
Mom Tri's Kitchen
Villa Royale - Kata Noi Beach
By
Sam Wilkinson - Photos by Stephan Audiger
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Every once in a while the perfect dining experience crosses
your path. All you have to do is go with the flow and let
it happen. Location and décor are definitely important
but these two key factors without good food just don't work.
That's why Mom Tri's Kitchen Royale at Villa
Royale in Kata Noi Beach is such a clever act: it balances
the three factors perfectly and invites the diner simply to
appreciate and enjoy some fabulous cuisine in a divine setting.
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Where is it?
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| The bar |
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Villa Royale straddles the highland separating Kata Yai and Kata
Noi beaches on Phuket's west coast. Kata is some eight kilometres
south of Patong.
Drive to the south of the resort town and follow the road over
the hill to Kata Noi. Villa Royale is halfway on the right and has
ample parking space in its beautiful gardens.
View Mom
Tri's Kitchen location map.
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Décor
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| Sunset at Mom Tri's
Kitchen |
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Mom Tri's Kitchen Royale is sumptuous in its décor with
terracotta floor tiling and views out over Kata Noi and the Andaman
Sea to die for (don't miss sunset here). There is a successful marriage
between natural and man-made décor in its al fresco section
and a plain old-fashioned sense of delicate taste throughout.
The owner, Mom Luang Trihosyuth Devakul, is Thailand's most renowned
architect and his skill has been put to optimum use here in creating
a fantastically beautiful place to enjoy gourmet food and wine;
indeed it used to be his house!
The original restaurant and kitchen are now a reception area and
guests descend into the dining section where there are eclectic
alcoves, antiques and beautiful artwork.
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Atmosphere
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| "Intimate and
elegant dining personified" |
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Immediately as you enter the property a sense of elegance pervades.
Carp play in stone pools and the beautifully landscaped garden complements
the lush and tastefully illuminated interior.
Live music from a baby grand piano drifts through the night air
as well-presented waiters guide you to your table.
If a businessman could capture the early evening magical feel at
Mom Tri's Kitchen Royale and sell it he'd be a very, very rich man
indeed as this is intimate and elegant dining personified.
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Wine
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| Mom Tri's Kitchen's
wine cellar |
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With a 380-label list and access to nearby sister restaurant The
Boathouse's excellent wine cellars you're looking at top-notch wine
at Mom Tri's.
The restaurant's cellar is a long-time winner of Wine Spectator
Magazine's 'Award of Excellence' so it comes as no surprise that
the Argentine Pascual Toso Merlot we take with our meal is wonderful.
Some of the waiters here are as knowledgeable as sommeliers so
you are in experienced hands with a first-rate wine list.
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Food
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| Pepper-crushed pan
seared tuna steak |
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Impeccable. Presentation and execution is at premium and the restaurant's
open kitchen gives the distinct impression that food is prepared
with freshness paramount in the chef's mind. A pepper-crushed pan
seared tuna steak is delectable and carrot soup (ordered minus the
cream) bursting with freshness.
We made a point of trying the lobster ravioli as The Boathouse
serves up a fine version and it was a good idea as this dish is
outstanding for its integration of flavours. A beef steak follows
and every mouthful is a reminder why we'd chosen this restaurant.
Fusion? Yes, but with wonderful attention to the individual characteristics
of the ingredients. To tell the truth we were so full we skipped
dessert but did notice that there are at least four recommendable
chocolate combinations on hand. In short, Mom Tri's Kitchen Royale
succeeds with ease where lesser restaurants fall at the first hurdle.
All this in a wonderful setting, too.
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Service
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| On the terrace |
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The best of Thai: discreet, polite, knowledgeable, warm and dedicated.
Mom Tri's staff members are in synch with the elegant atmosphere,
the wonderful wines and the magnificent location.
Mom Tri's Kitchen Royale: Kata Noi Beach.
Tel: 076-333568
www.phuket.com/villaroyale/dining.htm
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