Whereas it’s really TV chef Keith Floyd, stomping around, making sure things are just right for his culinary audience tonight. With a host of books and TV programs under his belt, as well as possessing a somewhat ‘engaging’ personality, Floyd creates a gastronomic buzz wherever he breezes through. Recently, he helped open a restaurant at Burasari and has been the object of much media attention in Phuket ever since.

Where is it?

Keith Floyd

In Patong on Ruamjai Rd, in the Burasari Resort – the road that joins the Beach Rd with 200 Phi Rd. directly opposite the Holiday Inn. Head south along 200 Phi Rd. in Patong and turn right directly at the corner where the Holiday Inn is situated. Alternatively, if you are coming from the south, go down to the Beach Rd and turn right at the first junction.

There is no parking in Burasari so be sure to grab the first one you see on Ruamjai. Once inside Burasari, glance left and that vista of shining wine glasses, flowers and wine racks is Floyd’s: and a pretty sight it is.

View Floyd's Restaurant location map.

Décor

Inside view

There are hanging plants that would put Nebuchadnezzar’s back yard to shame, open-plan table arrangements, predominantly white-brick walls with a blue-tiled floor. It may sound overdone but there’s a lightness of touch here.

With a pool to one side and a water display just by the restaurant, it’d be interesting to sit here during one of Phuket’s famed tropical thunderstorms.

Crisp white table cloths add to the sense of lightness and monogrammed plates with a Floyd motif on them are a clever touch.

Atmosphere

Outside view

The first part of the evening is oriented to all things culinary at Floyd’s. There’s a team of extremely well-presented staff serving cocktails and setting you up for your meal but when the resident musician begins the atmosphere totally changes.

Yet this is more than a hotel restaurant due to this relatively small area’s multifaceted personality. There are lots of possibilities to mix and mingle as behind the musician’s set up lies the bar; something that encourages a happy party atmosphere. Chic fun; dress up; go for it; mostly English speaking.

Wine

Wine cellar

If you can’t trust Keith Floyd to get together a fine wine list you may as well take your tire bouchon, convert it into a ratchet and take up car mechanics instead. Still, Khun Nut, Burasari’s F&B manager, has had a hand in this nifty 52-label wine list, featuring wines otherwise unavailable in Phuket.

Mostly Old World, but with some sparklingly good examples of New World virtuosity, the best part about Floyd’s wide-ranging wine list is that it is reasonably priced. We chose a Rosado Cabernet Sauvignon to accompany our main courses and flirted with some hearty house red in the course of the evening.

Food

Sea bass in butter lemon sauce

A pâté is a pâté, or so the French say, but Floyd’s chicken and pork pâté is jazzed up with onion, olive oil, parsley and salad to excellent effect. The lobster bisque is light and agreeable but the accompanying whole wheat garlic bread is slightly over-greasy. Still, you can be sure to find a culinary delight here according to whatever your taste buds prefer as the menu is extremely wide (Floyd has claimed that he can prepare a Thai dish better than local chefs).

The sea bass in butter lemon sauce is a beautifully prepared and fresh affair and, with a serving of potato slices, almost an entire meal in itself. Tournedos Rossini is rich, and melt-in-the-mouth perfect with a sauce tasty yet subtle enough not to overwhelm the meat.

Keith Floyd is here a few months a year (check www.burasari.com for dates) but he’s not exactly going to rustle up a flambé at your table – he’s at Burasari more to make sure that standards remain high.

Service

Extremely well meaning and well turned-out but can get it wrong sometimes. With a little more experience, the wait staff will be excellent.

Floyd’s at Burasari: 18/110 Ruamjai Rd. Patong.
Tel: 076-292929 www.burasari.com