REVIEW: Spice at the Sugar Hut

PATTAYA 18 January 2013: One of the best known hideaway spots in busy Pattaya, is Sugar Hut Resort and Restaurant. Its restaurant  has a reputation for serving top Thai food noted for its authentic taste and a superb atmosphere.

Surrounded by greenery, the three timber pavilions are built Thai style around a central timber courtyard that serves as a welcoming reception zone for visitors.

Two of the pavilions have western-style tables and chairs, while the third offers the old Thai traditional seating arrangements, soft mats on a wooden floor with low tables.

If you want to experience a genuine traditional Thai setting, the latter is the right choice, but if you are stiff in the knees, or not so mobile, the chairs and higher table setting is comfy and the ambiance is still very Thai.

Most of the dishes on the menu are Thai from various regions in the country, not just the central plains. The delivery is authentic and ingredients as fresh as they get. There is no compromise on authentic Thai taste – spicy, but delicious just as it is served in mother’s kitchen in countless homes across the country.

Most of the vegetables and spices are grown in the resort’s own garden and it is not uncommon to see the chef picking the spices himself just prior to cooking a dish.

For first-time Thai food diners, the menu helpfully explains the concept of Thai eating, with its range of different dishes and spices to make it easier to select dishes.

One of the favourites is a tasty Thai spicy salad identified on the menu as“Sugar Hut Special Spicy Salad” served with pork cracklings, cashew nut, seafood and meat.

To maintain good health you can order “Lon Taojio” a set of bean sauce with coconut milk served with vegetables and “Kaeng Lieng Kung Sot” a spicy mixed vegetables soup with shrimps. “Mee Krop” deep fried sweetened crispy rice noodles with shrimps is a also a top choice.

For desert try “Kluay Thot Noei Wine with ice-cream” fried bananas with butter and wine served ice-cream is also a good choice.

The restaurant also offers a European menu featuring chicken, fish, pork, meat and pasta, dishes and a section dedicated to vegetarians.

Being an award-winning venue, and set in such beautiful surroundings, this is not a cheap restaurant, but it offers value for money in the quality of service, delivery and the food standard is identical to what you would find in a hotel.

The restaurant opens daily from 0700 to 2400.

The Sugar Hut Resort and Restaurant locates 391/18 Moo 10, Thabphya Road (top of the hill between South Pattaya and Jomtien, on the left coming from Pattaya).

It is a five-minute drive from Jomtien Beach, Pattaya city’s centre and Pattaya Pier and about an hour’s drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

For reservations contact 038 364 186, fax 038 251 689 or visit website www.sugar-hut.com and email sugarhut@sugar-hut.com.