SIGNATURE DISHES

The experience: set dinner of 10 mini courses Five on the rocks: set dinner of 5 courses

SETTING: High up on the rocks at Sila Evason Hideaway & Spa, it offers outstanding views of the bay and neighbouring islands. The emphasis is on natural decor, minimalist, casual yet refined.

FOOD: Opened in December 2004, executive chef Thomas Jakobi's New Asian cuisine is not to be missed. The a la carte menu is unique as all dishes are available either as a starter or main course. Start with Caribbean crab cake with tropical salsa and English pea coulis, simply exquisite, or oysters in iced Asian gazpacho served with a tom-yam sorbet, a delightful contrast. For mains, carrot vanilla mousseline with curry-infused scallops and sea bass in crispy duck skin are superb. Also recommended is veal wrapped in bacon with truffle spring roll mash. Desserts such as marquise of Lanna coffee bean mousse with framboise sorbet round off the meal perfectly.

WINE: A staggering selection of over 1,000 bottles with major producers well represented. Prices range from 1,500 baht to an 18,000-baht Robert Mondavi Opus One.

SERVICE: Knowledgeable and helpful with an excellent command of English.

PRICE: A meal for two without wine costs about 3,500 baht.