Ubon Ratchathani N-Joy Gets New Flavor

If you ever been to Ubon Ratchathani you might have visited N-Joy Bar and Restaurant on Phalochai Rd, west of the Ubon prison. You might have even met and talked with Louie. It's a great place where some expats hangout in Ubon.

Sometimes it's great when things happen right and there was no plan. Today I just had the urge to head over to N-Joy and talk with Louie, and catch up on things. It had been some time since I last visited him.

I immediately noticed a change. Louie's front lawn had been converted into a dining garden. It looks very nice and cozy. Within a few minutes of arriving Louie told me he needs a break from the commitment and N-Joy is being leased out.

So tonight when N-Joy closes the Aussie flag will be lowered for the last time. Tomorrow morning July 1, 2008 a Union Jack will be hoisted at opening time.

A British expat who has been living in Det Udom will take over operations of N-Joy. His name is Lance and has been around Ubon province for quite some time. I understand he has also be associated with running a pub before.

I don't think things will change too much. It should still be a good place to go hangout, talk, meet some new friends, enjoy a cold one and satisfy your hunger with some good food. Since the bar is in front of Louie's house he will probably still be a frequent fixture there.

If you have been to N-Joy head on over and welcome Lance to the Ubon expat community and enjoy all the good things you have come to expect there. If you have never been this is a good time to get acquainted and also welcome Lance to Ubon.

So tomorrow when the good ship N-Joy sails it will be flying a British flag but Mai Pen Rai it will still be Aussie, American, European, Scandinavian and New Zealand friendly. Begin the month of July and get prepped for the Candle Festival at Lance's, now British flavored (whoops it's flavoured), N-Joy Bar and Restaurant here in Ubon Ratchathani.

Ubon Ratchathani Update

Ubon Ratchathani is a living entity of sorts and as such it is subject to constant change and evolution. The Ubon of yesterday is different than the Ubon of today.

This post is just to let you know a few things that have happened and a few things that are going to happen.

• Oliva Italian Restaurant has closed it's doors for good. This is very disappointing. I enjoyed eating there. The place was small but the food was authentic, the service personable and the environment relaxing. I am thinking maybe their out of the way location might have forced them to close.
  


• Cozy Restaurant has gone out of business. No more Scandanavian cuisine in town now. This place too might have been a victim of location. They were sandwiched between some other Thai food shops. Also the opening of Nana, Black Canyon and S&P might have had some influence.


• Nok Air will be suspending service to Ubon Ratchathani July 1-31, 2008. No specific reason was given for this stoppage. However, Nok Air is a subsidiary of Thai Airways International and July is peak tourist month in Ubon because of the Candle Festival. Maybe Daddy closed down the service so Thai Airways can get maximum utilization of its capacity.
  


• There will be Candle Festival activities in Ubon July 1-31, but with the main activities schedule around the full moon so 14-20 July.


• Zodiac Pub at Ubon International Hotel is planning to sponsor an Elvis theme festival to celebrate the life and honor the passing of Elvis Presley. The dates for this event are 16-18 August.

That's about it for now.

Ubon Ratchathani Morrakot Restaurant

Morrakot Restaurant is primary restaurant at Ubon International Hotel (formerly Nevada Grand Hotel) here in Ubon Ratchathani.

Over the eight years I have lived here I have eaten there many times but not much lately. I also have eaten there before I was living in Ubon when I stayed there in 1999 during some military training here in Thailand. It was one of the few Ubon restaurants I had time to eat in then.

In the past the Thai cuisine has always been good there and they have had some great lunch buffets. However it has been a challenge getting any western cuisine that was on the menu.

This post is to tell you that has changed. I was contacted by Tommy, the Food and Beverage manager at Ubon International Hotel. He asked me if I could come by and check out the new menu at the restaurant.

Tommy is Thai but has lived in the US for many years living and working in the restaurant and hotel industry. He is knowledgeable about what western foreigners like. That new attitude he brought is evident in the menu.

I went early before any crowds came. A lovely polite waitress brought menus for me and my wife and the change was immediately evident. An assortment of steaks and seafood, several pasta dishes and even some sandwiches.

I tried the tenderloin and my wife had the round steak. The meals come with fresh salad and bread, with french fried potatoes and vegetables on the dinner plate. My steak was tender and delicious. The sauce was savory with a touch of sweetness. I would have to say it's the best steak I have eaten here in Ubon Ratchathani.

The meal was extremely satisfying and to my surprise, reasonably priced. The western cuisine ran from 120-450 Baht. I love Thai food and eat it most of the time. But occassionally I get a craving for a steak, a cheeseburger or some other western dishes and in the past the availability has been limited. Well now there is another option in town.

If you get hungry for a good meal and want a change from eating Thai food I would highly recommend you go visit Morrakot Restaurant at Ubon International Hotel. If you do ask for Tommy and tell him hello. After your meal give him some feedback on how you enjoyed it and any suggestions to make things better. Maybe one of the better Ubon restaurants now.

P.S. I also think Tommy wants to visit with English speaking folks to keep in touch with that part of his life. So if you do go tell him Darwin sent you.