(Q) Better Restaurants in the Hua Yai and Na Jomtien areas

[ChiFlyer]

We are moving.

After 6 years in the Jomtien Beach area (VT2A) the TGF and myself have contracted to buy a pool/villa in the area near the border between Hua Yai and Na Jomtien. Technically according to the contract we are in Hua Yai. The house is located about 10 kms East shortly after Rt 3 and Rt 7 intersect. I do mean the Southern intersection. Perhaps our location could best be described as Dark Side Far South.

I have been looking on the web for better restaurants in the area. So far I have found two.

Dusit Terrace very near our house

https://dusit-terrace.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

 

1980 Bistro and Bar
https://www.google.com/search?tbs=lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9&tbm=lcl&q=1980 bistro and bar&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=14421195576754120488&rlst=f#rlfi=hd:;si:14421195576754120488;mv:[[13.8353281,100.95597459999999],[12.727630900000001,100.4145405]];tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9

Any additional suggestions would be appreciated. 

 

Edited December 6, 2022 by ChiFlyer

[jetdoc]

6 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

Any additional suggestions would be appreciated. 

If liking Italian maybe try this one

[CampariO]

As better places I would think of the Silverlake Wine & Grill Restaurant and just around the corner the Castello Di Bellagio Pattaya, which is not in my price range. Haven't been in both, heard the first can be very busy and needs reservation.

My favorit places in the area:

Rimpa Lapin

Tree@sea (as long as the Chinese are not back, otherwise avoid)

Relax (unfortunately closed, don't know if they ever will reopen)

Some of the beach huts north of ambassador, in front of the Grand Florida. Mainly because of the beach location.

Drifters

View Mare

For Thai food you could try Praneat on Sukhumvit, opposite the Mövenpick. Went once, nice food and ambiente, don't know why we never went back.

Went to Bacco once, nice ambiente but was disappointed about the small portion of Lasagna at a high price, so never bothered again.

Glass house used to be nice, then again the food quality dropped aome years ago. Don't know if it has improved since then.

 

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by CampariO

[jetdoc]

26 minutes ago, CampariO said:

Drifters

Also a favorite for us, reminds me of beach huts in Mexico. Agree Bacco a bit spendy but best lasagna I've had.

[CampariO]

5 minutes ago, jetdoc said:

Also a favorite for us, reminds me of beach huts in Mexico. Agree Bacco a bit spendy but best lasagna I've had.

Best lasagna I had at Antonio & Bo Restaurant Pizzeria in Huay Yai:

 

Not cheap at 390 Bt but you will be full and it tastes great. Also not too far from ChiFlyer's new place, and one of my regular places.

 

[ChiFlyer]

15 hours ago, jetdoc said:

If liking Italian maybe try this one

Thanks. I am big on Italian. Is this the place that is directly across the street from the Glass House?

[ChiFlyer]

6 hours ago, CampariO said:

As better places I would think of the Silverlake Wine & Grill Restaurant and just around the corner the Castello Di Bellagio Pattaya, which is not in my price range. Haven't been in both, heard the first can be very busy and needs reservation.

My favorit places in the area:

Rimpa Lapin

Tree@sea (as long as the Chinese are not back, otherwise avoid)

Relax (unfortunately closed, don't know if they ever will reopen)

Some of the beach huts north of ambassador, in front of the Grand Florida. Mainly because of the beach location.

Drifters

View Mare

For Thai food you could try Praneat on Sukhumvit, opposite the Mövenpick. Went once, nice food and ambiente, don't know why we never went back.

Went to Bacco once, nice ambiente but was disappointed about the small portion of Lasagna at a high price, so never bothered again.

Glass house used to be nice, then again the food quality dropped aome years ago. Don't know if it has improved since then.

 

 

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. Some excellent suggestions in your list. Yeah, we wrote off The Glass House a few years back due to the food quality.

[ChiFlyer]

Ok dudes - thanks to all - I do believe we have the Italian places covered.

Any ideas for French or American Comfort?

 

[jetdoc]

8 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

Thanks. I am big on Italian. Is this the place that is directly across the street from the Glass House?

Yes

[FrankUnderwoodd]

I know a restaurant from that location that my husband and I visited on our honeymoon a few years ago.

[FrankUnderwoodd]

19 hours ago, FrankUnderwoodd said:

I know a restaurant from that location that my husband and I visited on our honeymoon a few years ago.

I think it was called Glass House. Although I saw some bad reviews online recently, so I don’t know if the food is not as good as it used to be. Unfortunately sometimes restaurants stop providing high quality service after a while. Some restaurants stop serving fresh ingredients or maybe the chef is replaced or the waiters aren’t as nice to the customers. On the other hand, I understand that working in a restaurant is not easy, as you have to interact with different customers daily. I remember talking to a chef who worked at https://www.riwa-restaurant.de/de/ for a few years and he told me that the job is physically demanding and the pay isn’t the best.

[ChiFlyer]

On 07/12/2022 at 01:28, ChiFlyer said:

We are moving.

After 6 years in the Jomtien Beach area (VT2A) the TGF and myself have contracted to buy a pool/villa in the area near the border between Hua Yai and Na Jomtien. Technically according to the contract we are in Hua Yai. The house is located about 10 kms East shortly after Rt 3 and Rt 7 intersect. I do mean the Southern intersection. Perhaps our location could best be described as Dark Side Far South.

I have been looking on the web for better restaurants in the area. So far I have found two.

Dusit Terrace very near our house

https://dusit-terrace.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

 

1980 Bistro and Bar
https://www.google.com/search?tbs=lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9&tbm=lcl&q=1980 bistro and bar&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=14421195576754120488&rlst=f#rlfi=hd:;si:14421195576754120488;mv:[[13.8353281,100.95597459999999],[12.727630900000001,100.4145405]];tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u3!2m2!3m1!1e1!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!2m1!1e3!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:9

Any additional suggestions would be appreciated. 

 

We have been in the new place for a while now, but have not gone out to restaurants very often. We tried Dusit Terrace and I would just say it is not worth going out of your way for.

The Bistro is listed on the internet as "Permanently Closed" now.

We will likely get over to Bacco Beach sometime soon.

Edited April 18, 2023 by ChiFlyer

[ChiFlyer]

Roikhan on Hwy 1008

I was browsing Google Maps for restaurants near our house and I noticed Roikhan. The reviews were well above average, so the Mrs and I decided to give it a try. She had also heard some good things from some Thai neighbors.

https://www.facebook.com/RoiKhan.Restaurant/

We were wow'd. It is a smaller place, but very pleasant. The food was well beyond good. It was obvious that the attention that was being given to what was being brought to the table was top notch. Service was good without being pesty.

They serve an eclectic combination of Thai and Farang food. We stuck to the Thai side of things for our first visit. They have beer and wine, but wine must be bought by the bottle. We ordered a French Cab blend at about 1100. It was better than drinkable. 

Some pics

Outside seating

Goldfish Pool

Inside Seating

 

The Mrs ordered a spicy Thai Beef Salad - it was good

 

I ordered a smoked duck salad - it was very good - the Japanese Sesame dressing (one has a choice of 8 dressings) was also very good.

 

A view of the restaurant as we were leaving

 

Total bill was 1500 with a large chunk of that being the wine.

Obviously we really liked this place.

 

[ChiFlyer]

Silverlake Wine and Grill

This is a little more upscale Italian place in the general area. Evidently they have a vineyard as well as a restaurant.

https://www.facebook.com/SilverlakeFB/

It is about a 15 minute drive from our house. I was overall favorably impressed with the place, not so much with the wine based on my first try. Growing grapes in Thailand?

There are some additional sights to see out this way. Khao Chi Chan Buddha is a must see.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Mountain_(Thailand)

The food was decent enough. The bill was 2000 with 1200 of that being a bottle of wine. Some pics.

Inside Dining

I had Spaghetti AOT, their version of Spaghetti with Garlic and Oil. It was good.

The Mrs. had a fried rice dish. She said they had made it a little too sweet.

Across the road is the ostentatious "Castello di Bellagio". Makes a nice enough pic from the outside, but the Trip Advisor negative reviews have scared me off from ever trying the place.

[ChiFlyer]

Just for the sake of easy reference I thought it best that I cross reference my Bacco Beach review here as well.

 

[ChiFlyer]

Na Jomtien - Sky Vibe Rooftop Bar

https://www.facebook.com/SkyVibeRooftopBar/

In surfing around to identify restaurants to try near our new house I noticed this place. It is a restaurant-bar on top of a condo complex. The menu is pretty basic with Starters, Salads, Pizza, Italian, Thai, and some Western.

I picked a Pinot Noir from the 3 that were on the wine list. None of the 3 were available. Went with a Shiraz that I thought was a little expensive at 1590. Drinkable for sure, but not all that great. 

As the name suggests this place is all about the views. The restaurant-bar covers two floors. The views are more impressive on the 8th floor, but it is hotter up there so we went with the 7th floor for outdoor dining.

The views.

8th floor looking South

 

8th Floor looking North

 

7th Floor Sunset

 

I ordered grilled river prawns, but they were out so I went with a Club Sandwich. Not bad.

 

The Mrs ordered a spicy seafood-noodle dish. I had a taste and it was not bad.

 

I would not drive out here from Pattaya-Jomtien. There are better options closer to home. However, if you are in the area and are looking for a place for a cocktail with a decent sundown view, it might be worth a try. The food is ok, but not remarkable. They seem to be out of the things that are on the menu and one has to go with what is available. Total bill was 2140 with most of that being the wine.

[ChiFlyer]

Khao Chi Chan - Mum Aroi

https://moomaroi-restaurant.business.site/

The website is in Thai, but you can see some pics and there is a map. Also shows well on Google Maps for directions. The restaurant is about a 40 minute drive South of Jomtien. Still I would recommend that even the most hardened of Central Pats aficionados makes the trip to the area at least once in a lifetime. 

There are four of these places in the overall area (2 in or near Pattaya, one in Sriracha, and this one near Buddha Mountain that I am reporting on). I have never been to any of them before today. I had noticed that the Pattaya ones get some pretty decent reviews.

The Mrs and I try to go out once a week for dinner, just to get out of the house now and then. We are slowly working our way through a list of places I have compiled that seem to be worth a try. Tonight we tried the title restaurant.

I was impressed and actually very much so. As we whittle the list down to a rotation list, Mum Aroi will easily make the final cut. The Mrs. tells me that Mum Aroi roughly translates to tasty. 

This is a Thai seafood place similar to Pupens and Preecha. I would rate the quality of the food as better than both of those. I will give reasons why in the food pics. The others have sea views and Mum Aroi does not, but it is very near Buddha Mountain and that area has some great inland views. 

Views from the restaurant

 

 

 

Food pics

Fried Rice with Crab - look at the size of those crab chunks. Better than anywhere else that I have seen.

 

Salmon with a Wasabi Soy Sauce. The Mrs ordered this and she said it was good. I did not try. Look at how she mixes the wasabi sauce to understand why I did not share with her. Actually, I like this kind of dish, but not when she is mixing the wasabi. 🙂

 

I ordered my usual Fried Fish in a Sweet and Sour Sauce. It wasn't good, it was great. I order this dish often and it is often served over cooked. This fish was properly prepared and very tender while still maintaining it's crispiness. Best version of this dish I have even had in the overall Pattaya area.

 

The Mrs ordered a Thai dish. I have no idea what it is called. She said it was very well prepared. I would have tried, but I was warned off with a probably phet mak mak for you. You eat it something like tacos by wrapping the filing up in the green veggie leaves.

 

We order a bottle of Merlot from the limited wine list. It was a little expensive at 1600. Drinkable for sure.

Total bill was around 3000.

[Rocketboy]

7 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

 

This is a Thai seafood place similar to Pupens and Preecha. I would rate the quality of the food as better than both of those

I agree about the food as I've been to both Pupen and Preecha numerous times.

 

I went to Mum Aroi 3rd Rd Pattaya near Hollywood Disco about 7-8 years ago. I have been to Mum Aroi Nakula a couple times. I actually like Mum Aroi Como the best!

 

Thx for sharing this!

[ChiFlyer]

14 hours ago, Rocketboy said:

I agree about the food as I've been to both Pupen and Preecha numerous times.

 

I went to Mum Aroi 3rd Rd Pattaya near Hollywood Disco about 7-8 years ago. I have been to Mum Aroi Nakula a couple times. I actually like Mum Aroi Como the best!

 

Thx for sharing this!

A couple of additional items.

The service was not just good. It was excellent. The sundown flies can get pesty this time of year. Our server actually stayed by our table and waved a menu to help keep them away. The Mrs. asked for one and helped out as well. I did a little shoo away hand stuff.

If one were heading out at this time of year, I would plan for an 18:30 sitting. When the sun goes down the flies go home. We arrived about 17:45 and well as I described.

Additionally, service was prompt and efficient.

Edited July 20, 2023 by ChiFlyer

[ChiFlyer]

Na Jomtien - Selecta

The Mrs. and I continue our weekly "date night" restaurant tour. This week we went to Selecta. In talking with the manager we found out that they only opened about 3 months ago. I noticed them through a few positive net reviews.

https://www.facebook.com/selectabeach

You can find the location and directions via Google Maps. I would recommend that one does use Google Maps for a first visit. The road twists around behind the place and it can be a little confusing, especially after dark. After one arrives there is ample parking. The roads are a little rough back there, so take it slow.

I found the place to be laid back and rather pleasant. Their wine list is quite limited, but the beer list is more formidable. The food is mainly Thai, but they have a Farang page with pasta, pizza, and meat dishes. 

The service was excellent. The food was ok+, but nothing to rave about. Basically this is a pleasant beachfront restaurant with ok food. They do have music.

Some views of the place

Ocean view

 

Stage for the band

 

Sundown

 

I had Cashew Chicken (called stir fried chicken with chew chew nuts on the menu). It was not bad at all.

 

The Mrs had lightly fried cabbage with dried shrimp. I tasted a little and it was decent.

 

The Mrs. also ordered Papaya Salad. She said it was quite good.

 

This place, although we liked it, will probably not make our favorites rotation, at least for this time of year. I think we will like it better when the cooler weather arrives with Loy Krathong.

The bill was 2000 with 1300 of that being for a bottle of wine.

Edited July 27, 2023 by ChiFlyer

[ChiFlyer]

Na Jomtien - Srinuan Seafood

This is another beach front Thai Seafood place.

https://www.facebook.com/Srinuanseafood

I had noticed some favorable comments about the restaurant. We decided to give it a try for "date night" this week. IMO, not bad at all, but we have more than enough places that we like in this category already. The location is very close to Preecha Seafood. A few pics with comments.

The restaurant and the sea view. It has a large seating capacity. The sea view, while pleasant enough, is not stunning.

 

I had the Sweet and Sour Grouper. It was excellent. Frequently this type of dish is overcooked. This one was done to perfection.

 

The Mrs. ordered some kind of ceviche like crab dish. She cautioned me off of it with a phet mak mak comment. I took her word for it.

 

We also had a side of what I think are Morning Glory stems. The Mrs likes them and tries to get a little more greenery into me. The soy sauce is ok.

 

They have a wine shop as part of the overall restaurant, so the wine list is a little deeper than most places like this. The bill came to 2000 with half of that being a bottle of wine.

Nice enough place and a good location (for us) with good fresh seafood, but the Mrs is at best luke warm on it. We will get back now and then, but our ratings of the Thai Seafood places in the area are:

1. Mum Aroi Como far and away
2. Kind of a tie between Preecha and Srinuan. I rate them dead even, but the Mrs. prefers Preecha.
3. Like I said a tie
4. Aow Talay on the Bang Saray piers. Others seem to prefer Ruan Talay. I think they are about the same really.
5. Pupens

Oh - Srinuan has live tanks as do many of the others. On the way out the Mrs. noticed that one of the tanks held young groupers. That is unusual. 

Edited August 9, 2023 by ChiFlyer

[ChiFlyer]

Huay Yai - Antonio and Bo's (aka San Family)

Tried a new place for date night this week. Antonio and Bo's (AB) is a small Italian place out of the way for most, but 15 minutes from our house. There is also Thai food on the menu. AB has pretty decent Google reviews so we decided to give it a try.

For more info one can do a general Google search on the name. They do not have a website and I noticed no Trip Advisor reports. The Google Maps directions are spot on. The sign at the restaurant does not say "Antonio and Bo's" but rather "San Family". We were initially seated by Bo and asked about these things. She and her husband (Antonio the chef/owner) do in fact own/operate the place.

The restaurant is al fresco, so it would not be a good choice on a hot and humid night. They do have some fans in the covered area and we found this to be pleasant enough. I did not care for the house wine, but was told that I could pay a 300 corkage fee for a subsequent visit.

The upside is that the food is good and it is a relaxing place to kick back a little.

There is clearly marked parking across the street. I would advise using this as it has easier access back onto the road.

The bill was 1010 with more than half of that being 3 glasses of wine.

 

Some pics

From the street

 

Inside

 

I ordered Tortellini - It was good.

 

The Mrs ordered fried hoi (clams). I tasted some and it was also good. Could have used some lemons though. I guess that is not a Thai thing.

 

 

[ChiFlyer]

Huay Yai - Baan Na Garden

Well it is date night. We elected to try a new place that I had noticed on the net as having some favorable reviews.

https://www.facebook.com/baannagardenrestaurantandbar/?locale=th_TH

I like this place and it will be part of our permanent rotation. I do not like it well enough to recommend it for a longish ride from Jomtien, but if you live out this way it is worth checking out.

It is the atmosphere, more so than the food, that makes me positive about this place. It is just pleasant. A great jai yen yen place to kick back a little. They have a limited wine list. I ordered a bottle of "Cotes de bourg". It was not bad at 1250, although I was not previously aware that there was such a thing. 🙂

Oh - be aware that Google Maps is a little off with regard to the location. It will get you there fine and dandy, but then says wrongly what side of the street it is on. This might prove too strong of a distraction for some, as the place across the street has bright lights and a small collection of ladies in short skirts sitting on a bench outside. 😏

The restaurant has a lengthy menu of both Farang and Thai food. They have various specials. Sunday is Roast day and Wednesday is Indian Food. One does not have to order those on those particular days. We were there on a Wednesday and no Indian people were dining.

A few pics of the decor

 

 

 

The Mrs ordered a Ceviche like Shrimp dish. I tasted a little. It was quite good, but a little past my phet level for anything going beyond a quick taste.

 

I ordered Beef Stroganoff. This is listed as one of their recommended Western dishes. It was ok. It was listed on the menu as being served with Fettuccine. As one can see, the pasta looks to be linguine. Not a big deal IMO. I will likely go with a Cheese Burger next time.

 

The bill was 1750 with about 75% of that being the wine.  

 

[Dunghie]

Tks for your reviews.

Average wines so expensive in Thailand. Any cheap BYO options?

Would save ya a fortune. 😆

[ChiFlyer]

1 hour ago, Dunghie said:

Tks for your reviews.

Average wines so expensive in Thailand. Any cheap BYO options?

Would save ya a fortune. 😆

For sure, but we only go out once a week normally.

The problem is that I have been told not to drink beer by my doctors. I have had a problem with gout attacks. 20 years ago I stopped drinking beers and the gout attacks stopped. Gout attacks are very painful. I am lucky that I can get away with what I do at my age.