The Dining Out review this week was done at a pub which had been in The Avenue for many years, but had slowly died until four months ago it burst back on the pub scene with a new owner, new staff, a long overdue refurbishment, a new name and a new concept.
What had previously been Shenanigans on the second floor of The Avenue has become The Acorn, and any similarity between the previous incarnation and the one today is purely coincidental, as they say in the flyleaf of all books!
The venue retains the original wood paneling, but it stops about there. What was a dark and dingy area at the rear has been changed into a children’s playground, complete with jungle gyms, an activity playground for small children and for the older children two on-line computers. A children’s paradise.
In the main area in front of the central horseshoe bar is a dais with musical entertainment many nights a week, including Lee Shamrock, Barry Upton, a Beatles tribute band and visiting special acts such as Jerry (Lee Lewis) Carlton who had everyone on their feet a couple of weeks ago.
There are also three other areas, slightly raised and some with big comfortable Chesterfield chairs. This is certainly a venue that can really call itself a “Pub and Family Restaurant.”
The Acorn Pub has only been going since April, but it has very quickly found a niche in the hospitality scene in Pattaya, with the children absolutely delighted that they are being catered to, as well as the adults. The junior members of the Dining Out Team are no exception, so we have dined many times at The Acorn (at the children’s suggestion)! Dining Out is just so simple – kids disappear into their area, and the adults are left free to enjoy themselves.
Dealing with the “pub” side of the venue, there are more than the usual beers such as Guinness, but there are others such as the Welsh Brains and also Phuket Lager, and some great ciders as well. These are all keenly priced.
For the wine drinkers, a (large) glass of very quaffable red or white house wine (187 ml) comes in its own small bottle, and is of excellent quality. And the price is astounding. Around B. 150 a bottle.
There is a Kid’s Menu, a Main Menu and a Bar Snack Menu as well as some blackboard specials outside the main entrance. A perusal will show that this is not an expensive eating place, even though the menu is extensive.
For example, there are 11 breakfasts (B. 105-295) including a smoked bacon and cheddar cheese omelet with home fried potatoes (B. 135).
Soups B. 95-140 then ‘baskets’ around B. 135, all with a portion of fries and a choice of dipping sauces: house BBQ, Sriracha chili, blue cheese, mustard mayo and house tartare.
There are small plate portions followed by large plates (B. 285-420) including a pub favorite of fish and chips, local fresh sea bass fillet in beer batter, fries, garden peas and house tartare (B. 310).
We have tried items from every menu, and have not been disappointed. The servings are large and the service is pleasant. Even the snacks are great value for money, and the Sunday carvery is an ‘all you can eat’ deal, with roast lamb, chicken, honey glazed ham and beef, with side dishes of roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, mashed potatoes, garden peas, tomato and mushroom soups and more. We did the ‘official’ review on a Thursday and the gammon steak with egg and chunky chips was excellent with a tender, juicy gammon steak almost filling the plate.
Our Sundays these days generally includes a movie in the Multiplex cinema upstairs at The Avenue, and after wards down to the Acorn, where the children disappear into their section and the adults sit back to enjoy the ‘naughty’ wit of Lee Shamrock, accompanied by Barry Upton.
The Acorn, 2nd Floor The Avenue shopping center, telephone 0818614265 (Jeab), or 0890015818 (Joy), secure parking in the shopping center (and the first five hours are free, but remember to get the stamp from the Acorn). Open seven days 10.30 a.m. through till late.
