The Pattaya Guide

This month the team at the Pattaya Guide decided we would enter into the abundance of restaurant review floating around Pattaya and write one from our very own experience. We opted to choose a relatively new but much talked about restaurant named Cafe Des Amis. This is quaint, elegant, French style Bistro and wine bar is located in a quiet area at the end of soi 11 off Thappraya Road just 3mins taxi ride from walking street towards Jomtien.

The restaurant and experience lived up to all the good things we had been hearing and we had a wonderful meal and very enjoyable evening.

We were greeted on arrival by a charming young Thai lady called Pia the Matradee, and friendly owner Blu. There is a spacious bar lounge area where guests can casually enjoy a drink, cocktails or wine by the glass before entering the main dining room. The bar area is comfortable and beautifully decorated. We were made to feel very welcome and felt very relaxed in Blu’s company. The ambience is wonderful, with a French provincial feel to it. You can see immediately that Blu and Pia have spent time training the very professional service staff who work very efficiently
around the restaurant and in a team, very rare in Thailand.

The dining area is decorated in cool burnt ochre with cream surroundings, the tables are dressed in a classical European style with white linens. We enjoying a Chilled Mojito cocktail and a Singapore sling in the bar lounge as we perused the Food Menu.

For starters we tried the Foie de Volaille Salade. 190 baht (Marinated Chicken
Liver with fried bacon on a bed of dressed lettuce leaves) and Parma Ham and
Mango Salad 220 baht (Served with a Balsamic Reduction and Mango Coulis)
which were both light and delicious. For main courses we ordered Lobster and Crab Thermidore 650 baht, ( Fresh Rock Lobster & Crab Meat in a white wine sauce with
mushrooms & Gruyere Cheese) and Chicken Chasseur 390 baht (the French classic Tarragon sauce) Both dishes again were outstanding. Wine drinkers who visit cafe des amis are recommended to try the outstanding French house wine at 790 baht
per bottle. We moved back into the bar lounge and finished with liquor coffees.

As we sat reflecting on an enjoyable meal we were introduced to the executive
Chef Mark Rowe 41yrs from England who chatted with us for some time about
his weekly specials, his working experience and life in Thailand in general. Mark
has over 15yrs experience in a French Kitchen and has worked in Thailand for a
number of years. A very modest Mark, who created, developed and perfected
the menu at Café Des amis gave a lot a praise to his Thai staff for the standard the
restaurant has reached and maintains.

All in all our experience was delightful and we can confidently recommend
our readers to try this hidden oasis. You will not be disappointed!

The restaurant is open at 4pm daily (Closed on Tuesdays)
Enquiries: 08402 64989