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Bali Hai Sunset
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Crab rolls.
Known as one of the most romantic restaurant settings in
Pattaya, the Bali Hai Sunset restaurant really does have an incredible view
of the sunset over Koh Larn.
To be honest, it is a trifle difficult to find but it can be approached from
the Bali Hai pier (thread your way through the tour buses), then run along
the sea front and turn up the hill at the lighthouse and Bali Hai Sunset is
on your right. Coming from the Jomtien side, turn off Pratamnak Road at the
top of the hill as if going to the Royal Cliff and then on down to the
Sheraton and continue along till you start to go down the steep hill and
Bali Hai Sunset is on your left. There is a car park in front of the
restaurant, which would be safer than street side on that very twisty climb,
though there are a couple of lay-by’s which will take two cars each.
From the car park, the entrance to Bali Hai Sunset cannot be missed and you
descend to a deck which is over the beach and rocks and gives an
uninterrupted view across the Bay of Siam and the local islands. (Take your
camera if you get there before sunset.)
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Scallops.
The wooden tables and chairs are somewhat rustic, as
befits an open air restaurant subject to sea breezes, but the crockery and
glassware are of a good standard, and not the ‘picnic’ sets one often is
given at seaside venues. There are several large tables, able to seat up to
10 diners, so this venue is good for groups. The kitchen is in the far
corner, and there is a function room along one side.
The menu has many photographs, something I push for always, especially where
visitors are concerned - not everyone can read English. The Euro items begin
with Appetizers (B. 75-250) with salmon at the top end and garlic bread at
the other. There are also some stand-alone items such as a Farmer’s Plate
(B. 245) and NZ mussels and cheese (B. 195).
Soups are up next (B. 95-125), followed by 10 different pastas (B. 145-245),
and then it is into the mains, with seafood choices first up (B. 275-359)
with the garlic and parmesan baked prawns looking very interesting.
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Duck and chicken items were next and then pork (B.
245-395) followed by a Chateaubriand (B. 395) and a fillet mignon, also at
B. 395. These are all made using Thai beef which can be a lottery at times.
A section called “Imported” has rib eye at B. 795 and sirloin at B. 695, a
safer bet for the carnivores.
The largest section in the menu is for Thai items, with several pages
covering soups, stir-fries, curries and noodles, with most under B. 200.
There are also specials such as steamed whole sea bass (B. 425).
There are pages of cocktails, but local beers are available (B. 70-85). The
wine list was not available, and wine lovers will have to make do with the
house white.
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Having decided to go Thai cuisine for the review, as
there are far more Thai items than western ones, my choice was the
deep-fried crab rolls and the garlic scallops. The crab rolls were excellent
and I enjoyed them very much. The scallops were presented with sliced tomato
and pesto, and whilst enjoyable, did not have enough garlic for my taste. To
wash them down I selected the house white (an Italian Casanova), which was
eminently drinkable without being memorable.
Bali Hai Sunset was a pleasant and relaxing dining out venue. It was not
expensive; however, the emphasis is certainly on Thai cuisine, though there
are plenty of choices on the European side. I would recommend this
restaurant as a good place to take overseas visitors to give them an idea of
the laid back life we have here. And remember to take your camera for the
sunset.
Bali Hai Sunset Restaurant. Tel: 08 2202 7718 (Thai) or 08 0004 1616
(English). Open six days from 3 p.m. to midnight Thursday to Tuesday (closed
Wednesdays).
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Ham, Cheese and Pea Frittata
The Italian word “frittata” derives from fritta and
roughly translates to egg-cake. Outside Italy, frittata was seen as
equivalent to omelet until at least the mid-1950’s. In the last fifty
years, “frittata” has become a term for a distinct variation described
as Italy’s version of an open-face omelet.
Ingredients |
Serves 4 |
Olive oil |
2 tbspns |
Red onion, thinly sliced |
1 |
Eggs |
9 |
Leg ham, cut into 1 cm cubes |
200 gm |
Frozen baby peas (not thawed) |
1 cup (120 gm) |
Cooked macaroni or other short pasta |
2 cups |
Grated cheddar cheese |
1 cup (120 gm) |
Chutney, to serve |
Cooking Method
Heat oil in a 22 cm ovenproof fry pan over medium heat. Cook
onion, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until softened but not colored. Whisk
eggs in a bowl with salt and pepper. Add ham, peas, pasta and cheese to
pan with onion. Pour over the eggs, then reduce heat to very low and
cook for 6-8 minutes until almost firm, tilting the pan and drawing in
the sides from time to time so egg cooks evenly.
Preheat the grill to medium, then place pan under the grill for 3-4
minutes until top is golden. Cool slightly, then turn out and slice.
Serve with chutney and salad.
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