by Miss Terry Diner
One restaurant enjoying a good reputation for some years is The Balcony. However, it is not sitting back resting on its laurels and the latest developments prompted the Dining Out Team to re-visit, on the invitation of the owner Khun Rachain.
The entire restaurant building has had a “make-over” with the addition of the Waterfall Court and a Coffee Shop, with a bakery as well. With these now operational, the original restaurant area is being totally renovated to become a dedicated fine dining restaurant. The architectural design was by a French architect and the new coffee shop has that French colonial atmosphere to it. Large windows look out over planter boxes with ferns and palms to give a restful ambience, while the rattan and wicker furniture adds to the tropical touch. In one corner is a bar area, with “leopard skin” bar stools. Much use of natural teak wood gives a “Thai” feeling, and it is best described as a very comfortable restaurant. While Khun Rachain might call the new eating place a “coffee shop”, it is in reality of a much higher standard than the name would suggest. The décor is excellent, and the previous high standards in table settings have been retained.
The new Waterfall Court outside has two waterfalls tumbling over rock formations with al fresco dining under large parasols and is a very romantic area, night or day. The enclosed courtyard is paved and it is difficult to imagine that this is new - it has that “old and established” look to it.
While making our respective food choices, Khun Rachain chose the wine - a very pleasant Frascati, which complemented our predominantly seafood choices that evening.
There are two menus, one a European with Thai favourites, and the other a dedicated and expanded Thai menu. I chose from the European one, while Madame for the evening looked into the Thai choices.
The Euro one begins with 7 soups (B. 69-89) and then into 9 salads (B. 80-250) with the higher end items being a meal themselves. I have had the salmon salad with shrimps as a lunch item several times - excellent!
The hot hors d’oeuvres are next (B. 105-175) which includes a Quiche Lorraine and a fried mushroom Provencale. These are followed by 9 pasta dishes (generally around B. 180) with the spaghetti with baby clams and spicy white wine sauce looking interesting.
The Mains are divided into beef, pork, chicken, lamb and seafood (B. 185-300) and includes a pepper steak, grilled lamb chops and a marinated salmon with dill sauce and stewed potatoes. Finally there are 9 Thai favourites (B. 170-195).
The dedicated Thai menu has over 40 items (generally around B. 150-180) and does have both English and French translations.
I began with a shrimp cream soup which was very aromatic with a hint of white wine in the soup stock. There were portions of shrimps through the soup and the end result was an excellent starter. Madame had also chosen a shrimp dish with deep fried prawns with garlic and pepper. The flavours here were individual and distinct, with even a hint of coriander and the prawns were soft and plump. Again an excellent starter. Madame followed that with sweet and sour seafood and vegetables which also received high praise.
For a main course I chose the poached fillets of flounder stuffed with salmon. This came with asparagus spears and boiled potato and a very creamy white wine sauce. The rolled up flounder fillets were quite large and the whole meal was very filling and very tasty. The white wine sauce deserves its own mention, adding to the flavour of the two fish without overpowering either.
Madame managed a flambé banana and ice cream dessert, but I just stuck with coffee!
The Dining Out Team is pleased to report that the standard of the food at The Balcony is still excellent, and with the new dining areas this has expanded the appeal of this restaurant. The prices are in no way over the top and we can highly recommend this venue.
The Balcony Restaurant, 151/35 Moo 5, Soi Ananthakul, North Pattaya Road (opposite Pattaya City Hall), tel. 038 425 108.
