The Balcony Restaurant On Soi Bukhao Now Closed

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Edit in: Unfortunately, the Balcony went of business at the end of March. It lasted just 10 months.

 

Quite by accident, I discovered Friday night a restaurant in which I had never eaten and probably never would, had it not been for an odd set of circumstances. I had five Thai girls with me Friday night and we were going to eat a very late (midnight) dinner in the LK Metro area. I had planned on taking them to the "Tin Cups" restaurant (a k a "Hole-in-the-Wall" or "No-name" restaurant) on Soi Bukhao, but one of the girls absolutely refused to set foot in it. I'm not sure why, but I don't think it had anything to do with the food there per se.

 

Instead, another of the girls suggested a restaurant across the street called "The Balcony."

 

 

 

I was dubious, but I trusted her recommendation. I'm glad I did. It was brightly lit and while not fancy, was nicely done up inside. It had an extensive Thai menu and quite a few farang dishes of the "comfort food" variety. I let the ladies order the meal and didn't pay much attention to the menu.

 

 

 

The pics show what we got, all for the facile price of 1,054 baht, including drinks for six people (one San Miguel Light, the rest water or Coke). Five dishes, including two whole fish and big bowl of rice. That's a lot of food for 175 baht per person, including drinks. It was all excellent, very fresh and tasty.

 

A spicy Thai squid dish:

 

 

Another spicy dish:

 

 

 

 

Steamed fished with chili and lime sauce:

 

 

Chicken with cashews:

 

 

 

A fried fish:

 

 

 

 

I was so impressed I went back and ate alone the following night. My solo meal was squid with salted eggs, roast duck and rice. I drank a can of Coke Light and the total cost was 370 baht. Both my dishes were again excellent, particularly the duck. Very moist and tender, but not at all greasy.

 

Squid with salted eggs:

 

 

 

 

 

Roast duck:

 

 

 

 

 

I know there used to be a restaurant and bakery off North Pattaya Road that was called The Balcony, but I have no idea if it has any connection with this one on Soi Bukhao, about half-way between Soi LK Metro and Soi Diana. I'm not sure about the hours, but I saw that it served farang breakfast (even pancakes!), so it may even be open 24 hours. On each occasion I was there, my party and my lonesome were the only customers. That's too bad, because on the basis of the food I've eaten, it deserves more customers. It's a good place to have Thai food. It's more comfortable and less rushed than a hole-in-the-wall place, but the prices are very reasonable.

 

Evil

Edited April 7, 2015 by Evil Penevil

[atlas2 4,329]

Excellent………You can't beat that. I shall try this place out.

[hatter 55]

I must of walked along there 1000s of times and never seen the place, will have to have a better look when i am back on the 14th aug for sure

[ikkrang 490]

Thanks Evil, I shall try it out next time I have a chance. I know somebody who will like it....

[Butch 3,456]

Thanks Evil, you seem to be able to find little gems hidden away here and there.

 

The food looks excellent , and kudos to your Camera as well, it takes good close up pics - although I appreciate a majority of the skill is in the hands of the operator :).

I have actually cooked the "steamed fish in lime sauce" for Mrs Butch, but instead of using Sea Bass, I used Rainbow trout. It came out pretty well actually.

 

Just over 1k baht for 6 people is as cheap as it gets, especially for the food on offer. nice one.

 

Cheers

Butch

Edited July 21, 2014 by Butch

[billy69 2]

Thanks Evil, I will have to give it a go next month.

[Bushcraft 2,581]

Great report Evil, I'll try it soon, never noticed it.

[The_Fat_Controller 25]

Thanks, I really like the "another spicy dish", Wing Bean Salad, so I hope the restaurant is still in business when I get back to Pattaya in November.,

[bluechef 3]

Evil you really are a foodie, love your reviews. keep up the good work

[Big_Brian 179]

OK, enough about the food. Did no one else pick up on "I had five Thai girls with me Friday night"?

 

Expound Evil, expound.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

OK, enough about the food. Did no one else pick up on "I had five Thai girls with me Friday night"?

 

Expound Evil, expound.

 

Four of the five were ex-FLB hostesses. Three of them are now working at a beer bar on Soi Bukhao, the fourth no longer "works bar" but was there visiting her friends. The fifth was a lady I'd never met before, but works in the Soi Bukhao BB. Basically, they were sitting in the BB hanging out after the girls' shift had ended. I walked past on my way to listen to the live music at the Rockhouse and they of course were happy to see me. They all wanted to come along. No bar fins were involved. After the Rockhouse, we went to Lady Love to say hello to Alice, Goi, Hall, Bill and the other ex-FLBers who now work there. We left Lady Love around midnight for a late supper and ended up in The Balcony. It was all very innocent. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

 

And to keep the thread on topic: On my way back from a solo bar crawl of LK Metro bars, I stopped in yet again at The Balcony for a very late supper. I thought I'd try their farang food and had spaghetti with meatballs. It was a small portion, more of an appetizer than a main course, but the price was also small, 119 baht. It was good. The spaghetti was cooked al dente, the way it should be done. Too often in Pattaya spaghetti is cooked too soft, like lo mein noodles. The sauce and meatballs both had plenty of flavor. You'll see in the pic that the cook sprinkled the spaghetti with Parmesan cheese. I'm sure it was grated Parmesan out of a can, but it was a good can. No complaints on my part.

 

 

 

And across the street, the hole-in-the-wall restaurant was doing a bustling trade.

 

 

Evil

[MissPink35 0]

the Balcony just start this month july 14 I walk pass often and would like to try one day too but the opposite that you post picture on I try 3 time and never want to walk in again because they made as bad soup as i ever eaten in my life I better do it myself.

 

MissPink

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Useful advice. Food is more important than surroundings for me, within reason. I'd prefer take the advice of a BG than a monger when it comes to restaurant advice in LOS.

[Nightrider 340]

Nice report as per usual evil , i must have walked past that place so many times and never been in and even sitting in the hole across the road never spotted it , that looked like a nice dinner you had for a reasonable cost , i normally don't share the girls food as i find it way to spicy for my taste buds to handle......

[Blackwell 288]

After reading Mr Evil’s report, I also tried the Broadway restaurant. The food comes well presented, tasty, but I found it was oversalted for my taste.

However, they make the best Irish Coffee I have ever tasted. I tried the Irish Coffee at Beefeaters (THB 170) and could not finish it. Broadway charge THB 159, and it is well worth it. I will re visit the restaurant just for that.

[MM 6,562]

the Balcony just start this month july 14 I walk pass often and would like to try one day too but the opposite that you post picture on I try 3 time and never want to walk in again because they made as bad soup as i ever eaten in my life I better do it myself.

 

MissPink

 

Miss Pink, I'm guessing you are Thai, so you probably know your soups.

 

One of the things I have noticed about the absurdly famous "hole in the wall" popularized in a TR long ago, is that the clientele, whenever I have gone by there, is all farang or mixed farang male with Thai female.

 

For a hole in the wall place to attract my attention and credibility, it would have a large proportion of Thai only groups eating there.

 

This place seems to never have that, so I go by my one unimpressive (though not bad..just unimpressive) visit and the lack of Thai customers, and look for other options.

 

I'm sure it continues to be inexpensive however.

[hatter 55]

now i know why i have not seen the place :)

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

This morning I had the "Norway breakfast" - two scrambled eggs topped with smoked salmon. It comes with a small glass of orange juice, a cup of coffee or tea, two pieces of toast, butter, marmalade and three slices of tomato and a slice of as the garnish. Not bad for 107 baht.



Of course, it won't satisfy those who want a big breakfast, but not everyone does. The Norwegian breakfast is also available throughout the day as a light meal or snack.





The eggs were properly scrambled with herbs and finely diced vegetables. The smoked salmon was Scandinavian style and good. A light breakfast, but a tasty one.



The bar:



My next self-imposed mission, and hopefully not an impossible one, is to try the steak at The Balcony.

 

Evil

[Butch 3,456]

Ahhh....my and Mrs Butch's favourite breakfast, Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. that's actually seen as being a bit decadent around these parts Evil. 107 bahts worth of decadence, I'll grant you.

[jacko 8,815]

Ahhh....my and Mrs Butch's favourite breakfast, Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. that's actually seen as being a bit decadent around these parts Evil. 107 bahts worth of decadence, I'll grant you.

I recall 'Lox' and Bagels, with cream cheese once for breakfast in the USA.

Very different for me but I liked it.

[MM 6,562]

I recall 'Lox' and Bagels, with cream cheese once for breakfast in the USA.

Very different for me but I liked it.

When I go back to the USA, my first meal is a good old fashioned Mexican carne asada burrito at a tacqueria I love..my second meal is a toasted asiago bagel with salmon and cream cheese. Yes, it's a delightful snack or small meal.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

A friend and I had dinner at The Balcony last night shortly after 7 p.m. I finally got around to trying the beef and my friend ordered salmon steak. Both of us were happy with our meals and they were value for money. I'm happy to report that there were several other guests as well; previously, I had been the lone diner except for whatever companion(s) I brought with me.

We started off with very fruity cocktails called Thai Parynya for 129 baht. I was struck by the similarity to "paranoia," but apparently Paranya is a Thai male name. The drink was full of exotic fruits and the alcohol kick came from Sang Som, which is a type of rum despite everyone calling it Thai whiskey. I found it refreshing and easy to drink.



I had what was called on the menu "Tenderloin beef (Australia)." I was dubious of getting real Australian beef for 279 baht, but I was surprised by how good it was.



The tenderloin comes with French fries but I asked for mashed potatoes instead. The vegetables - a couple of spears of broccoli, two carrot wedges and snap peas - weren't boiled to death (surprise! surprise!) and actually had a lot of flavor. The mashed potatoes were good, too. The gravy didn't taste bad, but it was out of the package. That didn't bother me, as I don't put gravy on tasty beef.



The meat was good, very tender and cooked how I'd asked for it - medium rare. The seared surface had a nice charcoal taste to it. However, it would have been better if the grill had been hotter. The steak didn't need t be grilled longer, just at a higher temperature.





My friend ordered the salmon steak and was well pleased with the fish. But I thought it bizarre he got the same sort of plating as I did. Beef gravy with fish? Come on. now. But since the gravy was mostly in a boat - just a little had been drizzled over the potatoes and veggies - he didn't care, either. He'd rather have had French fries, but for some reason, they gave him mashed potatoes.




A service miss, but he decided not to argue about it and thought the mashed potatoes were good. His salmon steak cost 229 baht.

Bottom line: The Balcony continues to serve very good food at reasonable prices. I;ll be back again and my friend said he would, too.

Evil

[Nightrider 340]

That steak looked nice and juicy evil......got to laugh about the gravy with salmon , i was given a gravy boat with a dish of chicken korma and rice once.....

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Another update from a meal a couple of days ago at The Balcony. My friend ordered a green salad that he and his companion split.

 

He said the ingredients were fresh, but there could have been more tomato slices. The only option for dressing was oil and vinegar, but he was happy it came without dressing so he could add it himself.

 

I had one of my personal favorites - squid with salted eggs.

 

The flavor was very balanced between the saltiness of the eggs and the sweetness of the vegetables, but the dish would have benefited from a few moe pieces of squid.





My fried chicken drumsticks were good and value for money at 90 baht for six. It doesn't come within a light year of the fried chicken Skeeter serves, but for Thai-style fried chicken, it was fine.







My friend had the salmon steak again. This time is made sure he got French fries, but it still came with a boat of gravy.





His companion ordered a fried fish which came with a spicy side salad.





All three of us at our table were pleased with the food we got. However, another BM who was eating in The Balcony at the same time as us wasn't at all happy with the T-bone steak he ordered. He had wanted the same tenderloin steak as in the pic I posted earlier, but was told they were out of it and went with the T-bone instead. A bad decision, it appears. I also noticed he had to wait a long time for it and his companion's Thai meal arrived much sooner.

It seems it's not all sunbeams and bunnies at The Balcony. The food I've made as well as that ordered by those with me has been good and I have no problems going back yet again for either Thai or farang food. But I'll definitely steer clear of the T-bone steak.

I should also note that The Balcony looked busy for the first time since I began eating there. I counted about 12 other guests in addition to our party of three.

Evil

Edited August 13, 2014 by Evil Penevil

[yorta2 693]

Some great feedback there. Looking forward to trying the Balcony out, but will also steer clear of the T-bone.