Goodness gracious me, India beckons
It’s been pointed out, by my reader, that I’ve been remiss by not reviewing any of the multitudes of Indian eating establishments in our fair city. So, I recently dined at the Nawab-Garden Hill Restaurant, at 359/119 Soi 5 Pratumnak Road in South Pattaya. Although not fancy, the open air establishment is attractively decorated in a beautiful garden setting. There’s a raised platform dining area, built around a tree; dining in the garden and a covered, raised area. In addition to Indian specialties, the restaurant offers a huge choice of Thai, Russian and European food. In fact, they have three chefs for their various cuisines.
Something to Tikka the tastebuds
I started off with a steaming, hot bowl of the tasty vegetable soup (60 baht), a puree of various green and red vegetables. Nawab-Garden Hill offers an extensive array of Tandori selections. I tried the Chicken Tikka (170 baht). It came with onions on a sizzling platter and contained a very generous portion of chicken pieces, nicely spiced and covered with paprika to give it its red colour; and accompanied by coriander chutney. The chicken was juicy, buttery, tender and delicious. Butter nan (40 baht), the flat, leavened, Indian style bread was a perfect accompaniment to the Chicken Tikka. There is a gargantuan amount of choices to satisfy any palate including lamb, chicken, fish and a large assortment of vegetarian dishes. There’s a good variety of wine on offer. A bottle will set you back in the neighbourhood of 1000 baht.
Those in your party not in the mood for Indian cuisine will find myriad selections of Russian, European and Isaan food.
Nawab-Garden Hill is open every day from 10 am until midnight. (Phone:038 364 392; web: www.indianfoodinpattaya.com ) They also deliver.
Note to readers: The Frugal Gourmand always pays for his own meals and rarely mentions that he is doing a review before the meal. If he doesn’t care for a restaurant, it doesn’t make it to this column; which is why the reviews are mostly positive.
Grimmy
Nice reviews you got here. But a tad Jomtien-ish? Maybe a bit more reviews from central Pattaya area, as going to a nice meal to Jomtien is not worth the trip if you can get same same in the city.
Perhaps do a review of the best pizzas in Pattaya. Been going there for 7 years and never eaten a decent one. I mean those European style (well, mostly made by Turkish immigrants in which ever country, though) with thin crust, not overly topped or overly cheesed.
The closest baseline is perhaps Globetrotter's pizzas (between soi 7 & Klang), they're far from perfect but passable. So we're not talking about American- or Thai-style pies here.
Duncan Stearn
I've been told by two American friends, one from LA, the other a NY native, that the New York Pizza House, next door to the Boxing Roo beer bar on Third Road, opposite Soi Lengkee, is about the best they've had outside the USA. Naturally, I suppose it depends on what style of pizza you prefer.
I've also been told by an English mate, who runs a restaurant supply business here, that The Loaf, in Soi Lengkee, does a terrific pizza. So far, I have not tried either as the 'boss' fills me with great Thai food.
The Frugal Gourmand
I, actually, did a review of Pattaya pizza establishments in the 16-31 Jan. 2011 edition of Pattaya One (In Pattaya Now's previous carnation), New York Pizza House (the one in Naklua) was one that was featured. I agree that it has excellent pizza. I also mentioned Pizzeria Italia in Jomtien (sorry Grimmy) and Volterra in South Pattaya. I'm not a big fan of Pizza Company and Pizza Hut, but many people are, based on their success. I also recently mentioned the pizza at Deli-zza, in Jomtien (sorry again), which makes a tasty pizza in addition to their great corned beef and pastrami.
Point taken about my Jomtien-centric tendencies. Basically, I review the restaurants I'd normally go to. But, will put my butt on my motorbike, in the future, and try to go a little further afield. (Give me a little time as I've already submitted my next couple of pieces.)
A Fool in Paradise
I am a pizza lover as my rotund wasteline will testify but getting a decent pizza in Pattaya is difficult. At the moment, my favourite is from The Pizza Company and the second is New York Pizza House next door to Boxing Roo on Third Road. I will soon check out Globetrotter's and The Loaf so thanks for that information.
absenta
I love pizza as well, living here for 5 years, the best pizza imho is Deli-zza in Jomtien. Difficult to find at first, in between soi 8 and 9 Jomtien beach road, down the soi (Soi Casa) by the 7/11. They do genuine NYC Rueben and Pastrami sandwiches as well!
absenta
That's Reuben!!