News News News: News Steak & Grill

Where the hell is the best steak in town?

It's top secret news.

Architecturally News Steaks & Grill is perpendicular to the expected angle which means it's in a sort of cul de sac off Theppraya Road but appears to be facing the main road too.

Not only was it the best steak I've had in Pattaya, the tale of News Steaks & Grill's transformation from unloved business to best steak in town is worth asking the owner Jack about.

Attention to detail, conviviality, good conversation make a fine meal.

These are just a few words about Jack, a lovely business, top notch restaurant, and good energy place to eat a relaxing steak while enjoying your girlfriend nibble at the Thai. 

It's so good there's no need to tell every Somchai, Tom and Harry how to find it. They'll tweet the game away.

Top Jomtien Breakfasts - Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya Na-Jomtien

Everybody knows the Swiss are famous for their Muesli right?

Well there's a lot more than just tasty Muesli at the new Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya situated on the beach side of Sukhumvit Road heading South at 55 Moo 2 Na Jomtien, Sattahip, Chonburi, Pattaya or a hundred metres or so after Mimosa Pattaya. The building is metallic and highly distinctive so it's a little hard to miss.

It's a brand new hotel so they're still finishing some of the residences and pool villas that are part of the Movenpick Siam's offering but the hotel and restaurants are already operating in typical Swiss fashion of precision, quality and presentation.

I arrived early around 7.50 am to the all day and evening restaurant Twist which is on the ground floor. It was quiet and the breakfast buffet spread was immaculately laid out so I sat down somewhere comfortable and was introduced to menu recommendations by the friendly and welcoming staff.

A charming waiter recommended I commence with the homemade Yoghurts, and so I sauntered over to the chill cabinet to take a look.

I decided to try two as I assumed they would be light and healthy. I chose the homemade Chia and Swiss Blueberry though there were many more options. My next course I aimed to sample the freshly baked bread and salamis, cheese and salmon although the bread offering is equally enjoyed with the homemade peanut butter, homemade jam and even homemade Nutella. These hand made artisanal offerings by Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya are a sheer delight for the epicurious to enjoy tasting.

My palate suitably aroused I ventured to the omelet station and created a classic English breakfast of baked beans, sausages, potatoes, mixed stuffing omelet and rashers of bacon. The sausages were possibly the tastiest I've tried in Pattaya and Jomtien. The meat had a freshly ground taste and a engaging complex flavour with wonderful texture. If you consider yourself a cooked breakfast aficionado I urge you to check out Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya's breakfast sausages. They are tip top tasty and I noticed the bacon was also available in both crispy and soft for the discerning enthusiast. 

In the background next to the fork is a small Cilantro Detox Shot which was kindly offered as a free bonus during the main course. That made me feel good about myself while tucking into a hearty breakfast of champions.

Each of the buffet stations is laid out elegantly with use of wood, granite and slate textures that really enhance the presentation of the food.

Naturally there's an Asian offering catering to more local customers.

These home made and bite sized bakery offerings were a lovely sweet climax at the end of the breakfast. I was able to taste all of them without feeling to much like a glutton.

After an extraordinary and memorable breakfast that left me floating on flavours, relaxed surroundings, appetising aromas and kindly service I took a stroll around the grounds towards the beach to take in the hotel grounds including the patio breakfast area below.

As a Swiss brand Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya have a strong connection to nature and this is being nurtured in real life through the gardens and hotel grounds.

This would make a great place for a wedding or banquet style party.

I had wonderful breakfast and introduction to the Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya. The Food & Beverage Director Mr Adel Mojarrad took the time out to tell me of the exciting plans of the hotel and how they approach their selection of ingredients, preparation, cooking and passion for providing the best food Mövenpick Siam can. I have to agree and look forward to trying out their Tapas at La Costa Poolside dining restaurant and the T55 New York Grill Room.

The Price of the Breakfast Buffet is 800++

Phone: 033 078 888

email: hotel.pattaya@moevenpick.com

Top Jomtien Destinations - Choke-D Bar & Restaurant

Choke-D Bar Restaurant Sports Club is probably the best destination bar and restaurant on South Jomtien Beach or Naa Jomtien as it is sometimes slightly erroneously called. Situated next door to the 7-Eleven closest to the mouth of Soi 16, Choke D is famous as a Windsurfing and Kitesurfing club during the day with both local and international travellers, but during the evening is a more traditional bar and restaurant with some of the best music playing later in the night as Alek the owner is among other renaissance man skills, a talented DJ too. 

There are more esoteric sports such as horse jumping and cycling playing silently on the two screens in the bar area, though a new wooden, extended platform deck now extends down to the path and provides some of the most relaxing and reinvigorating dining experiences with fresh air, and waves literally lapping the shore from only yards away.

Choke-D has both open air and sheltered seating in the bar and restaurant. The food served is a combination of Thai recipes and international food such as burgers and fries. The business opens at 2pm each day and is invariably open till 2am or till the last customer returns home.

Kite Surfing Equipment

Choke-D is one of those places that is just as fine to take a book and read in a relaxing atmosphere or from time to time turns into the best impromptu party atmosphere later on in the nights and into the early hours of the morning.

Top Jomtien Breakfasts - Laong's Bistro & Boutique

Laong's Bistro Boutique is the most elegant and refined breakfast I've enjoyed in Jomtien to date. Situated on 2nd Road between Soi's 9 and 11 it is directly opposite the three building residences of Jomtien Condominium Complex in the Duo Residence buildings that are distinguished by their Tangerine/Orange colouring.

Laong's Bistro Boutique owned by Robert and Laong, is a brand new dining experience with an attractive and charming boutique attached as Laong is an experienced Bangkok clothing and garment professional.

I opted for the 'Very Full English Breakfast' at 245 Baht from the menu in order to compare like for with previous breakfast reviews. In addition to a quintessentially British breakfast, there are also more continental offerings as well as Laong's own breakfast creations that I will be sure to return and sample in the future. The breakfast choices and prices are the 2nd page in the embedded menu below.

My breakfast was flawless and yummy. I particularly enjoyed the relaxed and peaceful environment eating inside, although there is outside seating too for enjoying mild weather conditions or people watching. While speaking to the owners they conveyed to me that attention to detail, doing simple things well and providing a relaxing environment with great food is their objective. They're in no rush to be so busy the quality ever diminishes, and in this respect my experience was completely in line with their vision. I enjoyed one of the most pleasant weekend breakfasts since my London days when new breakfast destinations was also an indulgence of mine.

Laong's is open from 9am to 10pm and is closed on Tuesdays.

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Top Jomtien Breakfasts - Rich Man Poor Man Guesthouse

After many recommendations from ThaiVisa readers I dropped into the Rich Man Poor Man guesthouse on Soi 9 for a splendid breakfast. The price was 190 Baht for the hearty breakfast featured above so not inexpensive but a satisfying meal. The atmosphere in Rich Man Poor Man Guesthouse is very friendly and the staff are welcoming and courteous. Of all the breakfasts I've had in Jomtien this is the place that is most relaxing.

I've since been back and tried out a couple of more dishes and they were very tasty. I particularly enjoyed the Burrito which is a good value meal for those who like myself have a big appetite.

Leo Beer & Spicy Somtam on Jomtien Beach

Not everyone will agree, but of the three main brands Leo is probably the tastiest beer in Thailand sold by the Jomtien beach vendors. Some places sell Tiger and/or Corona but these are few and far between. 

The newest up and coming beer is Chang Export which has all the taste of Chang Classic without the seemingly chemical additives that are added to their cash cow brand, and which for some people are problematic on the stomach or head the next day.

One thing we can all agree on though is visitors to the beach who know how to enjoy a Thai Somtam or Spicy Pappaya Salad are as close to the real Thai experience as it gets. Ask for no chillies if spicy food isn't for you, but even without it's an acquired taste and one worth getting to know.

Top Jomtien Breakfasts - Simple Simon

On the advice of Thaivisa readers we paid a visit to Simple Simon's on Jomtien Soi 5 or Chom Thian 5 Alley as the Google Maps API prefers to call it (map names in Jomtien are a challenging memory game working through all the variations). 

Unlike the Denmark Hotel the breakfast here is pure British and included a couple of items not available at the Scandinavian style establishment. These included Black Pudding and Tinned Tomatoes.

The price for December 2014 was 180 Baht and it was indeed a splendid breakfast, possibly the best British one so far although we still think the Denmark Hotel offering has a lot more choice and quite a few surprises though the British style bacon, tinned tomatoes and black pudding offering are not available

Planet Earth Beach Club - Grand ReOpening

Planet Earth Beach Club on Jomtien Beach Road Soi 15 is probably about as close to, if not better than any Ibiza style pool party you may have experienced. We had an excellent time meeting new people and old friends as well as sampling great music with super hot girls and plenty of great looking guys too. We also noticed a great multicultural mix with just the right amount of first class transsexuals and Russian talent spicing up the scene.

The Planet Earth action starts every Saturday from 1pm to 1am with their Black Butterfly event which was held on the Sunday following the Grand Reopening "Planet Earth White Party" If that sounds confusing just head over to the website or facebook page or make a note of what goes down each Saturday and Sunday: 

Dresscode: Less Bikini

• Live Entertainment
• Pool Tables
• International DJ's
• Sexy Dancers
• Booty Shaking Contest
• Shisha Lounge
• Free Shots
• Free BBQ
• Free Massages