Casa Pascal and its owners Kim and Pascal Schnyder are
very well known in the culinary side of Pattaya dining, having opened the
doors of their eponymous restaurant 12 years ago.
For newcomers to this city, Casa Pascal is just off Second Road, opposite
the Marriott Resort’s Dicey Reilly’s Pub, and next to Ruen Thai. Drive in
the small soi and there is plenty of secure parking at the end. An addition
this year has been an al fresco dining area outside, but covered, and
obviously very popular with smokers.
Inside, the restaurant exhibits good taste, with large tables, comfortable
carver chairs, quality glassware and napery. Omnipresent is Kim Schnyder,
whilst chef Pascal pops in and out between culinary duties in the kitchen.
Smartly outfitted service personnel complete the picture, designed to make
the diner feel at ease. There has also been a deliberate move towards a more
relaxed and less formal atmosphere - but Casa Pascal still has the best
toilets in town!
While we have always enjoyed dining at Casa Pascal, this
time our visit was to review the new a la carte menu, which Pascal said was
“extraordinary”. Just on a brief look, it was apparent that this menu was
even more than extraordinary, it was amazing. Have you found recently any
restaurant where the prices have come down, rather than going up? And this
paring down of the prices has not been at the expense of quality or portion
size. In fact, Pascal reiterated “Quality, quality, quality.”
The lowering of prices has even been done to the wine list, with the vast
majority of wines between B. 1,250 and 2,000. And these are quality wines we
are talking about.
We sampled a glass of the Prosecco Follador IGT, and decided to continue
with a bottle (B. 1,600). An enjoyable rose and at 11.5 percent not too
‘dangerous’.
Now looking at the menu, the first page is starters, with many of the dishes
at B. 210, including Pascal’s own home-smoked salmon. We began with two
platters, one Greek and the other Spanish. Each held nine different
appetizers, such as squid in garlic oil, Tzatziki, marinated fish, Serrano
ham, Chorizo sausage and large olives. Presented in special plates, this was
a great mix and match for the two of us.
The next item we sampled from this new menu, was actually
another starter Gambas al Ajillo, being shrimps in garlic oil and served in
a cast iron pot, with heating flame. Great theatre and great eating at B.
240.
Soups and Pastas are next, including a very different Spaghetti Kee Mau, a
dish derived from their Thai kitchen.
Page 3 of the new menu is for Fish and Seafood mains and our mains came from
the selection on offer, with a pan-fried red snapper (B. 390) and a steamed
grouper fillet (B. 390). Both of these were excellent.
Poultry and Meat mains again showed the inexpensive nature of this new menu
with items such as imported Australian Wagyu beef tenderloin 200 gm at B.
580!
Though we were both replete, Pascal insisted we try his freshly baked
apricot tart and cream. We were both delighted with it.
We finished what had been a spectacular evening with some Frangelico and
coffee and toddled off home. The next morning we were still discussing what
a fabulous evening it had been.
As always, great dining at Casa Pascal. The new menu items are definitely
well worth your while experiencing, and the prices are certainly very keen.
For the past 11 years we have been giving Casa Pascal our highest
recommendation, and we still do. Do go and try.
Now, here is a the ultimate bargain, Casa Pascal is
offering a 50 percent discount on the new a la carte menu from May 1 until
May 7. Grab your favorite dining partner and make a reservation. This is an
offer which cannot be beaten anywhere!
Casa Pascal, 485/M10, Pattaya Second Road (small soi next Ruen Thai and
opposite the Marriott Hotel’s Dicey Reilly’s Pub) Pattaya City, telephone
for reservation 038 723 660, email [email protected]. Secure
parking. Breakfast and Lunch Buffet from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., dinner 6 p.m.
until late.
