Phuket
Dining And Drinking

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Apart from being one of the world's leading rice growers, Thailand is blessed with an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables; rarely does one see either canned or frozen produce being used in the preparation of Thai dishes. Phuket itself is famous for the crabs, oysters, prawns, lobster, squid and variety of fish that are caught daily from the surrounding waters of the Andaman Sea.

Part of the fun of traveling is to experience the local delicacies and methods of preparation. In Phuket, a typical breakfast dish is Khanom Chin —Thai rice noodles with a curry soup made from minced fish or shrimps. Fried noodles such as Mi Hokkien with fresh shrimp, pork, shellfish and green cabbage are very traditional, as are Mi Sapam with seafood and gravy on top and Kaeng Luang —sour curry with fish.

Some of the best dining locations to be found on the island are in Phuket Town, Chalong Bay and Patong Beach.

Phuket Town

Fortuna Pavilion, at the Metropole Hotel, offers a delicious dim sum selection for lunch and one of the best Chinese a la carte selections. Their Metropole Cafe also provides a hugely popular luncheon buffet comprising a vast array of Thai dishes prepared in the manner of each of the Southern, Northern, Eastern and Central regions of Thailand. Come evening, you will not be disappointed with a delicious offering of Thai cuisine at the atmospheric and popular Ka Jok See, or Shintaro, which is, in all probability, the area's least expensive Japanese restaurant and where you can dine alfresco. If you are after something more European, La Gaetana offers tasty, Italian fare.

Chalong Bay, Rawai Beach and Nai Harn

Some of the island's best seafood is to be found in this area and many people head for Kan Eang 1 & 2, which offer some outstanding fish dishes. Klaus and Mouse has a large following of German patrons and the Regatta Restaurant at The Royal Meridien Yacht Club on Nai Harn Beach is a must for that special occasion. The informal Don's Café at Rawai Beach is said to serve the island's best spareribs, their unique flavor coming from the mesquite wood burnt amongst the charcoals on the barbecue. Also at Rawai Beach, a number of eateries offer seating on mats at the water's edge and serve such simple dishes as grilled chicken or the catch of the day.

Kata

Kata offers a number of eating opportunities, including the upmarket Mom Tri's Boathouse Wine and Grill and the less formal Gung Cafe.

Karon Beach

Along the beach strip from Kata, there are some excellent restaurants and lively open-air bars, including Sala Thai, On the Rock, Long Beach Terrace, where you can sit and enjoy a stunning sunset over Karon Beach, and Old Siam, which features classical dance on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Patong Beach

Where you choose to dine here is really a question of what type of cuisine or ambience you prefer on any particular night. Among the mass of restaurants are Sam's, said by many to be the island's best steak house, Otowa and Rengaya, two excellent Japanese outlets, and Da Maurizio, a great Italian restaurant. A new kid on the block is It's Alive!, which has an innovative seafood concept and, for a fusion of East meets West cuisine, there is Sala Bua, which also boasts a romantic oceanside setting. Baan Rim Pa offers Thai cuisine, while the Royal Kitchen serves Cantonese-style Chinese food. The Viking Grill Garden offers a Scandinavian family buffet and Le Galion is a creperie with an interior that many say is the most interesting on the island.

Interesting pubs in the area include the Safari Club & Disco, Molly Malone's Irish Pub and the Irish Bar.

Kamala and Surin Beaches

For a memorable dining experience, a visit to FantaSea, the ultimate cultural theme park, includes the hugely popular Golden Kinnaree buffet, seating up to 4,000 people. Other popular establishments include the Toto Restaurants and Old Siam Nakalay, which serves traditional Thai meals in an authentic, tropical garden setting.

Whichever restaurant you choose to eat in or watering hole to drink in, dining out will be an unforgettable experience. The weather is conducive to alfresco dining, there being nothing more pleasant than savoring a delicious meal, complemented by a good wine, in an attractive outdoor setting on a balmy evening.