Afternoon breaks at Hua Hin / Pran Buri : Eighteen Below Ice-cream @ Hua Hin and La a Natu @ Pran Buri

Towards the end of February / beginning of March, we had a chance to take a short break to relax at Pran Buri. Having heard rumour about the famous Hay Lobby and Eatery @ La a Natu Bed and Bakery and Eighteen Below Ice-cream @ Naeb Kehardt Road, Hua Hin, we did not hesitate to find sometimes to visit them. In brief, we are not so impressed with both places, especially Hay Lobby and Eatery in term of taste but they are ok when not crowded and happen to be nearby.

Cuisine: cafe food / afternoon tea

Map: Hay Lobby and Eatery @ La a Natu Bed and Bakery, Pran Buri, Thailand - เฮย์ ล๊อบบี้แอนด์อีทเทอรี่ @ ลา เอ นาตู เบดแอนด์เบเกอรี่ ปราณบุรี

Price: THB210 per person without alcohol (what we paid for)

Visited: 1 March 2014

Food: 2/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 5/10

Services: 3/10
Scale: [ 1=poor ----- 5=average/standard ----- 10=outstanding/exceptional ]

La a Natu is set right on the quiet beach of Pran Buri. The place has been resembled to give the natural relaxing ambient by using haystack for most of its accommodation. Hay Lobby and Eatery of La a Natu is well-known for afternoon tea and even the place itself is proud of its reputation. The Hay Lobby is not really a big which can probably accommodate around 30 guests max. The very best part is the cool and relaxing atmosphere. The dining room provides a good sea view but bear in mind of hot weather and strong sunlight in the afternoon.

La a Natu @ Pran Buri

village style surrounding

Hay Lobby and Eatery

relax ambient for afternoon tea certainly

The pricing of menu is not so cheap nor so expensive, modest in fact for a hotel. However, we are not really so delight with the taste of it. The first impression goes for the tea. La a Natu is supposed to be famous for afternoon tea. But we were served with Twinings. Good god, I could not believe and it was tea bag instead of loose leaf. In addition, the staff tried to pour us a cup immediately after the tea had arrived out of the kitchen. For heaven sake, the tea was nowhere near being properly immersed and infused.

The next disappointment was the pastry set in the afternoon tea set (2/10). If I remember correctly, there were 7 kinds of dish that were served: cheese sandwich (I really mean the simply cheese only), scones with whipped cream and jam, panna cotta, cheesecake, brownie, carrot cake, and chocolate cake. The scones were the first one to make me laugh. It was sure not a scone with that spongy texture and served with whipped cream and somewhat sour strawberry jam which was supposed to be the classic homemade. The panna cotta was the worst. It melted after a while leaving us with creamy liquid with strawberry sauce (that tasted like the strawberry jam). Not so whether the weather was too hot or there was too little gelatin in the panna cotta. The rest of pastry were just ok to eat.

On the service side, it was nowhere near hotel standard. Notwithstanding the aforementioned tea pouring service, we encountered a long wait for bill checking. We waited for quite sometime for changes to be returned and when asking, the answer simply was they had run out of change and needed to go somewhere for exchange. I presumed that I should have been warned or else something could have been adjusted. Well, I guess I had enough experience of this place. They are not so professional in the service. We sure will never return to this.

pastry and tea menu

happen to be just Twinings

afternoon tea set (THB350)

again, really great ambient

Hay Lobby and Eatery @ La a Natu Bed and Bakery, Pran Buri, Thailand - เฮย์ ล๊อบบี้แอนด์อีทเทอรี่ @ ลา เอ นาตู เบดแอนด์เบเกอรี่ ปราณบุรี

234 Moo 2
Samroiyod, Pranburi
Prachuap Khiri Kha
77120
Thailand

Open Hours: all day but 02:00pm to 05:00pm for afternoon tea daily

Tel: +66 (0) 32 689 941-3, +66 (0) 81 731 8688
Web: http://www.laanatu.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/laanatubb

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Breakfast Buffet at The Restaurant @ Evason Hua Hin, Pranburi, Thailand

Cuisine: breakfast buffet (international)

Map: Breakfast Buffet at The Restaurant @ Evason Hua Hin, Pranburi, Thailand

Price: THB650 per person

Visited: 27 July 2013

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Value for money: 8/10

Services: 7/10

Evason Hua Hin has always been a fantastic getaway destination at Pranburi, Thailand: so quiet and relax. Apart from the great atmosphere and surrounding as well as superb quality spa, breakfast at Evason Hua Hin is also one that is worth looking forward to. Customers of the resort do usually get breakfast included with the reservation package, otherwise it costs around THB650 per person.

The Restaurant is the main restaurant of Evason Hua Hin. It is rather big in an open-air style with both indoor and outdoor zones. At outdoor zone, the view of seaside can be clearly accessed. What I really like about having breakfast here, rather than going out to seek local food, is the the relax and comfortable ambient the venue provides: comfortable seats, friendly services, clean and fresh air, and delightful breakfast selection. Imagine a good quality breakfast where you can really spend your time with slow food and perhaps a novel to enjoy: perfect, I say.

The Restaurant

indoor seats

good view of sea at Pranburi

outdoor seat

For me, I like to start my day at Evason Hua Hin with selection of breads, in particular viennoiserie. Some good croissant with good butter and jams can be appreciated, otherwise chocolate croissant or almond croissant can be good substitutions here.

viennoiserie and danish

almond croissant

danish range

chocolate croissant

doughnut

bread variety

jam choices

strawberry jam

After a few pieces of bread, having some protein is not a bad idea at all. I did try scramble egg and omelette together with some ham, cheese, and salad. I prefer to have scramble egg here as they seemed to cook omelette a little overcooked for my liking. If you prefer Thai style hot plate, then there is a noodle station for you.

hot plate station

noodle vs. western

bacon and sausages

egg station

chef cooking omelette

omelette with bacon

Wrapping up the first meal of the day with yoghurt is sure a good idea. I promise, your favourite choice of yoghurt here with any preferred nuts or cereal is such a great combination. Range of yoghurt here is rather wide: strawberry, blueberry, banana, mango, and etc. There is also fruite juice station with refreshing choice for breakfast such as orange juice, guava juice, carrot juice, and etc.

If you are vegetarian, then there is as well a vegetarian corner. So no worry.

Well, this is really a delightful hotel buffet breakfast. Not many hotels that really serve good breakfast but here is one. Check it out if you have chance. Bon Appetit.

yoghurt station

nuts and dried fruits

combination example

juice choices

milk range

vegetarian corner

tropical fruits

Breakfast Buffet at The Restaurant @ Evason Hua Hin, Pranburi, Thailand
9 Moo 5 Paknampran Beach
Pranburi
Prachuap Khirikhan 77220
Thailand

Open Hours: all day from 7am

Tel: +66 (0) 3263 2111
Web: http://www.sixsenses.com/evason-resorts/hua-hin/destination

FB: https://www.facebook.com/huahinevason

Kluay Thod Krata Thong (Golden-Pan Fried Banana) @ Soi Hua Hin 68, Phrachuab Khiri Khan

Cuisine: Thai (Dessert)

Map: Kluay Thod Krata Thong (Golden-Pan Fried Banana) @ Soi Hua Hin 68, Phrachuab Khiri Khan - กล้วยทอดกระทะทอง @ ซอยหัวหิน 68 จังหวัดประจวบคีรีขันธ์

Visited: 11 September 2011

Price: THB10 per 6 pieces

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: n.m. (street food)

Value for money: 10/10

Services: n.m. (street food)

When mentioning fried banana, at first you may think about those famous fried banana being sold to you around Yommarat area when you get stuck with red light while driving. Here is another great fried banana, it is located in Phrachuab Khiri Khan Province within Soi Hua Hin 68. It is called Kluay Thod Krata Thong, meaning golden-pan fried banana. Many of you may know that it was at Soi Hua Hin 51 (selling in a green mini van) but have recently moved to this new place.

What great about this banana is that it is so crisp, yet the soft touch of inside banana is really wonderful. Batter that contains coconut milk as an ingredient gives really nice taste. The selection of banana is also taken with care such that each banana is not over ripe nor unripe. Thickness is also just right giving delightful texture and touch. The more you eat, the more you want. Once start eating this fried banana, it is hard to stop. Some people did even try to buy the recipe of this fried banana for over a million Thai baht but the owner did refuse and mentioned that it is not for sale.

Ok let me give it 7/10 for the taste. As it is just fried banana and I cannot find a way to give it more than that: creativity, technique, and so. If I was to score it for fried banana only, it would have been 9 or 10/10 seriously.

PS. The queue of this place can be really long, especially during public holiday. Bear in mind that you will need to take a queueing ticket in order to buy. Additionally, when there are too many people waiting, you may be limit to buy just THB100 max. Anyway, enjoy your banana. ^^

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Golden Pan Fried Banana @ Hua Hin - กล้วยทอดกระทะทอง @ หัวหิน

Staff Serving Customers

Deep-fried Banana, Taro, and Sweet Potato

Kindly Take Queueing Card

Kluay Thod Krata Thong (Golden-Pan Fried Banana) @ Soi Hua Hin 68, Prachuab Khiri Khan

Soi Hua Hin 68, Petchakasem Road

Hua Hin, Hua Hin

Prachuab Khiri Khan 77110

Thailand

กล้วยทอดกระทะทอง @ ซอยหัวหิน 68 จังหวัดประจวบคีรีขันธ์

ซอยหัวหิน 68 ถนนเพชรเกษม

ตำบลหัวหิน อำเภอหัวหิน

จังหวัดประจวบคีรีขันธ์ 77110

Open Hours: 10:00am - 04:00pm daily

Tel: +66 (0) 83 855 1942 for Hua Hin branch, +66 (0) 83 220 6886 for Pran Buri  Branch

Jekpea Coffee Shop @ Dechanuchit Road, Hua Hin

Cuisine: Thai

Map: Jekpea Coffee Shop @ Dechanuchit Road, Hua Hin - ร้านกาแฟเจ๊กเปี๊ยะ @ ถนนเดชานุชิต หัวหิน

Price: THB50 per person (what I paid for)

Visited: 25 September 2011

Food: 6/10

Atmosphere: 4/10

Value for money: 7/10

Services: 4/10

Taking a short break at Hua Hin, indeed everyone always think "what am I gonna have for lunch/dinner?" or "should I go for seafood tonight?". But there is one place almost everyone will think of when cannot decide what to eat. It is surely "Jekpea Coffee Shop". This place is situated at a corner of the junction of Dechanuchit Road and Naeb Kehardt Road. You will notice the old looking house made out of wood right away. It is always pack with tourists (mostly from Bangkok) during weekends and public holidays. No reservation for this kind of place of course, however, you can grab seats in short time. People do come in and go rather fast.

Jekpea Coffee Shop - ร้านกาแฟเจ๊กเปี๊ยะ

The Exterior - บรรยากาศภายนอก

The Interior - บรรยากาศภายใน

I guess that this place started out as a coffee shop from its name and then develop through time to be a place that offers variety of food ranging from street food to seafood. Pricing of food here is also in line with other places and perhaps a little cheaper than some street food. Menu for day time is in the form of one person dish but dinner menu is mostly to share type. During breakfast time, there will be stalls of various type of food to be chosen from at the front of Jekpea. Everything here is rather good but not great. Nice for a quick meal.

Beverage Counter - โต๊ะชงเครื่องดื่ม

Menu Board - รายการอาหาร

Assorted Pork in Soup Stall - รถเข็นเลือดหมู

BBQ Pork with Rice Stall - รถเข็นข้าวหมูแดง

Congee Stall - รถเข็นโจ๊ก

Made by Order Stall - รถเข็นอาหารตามสั่ง

Hainanese Chicken Rice Stall - รถเข็นข้าวมันไก่

Noodle with BBQ Pork Stall - รถเข็นบะหมี่หมูแดง

This time we came here for breakfast and decided to have Assorted Pork in Soup - ต้มเลือดหมู. For those who do not know what this is, it contains minced pork ball, clotted pork blood, and assorted organ of pork such as stomach and liver. Those who cannot take organs just do not order this. However, I must say that this is actually a nice dish, especially the soft clotted blood. Even organs are nice, cannot detect any bad smell of organ. Supple and delightful soup I must say (7/10).

Assorted Pork in Soup - ต้มเลือดหมู (ตือฮวน)

Pork Blood - เลือดหมู

For beverage, we went for typical Thai drink: Iced Thai Milk Tea and Hot Coffee. Iced Thai Milk Tea was rather good and not too sweet but maintained some sweetness to give unique taste of milk tea (6/10). Hot Coffee came with a cup of hot Chinese tea. It was black coffee. Nothing special for this but good for morning wake up (5/10).

Iced Thai Milk Tea - ชานมเย็น

Hot Coffee - กาแฟร้อน

Jekpea Coffee Shop @ Dechanuchit Road, Hua Hin

51/6 Dechanuchit Road

Hua Hin

Thailand

ร้านกาแฟเจ๊กเปี๊ยะ @ ถนนเดชานุชิต หัวหิน

51/6 ถนนเดชานุชิต

หัวหิน

Open Hours: 06:15am - 08:30pm daily

Tel: +66 (0) 3251 1289