It was to Lake Mabprachan and a return visit to a wonderful restaurant located on the banks of this fine stretch of water.  It is the aptly named Lakeside which is run by Mr. Steven Martin. 

Lakeside Restaurant is one of the areas success stories especially at weekends with local residents when they put on Roast Dinner for 395 baht.      It is also family friendly with a special children’s menu with favourites such as Fish Fingers and Burgers and Fries all at 179 baht a portion.

Lakeside is spread out with a super garden terrace area including attractive water features to create a really relaxing atmosphere for eating al fresco.  There is also The Map Room, the main indoor eating area, a mix of restaurant and lounge area which incorporates The Deli Bean Coffee Shop; air conditioned, with tables and chairs and a number of comfy leather settees set about this very elegant room with intriguing antique maps on surrounding walls.   

The cuisine is top class yet has ‘down to earth’ recipes including traditional favourites such as Shepherd’s Pie and Toad in the Hole.  There is also a wide range of Thai dishes from150 baht with a popular favourite Tom Yam Khung (Spicy Prawn Soup) at 180 baht. Indeed all the dishes are extremely well priced for such fine quality food.    Appetizers from 120 baht for excellent creamy homemade Soups such as a very tasty Asparagus and Shrimp (which we tried), to 240 baht for Smoked Salmon with Danish Caviar!  Main dishes include meats, fish and seafood with European, Indian and Indonesian style recipes from 240 baht.   Sample dishes include Salmon Fillet with Fettuccini (280 baht), Indian Rogan Gosh with New Zealand Lamb (360 baht), N.Z. Lamb Chops at 490 baht, and good old Fish and Chips at 290 baht.

For starters, besides the excellent Soup, we tried the Smoked Salmon and Caviar, a very attractive dish served with Egg, Onion and Sour Cream. This was followed by a first class Feta Cheese Salad (140 baht) with Olives, Tomatoes, Cucumber with Red and Green Oak Lettuce.    For the main course we tried a few of the house signature dishes.  A New Zealand grass fed prime cut of well marbled Beef Fillet (630 baht).  We were told that these Steaks are not frozen but freshly flown in, and the resulting taste was melt in the mouth gorgeous!    Indeed, there is an ongoing Steak Promotion until the end of September – the Fillet for 499 baht and 990 baht including a bottle of South African Shiraz 2005 wine.

Another house favourite is Chicken and Mushroom Pie (290 baht) filled with Chicken Breast and Mushrooms and topped with Puff Pastry.   The last dish to arrive was the Indonesian delight – Nasi Goreng (240 baht) – a platter of fried Rice, Chicken and Prawns topped with an Omelet and served with Prawn Crackers.   To end the meal one of Steven’s top desserts – scrumptious Cherries Jubilee (360 baht) – hot flambeed Cherries, New Zealand Vanilla Ice-Cream and Pancakes.

All in all a fine dining experience!

Lakeside offers a selection of good priced quality wines ranging from 995 baht to 3190 baht for Chateau Beaumont Medoc.  Very decent house wine at 140 baht a glass and 490 baht a carafe. 

Excellent parking facilities and prices quoted include Taxes. 

Open every day except Wednesday from 5pm to 10pm. Telephone: 038 073 591 or 083 769 1344.