There is no getting away from the amount of new
development that is happening in Pattaya. Blink twice and you’ll find a
new hotel has sprung up where there was seemingly nothing before. That
appeared to be the case when the Dining Out Team visited the Areca Lodge in
Soi Diana Inn. I am sure it wasn’t there yesterday, but the charming lady
resident manager Bussaba Deema assured me that it was built over two years
ago, though the newer second stage of the hotel was only a few months old.
You
enter the large high-roofed lobby area of the hotel and the La Areca Pub and
Restaurant is on the right. Straight on is one of the two pools the
restaurant overlooks. The whole ambience is up-market Thai, with the use of
the wood decor and furniture, bamboo umbrellas and tiles. Great work from
the architect.
The restaurant itself is semi-circular, built around the
sit-up bar, with tables around the perimeter. It is also air-conditioned. As
already mentioned, it looks out over the pool and deck area on one side and
through to the new beer garden on the other (which was almost complete on
the day of our visit). There are also a couple of TVs for viewing live
sports, and right around the semi-circle is a pool table for those skilled
with cue and balls.
We were seated on the side close to the pool. The tables
were covered with heavy linen tablecloths, and the napery and cutlery were
of reasonable quality. A nice touch was the vase with Bird of Paradise
flowers on each table.
We perused the wine list, which, although not extensive,
had enough choices and we chose the house white, which at B. 100 per glass
was not an expensive sip as we looked through the menu proper.
This is also not a large item, but again has enough for
everyone. Predominantly European, it did, however, have a Thai selection,
with the majority of the items under B. 100. It should also be noted that
the prices printed in the menu are net, not the more usual plus-plus one
sees in hotel style restaurants.
It begins with Starters including a Bruschetta at B. 90
or a wild mushroom soup with roll and butter at B. 120. A section called
Snacks (B. 75-115) covers chicken satays, hot dogs and another couple of
items.
Salads are up next (B. 120-160) and then sandwiches (B.
95-125) in various styles. The La Areca also does jacket potatoes at around
B. 150 with a selection of fillings.
The next section is called Main Meals, with the majority
only around B. 250 and includes a half chicken with all the trimmings, a
gammon steak with egg and chips and a pork cordon bleu. Top items at B. 395
were a mixed grill or a T-bone steak.
Finally there are desserts, including chocolate cake!
We had selected the chef’s salad, which we had already
decided to share, plus a pork cordon bleu for Madame and the gammon, egg and
chips for me. The first item we remarked upon was the size of the plates and
portions. Very large! The second was the freshness of the vegetables in the
salad. The third was the fact that we both thoroughly enjoyed our choices.
The peas, in particular, were excellent and Madame’s pocketed pork was
large, as were my gammon steaks. In fact, the sheer size beat me in the end
and we both had to decline the offered desserts.
We left La Areca Pub and Restaurant impressed. We had
enjoyed good food in sizable portions, and when looked at relative to the
menu prices (the most expensive items were only B. 395), makes this
restaurant very good value for money. When you then factor in the pleasant
appointments and ambience, it means that La Areca is another excellent
alternative for families in Pattaya. Definitely worth a visit!
La Areca Pub and Restaurant, Areca Lodge, 198/21 M9, Soi Diana Inn,
Pattaya Second Road, telephone 038 410 123, fax 038 415 550. Secure parking
within the hotel car park. Restaurant open 5 p.m. till late.
