The Ultimate Ferragosto Celebration at La Familiare
If you have ever wondered how Italians celebrate the peak of summer, look no further than Ferragosto, a deeply cherished national holiday rooted back in ancient Roman times when Emperor Augustus established the Feriae Augusti in 18 BC.Originally conceived as a well-deserved period of rest and agricultural celebration after weeks of hard labor, it has evolved over the centuries into a joyful cornerstone of Italian culture where families and friends drop everything to gather together,escape the sweltering heat, and indulge in feasts filled with laughter, wine, and exceptional food.
Experiencing that exact spirit of vibrant community and culinary passion didn’t require booking a flight to Rome, because the Italian Summer Ferragosto Feast at La Familiare inside the Marriott Pattaya brought it straight to Thailand in the most spectacular fashion..Walking into the venue, I was immediately struck by the lively, authentic atmosphere, finding myself happily surrounded by groups of Italians who were savouring every single moment and relishing the authentic flavours of home.
The event ran from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM and was priced at a very reasonable 1,499++ THB per person for the food, with an optional addition of 1,088++ THB per person for a free-flow beverage package that covered signature Ferragosto spritzes, house wine, local beer, and soft drinks.What added an extra layer of charm was the gorgeous decor featuring sunflowers and lemons splashed across tables and pinned cheerfully to the shirts of the staff. For anyone wondering about the fun symbolism behind this choice, sunflowers represent the radiant vitality, joy, and golden warmth of the summer sun, while lemons are the quintessential zesty, icons of the Mediterranean coast..
Naturally, no true Italian celebration is complete without stellar drinks.This was curated with the brilliant assistance of Italasia, which has been operating since 1962. It included a dedicated spritz menu that offered three refreshing choices: Aperol Spritz,combining Aperol, prosecco, and sparkling water, Limoncello Spritz made with zesty limoncello, prosecco, and sparkling water, and a wonderfully herbaceous Hugo Spritz featuring St. Germain, prosecco, sparkling water, and fresh mint.I kicked things off with an Aperol Spritz to set the mood, but because my main culinary cravings leaned heavily toward the red meat side of things,soon transitioned to the wine list.I was poured a generous glass of the Ricasoli Chianti Classico Annata. This full-bodied Tuscan Sangiovese supplied by Italasia went magnificently with my main meat choices.
The buffet spread itself was an overwhelming display of Italian culinary artistry, featuring an almost endless parade of classics and regional specialties. There was crispy Chicken Milanese, succulent Tuscan-style porchetta, rich lamb ragu tossed with fresh tagliatelle, paccheri amatriciana, and a marvelous variety of pizzas where I simply could not resist grabbing a couple of slices, specifically choosing a pesto-topped slice and a rich speck ham slice because, as is always the case with grand buffets, you inevitably carve out your own personal favourites. For seafood lovers there were smoky shrimp skewers, marinated seabass, grilled river prawns, a refreshing seafood salad and plenty of delicious smoked salmon. Alongside this Caesar salad,mortadella pillows, tomato focaccia, pugliese, fried pita bread, a decadent mozzarella bowl, crispy olive ascolane, vegetable pizza rolls,rustic sourdough and wonderful pomodori ripieni,
However, the real magic of the afternoon came from the interactive culinary experiences delivered by Chef Paulo and his talented pastry sous chef Dy. I was lucky enough to be sought out by Chef Paulo to try his saffron rice with osso buco, I watched him stir the golden saffron rice from right inside a massive, hollowed-out wheel of parmesan cheese before loading the tender osso buco on top, creating a dish that tasted every bit as divine as it looked. Then just when I thought the culinary showmanship had peaked, a small team of chefs emerged from the kitchen for a grand finale around a dedicated station, skillfully whisking and creating a magnificent fresh tiramisu. The absolute highlight for the children—and let us be honest, the adults too!
We rounded out this monumental feast by sampling other delights from the dessert selection, which featured mixed berry panna cotta, white chocolate cherry mousse, limoncello cake, ricotta cheesecake, and classic profiteroles.Sitting there soaking in the laughter, the incredible aromas, and the genuine camaraderie, it was easy to see why there are already whispers of turning this magnificent Italian Summer Ferragosto Feast into a regular tradition at the Marriott Pattaya, and if the turnout and energy of this event are anything to go by, it is an absolute triumph that food lovers will flock to every single time.
Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa
Tel +66 33-168542