This week it is a taste of bona fide Thai cuisine with a visit to a recently opened restaurant on the other side of the railway tracks – Thai Fresh.  This charming modern style restaurant is located on Soi Thoongklom Tanman (opposite Makro) off Sukhumvit Road, and offers a great value for money selection of authentic Thai dishes plus a few favourite Western recipes.   Opened the end of December, here at Thai Fresh one can enjoy truly traditional Thai food either indoors in the smartly decorated quarter or outside in the spacious tropical garden terrace area.   In fact, this is Thai Fresh’s third branch – the others are a wee bit outside of Pattaya – the original Thai Fresh began in 1996 in The Hague in Holland, and the other opened 2 years later in Voorburg, also in Holland.   The concept of Thai Fresh, is to serve freshly made Thai food using the freshest of ingredients, all courtesy of executive lady chef Khun Kanida Satarponrjittakun.  Now, Khun Kanida has returned to her Thai roots to enchant lovers of genuine Thai food here at her new branch in Pattaya, and already she has a regular clientele of returning customers.  The amazing thing about Thai Fresh is the price for such good quality – Appetizers are all around 50 baht a portion, with the likes of Satay, Spring Rolls and Curried Fish Cakes.   Popular Thai Soups such as Tom Yam Khung (Spicy Prawn and Lemongrass) is a mere 55 baht a generous bowl.  Another Thai favourite – Somtam – (spicy Papaya salad) is great value at 60 baht.   Main courses are delivered to suit the tastes of the guests – from non spicy with Meat, Fish and Seafood dishes served with either Sweet and Sour, Oyster or Sweet Plum sauces – to a variety of hot and spicy dishes mostly stir fried with Thai Herbs, Peppers and Red and Green Chilies.  Popular dishes include Beef Curry with Turkey Berries (baby Aubergines) and Galangal at 100 baht and Pla (whole fried Fish) at 200 baht.   To date, the number of dishes available on the International Menu is quite small – but good value – where else would you get a good portion of Spaghetti Bolognese for 80 baht or a decent Rib Eye Steak with Fries and Vegetables for 240 baht?    We began with a selection of the Appetizers – which were well presented and tasted good, including the Spring Rolls, Chicken Satay and the Golden Bag – a fried pastry parcel filled with Chicken and Vegetables, and a first class Mie Krob Koong (60 baht) made up of deep fried Egg Noodles wrapped around large Prawns.  Then to a delicious bowl of Tom Kha Koong (65 baht) containing large Prawns with Galangal in a Coconut Cream Soup, followed by main course Thai dishes, including very good tender Pork Ribs (100 baht), Stir Fried Egg Noodles with Shrimps (65 baht) and an excellent whole fried (Pla) Fish (200 baht).   To end the meal we had a plate of fresh Fruit (50 baht) and Kim Tod – Fried Ice Cream in a Cake Casing (60 baht). Yummy!

Wine is served at 175 baht a glass of decent Chardonnay white or Cabinet Sauvignon red or 825 baht a bottle.  Beers range from 70 baht a bottle.  So, for a spot on taste of authentic Thai cuisine get along to Thai Fresh and enjoy!
Open every day. Location: 53/29 M11 Soi Thoongklom Tanman. Good parking space. Telephone: 038 433 350 or 084 566 4330.