What is the difference between a ‘bar’ and a ‘pub’? For me, a bar is for drinking in, but a pub is for relaxing in, especially with family.
For the Dining Out team, Jameson’s Irish Pub has been a family pub for the past 12 years, so it was almost ‘home-coming’ when the Dining Out team descended on the venue to review the new Kid’s Menu; after all, the definition of a family requires kids!
There will not be too many people who don’t know where Jameson’s is, but for the remaining few, or total newcomers, Jameson’s is in Soi Sukrudee (also known as Soi AR) and next to Nova Park. Still unsure? Here’s the easy way to find it – go along Pattaya Second Road from the intersection with Pattaya Central Road and turn right into Soi 4 (at the Bangkok Bank). Follow that road to the top (less than one km) and as it curves to the right, Jameson’s is directly on your left.
Being a purpose-built pub it features several forests in the interior. Wood floors, paneled walls and a long bar. The interior is also in sections with two secluded areas as well as the main dining area and along the sit-up bar. If that is not enough, there is an al fresco area outside for the smokers.
Numerous TV screens are scattered throughout the pub showing all kinds of sports, including a very large screen with projector. Memorabilia abounds with trophies, old books and the like. It has that kind of well-established and welcoming atmosphere. There are also some pool tables and the well-traveled floor creaks in places, for example.
The service staff are always on hand and are genuinely ready to serve the customers. Landlord Kim Fletcher is ubiquitous, and is one of the very few professional landlords in Pattaya. Nothing is too much of a trouble and the staff 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 and spirits.
The food has also become very well known in Pattaya, with Kim (being a trained chef himself) overseeing his own chefs in the kitchen. The menu items are known for the portion size as well as ingredients.
However, it was the Kids’ Menu that we had come to review. This has seven items dedicated to those that are not yet fully grown. These include cheese on toasts, baked beans on toasts, sausage and chips, chicken nuggets and chips, fish fingers and chips, egg and chips and finally hamburger and chips. However, that is not all, as the kids’ meals include a glass of soft drink and a scoop of ice cream. All these are the same price – B. 135, and whilst these are children’s sized meals, the two junior tasters were perfectly happy with the size of the portions, and the price was certainly not one to burn holes in your pockets.
For the “big people” there are rotating weekly specials of three courses for B. 395. On the evening we were there, there was a choice of Starters – carrot and turnip soup with croutons, mussels in salad with balsamic dressing and a Greek salad.
Main courses included roasted pork knuckle served with red cabbage, green peas, roast potatoes, and pork gravy on a wooden board, beef meat balls cooked in a red wine and tomato sauce served with spaghetti and parmesan cheese with garlic bread, duck braised in a brandy orange sauce served with sauté potatoes, broccoli and carrots.
And it didn’t end there with the addition of a dish offered at a reduced price from the regular menu being John Dory in prawn sauce with boiled potatoes and garden peas.
And a dessert of a chocolate brownie and whipped cream.
At the end of the night, a contented parent with contented children. What more do you want?
Jameson’s Irish Pub, 80/164 Moo 9, Soi Sukrudee (Soi AR), Central Pattaya. Secure parking. Open seven days 11 a.m. until late. Telephone 038 361 873, email [email protected], and www.jamesons-pattaya.com.
