ChiFlyer

So sad. The TGF has been glued to Thai TV with tears in her eyes. I (being an American) have read this story too often. The availability of assault weapons has to change.

Royal Cliff Grill Room I have not been to this restaurant since Covid began. The Royal Cliff Hotel is a very upscale hotel kind of on the border between Phratamnak and Cozy Beach. https://www.royalcliff.com/shop/royal-grill-room/ This place has been reported by some as having the best steaks in the greater Pattaya area. Not so sure that I agree, but their steaks are indeed very good. I think that the beef products at Cafe des Amis are just as good. My complaint about the Royal Cliff Grill Room is that it is a little too ostentatious for my tastes. There is a more serious dress code -> no shorts and jacket suggested. Still IMO it is an upper scale food experience worth trying. I believe the GF and I dropped about 4000 here with my usual formula. A few pics from a few years back. Complimentary appetizer Atmosphere Shrimp Bisque I think the GF ordered this. Rack of Lamb and complimentary bread Desert being prepared table side Desert - Creme Brulle Crepes

My falling apart iPhone XS was unable to even download it. Yep, time for a new phone. On a similar, but thread unrelated, note I did the Windows 11 22H2 upgrade today. Start to finish it was 90 minutes. I have a rather high end laptop. This is the longest running Windows upgrade that I have seen in a very long time.

His work with Myles Kennedy on a non GnR album really convinced me. The cut "Back from Cali" is outstanding IMO. Yeah it's another GnR type I lost my lady song, but it is a good one IMO.

Gian's My favorite Italian Restaurant in the Greater Pattaya area is Gian's. This is higher end Italian. https://www.facebook.com/giansitaliandiningpattaya The GF and I tend to drop 4,000 on a night out here. Again, 2,000 of that is for a moderately priced bottle of red wine. More goes for the tip and 6 fresh oysters when available. One can spend a lot more than 4,000 at Gian's, but the GF and myself are not big eaters when pasta and bread are involved. We did night-1 of my birthday get-away at Gian's. My birthday get-away was two nights at the Rabbit Resort with dinners at my favorite higher end restaurants. A few pics from Gian's Oysters again Pasta in a spicy sausage and eggplant mix for me and scallops for the GF. I have heard a lot of good things about the Italian Restaurant called Grottino's in Naklua. Too far from home for me. I have heard that "Little Italy" in Pattaya on Second Road across the street from the Royal Garden is run by the same people. Hmmm - currently listed as "Permanently Closed". Shame. I ate there a few times and it was very good. They had "Pasta Norcina" on the menu, which is a favorite of mine that is difficult to find in Pattaya area Italian restaurants. I make it at home as well.

I think someone mentioned looking for a good higher end place for a family visit. I suggest that they take a look at Cafe des Amis, if they are unaware of it. https://www.cafe-des-amis.com/ The food, service, and ambiance are all excellent. The owner (Blu) is personable. The GF and I usually drop 4,000 to 5,000 when we go here. 2,000 of that is for a moderately priced bottle of wine. Also included in the 5,000 are one cocktail each, the tip, and 6 fresh oysters when available. I usually cab here due to the amount I tend to drink at this place. Blu has an excellent stock of Gin varieties I hear. Not my thing, but hey if one is into the first flavored vodka you may want to talk with the bartender. I have posted several reviews of Cafe des Amis on another board with pics. I will try and remember to copy one of them over here. Edit -> A reservation is very much suggested for Cafe des Amis. Also, there is a minor dress code. Smart casual and no beach wear. Edit 2 -> added pics from my birthday night dinner with the GF. No oysters that night. I will add an oysters pic as well when I find one. Rack of Lamb - I like it rare Roast Duck in a Tart Cherry Sauce for the GF Complimentary birthday cheese cake - it was really good Oysters from a prior visit

I think that Beefeaters and Patrick's are both very good. I would put Steak and Co. in the same league. However, I believe that Cafe des Amis, Au bon Coin, and the Royal Cliff Grill Room have better steak offerings at considerably higher prices.

No offense taken at all. I also enjoy the street food and less expensive places. I very much follow Evil's under 300 baht threads. However, about once a month I like to get out and take the GF someplace nicer.

Axel has always been a major league headcase. I read a story, and it was a long while back, that Axel once hit a neighbor over the head with a wine bottle because they asked him to turn his stereo down. Yes I have seen a few examples that his voice is giving out. I am going for a one night trip down memory lane. Hopefully, Axel has matured a little and will show up close to on time. It is really Slash that I am looking forward to seeing. I believe him to be a generally underrated guitar player. I have read that Slash has been clean drug wise for a very long time now. Supposedly he was acting as Charly Sheen's AA sponsor at one point. Tough gig.

With all due reference to @Evil Penevil I recently wanted to make a restaurant post about the possible reopening of Bruno's in Jomtien. I could not find a thread in any forum to add this to. @Derek Dangleberries suggested that I open a new thread for higher end restaurants. That is the intention of this thread. As a starter here is the cross reference to the Bruno's post. There are several additional information posts behind this link. I will update this thread with info about the thread topic. The GF and I go to a "nicer" restaurant about once a month. More to follow.

Yes, I am a little concerned about what you are describing. I may have let my exuberance get a little ahead of myself on this one. I am a Jomtien Beach guy. The GF and I are taking a taxi up to Bangkok the day before. We are staying at the Thonglor Marriott Executive Apartments on Sukhumvit soi 57. https://www.google.com/travel/hotels/Bangkok/entity/CgsIkuKOtOnjsp-qARAB?q=bangkok marriott executive apartments sukhumvit&g2lb=2502548%2C2503771%2C2503781%2C4258168%2C4270442%2C4284970%2C4291517%2C4306835%2C4597339%2C4718358%2C4723331%2C4757164%2C4810789%2C4810790%2C4814050%2C4816977%2C4826689%2C4849797%2C4850738%2C4852066%2C4856937%2C4859602%2C4861687%2C26483160&hl=en-TH&gl=th&ssta=1&ts=CAESABogCgIaABIaEhQKBwjmDxAKGBESBwjmDxAKGBIYATICEAAqCQoFOgNUSEIaAA&rp=EJi01tqGi6mkQhCS4o606eOyn6oBOAJAAUgDogEHQmFuZ2tva8ABA5oCAggA&ap=aAE&ictx=1&ved=0CAAQ5JsGahcKEwiAjcyPuMT6AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA&utm_campaign=sharing&utm_medium=link&utm_source=htls I have stayed at this place several times before, occasionally with the current VVVLT (most friends say your Thai wife). The lodging is somewhat reasonably priced (with my various Marriott discounts) and I usually get upgraded with my Marriott status (Titanium for life). Unfortunately, the various Bangkok Marriott Executive Apartments never seem to have point offerings. What I am wondering about a little is the best way of getting to/from Thunderdome Stadium. I was looking at a map. I am not familiar with the area of Bangkok where the stadium is located. I do not see a BTS station near that location. I guess I can make friends with a taxi driver and make arrangements for drop off and an afterwards pickup location. The GF can handle that communication and negotiation. I am somewhat concerned that the GF is going to hate me forever for this excursion. Why you take me there? Basically because I am a self-indulgent SOB. Oh, in order to enable some enjoyment for my Thia wife, does anyone have a recommendation for a good Isan Thai restaurant in the Thonglor area? No insects please. 🙂

Goof idea. I will give it some thought.

Well this is most likely not under 300 THB stuff, but I am unsure as to what a higher cost restaurant thread might be. I was driving South on Thappraya today and I noticed that the sign in front of the old Bruno's location next to Gian's said "Bruno's Bar and Restaurant". Traffic being what it was, I did not get a chance to read the entire sign, but the signs for the former Chinese place were all gone. This would be good news from my perspective. Bruno's was possibly the first more upscale restaurant in the Pattaya area IMO. It would be good to see them making a comeback. What format the reopening might have and when they might reopen -> I have no idea. I did some internet searches and came up with nothing. I would guess that they might follow the Cafe Blu formula that Cafe des Amis adopted. That would be a less serious place with more moderately priced dishes, but still having the service and ambiance of the original location. Hope springs eternal.

Sichuan Pork in Garlic Sauce I made this tonight for the GF and her visiting son. It was in general well received. I substituted celery for the water chestnuts and my Thai diners did not like the celery. Of course they did not complain, but I saw it being spooned over to the side of the plate. Myself I am not all that fond of water chestnuts. That was why I did the substitution. I guess I will go back to the water chestnuts, as I do not hate them. This is an America's Test Kitchen (ATK) recipe, so I only have a pdf file. Sichuan stir-fried pork in garlic sauce.pdf I added a shot of Sriracha Sauce to the sauce in order to up the heat. I seldom see "Country-Style Boneless Pork Ribs" available in the Pattaya area, so I went with Loin Chops. The ingredient listed in the recipe is a fattier cut of pork loin. I really like my version of this Sichuan Suce. A few pics: Ready to Serve Ready to Eat

Thanks - I bought two tickets near left of the stage. Paid a pretty price (20,000), but I really wanted to do this. Pics to follow.

Blackened Fish with Side Dishes I found this recipe that was intended for a sandwich. IMO, the last thing it needed was bread. I make it as a stand alone fish dish with sides. https://www.eatthis.com/blackened-fish-sandwich-recipe/?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=msn-feed This approach has worked out well for me. I use Emeril Lagasee's Bayou Blast spice recipe for a Cajun Blackening spice rub. Others might have different preferences. I would make about 50% of the Lagasee recipe as the Onion Powder ingredient causes it to harden rather quickly. https://www.emerils.com/121705/emerils-essence-creole-seasoning-also-referred-bayou-blast Anyway a few pics. Off of the pan Sides Plated

Thanks - I would like to go with a few friends. Went to the website and I could not figure out how to buy tickets. Maybe they are sold out already. It is Loy Krathong.

I was saying that it is available on IPT, which is my main source.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo This is a warm and cuddly series to some extent about a Korean lawyer who attains success despite being autistic. There is something about the show that I like. Probably because it is about an underdog rising above all odds, despite being persecuted by fools. Go whales. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_Attorney_Woo

Thanks - with an IMDB rating of 8.2, I will check this one out. It is available on IPT.

Basque Chicken I do not know why, but I have always been interested in the Northern area of Spain called Basque. Picasso did one of his most famous paintings depicting Franko's bombing of Basque. Oh for the days of the authoritarian leaders. Holy crap that shit is happening again. Anyway, when I noticed this recipe, I decided to give it a try. The taste potential interested me more than the history. https://www.lovefood.com/recipes/78807/michel-roux-jr-basquestyle-chicken-recipe I really like this recipe. The TGF's son is visiting us while on break from Khon Kaen University. He had thirds. A few comments: Once again cut the ingredients by about 50%, or you will be eating leftovers for two weeks. For the Bell Pepper use a red one as it accents the color of the food presentation better. I used a Yellow one and the taste was good, but I think that a red bell would better serve the presentation. One tastes first with their nose and secondly with their eyes IMO. Do not worry about the special Spanish Pepper ingredient, just substitute 2 tsps of American red pepper flakes or 1 tsp of Thai crushed red pepper. Amp the amount depending on your heat preference. As usual with the chicken browning part, get the oil very hot (almost smoking) and then add the chicken (I used thighs) skin side down. About 4 minutes per side works well. Since I had an extra guest, I made two passes of the browning with 3 thighs each. Never crowd the pan for browning. For the tomatoes I will just use a 14.5 oz can of drained diced tomatoes next time. Peeling and dicing fresh tomatoes is not worth the effort in Thailand IMO. If one was in North America with a bumper crop of Summer home garden fresh tomatoes, I would use those. There is no equivalent product in Thailand. A few pics: Off of the stove Plated

Bangkok Pattaya Hospital is my health care destination of choice in Pattaya. I have never had to go there for in-patient, but I have various periodic checkups done there and I am happy with the service level and cost. Actually, I am a little impressed.

Carne Asada with Tex/Mex Rice and Beans I have a few recipes for Skirt Steak cooked Latin style, but they are all a thing of the past after making this Carne Asada recipe for the first time. https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a39427643/carne-asada-recipe/ The flavor was just amazing. A few comments about the recipe. I did not see Sour Oranges anywhere in the Bang Lamung area, so I went with the recommended substitute of a Navel Orange and 2 instead of 1 limes. If you do this, be aware that lime juice is more acidic than other citrus fruits. Therefore do not marinade for a very long time. I went with 8 hours and that was about right. Also, remember to turn the marinade bag every couple of hours to get an even distribution of the marinade on the Skirt Steak. The Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce is an essential ingredient for the marinade. I have never seen these as being available in the Pattaya area. I was in the US in the Fall of 2021 and I brought several small cans back with me. If one has a friend coming over to LOS, one might ask them to bring with a few cans. The cans are quite small and they keep forever. Skirt Steak is a hit or miss buy in the Pattaya area grocery store venues. I buy mine from Sloan's just so that there is no drama on shopping day. The quality is very good. The price not so much. Also Sloane's goes out of stock on things frequently, so you want to make your frozen buy a few weeks ahead of time. https://www.sloanes.co.th/product/skirt/ A few pics. Cooking on the grill pan Ready to serve The side dish of Rice and Beans is also worth talking about IMO. Here is the base recipe. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ingrid-hoffmann/black-beans-and-rice-recipe-1938568 There are a lot of options that one could use to augment this recipe. If one were to make the full volumes as stated there would be enough food for a very large family. I reduce everything by 50%. I also cut back the cumin to less than 1 tsp and add 1/2 tsp of Cayenne Pepper. A few more pics. Rice and Beans Fully plated.

Shrimp Lo Mein Back in the days, before back in the days, I used to grab lunch at a Chinese place near where I worked at that time. They had some pretty good Lo Mein dishes. I got away from that dish, but recently came across a recipe that got me thinking about it. It took a couple of trys with various modifications before I got the dish to were I wanted it. This is the base recipe that I started with. https://www.eatthis.com/shrimp-lo-mein-recipe/?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=msn-feed The author wrote it to be low-cal and healthy. Unfortunately, in the process she also made it too bland for my tastes. The main thing that I did was to add 1 TBSP each of Sambal Olek and Fish Sauce to the sauce. Since this causes the sauce to have more liquid, I also added 1 tsp of Corn Starch to the sauce. This causes a sauce to thicken more quickly. I did not want to extend the cooking time to thicken the sauce, as that would cause the shrimp to be overcooked. I also upped the amount of black pepper being used. The dish turned out very good. Both the GF and myself really liked it. A few pics In the pan Plated

I got my permission to stay date wrong in my head by 1 day. This will result in a 1 day overstay, when I exit Thailand next month. I was halfway down the path of thinking through what I needed to change to leave on time, when it occurred to me that the fine for the one day overstay (500 THB as I understand it) is probably significantly less than what the cost of the changes (air, hotel, VN Visa) would be, not to mention the aggravation of sitting on hold waiting for the parties involved. I have never had an overstay before, but my take on it after reading available info on the net is this is not a serious matter and that it is handled rather quickly when one is exiting Thailand. Any comments?