If you have never heard of the Paulaner Garden, or have
heard of it but don’t know where it is, you are forgiven. Paulaner Garden is
new, and is on the top floor (3rd floor Beach Road
side) of the Royal Garden Plaza, with Food Wave as its neighbor.
The name of the Paulaner brewery refers to an order of
friars that resided in Neuhauser Strasse in Munich who were part of the
order of Saint Francis of Paola. The monks began brewing beer for their own
use in 1634, although some beer was sampled by the parishioners. After the
abolition of the cloister in 1799, the building was converted into a
penitentiary. However, Paulaner did not die in captivity and is still a very
popular German beer today.
With the full range of Paulaner beers being imported to
Thailand by the happily gregarious Ken Whitty, he then opened a German beer
garden in Bangkok to go with his beers. Three and a half years down the
track, and just over two months ago, he has now opened the Paulaner Garden
in Pattaya.
In common with the Food Wave, the Paulaner Garden has
spectacular views across Pattaya Bay through to the Royal Cliff in the west.
There are two viewing areas outside, one under cover and the other open to
the elements. The covered one is fine during the day and the other one best
to watch the spectacular sunsets. There is another dining area indoors and
air-conditioned, complete with a bar and a couple of Paulaner draft beers on
tap.
The
menu shows that the fare is more than just German and oom-pah-pah. There are
many international items, such a NZ Mussels (B. 270) or grilled Atlantic
salmon steak with lemon butter (B. 450). There is even a children’s section
in the menu with hot dogs, spaghetti and the like, all at B. 120. Starters
are catered for with items such as chicken wings (B. 150) or the Thai
favorite pla muek sai thong (B. 160). Salads and sides, with most in
the range B. 125-195 have enough choices for most tastes and there are many
Thai items for those dining partners who are not enthusiastic over ‘farang’
food. Of course, the desserts do offer warm apple strudel with vanilla ice
cream (B. 160) and a totally decadent Linzer Torte with hazelnut sugar dough
with raspberry jam and chocolate ice cream also B. 160. Not recommended for
those on a diet!
Germans love their beers and Paulaner is one of the
favorites. Sixteen beers are available with most between B. 150-195. The
range is generally at 5.5 percent alcohol, though beware of the traditional
Salvator at 7.9 percent.
Wines are available, with the house red and white at B.
170 per glass. Bottled wines are from France, Spain and Chile with most
under B. 1,000 per bottle. The house white I tried was excellent quaffing.
We sampled many items from the menu and can honestly say
we were not disappointed in any way. While making our choices, we snacked on
traditional pretzels with pate, great with beer. The items were correctly
cooked and the portion sizes were large. I particularly liked the spicy
goulash soup with beef and bell peppers (B. 120) and followed that up with
the assorted Bavarian sausage served with sauerkraut and German roasted
potatoes (B.295).
If you have a large appetite, look at the bacon ribs
which are pickled in-house. As we were three in the party, the next dish we
sampled was an enormous pork knuckle with traditional sauerkraut and
potatoes (full B. 450, half B. 250). This is a dish that can be overcooked
if the chef is not careful. The chef had it just right.
We moved outside and lingered, enjoying the view and
finished with coffees, complete with warm milk. Nice touch.
We were more than impressed and can readily recommend
this new restaurant in the center of town, for a refreshing beer or a great
meal.
Paulaner Garden, 3rd floor Royal
Garden Plaza (Beach Road side), open 11 a.m. until 12 midnight, seven days.
Secure parking in the Royal Garden Plaza car park (but remember to get
Paulaner Garden to stamp your ticket).
