There
are food outlets all the way along two sides of the area, with more
stand-alone food stalls in the centre. Along one wall are the windows
overlooking Pattaya Beach, with plenty of seating for diners. Strategically
placed utensil stations are plentiful, and there are two cashier’s posts
where you can get your ‘debit’ card which is used at all the outlets.
(There are two bona fide sit-down restaurants at the outskirts, but these
are not in the food court card plan.)
A quick run around the court is advised, as there are
just so many choices. These include Sukiyaki, Thai noodles, Stir-fried
mussels, a ‘Euro’ outlet and Steak House. On the other side of the court
are outlets for Northern Style food (Khao Soi for B. 30 or Hang Lay curry at
B. 40), Southern dishes in Bain Marie’s (B. 50-70), Miss Saigon (and a Mr.
Saigon out the back cooking) with Vietnamese items (B. 45-60) such as Pho Ga
(chicken noodle soup), a Spicy outlet (B. 40-50), Central Thai with
everything under B. 65, plus a Noodle place and a Japanese the most
expensive with a salmon dish at B. 200.
Then
there are stand-alone ‘live cooking stations’ with Satays, Tom Yum
soups, a Kim Chy stall, a Nam Prik stand, Kanomchine (B. 30-40), Skewered
items (B. 10-20) including crab sticks, crab claws and assorted sausages,
Spring rolls (B. 35-40), Thai Som Tum salads (B. 40), cold fresh coconuts
for B. 20, Indian food all under B. 60 and finally some fresh grilled
seafood (B. 60-100).
Walking up to the cashier’s window I presented a B. 100
note and in return was given a ‘debit’ card and two small tissues.
Again, determined to try something different I went to the Kui Chy stand and
pointed to a strange thing wrapped in some type of dough. Signalling one
only, I waited while it was fried and it was served on a plate, complete
with a dark soy sauce. My card was ‘swiped’ and I was 10 baht poorer.
Walking towards a vacant seat, I was taken by the plump
looking satays and another 30 baht swipe was taken in exchange for six
skewers of satay pork, with a bowl of satay sauce and another of chopped
cucumber and onion in vinegar.
The ‘strange thing’ turned out to be taro and not to
my liking, but at B. 10 who cares! The satays were fabulous, however, soft
and plump and the sauce excellent. It was then that I discovered that I was
going to have to ration the tissues. So one and a half were used only to mop
up the satay sauce I was wearing by that time.
I went for another wander and found a crepe stand with a
wonderful display of their ingredients. A ham salad crepe for B. 50 was
pointed to for my next item and it was worth it, even if just for the
theatre. Fresh lettuce, freshly sliced tomato, onion, warmed ham and sweet
corn and then wrapped in the crepe. It was filling and flavoursome, and with
only half a tissue I had troubles. But it was fun.
My lunch-mime showed that some different and very good
food at extremely reasonable prices is available. The food court is clean
and I can recommend this place to your overseas friends and relatives to try
some different menu items. At the prices, it doesn’t matter if you don’t
like something - discard it and try something else! Incidentally, it is also
a great place for lunch for residents, but remember to ration the tissues!
Seaview Food Court, Royal Garden Plaza, 2nd or 3rd (top)
floor, between Beach and Pattaya Second Roads, secure parking underneath
Royal Garden Plaza.
