Sunday, December 30, 2012

Tung Ka Cafe (ทุ่งคา-กาแฟ) - coffee




The beauty of reaching the top of Rang Hill is the iced coffee that they serve you when you reach the very top.

Tunka Cafe is also a restaurant but today I only needed a coffee.


Lovely it was too - strong and very cold. 




Coupled with the addition of a beautiful view.


  

Website: 
Email: 
Phone Number: 076 211 500
Approximate price: $$$$$ 
Address: Top of Rang Hill, Phuket Town, Phuket 83000
Hours: 10:30 - 22:30



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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Two Chefs @ Kata Center




We chose to visit here because it was close to where my friend Gavin was staying and it was also close to Dino Golf so I have to admit Two Chefs@Kata Center was seriously convenient.



My first thoughts were that it was very popular  so that it must be good.  Chuen started with a cocktail and I think that I had a beer. I chose to have a dish which I don't normally have and it was from the Tex Mex menu - the Chicken Fajitas and they were very nice.

We would go again if this is the sort of dish we wanted OR Jemma just wanted to go to Dino Golf again.


Phone Number: 076 - 330 065
Approximate price: $$$$$ 
Address: 32 Karon Road, Karon Sub-District, Muang District 83100
Hours:   


Sunday, December 23, 2012

Chaiyo Seafood




If the truth be known we visited here because another restaurant was closed and this was only across the road. We had not been here previously because there were a number of stray dogs at the front and we were unable to enter.



The seating is adjacent to the Klong Mu Dong and there are wooden steps to lead you into the klong but I do not think that wandering onto this floating platform is a good idea - just look. The restaurant is not immediately seen from the side of the road or even when you get closer. There is a place to park out side which made it very convenient.



There is the choice to sit in an air-conditioned room, a traditional hut where you sit on the floor or simply on a table next to the klong - we chose the latter.



The environment was lovely - the moon was almost full and the wine was cold - Jemma was at a party so it was just the two of us and the food was not a priority but as I write this a month later I would have to be honest that we have not returned....

Website: http://www.chaiyoseafood.com/phuket.php (did not work)
Phone Number: 076 393 142 
Approximate price: $$$$$ 
Address: Adjacent to Klong Mu Dong, Ban Borae
Hours:  10:30 - 10:30 

   


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Monday, December 17, 2012

Chern Cha Tea Room



After taking Jemma to school I like to be dropped off on the outskirts of Phuket Town and then I i like to wander down the street.

Okay I do have some favourite places to drop into for their specific drinks - cappuccino, coffee, bubble tea, cafe latte and more. Here is the best Cafe Latte that I have found so far.

The Chern Cha Tea room is part of the Sino Inn Hotel (as mentioned in the previous post) and is managed by them - which means that you can pop into the toilet next door.


The staff are very friendly, as usual in Thailand, but I like to remind the reader and it is nice to be recognised when I enter. The tea room is more than this but it is also a shop selling a variety of different items, all linked to Asia - paintings, paint brushes, kimono, bags and more.


Then there is the coffee - the cafe latte is superb - the flavour, balance and view is immaculate - at the moment (25 Nov) the best in Phuket which I have tasted.

Then you have the opportunity to sit outside and watch the traffic speed pass - sometimes this can be very entertaining. My favourite was of the man on the motorbike whilst it was raining - he had an umbrella up but he was driving into the rain?

Always a pleasure to drink coffee here - not tried the accommodation next door (Sino Inn) or the food, maybe on another day?


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Joob Joob - Central Festival




After a shop which involved lots of bits and pieces Chuen and I retired to have lunch at Zen in Central Festival. As we wandered through the building we noticed that there was a new outlet - Joob Joob.

This seemed to be wonderful - the smell of freshly brewed coffee and the plethora of little cakes was wonderful.

Approaching the counter made me even more demanding - not one cake but two cakes, the choice was almost impossible.



I chose my two cakes and asked for a cappuccino to go with the two cakes.


It was immediately clear that the cakes were cooked freshly (later I noticed that there was an oven on the premises). The coffee was smooth with only a slight bitter taste (with no sugar added). Chuen went shopping whilst I sat here - lovely.

So why Joob Joob? Apparently Joob Joob is Thai for a small kiss - a 'peck on the cheek' I am led to believe but whatever it is it does make a name that you remember.

I do wonder why people sit in chairs provided by a Cafe but purchase nothing? (if you need Internet I was able to pick up Wine Connection - ssshhh.)


  
Approximate price: $$$$$ 
Address: Central Festival, outside Phuket Town
Hours:  10:30 - 22:00

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Mangrove - Panwa





As we stepped slowly down the steps the sea the small lodgings were carefully lit up and the gardens looked well look after - I say 'looked' because it was dark.

As we reached the bottom there was a faint blue glow from a swimming pool stretching parallel to the shore line - thought that it may well be a nice place to stay. 



As we walked towards the 'sea wall' Jemma discovered a big chess set. So we moved them about a bit and then we retired to the restaurant for dinner.



The restaurant was well set up and the designer had set up a set of Campbell Soup tins on a shelf - a fan of somebody?

The floor was covered in sand - which we felt was a nice touch and the furniture was very complimentary to the buildings and the concept.



The quality of the food was not as good as the quality of this though - maybe my expectations were now too high?

The food was reasonable and not expensive - but we had 4 dishes and 3 were ordinary - the fresh squid on garlic and pepper was superb though! My daughter did not enthuse to come back but it has only just opened so we will certainly visit again - maybe for a swim?

Note: the details on the website are not complete yet (Dec 2012).

Phone Number: 076 351 351 
Approximate price: $$$$$ 
Address: 39/6 Moo 6, Ao-Yon Khaokhad Rd, Tambon, Wichit
Hours:  8:30 - 10:30 

     



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