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The hotel is situated at the very south of the island, just beyond the popular Central Butterfly Garden. It’s well sign-posted and you won’t miss it. Reach the entrance and you’ll see a large wooden gateway which will be instantly swept away by the guard as soon as he sees you approach. And as you enter the driveway and car park, the subtle lighting and unique design features will give you an indication of what’s inside.

Go through into the lobby, and the contemporary décor and styling continues. Interesting colours interwoven with contrasting textures abound. Shasa is as sophisticated a place as you’ll find on Samui, and definitely somewhere that you can dress up a bit for, although it’s not mandatory!

And as you’re led down pathways past water features and through tropical gardens to The Z, you’ll see the vista open up encompassing views of three huge free-form swimming pools, swaying coconut palms and the Gulf of Siam beyond.

Arrive at The Z and you’ll immediately be reassured that you’ve made a good decision to go there. It has the elegance and style reminiscent of top Bangkok restaurants – but with an amazing tropical beach location. It really is the best of both worlds. Reflective black glass on walls and ceilings, marble table-tops, floor-to-ceiling windows and discreet spotlighting all combine to create one of the classiest places to eat on Samui.

Choose to sit at a conventional upright table, or opt for one of the low ones with sofa-style seating. Both of these are in the main 45-seat airconditioned section of The Z, but you may wish to enjoy the balmy night Location in Thai: air and dine on the 15-seat lower terrace below. Wherever you select, the friendly-yet- sophisticated ambience remains the same – as does the food.

And that’s both Thai and International cuisine. The Z isn’t a Thai restaurant with a few international dishes added on. Neither is it an international eatery with a couple of token local offerings included for good measure. No, The Z specialises in both, and is VERY good at each.

“… and it has the elegance of top Bangkok restaurants
– but with an amazing tropical beach location.”

There’s a varied selection of both cuisines (plus an excellent pasta section, too) but I’d personally recommend the set-meals they offer. Not only because they’re terrific value-for-money, but because they are extremely tasty, well thought-out and the courses go so perfectly together.

The Thai set-meal comprises the following: starter – Po Pia Pla Salmon – fresh spring-rolls with salted salmon, aromatic vegetables and tamarind sauce; main course – Phanang Lamb – Australian lamb rack combined with Southern Phanang curry and coconut milk; dessert – Kaow Niew Ma Muang – Thai mango and sticky rice with tropical fruit, toasted coconut salsa and coconut ice-cream.

And the equally varied International set-meal includes: starter – Scallops and Foie Gras – caramelised Hokkaido scallops, foie gras, micro salad, chili jam and Japanese caviar; main course – Sea Bass and Béarnaise – grilled sea bass with sautéed wild mushrooms, an aromatic Asian-herb salad and Béarnaise sauce; dessert – Chocolate Mousse – dark chocolate mousse with chocolate shavings and cashew nut chips.

And all this wonderful food is accompanied by a good selection of New and Old World wines plus an interesting cocktail list. There’s a comfortable sofa-lounge and bar at the far end of the restaurant where you can chill-out before/after you meal. And what with such a captivating environment and some enchanting Jazz playing in the background (put together by the hotel and restaurant’s designer to match the ambience), The Z is a very hard place to leave.

Yes, the adventurous amongst you will certainly be well rewarded when you spend a magical evening of dining pleasure at this restaurant.

The Z is open from 7:00 pm with the kitchen closing at 10:30 pm. For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7791 3888.

Oh, it’s tempting. When you have a restaurant in a sought-after location you really must cram as many tables and chairs into the tightest of areas to bring back maximum returns. Mustn’t you? Well the owners of The Pier restaurant didn’t think so. They’ve kept the place spacious and uncrowded. And, by doing so, have created a restaurant that’s a cut well above the vast majority of the rest.

The location I’m talking about is Fisherman’s Village in Bophut. And just a few short years ago that’s exactly what it was. In fact, there are still some fishing boats in the small scenic bay and they now act as a rustic backdrop to the numerous restaurants which have sprung up there over the last five years, or so.

The Pier is, perhaps, the easiest to find as it’s almost immediately in front of you as you wander down the lane towards the ‘village’ (if you’re driving, just leave your car in the parking area you see on the left before you reach the shops and, as it belongs to the same owner, parking is free for The Pier’s diners only). And, as you might expect, the restaurant is on the beachfront right next to the small pier.

The first thing you’ll notice is the bold architecture of the building. There are huge square black pillars supporting two storeys, and it’s completely open-sided allowing the cooling sea breezes to waft through. Everything here is done on a grand scale, with the semi-minimalist styling combined with lots of solid wood and bold shapes creating a place of great substance. The ceilings on both floors are at least 20 feet high, too, which adds to the overall feeling of space – and it’s not an illusion.

Occasional splashes of bright colours, such as the attractive neon signs around the cocktail bar and the freshly-picked flowers on each table, contrast perfectly with the overall black/grey colour scheme. And another feature which contrasts with the general square and straight-line theme of The Pier is the cheerful round faces of the ever-ready staff. They really do make the dining experience here a smooth and happy occasion.

So, where to sit? On the ground floor with the more formal higher tables and chairs, or on the first floor where things are a bit more casual with huge sofa-style seating complete with massive brown leather bean-bag cushions (this entire floor can be secured for private parties, too). Then, again, if you’re just here for a drink, one of the four ground-level tables with their own bean-bag cushions set on the expansive wooden terrace is the place to be (especially great at sunset with one of The Pier’s famous tropical fruit based cocktails). And, not only is this restaurant a great place to sit in, it’s also an excellent place to eat at

“… and the Pad Thai served here is the best I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot!).”

There’s Thai-seafood cuisine on the menu alongside International (with a small Mexican selection), and both are interesting and varied. And I can say, with total honesty, that the famous national dish Pad Thai served here is the best I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot!). The stir-fried rice noodles come with prawns, tofu, bean sprouts, dried shrimp, chives and ground peanuts, and it’s absolutely delicious. Another Thai dish that I personally recommend is the Crab Meat Curry with papaya, sweet basil and red curry paste in coconut milk served with egg noodle or steamed rice.

And as for the international dishes, well, for starters I have to mention the tasty Baked Mussel with tomato sauce and garlic bread. Excellent. And both the main course dishes, Alfrado with Grilled Chicken Breast and the Pork Tenderloin with apple sauce (both served with creamed mashed potato) are worth writing home about.

Which leaves dessert. Although you certainly wouldn’t want to leave either the special recipe Tiramisu or the Crème Brûlée (be careful, they’re addictive!).

Yes, The Pier is definitely recommendable. Especially if you appreciate good food eaten unhurriedly in spacious surrounds. And when you stroll past some of the other restaurants in Fisherman’s Village and see the diners squashed up like sardines, you’ll realise that this recommendation is entirely valid.

The Pier is open from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (kitchen closes at 11:00 pm). For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7743 0681.

   Dining in Comfort & Style at The Pier

Samui, in general, and Chaweng, in particular, is jam-packed with lovely Thai-style restaurants, complete with their elaborate décor and ornate surroundings. So it comes as something of a visual relief when you visit somewhere that has lots of wide-open spaces, clean lines and just a few colours. But there’s nothing missing here. In fact, there really is a whole lot more.

Approach The Library via Chaweng Beach Road (next to the Is Spa, just 100 metres south of Tropical Murphy’s), and you’ll spot a cute white mannequin sitting reading a book. The resort’s subtle entrance pathway is to the left of this, so go down here and within 20 metres you’ll arrive at the reception, appropriately named ‘Contents’. And it’s at this point that you’ll fall in love with the concept as a whole.

Smart white buildings, neatly-cut green lawns with more white mannequins, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a beautiful 20x12 metre red-tiled swimming pool all play their respective parts in creating a stylish, classy-yet-relaxed environment. And The Page restaurant sits proudly on an expansive 50-metre beachfront overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

Choose to sit either in the 20-seater air-conditioned or open-air sections of the attractive restaurant building itself (good if it’s raining), or take advantage of the unique location properly and have a table on the huge deck/terrace which spans the entire frontage. And on the deck you have a further choice between sitting at regular tables and chairs, or on massive comfy cushions alongside low tables (great for the true romantics amongst you!).

What with the table-candle-lamps, floodlit old trees, orange lanterns, and the lights from The Library’s library sending its illumination across the swimming pool, there’s plenty of light to see what you’re eating without feeling you’re in the spotlight yourself.

But not everything’s minimalist here. You’ll be pleased to hear that the food portions are plentiful. And, not only that, but they’re also absolutely delicious. The Page specialises in both Thai and international cuisine, with separate menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And, although small, they contain a wide selection of various dishes to suit all tastes.

“… and if ever there was a page that needed
bookmarking, then this is it.”

The Yellow-fin Tuna Tartare is a recommendable international starter, whilst the Thod Man Kung (prawn cake) is its Thai counterpart. Main course dishes include a stunning Blackened Lamb Cutlet with grilled peppers and sweet potato mash, and a Salmon Steak in Pesto Sauce, which just melts in your mouth, that’s served with roast potato and grilled vegetables. And as for the Thai dishes, well the Tom Kha Gai (chicken coconut cream soup) is one of the very best you’ll find on Samui, and the Sautéed Crabmeat with Curry would be hard to beat.

And there’s more than just ice-creams for dessert in this restaurant. Do try the Apple Crumble with custard. There’s enough for two in each portion, but, what the hell, you’re on holiday aren’t you?

Wine aficionados are well catered for, too, with a fine selection of New and Old World wines just there for your choosing in the walk-in wine cellar. It all sounds more maximalist than minimalist with what’s on offer here, doesn’t it?

And a word must be said about the unique washrooms here, too. Not only are they beautiful, but there’s also a hidden feature in them, and it would be worth visiting The Library just to discover what it is – because I’m not going to tell you!

If ever there was a page that needed bookmarking, then this is it. Because The Page is definitely one of those novel places where you want to see what’s in the next chapter, too.

The restaurant is open from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm (kitchen closes at 10:30 pm), with the dinner menu being available from 7:00 pm.
To book a reservation, telephone: 0 7742 2767-8.

The Height restaurant I’m talking about is the signature restaurant at the stunning new Silavadee Pool Spa Resort, in Laem Nan. And to get there is easy. As you’re nearing Lamai on the ring-road, coming from Chaweng, just take the first concrete road on the left past the landmark IT Complex and follow it a kilometre to the very end. You’ll pass other resorts along the way, but nothing passes Silavadee. And that means it’s very peaceful and private up there.

The resort is set on a hillside and the pathway from the reception leads you down a hundred metres or so to The Height restaurant. Come in the daytime for lunch and you’ll see that it looks down upon its own picture postcard beach. Although it isn’t technically a private beach, no one else has access to it by land so it just as well might be!

And the restaurant has areas for every requirement. At the top there are two air-conditioned sections, seating 30 and 40 respectively, and these are most attractive with high vaulted wooden ceilings and huge windows all around creating a spacious atmosphere. Go down a short flight of open-plan stairs and you’re on an expansive open-air terrace that can seat a further 60. And descend another level and you’ll reach a bar with terrace seating on one side and a large cigar lounge on the other.

Wherever you are, you’ll be looking out to the sea and feeling the peace and calm that only comes from being in such a beautiful natural environment. Of course, you could come here with your friends or family, but there’s a certain something here that induces a feeling of romance, making it especially ideal for those in love (newlyweds or otherwise!).

And when it comes to the food, you’ll definitely be reaching the heights, too. The International and Thai menu is prepared by a culinary genius, and his name is Khun Tee (full name – Khun Atiwat Udomlabthawee). Previously at the world’s number-one hotel The Oriental, in Bangkok, and with 13 year’s experience as a top chef in New York, Executive Chef Khun Tee is a true master of his craft. And here are a few recommendations of his dishes.

“… and when it comes to the food, you’ll definitely
be reaching the heights, too.”

From the starters I’d like to personally suggest both the Marinated Norwegian Salmon Salad with lime-juice, dill pepper and salmon roe, and the Spring Asparagus with Parma Ham and vinaigrette dressing. They’ll certainly set you up for the main course, and for that I’d recommend either the Cordon Bleu – stuffed pork chop with ham and cheese, or the Grilled Seafood Platter with a huge range of grilled salmon, tuna, scallops, and shrimps with potatoes, vegetables and pesto sauce. There’s also a full range of pasta dishes and snacks available and a full Thai cuisine menu. But space prevents me from listing more.

But I will make space for a dessert, as you should, too! And that’s the superb Molten Chocolate Cake with vanilla ice-cream. If you’ve had better, tell me about it, because I certainly haven’t. As so good is the in-house bakery, that soon after it opened in May 2008 neighbouring resorts were coming over to buy cakes and breads for themselves. So much so that Silavadee had to open a stand-alone bakery in Lamai to cater for the growing trade!
Yes, The Height is certainly a good name for this restaurant, in more ways than one!

The Height restaurant is open from 7:00 am, with dinner from 6:00 pm (kitchen closes at 10:30 pm).
For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7796 0555.

Marvelous location. Fabulous style. Terrific food. With these attractions, you’d think that The Cliff Bar & Grill would be extremely popular. And you’d be right!

But before I go any further, I’d better say that dinner reservations here are definitely advisable. Tables do get snapped up very quickly – for very good reasons...

The setting, as the name suggests, is breathtaking. It’s high up on the mountainous section of the ring-road between Chaweng and Lamai, and looks down upon huge natural boulders next to the water’s edge and across a picturesque bay to a tropical headland. And being open from midday makes The Cliff an ideal spot for stopping for lunch too when you can really appeciate the surrounding natural beauty. Although it only opened in April 2004, it’s already become a favourite meeting place for local business people looking for suitable ‘mutual’ territory to discuss their latest projects over a good meal.

There’re acres of space outside for parking (which has become a problem in Chaweng), and this roominess carries on into the restaurant itself. Choose between the 50-seat marble-floored interior section with its abundant ‘birds of paradise’ plants, hand-painted ceramics and its designer décor, or the 28-seat terrace area outside under the stars. Both spots are equally spacious with heavy wooden tables and chairs giving a very ‘solid’ feel to the place.

And next – the food. It’s Mediterranean, with the accent on Portuguese, Italian and Spanish. And although the menu isn’t large, there’re plenty of choices in many categories. But most importantly, and this is where the magic ingredient comes in, it’s all prepared and presented by owner and master chef – Bradley Munns.

Brad’s a dynamic 32 year-old South African who’s new to the island. But he’s no stranger to Thailand. Far from it! He already has two super-successful restaurants in Bangkok, including one in the world-famous Emporium. And he now feels it’s time to bring his sought-after recipes to Samui.

Especially recommended dishes are: Mediterranean Salad – mature cheddar cheese tossed with cashew nuts and apple; Metillones con Salsa Vino Blanco – New Zealand mussels in a white wine sauce; Gamberoni al Limone E Aglio – lemon and herbs prawns; Fettuccini all’ Gambetti all’ Conjac – prawns served in a cognac and cream sauce; and the house speciality – Portuguese Piri Piri Chicken.

Marinated in a spicy ‘piri piri’ sauce, then cooked on a charcoal grill, this dish is truly magnificent. It incorporates the unique 15th century preparation of chillies marinated in oil which was accidently discovered by Portuguese traders. They used oil as a preservative when bringing chillies back from Africa to Europe – then realised it tasted great. Thank goodness they did!

“...and the wine list includes 5 different champagnes alone,
and that’s definitely worth celebrating!”

Marinated in a spicy 'piri piri' sauce, then cooked on a charcoal grill, this dish is truly magnificent. It incorporates the unique 15th century preparation of chilies marinated in oil which was accidentally discovered by Portuguese traders. They used oil as a preservation method bringing chilies back from Africa to Europe - then realised it tasted great. Thank goodness they did!

 And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’re taken care of too. Try the Cream Caramel or maybe the Caramelized Banana Pancake topped with Italian ice-cream. Desserts don’t come much better.

Every imaginable drink is on offer here too. The wine list includes 5 different champagnes alone, and that’s definitely worth celebrating! Chile, Italy, South Africa and Australia are all well represented, and the cocktail and spirits list is endless. Which I suppose makes sense seeing as The Cliff is a bar as well as a grill.

The bar, although adjoining, is a seperate entity in itself. It’s air-conditioned, extremely comfortable with various seating areas, and interestingly lit by the latest Japanese slow-strobe lights which are constantly changing colour. Non-diners are also welcome to use the bar, and if you’ve arrived to dine without a reservation, then I can’t think of a better place to wait for a table!

Brad’s fellow South African – Lionel Helena – is the perfect host, which is just as well seeing as he’s the restaurant manager. And if you have any special requirements, he’s sure to make all the necessary arrangements.

And with all these good things going for it, it's not surprising that The Cliff won Thailand Tatler's 'Best Restaurant' award in 2005, 2006, 2007, and again for 2009.

The Cliff Bar & Grill is open from midday – 1.00 am, with the kitchen closing at 9.45 pm.
For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7741 4266.

   The Cliff Restaurant - Mediterranean Cuisine - Koh Samui Thailand

Although it’s owned by Samui Paradise Chaweng Beach Resort & Spa, on the opposite side of the road, The Chef is an entirely separate entity. And this means that you don’t have to go searching through a resort to find it. As you’re approaching from the most southern end of Chaweng Beach Road, you easily spot it on your left as you’re heading north.

It has a 40-metre street frontage with the main visible features being a large ‘open’ kitchen on the left (complete with dexterous chefs hats reassuringly bobbing up and down), and a beautiful free-standing wooden gabled gateway entrance in the middle. Go through there and you’ll find yourself in a delightful (and I normally hate using this overworked word) little world of old ‘Siam’.

The open-sided restaurant is styled on the interior of a traditional Thai house, and this ‘homely’ atmosphere pervades throughout. Framed ‘family’ photos adorn the walls; overhead and colonial-style standing fans swirl cool air around; granite table-tops sit upon old ‘Singer’ sewing treadles; terra-cotta tiles grace the floor; and there are many interesting water features including several huge ‘overflowing’ urns in the neat roadside garden area. And it’s all illuminated by diffuse lighting from concealed spots and long tubular lanterns. Plus, most importantly, the staff are as friendly and helpful as you could wish for.

There’s a choice of seating areas, too. Tables for four in the middle of the restaurant, with tables for two around the sides and at the back overlooking an authentic old Thai house and gardens. There’s also a single sala for two, roadside, where you can enjoy a meal in the traditional Thai manner by lying down on pyramidal cushions (do telephone in advance if you’d like book this one).

Right! Now that you know what the restaurant looks like, let me tell you about the food. Well, there’s both Thai and International cuisine available, plus a ‘fresh seafood by the gram’ selection. A recommended way to start a Thai meal here is to have the Hot Hors D’Oeuvres The Chef – comprising pork satays, fried chicken with turmeric, deep-fried crab meat, vegetable spring rolls and E’sarn sausages. And if you’re having International fare, the Lobster Cream Soup is an excellent way to begin the night’s dining

“… and you won’t believe how reasonable
the prices are at The Chef.”

Moving on to the main course, there’s a full selection of Thai noodles, curries and stir-fried dishes on offer, and the Roasted Duck in Red Curry is a very tasty traditional Thai dish (do let the staff know how spicy you’d like it) that’s especially recommended, whilst the Deep-fried Gold Fish with herbs, served with mixed vegetables and a choice of potato will keep the International food-lovers more than happy. Oh, and if you fancy Italian food, in particular, there’s a good range of pizzas and pasta dishes also available.

And there’re several great desserts for ending the meal with, including the Deep-fried Pineapple with Ice-Cream, and the Fried Banana with Chocolate Mousse. There’s also a good wine selection, including bottles from both the New and Old World, and from Thailand, too.

Finally, there’s a Filipino duo performing a wide range of all-time favourites every night (except Thursdays). As they wander around serenading diners with their singing and guitar, they encourage you to make song requests, so think of a few ‘our tunes’ before you go.

Oh, and one more thing. You won’t believe how reasonable the prices are at The Chef. Especially if I tell you than the average main course will cost you something around the 200-300 baht mark! But don’t take my word for it. Give them a call or stop by and have at look at the roadside menu.

Now you can see why it took two pages and not a single sentence to tell you about The Chef.

The restaurant is open for dinner from 3:00 pm until midnight.
For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7723 029

It's part of the lovely Fair House Villas & Spa (formerly called Ban Laem Sai Beach Resort & Spa) in Maenam, and, although it's not on the ring-road itself, it is easy to get to. As you're coming from Chaweng towards Maenam, just take the second concrete road on the right after the sharp bend with Zazen Boutique Beach Resort on the corner. Follow this road to the very end and you'll soon reach the resort's impressive entrance.

The staff here couldn't be more charming, and someone will immediately arrange for you to be silently taken beachside to The Bre-Eze in an electric buggy, where the adventure continues.

It's spacious here, and everything's spread out along the expansive beachfront. Choose to sit under cover of the massive teak-pillared Thai roof, on the open terrace under the stars, or on the sandy lower level; the choice is yours. But wherever you are, you'll be next to the coconut palm trees swaying across the gently lapping ocean. And being at the very top of Maenam Bay means that as you look out to sea, you'll see the many coloured twinkling lights of various other resorts reflecting on the water.

Terra-cotta flooring, subtle lighting, widely-spaced seating, comfortable chairs (it's surprising how many top restaurants don't have them), total tranquility, and highly-professional friendly staff all contribute in giving The Bre-Eze that elusive 'atmosphere' which many places strive desperately to create, and fail miserably in the process.

Just glancing at the menu gives you that warm feeling of expectation when you see that there are so many choices here, and that choosing is going to be a difficult task. There's an excellent selection of seafood, International, and Thai cuisine, so whatever your preferences are, there's sure to be something that'll take your eye.

If you want to experience the local cuisine, cooked exquisitely, then here Location in Thai: are some worthy recommendations. For an appetizer, do try The Bre-Eze Sai Thard Thong, which is a collection of assorted snacks comprising: sautéed minced chicken with green pea, water chestnut and carrot; deep fried taro with minced shrimp and coconut; deep fried minced shrimp with green pea wrapped with egg net; and deep fried chicken wrapped with pandanus leaf. And follow that with the classic main course dish - Pla Krapong Sam Ros - which is a delicious deep fried white snapper with trio sauce. Staying with Thai for dessert, the Boloy Sam See - a warm homemade taro, pandanus and pumpkin dumplings, is an excellent example of this cuisine.

"... and there's an excellent selection of seafood,
International, and Thai cuisine."

Decide to choose from the International menu and there are some absolute winners; too many to list all the recommendable ones, but here are a few. The appetizer, Smoked Salmon with Dill is a home marinated and smoked salmon with dill mustard sauce and a potato pancake, and mustn't be missed. And if you're a meat lover, then the main course Lamb Cutlet Provençal - roast lamb chopped with herbs on rosemary-seasoned gravy served with butter vegetables and potatoes will more than keep you happy. Finish off with the Young Coconut Milk Cream Caramel - a classic caramel custard topped with young coconut, for dessert, and you'll find a new favourite.

And all this is organised by The Bre-Eze's highly-prized Executive Chef - Khun Santi Kittikhunphong. He's an expert in Thai, Chinese, French, Italian and Korean cuisine, having worked in many prestigious restaurants around the world during a very successful 35-year career. And these places include Le Banyan (French restaurant) in Bangkok and, most recently, the InterContinental Hotels in Seoul, South Korea. You won't find a more experienced chef on Samui, and his excellent cooking skills are a testament to that.

Should you enjoy live music, then visit on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday. These are the nights that the serenading Filipino duo - Julia & Freddie - performs between 7 and 10 pm. And they are as polished as entertainment comes, adding yet another special ingredient to The Bre-Eze's unique atmosphere.

For a special night of fine dining, away from the crowds and in such a lovely location, finding a better restaurant than The Bre-Eze isn't easy - and I'm an optimist!

The restaurant is open for dinner from 6:00 pm, with the kitchen closing at 11:00 pm. For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7742 9000.

It’s been called many things. First it was East meets West. Then it became the ever-popular (and over-used) Fusion. And now, it seems to be known as merely Eclectic. But whatever you call it, that magical mix of international and Asian cuisine is very much alive-and-well and being produced at Tamarind.

Just a couple of kilometres south of Chaweng, in Chaweng Noi, is the Impiana Resort Samui. And what a lovely place it is too. Smart and luxurious without being formal and stuffy. And it’s that friendly-yet-professional theme that runs through the complete resort, being especially apparent in its fine-dining Tamarind restaurant.

It has an airy split-level design, providing sea-views through the swaying palms for each of the thirty-four diners it comfortably seats. Spacious is an understatement when used to describe Tamarind’s dimensions. Impiana has resisted the temptation of cramming more tables in, preferring the luxury of lots of room. And what a difference that makes. Subtle spotlighting, and candle-lamps on each table provide the perfect illumination.

The mains are equally tempting with dishes such as: Australian Beef braised in red wine on a bed of grilled polenta, flavoured with thyme; and White Snapper wrapped with Parma ham, potatoes roasty and red wine sauce. Desserts include: Rum Chantilly with crunchy wafer and cigar sauce; and Toffee Parfait with chocolate and yoghurt sauce topped with caramelised nuts.

And at Tamarind it's certainly that. Somehow the chef has managed to combine the very best of both cuisines into some unusual but spectacularly delicious dishes. It's so easy to grab a handful of chilies and a leg of lamb and call it fusion food. And who's going to argue if it tastes awful and say Location in Thai: you did it wrong? That's why, when it's done properly, it's a painstakingly long and expert process to get the ideal blend that pleases your palate.

Here are some of the chef’s recommended starters: Oriental-spiced Pork Tenderloin, turtle-eyed bean salad with blueberry oil; Parcel of Swimmer-crab, charred string beans and roasted tomato pesto; and Grilled Duck with okra salad between filo crisp, tangerine and balsamic syrup. And the Cappuccino of Freshwater Prawn Bisque is another superb appetizer.

"... and it would be hard to find a better
fusion-cuisine restaurant on Samui than Tamarind."

A popular main course is the Tamarind Seafood Basket for Two, which comprises Thai spicy and sour seafood soup followed by a selection of grilled rock lobster, swimmer crabs, freshwater prawns, New Zealand green-lipped mussels, battered calamari rings, snapper satays, with a garden salad and your choice of potatoes or rice, plus two glasses of wine. And at only 1,600 Baht, it's incredibly reasonable!

Other recommended main courses include: Tajines of Norwegian Salmon, olive-pear confit Udon noodles and sweet bell-pepper coulis; Grilled Tournedos of Beef Tenderloin, spring rolls of cultivated mushroom and creoled hand-cut potato; and Oven-baked free-range Chicken-breast enclosing green pandanus leaves mousseline with sweet chili and pistachio sauce.

And finally dessert, which also encompasses the fusion of East and West, such as the Sushi of Sticky Rice and Mango with a peppered caramel dipping sauce. More traditional international puddings are also available, including a delicious Hot Chocolate and Banana Cream, mocha Anglaise with French vanilla ice-cream.

Not only does Tamarind stock a good variety of wines from Australia, Italy, France, South Africa, Chile and even Thailand, but each bottle's qualities are comprehensively described in the wine list, making selection an easy task.

It would be hard to find a better fusion-cuisine restaurant on Samui than Tamarind. Not only is the food truly first-class, the staff outstanding and the restaurant very comfortable but it's a great place to chill-out in the Bar & Lounge section too. Plus there's a final added attraction. Give the hotel a call and they'll arrange free transport from and to your hotel - anywhere on the island.

Now that sounds a fusion of their desire to accommodate you and your wish to have a wonderful night out!

Tamarind's kitchen is open from 11:00 am - 11:00 pm. For further information and reservations, telephone 0 7742 2011.

   Tamarind Restaurant, Pacific-rim with Asian-influence at Impiana Resort, Samui

it naturally follows that the resort’s signature restaurant, Sea Wrap, also exudes an unhurried, calm atmosphere. Which it certainly does. When it comes to having a totally chilled out dining experience, Sea Wrap really is hard to beat.

 And it all starts as you come off the busy ring-road in Bo Phut (it’s opposite Peace Tropical Spa – owned by the same family), and enter the driveway leading to the car-park. Everything slows down and becomes, well, peaceful. Pass the reception on your right and take a short walk along an enclosed wooden decking pathway before emerging the other side with the restaurant in front of you. And you’ll immediately be drawn in by the cosy golden glow emanating from the many yellow fluted hanging lanterns.

Now the traditionalists (read – less supple) amongst you (and that includes me!) may choose to sit upright at one of the 36 tables within the smart and spacious restaurant building itself. It’s great here and looks down upon the beach and across to the neighbouring island – Koh Pha-Ngan. But the more adventurous will, no doubt, choose to dine at one of the twelve low tables on the beach itself, and sit on one of the huge brown leather bean-bags. There can’t be a better place to experience a Samui night under the stars lounging in comfort on the beach whilst being served some amazing homemade food.

And there’s both International and Central Region Thai cuisine served at Sea Wrap, including sections in the menu for pasta, salads, soups, seafood and, not forgetting, vegetarian food, too. Right, here are my recommendations. Firstly, from the International starters selection, it’s just got to be the tasty Mushroom Pouches: filo-pastry pouches filled with mushroom and boiled eggs in a white sauce. And, secondly, this time from the Thai section, the delicious Tod Mun Pla: deep-fried fish cakes served with a sweet and sour cucumber sauce.

Moving on to mains, I recommend the extra-special Thai dish – Hor Mok Pla Hi Ma: steamed snowfish soufflé in a young coconut-shell with coconut cream. It’s excellent! But, if you’re a fan of crustaceans, do try Sea Wrap’s excellent interpretation of the world-famous dish, Lobster Thermidor, comprising a whole Canadian lobster (kept live prior to ordering) with cheese, mushrooms in a Béchamel sauce, served in the lobster shell. You won’t regret it.

“… and when it comes to having a totally chilled out dining experience, Sea Wrap really is hard to beat.”

Desserts here are equally appetising, and although I usually just recommend two, in this case I have to recommend three, so make sure you’re hungry! And these dishes are: Orange Crème Brulee; Chocolate Mousse with cream Anglaise; and, finally, my particular favourite, Tart Tatin with vanilla ice-cream.

Everything at Sea Wrap is homemade, and that includes the superb bread which is freshly prepared in the restaurant’s very own bakery (no wonder the desserts here are so delicious!). In fact, there’s a definite homeliness that’s in the air at Peace Resort Samui. It might have something to do with the fact that this is a family-run resort. Or it may be that the staff are so friendly, yet totally professional (many of them have been working at the resort for a very long time). But it could also be the fact that when you totally relax in such a peaceful and tranquil environment you tend to feel ‘at home’ yourself.

If you want to come along when there’s some entertainment, on Thursdays there’s Thai dancing on the beach from 7:30 pm, and on Mondays and Saturdays there’s a Filipino duo that serenades diners; also from 7:30 pm.

So, what is in a name? Well, Sea Wrap is certainly making a name for itself amongst diners on Samui looking for excellent food, just as its parent hotel Peace Resort Samui has already done for those seeking some tropical tranquility.

Sea Wrap is open for dinner from 5:00 pm, with the kitchen closing at 11:00 pm.
For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7742 5357.

They’ve always been popular. And now they’re spreading around the world at an endemic pace. In fact, you’ve probably got one just down the road from where you live. But by what yardstick do you measure your average Thai restaurant?

Well I suppose the ideal way of finding one is by going to the Thai restaurant on Samui that’s considered to be right there at the top. And that’s Sala Thai in the stunning new Bo Phut Resort & Spa.

Dining at Sala Thai is more than just an opportunity to enjoy Thai cuisine at its very best. It’s also a chance to savour the complete Thai dining experience – in exquisite surroundings. And that starts from the moment you pass through the resort’s entrance…

Take a second to admire the beautiful architecture of the stand-alone lobby before you go through it. It’s a perfect blend of classical and contemporary Thai styling, with its ornate overlapping roofs and tall supporting pillars. And by appreciating this beauty, you’ll get an idea of what’s to come in the resort as a whole.

Follow the flame-torch lit pathway, and within 20 yards your heart will miss a beat as you spot Sala Thai reflecting across a huge lotus-pond, complete with fountain. Again, its classical architecture will cast its spell of magic over you, and absorb you even more into the total Thai experience. (It’s as far away as you could possibly get from your local Thai restaurant on the busy main road in Ealing Broadway!)

As you approach Sala Thai, charming staff will be there to greet you in their traditional Thai-silk uniforms. And you get to choose where to sit. Shall it be one of the tables inside the smart wood-paneled interior with its air-conditioning, outside on the covered inner-terrace, or out on the spacious outer-terrace alongside the pond? If it’s a clear night, then the latter is always the most popular choice. With the stars and moon above, the sounds of splashing water and Thai musicians playing their classical instruments, and discreet candle-light, things don’t get more romantic than this.

Then there’s the food. And two things you’ll notice when the menu arrives. Firstly, there’s a lot of choice, with all of the Thai dishes you’ve ever heard of on offer alongside many more that you haven’t. And, secondly, the prices are a lot lower than you’d expect from a 5-star resort’s signature restaurant. Which makes it about half the cost of what you’d be paying in Ealing Broadway!

“…and dining at Sala Thai is a chance to savour the complete Thai dining
experience – in exquisite surroundings.”

And while you’re making your choices and having a drink, you’ll be given a complimentary taster to get your taste buds limbering up. If you’re used to Thai food, you’ll probably go straight to the à la carte section. But if you’re a novice you might want to consider one of the two set-meals for two or more people. Each offers an interesting selection of several dishes plus rice and a dessert, and here is one of them to show you what I mean: Pha Goong – spicy fresh prawn salad with fresh herbs; Moo Sadung – blanched sliced pork topped with chili sauce; Tom Yam Goong Narng – Thai spicy-sour prawn soup with lemongrass; Chu Che Pla Ka Pong – stir-fried thick red curry-paste with white snapper; Gai Phad Med Ma Muang Him Ma Parn – stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts and dried chili; Nor Mai Farang, Goong, Hed Hom Phad Nam Mun Hoy – stir-fried asparagus, shrimp and shitake mushrooms with oyster sauce, and Steamed Coconut Custard in a small pumpkin for dessert.

And the food is truly excellent as, I suppose, it should be considering it’s all prepared under the direct instructions of a Thai super-chef. He’s come down from Bangkok where he’s recently been at a leading restaurant. And they are world-renowned for their Thai cuisine too.

There’re Thai restaurants, and then there are real Thai restaurants. And Sala Thai is one of the finest real Thai restaurants you’ll ever have the chance of eating in. After dining here, your local Thai restaurant will never feel the same again!

Sala Thai is open for dinner from 7:00 pm, with the kitchen closing at 10:30 pm.
For reservations and further information, telephone 0 7724 5777.

   Sala Thai Royal Thai Cuisine at Santiburi Dusit Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand