2010 from the Dining Out’s dinner table

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Another 52 weeks have gone by, and another group of restaurants has been reviewed.  Some excellent ones amongst them, some new ones well worth your patronage one evening and some very different venues.

Let’s start with the most outstanding new restaurant, and that has to be Zico’s Brazilian.  Great food on skewers and the energetic samba dancers makes for a different night out.

Mata Hari is well worth a visit.Mata Hari is well worth a visit.

A different evening can be had at the Pullman Aisawan Pattaya and the cheese night was superb.  If you like cheese, you will not get a better selection.

Amongst the new restaurants are the Levantini in The Village shopping center (corner Chaiyapruek 1 and Sukhumvit Road) with interesting Mediterranean/North African food and Cafe le Mar is another on Jomtien Beach Road.  Both of these venues rate highly.  Another pair of very new restaurants are in the just opened Hilton Hotel.  The Sunday Brunch at The Edge is B. 1,200, children under 12 free and they have two nannies there, a balloonist and a magician to keep the children occupied.  Oysters and caviar to keep the parents occupied!  The up-market dining venue at the Hilton is called Flare and again well worth a visit.

Waitress, please shake mine just a little - Zico’s.Waitress, please shake mine just a little – Zico’s.

Jameson’s Irish Pub is hardly new, but their weekly special menu is, and with Jameson’s being a most convivial pub, it’s a great place for an evening.  A similar restaurant is Greg’s Kitchen, good honest food and huge portions.  I do not know anyone who ever made it through to desserts!  Don’t forget the rebranded Amari Tavern by the Sea, either, for good solid food.

There are so many top class restaurants in Pattaya, and we did not manage to get to them all in the course of 12 months, so if you feel that your favorite restaurant is missing, don’t fret.  During the year we had memorable evenings at the Royal Cliff’s Grill Room and Wine Cellar, Casa Pascal now nine years old (and its close relative Poseidon), Mata Hari, Gians and Manhattans.

We did not get to try all of the cheap and cheerfuls either, I’m afraid, but Kunpong Restaurant/Pizza House on the Huay Yai road was very good and the B. 129 pizzas unbeatable value.

The disappointment of the year was the Dusit’s Sunday Brunch, which was simply superb, but was not continued.  A great shame.  It was the ultimate indulgence, but perhaps Pattaya is not ready yet for unfettered hedonism.

Casa Pascal, now nine years old, comes highly recommended.Casa Pascal, now nine years old, comes highly recommended.

The Pullman Aisawan Pattaya cheese night is superb.The Pullman Aisawan Pattaya cheese night is superb.

Royal Cliff’s Grill Room and Wine Cellar’s crepes are exquisite.Royal Cliff’s Grill Room and Wine Cellar’s crepes are exquisite.