I just had lunch with a very lovely lady, as Madame was indisposed. The Hilton’s Edge restaurant was the venue and Miss ‘Por’ Teerasoontornkul, the Hilton’s Marketing Communications Manager, was my host for two and a half delightful lunchtime hours.
The occasion was for me to be able to review the new 7 Days, 7 Themes lunch buffet being offered at the Edge, their restaurant overlooking the beach and the Bay of Siam. It is honestly a nice venue just to sit and dream while watching the tropical beach, never mind eating!
Not only was I looked after by the lovely Por, but I was also met by Executive Chef Supoj, a very talented young Thai chef – though with the difficulties we all have in guessing Thai people’s age he may even be 45!
Running through the seven themes, the concept is to involve the diners and assist them to experiment with tastes and textures. Be brave.
Monday is Tex-Mex with classics such as BBQ ribs, tacos, quesadilla, burritos, roast turkey and a host of toppings.
Tuesday is called Extended Tapas, sourced from the extended Mediterranean regions and offered with antipasto and thin-crust pizza and pastas.
Wednesday, and the day I went, is called Burgers, Salads and Sandwiches, and again it is a ‘build it yourself’ opportunity. Ever wanted a burger without onion? Here you can choose whatever you want (and I did) and team it up with some healthy salads. There were also some giant subs and for a change I had a vegetarian slice, again going with my (newly adopted) ‘healthy’ theme.
Thursday is Across Asia and that stretches the cuisine styles from India to China and all points in between. The offerings include naan bread, dim sum, Teppanyaki, and roast duck rolls.
Friday and the offering is local, called Seafood Pattaya. If it swims (or used to), the Edge will have it, and you can have your seafood selection grilled to order.
By contrast, Saturday lunch at the Edge is a BBQ, and predominantly meat lovers, though there is seafood on ice. Churrasco style grilled meats and sausages.
Sundays are different, and the Edge serves up a ‘Sunday Brunch with a view’, with a wide selection of buffet items and live cooking stations. Two and a half hours is barely enough time for this brunch.
Now there are some important items to note. Monday to Thursdays, the charge is B. 520 net, Friday and Saturday B. 580 net. Sunday Brunch is B. 1,400 net and you can add in a Wine Buffet with that for B. 1,100 net. Also note that children under five years eat free and children 6-12 are at half price.
However, returning to my review of the Wednesday lunch, I began with a very pleasant Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2013, which comes from Babich vineyards, the NZ Wine Producer of the Year 2013. Just sitting, sipping and watching the people on Beach Road is relaxing in itself.
I always recommend a slow tour of any buffet first. There is nothing worse than finding a favorite item tucked around the corner, when you have no room left! What became very obvious was that there was much more than just burgers (chicken, beef and pork). Salads, noodles, desserts, fruits, subs and so many choices of sauces/toppings. Watching the Hilton chefs cooking and preparing the patties is fun, while deciding what toppings and sauces you want to make your “own” burger adds to it all.
With Chef Supoj’s high standards, the Hilton’s 7 Days, 7 Themes at the Edge (12-2.30) are well worth considering, especially at the price. With so many choices we will be going back. Families should also look at this venue as the children’s discounts help family budgets.
The Edge restaurant, 14th floor Hilton Pattaya, 333/101 M9, above Central Festival Pattaya Beach shopping center, and with Second Road and Beach Road entrances and secure parking, telephone 038 253 077. Valet Parking too, which is a boon (I actually detest the Central Festival car park where you go round and round and round and get dizzy or lost, so the Hilton Valet Parking suits me down to the ground).
