SIGNATURE DISHES

Smoked salmon vegetable wrap Fried red snapper roll with tartar sauce Soba noodle sushi roll Kobe sirloin steak Lamb chop

SETTING: Amapola is a gem of a tropical mini-resort with a garden terrace, comfy dining room and a chic and breezy poolside bar.

FOOD: Dedicated proprietor/chef Yasutoshi Sakai imports the best grade of kobe steaks, a rarity in Thailand, from a secret supplier. Top-selling kobe steak set meals available at lunch and dinner serve 150-250gm steaks with soup, appetiser, seafood, salad, rice, miso soup and ice cream. Although the steak is surprisingly thin, the renowned dense marbling blesses each bite with a burst of juicy flavour. Organic sea salt crystals, tangy ponzu and sweet soysauce sesame dips are served alongside. Diners can order kobe steaks by the gram, while Japanese and fusion starters, soups, salads, side dishes, as well as seafood, lamb and Australian beef entrees, cater to non-kobe beef enthusiasts.

WINE: Small portfolio of house wines and some premium wines. Australia's Long Flat shiraz red house wine is excellent value for money and pairs well with steak.

SERVICE: Staff is polite and affable.

PRICE: A meal without wine for two people is about 2,500 baht. Double for Kobe steak.