DINING OUT - ENTERTAINMENT

Amari Orchid Resort poolside BBQ

Cultural Wednesdays

by Miss Terry Diner

The Amari Orchid Resort has always been known for its tropical gardens and on our latest foray into the top end of Pattaya 2 Road, I am pleased to announce that the gardens are looking even better than ever.

We came on the invitation of Executive Assistant Manager Michael Goetz and his counterpart Khun Orapin, to experience their Thai BBQ Seafood Dinners which are held on Wednesday evenings (from 7 p.m.) around the swimming pool in the gardens.

Like other events at the Amari Orchid, the set-up of the tables is excellent, with heavy linen, white starched tablecloths and napkins the order of the day. Hovering uniformed waiters and seemingly countless cooks are all there waiting for you.

The cooking/buffet stations are arranged along one side and include some cold salad items such as som tam (papaya salad), beef salad or a duck salad, then hot Thai food items in warmers, including green bamboo curry, a fish mousse in pandanus leaves and many others (these can change every week) and finally the BBQ cooking area which offers fresh rock lobster, freshwater prawns, whole squid, black mussels and clams, and the tom yum soup stand. There is also a desserts table with a wide selection of Thai delicacies, Thai pancakes, fruits and ice cream.

We began with the tom yum soup, which was a tom yum talay (seafood). It was served hot and was not too spicy and was liberally filled with fish, squid and prawns. Personally I have found that some of the tom yums served around town can go too far with the chilli content, but no complaints here.

After letting the soup settle we attacked the buffet, with myself selecting some rock lobsters, large prawns and mussels, while Madame, a real seafood lover, added squid and crab to her plate. And mentioning plates, it should be noted that the Amari supplied an insulated plate dispenser at the BBQ area to make sure that your plates remained warm. Well done, Amari! I also took another plate with some fried rice, Vietnamese spring rolls and the pork curry from the food warmers.

During the meal we were initially entertained by a young Kim player and then some Thai dancers in traditional costumes. To say that they were a hit with the tourists who were present would be an understatement. They were three deep with cameras enjoying being able to be so close to the action. I would suggest you take your camera too.

The BBQ items were correctly prepared and the BBQ was being continuously used to ensure that the items were freshly cooked and still warm when selected. However, I must make mention of the fried rice - such a simple dish, but so often not done properly. The fried rice that evening was light and fluffy with plenty of other ingredients and was one of the nicest I have had for a long time.

To go with our BBQ we settled on the Amari house white wine, very pleasant and went well with the seafood. Madame did manage to eat some sticky rice dessert with K. Orapin, but I was quite happy to stop, being pleasantly full after a brief top-up visit to the BBQ table. It is, after all, an all-you-can-eat deal!

We found the Amari Seafood BBQ to be a most pleasant way to spend a Wednesday evening. The total experience was good. The food was fine and the ambience such that you are happy to linger. The location is superb, sitting high on the grassy knoll around the pool, with cool breezes from the sea. The food was cooked well and the small touches like the plate warmers elevate the dining out event. At B. 420 ++ and all you can eat, this is not over the top for hotel quality dining. With the cultural shows it makes this an ideal place to take overseas guests who can experience not only the local Thai seafood but also local performers. Afterwards roll down the hill to Henry J Bean’s for a nightcap!

Amari Orchid Resort, 240 Moo 5 (near the Dolphin Roundabout), North Pattaya, telephone 038 428 161, email [email protected]