Tomcat Eats OutThe best restaurant reviews. Mainly by Tomcat but we'll move any well written reviews here too.
As ever, sponsored by the very lovely Chris at Oh My Cod!
The restaurant bills itself as "international" because James, the friendly owner-manager, wasn't sure what else to call a menu that has Thai, Italian and North African. James cheerfully admits he has no kitchen training (though he loves to watch the Food Channel when he's in California), preferring the management/business side of food service. All the cooking is done by his Thai staff. Given the awkward location and his lack of restaurant experience, I wondered why he would choose to open a business so far from home. Answer: he loves Bkk.
SD and I dropped in specifically for the Moroccan dishes promised in his advertising. We started with the hummus and "eggplant caviar", or metebel. The former was fairly good while the latter was dry and totally uninteresting. The little rounds of pita bread were, however, very good...far better indeed than most pita I've had in Bkk. I moved on to a tabouleh salad with salmon that bore no resemblance to tabouleh I've ever had: no bulgar wheat, little parsley, some chopped cucumbers, a bit of very dry couscous, and chunks of smoked salmon. Bland in taste and texture. This is one innovation that definitely didn't work. SD tried the Italian seafood soup: a thick marinara sauce poured over steamed shellfish. Consistancy-wise neither a soup nor a stew, it was edible, but not very appealing.
The last dish, purportedly Moroccan, we shared. It was a chicken leg stewed in a yellow sauce with 3 olives and a quarter lemon. In my year of living in North Africa I had never come across a dish as flavorless as this. It turns out that James included these "Moroccan" items because they had been on the menu of the restaurant's previous owner and the Thai chef knew how to prepare them. He did, however, note that he had once driven past a famous Moroccan restaurant north of LA. I wish he had told us all this before we ordered.
By this time, I was on my 3rd (rather generous) glass of the house Italian merlot that was very smooth (B170). SD decided to try the mud pie for dessert. At last we had on the table something that at least one of us enjoyed: chocolate ice cream on an oreo crust, covered in a chocolate sauce with a side of whipped cream. SD thought it was magnificent.
Unfortunately, James has given up his day job to become a restauranteur. I wish him well, but fear the client base he hopes to impress will not beat a path to his door.
Checkbin: B1800 (with 3 glasses of wine).
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Majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd....
Last edited by tomcat; 2nd December 2007 at 17:35.
Damn he just was written up in the Post as well. One I wont be trying.
__________________
Too long in Exile, too long not singing my song.
Too long like a rolling stone, Too long in exile
Too long in Exile, baby you just arent my friend.
Too long in Exile my friend, Baby you can never go home again.
thanks tomcat....won't go there....do you know any decent places for african food?
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oh yeah.....you've just saved me 1800 baht...have a green....thanks
Last edited by Ajarn Chicken; 2nd December 2007 at 09:55.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
I once reviewed an Ethiopian place on...Sukh soi 3, was it? It was reasonably good, but has since gone out of business. I haven't heard of any other places and there's probably a good reason for that: aside from groundnut stew, a sticky ball of fufu, and maybe a little suspicious bushmeat, there just isn't a whole lot on offer, imo, in the sub-Saharan area that would attract an international clientele.
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Majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd....
i may take a wander around pratunam market.....there used to be an african restaurant there, but the menu appeared expensive (didn't have much money on me), will let you know if i find anywhere interesting....
Tomcat
Just wondering what experience you have as a food critic??? I would take the word of the Bkk post critics over a self proclaimed food critic. If the food was so bad why didint you complain?? Its a new restaurant and its trying to improve all the time so, constructive critisism is well received. However sneaking in and not identifying yourself then giving it a good slating is not appreciated mate.
1. He is good at what he does. 2. You dont identify yourself as a critic. 3. He didnt say the owner was a bad guy he just did not think the food was up to par. Simple
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You are the one with the prejudice
COOKIE MONSTER vbmenu_register("postmenu_800941", true);
New Member
Jamesense Restaurant Suk 16
Went to a great little restaurant on soi 16 sukhumvit. The name is Jamesense and it is just past the the Wyndam Thai restaurant on the left. It is Mediteranean/italian based and the food is really good, reasonably priced and it is the ideal location to take the little lady for a romantic evening out. Its run by an American (Californian) called James and the number for the restaurant is 026633191-2. Check it out, you won't be dissapointed!
He was.
CM a review is just that. He didnt like it. It doesnt mean others wont. Hell havent you seen a movie that has been panned by a critic? My favorite Mexican restaurant in the Bay Area has been panned a few times but I still love it.
Calm down to each his own.
__________________
Too long in Exile, too long not singing my song.
Too long like a rolling stone, Too long in exile
Too long in Exile, baby you just arent my friend.
Too long in Exile my friend, Baby you can never go home again.
Last edited by aging one; 5th December 2007 at 15:29.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Dearest CM: as AO has posted, all reviews are opinions. You had your shot, the BKKPost had its shot, and I had mine.
However, poor James really did shoot himself in the foot with the Moroccan menu items (at which most of my comments were directed). I have lived, worked, and eaten locally in North Africa, both in restaurants and in private homes: I know how many dishes are prepared (especially something as widely served as tajine) and what it is supposed to look and taste like. That's my experience and the basis for my comments. Unfortunately, James has none.
The review wasn't personal (as you should have picked up on), it was about food preparation. However, why not make another visit and tell us all about what you ordered, the wine you chose, the perfume your lady friend was wearing?
Other opinions are always welcome as no one has the last word on food.
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Majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd....
Last edited by tomcat; 7th December 2007 at 22:24.
OK I admit I didnt have any moroccan dishes but I thought Tomcat didnt give a balanced view. Everything was negative and no positive. And I also think people should be careful when slating other peoples businesses. Ajarn has a massive audience and one guys comments could deter others from trying it out. I still dont know why Tomcat didnt give any advice, tips or reccomendations when he was speaking to the owner. With his wealth of experience its amazing he hasnt got his own restaurant! I think he should send his resume to the local magazines and gain employment as the food critic every one wants to employ. Oh and by the way Tomcat I wont bite on the perfume thing! (childish).
I still dont know why Tomcat didnt give any advice, tips or reccomendations when he was speaking to the owner.
tomcat should start a Gordan Ramsey style tv show where he rescues failing restaurants. entertaining viewing for all and a myriad of crap eateries to choose from
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Now, to pry into roots, to finger slime,
To stare, big-eyed Narcissus, into some spring
Is beneath all adult dignity. I rhyme
To see myself, to set the darkness echoing.
Can I be his straight sidekick? Sure would beat teaching, and be right up my alley as well.
__________________
Too long in Exile, too long not singing my song.
Too long like a rolling stone, Too long in exile
Too long in Exile, baby you just arent my friend.
Too long in Exile my friend, Baby you can never go home again.
1. He is good at what he does. 2. You dont identify yourself as a critic. 3. He didnt say the owner was a bad guy he just did not think the food was up to par. Simple
Sure would beat teaching, and be right up my alley as well.
