When Miss Terry first came to Pattaya almost seven years ago,
La Gritta Restaurant in the Amari Orchid Resort grounds was almost spoken about
in hushed tones. It was one of THE fine dining restaurants. The kind of place
you took newcomers to prove that Pattaya wasn’t really Hicksville! However,
over the years, with newer and glitzier places coming up, La Gritta began to
show its age. There were other priorities for the resort and there was no
getting away from the fact that La Gritta had slipped from the pinnacle.
So
it was with interest that the Dining Out Team accepted Executive Assistant
Manager Michael Goetz’s invitation to come and try La Gritta again. The
invitation was given in the company of the new executive chef Flemming
Schulthes, who even met us in the Henry J. Bean’s establishment for a
pre-dinner drink before we sauntered across the garden to La Gritta.
Right from the start there was something new, alive and
vibrant in the restaurant (and I do not mean the seafood), the staff in their
smart shirts and long aprons had that ‘eager to please’ attitude that is so
necessary these days! There is the same general layout of the venue, but there
has been a de-cluttering. However, the alcoves are still there for elegant and
intimate parties, and the Amari has resisted the trend of pushing tables too
close together. In fact it is worthwhile mentioning the tables. They are large
enough, and the chairs comfortable enough, to allow for a relaxed evening.
Starched linen, naturally. And a rose.
The
menu is in Italian with subtitles in English and begins with the Antipasti
ranging between B. 145-275, with a Caesar salad (done at your table) at the
lower end. A couple of soups follow (B. 105 and B. 115) with seven pastas (B.
135-225) after that. Being Italian, there is a small range of pizzas around B.
175 and then nine choices of seafood items generally around B. 350 with crab,
snapper, sole, rock lobster, salmon and prawn on offer.
Next up are the meats and poultry (B. 240-440) and then a
page of Chef’s Recommendations, including a most reasonably priced grilled
Australian rib eye with all the trimmings at B. 520, and other less expensive
items.
We began with the Parma ham and rock melon carpaccio and
extra virgin olive oil for Madame and the tomato and Mozzarella salad with
avocado and the EV olive oil for myself. Another fresh breeze immediately. The
new square frosted glass plates and elegant presentation that just heightens the
pleasure was noted by us both - and the fact that our starters were very good,
especially the tangy dressing that came with my lettuce. Beautiful!
For mains, Madame had chosen lamb chops with a roasted
eggplant-potato puree and almond mint pesto. The lamb was tender and the almond
mint pesto sauce just set it off nicely. I had chosen the tiger prawns in a
cream mustard sauce from the monthly promotional menu, with chef Flemming
advising that it was true Dijon mustard, and quite frankly, it was truly
delightful.
We were too replete to even contemplate desserts, but did
manage to assist Michael Goetze finish a bottle of Australian Chardonnay! All in
the name of investigative journalism of course.
What can I say about the evening, other than the fact that La
Gritta is back! The food was excellent, there was a good range in the menu, and
the rotating monthly specials will stop boredom in repeat diners. The trappings
that help make up the total ambience were refreshingly new and La Gritta no
longer has that ‘tired’ feeling to it. La Gritta has returned to the ranks
of the better fine dining restaurants in Pattaya, and all those who used to
frequent this venue should try it again. With a special four course
Valentine’s Day menu coming up at B. 600 it would be a very inexpensive way to
renew the acquaintance. Very highly recommended.
La Gritta, Amari Orchid Resort, (top end) Beach Road (next to Henry J.
Bean’s Bar and Grill), North Pattaya, telephone 038 428 161. Secure parking in
the grounds.
