by Miss Terry Diner
Restaurants have been known to alter their cuisine or
direction, but Baan Chaiyapruk is one restaurant that altered its
direction so much that it moved across the street! Originally a small
"boutique" restaurant attached to an internet service and
language school, it outgrew its original concept and has become a garden
restaurant attached to a massage therapy and aerobics studio.
The restaurant is not difficult to find on Chaiyapruk
Road, having one of the largest illuminated signs in the street and is
accessed through a covered walkway along the side of the massage therapy
building. You emerge into a lush tropical garden covered with a huge domed
roof. Rustic wooden tables and chairs continue the "nature"
theme, along with a fountain, small pool and garden swing at the far end.
Paving stones and pebbles are set into the ground so you are not in danger
of slipping on wet grass. Ornamental plants abound and the garden lights
give the restaurant a very romantic atmosphere.
Along one side of the garden is a slightly raised dais
with massage therapy chairs, for those who would like their foot massage
in the outside environment, while at the rear of the building there is a
sit-up cocktail bar for those who just want a quiet drink or refreshing
ale.
Since the restaurant opens at 9 a.m. there is a
dedicated breakfast menu, with an ABF at 95 baht and appropriate
Thai/Chinese breakfast items ranging between B. 35-55. The main menu is
quite extensive and predominantly Thai, although there is one page of Euro
items (steaks and pasta mainly) between 70-180 baht and some burgers and
sandwiches B. 55-75.
The Thai items are under B. 100 with the median around
B. 80. This includes salads, curries, stir-fries, soups, omelettes and one
page of "fast food" items at B. 35-50 with noodle and rice
dishes.
There is one page with drinks and beer (local beers
small bottles all under B. 50) and house wine, red and white at B. 75 per
(well filled) glass. Cocktails are also similarly keenly priced.
The Dining Out team was two persons, increased to three
with Jack, the maitre d’ for the evening (an interesting young Thai who
lived in the USA for 27 years) joining us, giving me the chance to try a
variety of dishes. By the way, the dishes come from the kitchen covered
with individual "cloches", to keep the food hot - a nice touch.
We began with a lemongrass chicken, a dish with ground chicken meat cooked
with chopped lemongrass. This was certainly a spicy dish, but owner May
Nointara, assured me that any dish can be made less spicy if the diner
lets the (very friendly) staff know at the time of ordering.
The next dish was a classic gaeng keowaan gai (sweet
green curry chicken) and this was excellent, and for me it was the dish of
the night. The chicken meat soft, the curry having the correct degree of
spiciness and a full bowl to boot.
The third dish was steamed cockles in a piquant sauce
which again I found most enjoyable, even though I usually am not too fond
of the small bivalves. This was followed by a garlic and pepper pork, a
delightfully tasty "dry" dish. All of the dishes being good
examples of traditional Thai food, cooked in the traditional way.
To go with the meal we chose the house white wine and
it was perfectly matched to the food. Not too dry or too sweet, but an
excellent quaffing wine which suits the Thai cuisine.
We found Baan Chaiyapruk to be a unique style of
restaurant. The tropical garden setting places it apart from other
restaurants in Pattaya, and the food is very moderately priced. It is very
suitable for families or parties, and if you want a massage, you can have
this at the same venue. An interesting original concept that appears to be
working well. Good value for money and highly recommended.
Baan Chaiyapruk, Thai body and foot massage garden and restaurant,
131/9 Chaiyapruk Road (2 km along Jomtien Beach Road past the Dongtan
Police Box), Jomtien, telephone 038 233 418 or 038 756 480.
