Satisfaction on Soi 8 (Via Vai Restaurant) by Werewolf

Posted by werewolf | Blog, Reader Submissions | Posted on September 17th, 2007

editor’s note: I used to live on Soi 8 and after stopping in for bread at the 7/11, yeah right, I would take a pizza to go from Via Vai. I have had sit down dinner there a few times and I think this is one of the undiscovered Italian joints for Bangkok. Great quality, decent prices and very good service. Lots of pasta choices, brick-oven style pizzas and tasty salads. I will be checking the buffet this weekend. Thanks for the write-up WW.

There are so many great restaurants to be discovered in Bangkok, that I rarely ask for or offer recommendations, figuring that we’ll all find the food we like on our own. But today I found myself one of only three customers in a restaurant that was offering a great buffet at a good price, and thought I should share the info with others. This is purely selfish… I can’t imagine the owner can continue this offer if he doesn’t have plenty of customers coming in.

At 1:00 this afternoon I wandered into Via Vai, on Soi 8, opposite Lolitas (the official Soi 8 landmark). As I perused the menu, the attractive 30-something Thai hostess explained to me that they had a buffet on offer for 250 baht. I checked out the food and quickly agreed; there was a nice spread of fresh salads and antipasto. The hot dishes included pork loins in gravy, grilled fish, sauteed beef, marinated chicken and quiche.

The restaurant decor was tasteful with white tablecloths and wine glasses on the table. The service staff was well trained and attentive in a Western (rather than Thai) style. I ate until I was stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, then waddled home for a Sunday afternoon nap. All in all a great meal!

For good Italian food at a great price, head to Via Vai every Saturday and Sunday between noon and 3 pm. Get there quick, before the owner changes his mind.