Dining at The Avenue

[Evil Penevil]

The Avenue shopping plaza on 2nd Road has recently expanded its possibilities for dining.  It's added some food stalls and  open-air serving area in the "courtyard" of the ground level. There are also stalls, tables and chairs in a covered area on the second level.

 

 It's hardly worth a trip to The Avenue as there are similar setups all over town offering the same food.  But if you live or stay nearby or visit The Avenue for the movie theater, gym or shopping at Villa Market, it could be an option. I don't know if the whole ground level food area has a collective name.  I saw a sign in one section that said, "The Avenue Garden Cafe," but I don't know if that applies to all the sections.

The other night I tried the creamy version of tom yum goong, a hot and sour shrimp and seafood soup that typifies Thai flavor for many farang because of the lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and tamarind paste used in the soup. I also had a fried rice with squid for 60 baht.  The soup cost 150 baht for a large bowl.  Both were quite good.  A small can of iced tea cost 30 baht and bottled beer was available at 60 or 70 baht, depending on the brand.

Most of the Thai standards are available from one stall or another.  You can order in two ways: 1) pick out what you want at a stall and they'll  carry it to a table; or 2) sit down, order a drink and ask to see a menu.  The lady who takes you drink order will then send someone from the stalls  with a food menu.  You pay the food and drink bills separately as soon as the order arrives at the table.

At about 8.00 p.m.,  the roast pig had gotten really thin.

There's also live music, which for once wasn't too loud.

I wouldn't want to sit there during the heat of the day.  At 8.00 p.m., it was still warm and humid outdoors. I'll try some of the other dishes on offer, but I'll take them home with me to east in air-conditioned comfort.  I believe the food stalls begin to shut down around 9.00 p.m., although that can vary according to the day and crowd. The serving of beer and other beverages, as the live music, continue until about midnight. The second-level food stalls start closing up at 7.00 p.m. Some pics from the second level:

There are a number of other options for dining and drinking at The Avenue.  Pizza Pizza is no more and has been replaced by Sergio's Pizza Factory after a couple of brief closures for remodeling.

It's a bit tricky because I recall seeing the Sergio's logo above the pizza ovens when it was still Pizza Pizza by Yanee.  This is their current offer:

Basically, you are paying 269 baht for a Margherita pizza, salad and beverage.  The Margherita pizzas weren't bad at all in the restaurant's previous incarnation and cost only 79 baht.

I hope they revive that special offer.

 

The Avenue has several other dining options as well, ranging from a 24/7 McDonalds through the Robin Hood Tavern, Beer Fest, Firepork, Oishi  Diner's Express, a Chinese restaurant and a couple more. There's also a Starbucks with a strong and fast free wifi.  Most of these restaurants have already been reviewed elsewhere in this section.  Depending on your taste in food,  a couple of them could be worth a special visit.  Parking is readily available at The Avenue.

The rear covered section of the shopping plaza remains empty after the stalls were recently booted. Maybe this sign tells what is underway?

Very little of the enclosed retail space is occupied, especially on the second and third levels.

Evil

[PBear66]

Thanks for the report.

Went for the carvery in Robin Hood and thought the place had a nice atmosphere. 399 baht for soup and a carvery.

Did not try the soup but had a couple of visits to the carvery. The ham and pork was as good as you would have in Ireland.

I thought the ham was excellent. Beef like leather and did not try the lamb. Chicken available also.

Pigs in blankets good, veg was usual overdone and roasties ok as was yorkshire pud.

Thought oishi was terrible. Quality of meat was dreadful.

As you say apart from market village the upper floors were empty and a touch depressing.

 

[baddog666]

Just out of curiosity.... now that they have the food offerings, did Avenue get rid of the vendors selling clothing and shoes out front ?

[PBear66]

As far as i remember there was a mix of food and shopping. 

[Mick Pattaya]

Have you checked out the new rooftop lounge/restaurant, partly owned by the Wicked group (soi 6) I presume.

[KittenKong]

5 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

Basically, you are paying 269 baht for a Margherita pizza, salad and beverage.  The Margherita pizzas weren't bad at all in the restaurant's previous incarnation and cost only 79 baht.

Actually the current offer is 269B+, or just under 300B net, which isnt a bad price if you have wine or beer. The previous offer (which I also hope will return) was 79B net, and was a bargain. I used to go there for a pizza and a Heinecken for 178B once a week. I surely wont be doing that with the new offer.

 

5 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

It's a bit tricky because I recall seeing the Sergio's logo above the pizza ovens when it was still Pizza Pizza by Yanee.

If you look on "Sergio's" Facebook page, there are comments and photos about Pizza Pizza dating back to early last year. So I suspect this is more of a makeover than a change of hands.

[Evil Penevil]

9 hours ago, baddog666 said:

Just out of curiosity.... now that they have the food offerings, did Avenue get rid of the vendors selling clothing and shoes out front ?

No, they are still there.  But the back covered section of The Avenue (close to Soi 15) has been cleared of all stalls.  Those food stalls seem to have moved to the 2nd level.  This is what the back section looks like now:

9 hours ago, PBear66 said:

As far as i remember there was a mix of food and shopping. 

Out front- the area between the sidewalk and the first rows of enclosed retail units- it has always been clothes and other items, no food.

7 hours ago, Mick Pattaya said:

Have you checked out the new rooftop lounge/restaurant, partly owned by the Wicked group (Soi 6) I presume.

No, I haven't.  But I will get around to it soon.

Evil

[Evil Penevil]

it looks like it will be a food court at the back of The Avenue.

Work continues, but slowly.

Evil

[Kreggerz]

Sergio's Pizza has really excellent pizza. It's much better than the old 79 baht pizza in the closed restaurant. 

The current offer is also great. You can choose a Caesar salad with an excellent poached egg/anchovies/bacon, the pizza, and then soft drink, beer, or wine. The crust has very distinctive flavor and texture (it has sourdough in it). I love it. But not everyone knows you can add ingredients to the promotion for 60 to 100 baht depending. I've tried the pizza with both anchovies and sausage, both excellent. They now have a choice of sausages to add, including a beef one. But you need to ask as they will have an add on toppings menu later. Forget about the almost free pizzas in that location in the past. That's history. Sergio's is a totally new restaurant and it's really very good. 

[KittenKong]

5 hours ago, Kreggerz said:

The current offer is also great. You can choose a Caesar salad with an excellent poached egg/anchovies/bacon, the pizza, and then soft drink, beer, or wine. The crust has very distinctive flavor and texture (it has sourdough in it). I love it.

Is that the same offer priced at just under 300B as mentioned a few months back?

[Kreggerz]

4 hours ago, KittenKong said:

Is that the same offer priced at just under 300B as mentioned a few months back?

Yes it is. I find that when you add one of the quality ingredients as topping, even though it costs more, it makes for a wonderful meal. Bottom line though, is do you like the pizza style they're doing there (sourdough crust) or not. The only way to find out is to try it. 

[jiz]

On 16/08/2018 at 08:25, KittenKong said:

Actually the current offer is 269B+, or just under 300B net, which isnt a bad price if you have wine or beer. The previous offer (which I also hope will return) was 79B net, and was a bargain. I used to go there for a pizza and a Heinecken for 178B once a week. I surely wont be doing that with the new offer.

 

If you look on "Sergio's" Facebook page, there are comments and photos about Pizza Pizza dating back to early last year. So I suspect this is more of a makeover than a change of hands.

Sergio, a talented chef, founded the Pizza Pizza shops. 

After some time, he left the operation. Something about relationship or partnership problems. TIT 

Now he is back, taking over the operation and bringing it to new levels. I've had the pizza/salad special. He knows what he is doing.

The old 79BT pizza specials were a sure sign of desperation.

The emphasis now is on quality so expect to pay for it. 

 

 

[Arnie85]

Hot shoe, dining at the avenue
Model citizen zero discipline

Pattaya, Pattaya-ah 

[Kreggerz]

5 hours ago, jiz said:

Sergio, a talented chef, founded the Pizza Pizza shops. 

After some time, he left the operation. Something about relationship or partnership problems. TIT 

Now he is back, taking over the operation and bringing it to new levels. I've had the pizza/salad special. He knows what he is doing.

The old 79BT pizza specials were a sure sign of desperation.

The emphasis now is on quality so expect to pay for it. 

 

 

Exactly. Not the same product. Sergio's pizza is now my favorite in town. 

[Evil Penevil]

Work continues on what will be a food court in the back section of The Avenue.  I took the pics below two nights ago; this morning the ventilation units were gone, presumably installed.  A half-dozen pickup trucks with construction tools or supplies were parked outside and work was going on full blast inside.

Evil

[striderman]

my spies tell me it could open dec 20th.

today...................

 

rear area looks non aircon with 5 food stations both sides

 

then in the direction of second rd is an air-con bit roughly 80 ft/80 ft

not easy getting pics as the doors were shut and the windows need cleaning

again food stations both sides

in 30 years of visiting thailand i have never been in a coupon type food court

[striderman]

on the topic of dining at the avenue i noticed this while i was wandering around yesterday..............

note.....................it's only lunchtime mon/fri and from 1130 to 14.30

[The Danimal]

Just now, striderman said:

on the topic of dining at the avenue i noticed this while i was wandering around yesterday..............

note.....................it's only lunchtime mon/fri and from 1130 to 14.30

VERY limited options....I suppose if you like those desserts though or the pizza is acceptable (highly doubtful)...it's a good deal

[KittenKong]

1 hour ago, The Danimal said:

VERY limited options....I suppose if you like those desserts though or the pizza is acceptable (highly doubtful)...it's a good deal

199B (plus tax) for a 10-inch Margherita pizza is not a good deal in my book. 10 inches is tiny.

[KittenKong]

21 hours ago, striderman said:

in 30 years of visiting thailand i have never been in a coupon type food court

Really? Do yourself a favour and stride along to T21. Best food court in Pattaya.

[Wolf Cat]

Very few business stay open or successful in the Avenue.  I'd bet lots of those food courts open and close at a record pace.

[KittenKong]

Just now, Wolf Cat said:

Very few business stay open or successful in the Avenue.  I'd bet lots of those food courts open and close at a record pace.

Actually I think that if they get the pricing right this food court could do very well, as there is no real competition anywhere nearby and the municipality keeps moving street food vendors on. It also has the advantage of being on the ground floor and visible. There are a lot of Thais and farangs in that area who would like a quick cheap meal in relative cleanliness and comfort.

But my bet is that the pricing wont be right simply because the rents will be too high. The perennial problem in The Avenue.

[The Danimal]

Just now, KittenKong said:

199B (plus tax) for a 10-inch Margherita pizza is not a good deal in my book. 10 inches is tiny.

I said if it is good...some people like Dicey's pizza...I think it is complete shit...yeah with eatigo you get it for half off...and you can eat it for 2 meals...but it's shit IMO...but I agree its nothing special for spaghetti...and there are better priced pizzas in the Avenue

Just now, Wolf Cat said:

Very few business stay open or successful in the Avenue.  I'd bet lots of those food courts open and close at a record pace.

After the Grand Avenue opens I think you'll see a decent uptick in business there...I hope at least

[Kreggerz]

2 hours ago, The Danimal said:

VERY limited options....I suppose if you like those desserts though or the pizza is acceptable (highly doubtful)...it's a good deal

The pizza there is amazing. The secret is the sourdough crust. I would pay to add a topping though or order off the regular menu. 

[The Danimal]

Just now, Kreggerz said:

The pizza there is amazing. The secret is the sourdough crust. I would pay to add a topping though or order off the regular menu. 

Amazing...I have never had amazing pizza outside the US ...that includes Italy ….once a good one in HK...so I will have to try this now