Destination
Rebuilt and newly re-opened, Baitong Restaurant at Banana Fan Sea Resort is already wowing guests.
The brand new Baitong Restaurant at the recently refurbished Banana Sea Fan Resort is located in southern central Chaweng on an idyllic, quiet stretch of gorgeous palm clad beach. It’s the perfect place to eat, drink and relax whilst remaining close to all the action of Chaweng’s downtown shopping and entertainment hub.
If wandering along the beach, you will be drawn in by the calm, relaxing atmosphere and the friendly smiles of the staff. Arriving from Chaweng Beach Road, you will wander through luxuriant gardens towards the sea where you will find the open-air restaurant perched just above the fine white sandy beach. The tables on the beach itself are the most popular, the solid wooden furniture and birdcage lamps inviting you to stay for more than just a while. Order a drink and peruse the menu as you sit comfortably cocooned, enjoying the sand between your toes, the cooling ocean breeze and listening to the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore. As the evening approaches, warm welcoming light from lamps, candles and the moon, creates a romantic and tranquil evening environment.
The team of staff here work like a ‘well-oiled machine’. And even though the resort was closed for a whole year and only fully opened last June, 80 percent of the current staff have remained loyal and returned to work at this boutique resort. Everyone one here works as part of one happy family, always smiling enthusiastically. They love their jobs and love to see their guests happy. Chef Songwut (Kaek) has created a menu which covers a full spectrum of mouth-watering dishes, including both Thai and western favourites.
Whatever you choose, you can be sure that all the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced wherever possible. Thailand is not famed for its high-quality beef, so the sirloin steak is flown in fresh from Australia and the mussels hail from New Zealand. Be sure to try the Yellow Fin Tartar – marinated tuna with avocado, sweet mango, olive oil, seaweed salad and lime, the Banana Fan Sea Baked Sea Bass – a whole sea bass wrapped in a banana leaf with chopped garlic, pepper, lemongrass and sweet basil leaf, served with chilli sauce, tartar sauce and lime or Roasted Duck Curry. Desserts are equally tempting – Brownies a la Mode, Apple Strudel or Mango Sticky rice. If you have allergies or want to avoid certain foods, just ask. The chef is extremely flexible and is open to creating new dishes.
There is an extensive drinks menu of soft drinks, beers, wines, cocktails and premium branded spirits, with 19 different gins, 13 rums and 30 worldwide whiskeys from Scotland to Japan via the USA. Happy hours run from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and commence when you hear the bell ring. Take your drinks in the restaurant or at Kevin’s Bar right on the beach and just across the pool. Originally this bar was nameless, but when a regular guest, named Kevin, queried this, he was prompted for something suitable. The rest is history. Kevin and his wife Wendy returned every year until disaster struck.
Wendy is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The staff were so moved that the bartender decided to create three new refreshing pink, vodka-based cocktails and all the proceeds are sent to the Cancer Treatment Centre at Suratthani Hospital on the mainland. Two hundred pink Donnas’ were sold in one month alone. One of the quirky beach signs at Kevin’s bar says ‘No beers or cocktails in heaven, that’s why we drink here!’
Whilst on Samui, be sure to focus on celebrating your special relationship with a romantic and very private dinner for two on the beach. Baitong Restaurant will organise a beautiful and elegantly laid table, surrounded by soft candlelight with your own staff, ensuring your evening is the very best experience possible. A selection of set menus are available to choose from. This is a super special event, so please plan ahead and make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance.
Baitong Restaurant at Banana Fan Sea Resort is on the very last part of the southbound one-way section of the Chaweng Beach Road, just before it becomes two-way. With its beachside location and affordable prices, it is a perfect spot for a drink and a meal after shopping, swimming or sunbathing. It’s then an easy stroll to explore Chaweng’s late-night entertainment.
Start this New Year as you mean to go on. Treat yourself and your loved ones to the best. Baitong is a truly delicious destination in more ways than one. The atmosphere and service are exceptional, the food, divine. You will definitely leave feeling satisfied, satiated and fully appreciated. What a delightful way to start 2020!
Dimitri Waring