A culinary holiday?
by Miss Terry Diner
This week’s review is somewhat different from the
usual, in that this is not a review of one restaurant, but rather a whole
dining experience under the aegis of the Novotel Coralia Rim Pae Rayong.
Right from the start, let’s clear up one misnomer.
The Novotel Coralia Resort is not IN Rayong, but in Rayong Province. The
easy way there, which we did in comfortably under one hour from Pattaya,
was via Route 36, but do not take the turn-off to Rayong (city) - continue
straight on towards Chantaburi, joining Route 3 and turn right onto Route
3192, left at the junction a couple of kays down the road and then follow
the signs to the Novotel.
The Dining Out team was the guest of the executive
assistant manager, Dominic Barth, and originally we went there to
experience one of their many buffet evenings, but after a welcome cocktail
at the Suriya Bar on the beach and watching the sunset over Koh Samet, it
was decided to have a small holiday ourselves and try out their different
restaurants. We also noted that the Saturday/Sunday morning activities
included a power walk on the beach at 8 a.m. (missed that one!), a sailing
lesson at 10 with the Kid’s Club at the same time and finished up with
Aqua Gym at 11 a.m.
However, back to Friday night - we went to the buffet
first, set up in the grounds between the swimming pools or on the beach
itself. These are different on each day of the week and range in price
between B. 450-490 (++ it is a resort, remember). There were many cooking
stations all manned by some very enthusiastic and friendly staff. The
chicken fajitas took my eye and were very good, while Madame had the roast
duck curry and was very happy with it. There were plenty of choices and in
the cool of the evening it was inviting to just sit there and enjoy.
But in the true spirit of investigative journalism
(with perhaps just a tad of gluttony), we upped camp and then made for the
Caf้ Jardin a la carte restaurant. This is a very well set up
restaurant, as you would expect from the Novotel group. The menu is
extensive, with European items and Thai (complete with chilli indicators
of spiciness) and a vegetarian corner as well.
We began our ‘second sitting’ with the Toong Thong
(“Golden Bags” of crispy fried tofu with minced pork) which were great
Thai appetizers (with most choices around B. 130) and then followed that
with the crab cake from the Euro appetizers (which ranged in price from B.
120-230). This was full of crabmeat and was fabulous, so much more
pleasurable than trying to extract meat from crab shells and claws.
Perhaps Miss Terry is a lazy Diner, but for me, most crabs in the shell
are too much work for too little return. A steamed sea bass in a cream
sauce (B. 250) that had the addition of lemongrass was another excellent
choice, which I enjoyed immensely. We also returned to the Thai menu and
chose a beautiful sweet Rayong Pork Curry (B. 140) - large cubes of pork
in a cross between the northern Hang Lay and the southern Masuman curry.
Lovely!
Novotel Coralia Rim Pae Rayong does represent an
opportunity to have a mini-holiday away from the day-to-day
responsibilities of the weekly grind. It is close enough to be accessible,
yet far enough away for it to be too difficult for people to just pop in
and disturb you. With children’s facilities (including highchairs), and
the ability to “park” them under supervision means that families can
indulge themselves too. The food which we had gone to try was of an
excellent standard so if you are looking for a break, enjoy good food and
wine and like to feel the sand between the toes, then the Novotel Coralia
Rim Pae Rayong could be the retreat you have been looking for. Highly
recommended.
Novotel Coralia Rim Pae Rayong, 4/5 Moo 3 Pae-Klaeng-Kram Road, Chark
Pong, Klaeng, Rayong, telephone 038 648 008, fax 038 648 002, email [email protected],
www. accorhotels-asia.com
