Under 300 Baht ... And Good! (updated for 2024)

[Evil Penevil]

Just a quick follow-up to say "THANK YOU!" EP!

 

...

 

I NEVER would have ventured to this little gem had it not been for this thread, so I wanted to be sure to come back and thank you for all of the posts, photos and advice!

 

You're very welcome!  I'm glad the thread has been useful.

 

 

And some information>  I haven't tried this restaurant, so I can't recommend it.  Just passing on the info of a special promotion through Nov. 30.

 

 

 

It's located on Soi 14 near the intersection with Soi 15.  If you enter Soi 14 from Pattaya Tai and walk towards WS, White Pines is on your left.

 

I plan on trying it soon, hopefully before the promotion expires.

 

Evil

[Evil Penevil]

 

Monday night I tried the burger at the newly opened White Pines restaurant near WS and close by the intersection of Sois 14 and 15.  At the promotional price of 89 baht, it was a good deal.  The four basic food groups (burgers, pizza, pasta and fried meat)  are well represented and I'll be sampling as many as I can through Nov. 30, the last day of the 89-baht promotion. However, prices will remain low, with many fixed at 89 baht and the most expensive 129 baht.

 

Overall, I have a positive impression of White Pines. I can (and will) quibble a bit about the food, but it is as good as many and a lot better than some other restaurants that serve farang food in Pattaya.  White Pines is cheap and cheerful with a friendly staff, apparently members of the same family.  It's a good option for anyone heading to or from WS between 11.00 a.m.  and 1.00 a.m.

 

When I've eaten there, I've been the only customer and I've never seen anyone eating there on the occasions I've walked past.  I hope they're able to develop a customer base as a low-price restaurant offering farang food is a welcome addition to the WS scene. However, it's a tough market to crack and I wish the owners of White Pines the best of luck.  They'll need it.    

 

 

Was it the best hamburger I've had in Pattaya?  Definitely not, but it passed the taste test with a B score. It was one of the best burgers I had under 100 baht. Not every meal will be a culinary peak but can nevertheless be good, especially as a snack. 

 

 

I got a nice beef patty, cooked medium rare as I asked, topped with cheese, caramelized onions and sweet peppers on a trendy charcoal black bun. The taste isn't affected. A lot of veggies (raw onion, sweet pepper, tomato and lettuce) had been piled under patty.

 

 

For me, the burger didn't really fit together, literally or figuratively. As soon as the stick holding the components in place was removed, the burger fell a part on the wooden serving plate. I disassembled it and ate the cheese-covered patty with knife and fork, alternating with with bites of the bun and  some of the veggies. It was not a "hands-on" burger.

 

 

The onions and peppers hadn't been fried long enough to become truly caramelized and the raw veggies didn't really add anything to the burger experience. The components in any "assembled" dish should complement each other and they don't in this case.

 

 

But that's no big thing and if I have the White Pines' burger again, I'll just ask them to skip the raw veggies. Considering the price, I have no serious complaints,  just a few  hassles with eating it.  The French fries which came with the burger were good, freshly fried and crispy.  I would have liked for them to have remained in the fryer a bit longer, but that's purely a personal preference.

 

 

I also ordered a Greek salad at 89 baht.  Authentic it wasn't, but still pretty good.  Lettuce isn't part of a traditional Greek salad and the Whites Pines'  version lacked herbs (oregano or mint).  However, it did have more feta cheese and black olives than some so-called Greek salads I've had.  One has to be realistic.  There are very few restaurants in Pattaya that serve anything close to a village-style Greek salad and they charge more than 89 baht.  I regarded the Whites Pines'  salad as "Greek-inspired" rather than Greek and it went down well enough.

 

 

Last night I had the pork chop. It was a good chop, cooked properly and with plenty of flavor.  There were again a few minor misses, but nothing serious.  The menu says you have a choice of fries or mashed potatoes, but the mash was finished (I was eating at 11.30 p.m.), so I got fries.  

 

 

To ease any disappointment, the lady in the kitchen gave me a free appetizer.  It was basic bruschetta, diced tomatoes and basil dressed with oil and balsamic vinegar on grilled bread.  No surprises in taste and a nice gesture on her part.

 

 

I was a bit puzzled when my chop appeared on the table.  There had been a choice of about six sauces and I picked peppercorn.  However, the chop arrived with a little bit of BBQ sauce already on it.  I don't know if that was intentional or a mistake, but the BBQ sauce was damn good and I wish I'd chosen it instead of the peppercorn.

 

 

No problem to finish the pork chop; I just wish it had come with mash potatoes.

 

 

The interior of Whites Pines is clean and well-lit, which is always a positive factor for me.  The enclosed section doesn't have air conditioning (at least none I could see), but the fans kept the temperature at a comfortable level.

 

 

 

The staff is very welcoming and friendly.  I certainly didn't lack for attention, but I was the only customer.

 

 

Bottom line:  As long as White Pines holds its current quality, I, like Gen. MacArthur to the Philippines, shall return.

 

Evil

[vimto66]

 

 

 

 

Was it the best hamburger I've had in Pattaya?  Definitely not, but it passed the taste test with a B score. It was one of the best burgers I had under 100 baht. Not every meal will be a culinary peak but can nevertheless be good, especially as a snack. 

 

 

I got a nice beef patty, cooked medium rare as I asked, topped with cheese, caramelized onions and sweet peppers on a trendy charcoal black bun. The taste isn't affected. A lot of veggies (raw onion, sweet pepper, tomato and lettuce) had been piled under patty.

 

 

For me, the burger didn't really fit together, literally or figuratively. As soon as the stick holding the components in place was removed, the burger fell a part on the wooden serving plate. I disassembled it and ate the cheese-covered patty with knife and fork, alternating with with bites of the bun and  some of the veggies. It was not a "hands-on" burger.

 

 

 

Not an "hands on" burger 555,never mind there a few venues not far away on WS where there are plenty of "hands on" burgers!

[Gnorman]

Thanks for another great review Evil.

 

I know it's a modern day thing but I hate those wooden boards, more and more eateries seem to be using them.

 

My main gripe is they never seem to have an edge on them, and are to small, so food spills onto the table that would otherwise be eaten. Give me a decent plate any day.

[SoftPorn]

Is that mayonese on the small glass next to fries?

[Evil Penevil]

Is that mayonese on the small glass next to fries?

 

Yes, mayonnaise.

 

Evil

[just hanging]

I will have to give that a try, looks good

[Evil Penevil]

Yesterday I went looking for a Sunday roast dinner and decided to try The Coins on Soi Bukhao, a couple hundred meters south of the intersection with Soi Diana.

 

 

The roast dinners there cost 230 baht for a really big portion and punch above their price point in terms of size, quality and taste, according to a friend.

 

 

The chairs are more comfortable and substantial than many other Pattaya restaurants.  Although it's an open-front restaurant, the ventilation "inside" worked well and it wasn't warm at all.

 

 

 

They have proper place mats as well.

 

 

I got there at 7.30 p.m., intending to have a Sunday roast dinner but   Roast beef, pork and chicken were sold out, even the mashed potatoes were finished  and French fries were the only potato option with other meals. I've always said you should get to buffets and roast dinners as early as possible, so I should have taken my own advice.  It's like the Pete Seeger song:

 

Where have all the roast dinners gone,

long time passing?

Where have all the roast dinners gone,

short time ago?

Where have all the roast dinners gone?

In punters bellies everyone

Oh, when will I ever learn?

Oh, when will I ever learn? 

 

I settled for a ham and cheese toastie at 85 baht.  It was good.

 

 

 The ham had been sliced from a joint and wasn't the thin-sliced processed stuff.  The bread was fresh and thick and the cheese had a lot of flavor. It had also been toasted in a sandwich press.    It was among the best toasties I've had in Pattaya.

 

 

Still hungry, I moved on to Harry's on Soi Diana which offers a Sunday roast buffet for 199 baht.  But again-     it was finished.  So I had one more sandwich, a Scandinavian-style open-faced shrimp sandwich with boil egg, dill and mayonnaise for 185 baht.

 

 

It was  good, with plenty of shrimp.  The cook had gone a touch heavy on the mayo and light on the dill for my taste,  but that is down to personal preference.

 

 

 

 

I actually took it as good sign the roast dinners were sold out in both places as that indicates they are popular.  Clearly popularity with customers isn't the most important factor in judging the quality of a restaurant's food; otherwise, McDonalds and KFC would be serving the best food in the world.  But for a meal like a Sunday roast, it's not a bad thing that expats and tourists flock to eat it.

 

I noticed from the menu that The Coins offers roast dinners every day, not just Sundays.  I'll try to order it  today.

 

Santa Penevil

Edited December 4, 2016 by Evil Penevil

[Evil Penevil]

 
 
Tuesday night I tried the daily special- Chicken Breast Chasseur (aka Hunter's Chicken) at the Robin's Nest on Soi Diana. It was tasty and substantial, a bargain at 199 baht.  They also had a special on pints of Heineken at 99 baht, but I stuck with SML.  However, a main dish and a pint of draft beer for 298 baht is one of the better value-for-money meals I've seen in Pattaya.
 
 
 
I got two generous pieces of nicely grilled chicken breast smothered in a sauce of tomato, mushrooms and onions, with sauteed potatoes on the side.  In the classic French version of Chicken Chasseur, the sauce features white wine and tarragon.  I didn't notice much of a taste of tarragon in the Robin's Nest's dish, but it was still good.
 
 
 
 
 
The sauteed potatoes were good.  They had a touch of natural sweetness that comes when the potatoes begin to caramelize in the hot oil. It gives a nice balance to the acidity of the chasseur sauce.
 
 
 
I think I already posted the list of daily specials at the Robin's Nest, but here it is again.
 
 
 
 
The Robin's Nest is also noted for its all-you-can-eat Sunday carvery for 299 baht.  A friend and I tried it a few months ago. 
 

 
 
 

 
It was OK, but I've had better at a similar price.  The meat was very thinly sliced and swimming in liquid; the Yorkshire pudding was heavy and tough.  
 
 
 
The cottage pie was good, as were the veggies, and the pea soup was excellent.  The price included ice cream with chocolate sauce, which is a nice touch.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bottom line:  I'll be back to try the Robin Nest's other daily specials, but I won't rush back for the carvery.
 
Evil

[Evil Penevil]

The Robin Hood Tavern has its own thread, but it deserves mention in this thread, too. Quite a few of the dishes on its menu cost less than 300 baht and the daily special usually goes for 199 baht. Portions are not just large but huge and all the meals that I've had so far have been good.   High-quality ingredients have been used in the dishes and they have been skillfully prepared.  That's not always the case in Pattaya, so I give both respect     and praise    for the effort.

 

 

Yesterday afternoon I had the daily special, billed "The Fat Friar Tuck" at 199 baht.  It consisted of a pan-fired fillet of chicken breast topped with tomato sauce, smoked streaky bacon, mozzarella cheese and spring onions and resting on a bed of garlic potatoes.  I ordered a pint of Peroni (175 baht) to go with it.  Peroni is a light and crisp Italian pale lager that goes well with food because it doesn't overwhelm or clash with the taste of the food, but I guess a pint of Old Speckled Hen would be a more natural pairing for a chicken dish.

 

 

The tomato sauce was perhaps a bit too dominant, but otherwise it was fine. The chicken fillet had been breaded properly and fried to just the right point so the meat wasn't dry. The quality and quantity of the mozzarella and bacon topping lifted the flavor.

 

 

I have eaten quite bit at TRHT since it opened, largely because it's a five-minute walk from my condo.  There's no need to venture farther to get a decent meal. Another motivation has been to see if the dishes that had been offered at the Bite Me Bistro were re-emerging at the TRHT.  Some of the pics of the Robin Hood daily specials resemble the specials which BMB used to offer.

 

I don't think that was the case with Saturday's special. "The Fat Friar Tuck" might have been a tentative step by Robin Hood to gentrify Sherwood Forest rather that Bite Me Bistro slumming it.  Friar Tuck's chicken was hearty, well prepared and good value-for-money at 199 baht,  but also light-years from the sophisticated and creative dishes that were the hallmark of BMB.

 

One point to emphasize: the portions are large indeed at TRHT.  There aren't too many places in Pattaya where you can get that much quality food for 199 baht.   

 

Evil

[just hanging]

Evil: gonna go tonight before the movies.  that last dish looks great.   what is the best dish there you would recomend?

[Evil Penevil]

Evil: gonna go tonight before the movies.  that last dish looks great.   what is the best dish there you would recomend?

 

Today Robin Hood is starting with its Sunday roast dinners.

 

 

I'm assuming it will be very similar to the Sunday roast at Retox Game On and it was excellent.  The small version at 199 baht was more than enough for me.  If you like British roast dinners, you might want to try it.

 

Of the dishes I've actually eaten at the Robin Hood,  I liked the braised ham hock the best.  It's truly huge, so skip lunch.

 

Evil

[just hanging]

Today Robin Hood is starting with its Sunday roast dinners.

 

Sunday roast.jpg

 

I'm assuming it will be very similar to the Sunday roast at Retox Game On and it was excellent.  The small version at 199 baht was more than enough for me.  If you like British roast dinners, you might want to try it.

 

Of the dishes I've actually eaten at the Robin Hood,  I liked the braised ham hock the best.  It's truly huge, so skip lunch.

 

Evil

 

think I might try that braised ham hock......that looked good.  thanks.  I will try to remember some pics.  hope my "date" likes it and hope "The Wall" is a good movie too

[Evil Penevil]

.  hope my "date" likes it and hope "The Wall" is a good movie too

 

The Robin Hood has a limited Thai menu.  I haven't tried it, but a dining companion did and she thought it was good.

 

The Great Wall got bad reviews in China, but that had more to do with the use of Western actor (Matt Damon) in the leading role in a film set in medieval China. Stupid argument, I think, as the Chinese investors are looking for it to become an international hit and a Hollywood star is need to give it appeal.

 

Evil

[just hanging]

The Robin Hood has a limited Thai menu.  I haven't tried it, but a dining companion did and she thought it was good.

 

The Great Wall got bad reviews in China, but that had more to do with the use of Western actor (Matt Damon) in the leading role in a film set in medieval China. Stupid argument, I think, as the Chinese investors are looking for it to become an international hit and a Hollywood star is need to give it appeal.

 

Evil

 

the roast was over when I got there but no ham.....no roast.   I tried the ham hock as you suggested, really good.  I was surprised that the menu was so limited, hopefully they will expand it soon

 

 

The movie was outstanding, really enjoyed it and will see it again.  The Chinese only like the Chinese so a slap in the face with Americans in a big role, but really smart for the producers, gonna make some good money, and the directer and actors that aren't often seen by westerners got a good boost.  My "date" loved it too

[jpmelville]

the roast was over when I got there but no ham.....no roast.   I tried the ham hock as you suggested, really good.  I was surprised that the menu was so limited, hopefully they will expand it soon

 

 

I'm always thinking why the menus in the restaurants are so big. It's pretty certain they cannot do all the 100 items in the menu look and taste good. 

 

Those prices for the Thai dishes are pretty ridiculous also. 200bht for the standard thai dishes. Come on. Or are they also some works of art?

[MaGiK]

Hi Evil, very nice thread.

For a French/international way i suggest you to try MOMENTO beach restaurant, simply the best French food affordable, the place is also a hidden gem with hotel/pool.

Best skewers in town, chef Didier also select the meat.

For French people it's simple, it is the best place to eat ! i never had bad meal there.
 

http://www.hotelmomentopattaya.com/home

 

 

 

 

 

[just hanging]

Hi Evil, very nice thread.

 

For a French/international way i suggest you to try MOMENTO beach restaurant, simply the best French food affordable, the place is also a hidden gem with hotel/pool.

Best skewers in town, chef Didier also select the meat.

 

For French people it's simple, it is the best place to eat ! i never had bad meal there.

 

http://www.hotelmomentopattaya.com/home

 

 

killer cheese burgers there too

 

[MaGiK]

 

Hi Evil, very nice thread.

 

For a French/international way i suggest you to try MOMENTO beach restaurant, simply the best French food affordable, the place is also a hidden gem with hotel/pool.

Best skewers in town, chef Didier also select the meat.

 

For French people it's simple, it is the best place to eat ! i never had bad meal there.

 

http://www.hotelmomentopattaya.com/home

 

 

killer cheese burgers there too

 

 

 

everything is killng from the kitchen in momento, i can close my eyes and choose randomly in the menu i know i won't be disappointed.

 

for big eaters the beef or duck skewers are a must eat, simply amazing and tasty as hell....

 

 

[philkrenshaw]

"The Robin's Nest is also noted for its all-you-can-eat Sunday carvery for 299 baht.  A friend and I tried it a few months ago. 

It was OK, but I've had better at a similar price."

 

Would you care to rank the Under 300 Baht all-you-can-eat Carveries? I've had the Robin's Nest many times, also Jolly's (I think that's the name--a couple blocks north on Soi Buakow) but I'm always looking for another one.

[langbang]

Nice info, thanks. 

[stickyfingers]

everything is killng from the kitchen in momento, i can close my eyes and choose randomly in the menu i know i won't be disappointed.

 

for big eaters the beef or duck skewers are a must eat, simply amazing and tasty as hell....

 

 

Looks good and nice pics too

 

Can't seem to locate it though as doesn't say on their website....is it on Jomtien beach??

[MaGiK]

Looks good and nice pics too

 

Can't seem to locate it though as doesn't say on their website....is it on Jomtien beach??

 

 

 

The easiest way is to take Thepprasit road and turn at Soi 8, then it very easy to find.

[Taa_Saparot]

Hi Evil, very nice thread.

 

For a French/international way i suggest you to try MOMENTO beach restaurant, simply the best French food affordable, the place is also a hidden gem with hotel/pool.

Best skewers in town, chef Didier also select the meat.

 

For French people it's simple, it is the best place to eat ! i never had bad meal there.

 

http://www.hotelmomentopattaya.com/home

 

Would be interested to know what can be had at Momento for under 300 baht.

[MaGiK]

Would be interested to know what can be had at Momento for under 300 baht.

 

Go there and you'll see, there is some dishes at under 300 baht.