Pattaya has had the Hard Rock Hotel in our midst for around 10 years, and in
that time it has become a favored hotel for many overseas guests as well as
weekend tourists from Bangkok.
Now with a new GM (Jorge Carlos Smith) and a new executive
chef (Joseph Gee), it meant that it was time to review their Starz restaurant,
and when I consulted my old diaries, I found it had been a few years since the
last ‘official’ review, though we had eaten there a few times in the interim.
In the evenings (6.30 through to 9.30 p.m.) Starz hosts a
buffet called “Eat to the Beat” to keep to the ‘hip’ ambience of the Hard Rock
Hotels worldwide. Sunday to Friday this is B. 750++ per adult (B. 950++
Saturdays complete with roasted pig) – but one child aged 4-12 years eats free
with that accompanying adult. For families, this certainly brings “Eat to the
Beat” into a most reasonable price bracket.
One aspect of the Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya which has remained
unchanged over the years (and incidentally you will find in all Hard Rock
properties) is the effusive welcome you receive. This begins at the front of the
house and goes right the way through to the most junior waiter or waitress in
the restaurant.
When we arrived we were given the choice of dining inside
(air-conditioned) or outside overlooking the pool. We chose the latter, and with
the cooling sea breezes I think we made the best choice. We watched the sun go
down, with the guitar trademark of the Hard Rock contrasted against the tropical
sky. It is at times like that it comes back to you just how lucky we are, living
in a place where others have to save up for 11 months each year just to enjoy so
fleetingly. And we have it 12 months a year!
However, back to the review and back to wining and dining.
The Hard Rock does not have an extensive wine list, but it is representative
enough of both the old and new worlds and we chose an Australian Jacob’s Creek
Shiraz to go with our buffet. A good all-rounder to go with what is in reality a
good all-rounder buffet.
I do enjoy a sushi appetizer, and with Wasabi freely
available, that was a good opener, though the tuna on watermelon with ‘red
caviar’ (salmon roe) was a real palate freshener. We then had a very tasty pasta
and began to look for other buffet items.
With a couple of steaming hot soups on offer, that almost
took me away from the seafood BBQ, but just how do you walk past plump BBQ rock
lobster? If you are me, you don’t. In fact, if you are me, you rock up more than
a couple of times! I admit to gluttony.
Of course, too much seafood is not eating a balanced diet, so
to attempt to redress the situation I prevaricated over lamb chops with rosemary
or beef tenderloin. Beef tenderloin was the winner, and it was a very tender
loin. Great stuff.
There was more, but eventually we were replete. No room for
even one more prawn!
Did we enjoy the “Eat to the Beat” buffet? Yes we did. The
items on offer are all high quality and nothing is left sitting in a hot-box
becoming stale. This is simply because they hold only a few serves, which are
then replenished regularly. The seafood BBQ outside has large prawns and rock
lobsters, and it is difficult not to just sit there and gorge and forget other
items! However, with so much choice, including Japanese and Korean appetizers,
it would be a shame to just set up next to the seafood BBQ and ignore the rest!
Give yourself (and the family) a treat - and “Eat to the
Beat” sometime soon. Highly recommended. Remember that if you want to party on,
the Hard Rock Cafe is just a 30 meter walk away!
Starz Diner, Hard Rock Hotel, Pattaya 2 Road (next to Montien),
telephone 038 428 755, fax 038 421 673, all cards. Secure parking in the hotel
parking areas. Buffet from 6.30 p.m. till 9.30 p.m.
