Under 300 Baht ... And Good! (updated July 4, 2022)

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Great reviews many thanks.

 

Seems Kilkenny is the current favourite........ any luck with the Service girl

 

No luck so far. She wasn't there on Australia Day.

 

Evil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Great reviews many thanks.

 

Seems Kilkenny is the current favourite........

 

Yes, it is one of my favorites. For those of you who like big burgers and especially Australian-style burgers with beetroot, fried egg and grilled pineapple, Kilkenny's has added to its menu the Ozzie Works burger reviewed in post #199. Kilkenny does a good job with farang comfort food and its daily specials are great value for money. From Kilkenny's FB page:

 

 

Evil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

I hadn't been into White Pines for several months because of some disappointing meals in the wake of last year's staff hassles. However, I'd heard about the new chef and wanted to try his food. At 11.00 p.m., I was the only customer- not a good sign- although one other person entered while I was there.

I didn't have to wait long for my meal- I ordered the salmon with garlic rice- and it was quite good, especially the garlic rice.



The salmon was fresh and cooked properly, not at all dry. The garlic "chips" atop the rice has also been fried perfectly and added a nice accent. The dill sauce was also good. This meal harked back to the White Pines of the past.

When White Pines opened in November, 2016, it gained a reputation for offering excellent food at bargain prices. The female chef at the time clearly knew how to make Western food, Italian in particular. White Pines' location also made it very convenient for visitors to Walking Street.

However, when the chef left WP in October last year, the quality of the food slid significantly and the recovery process has been bumpy to say the least.



It wasn't the biggest piece of salmon I've had in Pattaya, but at 195 baht, it was good value for money thanks to the quality.

 

This was only one meal, but it was certainly encouraging, enough so that I'll be back. Next time I'll try the calamari to see if it has regained its previous heights. I couldn't fault the service in any way. At the end of the meal, the chef came out of the kitchen and asked via the waitress if everything had been O.K. I said yes and complimented him on the sauce and garlic chips.

 

White Pines has printed up a new menu, but the offerings don't seem to have changed up. It's now open between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. , but closed Tuesdays.

 

Photos of some of the menu pages.


This is real fusion cooking for you: Tom Yum Quinoa and Krapow Quinoa with salmon. I'm sure the early Andean people would be proud.



Physically, not much has changed with White Pines since it opened 16 months ago. It's still clean, well-lit and comfortable.

.

 

 

Bottom line: I haven't abandoned hope for White Pines and will be back to see if the improvement is lasting.

Evil

Edited March 27, 2018 by Evil Penevil

[jacko 8,813]

Great report EP. But be careful out there, I recall an incident you had in the past.

 

Pattaya expat threatened with jail after posting negative restaurant review online.

 

Thai Visa.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Great report EP. But be careful out there, I recall an incident you had in the past.

 

Pattaya expat threatened with jail after posting negative restaurant review online.

 

Thai Visa.

 

WTF??? Fourteen pages and over 200 posts in the Thai Visa thread, but no one will name the restaurant!!! Why is everyone so scared? Is the restaurant owned by the Corleone family and managed by Luca Brasi?

 

No matter how strict the defamation laws are in Thailand, you can't be charged for writing something like "XYZ is the name of the restaurant that was reviewed."

 

I'm not a member of the Breakfast Club or any other Facebook food group, so I have no idea what this is really about. But if anyone knows the name of the restaurant, could you please PM me if you don't want to post it in this thread? I'd like to visit that restaurant and write my own review.

 

Evil

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

...At 11.00 p.m., I was the only customer- not a good sign- although one other person entered while I was there.

 

 

That was you Monday night? I had the spicy seafood pasta whilst unsuccessfully trying to sober up (with an Irish Coffee). I would have said 'Hi' if only I'd known it was you.

Cheers!

[flashkiwi 24]

Great report, will try on my next trip, helps guys who only go to pattaya twice a year.

[jacko 8,813]

 

That was you Monday night? I had the spicy seafood pasta whilst unsuccessfully trying to sober up (with an Irish Coffee). I would have said 'Hi' if only I'd known it was you.

Cheers!

I actually thought you two guys had gone together when I read you had both been there same night!

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

I actually thought you two guys had gone together when I read you had both been there same night!

I bar fine early, understand?

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

 

That was you Monday night? I had the spicy seafood pasta whilst unsuccessfully trying to sober up (with an Irish Coffee). I would have said 'Hi' if only I'd known it was you.

Cheers!

 

No, that wasn't me. I was there Sunday night. The other customer who came in while I was there was a WS go go bar manager.

 

Evil

[Chang_paarp 253]

 

WTF??? Fourteen pages and over 200 posts in the Thai Visa thread, but no one will name the restaurant!!! Why is everyone so scared? Is the restaurant owned by the Corleone family and managed by Luca Brasi?

 

No matter how strict the defamation laws are in Thailand, you can't be charged for writing something like "XYZ is the name of the restaurant that was reviewed."

 

I'm not a member of the Breakfast Club or any other Facebook food group, so I have no idea what this is really about. But if anyone knows the name of the restaurant, could you please PM me if you don't want to post it in this thread? I'd like to visit that restaurant and write my own review.

 

Evil

 

I trawled through the entire thread on BCP looking for a hint to the establishment with no joy. Unfortunately the offending post (and resulting thread) has been deleted by the original poster. The admin of BCP said they would not have deleted the post and would have supported the poster in the event of legal action eventuating as it was far from the harshest review in the group. There is some speculation it was a manager rather than the owner who made the threat.

 

The upshot is that the restaurant manager or owner has learned that making a threat like that might not be the best business decision.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Eighteen pages and over 260 posts in the thread on Thai Visa about the threatened defamation action but NO ONE dares to name the restaurant. If I ever do learn the name and pay the establishment a visit, I will definitely be on the lookout for Luca Brasi. The owner (or manager) must indeed inspire fear.

Evil

Edited March 29, 2018 by Evil Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Another update on White Pines. I had the pumpkin soup-

and everyone's former favorite, the calamari-

Both were pretty good, but still not quite up to the former standard. I know pumpkin soup isn't a "big taste" item, but it seemed a bit too bland, just not enough pumpkin flavor. The garlic bread was excellent.

In terms of portion size and preparation, the calamari was closer to the version we all loved. The garlic had been added as before. Maybe it's only psychological, but I just felt something was missing in terms of flavor. If the calamari before the staff change had been a 9 in my estimation, this was a 7.

I didn't see the male chef this time round, but two females were working in the kitchen. Service was quick and friendly, but again, only one other customer.

Bottom line: The jury is still out, but there are positive signs from White Pines.

Evil

Edited April 13, 2018 by Evil Penevil

[MeGoDanceNow 4,281]

I've been in there a few times this month. The White Pines Pizza with strips of salmon is delicious.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

So's Place on Soi 15 behind The Avenue mainly serves Thai food, so I have written a separate (as yet incomplete) review here. However, on Saturdays So's does offer a BBQ smoked pork rib dinner U.S. style for 299 baht. The rib dinners start at 6.30 p.m. and continue until the ribs run out. It's also possible to order the ribs without the side dishes for 199 baht. That's probably a nod to take-away customers and to the farang diners' Thai lady companions who like ribs but not Western side dishes.

 

 

The dinner consists of a half rack of pork ribs (six ribs), two pieces of sweet corn, coleslaw and half a baked (and steamed?) potato topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives.

 

 

The ribs had a nice smoky flavor. The meat wasn't falling-off-the-bone tender, but many rib enthusiasts say that if the meat literally falls off the bone, it's been overcooked. My grandfather used to say the meat "should have a bit of fight left in it." There's no right or wrong about it; it's just a matter of personal preference. But if you want fork-tender ribs, you won't find them at So's. The BBQ sauce was tangy and not too sweet, with a definite kick to it.

 

 

The corn was very tasty, although I would have liked a pat of butter to go with it. The coleslaw was the standard "school cafeteria" variety. There was nothing wrong with it, but nothing very special, either. The half-potato was a bit mushy for my taste, as though it had been baked and then steamed to reheat it.

 

Bottom line: It's not the best rib dinner in Pattaya, but those better dinners will cost you a lot more than 299 baht. For its price, it is good value for money. Remember, though, the ribs are only available of Saturdays. So's otherwise serves Thai food seven days a week.

 

Evil

Edited May 10, 2018 by Evil Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Kilkenny on LK Metro has lasagna as a special for 199 baht several times a week. It's not exactly the lasagna an Italian grandmother would make, but it's tasty and the portion is huge. It comes with three small slices of garlic bread and a smattering of salad on the side.

The Kilkenny version of lasagna is very heavy on the meat filling and cheese topping, but light on the pasta. It's sort of like an upside down cottage pie with pasta instead of mashed potatoes. The bechamel sauce that is used in some types of lasagna was most noticeable by its absence.

There's nothing wrong with that. Many traditonal recipes have been adapted by restaurants to suit the preferences of their diners and that's almost certainly the case with Kilkenny's lasagna. But if your looking for a many-layered lasagna dressed with a lighter ragu-style sauce, that's not what Kilkenny's lasagna is about.

Another special that Kilkenny frequently offers is liver and onions with bacon for 169 baht. I'm not a fan of liver and onions, so I won't be ordering it. According to a friend who does like it, it's done well at Kilkenny and again, the portion is large. This is a pic I lifted from Kilkenny's Facebook page:

Bottom line: If you're a hearty eater who wants a lot of food on his plate, you can't go wrong at Kilkenny.

Evil

:

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

I'm going to try this one:

Harry's is located on Soi Diana between Soi Bukhao and LK Metro.

EDIT IN: I did try the"99er" minute steak at Harry's and it was excellent, especially considering the price.

The word "minced" in the Facebook blurb is a bit of a mistranslation. It's a Swedish-style minute steak, pure and simple. There is nothing "minced" about it. In Swedish, it's called lövbiff.

Minute steak is a thin slice of top round (sometimes sirloin) that is then pounded to tenderize it. Swedish lövbiff tends to be thinner than a U.S. minute steak. The one I got at Harry's last night was about as thick as a 10-baht coin.

The crucial factor with minute steak is not to cook it too long. When it is as thin as at Harry's, it only needs a few seconds each side on a very hot griddle. More than that and it will be frazzled, tough and basically inedible. The minute steak at Harry's was done properly, even a bit pink on the inside. It was tender and had plenty of beef flavor. The skinny fries were also good and even the slices of tomato were tastier than a lot you get on your plate in Pattaya.

I was well-pleased with my meal and have no problem in recommending it. I'm sure I'll have it again several times before the summer is over. Was the portion big enough to satisfy a lumberjack who's just come back from eight hours of chopping trees? No, it wasn't. But for those of us who have sedentary lifestyles, it's sufficient. And if it isn't. the price is cheap enough to order a salad or other dish to fill up, maybe even the 99-baht hamburger.

A couple more photos with the knife and fork on the plate so you get a better idea of the portion size.

Bottom line: Go for it!

Evil

Edited May 18, 2018 by Evil Penevil

[ajsp9 18]

Looks good and well worth the money even if you double up.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Another update on White Pines.



The other night I had the Crispy Chicken Burger at 220 baht. I never tried it in the "good ol' days" at White Pines, so I can't make a direct comparison. I can say that the burger I got was indeed good. i'm not a fan of "busy" burgers of any sort that have unnecessary toppings, but it wasn't much of a hassle to pull off two onion rings.

The fried chicken breast was substantial and cooked well- lightly breaded and crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. It was topped with a modest amount of cheese and underneath was the customary lettuce and tomato slices. The bun was nicely toasted. The French fries were also good. The onion rings needed a few seconds longer in the fryer, but since I don't like onion rings much, that didn't matter to me.

I began to wish the chicken breast had been served on a plate with mashed potatoes, gravy and peas. That would have been an excellent meal!

Bottom line: White Pines continues to recover. From what I've observed in the restaurant itself and read online, more of its old customers are giving it a second chance.

Evil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Last night I tried the 99-baht hamburger at Harry's, the second of the restaurant's summer specials.

 

 

It was a tasty burger. Considering the price and that it came with plenty of crispy skinny fries, it was excellent value for money.

 

 

It had a bit too much dressing for my taste, but that's a matter of personal preference.

 

 

 

If you have a big appetite, the portion may not be large enough. I saw one guy scarf the burger and fries quickly, then order the other 99-baht summer special (the minute steak in post #217), which he ate at a more leisurely pace. That's a fair amount of food for 198 baht.

 

 

Bottom line: Harry's two summer specials (hamburger or minute steak) at 99 baht each are good options if you want something cheap and quick in the LK Metro area.

 

Evil

Edited June 18, 2018 by Evil Penevil

[yorta2 693]

That burger is about the right size for me - looks great! Thanks.

[cbrib 354]

Thanks for the report Evil. Both the burger and minute steak look good especially at that price. I agree looks like a bit too much dressing on the burger but then again that is easily solved, will be stopping by soon.

Edited June 20, 2018 by cbrib

[ajsp9 18]

Thanks for the report Evil. Both the burger and minute steak look especially at that price. I agree looks like a bit too much dressing on the burger but then again that is easily solved, will be stopping by soon.

Ditto.

 

Really appreciate these reviews as would never try some of these places otherwise. Thank you EP.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

I very seldom eat a full farang breakfast in Pattaya as I never seem to be hungry in the morning. A cup of yogurt, some fresh fruit or a small bowl of rice soup does me fine until noon. But on rare occasions, I am hungry early on and will have a bacon-and-egg breakfast. A few days ago I felt very hungry at 9.30 a.m. and decided to try the breakfast at Smokin' Joe's BBQ on Soi Lengkee.

 

 

I had the "Standard Breakfast" for 95 baht. The quality of the ingredients was good and the portion was enough for me.

 

 

I got two eggs cooked sunny-side-up at my request; a link of pork sausage; two extra-wide rashers of streaky bacon; two pieces of toast with butter; and a cup of coffee.

 

 

You have a choice of back or streaky bacon. The rashers looked as if they might have been sliced in-house from a slab of bacon.

 

 

The coffee was good and tea was available. I also had a small glass of fresh orange juice for 50 baht, so 145 baht all-in. I was happy with the Standard Breakfast, but Smokin' Joe's had many more options. I'll be back sometime to try the buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup; the Eggs Benedict and the Breakfast Burrito, but probably as lunch rather than breakfast. From Smokin' Joe's Facebook page:

 

 

I'm not much concerned with a restaurant's ambiance in Pattaya. I do want it to be clean, well-lit, air-conditioned. smoke-free and without loud music. SJ's ticked all those boxes. It also offers free Wi-Fi. If you like to spend some time over breakfast reading a newspaper or catching up on the Internet, SJ's is a comfortable place for a leisurely morning meal.

 

 

Bottom line: If you're looking for a small breakfast with good quality, Smokin' Joe's Standard Breakfast is an excellent option. If you want a much bigger breakfast for just a few baht more, then you're better off continuing on Soi Lengkee to Retox.

 

Smokin' Joe's is best known for its U.S.-style BQQ and Tex-Mex dishes. Some of the daily specials:

 

 

Evil

Edited July 1, 2018 by Evil Penevil

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

A good egg mayo sandwich at Secrets for 99 baht.



Evil

Edited July 3, 2018 by Evil Penevil