At this time of year we sit down and look at the restaurant reviews we have done. This past year (2008) we reviewed 19 new venues, which is almost a record. From the 19 new places to eat, there were three that were outstanding, and in our opinion will be able to hold their own amongst the established restaurants in Pattaya. These were the Minus 5 degrees supper club, the Café des Amis and the Grappa.

Cafe des Amis entrance.
The Minus 5° Supperclub and Ice bar is in the new Amari Nova Suites, on Soi Sukrudee (about 500 meters past Nova Park and Jameson’s Irish Pub). A central sunken bar is surrounded by a sea of white covered mattresses around the walls, complete with a myriad of white cushions. The effect is such that you look incredulously around you, spotting fellow diners relaxing against the cushions. You are reminded to remove your shoes (so make sure your socks don’t have holes in them) and you climb up on the mattresses and lie back yourself totally relaxed.
The concept is sensational, the execution is breathtaking and all this leads to an incredible (and fun) evening. If you want to impress anyone, this is the venue to do it in. If you have even the smallest sliver of sophistication, this is the venue to flaunt it in.
Minus 5° Supperclub and Ice bar, Amari Nova Suites, 80/164 M.9 Soi Sukrudee (Soi AR), Central Pattaya, telephone 038 426 768, www. amari.com, secure parking outside and valet parking on busy evenings, open seven days 6 p.m. until late.
Café des Amis is off Thappraya Road, and go into Soi 11, at the bottom of Soi 11 turn right at the T-junction and you are at the compound. Walk through the ornamental portals and be stunned by the wooden building architecture and then turn right and you will arrive at the bar area of Café des Amis.
The menu is French/international and not extensive, but is comprehensive enough for the diners, with seven starters, including a soup of the day, Parma ham and mango salad and even pan-fried snails tossed in a green salad with sage, parsley, garlic and lemon.
Mains cover fish, beef, lamb, duck and chicken with the majority under B. 400. There is a children’s menu and a small Thai menu as well.
The wine list is predominantly French but there are new world examples on offer. The majority are well under B. 2,000 and we can recommend the Cackleberry Shiraz.
The ambience is wonderful, with a French provincial feel to it. The bar area is comfortable, you do not feel rushed. Inside the dining area it is more classical Thai, but the table settings are classical European. The food was of a high standard, and certainly not overpriced.
Café des Amis, 391/6 Soi 11, Thappraya Road, Jomtien, telephone 038 364 327, open every day 4.30 p.m. until late. Plenty of parking outside.
Grappa Ristorante and Wine Bar, is in the Woodlands Suites, in Soi 22 Naklua.
The restaurant has two outside dining areas, with one overlooking the glass walled kitchen and the other the swimming pool, while the central area is enclosed and air-conditioned with a central bar. All very modern, with clean lines, and much use of natural wood. The service staff are dressed in black pants with red cummerbund and white shirts with black trim. All very smart.
There are several menus, with drinks, Italian food, Thai food (Thai favorites for Thai partners) and Desserts. The main Italian menu is under the control of chef Yannis Amarantinis and shows great restraint with careful selection of fine dishes.
How do you describe a venue which is outstanding, without going over the top with superlatives? Grappa Ristorante and Wine Bar is, without any shadow of a doubt, already a fully fledged member of the better restaurants in Pattaya. Great venue, great food and great Grappa!
Grappa Ristorante and Wine Bar, Woodlands Suites, Soi 22 Pattaya Naklua Road, tel 038 052 299, email fo@ woodlandssuites.com. Open seven days 11 a.m. through till last orders in the kitchen 11 p.m. Secure parking underneath Woodlands Suites.
There will be more new ones in 2009, and we are looking forward to them!

Minus 5° Supperclub

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Pumpkin Soup

This week’s recipe is from the PILC recipe book called “Our International Secrets” and came from Anna Timlin. It is no ordinary pumpkin soup, as it has garlic, chilli and coriander through it, to give a spiciness to the smooth blended mixture. This pumpkin soup is described as “excellent to serve as a starter at a dinner party.” Incidentally, you can purchase this cookbook from the PILC.

Cooking Method:   Fry onion, garlic, chilli and coriander for 5 minutes. Add pumpkin and fry another 5 minutes. Pour in water and add the stick cubes and salt. Simmer covered for about 15 minutes. In a mixer, puree in batches until smooth. Heat the soup before serving and serve with bread.

Ingredients        Serves 10
Olive oil                        2 tbspns
Onion (finely chopped)   1
Garlic (crushed)            2 cloves
Red chilli                      ½ - 1
Coriander stalks chopped ½ tspn
Pumpkin in pieces         1.3 kg
Water                           1.2 liters
Knorr chicken stock cubes 2
Salt                               1 tspn