There’s not many places in Spain more Spanish than
Valencia, and there’s not too many cooks in Pattaya more proudly Spanish
than Vincent, who with his Thai wife runs the Valencia Spanish Restaurant on
Thepprasit Road. It is not large (like Vincent himself) but is very
colourful (like Vincent himself).
Being small it is easy to miss while driving along the
busy Thepprasit Road. Coming from the Thappraya end and heading towards
Sukhumvit, the road has a dip half way along (near a 7-Eleven on your left),
then it climbs towards the PTT and AM-PM garages, also on the left. Half way
towards the garages from the dip (about 300 metres), the Valencia Restaurant
is on the right hand side.
It is in a single shophouse, but is anything but small
and dark. It is air-conditioned, well lit and a profusion of colours, with
“tartan” tablecloths and napkins, and very brightly decorated plates
adding to the atmosphere, as do the family photographs along the walls. With
the ever-smiling Vincent and his very friendly wife, you feel as if you have
walked into somebody’s home (in Valencia). All that was missing were the
bullfight posters proclaiming “Hermosos y bravos toros”.
Vincent
also insisted that I visit his kitchen, and there was only one word for it -
spotless! And similarly for his storeroom area. Vincent may be a proud
Spaniard, but he is an even more proud cook.
The menu is a pretty simple affair, but does have some
photo pages, a concept that I believe all restaurants should consider. If
you know what the dish ‘looks’ like, then you are more likely to order
it.
Being Spanish, the beverage pages are at the front. After
all, in Spain, restaurants are places for relaxing, entertaining and
enjoying the company of one’s friends, so you begin with a drink. Sorry no
Cerveza Cruz but there were all the local Thai brews ranging in price
between B. 45-60 for a small bottle, plus all the usual soft drinks.
Tapas and starters are B. 140-350 and include gazpacho
(the Andalusian cold soup - great on hot days), Spanish omelette, some
grilled red peppers with garlic, prawns done in many ways - garlic, with
salt, or even in lemon-wine (meuniere). Similarly there are several choices
of squid based dishes.
For his main dishes, Vincent advises that you can expect
a 30 minutes wait. Each dish is cooked to order, there is no pre-cooking
with a quick flash under the salamander (or worse still, 30 seconds in the
microwave). Vincent’s food is fresh and cooked after you order it! (Just
ask Vincent.)
The paellas range in price between B. 250-450 depending
upon the main ingredients, and there are also many pasta dishes (B.
140-185), including spaghetti and lasagne.
We dined on a representative sample of Vincent’s
cooking, including an anchovy-like fish starter and a beautiful crunchy and
chunky and fresh salad which came drenched in Vincent’s own vinaigrette. I
really enjoyed it. We washed this down with a Spanish wine (what else?)
called Mosaica, a very light red (with an 11.5 percent alcohol rating, so it
wasn’t all that light!). Some lovely crusty bread was also supplied, which
was great for mopping up the last of the vinaigrette.
For a main course, Vincent supplied a huge bowl of his
seafood paella. Believe me, it was enormous! It contained prawns (lots of),
crab, clams and squid in a beautiful soft rice base. This was a very
traditional paella, and extremely filling. Madame and I could not finish it,
and did avail ourselves of the offer of a takeaway container.
“Mi casa es su casa” (my house is your house) said
Vincent as we went to leave. It really is that kind of place. Homely with a
great atmosphere and great food. If you like Spanish food you really should
try Valencia (there’s more than oranges coming from there!). A number of
other diners also expressed their satisfaction, so you are getting more than
just my recommendation.
Valencia Spanish Restaurant, 64/69 M.12, Thepprasit Road, Pattaya,
telephone 038 300 197. On street parking. Open Monday-Saturday 12 noon-10
p.m. and Sundays 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
