We have found another new restaurant, Chez Yvette, which opened on the ‘Dark Side’ 12 months ago promoting French Mediterranean cuisine. Why did it take us so long to find it? Because it is tucked far away from main thoroughfares and you have to be observant to find it, being inside the Holland Tulip Resort.
You can quickly go to our conclusion at the end of the review and it is very positive suggesting you should try Chez Yvette, so here are two ways of how you get to it. Coming from Siam Country Club Road turn right at the traffic lights (the only traffic lights) and about 200 meters along there is the Courtyard restaurant on your right, with a small soi immediately after on the right. Travel about 200 meters along the twisty soi and Holland Tulip Resort is on your right.
Madame had the salmon in a white sauce and was impressed.
The alternative way is to travel further along from the Soi Siam Country Club traffic lights until you come to a Big C on your right and turn right immediately after that. There is a strange tower in the middle of the intersection. Follow that road along, under some illuminated arches and Holland Tulip Resort is on your left.
Salmon steak with white sauce is B. 420.
The restaurant is in two sections, the first outside overlooking the resort swimming pool and the second an air-conditioned sea of red, chairs, tablecloths, flowers carpet with a central sit-up bar. The very charming service personnel are also in bright red shirts to go with the rest of the restaurant.
Wines are generally between B. 1,400-1,500 and house wine can be ordered by the glass at B. 120. Being a Berri Estates white it was eminently quaffable.
Maitre d’ Jeremy talked us into their macaroon dessert, which was I estimate 5000 calories per spoonful, but certainly more-ish!
A novel, and very original touch is in the menu. It is printed on the inside of old 78 vinyl record sleeves, and what’s more the record is in there as well! I almost asked if they could play ours for us while we ate our meals.
There are 11 starters including an interesting salmon and red tuna duo tartar (B. 320) and a salmon, avocado and blue cheese salad (B. 280). There are also five Thai dishes (B. 150-280).
The restaurant is in two sections, the first outside overlooking the resort swimming pool.
Come the mains and there are 17 choices with the majority between B. 300-400. At the top end is a beef tenderloin Rossini (B. 520), but the Oriental Duck Breast is only B. 370. A seafood risotto is (B. 440), salmon steak with white sauce is B. 420 and a rabbit leg with mustard B. 480. There are five choices of potato with the mains as well. There are some specials on a blackboard which included an all-you-can-drink offer at B. 499, there was also a scallops meuniere on another blackboard. Desserts have their own mini-menu on small artist’s easels, another novel idea.
Some nice crusty bread arrived on the table which we ate with our starters, with Madame very impressed with the Thai salmon salad.
For mains, I had a pork cordon bleu, excellent and a very generous portion. Madame had the salmon in a white sauce and again was impressed.
Maitre d’ Jeremy talked us into their macaroon dessert, which was I estimate 5000 calories per spoonful, but certainly more-ish!
Set lunch menu from B. 250 and American breakfast around the swimming pool. Children under 5 dine for free and children 9-12 have a ‘Kids Corner’ at B. 99 with the menu inside Disney picture books. Brilliant idea!
Comfortable seating in a beautiful setting outside.
We were very impressed with Chez Yvette and look forward to meeting Jeremy’s mother who takes over next week. And Yvette? Jeremy’s grandmother. It is, as he said, a family restaurant serving family cuisine, but honestly it is far more than that. The product is good, the service is good and the venue is excellent. Highly recommended.
Chez Yvette, Holland Tulip Resort, open six days (closed Tuesday), 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., telephone 082 715 6672, secure parking in the resort. A Pick-up service is offered as well.
Inside, the chairs, tablecloths, flowers carpet and a central sit-up bar are all merge into a sea of red.
