“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” Rene Pisters, the GM of the Thai Garden Resort understands that well-used aphorism with his very popular themed buffets every night of the week.
Rene began offering the buffets seven years ago, and during high season they were very popular. As an experiment he continued the buffets into the low season, and once again, they were popular, so he then extended the B. 399 buffets into 2018.
For those who have never been to the Thai Garden Resort, it is on Pattaya Nua (North Road), and coming from Sukhumvit, 100 meters past Pattaya City Hall on the opposite side of the road. You can’t miss it. You can do a U-turn at the traffic lights.
After parking, head towards the entrance of the main building and go in via the reception area, heading towards the large free-form swimming pool. On your left is a glassed in air-conditioned area which houses the food from the resort’s cold kitchen. Outside there are the hot buffet items with the servings not too big, so that the chafing dishes are being continuously replenished during the evening keeping the food fresh from the kitchen.
Seating is around the pool or in the covered area overlooking the pool. Table seating is comfortable and the evening is heightened with the strolling minstrels playing guest requests.
Rene’s original concept was to offer value for money in a pleasant ambience and that he has certainly achieved. With all buffets, I recommend a leisurely walk around first, otherwise you will find something you like that you missed and then have no room for it later!
The full revolving line-up consists of Mondays Italian buffet; Tuesdays BBQ buffet; Wednesdays Multi-cuisine buffet; Thursdays German buffet with roasted pig; Fridays Thai buffet; Saturdays International buffet; and Sundays Steaks and skewers buffet.
We went for the review on a Tuesday, so the BBQ Buffet was the main offering. Individual items included pork, beef and chicken skewers and some very happy BBQ chefs. However, to get into the swing of things, we listened to the happy Filipino trio while sipping on the house white Chardonnay from Chile. Beers are B. 140-150 and wine B. 220 per glass or by the bottle at B. 1,250-1,500. If you want some bubbles for a celebration, Prosecco is only B. 1700.
Beginning with the cold starters we were offered (amongst other items) smoked chicken breast, roasted red pork, salmon and capers, tomato mozzarella salad, coleslaw and German potato salad. The salmon and capers certainly did attract!
On to the loaded tables with hot items in chafing dishes and these included red curry chicken, steamed fish, noodle in vegetables and French fries under lights. At one end were soups and at the other end ice cream and fruit compotes (more about that later).
One of the members of the Dining Out team began with the soup and was most complimentary, whilst some cold cuts and salmon and capers set me up to whet the appetite.
For a main dish, the chicken skewers looked inviting, as was the steamed fish, which was exceptional. A couple of trips were necessary!
Allowing the dinner to settle a bit, and a second glass of chardonnay, I then joined the junior tasters in the strawberry compote and ice cream, showing the difference between ‘gourmet’ and ‘gourmand’. But it was fun!
The prices are B. 399 net for adults and B. 199 net for children under 12 and free for infants under 4 years. Remember that these are an “All You Can Eat” deal making the Thai Garden buffets excellent value for money. The buffets are every evening 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. On the evening we went to do the review it was busy, so I do suggest you make a reservation.
The Thai Garden Resort, North Pattaya Road 179/168 M5 – coming from Sukhumvit it is 100 meters past the Pattaya City Hall, on the other side of the road, telephone 038 370 614 or email guestservice@ thaigarden.com. Secure parking within the resort grounds and there is plenty of it.
