Cafe Ritzi - Jomtien

[davidge]

Cafe Ritzi

Chef John had a restaurant in Jomtien Complex up to a couple of years ago when he became ill. He has now reopened the restaurant in a new location. It is on Thappraya Road as you approach the arch and is directly opposite the 7-11 & Subway. It isn’t easy to spot. It has a red awning and the most noticeable thing is probably the chilled glass cabinet right at the front of the restaurant that holds the homemade desserts.

There are a few tables in the outer area with ceiling fans and then sliding doors to an inner air conditioned area with 7 or 8 tables. Everything is clean, neat and tidy. Very well set out.

He has been open here for about a month now. I went in with a friend one evening just for dessert. The raspberry cheesecake was delicious and my friend thought the rhubarb crumble was excellent.

We went back the following evening for a full meal.

A 3-course meal is on offer for 395 baht. There are a large number of dishes to choose from but the availability may vary slightly from night to night. I think there is also a ‘budget’ offer if you don’t want 3 courses. I expect the menu will settle down once the restaurant has been going a bit longer.

I had leek & potato soup, followed by cheese-topped sea perch with vegetables and apple tart & cream to finish.

      

 

 

   

  

My friend had prawn cocktail, followed by duck in port wine sauce with vegetables and rhubarb crumble & ice cream (again) to finish.

 

Everything was absolutely excellent and neither of us could finish our meals. Very generous portions of most things. Honestly, right up there with the best meals I’ve had in Pattaya - and I’m not easily pleased. 

I am certain to eat there again before I go home and will update the thread then.

I really want this place to still be open when I return to Jomtien so hope all the ‘foodies’ on here become regular patrons of this restaurant.

John is quite a character. He is far from being a young man but obviously loves running the place.

Just note that it is closed on Mondays.

 

(PS Sorry about the sizing of some of the photos, I can’t seem to fix it)

[ChiFlyer]

8 hours ago, davidge said:

Cafe Ritzi

Chef John had a restaurant in Jomtien Complex up to a couple of years ago when he became ill. He has now reopened the restaurant in a new location. It is on Thappraya Road as you approach the arch and is directly opposite the 7-11 & Subway. It isn’t easy to spot. .....

........

I really want this place to still be open when I return to Jomtien so hope all the ‘foodies’ on here become regular patrons of this restaurant.

........

Thanks for the tip. This would be a great location for me. I will give it a go when I get back in September for 6 months.

My one concern is that my frequent dining partner is probably not going to be enthusiastic about this particular type of Farang food (meat and potato type stuff). Do you know if there are some more Asian selections on the menu?

 

[davidge]

2 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

Thanks for the tip. This would be a great location for me. I will give it a go when I get back in September for 6 months.

My one concern is that my frequent dining partner is probably not going to be enthusiastic about this particular type of Farang food (meat and potato type stuff). Do you know if there are some more Asian selections on the menu?

 

There’s no Thai dishes listed. There’s still just a temporary menu, don’t know how it will settle down. My impression is it will be European/British food.

Dont imagine there’s better value around than th 395 baht 3-course dinner though. You’ll have to begin to educate your companion’s palate 

[jiz]

Will check it out.

Thanks.

[ChiFlyer]

9 hours ago, davidge said:

.......

You’ll have to begin to educate your companion’s palate 

Yeah, right.

[SirL]

Not at all clear where this place is.  By all means encourage people to go there, but you'll have to be clearer where it is for them to get there!

You write it's on Thappraya Rd, I'm guessing somewhere near Natan's on this map

possibly newly opened in one of these old shops?

OTOH this https://lovepattayathailand.com/listing/cafe-ritzi/ suggests it's located near The Agate, on the parallel L-shaped road to the west.

Can you describe where it is in relation to Natans and The Agate on my map above?

[davidge]

As I said, it is directly opposite the 7-11 and Subway.

It’s the other side of the road to Natans and a little further down towards the arch. Yes, in the unit with ‘For Rent’ on in the pic.

The other location you describe is where it was 2 years ago before the Chef became ill (he’s at least 85!).

A bit more info. It opens at 5. It does offer Thai food but it may vary day to day. You need to be a little flexible as to what you order as everything isn’t available every day.

Today’s tomato soup, roast lamb,veg and friend’s roast chicken.

Four of us ate there and were all very happy with the food.

The chef is a real character and interacts a lot with the customers!!!

[davidge]

I went back again this evening.

There are three items that are not in the 395 baht set meal. Smoked salmon as a starter or Australian lamb cutlets as a main are both an extra 100 baht. There’s also Australian sirloin steak which is 500 baht including dessert (no starter). I tried the steak tonight.

It was a substantial piece of meat! Certainly mote than the 250g typically served in steak restaurants here. It came with a mushroom/tomato sauce and vegetables. He brought me extra parsnips as well.

The steak wasn’t up to the standard of Patrick’s but was good - and much cheaper! Honestly, a bit too much meat for me.

For dessert I had trifle with fresh cream.

(all desserts come with either cream or ice cream)

I’ll be back again before I go home.

[jimboh]

Will try soon, remember when he had the first place in gay town, must be 10 years ago. Never had a bad meal there.

[grazza2468]

Looks good, will be in jomtien next week..will check it out for sure..thanks for sharing 

[Kreggerz]

I had a chance to try this place. I went for the special (excluding a starter) listed outside, leg of lamb roast served with generous bowl of vegetables, and dessert, rhubarb crumble at 300 baht. 

The vegetables likely vary depending but I was lucky to enjoy some swedes (rutabaga mash) and cheesed cauliflower. 

A wonderful meal indeed especially the crumble. 

The only part that didn't wow me was the mashed potatoes. 

Yes, John, at an amazing age 87, talks a lot. No extra charge.

He did mention he might not be able to keep rhubarb on the menu because of exorbitant costs. 

Yes, please do support this worthy restaurant. He does need the business to keep open and you'll be losing out if you don't try it out yourself. 

[ChiFlyer]

I tried tonight with the lady friend. I wanted to like it and there were some good things about the place, but overall just not the kind of fare I prefer. A little too heavy for me. I did the 3 course with similar entrees to what others described and it is just not my thing. No offense intended.

John is a likeable old bird and I enjoyed chatting with him. The Thai GF (runs a hair salon) said he needs a haircut and pedicure. 

[davidge]

[ChiFlyer]

On 02/04/2019 at 10:09, davidge said:

 

Sorry guy - I know you really liked this place.

[davidge]

Given his age, I wasn’t expecting him to carry on for years but was hoping to have a few meals there this July.

Oh well, I’ll have to try a couple of places in the Complex I haven’t tried yet instead.