The name comes from a long-standing French film and recording studio whose glory days hark to the 20s. To step into Pathé is to travel back in time, but not that far back. The owner’s obsessive nostalgia is for the heyday of 60s pop culture. There’s a wall stacked with vinyl records feeding an old turntable with oldie hits (mostly from the Bee Gees and Elvis Presley), a pinball machine, retro-modern decorative objects, grandfather clocks and faded posters. Dim yellow lighting that lends a warm and welcoming feel to the room also serves to highlight the nostalgic feel. To match its casual kitschy setting, the compact menu offers down-to-earth international dishes with simple presentation. Falling somewhere between homestyle cooking and pub grub, none of the dishes here really stand out—but there are no major complaints, either. Kai krob sauce manao (deep-fried chicken with lemon sauce), for example, featured a crisp chicken fillet but the “lemon” sauce was a bit on the sweet side. And nong kai phrik thai dam (deep-fried black pepper chicken wings), while not the slightest bit oily, were bland and boring; more black pepper, please. Pathé does a better job with spicy stuff and gaab gleam. Hao dong nuea (spicy beef salad) was not very generous in its portion but big on flavor. Some might not like heaps of basil and spearmint leaves on their salad, but they did add a pleasant herbal flavor to the dish—if only the beef was a bit more tender. Juicier cuts can be found in tom saab nuea, a hot and spicy soup with succulent cubes of braised beef. Another winner was their version of koong chae nampla, fresh shrimps served raw in a zesty sauce. There are 10 set menus for those looking for a hearty and affordable meal. Choices range from yakisoba with teriyaki chicken and salad to fried rice with grilled beef served with jaew sauce and salad. Also, the restaurant recently introduced a breakfast menu (6-10am) for locals in the surrounding condos. The staff, though not very knowledgeable, are attentive and treat you like long-lost family. Roasted peanuts served with salt and sliced chili are free and you can always ask for a refill. There is also complimentary hot green tea served throughout the meal. You could even order a beer, feast on free peanuts all day, and they wouldn’t mind. Pathé is far from being fine dining, but the prices are good, the ambiance is a lot of fun, and the service is pleasant. No service charge, so don’t forget to tip your deserving waitstaff.
