Mick and I have visited Le Saigon Bayview many times since its opening in 2004.  Whether we were there to sample the regional Vietnamese specialities, the excellent Thai food or the top notch European cuisine it has always been a delightful evening.   This penthouse restaurant is spectacularly located on the 23^rd floor of Pattaya Hill Resort.  The panoramic views from this eerie are marvelous, encompassing the nightscape of both Pattaya and Jomtien bays resulting in a jaw-droppingly spectacular vista.    It is owned and managed by Khang Do and his delightful wife Amy and is the flag ship for their bevy of eateries in the district.

The interior design is an elegant blend of Vietnamese and French colonial providing a sophisticated ambiance whilst the wrap-around terrace affords a more casual setting for wining and dining under the stars but wherever you choose to sit the star studded panaroma is dazzling and the ambiance romantic.  Which brings us neatly to the most romantic night of the year, St. Valentine’s on Feburary 14^th.  Le Saigon are celebrating this night of love with a sweetheart of a menu in the form of their 5-course exclusive gourmet dinner (B.995 net).  Love will be in the air, red roses will be presented to all and a welcome lover’s cocktail will set the mood.  Carefully executed appetisers include smoked duck breast with melon, prociutto di Parma with melon, smoked salmon or their house signature prawn cocktail.  This is followed by either salad or crème of asparagus soup with a lemon sherbet refresher before a choice of prime tenderloin wrapped with bacon and served with champignon sauce, grilled rainbow trout meuniere, imported lamb cutlets or grilled tiger prawns.  A choice from four delectable desserts (including blueberry cheese cake and a luscious chocolate confection) conclude this distinctive menu.  

You can choose to eat inside or on their terrace with SPECTACULAR views over Pattaya

Should you choose to eat from the Vietnamese menu probably the best introduction would be to plump for the assorted starter platter.  This will provide a taste of crab balls, fried shrimp and pork rolls together with the crispiest spring rolls served with rice and vermicelli.  Salt and pepper soft shelled crabs, frogs legs ‘Saigonaise’, and the famous rice noodle chicken soup called pho gai would also provide a delicious and appetizing hors d’oeuve.  The house special cha cha Hanoi (white fish steaks baked with perfumed herbs and onions) or the beef fillet flash fried and served in a lemon sauce would both be excellent options for your foray into this interesting south-east Asian cuisine.

Mick and I have enjoyed many a evening here with friends sharing the Vietnamese and Thai dishes but on the occasion of our last visit opted to order from the European menu.    Amongst the starters, New Zealand mussels in café de Paris sauce (B. 195) are popular as are the garlicky snails, the smoked duck breast and the special shrimp cocktail in their house sauce (B.195). I was tempted by the mozzarella and tomato salad but in the end we both couldn’t resist ordering the baked scallops Saigonaise.  These juicy, plump fruits of the sea were delicious and a definite  “must-try” for all scallop lovers.

Lobster Thermidor is their house speciality and with good reason

To follow we succumbed to temptation of that most decadent dish,  lobster thermidor. It had been given a 5-star rave rating from a friend so was high on our list of recommendations.  Allow a 30 minute interval for this dish, but then you will be rewarded with a delectable creamy fusion packed with luscious sweet lobster meat and velvety mushrooms.   

To sum up, Le Saigon Bayview is a stylish restaurant presenting lavish cuisines in a dramatic sky high venue. The wines are carefully selected labels from the old and new worlds and the cocktails creative and generous.  Whether you are visiting for an aperitif at sunset, a nightcap gazing at the stars, a romantic evening with your love on St. Valentines night or an evening with friends throughout the remainder of the year, make a memory and visit Le Saigon sometime soon.

Open daily from 5.00 pm till late.  Situated in the Pattaya Hill Resort, Soi 2, Pratamnak Road (big blue sign on corner), Pattaya.  Tel:  (038) 250 329.  Call for free pick-up.   Ample undercover parking.  Credit cards accepted.