Degustation Delights

Some exciting new menus at Nora Buri Resort & Spa

Degustation is the careful and appreciative tasting of various foods, focusing on the gustatory system (responsible for the perception of taste and flavour), the senses, high culinary art and good company. Degustation menus are a popular option in high-calibre establishments, allowing chefs to showcase their signature dishes and techniques, and there are a number of ways to enjoy just such a menu at Nora Buri Resort & Spa.

Every month there is a set ‘Degustation Full Moon Dinner’ at The Barge restaurant, which is situated right beside the ocean, with gorgeous views of the, hopefully, full moon, naturally illuminating the Gulf of Siam. Just allow for the odd cloud!

The next full moon date for your diary is Tuesday 29th May.

Every Wednesday evening, there is a management cocktail evening from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Relax and enjoy a complimentary cocktail and snacks. It’s a perfect preview to the ‘Walk around the Barge Seafood and Barbeque Buffet’ which begins immediately afterwards. Fresh from the sea items such as mackerel, tiger prawns, squid, blue crab, and New Zealand mussels are cooked on the barbeque; accompanied by many other dishes, such as seafood gratin, prawn fried rice, sushi, and sashimi. There is a soup station offering tom yum and a pad Thai demonstration station. The salad bar offers all the ingredients to ‘make your own’ Caesar Salad. And if you are not a big fan of seafood, don’t despair, they also barbeque beef tenderloin, chicken breast, pork and mixed skewers to sizzling perfection. During this event, you can invent your own personal degustation menu whilst enjoying live music from the house-band.

This is a popular event at this 5-star resort, and no wonder. At just 1,290 baht per person, with children 6-12 years at half price, it’s fantastic value for money. And if you reserve a table in advance, you get a special price!

The Barge caters for lunch and evening dining every day of the week, specialising in high-quality western and Asian fusion cuisine. During the day, the atmosphere is casual, while at night, the area is transformed with dimmed lighting and provides a fine dining experience, catering for the varied tastes of resort guests and visitors. There are three, 4-course set menus; Lobster and Seafood, Classic Steak and Land and Sea, or choose your own selection from the à la carte menu. Popular dishes are the Twice Cooked Pork Belly, Squid Ink Spaghetti Mussels and New Zealand Lamb Rack.

The Barge is one of three restaurants at Nora Buri, and is open from 11:00 am until 11.30 pm. It is a beautiful building, crafted from dark wood and designed to look like a rice barge. There are four floors of dining, with The Barge on the ground and first floor, situated alongside the beach and pool. On the third floor is the Rice Barge and Terrace. This separate restaurant specialises in Thai cuisine, and features traditional Thai seating, food and music, providing a truly authentic dining experience. Right at the top is the sky lounge, a secluded area used only for exclusive and private dining.

High up on the hillside is the Manora restaurant, where from 6.30 am until 10.30 am, you can create yet another personal degustation menu with the Eat-All-You-Can Buffet Breakfast. Savour the great menu line-up whilst enjoying the breezy scenic views.

Nora Buri Resort & Spa is located on a quiet hillside area, at the very north end of Chaweng Beach, where the road begins to go downhill towards Choeng Mon. It is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, offering guests all the advantages of a calm and tranquil island dining experience by the sea. And, conveniently, it is just a few minutes’ drive from the bustling nightlife and busy shopping area of central Chaweng.

Take the time to treat and pamper your personal gustatory system, and find what your heart, body and mind desires right here, at Nora Buri.

Karan Ladd