Casa Pascal’s interior.
Casa Pascal, run by Pascal and Kim Schnyder, is coming up
for its 11 year anniversary, and is undoubtedly one of the cornerstones of
fine dining in Pattaya. For newcomers to this city, Casa Pascal is just off
Second Road, opposite the Marriott Resort’s Dicey Reilly’s Pub, and next to
Ruen Thai. Drive in the small soi and there is also plenty of secure parking
at the end. An addition this year has been an al fresco dining area outside,
but covered, and obviously very popular with smokers.
Inside, the restaurant exhibits the epitome of good
taste, with large tables, comfortable carver chairs, quality glassware and
napery. Omnipresent is Kim Schnyder, whilst Chef Pascal pops in and out
between culinary duties in the kitchen. Smartly outfitted service personnel
complete the picture, designed to make the diner feel at ease.
Mmmmmm oysters.
With Madame handling the a la carte menu, and myself with
the set menu, we decided to begin with an icy cold glass of Prosecco. A
wonderful palate reviver while perusing!
Our main thrust was to investigate the “Wine and Dine”
set menu. This offers many choices in a four course dinner, and at B. 675
+VAT (food only) this is not an expensive dinner! Dig a little deeper into
the budget and the food plus unlimited free-flow red and white wine is only
B. 1375 +VAT. The wines by the way are both Italian from Umbria and are a
Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay. We tried the red and the white during
the evening, and both are perfectly adequate to go with a repast, the
Chardonnay being very fruity with a very pleasant nose.
In addition to the set menu and the a la carte offerings
are some occasional promotions such as Maine lobster or French mussels, or
Fin de Clair and Tasmanian oysters. For these items to be on the menu
depends upon availability, and on our evening we were lucky enough for the
two varieties of oyster to be that evening’s special. Comparing the two was
something I had wanted to do for some time, and this gave me the
opportunity. However, discussing this with Pascal later, he admitted that
his favorite were Sydney Rock oysters.
Super-sized scallops.
In the set menu there are many, many choices, with four
appetizers for a start. I chose the smoked salmon, and I can heartily
recommend it. The smoking is done by Pascal himself, and the smoky flavor
really comes through. It was served with capers and onions and some wasabi
dressing. Lovely!
From the a la cart menu Madame had selected the pan-fried
Alaskan scallops in a lemon and basil sauce (B. 390) and the scallops were
huge, and with the sauce made for a very pleasing start. That was followed
by the mango - prawn curry soup, which is just sensational. Enough of a
‘bite’ but still allows all the flavors to come through. She followed that
up with the Pacific Dory fillets (B. 390) poached in a lime flavored, basil,
mushroom and tomato sauce. It ate as well as it sounds!
Flambé with fun.
I had chosen the flamed beef medallions in a green
peppercorn sauce, cooked at the table. I was not disappointed in any way. A
superb ending to my meal (no room left for desserts)!
I entitled this review “Madness at Casa Pascal”, because
I really do not know how he can do such a comprehensive set menu for so
little money. Very often set menus feature all the cheapest dishes the
restaurant can produce. You cannot say that about Pascal’s set menu. Even
though there is a surcharge of B. 90 for the flamb้ beef medallions cooked
at the table, it is well and truly worth it, even if just for the theater
alone. I have always said that food should be fun as well as filling.
Casa Pascal, 485/M10, Pattaya Second Road (small soi next
Ruen Thai and opposite the Marriott Hotel’s Dicey Reilly’s Pub), Pattaya
City, telephone for reservation 038 723 660, email info@restaurant-pattaya.
com. Secure parking. Breakfast and lunch buffet from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. (B.
175 +VAT), dinner 6 p.m. until late.
