 Time moves on. Nothing stays in the past forever. And although it’s great going to a traditional Thai restaurant, complete with rustic surroundings, it’s also a marvelous alternative enjoying the very best of Thai cuisine in a contemporary setting, too.
A place that’s absolutely dripping with modern style and class is the fabulous new Padma restaurant at Karma Resort. The bad news is that it’s not located in the middle of Chaweng, and the good news is that it’s not located in the middle of Chaweng! But those of you who don’t like traveling far at night, for whatever reason, don’t need to cross Padma off your list too quickly, because it’s literally just five minutes’ drive away on the road leading from Chaweng to Choeng Mon.
Having arrived at the hotel lobby on the main road, you’re whisked down the steep hillside through the beautiful grounds of Karma Samui in a golf-style electric buggy. And when you’re dropped off at the front of Padma, you’ll immediately realise that this is a ‘restaurant within a resort’, as opposed to being a ‘resort restaurant’. There is a difference, and it’s a BIG one.
The staff are great here. And from the moment you arrive till the moment you leave they’ll be attentive, helpful and, above all else, very friendly. Which is of paramount importance when it comes to having a special meal out.
It’s airy and spacious at Padma, with an enormously high ceiling, and a wide terrace enjoying a panoramic view of the Gulf of Thailand and the floodlit beach below. And the whole place is open-plan, with the show-kitchen at the back and the cocktail bar to the side. Polished wooden flooring, discreet but ample lighting, and huge tables and chairs. You won’t find a more comfortable dining chair on Samui, and that’s a fact. Although upright, they’re well-padded and make the task of leaving at the end of the evening a difficult one.
If you fancy more of a casual feel, then just take the few steps down
to the adjacent RockPool Bar & Bistro, set up high above the rocks on its
own promontory terrace with 360˚ view. Here, there's seating for another
22 diners and it's a great place to just come for a drink or two and relax on
the huge sofas whilst looking up at the stars above (and the cocktails here
are extra-ordinary), but I recommend that you also come to eat at either
Padma or RockPool, because the cuisine is very special.
"... and the adjacent RockPool Bar & Bistro is set up high above
the rocks on its own promontory terrace with 360˚ view."
That's courtesy of Executive Chef - Azizskandar Awang. Trained in
classical French cuisine, he has an impressive résumé having worked in
both the Marriott and Hilton hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before
running the kitchen at the prestigious Renaissance Koh Samui Resort &
Spa.
Here are some of my personal favourites of his fabulous 'fresh market
cuisine', firstly from the Padma fine-dining menu, and for starters it's the
tender Hokkaido Scallops with asparagus, garlic confit and tomato Brunoise
quickly sautéed in grape seed oil. For the main course it's got to be the
outrageously tasty Roasted Tajima Wagyu Tenderloin with glazed baby
carrots, Tokyo turnips, buttered endives and sauce Bordelaise. My dessert
recommendation would be the highly decadent Callebaut Chocolate
Fondant containing white chocolate ice-cream, chocolate soil and crème
Anglaise.
Secondly, from the RockPool bistro-style menu, my recommendations
are equally delicious. For starters, do try the refreshing Blue Cheese
Salad with toasted walnuts, beetroot, pear, poached egg and raspberry
vinaigrette. As a main course, the Australian King Fish, Lobster and
Artichoke Barigoule with sautéed baby spinach is hard to beat.
Follow that with the Peach au Gratin with Grand Marnier and vanilla
ice-cream and you'll be more than happy.
Yes, at Karma Samui, you really do get the best of both worlds with
two highly individual restaurants - Padma and RockPool - side by side.
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