A Great Restaurant In Surin, Phuket

[chiang mai]

Visited with a good friend yesterday who came down from up North and went out to dinner at a restaurant in Surin Beach. "Silk" gets my vote for ambiance and quality of food (all Thai) and now 24 hours later I am craving their food again. It's a place for special occasions or once in a while treats because it is not cheap (3,000 baht for three for around seven different dishes, no drinks) but for us it was well worth the price for the all round experience. I don't eat at that price everyday or even close to it but when I do I am happy to find somewhere where I conside the money well spent because it was all round, very enjoyable.

Anybody else have any prime picks they want to share, regardless of prices?

[El Taco Loco]

Well known for treating their staff like shiete. Overpriced, just like Baan Rim Pa, or however they spell it these days. It is not Thai owned. It is Hong Kong owned, by the way. I interviewed a few of their staff when they applied at a resort I used to work for and they hated it there.

[chiang mai]

Well known for treating their staff like shiete. Overpriced, just like Baan Rim Pa, or however they spell it these days. It is not Thai owned. It is Hong Kong owned, by the way. I interviewed a few of their staff when they applied at a resort I used to work for and they hated it there.

Thank you Fat Bastard - I'm sorry to hear all that but I'm sure large numbers of good quality restaurants have similar staff complaints - it's not easy to maintain high quality, especially here in Thailand. But nevertheless the food and the ambiance were superb hence I'll certainly go back there. BTW, where is Baan Rim Pa, it sounds like I might enjoy it!

[El Taco Loco]

You are welcome to it. Again, different strokes for different folks. I want authentic Thai food, not overpriced, watered down swill.

You will LOVE BRP. Look it up. They advertise everywhere. A nice lovely bowl of green curry, 320 baht! lol. Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed the place. That is important, of course. Not flaming you.

[Solosiam]

You are welcome to it. Again, different strokes for different folks. I want authentic Thai food, not overpriced, watered down swill.

You will LOVE BRP. Look it up. They advertise everywhere. A nice lovely bowl of green curry, 320 baht! lol. Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed the place. That is important, of course. Not flaming you.

don't forget the fact that the curry is served in a coffee cup.

If you liked silk you would like Twin Palms probably, which is close by.

[chiang mai]

Okay, well that suggestion obviously hit a high note and brought out all the fine diners, how's about the next one, Coyote on Beach Road, any reviews anyone?

[khall64au]

LADY PIE - near Laguna intersection - deeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious!

[MisterMan]

Heard from a friend of a friend that Coyote was no good.

Los Amigos in Nai Harn, close to the lake has decent Mexican food. and he staff is nice.

[donna]

i second lady pie.....think i might pay them a visit tomorrow - which is already today!

[khall64au]

Heard from a friend of a friend that Coyote was no good.

Los Amigos in Nai Harn, close to the lake has decent Mexican food. and he staff is nice.

Yessiree Misterman - LOS AMIGOS at Nai Harn is my fave local Mex haunt. Lucky I live in the neighbourhood too....

[chinthee]

I haven't tried the Patong Coyote yet, but the Bangkok one is quite good. And, I go back to Wanchai in Hong Kong where I used to frequent the original Coyote as that's where they started. I spoke to the Bangkok manager a few times and he told me it's very hard to teach Thais how to cook Mexican. They brought in some of their Hong Kong chefs to turn key the operation for about 6 months. Maybe they didn't do that properly in Patong.

[khall64au]

I haven't tried the Patong Coyote yet, but the Bangkok one is quite good. And, I go back to Wanchai in Hong Kong where I used to frequent the original Coyote as that's where they started. I spoke to the Bangkok manager a few times and he told me it's very hard to teach Thais how to cook Mexican. They brought in some of their Hong Kong chefs to turn key the operation for about 6 months. Maybe they didn't do that properly in Patong.

Patong sucks! Seriously, the restaurants and bars are way over-priced and quality, in general, rather low in value for money.

There are so many excellent venues on Phuket who struggle as the exposure is so thinly spread, competition rife... any entrepreneurs looking for advice on gourmet tours? Watch this thread!

[El Taco Loco]

Los Amigos in Nai Harn is the best tex mex in the island. Fresh food and the staff are very friendly and mostly related to each other. The owner is an American. Wife sells insurance also. Nice place.

Twin Palms is great for their Sunday buffet. About 1400 Baht, I believe. Free haagen daz ice cream, as well. Overpriced but quality food, for the most part.

For falang food, you have to pay to get quality. For Thai food, that should never happen.

[chiang mai]

Thanks to everyone for all of that, I've now got some new places to try. I don't spend huge amounts on dining out because as FB pointed out, you don't need to. But nothings anoys me more than going to a nice and expensive place and being disastisfied with the food etc. I therefore appreciate your recommendations.

I'm a little confused about Coyote however since someone wrote here that it's part of a Hong Kong chain? I believe it's actually owned by an American guy called Mark H. who is the business partner of the excellent Dukes chain in Chiang Mai - I know that to be fact but am unclear as to the Hong Kong connection. Anyone?

[Solosiam]

Farang restaurant has to be where I eat the most though, its cheap and the salads are really good, as is the rest of the food. Its by lemongrass house near CherngTalay.

[LivinLOS]

You are welcome to it. Again, different strokes for different folks. I want authentic Thai food, not overpriced, watered down swill.

You will LOVE BRP. Look it up. They advertise everywhere. A nice lovely bowl of green curry, 320 baht! lol. Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed the place. That is important, of course. Not flaming you.

Sounds like sour grapes from someone who wont spend money.. Your paying for the location ambience and all round experience not tallying the price of the ingredients.

Eating with the waves rolling underneath you, a sea breeze coming in off the ocean, some fella tinkling a piano, good wine selection. etc etc

[geriatrickid]

Patong sucks! Seriously, the restaurants and bars are way over-priced and quality, in general, rather low in value for money.

Well duh, everyone knows that. However, if you take into account that the clientele are mostly (inebriated) tourists on junkets, I doubt that the clientele knows the difference. Mind you, there are still some good places to get wonderful eats at in Patong. Donna was most excellent in sharing a good place in another thread.

There are so many excellent venues on Phuket who struggle as the exposure is so thinly spread, competition rife... any entrepreneurs looking for advice on gourmet tours? Watch this thread!

Please do. I'd rather other people take the diarhea test for me.

BTW, Chiangmai, thank you. I guess you are one of those folks that understands that you usually get what you pay for when it comes to food.

[El Taco Loco]

Coyote Patong is owned in partnership with the guys from Molly Malones. Coyote BKK and Coyote HK are the same company. Not owned by anyone in Chiang Mai. Micky is involved with all 3. He is not Americano, though.

[El Taco Loco]

Sour grapes for giving an opinion? Give me a break. Read the whole thread, not just part of what you want to see. Price of the ingredients? 20 Baht. Price for the coffee size cup of green curry, 320 Baht. Your choice.

Like I said, not flaming anyone. To each his own.

You are welcome to it. Again, different strokes for different folks. I want authentic Thai food, not overpriced, watered down swill.

You will LOVE BRP. Look it up. They advertise everywhere. A nice lovely bowl of green curry, 320 baht! lol. Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed the place. That is important, of course. Not flaming you.

Sounds like sour grapes from someone who wont spend money.. Your paying for the location ambience and all round experience not tallying the price of the ingredients.

Eating with the waves rolling underneath you, a sea breeze coming in off the ocean, some fella tinkling a piano, good wine selection. etc etc

[chiang mai]

Coyote Patong is owned in partnership with the guys from Molly Malones. Coyote BKK and Coyote HK are the same company. Not owned by anyone in Chiang Mai. Micky is involved with all 3. He is not Americano, though.

Thanks for the input. The linkage of people associated with these places is not all together complete but I'm not about to pursue that in this forum.

[Goldenbead]

Although I have enjoyed meals at Los Amigos in Naiharn in the past, I doubt I will be rushing back there. Last time we saw a huge rat run from the kitchen, through the dining room and up the wall into the ceiling. By coincidence (?) I had a very bad gut the next day that kept me in bed and the bathroom all day.

[chiang mai]

Although I have enjoyed meals at Los Amigos in Naiharn in the past, I doubt I will be rushing back there. Last time we saw a huge rat run from the kitchen, through the dining room and up the wall into the ceiling. By coincidence (?) I had a very bad gut the next day that kept me in bed and the bathroom all day.

[El Taco Loco]

Not defending this tex mex oasis, but rats are everywhere. Cannot really get rid of them unless you have 10 cats, collared and leashed at every nook and cranny in the kitchen area.

Their food is always fresh and hot meals are hot. Cannot comment on your bad gut. I had the runs and gut pain from drinking fresh sugar cane juice at the local weekend market. First time in 6 years that has ever happened to me. And I saw my glass being made from the cane itself. Anyway, glad you are ok now.

Back to food. The chili con carne from Coyote is overly spiced and no flavor. If you or any reader has a taco attack, they can buy the shells at Tops and many taco sauces. Takes care of most mex cravings I have.

[Sir Burr]

Los Amigos in Nai Harn is the best tex mex in the island. Fresh food and the staff are very friendly and mostly related to each other. The owner is an American. Wife sells insurance also. Nice place.

Twin Palms is great for their Sunday buffet. About 1400 Baht, I believe. Free haagen daz ice cream, as well. Overpriced but quality food, for the most part.

For falang food, you have to pay to get quality. For Thai food, that should never happen.

Hmmmmm.....I like Mexican food, but, haven't tried this place. Is it as good as the Blue-fin in Kata?

Lady Pies are the best pies on the island. Don't eat there, but, usually buy a dozen, or so frozen pies to take home with me.

[chiang mai]

Los Amigos in Nai Harn is the best tex mex in the island. Fresh food and the staff are very friendly and mostly related to each other. The owner is an American. Wife sells insurance also. Nice place.

Twin Palms is great for their Sunday buffet. About 1400 Baht, I believe. Free haagen daz ice cream, as well. Overpriced but quality food, for the most part.

For falang food, you have to pay to get quality. For Thai food, that should never happen.

Hmmmmm.....I like Mexican food, but, haven't tried this place. Is it as good as the Blue-fin in Kata?

Lady Pies are the best pies on the island. Don't eat there, but, usually buy a dozen, or so frozen pies to take home with me.

I tried Lady Pies today and sorry to say I was not impressed, kinda bland for my taste and reminded me of the sort of mass produced thing that one might get in the Uk, but each to their own. As for being the best on the island, absolutely not. By far the best I have tasted anywhere in Thailand is my better halves Thai/farang version of a shepherds pie. Puff pastry case, beef, mushroom and onion filling in a slightly spicy tomato based sauce with a mashed potato topping - superb. I want her to go into business making them for sale but we need to take that slowly.

[LivinginKata]

By far the best I have tasted anywhere in Thailand is my better halves Thai/farang version of a shepherds pie. Puff pastry case, beef, mushroom and onion filling in a slightly spicy tomato based sauce with a mashed potato topping - superb. I want her to go into business making them for sale but we need to take that slowly.

Make me up 6 pies for sale and a I'll call round to buy & pay. Frozen or fresh, no matter. PM me the price & collect point.

[Sir Burr]

^

So, it's sort of a Cottage Pie pie then?

Cottage Pie = made with beef.

Shephards Pie = made with lamb.

[donna]

i had a pastie today at lady pie. of course, as with every pie and pastie, you have to crack open the top, fill it with tomato sauce, give it a stir, pop the lid back on and then eat it.

the salad, which is normally great, was dressed in goodness knows what, but i will go back.

[chiang mai]

^

So, it's sort of a Cottage Pie pie then?

Cottage Pie = made with beef.

Shephards Pie = made with lamb.

Agreed it is more of a Cottage Pie than a Shepherds Pie. Trying to find a truly delicious Cottage (or Shepherds) Pie these days is a difficult task, even in the UK. One of the few places that actually could get it right was a small pub in Derbyshire some twenty years ago and the lady (owners wife) who did the cooking used to make five or six different types of pie and sell them at lunch time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. As word got around of the taste and quality of her food it became almost impossible to get a seat for lunch without booking two months in advance and I had been known to travel from London Derbyshire, just for lunch.

When I set my better half the task of trying to come close to the recipe she inevitably added some of her own ingredients and style and came up with what I think is a certain winner. But there again she is a cook by profession.

[LivinginKata]

By far the best I have tasted anywhere in Thailand is my better halves Thai/farang version of a shepherds pie. Puff pastry case, beef, mushroom and onion filling in a slightly spicy tomato based sauce with a mashed potato topping - superb. I want her to go into business making them for sale but we need to take that slowly.

Make me up 6 pies for sale and a I'll call round to buy & pay. Frozen or fresh, no matter. PM me the price & collect point.

Thanks for the PM. Order placed