12 Years of Customer Satisfaction

by Mick and Di
      The Food Lovers

GREG’S KITCHEN is an institution here in Pattaya. It would not be an exaggeration to say that probably every ex-pat in our fair city has at some time enjoyed one of Greg’s hearty, wholesome dishes. Tourists and denizens flock here for honest, nourishing food served at reasonable, even-handed prices in an atmosphere of friendliness and geniality. Greg is a power house of enthusiasm and energy; his menu is constantly changing with innovative dishes and new prices with even better value for his regulars. He is an inveterate professional having received his catering education from the famous Westminster-Kingsway College in London where another young man called Jamie Oliver began his culinary capers. Upon leaving he worked in London’s most eminent establishments including that stalwart of English food, Simpsons in the Strand and the luxurious Mayfair hotel, Claridges.
London’s loss is Pattaya’s gain and Greg now wields his influence over his excellent kitchen on Second Road, (close to Bangkok Bank). Mick and I took a Canadian friend there recently to let him discover for himself the satisfaction of eating from Greg’s English menu. A large terrace at the forefront affords al fresco eating while the air-conditioned restaurant is cosy, comfortable and convivial. The menu is astonishing; it runs the gamut from their famous breakfasts (served all day) through burgers, pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, soups and British favourites to an array of international specialities and luscious home-made desserts.
From the starters we opted for avocado prawns (B.195) and mushrooms Provencale at B.180. (Denis was saving himself for his main course!) A whole plump avocado appeared served with fat, juicy prawns in a creamy mayonnaise dressing while the mushrooms rested in a herbed tomato sauce which Mick enjoyed and scooped the plate clean with the accompanying crusty garlic bread. Other starters include home-made soups (from B.125), breadcrumbed mushrooms, homemade spring rolls, seafood cocktail or garlic bread with Mozzarella and tomato to name a few.
British favourites embrace Greg’s in-house pies: steak and mushroom, chicken and ham, mince and potato and, of course, lamb shepherds pie plus the daily traditional roasts served with a mountain of vegetables and Yorkshire pudding (from B.260). The much-loved house special is a slow oven baked beef steak cooked till tender in a rich beef sauce and at B.295 would satisfy the most discerning steak lover. Fish and chips with peas are always a winner and this one has won many a customer’s accolade. We must make mention here of the potatoes! Ten specialised cooking choices are on offer to enjoy with your main course; either roasted, sautéed, mashed, chipped, hunter style, garlic, jacket, boiled, cheese gratin or Lyonaise!
Greg has recently introduced a new lunch-time (11.30 am – 5.30 pm) menu which features lighter dishes for day-time dining. All priced at B.220 they represent excellent value for money. Cod fish cakes, chicken pesto, goujons of fish, white snapper fillet, pork pie, chilli con carne are listed served with an array of accompaniments and sauces.
For our main courses, Mick enjoyed sausage, mash and beans and I loved my choice of Norwegian poached salmon in prawn sauce while Denis applauded the New Zealand tenderloin in a pepper sauce. In fact, all of the sauces here are top notch either in their creaminess or profundity of flavour. Also the vegetables should be singled out for particular mention, They are perfectly cooked; crunchy, tender and full of flavour. Abundant, generous portions had left us feeling choc-full but we just managed to share a delectable home made lemon meringue pie which evoked more than a tinge of nostalgia from our days of yore!
Greg’s Kitchen is the happy valley of the best in British fare. Greg, together with his chef prodigy, Norm, oversee and cook every dish that leaves this kitchen and the staff are charming, happy and helpful. In a nutshell this is the place where good cooking, quality, stability and reliability are the by-words and have resulted in Pattaya’s ex-pats calling Greg’s Kitchen their home from home.
Telephone Greg on 081 254 3624 or 038 361 227. Open daily from 8.30 am till 11.00 pm. Located on Second Road, Pattaya, opposite Soi 6.