It was a visit this week to the Dusit D2 Baraquda boutique hotel to see how their S.E.A. restaurant is getting on since our first visit (after the opening) two years ago.
S.E.A. stands for South East Asia, and the East meets West cuisine is a combination of well balanced recipes from Vietnam and South East Asia, plus a number of Western favourites, all created by Executive Chef, Khun Chettha Waiseubkaow.   Khun Chettha has been with S.E.A. just over 8 months and has a wealth of experience including 18 years at the Four Seasons in Bangkok.

S.E.A. is the signature restaurant of this award winning modern luxury hotel, and immediately one enters this spacious restaurant overlooking the swimming pool, the bold Asian decor prepares one to expect something different and stimulating.   Indeed, the latest menu reflects the surroundings - serving bold, attention-grabbing dishes, plus a few favourites such as pasta and pizza dishes offering ingredients to give that extra twist to excite the taste buds.

The menu is split into two sections – East and West! Start in either direction to choose meat, fish seafood and vegetarian dishes, priced around 200 baht for Eastern dishes, to between 160 and 1,100 baht for Western cuisine.    Vietnamese dishes – with recipes from the Thien Duong Vietnamese restaurant at the Dusit Thani Bangkok – such as Vietnamese Lotus Salad (190 baht) or Brochettes of Cured Beef with ‘Good King Henry Leaves’ (a type of Spinach) at 290 baht.  Dishes from the Best of SE Asia range from 160 baht for Chicken in Coconut Milk Soup and Galangal to 380 baht for Malaysian Rock Lobster Tail with Sun Dried Shrimp, Ginger and Curry Leaves.  Moving West then start with Caesar Salad (210 baht) and try either traditional Fish and Chips (250 baht), Beef Rib-Eye (650 baht) or top quality grilled Australian grain fed Lamb Chops at 1,100 baht.  The small variety of Pizzas with tasty toppings such as Pizza S.E.A. (350 baht), with Tiger Prawns, Squid, home cured Salmon, and Pasta dishes offering unusual sauces such as Penne with Smoked Salmon and Lumpfish Caviar (240 baht).  There are also a selection of Sandwiches and Burgers available, all served with Fries and Organic Salad from 210 baht.
To begin our culinary S.E.A. journey we sampled the D2 Appetizer Platter (350 baht) – a combo of dishes from the menu, which includes Fried Spring Roll with Crabmeat and Shrimp; Grilled Beef Salad, Papaya Salad with Soft Shell Crab; Vietnamese Lotus Salad with Shrimp.   Indeed, a first-class combination of fresh ingredients to provide a wonderful overall taste and texture sensation.
Following this - a Western style dish of Seared Tuna Strips (380 baht) served with Teriyaki Vegetables and Garlic Fried Rice, being a top quality ‘melt in the mouth’ Tuna steak with fresh Vegetables, Nori (Seaweed) and flavoursome Garlic Rice.  
We then tried a Pizza – Ham and Mushroom (270 baht) – an oval shaped medium thick crisp base with excellent Parma Ham, mixed Mushrooms, Sage, Rocket and Mozzarella Cheese topping!  Very tasty indeed!
To end the meal we sampled a few of the exotic style desserts – the rich delicious Mango Chocolate Mousse and yummy Pandan Coconut Cake (both at 120 baht)!

So, for a fine meal experience, go capture the essence of East meets West cuisine at S.E.A., located at 485/1 Second Road (next to The Avenue Pattaya).  Open every day from 6am (breakfast) until 11.00pm.
All prices quoted exclude Service and Tax.
Telephone: 038 769 999.