by Miss Terry Diner
The New Buffalo started out a few years ago as the
Buffalo Grill, then became the “New” Buffalo Grill a couple of years
back, but since April this year it has become really new with new owners,
the Lassance’s from Belgium (and proud of it) and the name of the New
Buffalo Restaurant.
When you walk into the restaurant, on the corner of Soi
Buakhao and Soi Chaiyapoon, the first impression is cleanliness. Clean
tiled floors, clean walls, immaculate blue tablecloths and napkins - even
the artificial tree d้cor is clean. The staff were immaculately
turned out in black pants, white shirts and red aprons. Chef Ghisslane
Lassance also invited Miss Terry to visit the kitchen - again spotless.
Another notable fact which I gleaned in the kitchen was Ghisslane’s
insistence on fresh food, which he vacuum packs and snap freezes to ensure
sterility. This man knows his food biochemistry.
The menu is predominantly French, and could do with
some English translations in places, though the manageress, Mme Lassance
will translate or explain where necessary.
The inside cover advertises a Fondue Bourguignonne for
two people at 350 baht per person, then goes on to the Entrees. These
range from Tomato carpaccio at 45 baht through to a salmon plate at 250
baht.
Next up are 12 specialities (B. 135-350) covering veal,
lamb, spaghetti and fish. The following page has the grilled meats, with
beef predominant (B. 250) with a choice of sauces including a hot
“Bordelaise piquante”, a Roquefort cream cheese, green pepper or
mushroom, then there are pork chops (B. 175-195) with herbs and salad or
piccalilli cream and finally a lamb chop and vegetables (B. 320) or a
T-bone steak served on a wooden platter (B. 270).
There is also the old “Buffalo Formula” which
includes a salad or pate and then a “cowboy” steak or pork chop with
chips or baked potato, all for 210 baht.
After these there are several desserts (B. 65-85),
coffees and house wine which you can buy by the glass (B. 65), by the 0.25
L carafe (B. 130) or 0.5 L at B. 250, or you can buy a bottle, red or
white for B. 670. There are several aperitifs, generally around B. 90,
local beers (B. 60-85) plus soft drinks. Finally, there is a page
dedicated to Thai food (and in Thai too) with most items B. 95. Almost
forgot, there are also blackboard specials which the waitress brings
around to tempt those who are still undecided.
We decided we would try the house wine (after a Ricard
aperitif), which turned out to be an Italian Chardonnay and was most
pleasant, and very reasonably priced for the half litre.
We began with a Chef’s Pate terrine for Miss Terry
and the Snails Bourgignonne for Madame. The pate was most pleasant, and
made by chef Ghislane himself. The snails however, sent Madame into
raptures. “Delicious” was heard through garlic supping noises. I did
try one and I have to admit that Madame was right. If you like snails,
these were certainly delicious!
For our mains, my dining partner went for the Lamb chop
and vegetables, and again this dish was given very high marks by Madame. I
had chosen the steak with the Roquefort cheese sauce and the steak was
tender, cooked correctly and the Roquefort sauce was sensational! I had
chosen the “pomme frites”, knowing just how nationalistic the Belgians
are about the humble potato chip. They were, by the way, excellent.
We finished with a lemon sorbet but sorry, we had no
room left for the offered desserts or coffees. Not even French or Irish!
We found the New Buffalo Restaurant served excellent
European food at very reasonable prices. Slightly away from the main
thoroughfares, but worth the short walk up Soi Diana Inn from Second Road,
or down Soi Chaiyapoon from Third Road. Definitely worth a visit, but be
prepared to polish up your “rusty” French (although Mme Lassance
assured me some English translations were on the way)! Recommended.
The New Buffalo Restaurant, 383/70 Soi Buakhao (corner Soi Chaiyapoon),
Central Pattaya, telephone 038 424 630. Open from noon.
