My Favorite Restaurants: Baan Rim Pa

Baan Rim Pa is often called "simply the finest" in Thailand, and you can believe it. The food is outstanding, the service attentive and skilled, and the ambiance ... well, there is nothing else like it. Carved teak wood surrounds you, beautiful table settings, and unique piano music played by the inimitable Tommy Doyle, a lifelong musician who has played before several U.S. Presidents in his long and varied career with music.

Baan Rim Pa is managed by Tom McNamara, who has a long string of highly successful restaurants, and his experience shows in every aspect of his latest success.

Although I'm not reviewing them here, there are two other restaurants that are associated with Baan Rim Pa: da Maurizio Italian Restaurant and Otowa Japanese Restaurant. All have the same high standards, great service, attention to detail, and (most importantly) food you cannot wait to have again.

A special note: the bar is magnificent and the bartenders are quite skilled. Even if you are not hungry, do what I do and stop in for a drink and listen to Tommy play the piano (every night except Monday). They have every liquor I've ever wanted and more plus an excellent selection of wines. Ah, heaven, thy name is ... never mind.

If you have a large party, make a reservation so you won't be disappointed. Also, the library is a small room off the bar that is just right for small groups desiring a private meal. Been there, done that, and it was great.

Menu Favorites

The menu at Baan Rim Pa is based on recipes prepared for the Royal family. This "Royal Thai" food is a step up from normal Thai food both in quality, detail of preparation, and cost. Even so, a meal at Baan Rim Pa will usually cost less than a meal at a Thai restaurant in the USA or Europe. So, you get the best at a good price.

There are two ways to go at Baan Rim Pa: a set meal or alá carte. If you know your way around a Thai menu, then order whatever you like and you won't be disappointed. With new visitors, I usually recommend one of the set meals, as each person can sample a wide range of Thai food.

That said, here are some of my particular favorites (I had to cheat at look at the menu to get all the names right):

Deep - Fried Spring Rolls
Deep-Fried Curried Fish Patties
Satay
Herbed Fresh Fruit Salad
Mildly spiced Salad with Fluffy Crisp Fish
Curry with Duckling
Deep-Fried Fish. Topped With Chilli Paste
Grilled Prawns
Deep-Fried honeyed chicken in Pandanus leaves
Stir-Fried Pork or Chicken with Ginger and Black Chinese Mushroom
Stir-Fried Noodles in Soy Sauce with Beef or Chicken

How to Get There

Baan Rim Pa is located at the top of a small hill at the north end of Patong Beach. Take the beach road towards Kalim Bay and watch for the ice carving on the left. They can also pick you up - call them in advance.