Dine with a splash at Pala Resort's Terrace Buffet

Buffets aren’t usually on the list of splashy dining spots, but the Pala Resort’s Terrace Buffet makes waves large enough to notice. The sheer size of the spread is daunting, so I recommend an initial “walk-through” to survey the food-laden tables. This will belay any disappointment caused by the discovery of a favorite dish at the far end of the cavernous room -- after your plate is already full. Twelve chefs in starched white uniforms and tall hats prepare 140 items each day, so one has to be discerning.

The extensive resort is set against a backdrop of craggy mountains on the Pala Indian Reservation. Pala Resort is only about five miles east on State Route 76 from the intersection of I-15. The establishment is operated by the Pala Band of Mission Indians, which is comprised primarily of the Cupeño and the Luiseño tribes. Even though the Pala Resort has a casino, youth under twenty-one are welcome at the restaurant.

What sets this establishment apart from other buffets? For starters, the wide variety of fresh seafood, which is available for both lunch and dinner. My favorite is the simple but tantalizing Peel and Eat Shrimp. Succulent medium-sized shrimp are chilled on a bed of ice and constantly replenished. The shrimp-peeling is a bit of a chore, but is worth it to get to the tender meat.

The Seafood Salad is a delicious delight; and another sea borne dish, which is dubbed Seafood Medley with Clam Sauce, is also marvelous. It’s a gumbo-like combination of scallops and shrimp, with a heavy portion of scallops.

The desserts are made onsite at Pala’s own bakery. The Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Cake is an imaginative dessert layered with an airy raspberry mousse filling. Cheesecake and éclairs are equally inviting.

Douglas and Patricia Rook of Huntington Beach travel the eighty miles from their home mainly for the buffet. Douglas especially enjoys the Crème Brûlée. “It’s a rich creamy custard with a thin shell of caramelized sugar,” he said. “It’s moist and grand.” Patricia, an artist, is impressed by the creativity of the dishes. “They take great pride in their creations,” she noted. “They also make the dishes more personable by including the chefs’ names on the labels of the dishes.”

Pala’s Terrace Buffet has been honored by the Southern California Gaming Guide’s “2005 Best of Southern California Gaming” in two categories -- “Best Buffet” and “Best Brunch.” Lunch, which is available for $9.99, is served Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please call (877) 946-7252 for the dinner and brunch information.