DINING OUT - ENTERTAINMENT

Sea-Sand-Sun -hidden away but exceptional value

by Miss Terry Diner

Sea-Sand-Sun is a small resort just off the Sukhumvit Highway heading towards Bang Saray. Tucked away, it is a quiet spot and one that the Dining Out Team had never visited. Having been to Bang Saray for lunch over the water many times, we decided to go and try Sea-Sand-Sun for lunch too.

The best landmark is Nong Nooch, and then do a U-turn at the first available opportunity and turn into the Sea-Sand-Sun resort area. The restaurant is on the right of the complex, with the swimming pool on the left and the beach and the Gulf of Siam immediately in front of you.

The restaurant is high roofed and open on two sides to let the cooling sea breezes come through. Cane furniture (with cushions) is drawn up to the tables which have deep turquoise tablecloths and lighter coloured throw-overs.

The very large, multi-page menu begins with 3 pages of European food. The usual soup choices are there (45-50 baht) followed by European salads and sandwiches and burgers (all around B. 80). Mains (B. 60-160) include pasta and various steaks (cordon bleu, pepper steaks, etc).

Next up on the menu are 8 pages of Thai food. The description of the food is in English, plus the Thai script underneath. This descriptive method I find much better than anglicising the names of Thai dishes. At least you know what you are going to get! The first section contains simple dishes such as omelettes (B. 60-70) and then “one plate” dishes (B. 55) which have rice porridge and similar Thai snacks.

Spicy salads (B. 65-70) are next including crab, catfish, banana flower and oyster. Then it is into the curries (B. 80 small or B. 140 large) which can be based on beef, chicken or pork. There are separate sections for the seafood with crab (around B. 120), fish (catfish, sea bass, rockfish) steamed or grilled for B. 80, then shellfish (clams, mussels, cockles) again B. 80. Prawns are next, usually baked or deep fried at around B. 160. The last pages are desserts and drinks, with local beers B. 55-65 and cocktails around B. 75.

We began with what is considered to be one of their specialities - a deep fried corn with plum sauce. The corn is cooked in a rice batter and the result is a crunchy dish which melts in the mouth. Very different and very nice! Well worthwhile trying this one. In fact, for me, it was the dish of the day.

A crispy spicy squid salad was next, the sharpness contrasting well with the sweetness of the crunchy corn dish. Spicy, but not over the top. On the tables are the three spice nam prik, which Madame said was one of the nicest she had tasted. Along with this we had some tod mun pla (fishcakes) thick and succulent and not dried or rubbery at all.

We had a large plate of fried rice to go with the main dish which was a grilled seafood basket. This, by the way, was only B. 600 and represents exceptional value, with grilled sea bass, crabs, large prawns, mussels and squid. The sea bass was very moist and fell apart and with the 3 spice nam prik this was Madame’s pick of the day.

By this stage neither of us could eat any more and desserts and coffee were declined.

Sea-Sand-Sun impressed the Dining Out Team with its more ‘upmarket’ decor and amenities, compared to many seafood restaurants, and prices which were well below similar Pattaya restaurants, or even those at Bang Saray. You can go for a swim after the meal, something you cannot do at most seafood restaurants, or if you are dining ‘en famille’ you can just sit there and supervise, the proximity of the pool and sea being so close. We enjoyed it very much and we are sure you will too. If you go to Bang Saray for seafood we would suggest you try Sea-Sand-Sun. Closer, better facilities and definitely a bargain. Highly recommended.

Sea-Sand-Sun, Km 163 Sukhumvit Highway (13 km from Tesco Lotus, just past Nong Nooch and do a U-turn), Najomtien, telephone 038 435 163.