10/21/2012
Oragano, Italian restaurant in Chiangmai
The Dining Out Group
A reminder
Coordinated by Paul & Nop
Photos by Nop from our last event at 1,000,000% Isaan:
We are still going to restaurants that were voted on as favorites.
All reservations must be sent to diningoutcnx1@gmail.com only and reservations and cancellations must be in by mid-night the night before the event. Please give the number in your party. “No shows” and people that show up without reservations or a different number of people than reserved will be deleted from the mailing list for six months. A confirmation will be sent when reservation is received. If you don’t receive a confirmation within 48 hours please, reserve again at diningoutcnx@yahoo.com
Check Corrected directions
Our next event will be at “Oregano” on Thursday, October 25, 2012 at 7:00PM. This restaurant is off the Canal Road.
Review from the “Chiang Mai Mail” July 6, 2010
Charming and inexpensive Italian – Thai Restaurant
By Brian BaxterEntering the Oregano one immediately has a sense of welcome, well being and optimism. True appearances can be deceptive and the bottom line is going to be was the food good and was it fairly priced? Well to answer those points briefly. Yes and yes: in fact, not just good but very good and excellent value. More of that later along with details of the location etc.
The approach to the restaurant is off Canal Road into a leafy area called Nandakwang Garden Mall, which also boasts a Thai restaurant, some houses and offices. You’ll find Oregano directly facing you on the ground level of a spacious modern house, with the kitchen to the right of the dining area. There is a verandah with a seating area for those wanting to dine al fresco.
Inside the restaurant there is seating for about 24 people, with sturdy, reasonably spaced tables for two, four or six people. The actual room is delightful. With its very high ceiling and long stemmed fans. The walls are a creamy white and the whole sense is of freshness – and dare I say this, especially in print? –proclaiming a woman’s touch; pretty pottery and filled jars on a white dresser, exceptional cleanliness and pleasant background music complete the picture.
I could not help thinking of the contrast to a Hong Kong style eatery which I went to for a review only the week before and could find nothing to recommend, with its dingy room, clattering tables on bare boards and greasy food. At Oregano I was immediately predisposed to enjoy the evening and the menu completed the sense of anticipation.
It is clearly printed on loose leaf pages (in Thai and English) and divided into simple choices: appetizers, various tapas, pastas, pizzas, a limited choice of Thai dishes, vegetarian options and a small selection of desserts. Plus the drinks pages: soft options, various beers (Chang at 60 baht, Singha at 80 baht) and red or white wine by the glass (70 baht) or by the bottle.
We settled for a glass of white wine with the starters: a generous portion of home made chicken liver pate for my Thai friend and some grilled pumpkin and baby tomatoes for me, served with a little bowl of balsamic vinegar. With these came half a dozen small warm rolls which were absolutely delicious. The pate was exceptionally tasty and the vegetables ditto. Both were a snip at 75 baht. Water, by the way, comes ‘free’ and is served in carafes.
For the mains we each went for a pasta; vongole for Song and for me a favourite – spaghetti with olive oil, garlic and chili. Sensible portions cooked al dente and accompanied by a glass of the very drinkable house red. We finished by sharing a vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over it. The total bill for two came in at exactly 600 baht: amazing value for the quality of the food and wine. A real find, so a thank you to the knowledgeable friend who recommended it.
Oregano has a distinctly ‘home made’ feel to it. The rolls, I imagine, baked on the premises and the nice choice of puddings also prepared on the premises not bought in. These were limited to ice cream, panna cotta with a strawberry coulis and a chocolate mud pie. The six or so Thai dishes were also limited in number and concentrated on food that can be pre prepared such as a massaman curry and other non ‘stir fry’ options. Very sensible. The result is a menu which appeals to a range of Thai and farang customers. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, but reasonably stylish. They close quite early so make sure you phone beforehand if you want to arrive much after 8p.m.
Oregano is open six days a week (closed Mondays) for lunch and dinner; 11- 2p.m. and from 5p.m. until 9p.m. for last orders. Tel: 089 759 2992.
Paul’s Review:
Food quality 8
Ambiance 8
Service 8
Value 9
Average cost per person excluding alcohol: 300 baht
Directions corrected: You will find the restaurant at the Nandakwang Garden Mall, 99/8 Kongcholpratan Road, Suthep. To get there from either Huay Kaew Road or Suthep Road, turn left into Canal Road and drive south until you see the large modern B2 Hotel on the right (this was formerly the Best Western). Make your first U turn after the hotel. Follow the Canal Road back towards town and The Mall is the first turning on the left after the 7/11. When you pull into the Mouban make your first right. Follow to the end and the restaurant is right in front of you on the left. If you pass the B2 you’ve gone too far.