One of the newer restaurants in Jomtien (the food capital
of Pattaya) is on Beach Road, between Sois 2 and 3, set back slightly so it
is possible to miss it. From the street it looks very up-market, but when
you get close you can see that the restaurant is decorated in an almost
Spanish bodega or bistro style. Outside is one dining area under the stars,
which then moves into another outer area, but covered. Venture further
inside and there is an air-conditioned section on one side and an open
grill/kitchen on the other. Something for everyone.
We had watched this restaurant being outfitted and on a
whim went on one rainy Wednesday evening. We were welcomed by the manageress
Patrapa Ovadhana, who assured us that Steak Steak was not a franchise, but
part of a two restaurant family business, with the other being an Italian
restaurant in Soi 55 Sukhumvit, Bangkok.
The menu is simple, but there are enough choices.
Beginning with six appetizers (B. 85-165) with chicken wings at the lower
end and salmon and scampi at the top end.
These are followed by salads (B. 90-165) ranging from a
Caesar salad to a shrimp cocktail. Soups follow (B. 90-100) then there are
13 grill choices (B. 250-560) with the imported New Zealand or Argentinean
beef reflecting the price premium.
There
are also seven dishes called ‘mains’ (B. 175-495) and then spaghetti
items (B. 140-250). Turn over the menu and the soft drinks are B. 30, and
there are fruit juices, coffee and teas on offer as well. Heineken beer is
B. 70, with Singha and Chang B. 10 cheaper.
There is a small wine list with the majority of the reds
and whites well under B. 1000, and house wine is only B. 120 per glass or B.
600 for a bottle.
I decided to have a beer, which came in a tall glass and
very chilled. Top marks. We were also given generous portions of crusty
French bread with butter while waiting for our meals, and I also noticed
that both salt and pepper grinders were placed on the table, along with the
largest steak knife this side of Crocodile Dundee (remember Paul Hogan
bringing out the huge blade, saying to the New York hoodlum, “Now this is
a knife!”).
I began with the salmon appetizer which came with onion
and capers and a very nice salad with vinaigrette dressing. Again top marks.
For our main courses I had selected a pepper steak from
the grill, which was delivered to the table cooked to my order, while Madame
had the Duck Pepper. There was a choice of potatoes for the grilled item,
and I chose mashed, while Madame’s duck came with apples and spinach.
Both items were presented in adequate serves, and the
large steak knife soon made slicing the meat very easy. The vegetables were
also correctly cooked to preserve the crispness in the carrot and beans that
came with the steak.
Patrapa did try and tempt us with dessert, and although
the blueberry pie sounded inviting, we had no room for a third course.
Also of note is that the serving staff all had good
English language skills, and manageress Patrapa who spent some time in San
Francisco is fluent, with a very attractive American lilt.
This restaurant has been a ‘sleeper’ but should be no
more. It has obviously been positioned to attract the local ex-pat and
tourist market, and certainly fills that niche very well. The food was
excellent, it is not overpriced, and the service friendly and unobtrusive
and smart in the long black European style aprons. We will definitely be
going back, and if you have not tried it, then you should. Well worth the
visit. By the way, Patrapa said that they can cater for private parties and
have several set menus to choose from in the range of B. 350-550.
Steak Steak, 14/3 Moo 12, Jomtien Beach Road, (between Sois 2 and 3)
Jomtien, telephone 038 231 131. Plenty of on-street parking and across the
road on the beach side. Open seven days, 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
