Let's Eat Hua Hin, Brasserie de Paris

25 years in business, operated by the same family, and in the one location for all that time - and what a location it is!

Right in the middle of the historical centre of Hua Hin, sandwiched between old timber finger wharves and overlooking its own golden beach – Brasserie de Paris has so much to offer and in our humble view, worth regular visits!

Established initially by Thierry Scheidweiler and the face of the business until 5 years ago when Thierry’s son Fabian came to take the reins. Fabian, a qualified Chef with experience in Michelin star restaurants in London and Barcelona, is now in charge of continuing Brasserie de Paris’s story.

But not kitchen bound - Fabian is very much involved in greeting guests and overviewing service, while still working closely with his kitchen team to ensure the menu is delivered to his exacting standards.

Twenty Five year anniversary celebrations are a foot for later in the year with Fabian firmly in charge of planning, and what a milestone to celebrate! Image what stories the walls of this restaurant could tell if only they could only talk!

Our visit was for dinner, and what a view to be greeted by as we entered the upstairs dining room – floor to ceiling ocean views with the sea taking on a soft blue hue thanks to the setting suns fading light. Attentive staff welcomed and seat us – a balcony table with direct views over the beach now being bathed in evening colours. Open to the evening breeze coming off the ocean – what a romantic setting!

Our group started with a selection of starters - Swordfish ceviche with hints of Thai spice, Smoked Eel on sesame toast, and a light and airy puff pastry topped with an Olive tapenade. The Eel still moist with a gentle smoked character, and the swordfish with gentle Thai heat. A tasty intro to the evening.

Next up, entrees, starting with La Brasserie’s famous Crab with lobster sauce. Small crab shells filled with crab meat, a delicate blend of herbs, grilled gently with cheese and accompanied by a well-balanced lobster sauce. Next sweet bread of Veal served atop a watercress puree and dressed with a curry infused oil. Our third choice was from the regularly changing blackboard menu, a carpaccio of Swordfish with a lemon herb dressing. The lemon really setting off the delicate flavours of the fish.

We had read on the restaurant’s website that they had been voted Best Beef in Hua Hin, so we had to test this out.

We chose the New Zealand Tenderloin of beef which was cooked perfectly and served with a punchy pepper sauce which was very much to my liking. To top it off, beautifully turned vegetables and Belgium (not French) Fries, as Fabian proudly announced on their arrival.

The verdict – yes, this was the best steak I have had over the last nearly three years in Thailand. Without a doubt! Others in our party certainly gave it the thumbs up as well.

From the blackboard menu came a Black Cod wrapped in wafer thin slices of zucchini, steamed we assume, and accompanied by a carrot mash and saffron sauce. The lime wedges on the side of the plate when squeezed over the saffron sauce really set this off and served as the perfect accompaniment for the delicate cod.

Cajun chicken was the final main dish. A fillet of chicken generously coated with Cajun spices, grilled and matched with mango salsa and saffron potatoes. Another flavour filled plate!

Chef Owner Fabian twisted our arms when he started describing the desserts. He made them all sound so enticing, so we yielded to his charms and tasted their Pecan Pie with maple syrup and caramel cream. The Crème Brulees had its own twist as it was topped with a strawberry crust. The winning vote in the dessert department had to go to Praline Maison, a creamy and flavour full cocoa sorbet with the crunchy character that praline infuses.

Brasserie de Paris is situated at 3 Naresdamri Road in central Hua Hin and opens for breakfast daily from 10 am with a choice of breakfast sets for around 250 baht. Their lunch menu offers Panini, sandwiches and salads all served in their upstairs al fresco dining room overlooking the beach.

The dinner menu is well rounded, and as mentioned, a regularly changing blackboard menu expands your choices. If it gets too hard to make decisions, there are two Set Menu options.

For 795 baht a choice between two entrees, a choice of two mains plus your choice of dessert. Step it up to 995, and you have a choice between two entrees, and either rock lobster or the New Zealand tenderloin of Beef for main, and your choice of dessert. Three courses for 795 or 995 baht and if the quality we experienced during our visit is anything to go by, that’s excellent value.

Wines are from a blackboard menu with a limited number of white and red wines from Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy and Argentina. An astute selection of wines, by our assessment.

In keeping with Fabian’s desire to continue the Brasserie de Paris legacy, there are plans a foot for cocktail parties, functions or just evening drinks on the beach immediately in front of the restaurant. Keep an eye on the website of contact Fabian directly on 092 434 7037 or the restaurant on 032 510 801.

We discovered that Fabian is a football (soccer) enthusiast, so he is converting the downstairs area that is usually a Wine Shop into a street level bar. Brasserie de Paris will have the World Cup screening from 14th June to 15th July in this street level area so others football devotees can join him for drinks and snacks while cheering on their country’s team. Normal restaurant operations will continue upstairs!

By Michael Cullen