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Vol. 02 No. 23 | Dec 1-15 2014
thefoodloverspattayatoday@msn.com
The Pig & Whistle The Best of British Like many old pub names, for example, “The Dog and Duck”, “The Goat and Compasses”, the derivation of “The Pig and Whistle” is uncertain. There are several suggested origins most of which propose that the ‘pig’ part of the name derives from the name of a drinking vessel and the ‘whistle’ part from “wassail”. This is an old English salutation used in toasting a person’s health – the reply being ‘drink hail!’ The famous Pig and Whistle Inn in Soi 7 Pattaya has been serving up its quintessential pub grub to its many regulars and guests for many years. Jomtien is home to its sister hostelry which also offers a spacious first floor pool lounge with a Thursday “Shoot Pool Nite”. From 8:30 a.m. to midnight this kitchen is in full flight providing the class of dishes that has made the Pig and Whistle famous. Inside the new establishment, the décor is a modern, loungy sports bar with three big screens showing the matches of the day, a big comfy bar and
banquette seating for friendly gettogethers and sociable events. The English breakfast menus are legendary and many a trencherman has been defeated by The Pig’s “full Monty” of two eggs, two English sausages, two rashers of Wiltshire bacon, baked beans, grilled mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, fried potatoes, fried bread plus toast and marmalade at only B.190. Breakfast meat heads would be well and truly satisfied with the No. 1 Special set: fillet steak (100 grams), two eggs any style, bubble and squeak and mushrooms for B.195. Even those folk who enjoy a kipper for breakfast are kept happy with the No. 2 Special set: kipper, scrambled eggs, bacon and toast for B.195. All the breakfast items, including the bubble and squeak and black pudding, can be ordered singly or with any item of your choice. Mick and I visited the other evening to sample the English victuals and were very impressed with the hearty and the homely “just
as mom used to cook” quality of all this pub fayre. Come hungry though, the portions are huge and the staff (especially chef) disappointed if your plate isn’t licked clean before its return to the kitchen. After much deliberating (it all reads so well), we chose to kick off the proceedings with a portion of their signature chicken liver pate (B.120). Deeply rich in flavor and served with dark brown bread toast and garnish, it was a tasty appetizer. Other starters include the perennially popular Norwegian prawn cocktail, spring rolls or one of their homemade soups with the pea and ham variety coming highly recommended. We should mention the sandwiches now before we move on to the main courses. These are wonderful “door stop” affairs: huge slices of thickly sliced white bread generously packed with the filling of your choice, i.e. hot chicken, roast beef, bacon and egg, sausage and egg, and even pork and apple with prices from B.70. Half time by now and Mick and I were wondering where to take our taste buds for a nostalgic trip back to the times when the term
“gastropub” had never been coined. We chose a traditional Wiltshire gammon steak served with an egg, fresh pineapple, garden peas and chips and the house chicken ham and mushroom pie accompanied by garden peas, carrots, cabbage, roast potatoes and gravy (B.245). The pie came crisp and crunchy with a softer interior playing host to chunks of chicken and flavorsome mushrooms. Accompanied by the best roast potatoes I have tasted in a long while and a gravy that shrieked “mmm Bisto” – it was delicious as was the large tranche of gammon steak with burnished pineapple. Thai food is not forgotten and there are over 30 items to choose from. Meaty diners are spoilt for choice from the signature beef stew, the
homemade steak and kidney pie, fillet or sirloin steak, braised steak in a rich red wine sauce and their celebrated liver, bacon and onions plus daily roast lunches (with all the trimmings) starting at B.270. No selfrespecting pub would be without fish and chips and here it is a house specialty featuring huge fillets of white fish deep fried in a “light as a feather” batter and served with mushy peas and chef’s individual tartar sauce. So much great pub grub on this menu and I haven’t even mentioned the famous Pig and Whistle mixed grill yet! Valiant trenchermen only required to tackle this gourmand’s platter of sirloin steak, pork chop, lamb chop, pork sausage, liver, kidney, fried eggs, grilled mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, fried onions and chips. It will set you back B.500 but then you probably won’t eat again for a week! Christmas is approaching and the P&W will be offering their seasonal plate of roast turkey with all the traditional trimmings for only B.450 with full Christmas menu at B.850. Check it out over the holidays; it’s sure to be a nostalgic reminder of your mom’s Christmas day dinners. We really enjoyed the classic homey dishes here at the Pig and Whistle Jomtien. For a true taste of the best of British it would be hard to beat this most convivial pub with its hearty, nourishing food, friendly staff and welcoming vibe. Pig & Whistle Pub & Restaurant Jomtien Situated at the bottom of Thappraya Hill on the right-hand side going towards Jomtien beach and opposite the Hanuman statue Open daily from 8:30 a.m. till midnight Tel: 038 303 289