Taste + Temptations

Creative updates at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resor t will tantalize your taste buds.

A milieu of tranquillity replete with gardens, a magnificent lily pond and a stretch of sublime beach awaits you at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort. No matter how many luxury resorts you have seen, this one always impresses with its lush tropical beauty and eye-catching appeal. But impressive as its surrounds may be, that is only a part of the story here; the resort is just as acclaimed for its stand-out food and drinks.

Thanks to the dedication and creativity of its culinary teams, it is definitely going places on the gourmet map. A succession of top-notch chefs has ensured its success throughout the years, with its current maestros taking the resort still further. This month, we take a look at what they are doing and what is new and on offer at the main dining venues.

Let’s start with Full Moon. It is one of the most recommended places to dine on Samui, and is memorably Instagrammable; it looks out on not just the sea but also the already mentioned lily pond, which stretches most of the length of the resort. Open for both lunch and dinner, Full Moon offers fine dining with some Asian elements. The freshest of seafood and premium meats are served, with vegetables and fruit coming from Samui itself, or close by.

Full Moon is run by Executive Chef, David Eldridge. Hailing from South Africa, David has been with the Anantara group since 2014, working at various locations, before coming to Anantara Bophut, where he has focused on making everything as sustainable as possible. At Full Moon he has introduced a new concept of using dry-aged beef and launched the new idea in October. Basically, a selection of beef is dry-aged for 20, 50 and sometimes 60 days and can be accompanied by a variety of delicately nuanced condiments and sauces. Expect out-of-this-world tastes and an experience that is way beyond anything that more conventional steaks could hope to provide.

Incidentally, don’t miss out on Full Moon’s Jazz Night. Embark on a dining journey with a live acoustic jazz duo with Latin and Bossa Nova grooves while you savour signature chargrill cuisine on the open-air deck. The event is held every Saturday from 7.00 pm until 9.00 pm.

Eclipse Thai Bistro & Bar, open both for lunch and dinner, continues to focus on Thai food but is taking a fresh stance. Although you’ll find the more expected dishes and curries that the country is famous for, Eclipse is highlighting the cuisine of southern Thailand, and some of the dishes that you may not be familiar with, even if you are a Thai foodie. All this is thanks to the Executive Sous-Chef, Natruthai Petsuwan, or Chef Sai, as she is more usually known. For many diners, she needs little in the way of introduction; hailing from Phuket, she has worked in top-notch establishments in Asia and the USA, and at Anantara redesigned the menu at Eclipse, making it engagingly original. She realizes some of the food may be totally unknown to diners, so a team member will bring an iPad to you. On it, are pictures of everything on the menu, and they can give you advice on something that you are likely to rave about later.

Some of Chef Sai’s recommended dishes include Gang Karee Poo Bai Cha Plu, or jumbo crab meat in yellow curry sauce with betel leaves and vermicelli noodles, Gang Kua Kha Kae, or braised lamb shank in Southern red curry and young galangal, and Phad Thai Chaya, which has its origins in neighbouring Surat Thani province and is subtly flavoured with coconut milk. All are guaranteed to delight.

At Ocean’s Edge, tapas, Europe’s favourite finger-food awaits. Spanish tapas caught on in the west decades ago, with some countries adding their own delights to an ever-increasing repertoire. In the last few years tapas have become increasingly sought after here in Thailand. In the hands of Chef David, however, tapas are a lot more than patatas bravas and a beer.

Delights include Charred Onion & Pancetta Arancini, which comes with a Parmesan cream dip, Jamon Serrano, served in a baguette along with honeyed figs, and Albondigas, or Spanish beef meatballs, in a rich tomato and paprika sauce.

Incidentally, you can order individual portions, exactly as you would in Spain, or larger versions, ideal for sharing. This beautiful beach bar is a tropical dream in itself and somehow, Mediterranean tapas fit right into that. Be prepared to linger, especially as the tapas have been paired by Anantara’s own wine guru with notable wines from Europe (the resort, incidentally, carried off a Wine Spectator award this year for its list of wines). You can buy by bottle or by glass, and there is also a range of creatively-made and traditional cocktails. Tapas are served from 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm only at Ocean’s Edge.

With all kinds of inspired food and drink at hand, reasons abound to visit Anantara Bophut. The only difficulty is which option you would like best: international delights at Full Moon, great Thai food at Eclipse Thai Bistro & Bar, or tapas by the sea at Ocean’s Edge. Take your pick – but be ready to return and choose again. With gourmet choices this good, it is hard not to want to head back. You are definitely in very capable hands here; Anantara Bophut is ranked in the Top 10 resorts in Thailand in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2019

Dimitri Waring