Review

This newcomer on a lagoon within the grounds of Anantara Layan Phuket, Dara Cuisine offers diners curated stargazing after dinner from the rooftop observatory. The menu offers Thai classics given a modern update. Begin with bua thod mueak, deep-fried cuttlefish, organic betel leaf and fruity pineapple chutney, or traditional miang kham with betel leaf, cashew nut, foie gras and house-made ginger sauce. Or try tom yum kang kradan soup, of spicy rockfish lobster tails. For mains and curries, choose beef cheek massaman with roasted organic sweet potato or green curry of Phuket lobster with mangosteen and eggplant, both innovative reinterpretations of the classics. The big attraction at Dara is the charcoal grill, and a wide array of cuts and combinations is available; perhaps hickory smoked baby chicken with sweet chili sauce or wagyu beef striploin with Thai herbs and salt flakes, or for sharing, Angus tomahawk with chef’s selection of sauces. A diner favourite of local lobster bathed in tom yam butter is an accomplished dish. Desserts include mango sticky rice or coconut dumplings with coconut cream or house-made ice creams; Chiang Rai coffee, Nakhon Sri Thammarat chocolate, or for the adventurous, goat’s cheese and honey with Krabi cashew praline.