Jameson’s Irish Pub was founded nine years ago, making it a well-established venue in Pattaya, a city where some restaurants close before their ‘grand opening’! Mine host is Kim Fletcher, undoubtedly one of the most professional landlords around, a man who was actually born in a pub, and will probably die in one as well. (Just joking, Kim!)
A “pub” is judged on the venue environment, the service staff and the food that is served. I will come to those separately…
The venue is decked out in traditional Irish Pub style. Several forests donated trees to the building of the pub itself, with wooden floors, walls and a long bar. Numerous TV screens are scattered throughout the pub showing all kinds of sports, including a very large screen with projector. Many sporting groups have made Jameson’s their watering hole, including regulars such as the F1 group, Pattaya Cricket Club, Pattaya Car Club and occasionally host to the Hash House Harriers and rugby enthusiasts. Memorabilia abound with trophies, old books and the like. Several sections await the pub goers, including the Sports area, Library, Lounge and the Long Bar. It has that kind of well-established and welcoming atmosphere.
The ever-smiling Bob presides over “Bob’s Bar” with all the expected beers.
The service staff are always on hand and are genuinely ready to serve the customers. Nothing is too much of a trouble and they are all very skilled at making the guests feel special. The ever-smiling Bob deserves his own mention, presiding over “Bob’s Bar” with all the expected beers (local drafts at B. 90) and spirits. And not forgetting manageress Mit, ready to trouble-shoot if necessary.
The food has also become very well known in Pattaya, with Kim (a trained chef himself) overseeing his own chefs in the kitchen. There is much movement in the menu, with weekly specials and monthly changes in the a la carte section. Kim says that many of the specials come as requests from the customers themselves, and popular ones can later make it into the a la carte menu.
Tui brings the food out piping hot.
The a la carte menu is very varied, with Thai food around B. 200 and very good according to Madame. In the Euro section many dishes have two prices depending upon whether you want it as an ‘appetizer’ or as a ‘main course’. Pies are a staple, as you would expect in a pub (B. 235) which come with peas, chips (proper chips) and gravy. Sandwiches are available right through to an Australian fillet steak of the month at B. 535.
On that particular week the Specials included Meatballs Sub – Pork Meatballs cooked in a tomato Bolognaise sauce in crispy French bread, served with crispy Jameson’s chips and a side order of coleslaw (very messy, but delicious) or a Fillet steak, cooked to your requirements and served with green pepper sauce, sauté potato and garden peas. Plus one more special I am coming to!
On the evening I dropped by to sample the offerings, I just could not go past the Specials and started with a Scotch egg salad. The lettuce was crisp, the tomatoes fresh and was very enjoyable. (This was such a change from the many salads one is presented elsewhere with dying greens being resuscitated by 900 Island dressing – not even good enough to be 1000 Island.)
After the great starter I selected the third choice in the weekly specials which was Lamb curry with rice, a mild thick curry made with chunks of New Zealand leg of lamb and potatoes served with vegetable rice, poppadom, Nan bread and a vegetable somosa.
This was superb. Hot to the table, “mild” as indicated in the menu and so much that I had to struggle to finish. Do not go to Jameson’s without a big appetite, or if time is short as you have a bus to catch. Enormous portions.
Jameson’s Irish Pub comes highly recommended as always.
Jameson’s Irish Pub, 80/164 Moo 9, Soi Sukrudee (Soi AR), (go up Soi 4 off Pattaya Second Road at the Bangkok Bank, and veer right at Nova Park, Jameson’s is right there), Central Pattaya. Secure parking. Open seven days 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. (kitchen closes at 12 midnight). Telephone 038 361 873, email info@ jamesons-pattaya.com, and www.jamesons-pattaya.com.
