by Miss Terry Diner
Cafe New Orleans has been part of the “scene” in
Soi Pattayaland 2 for the past three years and in that time it has
remained a remarkably steady landmark in the glittering soi of neon and
noise. The same management, the same staff, the same location - but has
the cuisine remained the same?
At the invitation of restaurateur Murray Hertz, the
Dining Out Team had dinner with him and restaurant manager Clarisse Brundo.
Although we had been back many times since the last “official” visit,
we tended to order the same old favourites. With the additions to the menu
we decided we would try “samplers” of new dishes to allow us to review
more than one or two dishes at the single sitting.
The restaurant itself is quite long, and has a
mezzanine floor which can be used for functions of up to 35 people. The
tables are all granite topped, with good quality glasses and cutlery.
There is much use of windows down one side to give a “riverboat”
atmosphere and the air curtain from Soi Pattayaland 2 gives an open
feeling, and keeps you cool. Mention should be made of the very obliging
staff in their fetching “dinner jacket” aprons.
The
menu is now a large one. Many of the new dishes are the result of
collaboration between restaurant manager Clarisse and Cafe New Orleans
imported chef. There are 10 appetizers (85-195 baht) including Cajun
calamari, baked mussels and the New Orleans loaf of onion rings.
Five soups are next up (around B. 100) with the items
you would expect from Cajun-Creole cuisine. Creole onion, seafood gumbo,
New England clam chowder and smoked chicken and black bean. These are
followed by four salads (B. 70-165) and two jambalayas - a seafood (B.
295) or chicken, pork and sausage at B. 235 and then ham hocks and
black-eyed peas and the moussaka (both B. 295).
One of the dishes that has become a famous Cafe New
Orleans item are the ribs with a half slab B. 275 and a full slab B. 395.
There is also a ribs, chicken and sausage sampler (B. 295) or the
blackened baby back ribs (B. 365).
Five BBQ combinations are next (around B. 395) with
ribs and other food such as shrimp or chicken, then there are three pork
specialties (B. 255-375) followed by eight steak dishes (B. 445-675) with
the steaks imported from New Zealand.
Nine fish choices are next (B. 275-395) including
lobster and salmon and then chicken (around B. 260) as skewers or even a
blackened chicken. The page finishes with five pastas (around B. 245)
including another New Orleans favourite with the seafood pasta in a bowl
carved out from a loaf of bread.
There is also an extensive wine list with most bottles
under the B. 1000 barrier, plus a wild list of cocktails at B. 150 right
the way through to local beers at B. 85.
Since we were indulging in small samplers we decided on
a stuffed bell pepper, the moussaka, an entrecote pork chop, the blackened
ribs, a fish and prawn casserole and a salmon and salsa fresca.
We went for house white wine, but had a cocktail each
to start. I can recommend the “Hurricane” while Madame enjoyed the
Mardi Gras cocktail.
First dish was the Blackened ribs and the tangy taste
of the special spice just lifted the baby back ribs to new heights. If you
are a regular on the standard ribs (as I was), do try the blackened
variety. Sensational!
The salmon and salsa fresca has a delightful “bite”
to it, while the moussaka was a magnificent dish. For me, the blackened
ribs was the dish of the night, while for Madame it was the casserole.
We found new enjoyment at Cafe New Orleans. The range
of dishes is growing all the time and the range of taste sensations
likewise. The previous high standards have been maintained and we had a
memorable evening. It is not over the top in price and the servings are
very large. Very highly recommended.
Cafe New Orleans, Soi Pattayaland 2, South Pattaya,
tel. 038 710 805.
