The Amari’s Tavern by the Sea is well established these days and is at the opposite end of Beach Road from Walking Street, and you will easily find it having come from the Dolphin Roundabout, passing the Amari main entrance and the Mantra restaurant, and after turning into Beach Road is about 50 meters along Beach Road on your left, and you cannot miss it. Park in the Amari grounds in secure parking lots.
The Tavern by the Sea is set up as a true sports pub with the very large screen a central point with comfortable sofas in which to lounge. Dotted around the venue are 15 other TV’s so you should be able to find your particular sport’s coverage. However, there will be heavy emphasis on the soccer at present.
There is also a darts area and a pool table for those who like to do more than just sit and watch other people playing sport.
At the front of the building there is an al fresco garden section with chairs and tables and an area for setting out buffet items, whilst upstairs there is a mezzanine section overlooking Beach Road, with its own bar as well.
On Friday and Saturday evenings from 6.30 p.m. until 10 p.m. the Tavern has its Churrasco BBQ and the Dining Out team went to investigate. Churrasco is probably not a cuisine that comes readily to mind, but if you come from South America you will know it is steak skewered and barbecued over a wood or charcoal fire. The origin of the name itself is South American Spanish from Spanish dialect churrascar ‘to burn’. However, with Executive Chef Leonard Faust supervising the staff, the BBQ items are not left to burn!
Before reviewing the menu, since the a la carte menu runs concurrently with the Churrasco BBQ, I asked for a glass of Kookaburra Laughing White Chardonnay (B. 230) and I was given a sample to ensure the wine was fine. When I gave it the thumbs up, a complete measure (a standard drink carafe) was poured into my glass. A nice touch, Tavern.
The a la carte menu is very comprehensive covering Tex-Mex, Thai (B. 190-290), Pizza (B. 290-340), Burgers, Pub Grub (B. 280-490), and even a ‘Sharing’ menu (B. 1,200-2,200) for 4, 6 or 8 people, and a huge long baguette for 4 at B. 730. Chef Leonard has also been revamping the a la carte menu with new items such as 250 gm Kurobota Pork Chop (B. 510).
On our Saturday the rains came, but the staff was prepared and in no time at all, the buffet items were set up in the main bar area, with both hot and cold items, including a Louisiana Clam Chowder.
We had chosen one of the alcove booths for our evening and these provided plenty of room for a family of four.
However, we had come for the Churrasco and the junior in the family crew was particularly fond of ribs, with an immediate request to Chef Leonard. These came with their own special BBQ sauce. At the end of the evening I counted 15 rib bones on the plate! What better recommendation?
The true Churrasco options are many, with the staff coming round with skewers with different meats and large prawns to add to your selections from the buffet. The method is to grasp your meat with the supplied tongs as the staff slice it from the skewer. All very simple and all good fun. I firmly believe that food should be fun as well as sustenance. At B. 749 for the Friday and Saturday Churrasco nights, which are an all you can eat deal, this is an excellent value for money offer.
We can heartily recommend The Tavern, and can assure you that any family will be well catered for on a Churrasco night. We certainly were.
Tavern by the Sea, Amari Orchid, Pattaya Beach Road, open seven days 11 a.m. (for breakfast or early lunch) until 1 a.m., secure car parking within the Amari grounds between the Tavern by the Sea and the Mantra restaurant, telephone 038 418 418, web www.amari.com.
