THE ROBIN HOOD TAVERN
This is one of the most popular “proper” drinking holes in Bangkok. Situated very close to the Phrom Phong BTS, it is popular with both the ex-pat Brit crowd as well as visitors. In previous years, the diminutive dynamo Pang used to rule the roost in the sparkling stainless steel kitchen. Alas, her talents were too good for pub cooking in Bangkok and she now enthrals the citizens of Canberra, Australia.

The Shopper Girl and your correspondent arrived at this, one of our favourite watering holes, on a Friday night only to find to our dismay that every table in the place had a “reserved” sign placed on it.

I asked one of the waitresses somewhat bewilderingly why every table was reserved and she told me “is for Soccer Cup Semi Final”. Ah yes, of course, Germany v Spain. The time was 7 pm and I asked if we could order and leave by 8 pm. The waitress came back and said “is good, is OK”, so we started proceedings by ordering two drinks off the Happy Hours drinks list, with a large tankard of Tiger for me and the usual gin and tonic for the exhausted Shopper Girl.

We then perused the long and extensive menu covering both Western and Thai influences. The place was already crowded and there was a real buzz of excitement in the air. The ex-pats were arriving in fancy dress for the evening and the thought occurred to us that it would probably be a fun night if we chose to stay, albeit standing up with all of the seating already reserved.

The waitress reappeared and asked “ready to order” so hurriedly we flashed our eyes over the offerings and the Shopper Girl opted for her almost obligatory English Fish and Chips whilst I remembered that Pang used to cook terrific pizzas and I wondered if her legacy in the kitchen had been maintained, so I opted for a Pepperoni Pizza.

Another round of drinks was ordered and then on the way to toilet something that was framed caught my eye on the wall. Lo and behold! It was my review of the Robin Hood on this site in 2007, in which I gave fulsome praise to the food on offer and the general vibe of the place. In an obvious patching the headline was “Emdee, vicious Bangkok Food Critic, Praises the Robin Hood”.

Well, I didn’t know I was “vicious”, but yes, I did indeed praise the place. Next to it, was another review, this time by the “team” of the Bangkok Post, but dated 2009, which also gave it good marks. I guess they would never post a negative review would they?

I mentioned this to the Shopper Girl on my return so she went up to peer at the frame just as our food was arriving.

The pizza didn’t disappoint me. It was a terrific version of Pepperoni, with the vibrancy of the salami very evident. With it were slivers of green and red capsicum, halved black olives, thin slices of tomato, chilli flakes to enliven things even more so, and melted cheese. Soon my tongue was tingling with the piquant flavours so naturally I had to order another tankard of Tiger, while the Shopper Girl opted for another G&T.

Whilst I was thoroughly enjoying the Pepperoni, the Shopper Girl found to her dismay that the batter of the fish was thick and soggy but the chips were fat, crisp and cooked just the way she liked them. Pang had a magnificent soda water batter recipe which I inveigled her into divulging to me one evening, but it was evident that she didn’t leave her secret with her successors in the sparkling kitchen as upon pinching a bit of the girl’s fish I found the batter indeed was soft and thick.

Also on her plate was a small salad consisting of mesclun mix leaves, halved cherry tomatoes, red onion slices and a few slivers of green capsicum.

Overall, I was highly satisfied with my choice of the Pepperoni Pizza, whilst the Shopper Girl gave up on her fish and instead consumed the very good chips and gave me a hand to finish the pizza.

At the conclusion of the meal the ex-pats were arriving in their droves and I could see that we would soon be asked to decamp, so I signalled the waitress for the bill and received the following:

COST: 4 x schooners of Tiger (happy hour, buy one get one free), 220 baht; 2 x Gin and Tonics (happy hour prices on the same principle as the beer) at 120 baht each, 120 baht; 1 x Pepperoni Pizza (large), 180 baht; 1 x serve of Traditional English Fish and Chips, 229 baht. No service charge, no VAT. Total: 749 baht ($AUD27.70 at the time).

VERDICT: The food had gone down a notch or two since the departure of the little woman who cooked so superbly, but overall the food is still good (apart from thick and soggy fish batter) and the serves are generous. The Thai food coming out of the kitchen looked magnificent and the smells emanating from the dishes were mouth watering.

SCORE: Value for money, 6/10; ambience 8/10 (buzzing); food 6/10; service, 7/10: Total: 27/40.

CONCLUSION: The Robin Hood is deservedly a popular pub with locals and visitors alike. It is capacious, it has large screen TVs for sports lovers, it has pool tables and darts and is the meeting venue for a number of ex-pat clubs. It even has a 2007 review from the “vicious Emdee” on one its walls. Overall, it is a good place for happy hour drinks and generally, the food is well cooked, well presented and the service is good. There is a buzzing atmosphere in the place and on weekends a band plays from a tiny stage on the ground floor. Recommended.

NEXT WEEK: We visit the Bull’s Head Angus Tavern for an evening meal, just a short stroll from the Robin Hood.

Thanks for the review Emdee- another one to add to my list for the next visit to Bangers. Do you know where Pang is cooking in Canberra? There are a lot of mediocre Thai places here so it would be good to be able to try some good food.

Roving Rabbit,

You won't be able to access Pang's cooking . . . yet! She is the head chef for the Royal Thai Embassy, in Red Hill, Canberra. However, she tells me that when her contract is up in October, 2011, she will be applying for permanent residency in Australia.

Thanks Emdee- lets hope she decides to open a restaurant in Canberra

Loved the Review of the Robin Hood Tavern. Looking forward to the one on the Bulls Head as we visited there about 5 years ago and had a great night. Cheers, Karen