by Miss Terry Diner
There is a down side to having one of the most elegant
restaurants in town - everyone assumes that it is expensive! Chef Pascal
Schnyder can actually show that this is not necessarily the case in his
Casa Pascal Restaurant, where the Dining Out Team went for lunch last
week.
Before examining the business lunch sets, it should be
pointed out that the a la carte menu is current all day, and even it has
multi-course sets from as low as 450 baht. The actual business lunch menu
changes regularly and features either a four course lunch at B. 350, or a
three course lunch for B. 220, or a main course only at B. 165. These are
hardly ‘over the top’ prices!
For those who have not been to Casa Pascal, a few words
about the restaurant itself are in order. It is set back from Pattaya
Second Road and is adjacent to the Ruen Thai Restaurant complex and shares
its large car parking area. One side of the restaurant has extensive
windows, making for a very airy feel during daylight hours. The other side
is divided into separate alcoves. You sit in large upholstered chairs and
the tables are also generous in size, covered with yellow linen
tablecloths and large enough to be able to take business folders as well
as your lunch! Terracotta tiles are on the floor and the ceiling is high.
Again adding to the airy atmosphere. The glassware is lead crystal and the
napkins are linen and large - the same size as those on the Orient
Express, Pascal assured me.
The d้cor is restrained and classy - you would
not be embarrassed taking any high-flying international MD to this
restaurant. And incidentally, the toilets have to be the world’s most
elegant loos! (Yes, I peeked in the gentleman’s as well.)
What was very noticeable was the fact that the tables
are not crammed together, just to get another four people in the doors,
but are far enough apart that you can do business, without being overheard
by your neighbouring table.
Lunch began with cold towels - large hand towels - and
our drinks order. Being the middle of the day I went for soda water, but
Madame with a more relaxed schedule joined Pascal in a glass of the house
champagne (B. 150). We were also given a small palate reviver of chopped
smoked salmon and Spanish Gazpacho salad to set the tone for the lunchtime
meal. With this came a choice of hot breads (white or wholemeal) and a
very appetizing egg spread.
Madame went for the cold cuts and mixed salad on garden
greens and was more than satisfied by the quantity, the variety and the
taste. I decided on the soup that day, which was a chicken cream with
bacon, served with the croutons separately. This came in a covered soup
bowl and was served hot. (Note to other restaurateurs, please do not serve
lukewarm soups!) It was also excellent and I will have this again myself
next time I am passing Casa Pascal’s around lunch time.
We both decided on the main course of braised cherry
duck in aged red wine and buttered noodles. This was a superb dish, the
sauce sensational and the duck was not tough, as this bird can sometimes
tend to be. Both of us enjoyed this immensely.
We allowed ourselves to be talked into the dessert, an
Italian ice cream with cherries, and Madame finished with coffee, while I
just sat, unable to eat or drink any more. It had been a very good lunch.
The Dining Out Team was most impressed with our meal at
Casa Pascal. The food was of the usual Casa Pascal standard, and the
restaurant design lends itself to the concept of business meetings. We
have given Casa Pascal a very highly recommended rating before and we are
even more confirmed in that decision. The addition of the business menu is
an opportunity for the business people in Pattaya to dine elegantly at a
price that should make this restaurant even more attractive.
Casa Pascal, Pattaya Second Road, next to Ruen Thai, telephone 038 723
660.
