How concise is a language? Is there a word for everything in English? You’d think so wouldn’t you, but how do you say ‘extremely delicious’ – in a single word? ‘Tasty’ doesn’t say enough. Neither does ‘appetizing’. And I really need this missing word when describing the food at Lai Thai.

But the first question that needs to be answered is: ‘Where is it?’ Well, that’s easy. It’s part of Napasai, a brand-new resort that’s set over several acres of idyllic beachfront land in Maenam. And it’s on a gently sloping hillside so that means that you get some marvelous uninterupted views down to the ocean.

There are two restaurants here. One down on the water’s edge that mainly serves snacks and grills, and another that provides a choice of French or Royal Thai cuisine. And this restaurant is highly recommended!

There are two distinct parts to it. Firstly there’re 4 outside ‘salas’ that are tiered down the hillside. And it’s these wonderful Thai-style wooden structures that you can secure for a totally private dining experience for 2-8 people. With the cooling breezes coming up from the sea across the coconut groves it’s always cool here too.

And secondly there’s the magnificent air-conditioned restaurant building itself. High ceilings, stone-tiled flooring and lots and lots of glass – the views across the resort to the ocean beyond are almost 180 degrees. And it’s these huge windows that allow you to look out and enjoy this tropical scene from the comfort of cool air-conditioned elegance. It’s split-level too, giving yet more choice for where to eat in its stylish 60-seat interior.

It would be hard to find friendlier and more attentive staff on Samui. Smiling faces are always there ready to take your next order. And nothing is too much trouble. Poor service can certainly spoil an evening so it’s very reassuring to know that dinner’s going to be an unhurried happy affair.

But good service alone isn’t enough. The food’s got to be excellent too. And at Lai Thai that’s also a foregone conclusion. It’s fortunate to have master French chef – Michel Claustre – recently at the Landmark Hotel in Bangkok, tantalising diners with his mouth-watering creations. Try his Thon Frais Poivré, salade croquante, asperges vertes, graines de sesame rÔties – peppered fresh tuna with crunchy salad, green asparagus with roasted sesame seed as an appetizer and you’ll see what I mean.

His main courses are equally tempting, and special recommendations include both the: Fillet de Dorade Argentée, pÔellée d’aspèrges vertes et tomates, sauce vierge – white snapper filet, sautéed green asparagus and tomato with virgin sauce; and the Médaillons de Veau, pomme de terre persillées, échalottes et potiron confits – veal medallion, crushed parsley potato, shallots and pumkin confit.

“...it provides a choice of French or Royal Thai cuisine.
And this restaurant is highly recommended!”

But let’s not forget the Royal Thai cuisine, that would be a big mistake. And it’s Khun Suvit Samtab who’s in charge here. It takes a special cook to master the intricacies of this unique variation on the national cuisine and Khun Suvit has done it admirably.

Special recommendations of his include: Gaeng Jued Noppakao – clear soup with squid, prawns, scallops and vegetables; Gaeng Khiew Warn Goong Sod – famous green curry with fresh prawns and egg plant in coconut milk; and Gai Phad Med Mamuang Him Ma Parn – stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts and dried chili.

And to complement the marvellous fare, there is an excellent wine list with bottles coming from France, Chile, California, Italy, Australia and South Africa.

It’s certainly well worth the effort of visiting Lai Thai, either as a stop off point for lunch on a round-the-island trip or for dinner. The food is ‘extremely delicious’!