The unofficial national anthem of Australia is “Waltzing Matilda” which has the following verse:
“Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled:
You’ll come a-waltzing Matilda, with me.”
Forget the coolibah tree, Pattaya has its own Billabong, a previously well established sports bar on the Dark Side overlooking Mabprachan Lake. However, it has seen a change of ownership recently with Aussie management promising to make a good venue even better.
It is easy enough to find, despite the road works. Follow Siam Country Club Road around and turn left just before the archway to follow Mabprachan Lake. Look for a stand-alone Tesco on your right and Billabong is next door.
The air-conditioned interior has had a complete revamp, with a long island bar in the middle. Another glassed in and air-con area is suitable for parties up to 40 people. Along the back wall is the cocktail bar and draft beer dispensers. In one corner is the musician’s dais alongside a large screen for telecasts of sporting events. There is also another three big screens dotted around the pub.
Amongst other changes is a newly designed kitchen with a newly designed menu, and after hearing good reports, we decided to see for ourselves.
The menu is fairly comprehensive, starting with breakfasts (at 06.30 for the early golfers). Breakfasts include scrambled egg on toast (B. 80) through to ham egg and chips (B. 175). Breakfast before golf just got a whole lot better with eggs benedict on the menu (B. 150 with ham and B. 170 with salmon).
Sandwiches are next (B. 85-105) with a bacon and egg at the top end. Following those there is a beef burger with cheese and chips (B. 150) and then on to the Main Meals. These are mainly pub favorites such as chicken cordon bleu (B. 250) with mashed potatoes or chips. Pork chops (B. 240), pork schnitzel (B. 220), on to a fish and chips (B. 200) and assorted pies (B. 210).
Pizzas are no problem either (B. 200-350) depending upon your topping and a few pages of Thai favorites (generally B. 130-150). Unfortunately no photographs to assist the hungry hordes, but with the Billabong only reopened at the end of January, I imagine food photos were not high on the agenda.
I met the chef, a delightful lady called Oh who came into kitchen work after the death of her husband. Now she just simply says, “I love cooking” and it shows in the dishes coming out from the kitchen. I had the pork schnitzel and it came in a large serving (three schnitzels) with chips and was perfect pub grub.
The Billabong Golf Bar does cater for golfers with tours and competitions and so should be thought of as a bar that sells food, not a restaurant that sells beer. And talking about beer, San Miguel Draft 80 B per pint. Buy 2 get 1 free. Tiger Draft is 90 B per pint. Buy 2 get 1 free also.
There will be a greater emphasis on music with, for example, the Bangkok Beatles cover band playing Sunday 18th from 6 p.m.
Billabong (Not just Golf) Bar, Mabprachan Lake, Soi Siam Country Club, turn left at the archway and Billabong is next to Tesco on your right, open for breakfasts 06.30, close late. Plenty of off-street parking, www.billabonggolfbar.com
