Restaurant-Dining Critiques

White powder sand and crystal clear water defines any of these coral islands that lie a few kilometers off the coast of Pattaya. It is best to hire a speedboat for the day and let the crew take you to a quiet beach for a swim before lunch, without a soul in sight. Then on to one of the crowded beaches such as Ta Waen for lunch—where you will find a choice of many umbrella-shaded restaurants lined-up one after the other. There is one restaurant at the far left side of the beach that has salt-water tanks where they keep the fish and crustaceans alive. You might even squeeze in another swim at a secluded beach on the way back to Pattaya.
Koh Larn is one of the largest islands in the eastern part of the Gulf of Thailand and the largest of a group of three islands, the others being Ko Sak and Ko Khrok. It is just about 15 to 30 minutes by speedboat or an hour by the regular boat, which makes for a fun day to visit this interesting island and its adjacent small islets.

Tel. 038 423504
Soi Diamond 175/29-30, Pattaya, Thailand
Open daily from 4 pm - midnight
Credit Cards: Visa, MC
Prices: Moderate

Since shortly after its opening in 1985 I have been dining in this small restaurant hidden on Soi Diamond, surrounded by all types of bars from girlie go-go bars to lady boy bars. In spite of this small annoyance, it is worth the effort to walk there, and in fact the only way to arrive at the door since a car cannot drive down the narrow walking street. The fact that you are subjected to raucous noise and a carnival-type atmosphere on the way is really a small inconvenience for what awaits you. Remember, this is Pattaya where there are not a great many establishments serving good-quality food combined with a pleasant atmosphere as they have here. Fortunately, things are changing, although, very slowly.

Inside, you will find a charming dining room and bar and excellent specialties from Switzerland. To name a handful: a salad bar offering many varieties of fresh salads and other starters (this salad bar is really worth trying), cheese fondue (400 gr.) for 2 persons with mixed salad, Geschnetzeltes “Zürcherart” with rösti, wiener schnitzel with pommes frites, pork fillet with morel cream sauce, beef fondue ( 400 gr. ) for 2 persons with (French fondue bourguignonne) beef imported from Argentina, Pattaya’s best “steak tartar” (raw beef fillet with combination of spices) prepared at your table.

Desserts & Liqueurs
Hot cherries with ice cream and whipping cream
Liqueurs and eaux de vie: Grappa, Poire Williams, Kirschwasser, Obstler, Vieille Prune