The Direct Course to Good Food:
Tropical Mini Golf and Restaurant

Recent newcomers to Chiangmai are the owners of the TROPICAL MINI GOLF and Restaurant. Within only two months the barren area on the Mae Ping riverbank blossomed into an oasis with green grass, flowers, shady trees and a sizeable waterfall. This activity is a welcome addition to the family fun scene because other than movies and a walk through shopping malls or zoo, there's not too much for families to do together in the great outdoors of Chiangmai. The national parks instituted high entrance fees that add up to a big expense for a family of 5 persons or more.

The chief designer of the mini golf course, Mr. Philip, has had considerable experience in mini golf as he has owned at one time three similar courses in Europe. These were successful and located near the popular beaches where families flocked for summertime fun.

Of course constructing something this unusual in Chiangmai had its ups and downs but with his patient nature and great happiness to be in Chiangmai, Mr. Philip, today has a gem of a property these days. The mini golf has 18 holes and judging from the delightful look of the players of all ages, it's challenging and amusing. Each player gets a tally sheet and the best scores are posted at the reception area.

His lovely wife, Mrs. Win, is the dynamic partner who was his interpreter and organizer for every item. She is the friendly driving force in the kitchen, overseeing the quality and presentation of the food. Often guests will receive a surprise serving of a Thai snack or fruit which is her generous nature.

The restaurant's sizeable menu offers Thai, Japanese and western food. In the evening before or after a mini golf game the open air club house is a pleasant place to sit and enjoy beverages and food. Throughout the evening guitarists plays low key folk tunes old favorites such as “Time in a Bottle” from Cat Stevens, or “Sailing” by Rod Stewart and other popular hits of the golden oldie generation. More cozy tables are set aside in a row of sala, cozy tables are decorated with soft light of candles and the cool breeze coming in from the Mae Ping River is very refreshing.

The restaurant has proven popular for evening banquets Visitors would enjoy not only mini golf practice or exercise but also tasty foods -Thai, European, and Japanese. Mini Golfing can be taking before or after meals. After the working experience of the soft opening period, all aspects are working smoothly. A private or group of visitors can sit at the big pavilion or small cottages which are open air, built by bamboo with tree leaf covered roofs.

A typical Thai meal is a full composition of flavors and textures such as rice, curry, soup, fried dishes, salad, dipping sauce with fresh vegetables, steamed or grilled dishes, solid dessert, liquid dessert and mixed seasonal fruits .

The following recommended menu of popular Thai dishes from of this restaurant would definitely serve 3 to 5 persons. Less the dessert and mixed fruits, one dish could be reduced in case of only two persons dining. For this review four of us visited Tropical Mini Golf recently and Khun Win recommended the six delightful dishes along with desert.

Without a side dish, Khun Win chose a small bowl of Tohm Yaam Ghoong Maprow-On -- hot and sour shrimp soup flavored with distinctive lemon grass, lime, chilli and soft coconut meat.

Plah Nua -- Spicy salad of tender grilled beef with lemon grass and peppermint.

Gai Haw Bai Toey -- Baked chicken wrapped in Pandanus Leaf which imparts a fragrance to the meat as it cooks in the oven. It is not awkward to unwrap the leaf with your fingers, and dip a piece of chicken in soya sauce with sesame seeds.

Paad Hed-horm / Naw Mhai Farang / Ghoong -- Fried black Shitake mushrooms and asparagus with shrimp.

Gaeng Ped Bped Yaang -- red curry with grilled duck. Nowadays it could be considered fusion food since either one of these fruits -- grape, longan, or lynchee is added giving the dish of curry a more tasty flavor.

Pla Chorn Boraan -- Deep-fried serpent head fish with a light sauce topped with cashews flavored by herbs and spices and crunchy garlic pieces.

For those who have a bit more space to fill in their tummies, a dish of Ponlamhai Ruam -- mixed tropical fruits or Ponlamhai Loy-Gaew -- canned fruit with syrup and crushed ice is a good way to end a meal.

Located at the southern end of Changklan Road (toward Pa Daed area), across Police Headquarters Region 5. Cars can be parked on the roadside front of Tropical Mini Golf or in the parking lot between the mini golf and next door restaurant. Please call 07-9095137, 09-5452398 for bookingso