Captain’s Corner

The oldest and most famous bbq joint in town

by Mick and Di,

The Food Lovers

thefoodloverspattayatoday@msn.com

Everyone loves a barbeque and that's exactly the formula that has made Captain's Corner at the Residence Garden on Thappraya Road such a great success for 15 years. It is the flagship of the Ottesen empire which includes Jomtien Boat House, Jomtien Beach Residence and the newly- completed Jomtien Beach Penthouses. After closing for renovation, it is now open after its extensive make-over. Moving a swimming pool cannot be an easy task but that is what happened here. The restaurant is now sited around the new aquamarine pool and bar area. With the backdrop of swaying palm trees it is a very pleasant experience to spend a few hours here indulging in the delights of their Texas BBQ. Alan Ottesen is the amiable force, in the vanguard position, for the family's Pattaya/Jomtien ventures overseeing and directing their operations.

Captain's Corner is the oldest and most famous BBQ joint in town. Its decade and a half of service to Pattaya's barbeque lovers endorses the sentiment that we all indeed do love an evening of treating ourselves to grilled dishes. The whiff of barbequed meat was in the air as Mick and I entered the restaurant recently. We sat beside the display-lit pool while we sipped on a glass of the wine of the month–a very decent Shiraz Cabernet from south east Australia at a very reasonable 790 baht. The daily all-you-can-eat barbeque buffet is only 395 baht + vat (children under ten eat for free).

It was a Tuesday night when we visited so unfortunately we missed hearing the dulcet tones of George Sinatra who performs in his inimitable fashion on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, while the other popular singer, "Elvis", commences his cabaret performance at 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Nostalgic songs of the 50s and 60s waft over the steaks on these nights and are always extremely popular events, so reservations are requested. Now the barbeque beckoned. Take the clip on your table over to the cooking station and it will be attached to your chosen plate of uncooked items. Hand it to chef and it will appear on your table not long after.

On offer are a myriad of choices from different cuts of juicy steaks, homemade sausages, hot dog sausages wrapped in bacon, fish steaks, prepared spare ribs, spicy marinated chicken kebabs, pure beef burgers, chicken drumsticks, pork chops and tenderloin, interestingly prepared skewers, corn on the cob, squid, vegetable kebabs and foil wrapped potatoes in their jackets. Having made our choices we filled our plates with a starter of chilled seafood, salad, garlic bread and a selection of sauces and dressings.

Moving back to the table we had time to enjoy our prawns, squid and salad before the chef presented us with our barbeque choices. All our selections were cooked perfectly and we particularly liked, of course, the steaks but also the spicy chicken kebabs, all the sausages and the excellent vegetable skewer containing onions, pineapple and tomato. A selection of Thai dishes are also available each evening, and I enjoyed the keng curry kai and wok-fried mixed vegetables which made for an interesting fusion concept to the grilled items. Together with the sauces (loved the peanut one) there is truly something for everyone. Don't leave without ordering one of their famous Irish coffees.

This is a big party venue. The area can seat 150 people comfortably and together with the BBQ facilities and stage area makes for an excellent celebratory setting. Christmas is almost upon us so check their website for the extensive festive buffets that will be happening here on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. A nice touch, especially over the party season, a pick-up (and return) service is available from anywhere in the Pattaya-Jomtien area, just phone (038) 364 314.

Captain's Corner packs a lot of punch for the money. It certainly puts the Texas BBQ into Pattaya and the newly-renovated restaurant is a delightful venue. This is a wonderful place for families. Children are positively encouraged not just tolerated. The staff are friendly and efficient and the ambiance positively resonates with good feelings.