” bar where one can catch a shuttle to the hotel.

It’s a bit of a walk in the dark if you choose to walk, about 15 minutes.

The club is tastefully decorated with fabric hanging from the ceiling and pictures of Ray Charles and other Jazz artists on the wall. The drinks are pricey but consider the location, ambience and the bartender from San Tropez.

They have small but tasty snacks called “tapas” for 90 baht each. There’s a “2 for 1” tapas night Tuesday and Thursday.

Music is from 18:30 to 22:30. The night I went a melodic Pilipino pop band played standards from the “Bee Gees” to “Manilow”. No hard bop or scat singing though.

Am going to check out “The Jazz Pit” on Soi 5 next time. A fine alternative for a pleasant evening when the myriad joys of Walking street become stale.

List of restaurants in Pattaya

Submitted by : Claw
02-July-06

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