
L'Orféo - Lounge Bar and Restaurant
Simply a classic
By
Sam Wilkinson - Photos by Stephan Audiger
|
La Favola dOrfeo was one of the earliest works
recognised as an opera and was composed by Claudio Monteverdi
in 1607. But whats this got to do with Phuket.Coms
food review? Well, one of the restaurants we choose to review
this month is, in fact LOrféo in Nai Harn. Nai
Harn is not as tourist-orientated as Patong or Karon or even
Kata and is an area, along with Rawai, that has found itself
popular with the many expatriates who have chosen to make
Phuket their home. As a result, LOrféo is often
frequented by many international local residents.
|
|
 |
Where is it?
 |
| Outside view |
|
On Soi Sai Yuan, the road linking the islands main north-south
highway with Nai Harn. If you are coming from the north, simply
turn right at the 7-Eleven junction after the Lemon Green gas station
and drive down three kilometres past Dons Mall.
LOrféo is a little further down on the right. If you
are coming from Patong/Karon/Kata take the left-hand turn at Nai
Harn Village at the three-way junction and you will see LOrféo
within seconds on the left-hand side of the road.
View a location map below...
|
Décor
 |
| Al fresco covered
dining area |
|
Wow. If you like to be surrounded by softly lit satin and silk
and to bask in cushioned and air-conditioned comfort then LOrféo
is certainly for you. There are also traditional tables and chairs
but the option of dining like a reclining Pasha in a corner slouch
couch is a strongly seductive one.
Large and colourful dried flowers in vases abound, along with antique
chests, plenty of reading material and a thousand different bric-a-brac
pieces as well as eclectic art on the walls. There is also an al
fresco covered dining area in LOrféos large front
courtyard, no less tasteful.
|
Atmosphere
 |
| L'Orféo inside
|
|
The swirling music here lends an Arabesque touch and along with
all the gorgeous textiles, curtains and cushions you would be forgiven
for thinking you were in Cairo but the smart international clientele
remind you that no, this is indeed Thailand.
Inside, a bamboo bar is a convivial place for an aperitif while
letting the restaurant slowly but surely work its magic on you.
Outside, stand fans keep things fresh and either inside or out,
diners soon realise that this is a unique experience and one to
be savoured.
|
Wine
 |
| Wines served at
l'Orféo |
|
LOrféo has a decent wine list with seven reds and
eight whites drawing from several countries and continents, as can
be expected as this is a French-International restaurant.
Prices are certainly reasonable, the most expensive label costing
2,000 baht. The house red, an Italian San Carlo served
in old pop-top cider bottles, is more than decent and a robust companion
to the cuisine here. The bar is well stocked with spirits and aperitifs.
|
Food
 |
| Red snapper on a
bed of fresh vegetables |
|
Theres an attractive range of dishes here with some eclectic
food preparation and some old favourites, too. The duck foie gras
is succulent while the same could be said of the tuna tartar with
shaved parmesan, cherry tomatoes and plum and ginger. The flavours
are beautifully separated and presentation is tip top.
A red snapper filet on a bed of fresh vegetables is healthiness
itself and the vegetables resemble Thailands famous som
tam but without the killer chilis. The tagliatele carbonara
is perfectly al dente and bursting with flavour, as ever perfectly
presented. It soon becomes clear that the cuisine suits the surroundings
and that this is no victory of style over substance as is so often
the case in tourist venues.
A beautifully rich tiramisu rounds things off nicely and, as mentioned,
the house wine stands up well to such delicacies.
|
Service
 |
| Warm Décor
|
|
Discreet and vigilant. Dishes arrive without fanfare and wine glasses
are never empty.
The girls at LOrféo are smart and professional and
will make sure your evening runs smoothly.
LOrféo lounge bar and restaurant:
95/13 Soi Sai Yuan, Nai Harn
Tel: 076-288935
Mobile: 0819560204
Email: lorfeoresto@aim.com
|
|
|
 |
|
|