It was brought to my notice that it had been two years since the Dining Out team had reviewed Froggy’s restaurant on Soi Paniad Chang (AKA Soi Yume). Now owner/chef Gilles was promising “Lots of new dishes, many happy customers and a new décor,” as valid reasons for another review. We had enjoyed ourselves previously, having written, “Definitely well worth exploring Soi Paniad Chang. Do try. You will not regret it,” so it was easy to say “yes” to Gilles’ invitation and see how Froggy’s was doing two years down the track.
Although tucked away from the major arterial roads, Froggy’s is easy to find. From Pattaya Klang (Central) turn into Soi Yume (Paniad Chang) as if going into Big C Extra (formerly Carrefour) and 1.4 km along, you will see Froggy’s on your left side. Park anywhere on the street, or in the little soi beside Froggy’s. The name of the main soi is interesting, as Yume was originally a ‘member club’ at the mouth of the soi. After they ran out of members, the street was named after the elephant kraal (Paniad Chang). So now you know.
The venue has definitely changed, being far more than just “new décor”. The outer (non-aircon) area is much more inviting, and the inner areas also having received major renovation and some Burmese puppets on the wall and a delightful ‘tableau’ at the back with four ‘models’ seated at tables, so the first guests for the evening are never ‘alone’.
One item that is just the same is the enthusiastic Gilles, who welcomes everyone and personally assists with selection of your menu for the evening. He is a man who enjoys cooking, and enjoys seeing his guests enjoying his cooking too.
The menu is predominately French (naturally) but with English translations as well.
For those on the lookout for a bargain, Froggy’s has an exceptional offer with a starter, a main and a dessert all for B. 300. There are 11 starters to choose from and 11 mains and 10 desserts. It is also a photographic menu, so important with today’s cosmopolitan tourists. However, you can if you wish order a la carte from this menu as well.
Starters include flambéed chicken liver salad or French pancake and wild mushrooms while the mains offer a rib-eye steak, casseroles and nine more.
There is also a Beef Wellington (B. 420) brushed with mustard, coated with a mushroom duxelles, thyme, garlic and baked in a puff pastry then served with a red wine shallots sauce, or a rotating monthly four course special for B. 490 featuring this month a duck foie gras, pork tenderloin and smoked salmon in mustard sauce and crepe suzette.
The wine list is limited but inexpensive with house wines from B. 110 per glass (South African and Italian) and other bottles ranging from B. 890-1890 with a champagne at the top end and a Chilean Red Cabernet at the cheap end. Local beers are B. 80-90 and a range of aperitifs B. 80-130.
I chose a half carafe of the Italian red house wine (B. 320) while perusing the menu, with the 11 starters and 11 mains looking very appetizing. Having then decided to go with the B. 300 dinner, I began with a gratinated mussels (10) in garlic butter sauce. These came with a basket of fresh French bread, which was needed to mop up the garlic butter afterwards. This was a great starter.
For my main I chose the chicken breast in a lemon and ginger sauce, which came with a spicy cabbage (secret recipe), which was a real taste bud revitalize! Gilles explained how he cooks the chicken to maintain moistness in the breast, and again this was a most enjoyable dish which also came with roasted potato.
Unfortunately I was already too full by the stage that I was unable to take in a dessert, but I did manage a Pastis with iced water, to finish a delightful evening. I thoroughly enjoyed Froggy’s and I am sure you will too.
Froggy’s restaurant, Paniad Chang 2, North Pattaya, telephone 086 150 3481, www.froggyfrenchbistro.com, dinner 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Open six days (closed Sunday). On-street parking or down the soi beside the restaurant.
