DINING OUT - ENTERTAINMENT

La Mer’s Mediterranean Buffet

New and vibrant!

It seems strange to describe the La Mer restaurant in the Montien Hotel as being ‘new’ and ‘vibrant’ since it seems as if La Mer has been around for ever, but if you have not been there for a while, be prepared for a shock. La Mer has always been sort of ‘grandmotherly’ - warm, yet refined in an ‘olde worlde’ way. That really has changed. But do not be afraid, it is a pleasant one!

The Dining Out Team went there to experience the Wednesday evening Mediterranean buffet dinner, being almost 12 months since we had made our last ‘official’ visit. The first item that strikes you is the carpet! The brighter colours underfoot just lift the venue, and the splashes of yellow go well with promoting the Mediterranean concept.

Our hostess for the evening was their bubbling PR lady, Pornpimon Geybui, who made sure we were well looked after, but noting the attentiveness of the waiters and waitresses at the other tables, we were not getting anything other than the Montien’s usual excellent service. Mention should also be made of the live background music supplied by the pianist and the singer, who understood exactly what ‘background’ music really means. One could converse normally, while still enjoying the music. Well done!

The tables are large, with comfortable chairs, but the throw-overs on the tables are now various bright colours, as are the napkins. This adds to the Mediterranean atmosphere. The service staff with their long aprons also looked suitably European.

One difference between La Mer and most hotel restaurant buffets is that the buffet stations are in the center, rather than around the perimeter of the area. La Mer’s is also brightly lit, which again adds to the bright atmosphere.

The actual items in the buffet have weekly changes, so that repeat customers are not presented with the same choices. On our Wednesday, there were 13 Antipasto including a deep fried sole with almonds and raisins and Mozzarella with tomatoes.

In the food warmers were several pasta items and six Mediterranean dishes including Italian style beef tenderloin in Chianti sauce and a grilled Lemon-pepper snapper on creamed cilantro pesto.

There were many more items, including salads and pickles and live cooking stations for pastas, Caesar salad, special grills and the ‘Signature’ dish of char-grilled duck.

We began with the roasted eggplant soup with garlic croutons for Madame (which was excellent), while I managed to try several of the antipasti with the poached chicken breast and the smoked fish being very tasty. While Madame had the freshly prepared Caesar salad, I tried the Tuscany vegetable soup with cannelloni and borletti beans and fresh parmesan on hand to sprinkle on top. This soup alone would get me back to La Mer.

For mains, I went for the ‘Signature’ dish of the duck kebab while Madame went for the pasta, being linguine noodles tossed with butter, garlic, basil and salmon in a fresh cream sauce - smooth and delightfully subtle tastes. My duck was superb, and the dish as brought to the table looked exactly like the ‘show’ dish.

Miss Terry usually does not have dessert, but the hot poppy seed waffles with maraschino flavoured fruits, cherry ice cream and white wine ‘zabaglione’ was too much to pass by. Calories galore, but beautiful!

There was no doubting the excellent standard of the food on offer. The numerous choices were such that everyone could find items to delight their palates, and the number of repeat diners, who made their presence known to us, is a testament to the quality of the food and the following enjoyed by the restaurant itself. At B. 450 ++ for adults and B. 250 ++ for children (it is in a hotel remember), it is one of the cheaper top class buffets in town, but it is also one of the best. The Dining Out Team has no hesitation in awarding the La Mer Mediterranean buffet a Highly Recommended rating. Take the family.

La Mer Restaurant, Montien Hotel, Pattaya 2 Road, (50 metres after Pattaya Central Road intersection), North Pattaya, telephone 038 428 155, email pattaya@Mon tien.com

Secure parking within the hotel car parks.