Hands up all those who remember Henry J Beans? Well it will have to stay in your
memory, because it isn’t there anymore. Hank has left the building.
Where HJB’s used to be, the Amari Orchid Resort and Tower has
transformed the area into a sports bar, and now called The Tavern by the Sea.
Which, of course, is exactly what it now is - a tavern and undoubtedly by the
sea.
The new incarnation has done away with the sunken area in the
center of the tavern and it is now carpeted in its entirety, though the
horseshoe bar has been left. Where there was a small dining area off the bar is
now taken up with a pool table, but the biggest change is in the number of large
flat video screens - now totaling 14. There is a settee/sofa area in the middle
facing the very large screen on the back wall as well. It is also prudent to say
that the new Tavern by the Sea concept is that of a sports bar which also sells
food, rather than a restaurant which sells beer. And speaking of beers, Resident
Manager Max Sieracki was quick to tell me they had many draft beers including
Heineken, Tetley’s and Dwyers, and Stowford Cider.
On the night we reviewed the menu there was a large
contingent of Koreans barracking for their national side, to be replaced by
Brits and Americans for the following match. Adding to the sports bar feeling,
the bright and bubbly service staff were dressed in bright rugby shirts or
football gear.
The menu is generally of the type you would expect in a
British pub, with English style pub grub predominating. Starters are in the B.
140-180 range and include prawn cocktail and calamari rings.
Salads are B. 160-190 and even have a “Chef’s Healthy Salad”
and Chef Jens Heier certainly looks healthy on it! These are followed by soups
and then into pizzas and pastas with most around B. 220.
In line with the pub style eating, there are hamburgers and
sandwiches (B. 180-240) followed by BBQ and grills. A half rack of ribs is B.
240 and the grilled/BBQ steak items are imported with the usual price impost.
These are followed by a group just called Pub Favorites, including pies and fish
and chips and generally around B. 260. There is also a small Thai menu and
another Kid’s menu.
Yes, in standard pub fashion there is an all-day breakfast at
B. 195 including black pudding, plus other a la carte breakfast items.
Drinks, as mentioned before are plentiful and even cocktails
are only B. 160, plus many non-alcoholic items and a range of fruit juices.
By the way, all prices quoted are net, so you won’t get a
nasty surprise at the end!
I decided to start with a Heineken draft plus the crispy
potato wedges (B. 140) which came piping hot in a clay ramekin, with sour cream,
chives and bacon bits in a separate container. This was a fairly substantial
dish on its own, so have a large appetite.
For a main, I had chosen another pub favorite - a goulash,
which came with mashed potatoes and was once more a substantial serving (B.
240). The beef was particularly tender and the red wine goulash sauce very
‘more-ish’. This was so good I made a point of telling the Amari executive chef
Jens Heier, who said there was no secret - you just had to let the dish cook for
many hours. This also lets the sauce permeate the meat. I can certainly vouch
for the goulash.
For the sporting fraternity, undoubtedly the Amari’s Tavern
by the Sea is another choice well worth exploring. Plenty of comfortable seating
and the right atmosphere (particularly if the Koreans are playing)! And if you
are a football fanatic there are free world soccer cup snacks at halftime. There
is also the extra advantage of plenty of parking.
Tavern by the Sea, Amari Orchid, Pattaya Beach Road, open seven days 11 a.m.
until 1 p.m. (but staying open longer to cover the Football World Cup), secure
car parking within the Amari grounds between the Tavern by the Sea and the
Mantra restaurant.
