by Miss Terry Diner
It had been a while since the Dining Out team had been to
the A-One, the Royal Cruise Hotel and we were astounded when we walked up
the steps in front of the two “cruise liners” off Beach Road. We were
greeted by one of the nautically attired service girls, but that was not the
astounding feature, as being greeted warmly is expected. As we crested the
top of the steps, the entire vista in front of the two ‘ship’ hotels had
changed. Swimming pools with bubbling water jars, fountains, a music stage
and live cooking stations, palm trees with fairy lights, tables and chairs
and a ‘flotilla’ of young men and women in matelot costumes.
We chose a table under the “bow” of the second “liner”, on the edge of the
swimming pool. Despite the hot weather we have been having recently, the
breezes from the Pattaya bay were cooling, and the musician understood the
meaning of “background music”. It was very pleasant just being there, and we
had not even started to eat.
But eat we must, if we were to review the Seafood Buffet. A word of caution.
It is advisable to take a leisurely stroll past the many items on offer, as
otherwise you will gorge yourself too soon! There is nothing worse than
finding out a special like that you had missed and were now too full to eat!
There are many choices of pastas, with Italian sauces and then a Japanese
and Vietnamese corner, with some interesting deep-fried items as well as
tempura.
Close to the Beach Road side, there was another section which had three
choices of soup, including a Chinese trio and French onion (but the croutons
were in another area – read again the cautionary note to do a reconnoiter
first) plus hot-boxes with fried rice, squid, chicken and pork steaks.
Another
display area along the Beach Road aspect of the A-One’s property held 15
salad items including quail eggs, with the vegetables and greens looking
very fresh. This led us to the seafood BBQ itself which had rock lobster,
large prawns, blue crab, mackerel steaks and mussels, all being cooked while
you watched. There was also a hot-box section with accompaniments such as
mashed potato, taro and sweet corn.
After the look-see, we began with a pasta item with cream sauce for Madame,
while I went straight to the Japanese/Vietnamese section, coming back with
salmon, Wasabi (regular readers will know how Miss Terry likes Wasabi),
Vietnamese fresh spring rolls (they are not deep-fried) and a deep-fried
crab claw. To go with these we had a glass (or two) of the house red, which
was very pleasant, and served at room temperature. The crab claw was so
popular with Madame that I had to go back and get more.
After a suitable breather I decided on the French onion soup, which was kept
hot, something that I do like. Meanwhile Madame had already descended on the
BBQ, returning with two halves of a blue crab (which did not last long).
After trying some myself, I also made it to the BBQ choosing some rock
lobster, prawn and mussels. By the way, the staff had immediately produced a
pair of crab crackers, without having to be asked. They certainly were
observant and very willing matelots.
Following another suitable break, our finale was the dessert, and the
seafood buffet offered a choice of Thai style, with coconut ice cream, or
‘farang’ style with chocolate cake and tartlets! We gorged ourselves again.
The Seafood Buffet at the A-One, the Royal Cruise, does represent a
worthwhile alternative to some of the established buffet venues. The range
may be less than some, but then so is the price. It is also open seven
nights a week, as opposed to weekends, or one week night. Note, the current
B. 650 price is only for a limited period.
A-One, The Royal Cruise, 499 North Pattaya Beach Road (cnr Soi 3), Pattaya
City, telephone 038 259 555, fax 038 424 242. Secure parking under the
hotel, entrance from Soi 3. Seven days from 5.30 p.m. until 11 p.m.
